A few hours later
Main Street
1
Character icon
Mizuki

*Sigh*

We bought so much stuff!

2
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Mizuki

Not only did I get my hands on everything I wanted, I got to put together outfits with you, Sis! I couldn't have had a better time!

3
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Mizuki's Sister

I had a lot of fun too!

I got to go around to a lot of shops, get a feel for what's trending in Shibuya right now...

4
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Mizuki's Sister

And I got to meet your friends, Mizuki♪

5
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Mizuki

Hehe. Picking out presents with Shiho and Saki was so much fun!

6
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Mizuki

I hope we get to take more time the next time we do this. I might try inviting them myself since there's a few shops I really wanna show them♪

7
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Mizuki's Sister

Hehe...

I'm glad.

8
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Mizuki

Huh? About what?

9
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Mizuki's Sister

There's something I didn't mention...

The truth is, Mizuki, I came back because I've been wanting to see your smiling face.

10
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Mizuki's Sister

Remember when I sent you that outfit I made and you sent me a bunch of photos in return?

11
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Mizuki's Sister

You looked like you were having so much fun in them.

12
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Mizuki

Oh...

13
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Mizuki

(Yeah, I did send her a bunch so she'd know that things have been fun lately.)

14
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Mizuki

(Pictures from that picnic, from that cheer performance during the sports festival...)

15
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Mizuki

(Ones where I'm really smiling...

The old me could've never imagined days like that would come.)

16
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Mizuki's Sister

What you sent back made me want to come home and see you in person...

17
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Mizuki's Sister

Which is why I couldn't be happier about you having so much fun today!

18
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Mizuki

Sis... Hehe. Thanks!

19
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Mizuki's Sister

While we're on the subject, how have things been with your group? You mentioned them to me a while back, and they were in a lot of the pictures too.

20
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Mizuki

We're still making music together!

We've even been hanging out, throwing after-parties...

21
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Mizuki

Oh, I totally forgot! We threw a countdown party together for New Year's and...!

22
Character icon
???

Mizuki?

23
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Mizuki

Huh?

24
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Mizuki

Whoa, what are the odds...?!

I was just talking about you two!

25
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Mizuki's Sister

Huh? Does this mean they're...?

26
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Mizuki

Yup! This is Kanade and Mafuyu! We're in the same group!

27
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Mafuyu

Oh, um... I'm...

28
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Mizuki

It's okay, Mafuyu, you can relax.

This is my big sister! It's okay to just be yourself!

29
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Mafuyu

Oh, okay...

30
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Kanade

Umm... My name is Kanade Yoisaki. I'm the composer for our group...

31
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Mafuyu

My name is Mafuyu Asahina. It's nice to meet you.

32
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Mizuki's Sister

Nice to meet the both of you!

I'm Yuki Akiyama.

33
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Mizuki's Sister

This is so wonderful. I've been hoping to meet you since Mizuki's told me so much about your group!

34
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Kanade

I see.

Mizuki's mentioned you a few times, so it's nice to finally meet you.

35
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Mizuki

Actually, Kanade, what are you two doing here? You're not here for the big sales, right...?

36
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Kanade

No, we came to buy groceries and other daily necessities.

37
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Kanade

The supermarket by my house would've done just fine, but walking a little further seemed like a nice way to get some exercise and take our mind off things...

38
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Mizuki

Oh...

39
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Mizuki

<Then, why not go out somewhere to get a breath of fresh air? After all, staying cooped up inside isn't exactly good for your health...!>

40
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Kanade

<For our health... Yes, it's been hard to get myself to go outside since it's been so cold, but a walk might not be a bad idea.>

41
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Mizuki

(Is Kanade doing this for Mafuyu?)

42
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Mizuki

(It is New Year's...

I don't want her to dwell on things either.)

43
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Mizuki

...

44
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Mizuki

(Is there anything I can do to help?)

45
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Mizuki

(Some way to make things even a little easier for Mafuyu...)

46
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Mizuki

(Oh!)

47
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Mizuki

Oh, my accessory's a scrunchie...!

48
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Mizuki

This purple color feels kinda grown-up, but the frills are so adorable!

49
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Mizuki

(I bet it'd look great on Mafuyu...!

I should ask her to try it on sometime!)

50
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Mizuki

That reminds me. I got something good from one of the sales today.

51
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Mafuyu

Something good...?

52
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Mizuki

Yup! Ta-daa!

I bet this scrunchie would look great on you, Mafuyu! What do you think?

53
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Mafuyu

You think so...?

54
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Kanade

Oh, I see what you mean.

This color does have a mature feel to it...

55
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Kanade

I think you should try it on, Mafuyu.

The impression you give off may change a little.

56
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Mafuyu

Really...?

57
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Mizuki

So, it's all yours if you want it...?

It's not all that frilly or anything, so you should be able to wear it on a regular basis!

58
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Mafuyu

...

59
Character icon
Mafuyu

But...

Didn't you get this for yourself?

60
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Mizuki

No, it came from a lucky bag!

I thought it'd look great on you the second I saw it, Mafuyu! That's why I really wanna see you with it on!

61
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Mizuki

Plus, it's cute and fashionable...

It could help change the way you feel a little.

62
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Mizuki

Oh, but you don't have to take it if you don't want it!

63
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Mafuyu

...

64
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Mafuyu

Okay, I'll take it...

Thank you...

65
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Mizuki

Hehe. You're welcome!

66
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Mizuki

Alright, let's see how you look with it on♪

Ooh, want me to do your hair?

67
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Mafuyu

That won't be necessary.

68
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Mizuki

What?! Why?!

Pretty please!

69
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Kanade

Hehe...

70
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Mizuki's Sister

I'm so happy for you, Mizuki...

71
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Mizuki's Sister

Kanade, Mafuyu...

I hope you and Mizuki keep getting to have fun like this!

72
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Kanade

Oh, um... Yes, I hope so as well...

73
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Mizuki

Sis, you're embarrassing me!

And Kanade!

74
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Mizuki's Sister

Huh? I just thought I needed to say that as your big sister!

75
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Mizuki

No, you really didn't...

Next Chapter: Now, As Ever