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I have a few leads that I need to look into. But then this happened, so I thought maybe I should wait just in case I accidentally made people talk about things they didn't really want to...

[ It's not hard to notice that people have been talking about their pasts with grimaces and great reluctance in some cases. She's also felt the urge herself, though hers isn't anything traumatic or upsetting. ]

That's very kind of you. If only this place could take a few cues from you.

[ The words themselves are joking, but there's a serious undertone to it all. ]

What about you? Have you been "encouraged" to talk about anything you didn't want to?

I don't mind talking about it, but someone did want to talk about something else that I didn't...

[ Sigh. ]

But the item itself was totally fine!

I hope they didn't press the subject too much. [ Frowning. ] What was the item you received though?

Oh, it was a cup! Do you want to see it?

[ ... She loves this cup. ]

[ A.....cup. Alright then. ]

Sure. It must be important to you if it showed up here.

I still don't get why it showed up, but...

[ a pause, to switch the phone to video, so she can hold up the cup. ]

Everyone in my main friend group has their own with a different design!

[ Give him a fumbling second to figure out video call—ah, there we go. Don't mind as the camera wobbles around a little before settling on his face. ]

Oh. That's a very cute cup. Did you all pick them out together as a sign of your bond with one another?

[ Like friendship bracelets but friendship...cups. ]

Yeah! It's...

[ She sets the cup down again, her smile fading slightly. ]

... Kind of a tradition.

[ Ah.... He waits a few moments before cautiously speaking up. ]

It might take some time, but I believe you'll make it back to see them one day so you and your friends can keep that tradition going. In the meantime...why not start a different tradition while you're here? It can't [ and won't ] replace the bonds you have with your friends back home, but there's no harm in celebrating new bonds created here alongside your old ones.

A different tradition...?

[ Oh. She looks honestly blindsided by this. ]

It... should probably be different from mugs, huh? Not to mention I don't think they have a mug store here like we do back home...

[ And it is a doozy of a mug store, honestly. ]

Our selection is pretty limited here, isn't it?

[ There's not much to want for here as far as the basics are concerned, but a little more variety might be nice.... ]

Maybe there'll be a worthwhile store in the shopping mall? I haven't had the time to explore it much, but if you're interested we could go take a look.

Oooh, is it open? I couldn't tell if any of the stores were open, but...

I think it'd be fun to check out!

[ She's a simple person sometimes. ]

The lights seemd to be on the last time I passed it by.

[ whether or not that signals the mall being open is a different story entirely . ]

If you have time later, we could go check it out.

Sure!

I definitely have more time here than I did back home, believe me...

[ No school, no Magical Girl duties, no going home to help the restaurant... ]

Then I'll meet you there in...say, half an hour? Though if you already have plans with someone else, we can meet another day.

[ Maybe they do all have more free time here than before, but surely a charming girl like Tsuruno has made any number of friends here so far. ]

Nope, I'm committed! You can't back out now!

[ ... yes, surely, that was what he was trying to do. ]

I wouldn't dream of it. [ Never ever! ] But in that case, I'll see you soon, Tsuruno.

[ In half an hour soon, as a matter of fact, in front of the shopping mall entrance where he stands, dressed casually in a simple sweater and slacks, eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he peers at an advertisement in one of the shop windows. ]

[ And here comes Tsuruno, bounding over as ever. She dresses simply most days and that remains the fact today, simply a skirt and a blouse. ]

Thanks for waiting! I didn't miss anything exciting, did I?

[ He smiles and points to the poster in the window. ]

It seems like we missed a sale on buy one, get one free window curtains. [ How is that even possible when there's no need for money around here, oh well. ] I hope you weren't looking to redecorate any time soon.

... Ahaha, nope. I'm still camped out on someone's floor.

[ Things Tsuruno says with a sheepish little smile and no actual regrets-- ]

[ hol' up ]

On someone's floor? Do you at least have a bed?

I mean, there's a bed there, but it felt like it belonged to whoever lived there first, so I haven't used it...

So you've been making do with just the floor instead? [ This is so sad. ] Would you like to buy a bed of your own then? We can keep an eye out for one while we're here.

[ Although....how are they going to move it..... ]

I've got a nice blanket nest going on for now!

[ Oh, boy. ]

So you don't have to worry about me.

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