There's nothing to do...

(Normally, we'd all be practicing somewhere together...)

(We decided to not give up and keep going, but An... I hope she's okay...)

(The person she loved and looked up to...is gone...)

(She seemed to be feeling a little better when we left... I wonder if it'd be okay to message her now...)

(Worrying isn't going to fix anything, so I should just...)

Oh, a message...!

It's from An!

<Sorry about making you guys worry yesterday. My throat still hurts, but emotionally I'm feeling much better!>

<You guys rest up too since we all put ourselves through the grinder!>

An...

Thank goodness. She does seem much better...

(Oh, but... She could also be trying not to make us all worry about her...)

(I hope she really is feeling better...)

(But if I were to ask how she's really feeling, she'd probably just say she's okay...)

What do I do in this situation...?

Oh, another message...

From Aoyagi?

<If you're trying not to make us worry, please don't. I believe it's okay to put yourself first in these situations.>

Oh...

(Aoyagi's never afraid of saying things like that... I need to say something too.)

<Thank you for messaging us, An.

You also try to rest since we know you put your throat through a lot.>

<Also, feel free to let me know if you want to talk. I'll be at home for the rest of today...>

Send.

(It's hard not to dwell on things or let negative thoughts creep in when you're all by yourself... Like I was doing just now...)

(So if she ever wants to talk...)

What...?!

A call...?

Oh!

Hello?

<Hehe. Morning, Kohane.

Surprised?>

Yeah, a little.

I mean, I just sent my reply to you.

<Haha. You did say that I could call you whenever. So, I called. Are you free right now?>

Yeah, I can talk.

<Thanks. I was actually just helping open up the cafe. It's really nice out today.>

What...? You're helping out today?

<Yeah. My dad said that I didn't have to, but with nothing else to do, I was having trouble getting yesterday out of my head.>

Oh, you too?

I was feeling the same way, and I thought that having someone to talk to would take my mind off things.

<And that's why you said that we could talk whenever? You really are like the nicest person ever, Kohane.>

<So, is it okay if we talk until I have to start serving customers?>

<Wait, no. I need to thank Toya first!>

Hehe. Take your time.

I'm not going anywhere.

(I hope I can help take her mind off things even just a little.)