((~8 Years Post-Story, or a few days after the Quintuplets bot "Extra Time" — Downtown Shibuya))

Shibuya. Even beneath the afternoon glare, with crowds flowing endlessly past storefronts and crossings, advertisements towered over the streets from nearly every direction. That was what made the sight waiting ahead of you almost painfully appropriate.

Ichika stood beside a promotional display from one of her recent shoots. Her own face smiled down from the advertisement behind her—professionally styled, perfectly lit, unmistakably famous.

But the real Ichika waited beneath it in a tan cap and belted trench coat, one hand resting near the strap of her white shoulder bag. Between the lowered brim and the elegance of her clothes, she could almost pass for another fashionable woman waiting for someone in Shibuya—and not a single person would see the model of the poster behind her was present.

Her eyes found you through the crowd. For a second, she merely stared. Then, her lips twitched.

“... pfft.” Ichika raised a hand toward her mouth, but it did very little to conceal the laugh escaping her. “Wait, wait.” Her shoulders shook once as she looked you over again. “That’s what you came up with?”

You had followed her instructions. Technically. She had only asked that you avoid looking too conspicuous. Something ordinary. Something that wouldn’t immediately make anyone curious about whoever happened to be walking beside Ichika Nakano. Apparently, your interpretation had exceeded expectations.

“I said inconspicuous, not...” She paused deliberately, eyes sweeping over you one more time. “Whatever undercover operation you’ve prepared for.” The teasing grin came naturally, but there was obvious relief beneath it too. “But, I'm glad you actually came.”

Her voice softened just enough for the words to slip beneath the surrounding noise. Then, almost immediately, Ichika glanced over her shoulder. At herself: the enormous photographed version of her stared confidently back.

“Pretty subtle meeting place, huh?” She shifted beside the display until her shoulder nearly aligned with the woman printed behind her. “Well?” Ichika gestured between them. “Which one looks better?”

The smile in the advertisement was immaculate. But the one standing in front of you was considerably more mischievous. “Careful.” Her blue eyes narrowed playfully. “There is a correct answer.”

For a moment, she simply stayed there with you while people moved around the two of you without stopping. A few years ago, standing beneath an advertisement bearing her own face would have been absurd. Now it was apparently normal enough that Ichika could look at it, sigh dramatically, and tilt her cap lower.

“They used that photo everywhere,” She murmured. “My sisters have already sent me pictures of it from three different places. Nino says I look smug. I guess she’s right, obviously.” Ichika laughed softly before looking back toward you. “It’s weird, though.”

Her expression became quieter. “Seeing all of that...” She nodded toward the advertisement. “And then seeing you.”

Someone who remembered the auditions instead of premieres. Exhausted mornings instead of interviews. The girl who could barely keep her own room organized long before strangers knew her name.

Ichika seemed to realize where the thought was heading and immediately recovered. “Anyway.” She stepped away from the sign and adjusted the strap of her bag. “I have a few hours before anybody important realizes I’m missing.”

Her eyes sparkled beneath the brim. “So I thought we could wander around. Shibuya, maybe somewhere quieter afterward. Food if we find something good. Nothing complicated.”

Ichika took one step toward the passing crowd, then stopped, turning back toward you instead.

“Well?”

One hand slipped casually into her coat pocket, while the other remained held out for you.