Secret Distance

Empty SEKAI
1
Rin
Um, MEIKO...?
2
Rin
Why did you say those things the way you did?
3
MEIKO
The way I did...?
4
Rin
You said, Please, act as if I'm not even here.
5
Miku
Yes. If you'd like to learn more about everyone else, I think you should actually talk to them...
6
MEIKO
I see. I suppose that is an option...
7
MEIKO
But there are also things you become blind to by getting too close...
8
MEIKO
That's why I'd like to maintain my distance and observe them for now.
9
Rin
Huh...?
10
MEIKO
Those three can freely enter and exit this SEKAI as well, even though it's made entirely out of Mafuyu's thoughts and feelings.
11
MEIKO
Those three must mean just that much to her. She can't be without them.
12
MEIKO
But those three each also have something on their minds, and I'd like to know what that could be.
13
MEIKO
Especially... Mizuki... I sense a great weight there...
14
Miku
...
15
Mizuki
But still, I just sort of got the feeling we were somehow alike.
16
Mizuki
That part that feels like we might be able to change ourselves a bit at a time to fit in with those around us, and the confusion at whether we should resist or accept it.
17
Mizuki
Then getting so tired from trying so hard that nothing seems to matter anymore. I feel like we're similar in that.
18
Miku
One time, Mizuki even mentioned to Mafuyu that, We were somehow alike...
19
MEIKO
Somehow alike...
20
Rin
Mizuki told Mafuyu that...?
21
Rin
Mafuyu is usually silent around Miku, while Mizuki is the opposite with me and even tries to put ribbons in my hair and such.
22
Rin
But...
23
Rin
I'm not sure. Maybe I have a lot in common with them...
24
MEIKO
Oh...?
If that's the case then...
25
MEIKO
What's this weight I sense...?
Abandoned School
26
Mizuki
Our last stop for the day is here♪
27
Mizuki
Kanade! We're not going home until you have a solid idea for a song, okay?!
28
Kanade
Oh, um... I'll try...
29
Ena
This used to be a school...?
30
Mizuki
Yup. Apparently, the ghost of a dead student still haunts the music room.
31
Mizuki
They say that she was so good, she competed in national competitions...
32
Mizuki
Everyone had such high hopes for her, but one day, she just buckled under the pressure and ended up dying.
33
Mizuki
Originally, this school was supposed to be demolished, but people ended up getting hurt when they intruded, so that idea got scrapped...!
34
Ena
Again, you tell us these things at the worst times...
35
Mizuki
Aww, come on! We're on a haunted mystery tour, right? It's all in good fun...!
36
Mafuyu
All those expectations...
37
Mizuki
Oh...
38
Mafuyu
Maybe this is what was best for her.
39
Mafuyu
She's alone and finally free now.
40
Ena
Huh? Why do you say that?
41
Mafuyu
Because it's so much easier that way...
42
Mizuki
Mafuyu...
43
Ena
That hardly feels like something you should say while we're on a trip like this...
Hey, wait...!
44
Kanade
She's heading for the school...
45
Mizuki
M-Mafuyu, wait!
We've gotta go after her!
46
Ena
Ugh... Why does she always...?!
47
Kanade
Hm? She's not here...
48
Mizuki
Huh? Really?
49
Ena
She didn't go inside, did she?
50
Mizuki
The doors are locked and I don't think there's an easy way in through the windows...
51
Mizuki
Mafuyu!
52
Kanade
No response...
53
Mizuki
...
54
Mizuki
I'm gonna go look over there!
You two keep sending her messages and wait by the gate!
55
Ena
H-Hey, Mizuki! Wait!
56
Mizuki
(She isn't here either...
What if she really went inside...?)
57
Mizuki
(But all the doors and windows are shut. I just have to hope that she's still out here somewhere.)
58
Mizuki
Oh...
59
Mafuyu
Maybe this is what was best for her.
60
Mafuyu
She's alone and finally free now.
61
Mafuyu
Because it's so much easier that way...
62
Mizuki
Mafuyu...
63
Mizuki
I doubt this'll work...
But it might be worth a shot...
64
Mizuki
Let's try there.
Next Chapter: The Same Cherry Blossoms But...