Beside Unchanging Warmth - 7: Anything I Can Do

A few hours later

Main Street

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Mizuki

*Sigh*
We bought so much stuff!

2

Mizuki

Not only did I get my hands on everything I wanted, I got to put together outfits with you, Sis! I couldn't have had a better time!

3

Mizuki's Sister

I had a lot of fun too!
I got to go around to a lot of shops, get a feel for what's trending in Shibuya right now...

4

Mizuki's Sister

And I got to meet your friends, Mizuki♪

5

Mizuki

Hehe. Picking out presents with Shiho and Saki was so much fun!

6

Mizuki

I hope we get to take more time the next time we do this. I might try inviting them myself since there's a few shops I really wanna show them♪

7

Mizuki's Sister

Hehe...
I'm glad.

8

Mizuki

Huh? About what?

9

Mizuki's Sister

There's something I didn't mention...
The truth is, Mizuki, I came back because I've been wanting to see your smiling face.

10

Mizuki's Sister

Remember when I sent you that outfit I made and you sent me a bunch of photos in return?

11

Mizuki's Sister

You looked like you were having so much fun in them.

12

Mizuki

Oh...

13

Mizuki

(Yeah, I did send her a bunch so she'd know that things have been fun lately.)

14

Mizuki

(Pictures from that picnic, from that cheer performance during the sports festival...)

15

Mizuki

(Ones where I'm really smiling...
The old me could've never imagined days like that would come.)

16

Mizuki's Sister

What you sent back made me want to come home and see you in person...

17

Mizuki's Sister

Which is why I couldn't be happier about you having so much fun today!

18

Mizuki

Sis... Hehe. Thanks!

19

Mizuki's Sister

While we're on the subject, how have things been with your group? You mentioned them to me a while back, and they were in a lot of the pictures too.

20

Mizuki

We're still making music together!
We've even been hanging out, throwing after-parties...

21

Mizuki

Oh, I totally forgot! We threw a countdown party together for New Year's and...!

22

???

Mizuki?

23

Mizuki

Huh?

24

Mizuki

Whoa, what are the odds...?!
I was just talking about you two!

25

Mizuki's Sister

Huh? Does this mean they're...?

26

Mizuki

Yup! This is Kanade and Mafuyu! We're in the same group!

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

27

Mafuyu

Oh, um... I'm...

28

Mizuki

It's okay, Mafuyu, you can relax.
This is my big sister! It's okay to just be yourself!

29

Mafuyu

Oh, okay...

30

Kanade

Umm... My name is Kanade Yoisaki. I'm the composer for our group...

31

Mafuyu

My name is Mafuyu Asahina. It's nice to meet you.

32

Mizuki's Sister

Nice to meet the both of you!
I'm Yuki Akiyama.

33

Mizuki's Sister

This is so wonderful. I've been hoping to meet you since Mizuki's told me so much about your group!

34

Kanade

I see.
Mizuki's mentioned you a few times, so it's nice to finally meet you.

35

Mizuki

Actually, Kanade, what are you two doing here? You're not here for the big sales, right...?

36

Kanade

No, we came to buy groceries and other daily necessities.

37

Kanade

The supermarket by my house would've done just fine, but walking a little further seemed like a nice way to get some exercise and take our mind off things...

38

Mizuki

Oh...

Sound Effect: Play

39

Mizuki

<Then, why not go out somewhere to get a breath of fresh air? After all, staying cooped up inside isn't exactly good for your health...!>

40

Kanade

<For our health... Yes, it's been hard to get myself to go outside since it's been so cold, but a walk might not be a bad idea.>

41

Mizuki

(Is Kanade doing this for Mafuyu?)

42

Mizuki

(It is New Year's...
I don't want her to dwell on things either.)

43

Mizuki

...

44

Mizuki

(Is there anything I can do to help?)

45

Mizuki

(Some way to make things even a little easier for Mafuyu...)

46

Mizuki

(Oh!)

Sound Effect: Play

47

Mizuki

Oh, my accessory's a scrunchie...!

48

Mizuki

This purple color feels kinda grown-up, but the frills are so adorable!

49

Mizuki

(I bet it'd look great on Mafuyu...!
I should ask her to try it on sometime!)

50

Mizuki

That reminds me. I got something good from one of the sales today.

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

51

Mafuyu

Something good...?

52

Mizuki

Yup! Ta-daa!
I bet this scrunchie would look great on you, Mafuyu! What do you think?

53

Mafuyu

You think so...?

54

Kanade

Oh, I see what you mean.
This color does have a mature feel to it...

55

Kanade

I think you should try it on, Mafuyu.
The impression you give off may change a little.

56

Mafuyu

Really...?

57

Mizuki

So, it's all yours if you want it...?
It's not all that frilly or anything, so you should be able to wear it on a regular basis!

58

Mafuyu

...

59

Mafuyu

But...
Didn't you get this for yourself?

60

Mizuki

No, it came from a lucky bag!
I thought it'd look great on you the second I saw it, Mafuyu! That's why I really wanna see you with it on!

61

Mizuki

Plus, it's cute and fashionable...
It could help change the way you feel a little.

62

Mizuki

Oh, but you don't have to take it if you don't want it!

63

Mafuyu

...

64

Mafuyu

Okay, I'll take it...
Thank you...

65

Mizuki

Hehe. You're welcome!

66

Mizuki

Alright, let's see how you look with it on♪
Ooh, want me to do your hair?

67

Mafuyu

That won't be necessary.

68

Mizuki

What?! Why?!
Pretty please!

69

Kanade

Hehe...

70

Mizuki's Sister

I'm so happy for you, Mizuki...

71

Mizuki's Sister

Kanade, Mafuyu...
I hope you and Mizuki keep getting to have fun like this!

72

Kanade

Oh, um... Yes, I hope so as well...

73

Mizuki

Sis, you're embarrassing me!
And Kanade!

74

Mizuki's Sister

Huh? I just thought I needed to say that as your big sister!

75

Mizuki

No, you really didn't...

Next Chapter: Now, As Ever