...

A song that will save Yuki...

(I made that bold statement out of desperation, but...)

(I still don't know what kind of song would save her.)

(But I just have to compose one...)

Otherwise, there's no meaning in me being here.

Who...? Oh, right.

Today's the day Ms. Mochizuki comes over to clean.

Hello, Ms. Mochizuki.

Hello.

Today is cleaning day, yes?

Yes. Please do the kitchen today. And the bathroom.

I'll get started right away.

Oh, by the way, I have some flavored teas with me today. Would you like to have a cup later?

Yes, thank you...

Great! I'll make the tea after I finish cleaning. Once it's ready, I'll let you know.

Okay.

I think I'm done brushing up the bass part.

Ms. Mochizuki should almost be done with her work too.

(Grandma really surprised me when she asked me to use a homemaker service since I was living by myself.)

(But now I think it was the right thing to do. A dirty room lowers my efficiency.)

(And she cooks so well too...)

Ms. Yoisaki, I've finished cleaning!

Would you like some tea?

Coming...

It's so fragrant.

It really is! This is white peach-flavored tea. Enjoy.

Thanks.

It's really good...

Really? I'm glad you like it!

Also, what a relief...

Relief?

Yes, because you seemed a little down today.

I'm just relieved to see you smile.

...

Have I told you that you're an amazing person, Ms. Mochizuki...?

You're so good at doing housework and even show so much concern for me.

Huh?

Oh no, I just like doing housework.

I'm really glad I took up the suggestion my mom's friend made to work as a part-time housekeeper.

Being a helper is so much fun.

It is?

Helping someone in need and making them happy makes me happy as well. Unfortunately, this sometimes makes me look a bit meddlesome...

...

Could I ask you for advice about something...?

Oh, of course. What is it?

There's someone I'm trying to help.

But I just don't know what to do sometimes. What would you do in a situation like that?

Well...

First, I'd listen very closely to what that person has to say. After all, different people may want to be helped in different ways.

What if that person doesn't understand how they want to be helped?

Hmm...

Then, I'd try to listen even harder.

Get to know that person more.

You may be helping them just by understanding their feelings and the things on their mind.

There are some people who try to carry all their burdens by themselves in order to not cause trouble to those around them.

For people like that, just having someone there for them becomes a bright spot in their life that will give them happiness.

Get to know the person more, huh...

Oh, but be careful. Some people don't like being questioned too much about personal stuff.

Um... I'm sorry.

That wasn't very good advice at all.

No, it was. Thank you, Ms. Mochizuki.

I think I'll try to get to know that person better.

I hope you can give that person the help they need.

I hope so too. Thank you.

See you next week...

Oh, by the way...

Do you happen to be interested in dolls or puppets?

Dolls?

Yes.

There's a doll exhibit going on nearby.

I received some complimentary tickets from a friend, but can't go because I'm busy with something else this week.

The art gallery holding the exhibition is quite close to the hospital you visit.

I was thinking you could drop by on the way back.

You once told me you receive inspiration from paintings for your songs, so maybe dolls could be a useful reference too...

Oh! That is if you want to! If you're not interested—

Oh, no... I'll take the tickets. Thank you.

Great.

Here, and see you next week.

Yeah. See you.

Hm, a doll exhibit...