Night has long since fallen over the Sasaki home. Homework, dinner, conversation, typical nightly routine— albeit with an atypical new guest in Ueno, not that Hanako would object of course— and soon, time to wind down for bed. Hanako was all but asleep, just a second from turning out her lights when something catches the corner of her eye. She jumps without a sound, then sighs.

Hanako: …I have a phone, Kiwa-chan…

Kiwako: It’s been weeks! When I hadn’t heard anything, I had to see for myself. (Kiwako is sitting on Hanako’s windowsill, legs kicking idly beneath her.) Wanted to see if you were okay, Lily-chan!

Hanako: (Hanako sighs again, closing her eyes.) I’m fine, Kiwa-chan. Sorry, I…

Kiwako: It’s fine! You haven’t been home in a couple months. I understand, really. It’s been a while for me, too, you know.

Hanako: It’s… more than that. I’m home, and surrounded by friends and family. Ueno even moved in with me, and is using the old guest room. My mother and I haven’t even spoken about… my actions. Koharu and Shinju haven’t brought it up either.

Kiwako: So what’s the problem, Lily-chan? Isn’t that a good thing?

Hanako: I mean… on the surface, yes, but… (she sighs again) …it doesn’t feel right. I mean…

Kiwako: I know what you’re gonna say, Lily-chan. It doesn’t feel right because it’s swept under the rug, right? But again, does it matter? You have your life back! And you’re even stronger now than you were! It’s perfect, isn’t it?

Hanako: It is, but… I don’t deserve it. I know I fought alongside everyone, helped save lives, everything I set out to do when I ran away, but…

Kiwako: You’re overthinking things, Lily-chan! If your friends still have a problem with the past, it’ll either come out later, or it becomes their problem!

Hanako: (Hanako gives a hollow little chuckle.) It’s… not that easy. Not for me. I… I want to make it right, Kiwa-chan. Otherwise, my growth, my personal journey… I could relapse. If I don’t watch myself, I run the risk of wronging them all in the same way I did before. And if that happens, there won’t be a way back for me. Not if I don’t acknowledge my own mistakes here and now. 

Kiwako: So do that, then?

Hanako: It’s… not that easy, Kiwa-chan. No one is bringing it up. It’s… it’s almost as if it never happened. But I don’t think I can bring it up myself…

Kiwako: Lily-chan… I’m kind of really bad at this sorta thing. But it sounds to me like you need an outside perspective! Someone you don’t see every day. (When Hanako gives her an inquisitive look, Kiwako continues.) Why not visit Yui in New Eden?

Hanako: Ah, um… that’s a good idea, actually. I had meant to check in before, but… I got caught up, I think…

Kiwako: Good! Lemme know how it goes, then!

Hanako: I um… are you not coming along, too? You fought alongside us too, you know.

Kiwako: Mmm, no can do, Lily-chan! Yui-chan won’t let me in anymore!

Hanako: (She sits up in bed with a sudden jolt.) What?!

Kiwako: Keep your voice down, Lily-chan! Do you wanna wake everyone? Sheesh… it’s not that serious, anyway! Yui-chan and I had a, um… disagreement, let’s say. So I can’t go back for a while!

Hanako: But… but Yui, she… she has no right—

Kiwako: Don’t stress about it, Lily-chan! The whole point was to help you figure yourself out, right? I’m kind of a bit player in all this by now, anyway~

Hanako: …I’ll talk to Yui. I’ll… I’ll get to the bottom of this.

Kiwako: Lily-chan, there really is no talking you out of things when you get going down a path in your head, is there? (She sighs, dramatically shaking her head.) And considering that’s the point— …Well, if I can’t convince you that things are okay, then you’ll see for yourself. Just be careful, okay, Lily?

Hanako: I… I’m just going to talk, I’m not looking for a fight with Yui or anything…

Kiwako: Sure, sure. Well, I’ll let’cha be. (She opens the window, a small gust of wind blowing into Hanako’s room, swirling around her as Kiwako swings her legs out the other side.) And Lily-chan? Make sure you text me next time! As you said, you have a phone~ Hup!

Hanako reaches out to try and stop Kiwako from leaping out of the window, despite knowing that Kiwako would very likely survive the fall. She had a habit of jumping off high places, after all. With another sigh, Hanako turned out her light, curling up and turning away from the window, slowly drifting into an uneasy sleep.