Chapter 30: Each Change
The chapter begins with Marui leading Mio away, as she reviews what just happened in her head: If she remembers, she was on her way home by herself, a woman seemed to be inviting her somewhere, and... Marui grabbed her hand and they started running away!? Mio asks Marui where they're going, and as they reach a playground, he tells her that she didn't seem to be grasping that she was in the middle of being proselytized to. Mio asks what he means, and Marui explains that if that woman was able to lure Mio to some weird building, two or three days later she'd probably be part of some strange religious sect. (So, basically, Marui thought she was being recruited for some sort of cult.) Mio tells him that it wouldn't have gone that far. She was thinking that if she said a little prayer for good luck, just that would be all right... Mio thinks that, since she must have appeared dazed and sad [when the woman approached her]... Meanwhile, Marui is attempting to turn on a faucet, which is stuck. As he wonders if it's broken, the handle breaks off in his hand, and water starts rushing out. He drops the handle as he scrambles to block the flow of water, and Mio retrieves it for him. She hands it to him, and as he reaches for it, his hand unblocks the stream of water, soaking Mio. Marui manages to get the handle back on, but they're both already wet. Mio mutters that it's a disaster... She can't get on the train. They go to sit on some swings to dry off a bit, and Marui grumbles about how exhausting that was. Mio laughs at what a strange day it's been: Her head is soaked with water, she's the only one who has to go to supplemental lessons this summer break, someone tried to recruit her into a cult... Holding the cloth she's been using to dry herself over her face, Mio thinks that she can't face him... Marui responds that it's all right. If he thinks about it, he'll be at basketball practice... Mio asks what he means, and he explains that while she's at her supplementary lessons, Marui figures that he and Shimizu will be spending most of summer break with their sports clubs. So, if she gets sick of her lessons, she can come to the gym and play, right? Mio agrees, thinking that was pretty sly of Marui. When she's treated so kindly, it almost makes her want to go along with him.
The scene cuts to Mio talking to Shii-chan, explaining that she didn't mean “go along with [Marui]” like that, since she's with Taki. Shii-chan points out, though, that Taki is still avoiding Mio, and he won't tell her why. Mio recalls that at the train station yesterday, she tried to greet him, and he didn't pay attention to her. Mio tells Shii-chan that, since Taki said he needed to think things over on his own, she hasn't heard anything from him. Shii-chan tells her that, personally, if the current situation is going to continue, she thinks it's all right to talk to Marui. Hasn't Mio always just considered Marui a friend? Later, on the way to lunch, Mio and the girls chat about where to go to eat. Someone suggests the roof, but Yuni thinks that would be too hot. Shii-chan suggests that sitting under a tree in the courtyard sounds cool, and Mio is starting to agree with her when she spots Marui on the way to the vending machine. Shii-chan suggests they hold off [buying drinks at the vending machine], and Mio thinks about their earlier conversation. She thinks that, if she only ever thought of Marui as a friend, she wouldn't have been so flustered when she saw him with that other girl. Her heart wouldn't have pounded when he grabbed her hand. She's been putting it out of her mind. If she were to think about, she's afraid of firming up those vague feelings. She also mustn't damage her relationship with Taki... Or maybe it's just an ego trip. As Mio thinks about that, Shii-chan makes awkward eye contact with Inoji. The girls end up eating lunch under the tree, and Shii-chan points out that it's almost summer break. Should they all go see the fireworks at the festival together? Mio asks if that's the festival advertised on the posters at the train station, and Shii-chan tells her that she and Yuni go every year. Mio flashes back to her plans to go with Taki, as Yuni asks, “When you say 'everyone'... do you mean the people from the training camp, specifically Inoue (Inoji)?” Shii-chan, embarrassed, tells her of course not – she means just the girls! (Seeing that she choked on her drink, Mio asks Shii-chan if she's all right and offers her some tissues.) Yuni presses on, asking Shii what's up with Inoue. Mio also wants to know, and Shii-chan reluctantly answers that he asked her out yesterday. Mio asks if that means she'll go out with him, and Shii says that she turned him down. (Mio gasps in surprise, and Yuni tells her to quiet down.) Shii explains that she just doesn't see him that way... He seems like a good guy, but... Mio flashes back to their conversation about how she felt towards Marui from earlier, as Yuni exclaims, “Well, you just can't help disliking him! Kidding, kidding...” Shii asks who said anything about disliking him, as Mio thinks about her feelings for Taki.
Mio decides to go to Taki's house after school, and rings the bell. There's no response, and she wonders if Taki hasn't come home yet. She leans against the wall to wait, and is greeted by Taki's sister (Yuki), who is returning home. She asks what's going on; is Nao not here? Mio replies that it looks like he isn't home yet, and Yuki asks if she'd like to wait inside. Mio prefers to wait outside, and Yuki goes in and calls for Taki. She finds him in his room, zoning out with a pile of math problems around him. Yuki drags him out to see Mio, telling her, “Sorry for the wait! Seems he was taking a little nap.” The scene skips to Mio and Taki on a bench, and Mio awkwardly apologizing for coming there without contacting him first. But, they're just about to start summer break... Mio stops, thinking Taki will say something, but he just keeps looking away. Mio tells him that Shii-chan and the others asked if she wanted to go see the fireworks, but she told them that she already had plans to go with Taki, but maybe they'd run into each other... Mio notices Taki staring sadly at his hands, and asks, “The fireworks... We promised we'd go... together, right... ?” In her head, she urges him to say something. After a moment, he starts, “Yesterday...” Mio, relieved to hear him speak, replies, “Ah, yes!” But, Taki continues, “Yesterday, on the way home, I saw you with Marui-kun. Holding hands.” Mio jumps up and explains – they weren't holding hands like he means. It seems like some weird cult was trying to recruit her, and Marui couldn't just let that happen... Really! She would never be holding hands with him like that... Taki replies, “I don't blame you. I'm not accusing you... If there's someone else you like, you don't have to force yourself. I don't want you to.” Mio wonders what he means by that, and he tells her, “I know I should have said this to you sooner, but... I couldn't.” Standing up, Taki hugs her and lowers his head onto Mio's shoulder, saying, “I'm sorry. Thank you for everything.”
On her way home, Mio runs into an older woman carrying a heavy bag of groceries, and helps her to carry them up the stairs. The woman tells Mio she's really helping her out, and thinks she's seen her around. What is it she's been searching for? Mio is surprised, but explains that she'd been looking for a small stuffed whale, that looks like a dolphin. A whale charm. The woman asks what color it is, as Mio thinks they broke up earlier. If she'd found her charm, and had it attached to her bag again... Mio thinks about Taki saying he saw her with Marui, and how she didn't have to force herself [to stay with him] if there's someone else she likes. She realizes that was about her being attracted to Marui. Mio sits down on the top of the stairs and starts to cry as the the woman asks her if she's all right. Mio thinks that's why she needs to apologize to Taki.
On the way to school, Mio runs into Shii and Yuni. Yuni's tie is undone, and Mio comments that Shii-chan always ties it for her. Yuni says that she just wants the closing ceremony to be over, and Mio laughs. The girls tense up when they spot Taki at his locker, but he smiles and says good morning. Yuni takes his friendliness to mean that he and Mio patched things up, and Shii-chan tells Mio that's great. Mio replies, “No, we broke up.” Shii-chan starts to say, “Right, you broke...” and by the time Mio's words sink in, she's way ahead of them. Flashing forward, we see Mio at her supplemental lessons over summer break. She greets Shii-chan, who's on her way to practice, and tells her that she has algebra first period. Looking into the classroom, Shii points out that there a lot of people there, and Mio says she feels a little better that she isn't alone. We see how Mio imagined she would be tortured by Ichii if she'd been there alone, so it's an unexpected relief. Shii reminds her about the fireworks tomorrow, and Mio confirms that they'll be meeting on the south bridge. Shii-chan asks Mio if she'll be wearing her yukata, which Mio agrees to do once Shii says that she and Yuni will also be wearing theirs. Later, Mio stops into the convenience store for ice cream, and she runs into Marui. He asks if she has classes after this, and Mio tells him she's finished and headed home. He tells her that's too bad – it would have been nice to spend some time together. Blushing. Mio asks Marui why he's acting so different. Stabbing at he ice cream, she thinks it feels like she's being hit on. He tells her that it's not really necessary to hide it anymore... As Mio thinks about his words, Marui says, “Speaking of which... I heard you're meeting at the south bridge for the fireworks tomorrow?” Mio tells him yes, then starts to ask how he knows, but he continues, “You're going to wear your yukata, and I could 'coincidentally' run into you on the way home from practice... is what I was told.” Mio realizes that Shii-chan told him that, and Marui laughs and explains that Shimizu knew about his feelings for her. He was depending on her to let him know if he was making Mio uncomfortable. Marui tells her that he'd like to go; is it all right? Mio asks why he's asking her that, and he clarifies that he means it like he wants to go to see her, so he thought he should clearly ask if she's all right with that. Realizing that he's effectively asking her on a date, Mio stammers that even if he puts it that way, everyone is free to come see the fireworks, so... Marui smiles, and says, “All right, I'll go. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.” As he heads back towards the school, Mio mutters that she can't believe it... That's really not trying to hide his feelings... She thinks that, really, he did tell her that he liked her, and he's still being nice to her, so it's not an unusual way to behave... But to be that blunt about it... Mio wonders how she'll react if he tells her something like how cute her yukata is. Picturing Taki, she thinks that it wouldn't bother her if he were to say that... She shakes her head, and tries not to think about that now. She looks down and sees that her ice cream is starting to melt. The chapter ends with Taki gazing sadly out his window, as Mio tries not to think about anything.
The chapter begins with Marui leading Mio away, as she reviews what just happened in her head: If she remembers, she was on her way home by herself, a woman seemed to be inviting her somewhere, and... Marui grabbed her hand and they started running away!? Mio asks Marui where they're going, and as they reach a playground, he tells her that she didn't seem to be grasping that she was in the middle of being proselytized to. Mio asks what he means, and Marui explains that if that woman was able to lure Mio to some weird building, two or three days later she'd probably be part of some strange religious sect. (So, basically, Marui thought she was being recruited for some sort of cult.) Mio tells him that it wouldn't have gone that far. She was thinking that if she said a little prayer for good luck, just that would be all right... Mio thinks that, since she must have appeared dazed and sad [when the woman approached her]... Meanwhile, Marui is attempting to turn on a faucet, which is stuck. As he wonders if it's broken, the handle breaks off in his hand, and water starts rushing out. He drops the handle as he scrambles to block the flow of water, and Mio retrieves it for him. She hands it to him, and as he reaches for it, his hand unblocks the stream of water, soaking Mio. Marui manages to get the handle back on, but they're both already wet. Mio mutters that it's a disaster... She can't get on the train. They go to sit on some swings to dry off a bit, and Marui grumbles about how exhausting that was. Mio laughs at what a strange day it's been: Her head is soaked with water, she's the only one who has to go to supplemental lessons this summer break, someone tried to recruit her into a cult... Holding the cloth she's been using to dry herself over her face, Mio thinks that she can't face him... Marui responds that it's all right. If he thinks about it, he'll be at basketball practice... Mio asks what he means, and he explains that while she's at her supplementary lessons, Marui figures that he and Shimizu will be spending most of summer break with their sports clubs. So, if she gets sick of her lessons, she can come to the gym and play, right? Mio agrees, thinking that was pretty sly of Marui. When she's treated so kindly, it almost makes her want to go along with him.
The scene cuts to Mio talking to Shii-chan, explaining that she didn't mean “go along with [Marui]” like that, since she's with Taki. Shii-chan points out, though, that Taki is still avoiding Mio, and he won't tell her why. Mio recalls that at the train station yesterday, she tried to greet him, and he didn't pay attention to her. Mio tells Shii-chan that, since Taki said he needed to think things over on his own, she hasn't heard anything from him. Shii-chan tells her that, personally, if the current situation is going to continue, she thinks it's all right to talk to Marui. Hasn't Mio always just considered Marui a friend? Later, on the way to lunch, Mio and the girls chat about where to go to eat. Someone suggests the roof, but Yuni thinks that would be too hot. Shii-chan suggests that sitting under a tree in the courtyard sounds cool, and Mio is starting to agree with her when she spots Marui on the way to the vending machine. Shii-chan suggests they hold off [buying drinks at the vending machine], and Mio thinks about their earlier conversation. She thinks that, if she only ever thought of Marui as a friend, she wouldn't have been so flustered when she saw him with that other girl. Her heart wouldn't have pounded when he grabbed her hand. She's been putting it out of her mind. If she were to think about, she's afraid of firming up those vague feelings. She also mustn't damage her relationship with Taki... Or maybe it's just an ego trip. As Mio thinks about that, Shii-chan makes awkward eye contact with Inoji. The girls end up eating lunch under the tree, and Shii-chan points out that it's almost summer break. Should they all go see the fireworks at the festival together? Mio asks if that's the festival advertised on the posters at the train station, and Shii-chan tells her that she and Yuni go every year. Mio flashes back to her plans to go with Taki, as Yuni asks, “When you say 'everyone'... do you mean the people from the training camp, specifically Inoue (Inoji)?” Shii-chan, embarrassed, tells her of course not – she means just the girls! (Seeing that she choked on her drink, Mio asks Shii-chan if she's all right and offers her some tissues.) Yuni presses on, asking Shii what's up with Inoue. Mio also wants to know, and Shii-chan reluctantly answers that he asked her out yesterday. Mio asks if that means she'll go out with him, and Shii says that she turned him down. (Mio gasps in surprise, and Yuni tells her to quiet down.) Shii explains that she just doesn't see him that way... He seems like a good guy, but... Mio flashes back to their conversation about how she felt towards Marui from earlier, as Yuni exclaims, “Well, you just can't help disliking him! Kidding, kidding...” Shii asks who said anything about disliking him, as Mio thinks about her feelings for Taki.
Mio decides to go to Taki's house after school, and rings the bell. There's no response, and she wonders if Taki hasn't come home yet. She leans against the wall to wait, and is greeted by Taki's sister (Yuki), who is returning home. She asks what's going on; is Nao not here? Mio replies that it looks like he isn't home yet, and Yuki asks if she'd like to wait inside. Mio prefers to wait outside, and Yuki goes in and calls for Taki. She finds him in his room, zoning out with a pile of math problems around him. Yuki drags him out to see Mio, telling her, “Sorry for the wait! Seems he was taking a little nap.” The scene skips to Mio and Taki on a bench, and Mio awkwardly apologizing for coming there without contacting him first. But, they're just about to start summer break... Mio stops, thinking Taki will say something, but he just keeps looking away. Mio tells him that Shii-chan and the others asked if she wanted to go see the fireworks, but she told them that she already had plans to go with Taki, but maybe they'd run into each other... Mio notices Taki staring sadly at his hands, and asks, “The fireworks... We promised we'd go... together, right... ?” In her head, she urges him to say something. After a moment, he starts, “Yesterday...” Mio, relieved to hear him speak, replies, “Ah, yes!” But, Taki continues, “Yesterday, on the way home, I saw you with Marui-kun. Holding hands.” Mio jumps up and explains – they weren't holding hands like he means. It seems like some weird cult was trying to recruit her, and Marui couldn't just let that happen... Really! She would never be holding hands with him like that... Taki replies, “I don't blame you. I'm not accusing you... If there's someone else you like, you don't have to force yourself. I don't want you to.” Mio wonders what he means by that, and he tells her, “I know I should have said this to you sooner, but... I couldn't.” Standing up, Taki hugs her and lowers his head onto Mio's shoulder, saying, “I'm sorry. Thank you for everything.”
On her way home, Mio runs into an older woman carrying a heavy bag of groceries, and helps her to carry them up the stairs. The woman tells Mio she's really helping her out, and thinks she's seen her around. What is it she's been searching for? Mio is surprised, but explains that she'd been looking for a small stuffed whale, that looks like a dolphin. A whale charm. The woman asks what color it is, as Mio thinks they broke up earlier. If she'd found her charm, and had it attached to her bag again... Mio thinks about Taki saying he saw her with Marui, and how she didn't have to force herself [to stay with him] if there's someone else she likes. She realizes that was about her being attracted to Marui. Mio sits down on the top of the stairs and starts to cry as the the woman asks her if she's all right. Mio thinks that's why she needs to apologize to Taki.
On the way to school, Mio runs into Shii and Yuni. Yuni's tie is undone, and Mio comments that Shii-chan always ties it for her. Yuni says that she just wants the closing ceremony to be over, and Mio laughs. The girls tense up when they spot Taki at his locker, but he smiles and says good morning. Yuni takes his friendliness to mean that he and Mio patched things up, and Shii-chan tells Mio that's great. Mio replies, “No, we broke up.” Shii-chan starts to say, “Right, you broke...” and by the time Mio's words sink in, she's way ahead of them. Flashing forward, we see Mio at her supplemental lessons over summer break. She greets Shii-chan, who's on her way to practice, and tells her that she has algebra first period. Looking into the classroom, Shii points out that there a lot of people there, and Mio says she feels a little better that she isn't alone. We see how Mio imagined she would be tortured by Ichii if she'd been there alone, so it's an unexpected relief. Shii reminds her about the fireworks tomorrow, and Mio confirms that they'll be meeting on the south bridge. Shii-chan asks Mio if she'll be wearing her yukata, which Mio agrees to do once Shii says that she and Yuni will also be wearing theirs. Later, Mio stops into the convenience store for ice cream, and she runs into Marui. He asks if she has classes after this, and Mio tells him she's finished and headed home. He tells her that's too bad – it would have been nice to spend some time together. Blushing. Mio asks Marui why he's acting so different. Stabbing at he ice cream, she thinks it feels like she's being hit on. He tells her that it's not really necessary to hide it anymore... As Mio thinks about his words, Marui says, “Speaking of which... I heard you're meeting at the south bridge for the fireworks tomorrow?” Mio tells him yes, then starts to ask how he knows, but he continues, “You're going to wear your yukata, and I could 'coincidentally' run into you on the way home from practice... is what I was told.” Mio realizes that Shii-chan told him that, and Marui laughs and explains that Shimizu knew about his feelings for her. He was depending on her to let him know if he was making Mio uncomfortable. Marui tells her that he'd like to go; is it all right? Mio asks why he's asking her that, and he clarifies that he means it like he wants to go to see her, so he thought he should clearly ask if she's all right with that. Realizing that he's effectively asking her on a date, Mio stammers that even if he puts it that way, everyone is free to come see the fireworks, so... Marui smiles, and says, “All right, I'll go. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.” As he heads back towards the school, Mio mutters that she can't believe it... That's really not trying to hide his feelings... She thinks that, really, he did tell her that he liked her, and he's still being nice to her, so it's not an unusual way to behave... But to be that blunt about it... Mio wonders how she'll react if he tells her something like how cute her yukata is. Picturing Taki, she thinks that it wouldn't bother her if he were to say that... She shakes her head, and tries not to think about that now. She looks down and sees that her ice cream is starting to melt. The chapter ends with Taki gazing sadly out his window, as Mio tries not to think about anything.
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