<Okay, good night!!>

<Night.>

*Sigh*

I couldn't focus at all today despite knowing that I'm behind schedule.

Ugh... This is all Mizuki's fault.

I wonder what Luka and MEIKO were talking about...

Maybe tomorrow... Oh, I guess today... Anyway, I could ask before we start working...

Oh, what if I'm told, “I'm busy”...?

And I might get an, “I'm sleepy,” and miss my chance if I ask after we're done...

Okay, I guess I don't have any other choice...

Let's eat!

Enjoy.

Um, Mom...

Oh, did I use too much soy sauce?

No, that was really good.

It's about something else.

About us doing stuff together this Sunday... Mind if we postpone that?

Sure, I don't mind.

After all, it was you that asked me first.

But this is very sudden. Did something come up?

Well...

I'm sort of worried about one of my friends.

And I'm thinking about inviting them out this Sunday to see how they are.

Are you talking about Akiyama...?

Huh? Wh-What if I am...?

Didn't you ask one of my teammates the other day about how Akiyama's doing?

After refusing my offer to ask them for you too. You're really that bothered by whatever's going on?

Why do you care? It's my business, not yours...

Okay...?

(But that does remind me.

Mizuki's friends with someone on his team.)

(Yeah, it's her.)

That's right. Mom, you've gotta hear this!

I met the girls on Akito's team for the first time the other day.

Oh, what are they like?

One's really quiet and polite.

The other was, well...

How do I describe her? She seems clingy, you know...?

That's what you saw?

Am I wrong?

Shiraishi, right? She's probably a nice person and all, but also doesn't seem to know how personal space works...

Yeah, I do get what you're trying to say.

Apparently, the first time she met Kohane, she immediately asked her to be her singing partner and invited her to perform at an event.

P-Partner?! Like you and Toya?

Yeah.

During their first meeting?

Yeah.

Wow...

Hehe. She seems very tenacious.

I mean, Akiyama's not really any different, right?

What are you talking about...?!

Mizuki keeps an eye on what mood everyone's in and always seems to be thinking about how much space is between us.

Really? I never would've guessed.

(Ugh... Changing the topic just led me right back to Mizuki...)

Anyway, good luck.

Huh...?

It's been a while since you've openly cared this much about someone else. Not since Momoi, right?

What?!

Like I said, good luck.

And thanks for dinner.

Hey, wait...!

Seriously, what was that just now...?

(But he might be right.

Airi and Mizuki might be the only people I've ever cared about this much.)

(I'm almost never able to get a straight answer, but I can't just leave things the way they are...)

(Okay...!)

(Once I'm on Nightcord, I'll try talking to Mizuki about doing something this Sunday!)