*Sigh*
I feel exhausted...

I'm glad that I got the art supplies I wanted, but I wasn't expecting to walk around for so long...

Haha. We did check out a bunch of different shops to see all the new stuff they just got in.

Still, it was a nice breath of fresh air...
I feel a lot better now. Brooding all alone wouldn't have done either of us any good.

True...

But I still sorta can't believe that Kanade's actually going to meet Mafuyu's mom...

You think she's gonna be okay...?

I'm worried...
I've spoken to her once before on the phone, but I got some really nasty vibes from her...

Nasty vibes, huh...?

Yeah, how do I put it...?
She seems nice on the outside, but it's like she has to be in control or something...

I get what you mean.
Mafuyu told me about her a while back, but I sorta got the same impression...

Which means... Mafuyu's got it even worse...

...

(She really didn't seem to want to go home that other time... If she's forced to quit N25, I have to think it's only going to make her feel worse...)

Isn't there anything we can do for her...?

Hmm...

But this is a tough one...
It's a family matter, I guess. So, who are we to say anything about Mafuyu's future and stuff...

...

H-Huh...?
Over there. Isn't that Mafuyu?

What?

It is. She must be on her way back from cram school...

Wanna try calling her over...?
She might have some time to talk right now.

I don't know if there's much we can do, but if it'll at least help make her feel a little better...

Yeah, sounds good.

Alright!
Then, I'll go talk to her! You watch our seats!

So, I'd like to present...

Ta-daa! Today's special guest! Mafuyu!

Do you have to make such a big fuss?

Anyway, did you have cram school today...?

Yes...

Okay. So, how have things been since yesterday...?

...

Oh, you still haven't ordered anything to drink yet. Mafuyu, what do you want? Also, are you hungry?

I'll just have some tea for now...
I'm having dinner later.

Okay, tea it is!
I might just get something too while we're at it!

Want anything, Ena?

Me? Oh, the fruit parfait looks really good. I've been craving something sweet.

A parfait? But you just had a crepe during lunch. Aren't you worried about your figure?

It's fine. Today's my cheat day!

Knowing you, that makes every day a cheat day!

Don't you agree with me, Mafuyu?

There's nothing wrong with eating what you want.

And I don't need you to tell me that. Mizuki, call someone over already.

Okay, relax. I'll call them over now.

But guess what?! This one shop we went to today had these new outfits that would look so great on you and Kanade!

Really...?

Yeah! It's nothing like what you two wear on a regular basis, but I want you two you try it on since I bet it'll suit you both really well...!

Mizuki made a huge fuss about that when we were there too.

Haha! Yeah, I did!
So, Mafuyu, wanna invite Kanade and check it out together the next time we can?

Together...?

Yeah... We don't know when we'll be able to, but let's set aside some time when we can, okay?

...

I'll think about it...

(There's nothing we can do for her right now...)

(And it's so frustrating. Infuriating even...)

(But... I hope we can keep giving her opportunities to not have to think about her family...)