Huff... Huff...!

Please...!
Talk to me... Just for a little bit...

Ever since that day, I haven't been able to stop thinking...

Not since you vanished.

I keep asking myself what I could've said instead or how I really should've reacted. I keep wondering if you wouldn't have run away if I had...

I keep wondering what I could've done better...

...

To be honest, I don't even know if confronting you here like this is the best option...

And I know you don't want me thinking about what's right or wrong or whatever... I get that...

Then...

But... But...!

I want us to stay friends!
Which means it's natural that I'd want to make the right choice!

...

You know how I am...!
Once I regret something, I dwell on it forever!

Yeah, I understand that my way of doing things could end up hurting you even more! But... But...!

I'm doing this because I still want us to be friends moving forward...!

You've gotta at least know that!!!

Please, stop.

Let's just end it here...

I mean, you're already having trouble dealing with what you've learned...

Moving forward, you're gonna worry and not know how to talk to me...

So I think being around me isn't such a good idea...

...!

No...

No...!
I'm not about to end things here!

You don't want to either, right?!

...

You've stopped running and avoiding me, which tells me that you don't want things to end here...!

...!

I don't want us to go our separate ways...

If something I'm doing is causing you harm, then I'll do my best to stop.

I know that makes you feel like you're being pitied...

But I don't want to hurt you.
That's the clear and honest truth!
That's never ever going to change!

Because you're my dear friend, Mizuki!

Wh-Why...?

Why are you able to say that...?

Don't you know that being my friend means having to tiptoe around a lot of stuff...?

You might see people looking at me funny... People who we don't know at all might begin spreading nasty rumors about us...!

What happens then, Ena...?
Are you still going to treat me the same...?!

Because even though I can't bear to, I would be looking at your reaction every time!

If we end it here, you won't have to worry about that! I mean, Ena, you...!

I don't care what happens to me!

I don't care what other people say or how hard it's going to be to deal with all this...

Because never seeing you again would hurt more!!!

...

But...! But...!

I do care!

I don't know if I'll be able to accept the kindness you and the others are going to give me at face value...

And it's gonna turn into a never-ending cycle...!

I'm sick and tired of feeling this pain...!

It's going to hurt every time you all try to be nice to me...! I'll keep thinking why it has to be like this...!

I'm going to wonder, “Is it even okay for us to keep being friends?” I know I am...!

...

And if us staying friends means having to suffer...

Then...!
We should just say goodbye to each other now!

What are you talking about...?

What do you mean, “Is it okay for us to keep being friends”...?

I'm saying...

You're wrong...!

What...?

I'm saying you're wrong about wondering if it's okay for us to be friends, because that question doesn't make any sense to begin with!

Have you been listening?! I still consider you my friend! Or do you mean you don't think of me as yours?!

So, if we really still are friends, then don't make decisions for me by yourself...!!!

...

Get it through your thick skull, will you...?!

Between that day and now, I've thought long and hard about what you're going through! I even learned a few new things along the way!

But my feelings haven't changed!

You're the one who's changed, Mizuki!

I've been trying to talk to you, but you haven't been listening...! You've just been running away...!

And you're seriously wondering if it's okay for us to keep being friends?! To me, that sounds really stupid because...

You have been and always will be my dear friend!

...!

Is that at least getting through to you?!

My feelings haven't changed...

I was surprised, but even so, it's the absolute truth...

That's everything I wanted to say...

If you still feel like leaving, then I'm not gonna stop you...

Because that's probably what'll make you the happiest...

Ena...

I...

I...

What am I supposed to do...?

Is it really okay...?

...for me to be friends with all of you?

I'm going to get scared again...
I'm going to want to run away...

I know it's going to happen...!
I'm going to be backed into a corner!

But...

But...

I want to feel like I belong...!

I still want us to be friends...!

That's all I've ever wanted...!
Friends who accept me for who I am...! Friends who feel comfortable around me...!

But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't tell you...!

And I'm not sure things will ever get better...

So...

Is it really okay for someone like me...to still be friends with you?!

Again, your question doesn't make any sense.

You have to decide for yourself, Mizuki.

Because... I really don't wanna have to chase after you like this again.

...

*Stammer*

I...!

I'm gonna cause you a lot of trouble...!
I might end up having really bad days...!

But I wanna stay...!

I wanna keep belonging...! I want us to stay friends...!

Then...

Let's stay together, Mizuki.

N25's been waiting for you to come back.

...!

*Cry*

Welcome back, Mizuki.

Thanks...

Sorry for making you all worry.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, I'm alright now.

Really, thank you.

Also... Um...

There's something I need to tell all of you.

Something you guys have to hear...

Something I've been wanting to say.