Chapter 4: Premonition

(...Looks like nothing's changed today, either.)

(Ever since she returned to living with Kanade, Mafuyu seems to have calmed down a bit...)

(But...it doesn't seem like she's in any state to make any real progress...) (At least this isn't the worst it can get...)

(If there's another chance, then maybe she can try again...)

(But...)

(Even if she tried to make progress, will that really be the best for her...?)

Luka...

Well, if it isn't Meiko.

...Where did you go?

There's no need to scowl at me. I just went to check on Kanade.

...Kanade?

That's right. Don't you think she's been a bit stagnant lately? I mean, Mizuki and Ena have already overcome their challenges.

But Mafuyu returned to Kanade's home and hasn't made any progress since.

And Kanade hasn't made a song that will save Mafuyu yet, has she?

...So what are your thoughts?

...After everything that's happened, of course it'd turn out like this.

I'm sure that even now, Kanade is looking for a way to make a song that will save Mafuyu.

I'm not so sure about that, she told me that even she doesn't know.

Then--

Oh, there you are! Hey!! I just bought some yummy pastries from the shop, let's all eat them together!!

Honestly it's kind of unusual to see you two together... ...And for some reason I'm getting really bad vibes...?

Oh, don't worry, we were just having a friendly little chat. Isn't that right, Meiko?

... ...

I guess she didn't hear me~

Seriously, what happened here? Well, I guess you don't have to tell us if you don't want to... You just seem more prickly than usual.

We were talking about Mafuyu and Kanade.

Hm? Why about them?

Because after everything with her mother, Mafuyu moved back in with Kanade, right? So...we were thinking of how to help them both move forward after that.

Oh...I see.

...Still, stuff's pretty hard right now, huh?

Yeah... I heard about what happened from Kanade, but... It's terrible that she had to go back to Kanade's house...

...I agree... Things between Mafuyu and her mom are like this for some reason...

Footsteps

Oh, looks like someone's come to the Sekai.

I suppose you could say, "Speak of the devil", huh?

Get back here!

Ah, wait!

Let's go, Mizuki.

O-okay!