*Sob*

Hmm... Mr. Key, Mr. Key...

Come out, come out wherever you are!

It's gotten so dark. Finding it won't be easy...

N-No, it won't...

Also, we need to be careful not to trip and fall...

Eep!

H-Honami?!

What's wrong?!

S-S-S-Something cold just grazed my face...

Oh, I think it's just a leaf...

Huh...?

Take a look at this branch.

It hangs down to about your face, Mochizuki, and it's waving in the breeze.

Oh, you're right...

This is so embarrassing...

We can hold hands if you're feeling scared, Honami! Here, nice and tight!

Th-Thank you so much, Emu...!

Hehe...

You two are so close.

Still, this day's ending with quite the predicament...

Yes, it is...

I hope we find that key soon...

Me too!

But...

I kinda like this since we basically get to do another test of courage!

Also...

You seem to be smiling for real now, Asahina! That makes me really happy!

Huh? For real...?

Huh...?!

N-No, wait...! I meant...! Uhhhhhh...!

The thing is...!

I notice sometimes how you'll smile, but it doesn't seem like a real smile.

...

And especially recently, you've seemed sad despite having a smile on your face. Which started to worry me...

But...!

I feel a lot better because you seem to be smiling for real now...!

That makes me really happy!

Why?

Huh?

Why does me having a real smile make you happy, Otori?

Why...? Umm...

Because I can't help but feel excited when I see you smiling for real, and that makes me smile too!

...

I'm not sure I follow your reasoning...

I think I understand how Emu feels.

It's hard not to feel happy when you see someone you care about smile.

Oh...

(That reminds me of...)

(Kanade said the same thing.)

(Then...)

(Otori and Mochizuki care about how I feel, just like Kanade?)

I see.

...!

Asahina, you just...

*Scream*

Wh-Wh-Wh-What's wrong?!

Is everything okay, Honami?!

Th-Th-Th-The grass just rustled...!

And something ran by...!

Huh...?

Oh, what if it was a ghost?!

Where'd it go?!

Do you think it's gone now?!

No, I think it's still there...

What...?

Wh-Where?! Don't tell me...!

Yes.

Look there...

It's a tanuki.

Huh...?

Squeal.

...!

It is a tanuki...!

Wow! It's so cute!

Do you think it lives on this mountain? Wait, huh...?

There's something caught on its tail!

Really? I'm having trouble seeing...

Yeah, look!

There's a string or something wrapped around its tail.

...!

I think that's the key to the storeroom.

When I first borrowed it, I remember seeing a lanyard attached to it. A red one just like that.

Really...?!

Then, we need to get it back!

Stay really still for us, Mr. Tanuki...

Squeal?

We're your friends...

See? Pom-poko-pom-poko...

Okay, got it!

Squeal!

Hehe. It looks so happy now!

But how'd this get wrapped around its tail?

Hmm...

It may've gotten caught on its tail after the head priest dropped the key.

Still, I'm glad we found it.

We probably never would have if that tanuki decided to disappear into the woods.

True...

Hehe. That makes us very lucky.

Yeah!

Now let's tell Mizuki and the others the good news, then head back to the shrine!

Heave-ho, heave-ho...

That's the chairs returned to the storeroom...

Phew...

Is that everything we needed to put back?

Yes, I just need to lock the doors now...

Thank you all very much for your help.

No, thank you for having us.

Anyway, it's gotten very late.

Shall we start heading out, everyone?

Aww, this is really it for our test of courage...

It flew by so fast.

Yes, saying goodbye to this place isn't going to be easy.

Yeah...

Oh, I forgot to say something really important!

Emu!

Thanks for today!

Huh?

You came up with this idea, right?

I had so much fun making costumes and scaring everybody.

Me too. I know I was playing a monster, but seeing everyone smile filled me with so much joy.

I was frightened at the thought of a test of courage, but your idea made it fun for all of us, Emu.

It's because you put so much thought and effort into it.

You guys...

Hehe. But this was only possible because all of you decided to help! So, thank you!

...

I...

I need to thank you for today as well.

(Oh...!)

(She's really smiling...!)

Of course!

Thank you as well!

I promise to keep doing my best as a class rep! And I look forward to working with you in the future...!

*Nod*

Me too.

(Thank goodness...!

Asahina's got such a big smile on her face!)

(Seeing others smile like this really makes me so happy!)

Hehe. You seem so happy, Emu.

I am!

I mean, today ended up being such a wonderhoy day!