...

(Finished. They gave us less homework than usual today...)

It's not even 25:00 yet but...

I think I'll log in early and get started.

<Hey, Yuki! You're early today.>

<Hello. Is it just you right now, Amia?>

<K was on just a second ago but left to make some instant noodles after her tummy gave this really big growl.>

<Enanan's probably still in class, so I'm guessing she won't be on for a while.>

<Okay...>

<I'm going to start working so I'll be muting myself now.>

<Oh, Yuki, wait.

Can we talk for a bit?>

<There's something important I want to talk to you about...>

<Shouldn't we wait until everyone else gets here...?>

<Uh, well...

I want to talk to you about this actually.>

<With me?>

<Yeah...>

<How do I even ask this...?

Hang on...>

<I don't mind waiting, but K and Enanan might get here while I do...>

<Haha. Things could get a little awkward if that happens.>

<So... Are you scared about moving forward, Yuki?>

<What do you mean...?>

<Lemme put it this way. Are you scared of things changing to the point where some really big questions start being answered?>

<I still don't know what you're trying to ask, Amia. Please, try to be clearer...>

<Yeah, alright...>

<What I meant by “moving forward” is, in your case, Yuki, learning to feel again.>

<Yeah...>

<And that's something you have to do if you want to discover who the “real you” is, right?>

<But remember that also might mean putting yourself in some really tough situations, like that time we went to the Doll Exhibit, remember?>

<I was asking if you're afraid of that at all...>

<...>

<I want to avoid that pain...

But I feel like things have improved since then.>

<Since when?>

<When I first met all of you in SEKAI.>

<Oh...>

<Back then, it didn't matter how many songs I wrote. The pain wouldn't go away and I felt like disappearing was the only way out.>

<What I felt when we went to the Doll Exhibit was awful too, but I felt much better after writing lyrics about that...>

<I see...>

<Also...>

<K promised me.

She said that she would keep composing until she can save me.>

<If it means making that song a reality, I won't shy away from moving forward.>

<Right... Yeah, I get it.

This is something you have to do.>

<Amia...?>

(Why is Mizuki asking me this?)

<Um...>

<Hey, everyone! I made it!

25:00 right on the dot!>

<Hey, Enanan!

Did you pass out on your bed after coming home from school?>

<No, I was taking a nice, relaxing bath and lost track of the time.>

(I don't think this is the right time to ask... Oh well...)

<Oh, Yuki and Enanan are here now.>

<Welcome back, K!>

<Okay, since it's 25:00, shall we get started?>

<Sure.>