The Stopped Hand Moves Once More

25:00:00
Mafuyu's Room

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1

Ena

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<Hey, Yuki. How's K doing?>
2

Mafuyu

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<How's she doing?>
3

Ena

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<She said that she's gonna stay muted to focus on what she's working on, remember?>
4

Ena

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<I was wondering if it was okay for me to contact her.>
5

Mafuyu

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<I wouldn't know.
Why don't you send her a message in chat?>
6

Ena

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<Huh? Oh, right...
I forgot that you're back home now.>
7

Ena

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<Sorry, I keep thinking that you're still at her place.>
8

Mizuki

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<Haha. To be fair, she was there for a while.>
9

Mafuyu

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<I was.>
10

Mafuyu

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<I'm going to go get something to drink...>
11

Mizuki

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<Okay. See you in a bit!>

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12

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh...
13

Mafuyu

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Mom...
14

Mafuyu

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Is something wrong...?
15

Mafuyu's Mother

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I-I'm sorry.
I was just a little worried, since it's already two in the morning...
16

Mafuyu's Mother

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I'll be awake for a little while longer, so please let me know if you'd like a midnight snack.
17

Mafuyu

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Thank you...

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The next day

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18

Mafuyu

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I'm back.
19

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh, welcome home.
How did things go at school today?
20

Mafuyu

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Not much happened...
Oh, but I did get that math test back.

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21

Mafuyu

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Here.

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22

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh, already?
Let's see...
23

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh...
You didn't score as well as you did last time.
24

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh...
25

Mafuyu's Mother

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You must just be feeling a bit fatigued.
26

Mafuyu's Mother

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But you just have to work harder and make it up next time.
Don't worry, I know you will, Mafuyu.
27

Mafuyu

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Okay...
A few days later
28

Mafuyu

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Mom, I finished vacuuming everything.
I'll start dusting the shelves next.
29

Mafuyu's Mother

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Thank you! I really appreciate it!
30

Mafuyu

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(I'll start with this one...)
31

Mafuyu

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(Huh...?)
32

Mafuyu

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(What are all these college pamphlets doing here? Are these for...?)

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33

Mafuyu's Mother

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Then, maybe we ought to start looking for schools for you.
34

Mafuyu

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...
The next day

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35

Mafuyu

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(What do I do...?)
36

Mafuyu

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(I don't feel at home in that house...)
37

Mafuyu

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(Mom's trying her best to change.)
38

Mafuyu

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(Which is why...)
39

Mafuyu

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(I want to believe in her, but...)
40

Mafuyu

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(What this in my pocket...?)
41

Mafuyu

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(A bracelet...?)

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42

Mafuyu

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...

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43

Mafuyu

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I'm back.
44

Mafuyu's Mother

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Yes... Yes...
I understand. Then, we'll talk again next Sunday.
45

Mafuyu's Mother

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*Gasp* Mafuyu!
You're home?
46

Mafuyu

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Yes. Just now.
47

Mafuyu's Mother

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I see.
So, that call was...
48

Mafuyu

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I didn't hear anything.
49

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh... O-Okay...
50

Mafuyu

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Did something happen...?
51

Mafuyu's Mother

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Huh? Oh, umm...
52

Mafuyu's Mother

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No, I shouldn't hide this.
53

Mafuyu's Mother

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After discussing things with your father, I've begun seeing a therapist.
54

Mafuyu

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What...?
55

Mafuyu's Mother

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I've been having trouble doing some of the things that I've been asked...

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56

Mafuyu's Mother

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I know that I shouldn't rob you of your freedom, and yet...
57

Mafuyu's Mother

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I'm very sorry, Mafuyu.
58

Mafuyu's Mother

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But I promise to do my best...
59

Mafuyu's Mother

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I'll work hard to make this house a warm place for you to come home to...
60

Mafuyu's Mother

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O-Oh no... I'm sorry...
61

Mafuyu

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Mom...
62

Mafuyu's Mother

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I'm sorry. I know you must be worried...
But you don't have to mind me.
63

Mafuyu's Mother

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Anyway, I need to start making dinner.
64

Mafuyu

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Okay...
65

Mafuyu

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(I had no idea...)
66

Mafuyu

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(I didn't realize Mom was suffering this much.)
67

Mafuyu

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(Because of me...)
68

Mafuyu

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(She ran herself ragged trying to figure out what to do...)
69

Mafuyu

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(Then...)
70

Mafuyu

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(Then... I...)
The next day

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71

Mafuyu

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What are you doing, Mom?
72

Mafuyu's Mother

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Ah, Mafuyu...!
73

Mafuyu's Mother

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Umm...
I was just looking up some schools that I thought you'd be interested in attending. If you might want to become a nurse, that is...
74

Mafuyu's Mother

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I'm sorry for not asking you first.
But... I just want to help you...
75

Mafuyu

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...
76

Mafuyu

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Thank you. I'll take a look at these later...
77

Mafuyu's Mother

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...!
78

Mafuyu's Mother

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Really? Then, please let me know if any catch your interest.
79

Mafuyu's Mother

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I actually really liked this one.
I was very impressed by the facilities and curriculum. What do you think?
80

Mafuyu

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It seems nice...
81

Mafuyu's Mother

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I can gather more information on it if you like. I'll even find you the right study guide...
82

Mafuyu's Mother

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Oh, I'm sorry.
I keep jumping ahead before you've even made a decision.
83

Mafuyu

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It's okay...
84

Mafuyu

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Thank you for doing all this for me.
85

Mafuyu's Mother

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Mafuyu...
86

Mafuyu's Mother

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You're welcome! I hope you'll keep allowing me to help make your dream come true...
87

Mafuyu

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(She's putting herself through so much for my sake...)
88

Mafuyu

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(Which means...)
89

Mafuyu

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(I should go along with her...)
Next Chapter: Discordance