A few hours later
Shizuku's Room
1
Shizuku
What? You got me a present...?!
2
Shiho
Yeah, but it's really nothing special...
3
Shizuku
No, don't say that!
I mean, Shii, it's from you... I couldn't be happier!
4
Shizuku
So, can I open it?
5
Shiho
Yeah, sure.
6
Shizuku
Oh, what a cute little rabbit...!
Its eyes sparkle, and it has such a fluffy tail...!
7
Shizuku
This is so wonderful.
Are you really sure I can have this?
8
Shiho
Well, yeah. It's for you.
Also, it isn't just a souvenir... It's a small token of appreciation for all the support you've given me.
9
Shiho
So, thanks.
And good luck with work...
10
Shizuku
Shii...!
11
Shiho
Geez, I knew this would happen!
Personal space!
12
Shizuku
But you just gave me this wonderful gift and wished me good luck...! I don't know what else to do with myself!
13
Shizuku
Thank you, Shii! Thank you so much!
14
Shizuku
I promise to return the favor.
Oh, I know! You also like rabbits, so I could get you a similar accessory and...
15
Shiho
No need.
That would sort of defeat the purpose...
16
Shiho
Plus, I already got the same brooch.
17
Shizuku
What...?!
18
Shizuku
Shii, you wanted us to match?
19
Shiho
No, you're getting the wrong idea.
I bought it because I also wanted one. They just happen to match.
20
Shizuku
Hehe. We always used to wear matching outfits when we were little. It'll be just like back then♪
21
Shiho
Again, wrong idea...!
22
Shizuku
I know! Then, Shii...
23
Shizuku
Why don't we go somewhere together with our brooches on?
24
Shiho
T-Together?!
25
Shiho
No, that'd be way too...
26
Shizuku
Please, Shii!
We're going to have an absolutely wonderful time if we go out together with our brooches! I'm sure of it!
27
Shizuku
Please...?
28
Shiho
Geez...
29
Shizuku
I beg you...!
30
Shiho
Fine, just this once...
31
Shizuku
Yes! That's a promise, Shii♪
32
Shiho
Okay, I promise.
33
Shiho
(I wasn't expecting this to happen...)
34
Shiho
(Still... If she's this happy about it, then I'm glad I got one for myself too.)
35
Shiho
(It's something that I'd never buy normally, but Mizuki definitely had a point about turning it into a keychain...)
36
Shiho
(I have to admit that it's really cute...
Walking around with it on might be nice.)
37
Shiho
(The next time I see Mizuki and the others, I should thank them again for helping me pick these out...)
Mizuki's Room
38
Mizuki
Hmm... This effect still doesn't feel right.
The melody's pretty mellow, so I could try slowing down the transitions and...
39
Mizuki
Oh, it's already three in the morning...?
We walked around a ton at the mall, so I guess I should be feeling sleepy...
40
Ena's Message
<Amia, that asset you asked for is done. Mind taking a look?>
41
Mizuki
What? Enanan's already finished...?!
42
Mizuki
Yeah, it's exactly what I wanted...!
<Thanks! It's perfect!>
43
Mizuki
Even though it's New Year's, everyone's hard at work... That means I should probably keep going for a little bit longer!
44
Mizuki
Alright, I'll try using this asset and...
45
Mizuki's Sister's Voice
Mizuki, are you still awake?
46
Mizuki
Huh?
47
Mizuki
Sis, you're still up?
48
Mizuki's Sister
Oh, were you working on something...?
Sorry, there's something I wanted to give you.
49
Mizuki
Give me...?
50
Mizuki's Sister
Here you go.
51
Mizuki
Wow, a scrunchie...!
It's so frilly and cute...!
52
Mizuki
Wait, huh?
This looks like...
53
Mizuki's Sister
*Nod*
It's the same style as the one you gave Mafuyu.
I tried replicating it in a different color.
54
Mizuki's Sister
Also, if they'd like...
I made some for Kanade and Ena.
55
Mizuki
Wait, you made some for them too?!
Wow! Ena's gonna be especially happy!
56
Mizuki
But why'd you make one for each of us...?
57
Mizuki's Sister
Today, after meeting Kanade and Mafuyu, I realized just how much everyone in your group means to you.
58
Mizuki's Sister
So, I thought they'd serve as a nice charm...
59
Mizuki's Sister
They're my way of wishing you'll always be together.
60
Mizuki
So we'll always be together...
61
Mizuki's Sister
I understand if you think it's too much...
62
Mizuki
No, I really appreciate the thought...
63
Mizuki
Thanks, Sis...!
I'll give these to Kanade and Ena the next time I see them.
64
Mizuki
You gave me the push I needed again...
65
Mizuki's Sister
What...?
66
Mizuki
Us shopping today...
It reminded me of when I was little.
67
Mizuki
You cheered me up when my classmates said all those mean things to me...
68
Mizuki
What you said back then allowed me to keep liking the things I thought were cute.
69
Mizuki
No, not just then...
70
Mizuki's Sister
So, Mizuki, what do you want to do?
71
Mizuki
What?
72
Mizuki's Sister
I'll be happy as long as you believe in what you believe, Mizuki. I always have and always will.
73
Mizuki's Sister
Don't mind what anybody else thinks, Mizuki. Your feelings come first. That's why I asked.
74
Mizuki's Sister
Also, don't you want her to get more joy from the things that she loves deep down...?
75
Mizuki's Sister
Then, why don't you go over to her and give her some suggestions?
76
Mizuki
When my pain was at its worst, and even now...
77
Mizuki
You've been placing how I feel at the forefront...
78
Mizuki
That's probably why I still like what I like and have been enjoying things lately.
79
Mizuki
So, thank you. For everything...
80
Mizuki's Sister
I see...
I'm glad to hear that I've been able to help.
81
Mizuki's Sister
However, Mizuki, I also need to thank you...
82
Mizuki
Huh? Why?
83
Mizuki's Sister
Because you're the reason I decided to become a designer at all.
84
Mizuki's Sister
Remember how happy you were every time I made clothes for you when you were little? That always put a big smile on my face.
85
Mizuki's Sister
That's when my hobby of designing clothes turned into a passion. I wanted you to keep feeling that way...
86
Mizuki's Sister
Before I realized it, I was doing what I could to make others smile by making clothes for them.
87
Mizuki's Sister
Even now, I'm reminded of that feeling anytime you say how cute the outfits I make are.
88
Mizuki's Sister
Which is why, no matter how hard things get, I'm able to keep trying...
89
Mizuki
Oh, I had no idea...
90
Mizuki
But I know you're gonna become a great designer who makes everybody smile, Sis...
91
Mizuki
I mean, just look at me.
I've known forever that you make the best outfits in the world!
92
Mizuki
So, I'll be rooting for you...
Keep doing your best, Sis!
93
Mizuki's Sister
Hehe. Thank you, I will...!
94
Mizuki's Sister
I'll be rooting for you as well...
I want you to keep cherishing your true feelings.
95
Mizuki
I will...
96
Mizuki
(I'm honestly still a little scared, but...)
97
Mizuki
Thanks, Sis.
98
Mizuki
I promise to keep doing my best.