I hope Ena made it to class...
I don't want to keep seeing you like this, Mizuki, because whatever you're going through is starting to affect me too...
And you know exactly what I mean.
Whenever Kanade or Mafuyu seemed like they needed help, you wanted to be there for them, right?
It's normal to want to help out a friend when they're in need.
A friend, huh...?
(I'm so happy that Ena said that. I really am.)
(But...)
I can't tell you right now, but when I feel ready... I hope you'll be willing to hear me out...
(I lied to her...)
(I actually asked her to wait until I feel ready...)
*Sigh*
I'm such an awful person.
Huh? I hear footsteps...
(Did Ena come back...?)
Hello, Mizuki.
Hey, Rui...!
What are you doing here this late? Don't you and your friends have to practice for your show?
I let them know that I'd be running late, so it shouldn't be an issue. More importantly, I noticed that you've been at school since this morning.
Were you spying on me with your drone again?
I was performing some test flights and its camera just happened to capture you.
Oh really? You know that there are rumors about you spying on the entire school, right?
Hehe. Nobody's been harmed by any of those rumors, so I'm giving them no heed.
But how long has it been since we last spoke like this? The School Festival?
I guess so...
There was that other time when you made me laugh by showing me that toy you made with recordings of Tsukasa's voice.
Hehe. Yes, I remember.
By the way, Mizuki, do you remember that play I told you about when we were still in junior high school...?
The play is about a hero patiently waiting for someone...
Oh, that. I remember, but only vaguely. People who've seen it are pretty divided over it, right?
Yes, that's the one.
This play's protagonist never meets whoever they were awaiting...
But my wait has come to an end it seems.
You mean Tsukasa and the others?
Yes.
Until just recently, I kept asking myself whether or not they were who I was waiting for...
But I'm convinced that they are now.
...
I see...
My junior-high-school self would be so surprised.
Surprised? You from back then wouldn't believe a word of it.
Hehe. That may be.
And how about yourself...?
Huh?
Me? Well...
You don't have to tell me if you really can't right now...
But that doesn't mean I'm giving up!
I don't want to see you with that awful look on your face, and I want to help you in whatever way I can...
So please, tell me when you feel you're ready. I'll be waiting until then.
I...
I think I'm making someone wait for me...
I see...
Ah, it's time I got going.
Okay. Good luck with practice♪
Mizuki...
Hm?
We may have a rough road ahead of us in terms of trying to be ourselves.
But I'm very glad that you've decided to keep moving forward...
...
And we may not be friends in solitude anymore, but I won't be forgetting the time we shared anytime soon.
Anyway, I'll see you later.
Rui...
You kept saying how great solitude is...
But it seems you've also decided not to leave me be.