Bye, Mom.

I'm off to school.

Good luck.

Oh, you don't have cram school today, so will you be coming home early?

No, so I'm planning on staying at school to study. I'll be home at my usual time.

Hehe. Just as motivated today, I see.

But try not to get too focused on studying and forget to come home before curfew, okay?

Thank you, Mom.

I should get going now!

(Mafuyu's such a good girl...)

Oh, I know. I should take this chance to clean her room...

A clean environment will make it easier for her to study...

Hmm... That math study guide should be...

Hm? Mafuyu, aren't you gonna go home? Your club's taking a break today, right?

Yes, but I'd like to get in some studying before going home since I have a practice exam coming up.

You're such a straight arrow, Mafuyu. You know it's important to take breaks from time to time, right?

But at the same time, you're really smart, so I guess there's nothing to worry about.

Hehe. I appreciate the concern.

Oh, but I need to get to club soon. Bye bye, Mafuyu!

Bye. See you tomorrow.

Time to study...

Oh, it's already this late...

(I've done three passes of the problem sets for the practice exam, so I'm probably ready now...)

(I should get the results I want since I've done the work...)

And I should head home soon.

Mom's probably waiting for me...

I'm home.

Huh...?

(Mom's usually here to greet me...)

Mom, is something the matter?

Is everything okay?

Um, Mafuyu...

Is there anything you're hiding from me?

What...? No, nothing.

Why would I hide anything from you, Mom...?

Are you sure?

Can you say that while looking straight into my eyes?

What...?

(Am I hiding anything...?

What can't I tell her about...?)

(Wait...)

No, I'm not hiding anything from you. Again, Mom, why would I ever do that...?

Then, what is the meaning of this?

...!

(My synthesizer...)

I thought we'd gotten rid of this.

What was it doing in your room, Mafuyu?

Um, so...

I was thinking that I could invest in my future by learning more about it.

What do you mean...?

One of my friends knows how to play music and I gained some interest after seeing what she can do, so I decided to study music a little.

You've heard of music therapy, right? I thought it might help me in the future...

Oh, I see...

I'm so proud of you, Mafuyu.

You're taking the initiative by trying to learn new things.

...!

Thank you, Mom, so this synthesizer...

However...

Is this really all that necessary right now?

Huh...?

Yes, music is indeed a wonderful thing and music therapy may prove to serve you well when you do become a doctor.

But I'm also worried.

You're worried...?

I'm worried that music will get in the way of your studies and even lead to less-than-ideal results by the time entrance exams roll around.

Of course, you're smart, and a good girl above all else, so I'm sure you'll do just fine...

But I can't help but wonder if this is going to end up limiting the choices that are available to you in the future.

Mom...

I'm sure you can learn all about music therapy in medical school... And if you wish to relax, I'm sure there are many other ways...

Oh, why don't you watch more movies like you did last night? Didn't you say you want to improve your listening skills by turning the subtitles off?

I'll ask this teacher I know about any movies that they think will help with that.

Thank you, Mom...

I'm sorry for making you worry so much...

But...

(To me... Music is...)

I'm glad to see that you're so worried about me, Mom...

But I want to try my hand at music...

Mafuyu...

Of course, I promise not to let it get in the way of my studies and will try not to be too much of a burden on my friend...

Is this friend of yours the same age as you...?

Huh? Yes, just about...

I see...

That's so marvelous, Mafuyu. I understand why you're so interested in the arts since they can do wonders for your mind.

So, does that mean...?

But is this friend in the process of getting ready for entrance exams...?

Huh...?

If this friend of yours was actually studying for exams and aiming for high-level goals like you, Mafuyu, then I'd be more than happy to let you take this on as a nice, relaxing hobby...

Studying for exams...?

Ah, I see...

Mafuyu, I know it's important to be exposed to different kinds of people, but networking with the right people is just as important.

So, what you need right now are peers who are studying just as hard as you for entrance exams. Am I wrong...?

You surely stand to benefit much more from having friends who are trying to achieve the same kinds of goals as you, Mafuyu.

Yes, I understand that, but...

I...

Mafuyu...

What's gotten into you today?

Did I do something that wasn't to your liking...?

All I'm trying to do is make sure you have the best future possible...

Oh...

I-I'm sorry...

I didn't mean to step on your toes...!

I know you're always putting serious thought into my future, so I apologize for making you worry so much...

No, that's okay.

If there's something you truly wish to do, I plan on being there to support you.

I'm worried about you, so I can't help but state how I feel... However, Mafuyu, it's ultimately your life to live...

So you're free to do whatever you like...

Huh...?

If you truly wish to do something, Mafuyu, you're free to do it...

Just don't regret your decision, okay...?

...

I... I want to...

I'm sorry, Mom...

I'll give up on music...

And I'll use that time to prepare for exams, so you don't have to worry so much about me.

You're sure about that...?

Yes, since my studies come first.

Good...

I'm so relieved.

That means you don't need this synthesizer anymore, right? I'll hold onto it for now.

Yes, okay.

I'm sorry for saying what I did.

I'll be in my room studying until it's time for dinner...

Huff... Huff...

(My chest... It feels so... cold...

And painful... My mind feels so overwhelmed...)

(The way Mom said that remark... I can't get it out of my head...)

A notification...?

It's from Mizuki...

<Can you come over to SEKAI?

There's something I wanna tell everyone!>

SEKAI...

I should go to SEKAI...