Let's see... I'm supposed to meet her somewhere around here...

(I need to say everything I can.

For Mafuyu's sake...)

(I'm sure she cares about Mafuyu very much...)

(So I'm hoping that if I can explain to her just how much Mafuyu is suffering over the prospect of not being able to work on music anymore is taking a significant mental toll on her...)

(Which is why I'm not going to tell any lies or half-truths. I'll tell her what's going on and try to find the best solution I can.)

Oh, that lady...

(She looks just like Mafuyu. Is she...?)

Are you K...?

Y-Yes, my name is Kanade Yoisaki.

It's been a pleasure working with Mafuyu.

I'm looking forward to talking to you today.

Hehe. I'm Yuki's mother.

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today, Ms. Yoisaki.

I apologize for what happened the other day. I may've sounded rather cold due to my not being used to chatting on a computer.

No, that didn't bother me...

I'm also not very used to chatting online.

(Thank goodness... She seems like a nice person...)

Also, Ms. Yoisaki, you know Mafuyu's real name...?

Yes, we've met offline...I mean, in real life a few times...

Oh, I see...

Anyway, we have much to discuss today. Shall we find a place where we can sit and talk?

O-Of course...

Hehe. There's no need to feel so anxious. You have my word that it's a nice place.

Still, it is a fairly fancy establishment. I also felt a little nervous when I first came here.

But don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it.

A-Are you sure...?

Yes. So, let's try to have a relaxing time.

We actually always come here as a family to celebrate Mafuyu's various achievements.

...

Oh, my apologies.

I'm just so excited about having the opportunity to speak with one of Mafuyu's friends that I can't seem to contain my excitement.

Anyway, how does a cake and a drink sound...?

I'd like you to try it since the ones they bake here are very good.

Yes, sure...

Thank you very much.

Now, about why we're here...

When did you first meet Mafuyu?

When...?

Um... I'd say around two years ago.

I see...

What sorts of things do you usually do with her?

We're in a music group that produces songs. Mafuyu's in charge of writing lyrics for us...

Oh, that.

I'm sorry. I took the liberty of looking at some of her lyrics...

And your songs are nice.

Making music with friends seems like such a wonderful hobby.

Th-Thank you very much...

Hehe. I listen to classical music quite a lot, but I never thought about creating my own songs. I was so surprised when I first found out that Mafuyu is doing just that...

Isn't it hard to produce the songs that you do?

Oh, um... It really isn't.

But it can be when I don't have any ideas...

But Mafuyu and the others in our group have helped me quite a lot with that.

I see.

Hehe. I'm glad to hear that she's been able to help.

But you must all be busy preparing for your own entrance exams. You're all around the same age as Mafuyu, no?

I'm sure it isn't easy for you to write songs while also going to school, Ms. Yoisaki.

(Her tone changed...)

Oh, um... Not all of us are studying for exams...

That includes myself... I'm not actually studying for any...

Oh, is that so...

Then, you don't plan on pursuing higher education...?

No, not at the moment...

Music is more important to me than exams right now...

I see...

I admire the fact that you have something you're so passionate about...

(She's taking it much better than I was expecting...)

(But...)

(I'm getting shivers down my spine...)

Also, I mentioned this when we chatted before... But, no different from you, Mafuyu's pursuing a big dream.

To become a doctor. Isn't it wonderful?

A doctor...?

(That's Mafuyu's dream...?

I had no idea... But...)

(Something doesn't seem right here...)

(In the beginning, Mafuyu wasn't sure what she wanted to do with herself...)

(So much so that she wanted to disappear completely...)

(If it's true that Mafuyu does want to become a doctor more than anything else, then...)

(No, she wouldn't have said that.)

(This person in front of me is convinced that she cares about Mafuyu... However...)

So, I'd like to ask you once more today regarding Mafuyu's dream in life...

For her sake, at least until she's finished taking her entrance exams, please refrain from contacting her...

Yes, I understand that she needs to study...

But I also feel that Mafuyu needs music right now...

Yes, I agree that it's important to take breaks from time to time.

Yes, but... That's not what I meant...

Mafuyu told me herself that she doesn't want to give up music.

Which is why I'd like for you to allow her to keep working with us. It only has to be when she has some free time on her hands.

Because in her current state...

Yes, of course...

Huh...?

Didn't I just say that it's important to take breaks?

Also, I don't plan on forcing her to give up music entirely until she's done taking her exams...

Oh... I see...

(So, she's not completely against Mafuyu making music with us...?)

(Then, I might actually be able to get somewhere with her. My assumptions about her may've been misplaced...)

But I would like for her to stop working with this group of yours...

What...?

I don't know much about it, but you have deadlines and such to meet, yes...?

And writing lyrics sounds very time-consuming... If she were able to work at her own pace, then she'd be able to participate without it taking away from her studies...

Also, Mafuyu's so kind that she may be having trouble saying that she'd rather be studying instead of doing anything music-related...

B-But that won't work for her...

I believe that Mafuyu wants and needs to make music with us... Together!

Oh, what makes you say that...?

I, um...

(How do I tell her that I'm trying to save her...?)

Please don't take this personally...

I understand that not being able to see or talk to Mafuyu anymore is going to be difficult after working with her for these past two years...

But I'd like to take this opportunity to say...

Your little music group...

There is no room in her life for such a thing.

...!

So, if you truly do care about Mafuyu, you'll ask her to leave your group.

I'm sure she'll understand if she hears it coming from your mouth.

(No...)

(Something's definitely wrong here...!)

(She seems to care about Mafuyu...

I can tell that she spends a lot of time thinking about her.)

(But... Something's wrong. This doesn't feel right...)

(I'm used to a different kind of warmth. She just feels...)