Warmth in Every Stitch - 5: Grandma's Treasure

A few days later

Stage SEKAI

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1

Haruka

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today, Len.

2

Len

No problem.
I mean, I already promised Shizuku that I'd help her come up with embroidery designs.

3

Len

So, I wanna help you two with your gifts and make sure they turn out really well.

4

Shizuku

Thank you!
Then, let's start by coming up with a design for MEIKO.

5

Haruka

Well... In my mind, MEIKO likes to train and work out...

6

Len

Embroidering that sounds kinda hard...
What if you based your design on her powerful and sunny singing voice instead?

7

Shizuku

That's an excellent idea...!
How about a microphone on a stand with little notes...

Sound Effect: Play

8

MEIKO

Oh, I didn't realize you two were here!

9

Shizuku

*Gasp*
What should we do?! MEIKO's going to find out...!

10

Len

I'll handle this.

Sound Effect: Play

11

Haruka

Huh?

12

Len

MEIKO, KAITO was just looking for you!
He wanted to make some changes to his workout routine.

13

MEIKO

Really? I'll go find him now!
Thank you, Len!

Sound Effect: Play

14

Len

(Sorry, KAITO...)

Mizuki's Room

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Sound Effect: Play

15

Mizuki

(Alright, these effects look good♪
Next, I'll...)

16

Mafuyu

<Sorry, I need to log off early today.>

17

Kanade

<Okay, that's fine.
Do you have some homework assignments left?>

18

Mafuyu

<No, I finished those already.>

19

Ena

<Oh, do you have to get up early for something tomorrow?>

20

Mafuyu

<No, it's not that either...>

21

Ena

<Then, what's going on...?>

22

Mizuki

<I mean, even Yuki can want to leave early every now and again, right?>

23

Mizuki

<So, Yuki, have fun!
We'll see you again tomorrow.>

24

Mafuyu

<Okay, see you all tomorrow.>

25

Mizuki

(You've got this, Mafuyu...!)

A few days later

Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Vacant Classroom

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26

Shizuku

Oh, your candle embroidery seems to be coming along nicely.

27

Mafuyu

Yes, I should be finished with it after I use some long and short stitches to make the flame.

28

Shizuku

You're going to use different colors to create a gradation, yes? That's always a bit tricky, so please feel free to ask me for help if you feel you need it.

29

Mafuyu

Okay, thank you.

30

Mafuyu

You really love to embroider, don't you, Hinomori?

31

Shizuku

Huh? Why do you say that?

32

Mafuyu

Based on the way you're humming.

33

Shizuku

Oh, was I humming just now? I guess I couldn't help it...

34

Shizuku

Still, you are right...

35

Shizuku

I do like embroidery itself...
But it's the time spent like this that I really love.

36

Mafuyu

Huh?

37

Shizuku

This slow, relaxed time thinking of another, putting my feelings for them into form.

38

Mafuyu

Your feelings into form...

39

Shizuku

Yes. I remember telling you how I believe a lot of emotion goes into every stitch...

40

Shizuku

And that's also a result of the time we spend.

41

Mafuyu

I see...
These are the things you think about while embroidering.

42

Shizuku

Actually, these are all things that my grandmother taught me.

43

Mafuyu

Your grandmother?

44

Shizuku

Yes, so... The truth is, I've always been a grandma's girl.
Chiefly because my parents were away so much when Shii and I were little. She looked after us while they were gone.

45

Shizuku

She taught me how to do quite a few of her many hobbies, and embroidery was one of them.

Community Center

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46

Children

Oh, wanna play marbles together?!

47

Children

Yeah, okay!

48

Children

Go...!
Yes, I got my bamboo-copter to fly!

49

Little Shizuku

(Hehe. This is so much fun!
We get to play all these traditional games together!)

50

Little Shizuku

(What should I try next?
Shii's...)

51

Little Shizuku

(Oh, she's practicing how to use the spinning tops. She seems really focused right now, so I should probably try something else...)

52

Little Shizuku

Oh...

53

Little Shizuku

(Grandma's sewing over there.
I wonder what she's making...)

54

Little Shizuku

Grandma!

Sound Effect: Play

55

Grandmother

Oh, Shizuku.
Hello there.

56

Little Shizuku

Hehe. What are you making?

57

Grandmother

Hehe. I'm making...

58

Grandmother

New clothes for you and Shiho♪

59

Little Shizuku

What?! You're making new clothes?

60

Grandmother

Yes, I was just embroidering some flowers into the collars.

61

Little Shizuku

Wow, look at all the little flowers! They're so adorable...!

62

Little Shizuku

Can I watch you while you work on these, Grandma?

63

Grandmother

Of course. Just be careful not to get poked by my needle.

64

Little Shizuku

Okay!

65

Little Shizuku

...

66

Little Shizuku

(Oh...)

67

Little Shizuku

(Grandma has such a big smile on her face...)

68

Little Shizuku

Hehe...

69

Grandmother

Hm? You seem to be in an awfully good mood, Shizuku.

70

Little Shizuku

*Nod*
That's because you have a really big smile on your face!

71

Grandmother

Really? The joy I'm feeling must be overflowing.

72

Grandmother

After all, I treasure every minute that I spend embroidering.

73

Little Shizuku

Your treasure...?

74

Grandmother

Yes. With each stitch, I think about what kind of embroidery would look good on you, and I hope it will make you happy.

75

Grandmother

So, this time is very precious to me.

76

Little Shizuku

I didn't know that...

77

Grandmother

Hehe. If you're interested, Shizuku, would you like to embroider with me?

78

Little Shizuku

...!
Yes, I want to give it a try...!

Next Chapter: Precious Moments