A few days later
Sewing Lounge
Shizuku
Phew... Thank goodness we didn't get lost along the way.
Haruka
Hehe. Thank you for leading the way.
I'm liking this place's relaxed atmosphere.
I'm liking this place's relaxed atmosphere.
Shizuku
Yes, it's the perfect place for today's lesson, since they have all the things we need for embroidery available for rent.
Mafuyu
Oh, it's the sewing lounge. I was wondering where you were taking us, Hinomori.
Haruka
Have you been here before, Asahina?
Mafuyu
No, but Mizuki's told me all about it.
Mafuyu
Oh, hold on... Isn't today when...?
???
Huh? That looks like...
Mizuki
I knew it! Hi, Mafuyu!
Mafuyu
This is usually when Mizuki comes to do alterations.
Shizuku
Hi, Mizuki...!
Mizuki
Whoa, Shizuku and Haruka too?!
What's going on today?!
What's going on today?!
Mafuyu
She brought us here to give us a lesson in embroidery.
Mizuki
Oh, okay...!
Mizuki
Then, can I join you guys?!
Embroidered ribbons are in lately, so I really wanna learn how to make them!
Embroidered ribbons are in lately, so I really wanna learn how to make them!
Shizuku
Yes, of course.
We can make some together.
We can make some together.
Mizuki
Woohoo!
Then, if you don't mind me squeezing in♪
Then, if you don't mind me squeezing in♪
Haruka
Hehe. Let's do our best today, Mizuki.
Mizuki
*Nod*
I can't believe that I get to learn with you and the others like this, Haruka!
I can't believe that I get to learn with you and the others like this, Haruka!
A few minutes later
Shizuku
Then, let's begin our second embroidery lesson♪
Shizuku
I have some flowers for you to embroider, Asahina, and penguins for you, Haruka.
Mafuyu
Thank you.
Oh, I didn't realize I'd get to choose from all these different types...
Oh, I didn't realize I'd get to choose from all these different types...
Shizuku
Yes, but don't worry. They all involve the same stitches I showed you the other day.
Haruka
What about these penguins?
This looks pretty tricky...
This looks pretty tricky...
Shizuku
Not to worry. You should be able to make them, since they only involve using outline stitches.
Shizuku
And we'll practice doing some basic stitches, Mizuki.
Mizuki
Alright, I'm ready to learn!
Mizuki
Whoa! Look at you, Mafuyu!
Your flowers are so pretty!
Your flowers are so pretty!
Mafuyu
You think so?
I think our teacher here deserves most of the credit.
I think our teacher here deserves most of the credit.
Shizuku
No, it's because you're so talented.
You've only just begun learning, but everything's so well-balanced. I'm very impressed.
You've only just begun learning, but everything's so well-balanced. I'm very impressed.
Mizuki
Oh, I know! What if you sewed a bead or a button in the middle? That should make it look even cuter!
Mafuyu
Hehe. I agree.
Would you mind showing me how to do that, Hinomori?
Would you mind showing me how to do that, Hinomori?
Haruka
It's finished...!
Mizuki
Wow!
These penguins look so adorably chubby!
These penguins look so adorably chubby!
Haruka
Thanks.
I think I've gotten the hang of doing outline stitches.
I think I've gotten the hang of doing outline stitches.
Shizuku
Oh... In that case, would you like to try coloring it in using another type of stitch?
Shizuku
Not only will you be able to make it look even cuter, you'll even be able to add a gradation using different colored threads.
Haruka
I see...
Then, that would allow me to give the babies fluffy feathers, and the emperor penguins their characteristic yellow necks...
Then, that would allow me to give the babies fluffy feathers, and the emperor penguins their characteristic yellow necks...
Haruka
Please show me, Shizuku.
A few hours later
Mafuyu
That should be everything.
Mizuki
Oh, Mafuyu, you're done too?
Haruka
Wow, your flowers are beautiful...
I really love these blue ones with the beads in them. They're so cute and sparkly.
I really love these blue ones with the beads in them. They're so cute and sparkly.
Mizuki
These would make any accessory look really photogenic! I'm gonna give these a shot when I get home♪
Shizuku
Hehe. I believe we're all finished now.
Shizuku
Nice work today, everyone.
I was honestly a little surprised by how quickly you were all able to master everything.
I was honestly a little surprised by how quickly you were all able to master everything.
Mafuyu
That's because you took us through each technique step by step. I have a good feeling about my project now, thanks to you.
Haruka
Me too. I never imagined being able to embroider adorable penguins like this.
Mizuki
Same here!
Chatting with all of you while we embroidered was super fun! I hope we get to do this again sometime!
Chatting with all of you while we embroidered was super fun! I hope we get to do this again sometime!
Haruka
Yeah, me too.
Shizuku
Oh...
Shizuku
Then, why don't we all gather again to make our gifts for Valentine's Day?
Haruka
For Valentine's Day?
Shizuku
Yes. I plan on embroidering a few accessories again this year, so I thought we could make some together.
Haruka
Embroidered accessories... That does sound nice. I do really love the handkerchief that you gave me a little while back.
Mizuki
I already have my gifts decided...
But it would be nice to embroider the ribbons that I'm gonna wrap them with♪
But it would be nice to embroider the ribbons that I'm gonna wrap them with♪
Shizuku
Thank goodness...!
What do you think, Asahina? You're still undecided in terms of gifts, yes?
What do you think, Asahina? You're still undecided in terms of gifts, yes?
Mafuyu
Yes, I think I'll join. I did have quite a lot of fun today, after all.
Haruka
Alright, that makes all of us.
Shizuku
Yes, so let's figure out when we can all meet!
Mafuyu
...
Shizuku
This is just how I feel, but I believe quite a lot of emotion goes into every stitch.
Shizuku
Which is why, for those truly special occasions, I almost always give people things that I embroidered myself.
Mafuyu
(A gift full of emotion...)
A few hours later
Stage SEKAI
Shizuku
Since your goal is give off an air of mastery, you should probably dial back your smile a little here.
Shizuku
Also, you may want to throw in a subtle wink.
Len
A smaller smile and a subtle wink.
Thanks, I'll try doing another run now.
Thanks, I'll try doing another run now.
Shizuku
Okay!
Len
Thanks for all your support!
You guys are the best!
You guys are the best!
Len
Hehe. I hope you all enjoyed my gift!
Len
Alright, how was that?
Shizuku
That was very good...!
It seems like a wonderful way for you to connect with your fans, Len.
It seems like a wonderful way for you to connect with your fans, Len.
Len
Thank goodness. I couldn't have done this without you, Shizuku. I really appreciate you watching me practice until the end like this.
Shizuku
You're welcome. I'm just glad that I was able to help.
Len
Oh, how are things going on your end?
Did your embroidery lesson go well?
Did your embroidery lesson go well?
Shizuku
I believe I was able to teach everything that I had planned. Also...
Len
Really? You're all gonna meet again to make gifts for Valentine's Day together?
Shizuku
Yes. I'm going to make some for everyone in SEKAI, so I hope you'll be looking forward to the day of.
Len
You are? Thanks!
Len
But making gifts for everyone sounds really hard...
Len
Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I wanna pay you back for helping me practice.
Shizuku
Oh, are you sure? Then, would you mind helping me come up with designs for everyone?
Shizuku
My goal is to choose the right one for each person. On top of being very knowledgeable, you're close with Miku and the others, so I'd love to hear your opinion.
Len
Sure thing. I'll do my best to make sure that your gifts for everyone turn out really great.
Next Chapter: What Comes to Mind