...

(Making music videos is pretty fun...)

(Also...)

It's incredible how she can just say stuff like that...

(And I have all the time in the world since I'm not really going to school...)

(Plus, it was really fun to make something with other people while chatting with them about stuff...)

(But...)

It's too hard...

(Being called weird and treated like an outcast... Being torn away from someone I really liked hanging out with...)

Mizuki...?
Is now a good time?

Oh, sure...
Come in.

Thanks!
I'm actually having some trouble getting my suitcase to close and was hoping you could help.

It won't close...? But you're leaving tomorrow. Are you sure you're gonna be okay?

I'll manage somehow...
Also, there's a couple of things that I want to give you.

Hm...?

This video. Is it the one you were working on for that anime? MiraMagi, right?

(Oh, I left it running...)

No, it's for something else.
I made it for some people I met online...

Online?

Yeah, one thing led to another and they ended up asking me to make a video for them. I was given a song demo for reference and worked on it with this artist girl.

It was my first time working with another person, so there were some growing pains... But because I did, I think I was able to produce a really good one.

I see...
That explains why you seemed to be having so much fun lately, Mizuki.

Fun...?

Yeah, I guess it was.
I got a chance to really talk about what I was thinking and feeling, and they understood. Which led to a great result...

It was... Nice...

But...

I'm not sure if I should be there with them.

I don't know why I feel that way, but...

I see...

Mizuki...
I don't think there's such a thing as a place where you shouldn't be.

You're free to go wherever you wish and stay wherever you like. Conversely, you don't have to go anywhere if you don't want to.

Assuming that's what you wish.

...

So, Mizuki, what do you want to do?

What?

I'll be happy as long as you believe in what you believe, Mizuki. I always have and always will.

Don't mind what anybody else thinks, Mizuki. Your feelings come first. That's why I asked.

I...

I... I want to...
...

...

Hehe...

This may sound a bit strange or even rude, but I'm actually really glad to see right now that you're so concerned.

Huh?

Because, until just recently, I thought you'd given up on everything.

Like when you stopped wearing that ribbon you like so much. It was as if nothing mattered to you anymore.

But that doesn't seem to be the case now. You're showing genuine concern for something that you don't want to lose.

And that makes me incredibly happy.

...

It's perfectly okay for you to do what you want, Mizuki, because I'm absolutely sure that you'll find others who understand how you feel.

I mean, you're just the cutest!

So, you should go where you want to go... And be where you want to be.

...

But...

I'm so scared...

I know...

Until this point, no one seemed to understand what you thought was most important or cared about most.

You've endured so much already, so I get why you're scared...

...

I should return to packing.
Oh, also...

I wanted to give you this mannequin.

What?

It's too big for me to take, so I was hoping that you could put it in your room!

That way, if you ever feel the desire, you could start making clothes again like you used to.

...

Also... Here, take this...

A ribbon...?

Yes. I made it using my favorite kind of fabric. It's cute, right?

So, if you ever feel like wearing it.

But... I...

Don't worry, Mizuki.

There's no need to abandon the things that you truly love.

I don't think I've ever told you this before, but I also thought about abandoning my dream several times.

Luckily, I had you. The look of joy on your face as you wore the clothes and ribbons I'd made prevented me from doing so.

Sis...

People may end up saying some really awful things about you. But...

Please...
Don't ever forget that I'll always be on your side, Mizuki.

Whatever you choose to do in life, I'll be there to support you every step of the way.

...

(Whatever I...)

(Whatever I choose to do in life...)

Thanks, Sis...

I'm honestly still pretty scared... But...

I'm gonna give it a try...

Okay. Good luck, Mizuki...

Hehe. You too, Sis!

(This might actually not end up going well.)

(And I might end up back in a place where nothing matters to me anymore.)

(But...)

(For this, I should do absolutely everything I can before even thinking about giving up.)

<Good evening...
Sorry for the late response.>

<Oh, Amia... I'm glad that you're back.>

<So... Um...>

<Have you come to a decision...?>

<If possible, I'd like it if we could keep working together...>

<So, what do you say...?>

<After giving this a lot of thought...>

<I'd like to accept your offer.>

I didn't know about that...

Yeah, I think this is also my first time hearing about your big sister being the one who gave you that push.

But I still don't understand why you were so concerned about joining...

Chalk it up to coming of age, I guess♪

Hm...?
Well, if you say so...

Anyway, I forgot to tell you back then... So, thank you...

Huh? Why are you thanking me?

For your very first video. If you hadn't used my illustration, we might not be here talking like this right now.

So... Thanks!

Haha! Ena, that's like ancient history now!

But... You're welcome!

Huh? Kanade! Mafuyu!
You two hardly ever come here at the same time!

I found some time to work...
Also, Kanade wanted to hear what I thought about her new demo.

Yes.
We even sent messages to both of you.

Oh, you're right!
We were having so much fun talking that we didn't notice at all...

Wait, you already made another one?
I still can't believe how fast you work, Kanade...

Really...?
More importantly, what were you all doing just now?

The past!
We were just talking about how Ena and I joined N25!

*Nod*
It was nice to learn more about all of you.

I see.
When you two first joined... That's very nostalgic.

I remember feeling so nervous that time...

Wait, you were?
You sounded really mature from my point of view.

R-Really?
I was just trying to be as honest as I could...

Oh, that explains why you were so direct with your comments. I guess that's just the way you are, Kanade.

Yes, that did happen...

Hang on. Do you actually remember?

Probably.

Probably? What's that supposed to mean? Also, you said you liked my illustration that time. Don't tell me you didn't actually mean it...

E-Ena, let's just calm down...

We're all friends here...

Haha...!
Yeah, Ena! What they said!

Wow, it's already this late.

Talk about a huge blast from the past...

We talked about so much too. The good and the bad... But now, I...

Hm...? Hey, it's Sis!

Hello? Sis?
Thanks for sending me that package!

The new clothes you made were so cute!
I also wore the ribbon you sent right away!

And I shared the snacks you sent with everyone from my group. They really enjoyed them, so thanks a bunch.

Huh...?
How have I been lately?

Things have been super fun.

*Stretch*
Alright, let's get down to... Hm?

Oh, it's a file.
Ena's already done. That was fast.

Cool! She copied me and paid homage to our first music video!

Hehe. This is really awesome!
And it's gonna look amazing after I throw in a few effects!

So... Let's get down to business!

(We're gonna get a ton of people to listen to Kanade and Mafuyu's song through our video.)

<Hey, everyone!>