Excuse me, Ms. Yoisaki.

Thank you for having me today.

Thank you as well.

I'll start cleaning and make enough food to last you a few days. Is there anything you'd like to eat tonight?

Tonight...?

Not particularly.

I'll leave it up to you.

Okay.

It's starting to get chilly, so why don't I make you something that's nice and warm.

Yes, it has been getting chilly.

It was so cold the other day when I went out to run an errand.

Hehe. That's very common during a transitional period, so please try to keep warm and stay healthy.

You too, Ms. Mochizuki.

Thank you.

I will. Anyway, I'll start cleaning...

Oh...?

Is something the matter?

No, it's just...

I think my friend has this exact same CD.

Oh, really?

Then, your friend must like this artist too.

Also, this isn't actually my CD.

Oh, it isn't?

No. I went to the CD shop the other day to buy a copy, but there was only one left. This other person seemed to really want it, so I let them have it.

Luckily, a friend of mine just happened to know this person, so I was able to borrow it from them.

What...?

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but does this friend of yours happened to be named Asahina?

Yes, how did you know...?

A few days ago, my friend was talking about handing over her CD to Asahina.

She even mentioned how this was the last copy and the way this other person let her have it...

...?

My friend even showed me some of the videos that this person made and the music just sounded so similar to what you usually play, Ms. Yoisaki.

I see...

Thank you for listening to our music.

Oh, before I forget...

Would you mind returning this CD to your friend for me?

I know I should be asking Mafuyu to do this instead of you, Ms. Mochizuki...

I found something that probably means quite a bit to your friend with it, so I'd like to get it back to them as soon as possible...

Something that means a lot to her...?

Okay, I understand.

I'll take it back to her.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Also, I was surprised to hear from Mafuyu that she knew the person I ran into, but to think that you were her friend too...

I'm just as surprised...!

I never knew that you were friends with Asahina.

Friends...?

And well...

I'm glad it turned out to be you.

Hehe. Knowing that makes me happy.

It does...?

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's just so interesting how my friend ended up meeting you in such a way.

Yes, this artist isn't that well known, so I was surprised to meet another one of their fans too.

But I'm also glad to have had that encounter.

Um, Ms. Yoisaki...?

Would you like to meet my friend...? That is, if you'd like to...

M-Me meeting her?

Yes. She also mentioned how she was hoping to talk more with you.

She seems to want to get to know you better as both a fellow songwriter and a fan of Miku songs.

I see...

(I've never actually made that much of an emotional investment into Miku songs but...)

...

Again, you don't have to if don't like...

Okay.

I'd like to thank her for the CD, so would you mind setting us up?

R-Really...?

Yes. I'm yet to meet anyone outside of my group who makes their own songs, so I'd like to take this opportunity to talk with your friend.

Oh, thank you so much...!

Hehe. She'll be so happy to hear this!

That's good to hear.

Oh, there's actually one more thing that I'd like to ask you...

Yes?

Would you mind joining us for this? I honestly don't really get out much, so I may have some trouble keeping a conversation going.

Hehe. I'd be happy to.

I'll be sure to work it into my schedule.

Thank you very much.

...

Is everything okay, Mafuyu?

Is something bothering you?

Maybe. I'm not sure...

Something has been on my mind.

Care to explain?

Well, it's about the CD I helped Kanade get...

That time... The way she smiled made my chest feel so warm for some reason.

Before she'd even listened to it too. Why is that...?

...

Mafuyu...

Mafuyu, I knew I'd find you here.

Is something the matter, Kanade...?

Yes, there's something I need to report to you. Also, Miku mentioned before how she wanted to listen to this CD.

Report...?

So you get to meet the girl who lent you this CD...?

Yes. As it turns out, she's a friend of Ms. Mochizuki from the housekeeping service I use.

I believe it'll also be a good learning experience since I hardly ever get to meet other people who make their own music like this...

I see.

Yes, and I was wondering if you'd like to join us, Mafuyu...

Why...?

You don't need me to be there, Kanade.

I see Hoshino at school on a regular basis, so I don't see any point in me going.

Okay, I'm sorry...

I was just wondering if you'd be interested since she's also trying to create her own music.

...

Not only that, you're the one who sort of brought us together, so it'd be nice to have you there with me.

All I did was bring her CD to you...

Are you sure you don't want to go, Mafuyu?

Huh...?

You seemed to be mulling over something just now.

Could it be that you were wondering if going with Kanade will help you find some answers?

...

Maybe...

Is something bothering you, Mafuyu?

Is everything okay...?

Yes, there's nothing to worry about.

(But what if Miku's right...?

If going with Kanade means discovering something...)

...

Okay, I'll go...

Mafuyu...

Would you mind telling me when you'll be meeting them once you know more?

Y-Yes, of course...!

I'll be sure to let you know.

Thank you, Mafuyu.

You're welcome...