<You had quite an adventure today, Mizuki...>

<Yeah, but I'm glad we all came back in one piece. I owe you, Rui.>

<Oh, I didn't do anything.>

<On the other hand, I never knew you could make that kind of face, Mizuki.>

<What face?>

<That look of desperation you had on your face when you were looking for help.>

<That's how I looked?! Wipe that from your mind, will you? That was probably the opposite of the cute and fashionable me that you usually see...>

<Hehe. That may be difficult.>

<Also, was that girl the one you mentioned to me before? Your "friend"?>

<Maybe. Maybe not...>

<*Sigh*... Anyways, I'm super tired. I'm gonna go to bed now. Bye, Rui.>

<Good night...>

<See you at school, Mizuki...>

<Later...>

...

Did I really look that desperate?

Huh? Ena messaged me...?

<Thanks for today. Airi, Shizuku and I were thinking about having a group call. Wanna join?>

(A group call...? That might be fun... I did like talking to Airi and Shizuku...)

(But I...)

<I just got a reply. Mizuki's tired and going to bed it looks like...>

<Right. I'd be exhausted too if I had to run around like that...>

<Yeah...

I need to thank you too, Shizuku.>

<No, Mizuki did all the work. I just sort of followed along...>

<The other people from the tour were so understanding too...>

<I know, right? I'm glad everyone was so nice about what happened.>

<I was surprised to hear that it was actually Mizuki's friends who came to help us in the end.>

<Yeah, we're in different classes but go to the same school. I should thank them again if I get a chance to see them.>

<That'd be great!>

<But I also feel bad about losing track of why we went there in the first place...>

<Yes, helping Mizuki turned into something much more drastic...>

<It's okay, really.

I'm still glad we went.>

<Today was the first time in a while that I'd seen Mizuki genuinely having a good time...>

<That's good then.>

<I learned today that I really do want to know more about what's bothering Mizuki.>

<I don't know if it's okay for me to keep pushing like this...>

<But nothing's gonna change unless I do something about it.>

<Mizuki helped me today, so it's my turn to return the favor.>

<Ena...>

<I doubt I'll really learn anything soon, but I want to know more about Mizuki...>

<I'll keep trying until things do start to actually change...!>

<Hehe. Looks like Ena's back to her usual self.>

<Look who's talking. You're the one that told me that not giving up is my best quality, Airi.>

<Because it is. I really like that part of you, Ena.>

<And feel free to ask us again if there's something you'd like help with. We'll gladly lend you a hand.>

<Also, how would you guys feel about going out together again?>

<That sounds wonderful! I'm sure it'll be even more fun if both Ena and Mizuki come along!>

<Mizuki does seem like a good kid. We might just go without you, Ena.>

<Airi... Shizuku...>

<But in that case, how does shopping sound? I kind of ruined Mizuki's favorite outfit, so we should probably find something new to replace it.>

<Right. Mizuki's very cute and stylish too, so I'm sure we'll be able to find something good. We'll let you know when our practice schedule is all set.>

<Okay. Thanks, Shizuku.>

<*Yawn*... I'm getting pretty sleepy...

I think I'll head off to bed...>

<Oh, it is getting late.

I'll do the same then.>

<Bye, you two!

And thanks again for today!>

<Okay, bye.>

(I want Mizuki to smile like that more...)

(I get that I might start being a nuisance...)

(But I can't ignore this anymore.)

(Because Mizuki's my friend...)

(Because Mizuki's someone I really care about.)