Chapter 2

...Will you really search for your feelings...?

I will. That's why I came here in the first place.

I want to look around this area first, but...this fog is going to be a nuisance.

Fog...?

What are you talking about? There's no fog here.

But...

... ... ...

I'm sure it's uncomfortable, but...

I can't help you look for your feelings myself, but maybe I can be of use somehow...

Be of use? How?

Well, I mean just what I say. Could you hold out your hand?

...Okay.

...There's only one Mafuyu now? Where did the one we came with go?

I'm guessing she's "inside" the younger one right now.

(...I thought KAITO and Miku suddenly got taller, but it looks like I'm the one who shrunk.)

I guess when she said, "I can be of use," she really meant I'd "borrow her body".

...Did the fog clear up?

Yes... I wonder why I was the only one who could see it?

...Who knows? But that might still be a clue.

Let's go. There should be some other clues around here.

...What should I do about the sleeping me?

Leave her. This place is small, so she'll be fine.

I'm worried about that Mafuyu, but... I'm even more worried about this Mafuyu since she shrunk, so I'll follow.

...Thank you, Miku.

...Oh, look. The Mafuyu in this photo is even smaller than you are.

...I can't see it when I'm this small.

Oh... KAITO, can you carry Mafuyu--

Here's a stool.

Are these certificates over here? Looks like this one is for a speech competition...

...I think I received that one in middle school. And next to it is a reward I got for being the most valuable player at a sports competition.

The picture books on this shelf are all ones I read as a child.

Oh... I remember this book. You read it to me before.

...I don't recognize the picture book here. Mafuyu, what kind of story--

Hey, we aren't here to read. Let's keep moving.

...Hm. This picture has something stuck to it.

This is...sheet music, isn't it? There's a song written on it.

...I remember this song. It's the one Mafuyu wrote as "OWN".

"OWN"...

(Back then, I had no idea how to make myself feel better... I just turned all my overflowing emotions into a song.)

(I wonder if that sleeping version of me is--)

...Ugh...!

Mafuyu...!

A sudden gust...!? Even the sheet music is being blown everywhere... Just where the hell is it coming from...

...Is it coming from the sheet music itself?

Of course...

That "me" was from before Kanade promised to "keep writing music"--

The "me" who wanted someone to find her.

Ah...the wind died down...

Mafuyu, did you realize that Mafuyu's feelings...?

Is she still not waking up...?

I'm just guessing, but I think the real thing I need to realize is "why did she fall asleep?"

Judging from the way the younger Mafuyu spoke when she lent you her body, I'd say that's accurate.

...That "me" has seemed sleepy all the time lately...

And these fragments of feelings keep drifting farther and farther away from her...

(She won't wake up, huh...)

I'm sure when that "me" fell asleep, she knew that her fragments of feelings would break off and separate from her.

...So why do the fragments separate from her body when she's asleep?

The one who lent you her body said, "If you're sleepy, why don't you sleep?" right?

Which should mean that sleeping should be fine, under normal circumstances.

...I don't know.

...It seemed like "this one" knew why the other me fell asleep...

But because I had to figure it out myself, they just gave me some vague hints...

It seemed like they had some goal, but maybe they just wanted to make you reflect on yourself a bit?

..."I'm sorry."

What?

You said, "You want me to find a way to wake her up, right?" And she responded...

But maybe what she wants you to realize is something that you've been trying to avoid...

Something I've been...avoiding...

(My feelings are breaking off, which means they're fading... Does that mean it's something I don't want to acknowledge it?)

(Is that sort of thing even possible?)

(Something I'd be fine abandoning, like...)

It can't be...

...My...self...?

Mafuyu...?

Did I...throw my own emotions away?

(Was I unable to see through the fog because I didn't want to see this place...?)

But...why...?

I...

It's fine for me to throw away my own feelings...

Ah...

... ... ...

There are two Mafuyus again...

Um... ...

...You've realized it, right...? That you yourself are the cause...

... ... ...!

But...but... I discarded those emotions...

...You did.

And now, "I" am in pain.¹

But how does it feel compared to when you were vomiting up your feelings into songs, or when you ran away from Mother...?

I...

When Kanade asked for more time to think about her next song, why did you just accept it?

You could've blamed her. You could've said, "You said you'd keep making them."

Blame...Kanade...?

But...when you're stuck, blaming people won't help anyone...

And Kanade... Kanade collapsed from working herself to death on her songs for my sake...

...I see. So this is the cause.

What do you mean...?

You still don't get it?

Essentially, you've been putting aside your need to be saved for the sake of Kanade's health.

Ah...

And "I" returned home... And we both know that went poorly.

Because, that was--

Mafuyu, you said you want to go here, didn't you?

You said this school is good...

Even though I said that I'd do my best to support you no matter what, I--

I still...

I still just made you suffer...

I... I couldn't be honest back then, that's all...

Mafuyu...

... ...I'm sorry...

Because I said something selfish I... I hurt you...

...Well, she was going to have to realize it eventually.

Besides...it's probably just second nature to her.

You mean...abandoning my feelings...?

I...don't like it... The idea of throwing myself away...

Especially after you found us...

...I understand.

...I'll be careful not to, in the future.

...We're back.

Hahh...

I thought that fragment was one of your emotions, but I didn't think it'd be something so important.

If that younger version of yourself hadn't held it together, who knows what would've happened.

...I was surprised too.

...I definitely don't want to regress to back then, so I'll be careful.

...You'll be alright. Because we're here for you, Mafuyu.

You're right... Thank you.