What Lies Beyond Guiding a Lost Child - 8: To Me, This Place Is

Phoenix Wonderland

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1

Kanade

Are you alright, Mafuyu?

2

Mafuyu

Kanade...

3

Mizuki

Thank goodness we found you, Mafuyu!

4

Ena

Seriously, we searched all over for you! It's amazing just how much of a handful you always are...

5

Ena

And just saying, “I think I'm lost,” isn't exactly the best way to tell someone where you are, you know?

6

Mafuyu

Sorry...

7

Mizuki

But I'm glad we found you so quick!

8

Kanade

Me too. We're back together now and it's a relief to see that you're safe.

9

Ena

Honestly, she isn't a little kid, so there probably was no need to worry so much about her.

10

Kanade

Sorry for leaving you all alone like that, Mafuyu. It must've been very uncomfortable for you.

11

Mafuyu

Huh...?

12

Kanade

But you'll be fine now.

13

Mafuyu

...

14

Miku

<I'm glad for you, Mafuyu.>

15

Mafuyu

*Nod*

16

Mafuyu

(What is this I'm feeling...?)

17

Mafuyu

(I felt so cold just a second ago...)

18

Kanade

Is it me or are there more people here now...?

19

Ena

Oh, probably because the night show's gonna start soon. Everyone's probably moving somewhere they can see it, right?

20

Mizuki

Yeah, it's about that time already.
Let's make sure not to get separated again...

21

Ena

Yeah... Hold on, Mafuyu!
You're gonna run into someone if you keep spacing out like that!

22

Mafuyu

Huh...?

23

Mafuyu

Oh...

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24

Kanade

Mafuyu...!

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25

Kanade

Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?

26

Mafuyu

No, I just grazed them a little...
But...

27

Kanade

Is something the matter?

28

Mafuyu

Kanade, your hand...

29

Kanade

Oh, I'm sorry...
I thought you were about to fall, so I reacted by grabbing yours...

30

Mafuyu

I don't mind that...

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31

Mafuyu

...

32

Mafuyu

(Kanade's hand... It feels a bit cold...)

33

Mafuyu

(But warm at the same time... Why is that...?)

34

Mafuyu

(And it isn't just her.
Ena, Mizuki, everyone... Whatever they're giving me feels... Nice...)

35

Mafuyu

(What is this...?)

36

Mizuki

You two okay?

37

Kanade

Yes, I think so.

38

Mafuyu

I'm okay too...

39

Mafuyu

(My chest still feels warm...)

40

Mafuyu

(What's causing this...?)

41

Len

<Um, Mafuyu...?>

42

Mafuyu

Yes...?

43

Len

<D-Do you still feel cold...?>

44

Mafuyu

No, not anymore...

45

Mafuyu

But I can't say why...

46

Len

<Okay...>

47

Len

<If you feel that way, Mafuyu, then I'm happy...>

48

Len

<It's probably because you're here with everyone.>

49

Mafuyu

What...?

50

Len

<I mean, being with everyone makes me feel all warm inside too.>

51

Mafuyu

Being with everyone...?

52

Mafuyu

(Is that it...?)

53

Mafuyu

“This place” is what's so warm...

54

Ena

Anyway, about the night show...
Are we gonna stick around to watch it together?

55

Mizuki

I wanna see it! Oh, wait... Mafuyu, do you need to start heading home soon...?

56

Mafuyu

Head home...?

57

Mafuyu

(Oh, my curfew's soon...)

58

Mafuyu

(I won't make it home in time if I stay to watch the night show. I should go home...)

59

Mafuyu

(But...)

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60

Len

<It's probably because you're here with everyone.>

61

Mafuyu

...
Since I'm here...

62

Mafuyu

I think I'll watch some of it before I go.

63

Kanade & Ena

...!

64

Mizuki

Alright, that means we should get a move on! We'll need to hurry if we don't wanna get stuck watching it from really far away...!

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65

Ena

Yeah, we should find a good spot since we've come all this way.

66

Kanade

Let's go, Mafuyu.

67

Mafuyu

Okay...

68

Miku

<Mafuyu seems much better now.>

69

Len

<Yeah, she does...!>

70

Mafuyu

(This place is warm...)

71

Mafuyu

(And “everything they're giving me” feels warm...?)

72

Mafuyu

(I still don't understand what this feeling is...)

73

Mafuyu

But it's very soothing...

74

Mafuyu

(So...)

75

Mafuyu

(What separates Mom from Kanade and the others...?)

76

Mafuyu

(Why do I feel so cold whenever I'm around Mom...?)

77

Mafuyu

(I should stop. Just thinking about it's painful...)

78

Mafuyu

(For now...)

79

Mafuyu

(I'll keep enjoying this “warmth” a little longer...)

Asahina Household - Living Room

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80

Mafuyu's Mother

Your practice exam... You didn't feel well, so...?
I see... And you feel better now?

81

Mafuyu's Mother

Can you make it home on your own? Do you need me to come pick you up?

82

Mafuyu's Mother

Oh, you're going to stay at a friend's house...? Understood. Please be careful on your way back.

83

Mafuyu's Mother

Also, after you've returned, I'd like to hear more about this friend so that I can thank their parents later.

84

Mafuyu's Mother

Hehe. It's only natural to do so since they'll be taking care of you, right, Mafuyu?

85

Mafuyu's Mother

Yes, please let me know once you feel settled. I'll be waiting until then.

86

Mafuyu

<Thank you, Mom.
Also, I'm sorry...>

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87

Mafuyu's Mother

(Did she push herself too hard...?
To be fair, she's always been a hard-working girl.)

88

Mafuyu's Mother

(But it took her so long to contact me. I suppose she needed time to rest...)

89

Mafuyu's Mother

(And she's never broken curfew before.)

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90

Mafuyu

One of my friends knows how to play music and I gained some interest after seeing what she can do, so I decided to study music a little.

91

Mafuyu's Mother

What if...?

92

Mafuyu's Mother

...

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93

Teacher

<Hello? This is Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy.>

94

Mafuyu's Mother

Hello. This is the mother of Mafuyu Asahina from Class 2-B. There's something I'd like to ask, so would you mind if I have a word with her teacher...?