As day breaks over Paradise Hall, Kiwako and Yasu are going over basic combat techniques with Ueno. Kohaku had decided to supervise this time, to make sure that the training was appropriate and accurate for a real fight, and sharing her own insight as well. Yui, Yuzuki and Alice were in the clinic, with Aoi looking over Alice’s shoulder. Hanako had decided to break away from the training session, slipping into the office where Koharu had holed herself up. The door was ajar, and she announced her presence with a little knock.

Hanako: Koharu…?

Koharu: (she is resting her head on the desk, staring at the wall, not even at the laptop that is in front of her) Nothing to report.

Hanako: …Perhaps a fresh pair of eyes would help? Barring that, is there anything I can help out with?

Koharu: … Can you track IP addresses? Don’t think so.

Hanako: W-Well no… Father could, though. But besides that, you could show me what you have found so far, and we could put our heads together. F-For old times sake. 

Koharu: (she sighs, slowly sitting up straight and turning to the laptop) He… has a distinct way of typing when he communicates online. Uses abbreviations I’ve never seen anyone else use. Thought I’d track ‘em down, see if maybe, there were social media accounts that wrote like that. Not that he’d write about being a Balancer online.

Hanako: …So then, you’re just… looking for any trace of him? To ascertain his past, if I had to guess?

Koharu: … One way of putting it.

Hanako: … (she enters the room properly, standing beside Koharu, not touching her, yet also not looking at the laptop on Yui’s desk) …Obsession might be another, Koharu.

Koharu: I’m trying to find his weakness. Which I should, since I know him best.

Hanako: And with that weakness, you’ll do… what, exactly?

Koharu: … Plans come together in phases.

Hanako: And what is your current plan?

Koharu: … to find out… Why he did what he did. Why… would an ordinary boy cast his lot with a group of people bent on killing… people he has no connection with whatsoever? What’s the point?

Hanako: …And then what? I assume it depends on his answer, yes?

Koharu: Why are you being so inquisitive? Can’t you just trust me? Have a better idea? Aside from just killing him? I… don’t want that.

Hanako: Then I won’t. You have my word. You equally have my word that I won’t disclose his, em… affiliation with the others. I just… I’m worried about you, Koharu. I worry that your obsession over this is clouding your judgment. Your goals and aims are proper, sure, but… is that really why you’re pursuing his traces? I can’t understand how you feel about this boy, Koharu… but…

Koharu: Don’t… talk about him like that. He’s your friend, too. I… don’t care if you can’t understand. I barely can. But he didn’t just betray me. He… If my personal desire for… closure also helps you win the fight against these Balancers, then who cares if my judgment is clouded?

Hanako: Ah, um… I-I never said he wasn’t my friend. I just… I can’t understand your feelings for him. Romantic feelings. I, um… I’ve never felt that before. …N-Not to steer the conversation, but… I was having lunch with Yacchan one day, I think it was our first week in Tokyo. This girl she went to class with… I think she might have been flirting with me? But I didn’t really understand it, no one has spoken to me like that before. I found out afterwards from Yacchan that there’s words for what I feel, and… it was strangely comforting. ‘Asexual’ and ‘Aromantic’. I looked it up, and… there were many others like me. I love you all, as my friends… but that is the extent to which I feel love. M-My point is… I don’t know what you’re going through with Yosuke, and I never will… but I do know that when you drive yourself so hard, Koharu, you tend to… veer off a cliff. I’m just… trying to help anchor you, that’s all.

Koharu: This is… not about my feelings for him. It’s… more that this is the only way for me to be able to contribute. I need to know what he is thinking.

Hanako: S-Sorry… I-I guess this is something only you can do. But… make sure you’re not burning yourself out in pursuing his traces, Koharu. …You’re not going to get anywhere by neglecting your health.

Koharu: I just don’t want to be around any of these people.

Hanako: …Not that I can blame you. Even I can only stand Kiwa-chan in small doses…

Koharu: Obvious act. And she has no right demanding all of us play along.

Hanako: Correct, on both counts. I don’t know why she insists upon it, either. I never got it out of her. But… I also cannot deny how invaluable both she and her tutelage was, especially as Moonlover pursued us. I know she means well… 

Koharu: So don’t even think you of all people have to defend yourself for being unlike others.

Hanako: …I guess it’s just how I’ve become now. I… let you all down before, and I’m trying not to repeat my past mistakes. M-My point is, don’t lose yourself in this search, okay?

Koharu: I can try. Might need some help, though.

Hanako: (Hanako gives Koharu a little smile)