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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'll handle this.

Huh?

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

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

(Sorry, KAITO...)

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

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

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

<No, I finished those already.>

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

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

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

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

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

<Okay, see you all tomorrow.>

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

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

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

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.

Okay, thank you.

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

Huh? Why do you say that?

Based on the way you're humming.

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

Still, you are right...

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

Huh?

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

Your feelings into form...

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

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

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

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

Your grandmother?

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.

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

Oh, wanna play marbles together?!

Yeah, okay!

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

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

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

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

Oh...

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

Grandma!

Oh, Shizuku.
Hello there.

Hehe. What are you making?

Hehe. I'm making...

New clothes for you and Shiho♪

What?! You're making new clothes?

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

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

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

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

Okay!

...

(Oh...)

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

Hehe...

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

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

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

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

Your treasure...?

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

So, this time is very precious to me.

I didn't know that...

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

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