I'm back...

Oh, welcome back.

You're home late.

I'm sorry...

I needed some time to think...

I see...

Well, things have been a little hectic lately.

Yes...

I wanted to apologize for going a little too far yesterday. So, I made the beef stew you like so much for dinner.

I bought some higher-quality meat than usual, so I'm sure it turned out very nicely. Eat as much as you like.

...

Mafuyu...?

Before that, there's something I need to tell you...

Something to tell me? Yes, what is it...?

I'm sorry for hiding so many things from you until now...

I'm sorry for continuing to make music after saying that I'd stop, and not telling you about my finals...

I know that you're worried about me, and you have every right to be angry.

Mafuyu...

I apologize as well...

But I'm glad you finally understand.

...

So...

I need to ask you something.

Yes?

Um...

I promise to study as hard as I can... So please...

Let me keep making music with Kanade and the others.

I'll make sure my grades won't slip.

You don't have to worry.

Please...

Mafuyu...

If you're willing to say this much...

This music you make must mean quite a lot to you.

Oh...

Yes, it's very important to me! So...!

I see...

I agree that you have a wonderful hobby. So, I'm not against your wish to continue with it.

You aren't...?

Yes, of course.

But...

Is now really the time for that?

...

This goes without saying, Mafuyu...

You know that you have to make sacrifices if you really wish to get accepted into medical school.

What do you think is going to happen if you don't put all of your energy into your entrance exams?

Your peers are all doing everything in their power to maintain good grades, while yours are slipping...

At this rate, Mafuyu, you won't be able to make your dream come true.

My dream...?

Yes, that's right.

Your dreams mean everything to you, yes?

So, for now, you'll just have to be patient, and study and work towards that goal...

Mom...

I... I...

I'm not sure if I actually want to become a doctor...

Huh...?

What do you mean?

It's always been your dream to become a doctor. That's why you've been studying so hard.

It's why you've been attending cram school and staying up late each night...

Yes, I admire doctors greatly since they save people's lives and help those in pain...

I'd also be able to live very comfortably and not have to worry about my finances...

So, I understand why someone would want to become a doctor.

But...

But I...

I want to do more for others...

I want to be right by their side when they're in pain...

But... You can do that as a doctor, no...?

Yes, that's true...

But... I don't think I actually want to become one...

I...

Mom, do you remember what happened when I was little?

I caught a cold and you stayed by my side until I got better.

When you were little...?

Yes. I know now that the medicine the doctor prescribed helped me get better...

But more than that... The way you stayed by my side... It filled me with so much warmth...

Which is why I want to help others the same way... I want them to feel that warmth...

Mafuyu...

So, I...

I want to spend more time finding a dream that suits me better...

...

I see. Now I understand, Mafuyu.

Mom...?

How can you say such a thing...?

How did things end up like this...?

What...?

Mafuyu, you spent so much time studying and working so hard to become a doctor...

But now... You want to give up... You're willing to let some passing fancy derail you...

And that girl is definitely to blame.

...!

She only seems to do as she pleases without studying or going to school...

You felt some admiration for that lifestyle, didn't you, Mafuyu...?

N-No...

Kanade has nothing to do with this...

Mom, I...

Don't cover for her.

This would've never happened if I supported you more properly...

What...

I'm sorry, Mafuyu...

I know I've sounded overbearing at times and kept you from doing certain things...

As a result, I was probably much harder on you compared to other mothers.

However, I did it all for your sake...

I was only thinking about you having a happy and fulfilling future...

Because... That's what will make me happy...

...

I'm sorry...!

Mom, please...

Don't cry...

I... I didn't mean to hurt you...

This wasn't what I wanted...

I was just trying to tell you how I feel...

Mafuyu...

I'm sorry.

I won't...

I won't...

(Look at me...)

(Mom cares this much about me...

She just said so herself...)

(She cares about... Me...)

<Stop.>

<Don't let her words fool you.>

<How you feel right now... That's what the real you wants.>

...!

<Mafuyu...>

<We're right here with you...>

<Just believe in how you feel.>

(Miku...)