...

I'm home.

Sorry I'm late, dear.
Let's have some hot pot tonight. I bought everything we need, so I'll get it ready in a little bit.

My goal is to make what you usually do, but that may be easier said than done. Haha...

...

Also...
I ran into Ms. Yoisaki today.

As usual, she's been taking very good care of Mafuyu.

She even said that she's composing a song for her right now.

...

I was also told a story about Mafuyu catching a cold when she was little. And how you cut apple slices for her.

...!

When Mafuyu was...

Yes, what you did for her apparently made her very happy. Her heart was filled with quite a bit of warmth.

She's been holding on to that memory ever since. It seems to mean a great deal to her...

That's what Ms. Yoisaki told me.

...

Mafuyu's blessed to have such a good friend who cares so much about her...

A friend who's willing to stop and help her find the right path when she's feeling lost.

I want to be able to empathize with Mafuyu more.

I want to see her really smile in front of us.

...

But...

Hm...?

If it's true that Mafuyu doesn't actually want to become a doctor...

Then, perhaps what I did... It was all a huge mistake.

But...

But even so...!

Does that mean Ms. Yoisaki is in the right?

But Mafuyu's changed so much since meeting her...

She began skipping her cram school lessons, her grades slipped, and she even lied to us... She never used to behave like that!

And...

And...

I'm sorry...
I'm not saying that you were wrong.

If that's how it sounded... Then I truly am sorry.

...

Yes, Mafuyu has changed.
I was honestly startled when I first noticed...

However, after speaking with Mafuyu, I believe that she is still fundamentally the same person.

She's still the kind girl who looks out for the well-being of others, even when she herself is suffering.

She's still the Mafuyu we both know and love.

Remember when she was just born?

What...?

It was a cold, cold day in January.
You had been in labor longer than expected, and I was so worried, but...

When Mafuyu was born, she was so small...

And when I touched her, she grabbed my finger with her little hand.

When I felt that warmth...

I realized that I had to do everything I could to keep the newborn in your arms safe.

...

You even said...

“She's so small, lovable and full of warmth.”

Which is why you suggested that we name her Mafuyu... “midwinter”. So that we'd never forget the sensation we felt that day... The warmth of that tiny little body.

...

After that, Mafuyu began to grow into the kind and thoughtful young lady that she is.

And we wanted her to be happy...
We both talked about that.

We did...

Seeing her smile filled me with so much joy.

I felt that I had to make her happy, no matter what.

That feeling shouldn't have changed...

So, why...?

Mafuyu...

I want to talk to Mafuyu...

...

It's okay, dear. It's okay...

Alright.

It's time to compose that song.
And save Mafuyu...