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[mapsio]

TEXT。VOICE。VIDEO。ACTION

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[mapsio]

You can explain that to me later.

[She tilts her head.] Of course I'm going to be a good friend. It would be kind of disappointing if I were a bad friend.

[She giggles quietly behind her hand.]

There is a flower stand next to the fancy potted plants stand.

[actus]

[ haru is actually the best and akira is So Lucky. ]

Ah. That makes sense.

[ why hadn't he seen it before!! ]

That's not too far from here.

[mapsio]

Now, Akira-kun. Be honest with me for a moment? Besides happiness. Are there any other messages that you're trying to convey?

[SHE IS SORT OF CALLING HIM OUT.]

[actus]

[ he's so not used to people repeatedly calling him out. his face turns a light pink. ]

That's... [ is there any point in lying? ] Maybe

[ he's just not exactly sure what. ]

[mapsio]

Well, explain to me what you're feeling? Then maybe I can help you.

[actus]

[ uhhhhhh. he absently rubs the back of his neck, blush getting worse. happiness is truly what comes to the forefront of his mind, but he figures it might be easier to explain this to haru. ]

I think we're dating.

[mapsio]

You "think".... you're dating. Oh dear. So you're still trying to woo him, huh?

[Time to pick out a cute flower bouquet.]

[actus]

[ IS THIS REAL LIFE - ]

We - ah. Held hands. [ wow akira that's great - ] And I told him I'd bake a cake for him.

[mapsio]

Held hands? Oh wow...

[She's snickering.] You even offered your cooking skills. You have it very bad for him.

[actus]

[ the tips of his ears are burning. ]

Yeah? Maybe... [ akira, you can't even lie to yourself. he rubs the back of his neck, averting hi gaze. ] It's not like I wouldn't do that for a friend, though.

[ true, but you just admitted you liked him, akira.... ]

[mapsio]

Right. But holding hands with a friend and cooking for a friend is much different than doing those things for your crush.

[They're almost there.]

[actus]

Ah.... [ slow nod; progress! ]

I think he's happy.

[mapsio]

That's good!

[She's going to grab his hand and tug him over to the flower stand now.]

[actus]

[ FLOWERS! he's so ready to learn - and put his limited knowledge to use. ]

Ah... maybe something red.

[mapsio]

So why do you think red?

[Curious, because she would like to only be guidance here.]

[actus]

Mm. He made me something with red flowers.

[ therefore: red. that's the only reason. ]

[mapsio]

You could get him a red flower and a couple lily of the valley flowers?

[actus]

That could work.

[ he eyes the flowers but then falters, looking down. ]

... Should I feel guilty? That we're stuck in this place and aren't sure how to get home, and instead of trying to find a way out I'm finding reasons to stay?

[mapsio]

[She's looking down, looking through the flower selection.]

What else are we supposed to do, Akira-kun? We don't know the way out, we don't know how to even start looking for the way out. Doesn't it make sense to try and make some sort of standing here?

[She frowns.]

[actus]

Mm.

[ he nods. ]

... We just left a lot of stuff undone at home. I know I can't fix the world, but... [ he trails off, rubbing the back of his neck again. ] I don't want to give up, either.

[mapsio]

But we can make an impact, and that is what matters.

[She's picking up a few of the lily of the valley flowers and then moving onto more of the red flowers.]

I can't abandon someone in their time of need, but I know that we are crucial to what is happening at home.

[actus]

So you think it's all right to be happy here?

[ it's a soft murmur, watching her work with the flowers. ]

[mapsio]

I don't think it's wrong to be happy here.

[She takes a breath.]

[actus]

... Thanks, Haru. That means a lot.

[ it's a genuine smile, a small weight lifting off his shoulders. ]

[mapsio]

As long as you don't forget what we have to do at home.

[And she supposes as long as he understands that they can't take Hibiki home with them.]