I'm back...

Welcome home, Ena.

Oh, who's this...?

Um... Pardon the intrusion...

My name is Mafuyu Asahina. I'm a second-year at Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy...

I bumped into her just nearby and it suddenly started raining. I was hoping that we could give her some shelter for a little while.

Oh my...!

Ena, you have friends besides Airi...?!

Huh?

Hey, what's that supposed to mean?

Of course I have friends other than Airi.

Hehe. I know. Anyway, Mafuyu, it isn't much, but welcome to our home. Please, come in.

Thank you very much.

Then, if you don't mind...

(I really hope Mafuyu's okay...)

Who would've thought that I'd end up bringing you here someday...?

*Sigh*

I was hoping to work on my assignment after I got home too.

Work on your assignment...?

Yeah, for art class.

It's been giving me a lot of trouble.

My plan was to get some good ideas together before working on N25 stuff.

Oh... Then, I'll leave...

What?

I'm keeping you from working, aren't I?

Yeah, but... You should stay!

I mean, what choice do I have? I'm the one that brought you here.

Also, I have a feeling that you don't want to go home.

...

Hey, say something, will you?

(*Sigh*

Silent as always...)

(I assume she's thinking about her mom...)

<M-Mafuyu...?>

Huh?

Len...?

Huh? What brings you here?

Did something happen?

<U-Uhh...

I was wondering if you were okay, Mafuyu, since you looked like you were in pain the last time we saw each other...>

<But...>

<You look like you're feeling a little better...>

What?

Yes, compared to last time...

<Thank goodness...>

That's great and all...

But it's raining harder now, so I really think you should stay here a while longer.

Thank you. But...

But what?

I need to go home...

What?! Why?!

I thought you didn't want to go home!

It's not that I don't want to...

But this cold feeling comes over me when I think about it. And it hurts...

Is that because of what happened the other day...?

...

Ugh... You really should just tell your mom how you feel.

Doing that is just going to make her worry even more...

Between missing that practice exam and breaking curfew, I've already caused her so much trouble...

I get what you're saying...

But are you happy with the situation?

I...

I need to borrow your restroom...

<E-Ena...? Are you mad at her...?>

No, I'm not mad...

I just don't understand why she can't say what's on her mind.

Seeing the way she behaves...

It's like she's being silenced somehow.

<...>

<You're so strong, Ena...>

What?

<If I were her... I'd be too afraid to say how I really felt...>

<I mean, facing rejection from people you really care about, like your parents... That sounds awful...>

Oh...

(Rejection, huh...?)

...

I think I kinda get what you mean...

(I drew because I wanted to become an artist, but he didn't understand and tore my dream to pieces...)

(I really didn't know what to do after hearing that.)

(I started to hate seeing him, and my room felt like the only place in the house where I belonged...)

(What if Mafuyu's in a similar situation with her mom...?)

(Is Mafuyu afraid of being rejected by her? Is that why Mafuyu does as she's told...?)

I'm back...

<Oh, Mafuyu...!

Welcome back.>

Um, Mafuyu?

...! Oh...

It's my mom...

What...?

Hello? Mom?

Um, I'm studying at a friend's house right now...

Yes, we have a quiz coming up.

I'm sorry for not letting you know sooner...

(Oh, for the love of... Quit pandering to her.)

(How are you okay with this?!

On top of being forced to study all the time and give up the things you like doing, she looked through your computer without permission!)

(If this keeps up, you're never gonna break free from her grasp...)

(Which means the real you is going to...)

What? When am I coming home...?

Um...

Gimme that.

Huh...?

Pardon me. It's nice to meet you. My name is Ena Shinonome. I'm the friend Mafuyu was talking about.

<Shinonome? Yes, it's nice to meet you. So... Are you Mafuyu's classmate?>

No, I go to a different high school.

We were studying together and lost track of the time.

<Ah, I see.

Thank you for being friends with Mafuyu.>

<By the way...>

<How did you two meet exactly?>

What...?

How...?

<If you don't mind me asking...>

<Mafuyu mentioned a friend who plays music. Is that you?>

...

(Based on what she said, her mom doesn't know about N25...)

(And I have to think that she's still trying to look for answers.)

(Which means...)

Music...?

No, I'm not sure what you're talking about...

<Is that so? I was hoping to thank that person for teaching Mafuyu so much about music. But...>

<That wasn't you, it seems.>

No, I doubt she was talking about me...

<I see. I apologize for jumping to conclusions.>

<So... What are you to my daughter?>

Ena...

I'll handle this. You stay quiet.

I...

I met Mafuyu through art.

<Art? Can you elaborate...?>

Uh...

(I really don't like bringing his name up, but...)

So, Mafuyu and I met when she came to see one of my father's art exhibits. We got to know each other after that.

<Art exhibit...?>

Yes, have you heard of Shinei Shinonome? He's my father...

<Wait, Shinonome...? Didn't he just do an exhibit at the Shibuya Art Museum?>

Yes, that's him! I ran into Mafuyu while helping out at one of his other exhibits...

After finding out that she liked his art and that we were the same age, we really got along!

<Yes, I see.

I had no idea that Mafuyu was friends with the daughter of such a great artist...>

Hehe. I always enjoy hanging out with her. And much like how she was helping me study today, she's done a lot for me.

Oh, also...

There's something I'd like to ask you...

<Ask me? How can I help?>

Would it be okay if I had Mafuyu be a model for one of my drawings?

...!

<Model for your drawing...?>

Yes. I'm not directly following in my father's footsteps, but I'm also trying my hand at art...

And she fits exactly what I need to do for my current assignment. So, I'd like to have her be my model...

<Oh, that's wonderful.

Mafuyu would feel so honored to have the daughter of such a great artist to draw her.>

Thank you very much!

However, I need to finish my drawing tonight, so I was wondering if Mafuyu could stay over at my house.

<Tonight? My, that's very sudden...>

<Mafuyu's very busy preparing for entrance exams right now, so I'd rather have her spend her nights studying...>

...

<But spending a day at a friend's house may end up being a nice refresher...>

<Ms. Shinonome, I'll leave her in your hands.>

Thank you very much!

<Now, would it be alright if I spoke to Mafuyu?>

Of course...

Mafuyu, your mom wants to talk to you.

Oh... O-Okay.

Sorry about this all of a sudden, Mom.

Yes, of course... I'll make sure to not cause any trouble. I'll also make sure to study as much as I can tonight.

Yes, okay... Thanks, Mom.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night...

*Sigh*

That was exhausting...

Ena...?

There. Now you don't have to go home.

Thank you...

But why a model?

Oh, that was the first thing that popped into my head...

But I don't actually plan on making you model for me, so you can relax.

Oh, okay...

(Still, this probably means I won't have any time to work on my assignment.)

(I guess I should try to come up with some ideas if I find the time.)

Oh, I need to tell my mom about what's happening since she's gonna need to make more for dinner now.

I'll go with you...

I should thank her now that I'm staying over.

You sure? You don't have to, but...

Alright, let's go.

Okay...