Several dozen minutes later
Miyamasuzaka
1
Ichika
Thank you for today, Kanade.
2
Kanade
Thank you as well. But I am starting to feel the fatigue of walking around all day...
3
Kanade
Still, I'm glad we did this.
Hanasato and the others helped us realize something important.
4
Ichika
We need to learn more about the people we're giving our gifts to. It's simple, but really important.
5
Kanade
Yes, and I plan on doing research on everyone.
6
Ichika
Me too.
7
Kanade
Wait a second...
How do we actually do research on them?
8
Ichika
How? Well, we could ask them...
9
Ichika
No, wait... Then they'll know that we're looking to get them gifts.
10
Kanade
Would that be bad?
11
Ichika
I think so, because then they'll just say that anything will be fine...
12
Ichika
We might need to subtly ask during our regular conversations what they'd really enjoy receiving or if anything has been on their minds lately...
13
Kanade
During our regular conversations...?
14
Kanade
Th-That sounds really hard...
15
Ichika
I know. I'm also not very good at these sorts of things...
16
Ichika
Actually... In that case, why don't we work together?
17
Kanade
Huh?
18
Ichika
We could exchange any information we come across. For example, I could tell you about anything that Honami tells me.
19
Kanade
Yes, that could work.
20
Kanade
Alright, Hoshino, let's try that.
21
Ichika
Okay! Let's do our best!
25:00:00
22
Kanade
(I have to ask them what they want...
But subtly... Discreetly...)
23
Ena
<Hey, Yuki, about the lyrics for this part...>
24
Kanade
<Oh, she's taking a nap right now, but she should be back soon...>
25
Ena
<Okay, in that case, I think I'll also take a quick break. I'm feeling kinda tired...>
26
Kanade
(Wait, now's my chance!)
27
Kanade
<U-Um, Enanan? Has anything been on your mind lately...?>
28
Ena
<Huh? Where's this coming from all of a sudden?>
29
Kanade
<Oh, it's just... I wanted to make some small talk... So, has anything been on your mind?>
30
Ena
<S-Small talk...? It's pretty rare of you to want to, K.>
31
Kanade
<Oh, uh... Y-You think so? I don't think it's odd for me to...>
32
Ena
<Okay...? Then, I'll bite...>
33
Ena
<So, has anything been on my mind lately?
Hmm... Well...>
34
Ena
<I guess I haven't been getting all that much sleep...>
35
Kanade
<Oh, really?>
36
Ena
<Yeah, because of this thing I've been working on for my art class. I've been having trouble sleeping since I'm constantly thinking about it.>
37
Kanade
<I see... You'd like to sleep better...>
38
Kanade
<Okay. Thank you for telling me, Enanan.>
39
Ena
<So, what's this really about?>
40
Kanade
<N-Nothing... I was honestly just wondering how things have been for you lately.>
41
Ena
<Really? K, you hardly ever try to make small talk with anyone...>
42
Kanade
<N-No... That's not true...>
43
Mizuki
<Alright, let's just say K wanted to ask how you were for a change. So, with that in mind, aren't you gonna ask me?>
44
Kanade
<U-Uh, yes... I'd like to ask you as well, Amia. Has anything been on your mind lately...?>
45
Mizuki
<Okay, great! Let's see...>
46
Mizuki
<I've been staring at so many flickering effects lately that my eyes are sorta starting to get really tired.>
47
Kanade
<I see. Your eyes are tired... Got it.>
48
Mizuki
<Hehe. Good luck, K!>
49
Kanade
<Huh? Oh, uh... Th-Thank you.>
50
Kanade
(Thank goodness I got a chance to ask them...)
Yoisaki Household - Kitchen
51
Honami
*Nod*
It just needs to stew for a little bit longer.
52
Kanade
(Now I have to discreetly ask Ms. Mochizuki...)
53
Honami
Next, we'll... Huh?
Is something wrong, Ms. Yoisaki?
54
Kanade
Huh?! Oh, um...
Actually, there's something I'd like to ask you...
55
Honami
Ask me?
56
Kanade
Um... Has anything been on your mind lately?
57
Honami
What? Why this all of a sudden...?
58
Kanade
N-No reason.
I was just hoping to make some small talk is all...
59
Honami
Small talk...?
60
Honami
Well, my shoulders are a little sore...
Possibly because my band's been practicing more recently.
61
Kanade
Your shoulders are sore...? I see. That must be painful...
62
Kanade
Hello, Hanasato? I'm sorry for calling so suddenly.
63
Minori
<That's okay!
I was a little surprised to see it was you, but how can I help?>
64
Kanade
So, uhh...
How have things been for you lately...?
65
Minori
<How have things been? Oh, is this a part of your research?! Thanks for taking the time to ask me!>
66
Kanade
Huh? H-How did you know...?
67
Minori
<Oh, was I mistaken?>
68
Kanade
No, you're spot on...
69
Kanade
(She saw right through me...)
70
Kanade
So, has anything been on your mind...?
71
Minori
<Hmm... Well...
It's a good thing, but we've been really busy, and...>
A few days later
72
Kanade
Really? You've also finished asking everyone, Hoshino?
73
Ichika
<Yes, I think I managed to ask the others how they've been doing lately without blowing my cover.>
74
Kanade
Aside from Hanasato and Momoi, I was also able to ask everyone without being found out.
75
Ichika
<That's great...!
Thank goodness we were both able to manage it.>
76
Kanade
Yes, thank goodness for that...
77
Kanade
Oh, let me tell you what I learned.
78
Ichika
<Yes, please do!>
79
Kanade
I think that's about it for me...
80
Ichika
<I see...
Thank you so much. This helps a lot.>
81
Ichika
<Then, let's both do our best to get the perfect gifts for everyone!>
82
Kanade
Yes, let's.
83
Kanade
Now, last but not least...
I'll go over to ask them.
Next Chapter: How I Feel