Title: Hermit Searcher
Characters: Ena, Mizuki, Akito, Luka (Desolate Sekai version), Ena and Akito’s Mother
JP Proofreader: Mimi
EN Proofreader: Marry
This was translated for Untitled Subs but we didn’t manage to get it uploaded. I made some grammar edits and translated the flashbacks in Part 2 without proofreading.
| My Footsteps, Your Destination | |
|---|---|
| Side Stories | Ena ・ Kanade ・ MEIKO |
Part 1
Ena's Room
Mizuki
"—Okay, g'night, guys!!"
Ena
"Yeah, good night-"
Haah… Couldn't focus much today even though I'm already a little behind schedule.
Really… I'm blaming Mizuki for this.
Luka
… with Mizuki?
Ena
…I wonder what Luka and Meiko were talking about.
Mmm, tomorrow… Or, well, I guess it's today now. I'll talk to them tonight before we start working-
Ah. They might tell me they're busy then…
But if I do it after we're done, they might say they're sleepy or tired as an excuse to dodge me.
…If it's come to this, I guess I don't have a choice now.
The next day
The Shinonome Household Living Room
Ena & Akito
Thanks for the meal.
Mother
Okay, here you go.
Ena
…Hey, Mom?
Mother
Ah, did I add too much soy sauce to the veggies by any chance?
Ena
Eh, uhh, no it's just right actually. Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to say.
Remember we'd agreed to go out together this Sunday? Is it okay if we push it back to another time?
Mother
Oh my. I don't mind. I mean, you were the one who suggested it in the first place, Ena.
What happened all of a sudden? Did something urgent crop up?
Ena
Mmm… There's a friend I'm kinda worried about.
So I thought of meeting them this Sunday.
Akito
…You're talking about Akiyama, right?
Ena
Eh… Well, yeah.
Akito
You'd also asked one of my teammates about Akiyama the other day, too.
I even offered to ask her for you once, and you said it was fine. You're still worrying?
Ena
…Not really. There's just this personal thing I'm kinda concerned about, that's all.
Akito
Hmmm
Ena
(Now that I think about it, didn't he say there was someone in his team who's pretty close with Mizuki?)
Flashback to An
Ena
(I see, so it's her.)
Ah! Get a load of this, Mom!
I met the girls in Akito's team for the first time.
Mother
My! How were they like?
Ena
One was pretty mildmannered and seemed mature. Then, the other…
Mmm… I guess I'd say, she had no sense of personal space?
Akito
What's with that description…
Ena
I mean, it's true, right? That girl - Shiraishi-san, I think? - She isn't a bad person, but like… she really gets up close and personal, doesn't she?
Akito
Well, I get what you mean.
Apparently the very first time she met Kohane, she'd asked her to perform at events as her partner, right there and then.
Ena
Huh?! As partners… like you and Touya-kun?
Akito
Yeah.
Ena
The first time they met?
Akito
Yeah.
Ena
No way…
Mother
Hehe! What a proactive girl~
Akito
I mean, Akiyama's no different, right?
Ena
No, they are!
Mizuki's more like- how should I put it… They respect boundaries and try to read the room, you know?
Akito
Huhh, doesn't sound like 'em.
Ena
(…Gosh. Why did we end up talking about Mizuki again when I'd changed the topic on purpose.)
Akito
Well, just make sure you take good care of them.
Ena
…Eh?
Akito
They're the first real friend you've had since Momoi-san anyways.
Ena
Hah?!
Akito
Well then, do your best. Thanks for the meal~
*Akito leaves*
Ena
Ah, wait-!
Really, what's with him…
(I mean, it's true that Airi and Mizuki are the only ones I've ever wanted to bust a gut to help.)
Flashback to Mizuki
Ena
(I do feel like I'm being led in circles over and over… But I really can't leave them alone like this, can I?)
(…Okay!)
(When I log into Nightcord tonight, I've gotta try bringing up Sunday with Mizuki!)
Part 2
Ena's Room
Ena
…Nn…fwaah…
…Mmm. Still halfdone, but I guess it's time to nap a bit.
*Phone ringtone*
Ena
Ugh, who is it? Sending messages this late in the night…
Wait, it's Mizuki. I wonder what's up.
Mizuki
"Wanna make up for the other day, so are you free this weekend?"
Ena
The other day…?
Mizuki
Sorry! Looks like I'm not feeling all that well today after all! …That's really all to it, honest!
I'll head back home for today, 'kay!
*Mizuki leaves*
Ena
Wait, Mizuki…!
Ena
Seeing as they're the one inviting me out, maybe this means that they feel a bit better now?
Ah, did our conversation on the school roof help in some way?
Ena
If… you ever feel that you can talk to me about it, then tell me when that time comes. Because I'll be waiting until then.
Mizuki
-Thank you, Ena.
Thanks to you, I…can feel a little better.
What I'm worried about… is not something I can talk about yet. But when I'm finally ready to talk about it, I'd like you to hear me out.
…I hope that's okay, still.
Ena
(They told me they felt a bit better back then too. If that was really true, then I'm glad.)
Hehe. Alright, time to reply!
Weekend
Shopping Mall
Ena
I was so excited that I arrived a little early.
Of course Mizuki wouldn't be… Huh?
Mizuki
Ena~! Over here, over here~!
Ena
Mizuki, you were already here?
Mizuki
I was the one who invited you after all~ Plus I was super hyped for it ♪
Ena
Ah…
Hehe! Good that you're also looking forward to it, but make sure to properly compensate for the last time, okay?
Mizuki
Of course ♪ Well, let's go, then!
Ena
Haaah~ That was time well spent for shopping!
Mizuki
Yup yup ♪ That concealer I got just now looks so good! Can't wait to try it out~!
With it, you could probably conceal your eyebags without a trace left behind, Ena~
Ena
I can conceal them just fine even without it, thank you very much-
Mizuki
Ahaha! You're not even denying that you have eyebags.
……Oh ohh! Ena, that store!
Ena
Ah, it's the store we passed the other day. The one where you couldn't decide on the skirt's color at all…
Mizuki
Yeah, that! Look, there's only one left for both the white and pink skirts!
This can only be the work of fate! I must get 'em!
Ena
Eh, both of them?
Mizuki
That's the plan, but… I did get some make up just now so I guess not.
I guess I'm fated to indecision rather than fated to buy?
Ena
Hehe. Well, take your time.
(I'm fine as long as Mizuki's having their fun.)
Mizuki
Mmm… Hey, Ena, which color do you prefer?
Ena
Eh, me?
Mizuki
Yeah! Tell me whatcha think!
Ena
Then… I guess I prefer the white one?
I feel like you're already wearing lots of pink, so wouldn't it be better to have some white on hand?
Mizuki
Eh?! A super earnest reason coming from Ena?!
Ena
Hah? Got a problem with what I said?
Mizuki
Ahaha, just kidding~ ♪
But setting aside whether I have any whites at home, which colour do you think suits me?
Cuz I do wanna decide based on what I'd look good in.
Ena
Ahh, in that case… Pink.
Mizuki
Really! Theeeen, I'm gonna get this one!
Ena
Eh, are you sure?
Mizuki
Yup! I'll go pay then. Be right back~!
*Footsteps*
Ena
Seriously. And to think you hesitated so much that day.
Mizuki
Soz for the wait~! The payment's done~
Ena
Welcome back… Wait, why do you have that lacey shirt?
Mizuki
Ehehe ♪ It caught my eye while I was queueing, so~
Hey, Ena. Wanna try this out?
Ena
Eh? Me?
Mizuki
Yeah! 'Cuz I think it'd fit you for sure! You don't have to buy it, just try!
Ena
Is the store okay with that?
Mizuki
It'll be fine ♪ Customer's always right, and all that!
Ena
Even if you say that…
Mizuki
Ahh! But if you were to wear this, I can get a gush of inspiration for the video I'm making now and I'm sure Kanade will be pleased with that too!
Ena
Though, I guess I'll do it. I'm really just going to try it, and that's it, okay?
Mizuki
Yayy~! Thanks, Ena!
Then, why don't you try this out at the same time for a finished look? And then you can try this chic one!
Ena
Hang on! Stop taking advantage of this to add more clothes!
Mizuki
Ehhhh! But you're already up for it anyways!
Look, this dress is super cute too!
Ena
Fine, fine, I'll get to that after this, okay?