MagiReco - Character Side Story - Hozumi Shizuku

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Part 1: The Only One I Can Depend On

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Girl A: Hey, have you seen this, Shizuku?

Hozumi Shizuku: What?

Girl A: Here, look! Isn't this the cutest thing ever?

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, it's cute.

Girl A: I knoooow, right!

Girl B: It's super cute~

Girl C: Hey, I wanna see that, too~

Girl A: I so want one! Look...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: No one bullies me.

Hozumi Shizuku: I do fun things. I watch funny TV shows. My new teacher is nice. I enjoy buying cute things.

Hozumi Shizuku: I have friends to share all of that with.

Hozumi Shizuku: I get to walk home after school with a group of friends, without really needing to say anything.

Hozumi Shizuku: And yet... I wonder why I feel like this.

Hozumi Shizuku: I hang out with my friends. I go to karaoke with my friends. I laugh with my friends.

Hozumi Shizuku: But I feel like I'm not "me". Like this body is not my own and I'm on the outside looking in...

Hozumi Shizuku: All of a sudden, I would be assaulted by that strange sensation.

Hozumi Shizuku: "Shizuku", "Shizuku", they say. These people in front of me keep calling my name with confidence.

Hozumi Shizuku: And I don't understand why.

Hozumi Shizuku: Why I feel disgusted every time I hear it.

Girl A: Shizuku! See you tomorrow!

Girl B: Bye, bye, Shizuku!

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, see you tomorrow.

Hozumi Shizuku: My friends, my teacher, my neighbours, my dad, my mom.

Hozumi Shizuku: I don't have an issue with any of them.

Hozumi Shizuku: But my footsteps are unsteady, like I'm walking on a trampoline that has no bounce anymore...

Hozumi Shizuku: The problem lies within me.

Hozumi Shizuku: "What do you like to do?" "What are your dreams for the future?" ...I never know what to say when they ask me those questions.

Hozumi Shizuku: In 5 years, in 10 years... Where do I see myself? What will I be doing?

Hozumi Shizuku: It's like my future is covered in a dense fog. I can't even see it anymore.

Hozumi Shizuku: "I like music, and it's my dream to work at a record company."

Hozumi Shizuku: If I ever manage to say something like that, would I be able to walk on solid ground once again?

Shizuku's Mother: Shizuku-chan, tend the café, please.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, I've got it.

Hozumi Shizuku: (I can't find my footing anymore.)

Hozumi Shizuku: How can I help you...

???: It's been a while.

Hozumi Shizuku: (Except when I'm around him.)

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Hozumi Shizuku: What's this? A picture?

???: A picture of a small island called Aoshima.

???: They say there are more cats than people over there.

Hozumi Shizuku: Really? Amazing.

Hozumi Shizuku: (I call him "Fuunii". Of course, that's not his real name.)

Hozumi Shizuku: (He goes by "Fuuten no onii-san", so I call him "Fuunii".)

Hozumi Shizuku: (He's Fuunii.)

Hozumi Shizuku: (He says he's looking for a place where he can belong.)

Hozumi Shizuku: (He likes to travel all over Japan and overseas.)

Hozumi Shizuku: I feel like myself when I'm with him.

Hozumi Shizuku: I feel put together, I feel right... I wonder if he's also looking for a place where he can find his footing.

Hozumi Shizuku: I know I'd never be able to tell him about my selfish feelings. And despite that...

Hozumi Shizuku: I want to know more about him.

Hozumi Shizuku: And just that is enough for me.

Hozumi Shizuku: So... about his travels...

Hozumi Shizuku: I wonder what kind of story he'll tell me this time.

Fuunii: Hellooo.

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuunii...! Welcome back...!

Hozumi's Father: ...Where do you wanna take a seat...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...You want to go to the table in the back?

Fuunii: Yeah, it's fun. I liked it.

Fuunii: But... I didn't get the feeling that I could stay over there... for the rest of my life.

Hozumi Shizuku: I see.

Fuunii: Are you going to inherit this place in the future, Shizuku?

Hozumi Shizuku: I don't know.

Hozumi Shizuku: Maybe it will come to that... I really have no idea...

Fuunii: I see... Then come search with me.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Eh?

Fuunii: It'll be just the two of us.

Fuunii: Let's find the place where we can spend the rest of our lives together.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...!

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Fuunii: I see... Then come search with me.

Fuunii: Let's find the place where we can spend the rest of our lives together.

Hozumi Shizuku: I'm so happy... so happy.

Hozumi Shizuku: I might find my dream if I go with him, couldn't I. And even though my hazy future might remain unclear...

Hozumi Shizuku: I wouldn't be alone with him.

Hozumi Shizuku: I might stop feeling like I'm walking on a trampoline that has no bounce anymore.

Hozumi Shizuku: He elevates me, like a floating soap bubble. So let's head to new places yet unseen.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, you've reached Hozumi.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, that's me.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes, yes. Yes.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Eh?

"Do you happen to know Kasugai-san?"

"Kasugai-san was in an accident... You're the only ones we found on his contact information..."

Hozumi's Father: Don't go...!

Hozumi's Father: There's nothing you can do now.

Hozumi Shizuku: So why...?! Why are you stopping me?!

Hozumi Shizuku: I don't care, please let me go...!

Hozumi's Father: You're not related to him, I can't let you do something reckless.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Let me go! Please let me go...!

Hozumi Shizuku: You won't even let me know if he's dying?! This may be the last time I see him...!

Hozumi Shizuku: I can't be... alone...

Kyubey: I found you, Hozumi Shizuku.

Kyubey: Do you want to make a wish?

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Kyubey: Do you want to make a wish?

Hozumi Shizuku: Yes! Yes, I do...!! I do want to make a wish!

Hozumi Shizuku: (Is this a dream, an illusion... I don't care.)

Hozumi Shizuku: (Doesn't matter, it's my only chance...)

Hozumi Shizuku: I want to see him...!

Hozumi Shizuku: Take me to where he is right this instant!!

Kyubey: Your wish has been granted. You have now made a contract with me.

Hozumi Shizuku: Ahh...!

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Fuunii...?

Hozumi Shizuku: Ahhhhh!!

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuunii! Fuuniiiii...!

Fuunii: "It can't be... Shizuku? ...Hahah, I see... This must be a dream..."

Fuunii: "In my final moments... God... is showing me what I wanted to see..."

Hozumi Shizuku: Ahh...!

Hozumi Shizuku: That's wrong...! You're wrong...!

Hozumi Shizuku: You're not dreaming...! This is not a dream...!

Hozumi Shizuku: I... am right here with you...!

Fuunii: "I understand... I'm glad... Now... I can... rest in peace..."

Hozumi Shizuku: Whaaat?! Open your eyes...!

Hozumi Shizuku: You can't do that! You can't die! I made a promise with you!

Hozumi Shizuku: We're going to find the place where we can spend the rest of our lives together...

Hozumi Shizuku: We'll search together for... "the place where we belong"...!

Hozumi Shizuku: Isn't that what you always said...!!

Fuunii: "Yes... I used to say that... Shizu... Thank you..."

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuunii! Fuunii!!

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuunii!!

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuu...

Hozumi Shizuku: You lied to me...

Hozumi Shizuku: Don't leave me alone...

Hozumi Shizuku: In 5 years, in 10 years... Our lives are excessively long.

Hozumi Shizuku: But when a crisis cuts through it as if with scissors, that's when you realize your life is nothing more than scraps of paper.

Hozumi Shizuku: In 5 years, or maybe even tomorrow, my hazy future might not be there anymore.

Hozumi Shizuku: I don't know where I'll be when my end comes.

Hozumi Shizuku: But even so, I will find "the place where I belong".

Hozumi Shizuku: I don't know if I'll be here tomorrow... I have to find that out for myself.

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Part 2: A Shared Fate

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Hozumi Shizuku: A beautiful place...

Hozumi Shizuku: That's what I wanted to show you, Fuunii...

Hozumi Shizuku: (A heart-warming place, a wonderful scene filled with people's laughter...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (However...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (This is not "the place where I belong".)

Hozumi Shizuku: When I became a magical girl, I received the ability to "connect spaces".

Hozumi Shizuku: I can use my power to travel all over the world in the blink of an eye.

Hozumi Shizuku: But this power has a limit, like one would expect. I can't actually choose the destination.

Hozumi Shizuku: Since I got this power...

Hozumi Shizuku: I've been in towns that retain the looks of past eras. Rural villages surrounded by nature... Distant northern countries. Nearby southern islands he once visited.

Hozumi Shizuku: I've seen many places. Just like him. I've followed in his footsteps. But I have not yet found "the place where I belong".

Hozumi Shizuku: ...!

Hozumi's Father: ...Are you going out?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Yep.

Hozumi's Father: ...I see.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Fuunii: Shizu... ...Thank you...

Hozumi Shizuku: If I ever find "the place where I belong", would the regret disappear?

Hozumi Shizuku: I have to do it before the days of my calendar become scraps of paper.

Hozumi Shizuku: I must find "the place where I belong".

???: Good work, as always. Yes, here is today's payment.

Hozumi Shizuku: Thanks.

???: Do you really need that much money?

???: If you join us, you could earn so much more.

Hozumi Shizuku: I...

Hozumi Shizuku: I have no interest in joining your cause.

???: Well... alright. Let me know if you ever have a change of heart.

???: Okay, I will contact you again later.

Hozumi Shizuku: I understand.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Yachiyo: Hey, who are you?

Hozumi Shizuku: Hmmm?!

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Hozumi Shizuku: And you are...

Yachiyo: I am Nanami Yachiyo.

Yachiyo: As you can see, we're magical girls as well.

Tsuruno: I am Yui, the str...

Yachiyo: That's enough of an introduction.

Tsuruno: Whaaaaaa! Fiiiine...!

Iroha: Tsuruno-chan...!

Yachiyo: Now that you know our names, can you tell me yours?

Hozumi Shizuku: Hozumi... Shizuku...

Yachiyo: Shizuku-san?

Yachiyo: Before we met...

Yachiyo: you were talking to someone else...

Yachiyo: What relationship do you have with that magical girl?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...She... wants me to join their group...

Hozumi Shizuku: However... I'm not sure what their plans are.

Hozumi Shizuku: If you want information, I know nothing.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...I have the ability to "connect spaces".

Hozumi Shizuku: That person is aware of it.

Hozumi Shizuku: Sometimes they want me to work for them.

Yachiyo: What kind of work?

Hozumi Shizuku: They want me to connect certain places together.

Hozumi Shizuku: That is what I do.

Hozumi Shizuku: I receive an assignment, I connect the places...

Hozumi Shizuku: And I get money as compensation.

Yachiyo: "Connect spaces"... Why are they doing that...

Hozumi Shizuku: Even I don't know what they intend to do...

Hozumi Shizuku: As part of the arrangement, I never ask the details.

Yachiyo: Sounds suspicious...

Yachiyo: That's cause for concern.

Yachiyo: You shouldn't let people you don't know use a power like that.

Yachiyo: If your actions...

Yachiyo: end up causing a disaster...

Yachiyo: What will you do then?

Yachiyo: If you aren't prepared to take responsibility for your actions, you'd do well to terminate your involvement with them.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...I need the money... so I can find "the place where I belong"...

Yachiyo: "The place where you belong"...?

Hozumi Shizuku: Always... The place I'll always yearn for...

Hozumi Shizuku: The right place to be, you know...

Hozumi Shizuku: I believe... I can find peace of mind... in "the place where I belong"...

Iroha: In... "the place where you belong"...

Hozumi Shizuku: That's why I will not terminate my involvement with them.

Yachiyo: I see...

Iroha: Yachiyo... san...!

Yachiyo: !

Iroha: Um... Uh... We could... keep talking at our house...

Yachiyo: Our house?

Iroha: Shizuku-san...! I'd like to invite you to our house...!

Yachiyo: Iroha...

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Yachiyo: If the number of people keeps increasing, it's going to start feeling a little cramped in here.

Hozumi Shizuku: Pardon my intrusion.

Felicia: Welco... Who is this girl?

Sana: Welcome back. A-Are you a guest...?

Yachiyo: If you want to know someone's name, you have to introduce yourself first.

Felicia: Yes, yes...

Felicia: I'm Felicia. And you?

Hozumi Shizuku: I'm Hozu...

Tsuruno: She's Hozumi Shizuku-chan! We've invited her to have dinner with us!

Felicia: Hmmmm.

Yachiyo: Forgive her, she's got the manners of a child.

Hozumi Shizuku: It's fine...

Hozumi Shizuku: Can I open the drawers? Which plates do you normally use?

Yachiyo: You are a guest here. You don't need to help out.

Hozumi Shizuku: I see... I'm sorry.

Felicia: Why are watching this drama, you've seen this already.

Tsuruno: I want to see it one more time!

Felicia: Are you so stupid you need to see it twice to understand it?

Tsuruno: What was that!?

Yachiyo: ...Well, it can be hard to relax over there.

Hozumi Shizuku: It's fine...

Yachiyo: If only they were all like you, Shizuku-chan.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Tsuruno: Thanks for the fooood!!

Sana: Thanks for the food.

Felicia: A hot pot agaaaain...

Yachiyo: Don't eat it if you're going to complain.

Felicia: Fine, I'll eat, I'm eating.

Iroha: S-Sorry... I was the one who told her that we should make a hot pot today...

Yachiyo: We have nothing to apologize for.

Sana: W-Wow...! I love hot pots...!

Iroha: I love... eating warm food with everyone...

Iroha: I feel like... I'm making progress finding "the place where I can belong"...

Sana: A "place where you can belong"...?

Yachiyo: (Iroha...)

Iroha: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: Thanks.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...It's warm.

Hozumi Shizuku: It's delicious.

Iroha: ...!

Tsuruno: I've eaten aaall I can eat! My stomach can't handle anymoooore...!

Sana: Well... if you eat that much...

Iroha: Um... Shizuku-san...

Iroha: If it's okay with you... Would you like to stay the night...?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Eh?

Yachiyo: Aren't your parents going to be worried?

Iroha: Right...!

Iroha: That's true...

Hozumi Shizuku: ...They won't be.

Iroha: ...Eh?

Hozumi Shizuku: Even if I don't return, they won't be.

Hozumi Shizuku: Even if I return late at night, even if I return the next day...

Hozumi Shizuku: They don't say anything to me anymore...

Sana: ...

Yachiyo: Alright, so be it. Do you want some pyjamas?

Iroha: ! Eheheh...!

Hozumi Shizuku: Eh... Ah, yes...

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Hozumi Shizuku: Excuse me...

Yachiyo: Don't worry.

Tsuruno: Eh~... We don't have any more graaaapes...

Tsuruno: ...What, Feliciaaa! Why did you eat all the grapes on your own?!

Felicia: I've been eating ice-cream and I had permission to do it.

Sana: (W-What should I do...! I ate some of the grapes, too...)

Tsuruno: You usually eat all my grapes, Felicia.

Tsuruno: The grapes always disappear so fast!

Iroha: O-Okay, okay...! I'll go shopping again tomorrow...!

Iroha: Should I buy some ice-cream while I'm at it? Hm?

Tsuruno: No! I won't allow that!

Tsuruno: I didn't get to eat any grapes.

Tsuruno: So Felicia's gonna have to deal with my frustration!

Felicia: Shut uuup.

Felicia: If you wanna fight, let's do it after eating.

Felicia: My ice-cream is melting.

Tsuruno: What?! So it was you...!

Sana: I-I'm sorry! Tsuruno-san...!!

Tsuruno: What?! Why are you apologizing...?

Yachiyo: Sorry you have to deal with this... It's so noisy inside.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...This... is like a family...

Yachiyo: ...

Yachiyo: You're right, I do think we are like a family.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Yachiyo: You're a magical girl, so surely you understand how it is?

Yachiyo: Our lives are always at risk...

Yachiyo: So we cooperate together, we nestle together...

Yachiyo: That's the only way to live.

Yachiyo: By sharing our loneliness with one another.

Yachiyo: Just like how all magical girls share the same fate.

Hozumi Shizuku: (A shared... fate...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (Magical girls...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (We share a common fate... I guess that means... we will all...)

Yachiyo: That's what I think, at any rate...

Yachiyo: Iroha must think the same, seeing as how she invited you to our house.

Iroha: Tsuruno-chaaan...! You'll come with me! Yes?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Tsuruno: Ah! Right, right!

Tsuruno: We can buy some really cheap energy bars tomorrow!

Tsuruno: It's decided! We'll buy that, yes?!

Felicia: Energy bars... But those aren't grapes.

Tsuruno: I am done with grapes!! Because you always eat them all, Felicia!

Sana: I-I'm so sorry...!

Tsuruno: Seriously, why...

Iroha: W-Well, energy bars sound good! Right?

Hozumi Shizuku: For these kids... this is "the place where they belong"...

Yachiyo: ...

Yachiyo: I just wish they weren't so noisy.

Yachiyo: You can stay as long as you want.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yachiyo-san...

Hozumi Shizuku: I've been looking for "the place where I belong" for so long.... I wonder if this is it...

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Part 3: My Journey Continues

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Hozumi Shizuku: (Is it "here"... ...Is it "this house"?)

Hozumi Shizuku: (No...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (Iroha-chan, Tsuruno-san...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (Felicia-chan, Sana-chan and Yachiyo-san...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (This is "the place where *they* belong".)

Hozumi Shizuku: (They rely on each other here.)

Hozumi Shizuku: (But "the place where *I* belong"... was located beside someone important to me... wasn't it...?)

Fuunii: ...I'm glad... Now... I can... rest in peace...

Fuunii: ...I... finally found... Shizu... Thank you...

Fuunii: "I finally found the place where I belong."

Fuunii: "Shizuku, thank you. Now I can rest in peace."

Hozumi Shizuku: (Ahhhh!! Fuunii's "place where he belonged"...)

Hozumi Shizuku: It was... with me...?

Hozumi Shizuku: Ah...! ...Ah... *sob*...

Hozumi Shizuku: Ahh, after all this time, I finally understand.

Hozumi Shizuku: I understand the meaning of your last words.

???: Yes, here is today's payment.

Hozumi Shizuku: Thanks. Later.

???: What about the next assignment? Are you not interested in more?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...What...

Hozumi Shizuku: What exactly are you doing with my power?

???: What did you say? We had an agreement that you wouldn't ask questions.

???: Well, at least you're one of our partners...

Hozumi Shizuku: It's fine if you can't tell me.

???: ...Why's that?

Hozumi Shizuku: Because I won't be in contact with you any longer...

???: What? Do you no longer have a motive to do this?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Something like that.

Hozumi Shizuku: I... am terminating my involvement with you.

Hozumi Shizuku: Fuunii, I wonder if I'll ever find my own "place where I belong".

Hozumi Shizuku: Just like you found your "place where you belong" with me...

Hozumi Shizuku: I wonder if I can stay here...

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Hozumi Shizuku: I'm... home...

Hozumi Shizuku: (Nobody... is here...? ...I guess they must have gone out...)

Hozumi Shizuku: (...They are not home yet...)

Hozumi Shizuku: Their dishes are arranged neatly in the cupboard.

Hozumi Shizuku: Large flat plates. Small deep plates. There are five of each type placed with care.

Hozumi Shizuku: There are five toothbrushes next to the bathroom sink, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Hozumi Shizuku: There are five people in a picture on top of a cabinet.

Hozumi Shizuku: In the entrance, in the living room, in the kitchen, in the bathroom.

Hozumi Shizuku: The proof of the bonds that these five people have formed over time is everywhere. This house is overflowing with care.

Hozumi Shizuku: "I'm home." "Welcome back." I will reply without hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

???: ...! ...! ...? ...!!

Hozumi Shizuku: ...!

Hozumi Shizuku: Maybe they are back.

Tsuruno: Oh, yeees! We'll be eating meat after such a long time!

Yachiyo: You didn't know? I guess you didn't ask.

Yachiyo: It's a special treat just for today, understand?

Tsuruno: Yeees!

Sana: Heheh... Tsuruno-san behaves like a kid...!

Tsuruno: Ah! Now, why would you think that?!

Tsuruno: You must think I'm stupid!

Sana: Eh?!

Iroha: Hey, Tsuruno-chan...!

Felicia: Well, we just think you're really stupid.

Tsuruno: What was that?!

Tsuruno: I've got the best grades in my class, you know!

Felicia: You're still kinda stupid.

Felicia: Like your mental age is kinda low.

Tsuruno: Huuuuh?!

Tsuruno: Someone who's 5 years younger than me can't be saying that!

Yachiyo: Enough!

Yachiyo: You fight like this every single time we go out!

Yachiyo: Jeez... These childish quarrels are so exhausting.

Yachiyo: Don't you agree?

Iroha: Eh?! Ahhh! Ahahah...

???: ...! ...! ...? ...!!

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: They're not rejecting me, but...

Hozumi Shizuku: I see now. The "place where they belong" is not my own. Just like I thought.

Hozumi Shizuku: Five dishes, five toothbrushes, five slippers. If that number increases to six, it's going to start feeling a little cramped in here.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...So pardon my intrusion.

Hozumi Shizuku: And goodbye.

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Yachiyo: I wonder if we bought too much. We already had a cake.

Tsuruno: Is that sooo...! I can eat it, if you want?

Yachiyo: It's not for you, it's for Shizuku-chan.

Yachiyo: Did you know about that?

Tsuruno: I did know about that.

Sana: Ah, I...! I'd like to... take care of the decorations...!

Tsuruno: Niiice! Yes! It'll be the strongest welcome party!

Felicia: Only an elementary school student could get excited over that.

Sana: Um...!

Tsuruno: Heeey! A party is a party!

Yachiyo: Ah. Hey, Iroha.

Yachiyo: Those new dishes over there.

Yachiyo: Make sure you leave them somewhere where Tsuruno can't break them, okay?

Iroha: Ah, okay!

Tsuruno: "Okay", you say! I won't break anything!

Iroha: Ahahah...

Iroha: We have hide them anyway... They're a gift, you know.

Sana: I did my best to wrap them up...

Yachiyo: Well, you could leave them in my room's closet?

Iroha: Yes! I don't think she'll see them there!

Iroha: Okay...!

Iroha: Shall we finish making dinner while Shizuku-chan is out?

Sana: Yup...! We should...!

Yachiyo: Tsuruno, Felicia, you help out, too.

Tsuruno: Alright! Let's get things readyyy!

Felicia: *sigh*, I have no choice.

Tsuruno: Riiight, then let's get starteeed...

Tsuruno: Why does this all look so tasty...!

Felicia: I'm gonna die of hunger...

Yachiyo: We can't start until the party girl arrives.

Sana: Yes, I agree...! (*growl~...*)

Sana: (*gasp...!*)

Tsuruno: ... Hey~!

Sana: U-Um...

Iroha: J-Just a little longer! Let's wait a little longer! Okay?

Yachiyo: ...Yes, but... it's late, right...

Iroha: Yep...

Yachiyo: (Somehow... I feel like that girl is in constant danger.)

Yachiyo: (Like she'll disappear the moment you take your eyes off her...)

Yachiyo: ...Well, perhaps she is not coming back...

Sana: ...Eh?

Felicia: ...

Yachiyo: To be honest, I should have seen it coming...

Iroha: But... Shizuku-chan... Why...

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???: Sorry for this being so sudden. Yes, here is today's payment.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...Thanks.

???: Later.

Hozumi Shizuku: The next...!

Hozumi Shizuku: The next... assignment...?

???: ...I thought you no longer had a motive to do this?

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

Hozumi Shizuku: Their picture was complete... with 5 people there...

Hozumi Shizuku: It's like I thought... I have to continue.

Hozumi Shizuku: Both this work, and searching for "the place where I belong".

???: What does that even mean? Do you happen to write poetry or something? ...Well, so be it.

???: We greatly appreciate your continued service.

Hozumi Shizuku: ...

???: Unfortunately, we haven't decided what the next assignment will be.

???: When the time comes, I will contact you again.

Hozumi Shizuku: I understand.

???: Well, later.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yachiyo-san, I am sorry.

Hozumi Shizuku: My actions will end up causing a disaster.

Hozumi Shizuku: Yet I'm not prepared to take responsibility for them.

Hozumi Shizuku: Even now I keep walking on unstable ground, all on my own.

Hozumi Shizuku: So I'm not prepared.