(I don't understand...)

(When I was coming home from cram school, my chest felt so cold...)

(But I feel so much warmer after talking with them.)

(If only things could stay this way forever...)

Oh, a message...

What's wrong...?

I should head home. It's almost curfew...

Oh, it's already that late...?

Are you sure you're gonna be okay, Mafuyu...?

Yes, I feel a little better now...
Thank you both very much.

Alright, we've finished eating, so I guess we should head home too...

Okay. Let's go!

I had so much fun today.
I hope we get to hang out like this again soon!

Me too...

...

Hey, Mafuyu...?

Yes...?

I know things aren't gonna be easy now that your mom knows about N25, but...

You need to speak up if something really bothers you.

Because you're the only one who can protect yourself in the end...

...

Okay...

(I have to speak up if something bothers me...)

(If something... Bothers me...)

...

(If I'm not allowed to do anything with N25...)

(If I'm not allowed to make music with them, I...)

Oh, I need to buy that study guide...

Mafuyu...?

Huh...?

Fancy seeing you here. Are you just on your way home from cram school?

Oh, Dad...
Yes, but I need to go buy a study guide first.

I see. You're such a studious girl.
Since I'm here, why don't I buy it for you?

Oh...

Thank you, Dad...

Okay, you two.
I made your favorite today. Beef stew.
Bon appetit and don't be afraid to ask for seconds.

Thank you, dear.

Thank you, Mom. It's delicious.

Hehe. I'm glad to hear that.
Still, I was surprised to see you both come home together.

Thank you for buying me that study guide, Dad. I promise to put it to good use.

That's wonderful, Mafuyu.

But you seem to have been staying up late to study recently. It's important to take breaks from time to time, okay?

Oh...

That's okay, dear.
I've already spoken to her about that.

Yes, it's important to study as much as you can before exams, but you need to rest instead of staying up so late.

Right, Mafuyu?

Um...

Is something the matter, Mafuyu?

Oh, um... Actually...

Being barred from studying at night is...

Not what I want...

Oh? Why's that...?

S-So, um... It's just... I think I should study whenever I can in preparation for my exams...

The medical school I want to get into is extremely competitive, so I fear that I won't get in if I don't work harder than the other applicants.

...

Yes, I understand what you're trying to say. Your fellow applicants will surely be studying very hard to get accepted.

I know that...
But...

Is that really your only reason...?

What...?

What do you mean...?

Hehe. Just asking.

I understand why you feel anxious since everybody is working hard to get accepted, Mafuyu... However, I've also been told that a person's brain digests new information as they sleep.

So, there wouldn't be much point in studying if you can't actually learn or memorize anything.

Therefore, I believe you should study only when it's light out and sleep when you can.

Ah, I see. I agree with your mother.
Especially since staying up late is bad for your health.

But I...

Oh? Is there more you'd like to say...?

Um...

(It didn't work...)

(But I said that I didn't want to...)

(If she gets her way and I'm not allowed to do anything with N25...)

I...

...

(This place always helps calm my nerves...)

(There's nothing... And it's so quiet...)

(I don't have to think about anything...)

Is this it...?

Is there nothing else I can do...?

Looks like they were right...

You're really okay with all this...?

Huh...?