There really is a lake...

Did you find this place, Miku?

Yes...

Mafuyu, Len and I came to see what it was...

Really...?

Still, what made this lake appear?

Don't you already know?

KAITO... MEIKO, Luka, you too?

Oh, we're all here now.

I mean, how can we not visit a new place after hearing about it?

I'm just here to see what's in this SEKAI now.

Same here. We're not here out of just mere curiosity like the rest of you.

Oh? Curiosity can serve as the beginning of many new things. There's nothing wrong with doing a little exploring.

Still, aside from the lake, this place is terribly dull.

Yeah, it does feel kinda lonely.

If only it had a little more scenery to offer. It's unfortunate that it didn't turn out like one of those summer retreats.

But I don't think this SEKAI experiences summers...

Oh? Depending on how Mafuyu's feelings change, we may get an opportunity to go on a fun vacation...

There's no way.

B-But... If that did happen, then that means Mafuyu would also be having fun, right?

Mafuyu having fun...?

I'd like that.

At the very least, that's not happening any time soon...

But there probably is some meaning behind us discovering this place...

I agree with her. But...

Um, KAITO?

You implied just now that there's only one reason this lake formed. Can you explain what you meant?

This SEKAI was born out of Mafuyu's feelings. Therefore, this lake is no different.

Which means something changed inside of her.

Precisely.

Something's changed with Mafuyu's feelings...?

Now that you mention it, we can hear Kanade's song coming from it. Also, we found this study guide in the water...

Those may also be because of Mafuyu's feelings.

A study guide...?

For what exactly?

I believe it was for getting into medical school...

All this pain seemed to wash over Mafuyu when she realized what it was...

I see...

That means other painful memories may also be hiding within this lake.

In other words, this place wasn't entirely formed for refuge.

Mafuyu doesn't seem to enjoy being here either.

I've heard enough. I'll be going now...

Same. I'll be leaving as well...

Oh... There they go...

By the way, Miku, have you noticed anything?

Huh? Have I...?

You've known Mafuyu the longest out of all of us. That puts you in a unique position, which means you must've noticed something.

...

Come to think of it...

This may not always be the case, but the water didn't feel all that cold when I touched it...

Oh...

Y-Yeah, I thought the same thing...!

It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold either.

The things closest to Mafuyu's heart lay hidden within these waters. Which thankfully aren't cold.

The temperature...

That's very interesting.

Then, we'll likely want to keep an eye on this place moving forward.

*Nod*