I'm back.

You still haven't turned the lights on...?

Have you had lunch already...?

...

The department store by the station had some sushi on sale, so I bought enough for both of us. Let's have them together.

...

Oh, about Mafuyu...

I heard some news regarding her condition.

Apparently, stress was causing her to lose her sense of taste. After she has had some time for her mind to settle—

I see.

But she still isn't coming back, is she?

No, it may be a while before she does.

Okay.

...

So, would it be possible for you to tell me again what happened that night?

I've already told you everything.

Is that true?

What do you mean?

Yes, you told me a part of the story.

You tried to take away Mafuyu's phone after you noticed that her grades were starting to slip, which didn't end well.

...

But is that really the whole story?

I... I just get the feeling that there's more than what you've told me.

Otherwise, Mafuyu wouldn't be so against coming home.

...

So please. Won't you tell me?

We need to gain a better understanding of her, learn what's causing her to suffer and find a suitable solution...

Because she may never come home if we don't.

...

That day... What happened to Mafuyu—

I...

I don't know!

Of course I want Mafuyu to come home!

That much has to be obvious!

But...!

I don't know what to do anymore!

You don't know...?

What am I supposed to do?

How do I get Mafuyu to understand...?

Mafuyu...

I made us some tea, Mafuyu.

Thank you.

<Oh, are you talking about the really delicious tea that Honami always brings over for you?>

<Actually, Yuki's dad brought over the tea I made today.>

<Huh? Yuki's...?>

<He went out and bought it after I told him that I could still sort of smell things.>

<Umm... It's lavender-flavored tea, which is supposed to be very soothing and beneficial to your nervous system.>

<Really...?

So, how is it?>

<I can't say for sure, but I think I feel a little refreshed.>

<You do? Then, it must be having some effect.>

<Possibly.>

<The lyrics are done, so I'll post them on Nightcord now.>

<Oh, thanks!>

<Also, Yuki, are you working on a computer? I thought I heard typing from your end just now...>

<Oh... Yes, I am...>

<My dad brought it back over for me today.>

<What...?!>

<Wait, wasn't it broken...?

So he brought it over for you?>

<Yes...

Because I'd been using it for quite some time.>

<That's great news...!>

<Now you can go back to writing lyrics and mixing songs without having to borrow K's.>

<I can...>

<Your dad seems like a nice person...>

Huh...?

<Yeah...>

<During our conversations, he'll ask Mafuyu about how school is going and such...>

<But he seems to refrain from forcing her to talk about things that she's not ready to.>

<I see...>

<Which means he, at least, sort of cares about your well-being.>

...

(He cares about my well-being...?)

(She may be right.)

(He's been visiting every week, and hasn't reacted negatively whenever I say that I don't want to go home.)

(He even brought over this tea and my laptop for me...)

(For me...)

(But... I...)

(He's been doing all these things for me.)

(I know that I should go home as soon as I can.)

(But...)