General
- The absurdity of the relationship aside, Naoya makes it very clear that he cares for Saki and Nagisa. He does his best to make sure he's spending an equal amount of time with both of them, and when he thinks either one is upset he tries to solve the problem, even if he fails.
- The friendship that forms between Nagisa and Saki is very sweet. The two girls care about each other outside of sharing a boyfriend, and Saki is very obviously crushing hard on Nagisa. While they both know they're in a messy and (at time) unbalanced situation, the two very much try to get along with each other, and arguably have a healthier relationship with each other than they do with their mutual boyfriend.
- While this series is considered a Broken Base by the anime community, at least one part of that base sees it as a decent representation of a poly relationship. As the manga series focus on communication humour (rather than the traditional hijinks of this genre), the main couples grow from understanding each other rather than keeping secrets.
- Why was this manga made? When Hiroyuki was told that only one girl was picked in The Quintessential Quintuplets, he felt bad that not all the main characters got a happy ending.
Manga
Chapter 3- Realizing Saki doesn’t feel comfortable about his night plans when confronted, Naoya makes it clear he will not make any advances if both Saki and Nagisa don't feel ready.
Chapter 5
- Naoya taking the fall for Nagisa when Saki found them awake and looking at her phone.
Chapter 6
- Naoya stating that he doesn't care if Nagisa is Book Dumb, but rather that he's worried about her wellbeing and her future if she doesn't take her studies seriously.
Chapter 7
- Saki realizing that distancing themselves from Nagisa during school time isn't good for her. The revelation that Nagisa spend all morning making bentos for all three of them to enjoy brought her to tears, hugging her while apologizing.
- Nagisa understanding why the relationship must remain a secret and try to make it easier for Saki.
- The reason why Saki want the relationship to be a secret? She doesn't want the classmates to think Naoya is a bad person and no longer loves her.
Chapter 8
- After a long search, the trio finally found themselves a secret place for all three of them to eat and hang out, happily eating the bentos Nagisa prepared.
Chapter 10
- Naoya spending three days straight trying to apologize to Saki and giving her gifts, hoping this would allow the two to talk.
- Nagisa took one for the team so Saki and Naoya can finally discuss the issue, realizing that Naoya really cares about Saki and wants to make it work.
Chapter 11
- Nagisa understanding Saki feelings and want to be helpful to Naoya just as much as the latter wants to be for him.
- Naoya realizing that he doesn't have to take up all the responsibly and told Saki what he would like for Saki to do for him.
Chapter 12
- Despite Nagisa being horrible in video games, Saki found herself having a lot of fun with her. Both for finding something she's better at than Nagisa and that she is legit having fun with someone she consider her rival.
Chapter 14
- Naoya making it clear that while he is two timing, he wouldn't date Mirika cause A) he isn't in love with her, B) he doesn't want to hurt Saki and Nagisa cause he's already pushing it with the two timing relationship.
- Saki and Nagisa are so overjoyed hearing his rejection against Mirika that Saki hugged Naoya and Nagisa thanked him.
Chapter 16
- Saki and Nagisa revealed that while they are uncomfortable with Mirika living nearby, they have complete trust in Naoya that he would not three time. Ashamed Naoya does not feel the same way and can't trust himself despite not having any feelings for Mirika.
Chapter 18
- Despite the problems she had caused him and his girlfriends, Naoya defends Rika when her father was trying to delete all her MeTube videos out of disgust. Him promising to protect her and explaining to her father how much effort she put into her videos makes Rika fall hard for him.
Chapter 35
- After catching up with Nagisa, Naoya makes it clear that she has every right to be happy just as much as Saki. As she is Naoya's girlfriend just as much as Saki is.
Chapter 36
- Shino made it clear that she doesn't want to discuss the two timing at school so that no one would overhear them and have Saki's reputation ruin. This moved Saki and Naoya to tears, saying how much of a great person she is much to her embarrassment.
- Naoya took what Shino said back at the inn seriously. Taking up a job to support Saki and Nagisa, even wanting to discuss their relationship to their parents.
Chapter 40
- Nagisa overjoy and giggle emotions that she's being able to spend alone time with Naoya early in the morning and at work.
Chapter 42
- Shino, while at first against helping Nagisa study, came around to tutoring them when Naoya delete a blackmail photo Nagisa took of her and Naoya back at the Hot Spring. With Naoya saying that using that as a blackmail against her would be horrible.
- Nagisa, with all her might, manage to pass the exam with the help of Shino. In the background, you could see Nagisa tackling Saki in a tearful hug as the latter welcome it. Despite a chapter ago, she was debating whether or not to let her pass so she could spend time alone with Naoya.
Chapter 54
- Saki, while making it clear she isn't happy that Naoya started the two-timing, told Naoya that she believes he will always love her. Stating that's the main reason why she is putting up with Naoya craziness and the whole relationship.
- After their heart-to-heart talk, Saki allowed Naoya to invite everyone so they could enjoy some fire works together.
Chapter 66
- Rather than spending the night with Naoya, Nagisa used the time to treat him, make him take medicine and sleep. Knowing he been working too hard and want to help him out.
- Naoya is thankful to seeing Nagisa angry. Happy that she's not holding anything back and being worried enough to care for him.
Chapter 72
- Naoya completely agreeing that there should be a time limit to see how far their relationship will go, not wanting for Saki and Nagisa to wait this long to be happy like he did trying to have Saki as his girlfriend.
- Mrs. Mukai, while not accepting the relationship, does admit it's a win-win situation cause she will be getting two daughters if this works.
- While Saki and Nagisa are embarrassed by it, Naoya state loud and proud that each days with them, makes him more and more in love with them and couldn't be happier.
Chapter 88
- After Shino finally confesses how she feels about Naoya, Saki looked on more surprise than shock or hurt. What got Saki furious? Naoya quickly rejecting Shino, saying he shouldn't break her best friend heart like that.
- Showing how strong Saki and Shino friendship is the moment Saki apologize for never noticing how Shino felt and how much she was hurting herself for holding just a secret. Shino cried and apologize for everything that happened. With the two friends forgiving each other.
Chapter 89
- Shino stating that while she kind of hates that he's two timing, Naoya’s best qualities outweigh that and she doesn't mind being with him even though he has other girlfriends. Waiting for the chance he can make them happy so she could join in.
- Shino make it clear that while she is in love with Naoya, she will try to stop her pursuit of him if Saki wants to. While Saki doesn't give an answer, she isn't a hundred percent against it either.
Chapter 90
- Shino becoming a lot more open and happy after confessing her feelings, even apologizing to Nagisa on how she treated her and wants to help Naoya with his studies.
Chapter 91
- While Saki was upset to find out Shino kissed Naoya before she did, but what got her very furious was that Shino stole Nagisa’s chance to kiss him, making her the last girl to do so. This made Saki anger enough to force Shino to apologize, with the latter agreeing to without much problem. Showing how much Saki grew to care about Nagisa and her happiness.
Chapter 100
- While it doesn't lead to anywhere, Naoya proudly state that he will provide for Nagisa school if it means she can spend more time and focus on her passion: cooking.
Chapter 106
- Nagisa's Mom is shown to be a very worried and concerned mother over her daughter's wellbeing. Once she learned about the "two timing" from Naoya, she take Nagisa inside their apartment and comfort her, thinking she was being taken advantage of.
- After Nagisa explained the situation to her mother, Nagisa try to leave with Naoya, before the latter stopped her. Not only he wants to make it right with her mother, but to seriously talk about Nagisa worries and her future, not caring if he's missing time on his studies. Even Nagisa's mother is impressed at him being an understanding man (for someone whose two timing.)
Chapter 107
- Trying Nagisa cooking for the first time, Nagisa's mother is very moved. Not only over how good it taste, but overjoyed that Nagisa finally found something good she can do.
- Being inspired by Naoya and her mother praise, Nagisa decide to become a cook, realizing she doesn’t do just to please Naoya but because she loves seeing other people happy.
- Naoya refuse to leave for his studies until they figure out Nagisa future. When Nagisa said she would never make it as a cook due to her clumsy nature, Naoya told her she should try and she has his full support if it makes her happy.
- Even if she isn’t sure about the relationship her daughter found herself in, Mrs. Minase is happy to see her daughter full of emotion and life unlike last time. To the point she put off discussing the two timing until a later time.
Chapter 110
- Naoya questions why Saki told the classroom she was being two timed. Saki’s answer? Seeing how much hard work Naoya was putting for their relationships, she wanted to make an effort herself and want to see how the classmates would react. The two hugged after Saki explain her reasoning.
- And how the classroom react to the news… they were okay with it. Some stated it's strange and one guy said they were jealous, but otherwise don't care as it's their life and it's "the age of diversity." Saki's friend was more concerned that it was being done behind her back then something she agreed to.
- Saki current feeling about the two timing? She isn't all for it, but she isn't against it either.
Chapter 123
- After everything Shino had said about Nagisa in the past and later apologized for, Nagisa tells Shino that she wants her to join their relationship with Naoya.
Chapter 129
- Nagisa disputes that she would be happier having Naoya to herself and confesses that she's in love with Saki too.
Chapter 130
- Saki she feels the same way as Nagisa and that she wants them all to be together.
Chapter 131
- Nagisa and Saki pressure Naoya into making a decision about Shino, and he admits that he loves her and when he asks her to be his girlfriend too, she lets out years of pent up desire and tackles him to the floor, kissing him while repeatedly telling him that she loves him, while Nagisa and Saki look on.
