...

Hey, did you manage to drape that cloth over it?!

Yeah, we did!

(Tomorrow's the day...)

(And I didn't end up sending that message...)

(The festival's tomorrow...)

(Ena seemed pretty busy, so maybe she won't...)

Then, we'll start decorating the entrance.
Akiyama, can the puzzle team handle setting everything up inside?

Uhh... Yeah!

We already have the prompts written down and all the props we need, so we should be able to get everything set up pretty quickly!

Great!
Then, you take it from here!

Roger!

Thank you for preparing these props for us, Akiyama. I feel a little bad for not helping out more.

That's totally fine! You did a great job coming up with a bunch of puzzle ideas for us, Toya!

And it was actually nice to be kept so busy...

Hm? Did you say something just now?

No, nothing...!
Anyway, we're short on time, so let's get everything set up on the double!!

Yes, let's.
I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone solves the riddles in our escape room.

Let's see... It looks like everything's where it needs to be, so I think we're done!

I'm inclined to agree after double-checking.

Okay. Then, let's start heading out!

Alright, I plan on stopping by the library before heading home.

Oh, right. You've still gotta do library committee stuff.

In that case, bye bye!
See you tomorrow!

Tomorrow...

(Either way, I need to tell her...)

(If Ena does decide to show up, then before she...)

...

Mizuki?

Huh...?

Rui...

Hey, what's up...?!
Your class is doing that play, right? Are you guys all set up?

Yes...
We just finished rehearsing.

I had the cast go home in preparation for tomorrow, and was just handling cleanup.

I see.
I might come check it out if I have time♪

I'm glad you got to do a play this year, Rui.

Me too.
And I have my class to thank...

How have things been on your end, Mizuki...?

Us?
Our class is all set to go!

We came up with a really elaborate escape room. Even you might have trouble solving all the riddles, Rui. You should totally stop by and...

...
I guess that's not what you were asking.

We have known each other for quite a while now.

Why don't we talk in the courtyard...?
I should be done cleaning up soon.

Okay...

It's still very warm, despite being fall.

Yeah...
It's almost unbearable.

Hehe...

...?
Why are you giggling?

It felt like old times, is all.
Remember how we used to chat while watching the sun set after school?

Yeah... I mean, we didn't have much else to do back then.

True.

All either of us was capable of back then was aimlessly watching as time flew by.

...

Anyway...

What's bothering you, Mizuki?

...

Of course, if you don't feel comfortable telling me...

No...

I want to tell you...

I'm thinking about telling them everything...

About myself. To the others in my group.

...!

You are...?

Yeah...

But I'm stuck...

My mind is telling me to move forward, but I keep freezing up...

I'm so afraid.

...

What are you afraid of the most...?

A part of me is scared that they're going to reject me...

But what I'm most afraid of is...

How things might change...

My relationship with the others could morph drastically...

Including how we all spend time together...

I don't want that to change...

I know the others aren't like that...

I'm sure they aren't going to reject me for who I am...

I'm feeling all this because I'm overthinking things way too much... I know they'll be willing to accept me just for who I am like you guys, Rui...

But...

If I end up making them accept me for who I am.

If I force them to talk a certain way or treat me like a delicate flower...

If I start to feel like that's happening...

I... I don't think I can handle that...

Mizuki...

I know I sound really selfish right now...

No, don't say that...

Change is a scary thing, particularly if it involves someone you really care about.

It's a very scary thing...

...

Unfortunately...

I have no way of making the fear you're feeling disappear.

...

However...

I can hope.

Huh?

That you'll get to be yourself.

I can hope that you're going to experience true happiness.

That's my sincere wish as your friend.

Rui...

Oh...

Let's start heading home...

Okay...

Thanks, Rui.

...

(This fear I'm feeling isn't going to just disappear...)

(But...)

(A Nightcord notification? Oh...)

<Amia, are you there?>

It's Ena...

<Hey, Enanan!
What's up? It still isn't time yet.>

<Sorry for not messaging you sooner!>

<About the festival tomorrow...
I'm thinking I'll go after all.>

...!

<I was thinking about skipping, but I accidentally took home some of the spices and condiments we're going to use.>

<Just going to bring them back would be kinda lame, right? I also just finished my assignments, so I figure I'll actually stick around...>

<K and Yuki sounded interested too, so why don't we all check it out together?>

(I see...)

(Then...)

<Okay!>

<Then, let's check it out as a group tomorrow.>

<Also, Enanan... Tomorrow...>

<Can we talk tomorrow during the night festival?>

<I want to tell you...>

<Everything that I couldn't until now.>

...

(I finally managed to get that out...)

(But...)

(I'm such a wimp, even though I'm this close...)

(But...)

(This might be the last time we get to hang out together like this...)

(So...)