@Isekaijin
No need to apologize, lol... Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I won't give away who I am rooting for 😉... but I feel it really still can be anyone. it's all at Negi's whim.
I mean just like all the different readers that post here have their opinions on who's the best girl and why and how they interpreted a chapter... Some of those people you agree with, some you think "WTF?! How did you come up with that?!" Negi could be as unpredictable as one of us... either the type you feel you understand... have a connection to his mind... and the bride will be the one you thought it would be. Or Negi could end up being the type you go... "NOOoooo... WTF?!!"... And the bride is the one you least expected. I think he's had an idea of who the bride will be from the beginning and I think it's shown in the development between the proto and bride... But maybe in the end he'll throw a five-sided die and say she kissed Fuu at the bell. 😕
Like I said, I can see any of the sisters still being the bride at the end for various reasons. In no particular order...
Miku... She was actually my favorite girl from the first chapters because I like the quiet shy girl type in the beginning but as story progressed I felt it's hindering her... and I'll be honest and say I do think she's the weakest one to be the bride right now... but she could be the character where Negi really loves her and decides she kissed Fuu at the bell. But I like the change in confidence and newfound aggressiveness so hope to see more and catch up to where her sisters are at.
Itsuki... Just when I counted her out for most of this manga, I really can't count her out because she does have a unique relationship with Fuu... Fuu's able to talk with her and confide with what's going on with Nino and Miku throghout the manga and the two have had their moments together like spending time together with Fuu's sister and when she stayed with them. And the waterpark chapter reinforced that relationship that they have to me where if Itsuki decides to say I like him, she could hold her own against her sisters.
Nino... I actually think she's recently been the cutest character of all the sisters ever since she's confessed. Unapologetic and not embarrassed to go for it and be aggressive and get in Fuu's face to be noticed and acknowledged by him it's been fun to watch. So if she wins his heart from all this aggressiveness then I can be cool with that.
Yotsuba... Quiet and hidden in the background for about 3/4 of this manga, the Yot's chapters after the War arc finally connected her story from first meeting in Kyoto, recognizing Fuu from day one in HS to now and a confession of her feelings to the readers... so, yeah... I'm ok if Negi goes with first girl that's loved him from day one.
Ichika... I like her character development and interaction with Fuu throughout the entire manga. Best shown I think here Ch. 86 Page 10 in all the little diamond panels showing she and Fuu have had their little moments through every arc.
https://mangadex.org/chapter/619757/10
She's also kinda first girl too... I'll say Kyoto girl alongside Yotsuba... and confessed to the readers that she fell in love and has been since that evening they spent in Kyoto. And even as she's quitting school and suppose to be out of the picture, she's still the main character in these chapters... what an actress stealing the spotlight! Also when she let her feelings get away for a moment and say I wish I could graduate with everyone... So I would kind of like to see her do so. So I wouldn't mind if an also-first girl in love with Fuu from first day was the bride too.
But if she does end up really leaving in this arc and not coming back, if you read these sites Negi, don't write her off being woo'd by her annoyingly aggressive co-star just to try and forget Fuu. 😰