Whither This Path of Thorns

Empty SEKAI

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1

MEIKO

...

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2

MEIKO

Listen

(That look on Mizuki's face...)

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3

Mizuki

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Thanks, MEIKO.
4

Mizuki

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I'm gonna see what I can do about dealing with my own problems.
5

MEIKO

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It seems that time has finally come...
6

???

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Hey.
7

MEIKO

Listen

...!

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8

MEIKO

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What is it...?
9

KAITO

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I have a question about Mizuki.
10

KAITO

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Something didn't seem quite right.
You need to tell me if you have any information.
11

MEIKO

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I'm surprised to hear you asking about Mizuki...

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12

KAITO

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Mizuki's words have the power to help Mafuyu.
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KAITO

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Mafuyu needs to hear them in order to move forward.
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MEIKO

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I agree...
15

MEIKO

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I don't actually have any details...
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MEIKO

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However, as I told you when you first arrived, we're dealing with some very complicated feelings here...
17

MEIKO

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And it seems that Mizuki is currently setting the stage to face those feelings head-on...
18

MEIKO

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No running this time.
19

KAITO

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I see...
20

KAITO

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But I sensed quite a bit of doubt just now...
21

KAITO

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What exactly is Mizuki afraid of or running from?
22

MEIKO

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I...
23

MEIKO

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I'm not in a position to say...
24

KAITO

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Ugh...

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25

MEIKO

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...!
KAITO, wait.
26

MEIKO

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Are you going over to see Mizuki...?
27

KAITO

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Yes.
28

MEIKO

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Please don't.

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MEIKO

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Mizuki is trying to cross a thin sheet of ice right now.
30

MEIKO

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What you're planning on saying is going to be too strong. So strong that you might make that ice crack...
31

KAITO

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So, you want me to do nothing...?
32

MEIKO

...
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KAITO

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If doing nothing will solve everything, then that's fine by me. But do you honestly believe that's going to bring about real change?
34

MEIKO

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Don't think that your solution is always the best one.
35

KAITO

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Then, tell me yours.
36

MEIKO

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...

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MEIKO

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KAITO...!
38

MEIKO

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Wait!!

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Mizuki's Room

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39

Mizuki

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...
40

Mizuki

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(I... I still can't send it...)
41

Mizuki

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(But I made the decision to finally tell her...)
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Mizuki

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I'm so scared...
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???

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<Hey.>
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Mizuki

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Huh?
Oh...!

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45

Mizuki

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KAITO...
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Mizuki

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What's up?
You hardly ever come to see me like this.
47

KAITO

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<I need to talk to you.>
48

Mizuki

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To me...?
49

KAITO

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<What is it that you're...?>
50

???

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<KAITO!>
51

Mizuki

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Huh...?!

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52

MEIKO

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<Didn't I tell you to stop...?!>
53

MEIKO

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<You have no right asking such a question!>
54

Mizuki

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M-MEIKO...?
55

KAITO

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<You really feel the need to intervene like this...?>
56

KAITO

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<Fine.
But let me at least say this.>
57

KAITO

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<Mizuki.
You're stuck at a crossroads, yes?>

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58

Mizuki

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...!
59

KAITO

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<I have no way of knowing what's eating away at you...>
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KAITO

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<That being said...>
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KAITO

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<You find yourself at a crossroads because you're trying to make a choice... Because you want to make a choice, not because of anyone else.>
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KAITO

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<But that goes without saying...>
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Mizuki

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...
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KAITO

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<I don't care if you decide to run or move forward...>
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KAITO

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<But just know this... In the midst of this pain, you need to choose the path that allows you to save yourself.>
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KAITO

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<In order to keep on living...>
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Mizuki

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KAITO...
68

MEIKO

<...>
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MEIKO

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<Mizuki.>
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MEIKO

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<All I can do is watch.>
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MEIKO

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<But I've witnessed the pain you bear.>
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MEIKO

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<I've been right there.>
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Mizuki

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MEIKO...
74

MEIKO

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<I honestly believe that you shouldn't try to do anything...>
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MEIKO

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<Because what you're carrying...is so incredibly fragile.>
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Mizuki

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...
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MEIKO

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<But...>
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MEIKO

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<I'll see this through with you.
No matter how things turn out.>
79

MEIKO

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<Regardless of how the future unfolds, I'll be there with you until the end.>
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Mizuki

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Oh...
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Mizuki

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*Nod*
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Mizuki

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Thanks, you two.
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Mizuki

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But...
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Mizuki

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I... I just need a little bit more time...
Next Chapter: A Friend's Wish