[Yui Yagi] ...I see.
[Little Girl] Little fairies? ...Are they even smaller than me?
[Yui Yagi] Yes, they're so tiny that we can't even see them.
[Yui Yagi] But you know – those little fairies work really hard.
[Yui Yagi] They hold each other's hands so hard, trying to keep the water from scattering into a puddle.
[Yui Yagi] And so, they form a sphere, because that's the most stable shape.
[Yui Yagi] Now we need to talk about the concept of surface tension, because surfactants weaken the cohesion between water molecules...
[player] Yui, you're going too far again!
[Yui Yagi] This is so tough...
The little girl probably doesn't understand a single word of Yui's explanation.
Yet somehow, her tears have stopped, replaced now by a soft smile.
Perhaps it's the focus in Yui's explanation that is drawing her in.
Also... maybe it's just my imagination, but now her eyes are glowing with pure curiosity.
[Little Girl] I get it now!
[Little Girl] The soap bubbles are round because the fairies are holding hands!
[Yui Yagi] That's right...!
Yui clears her throat, then gently pats the girl's head.
[Yui Yagi] So, until we find your mom... let's hold our hands, okay?
[Yui Yagi] As long as we work together like the little fairies in the water, we'll definitely find her!
Although Yui seems a little embarrassed saying this, I think it's remarkable that she managed to say it out loud.
I thought she wasn't great with people... but maybe I just didn't know her well enough.
Yui takes the little girl's hand and walks ahead of me. Watching their backs, I feel a sudden warmth in my chest.
[???] ...Ellie? Is that you?
An anxious voice calls out from behind us.
We turn around and see a long-haired woman standing at the escalator landing.
The little girl dashes toward her with pure joy – finally, a mother-daughter reunion.
[Little Girl's Mother] Thank you so much, both of you! Ellie, come say thank you too!
[Little Girl] Thank you for helping me find Mommy!
[Yui Yagi] Don't get lost again, okay? Be careful next time.
[Little Girl] Okay! I will!
Yui waves goodbye to the mother and daughter, and the corners of her eyes seem to crinkle, just a little...
Is she... smiling?
Now that I think about it... even though her facial muscles barely move, if you look closely, her emotions show through.
...This is quite the discovery.
[Yui Yagi] ...I'm so glad we found her.
[player] Yeah, and it's all thanks to you.
[player] It's because you treated that little girl with kindness that she was willing to come with us.
[Yui Yagi] I only did that... for myself.
[Yui Yagi] Looking at that little girl, it was like seeing my past self.
[player] Your past self?
[Yui Yagi] ...Oh.
[player] Hm? What is it?
[Yui Yagi] I forgot there's a delivery coming today.
[player] Eh? When would that be?
[Yui Yagi] Between 4 and 6 PM. It should be arriving any minute now.
I check my phone. It's 20 minutes left until 5 PM.
[player] Uh... what do we do? Can you still make it?
[Yui Yagi] Sorry, senpai. I have to head back home now.
[player] Sure, be safe on your way!
[Yui Yagi] You too.
Yui has just sprinted a few meters when she suddenly stops and turns back.
At this moment, her expression is still a bit hard for me to read.
[Yui Yagi] It's been a fun day.
[Yui Yagi] See you at the mahjong table, senpai.
The way she's standing... It's like she's reluctant to leave.
Hope it's not just me overthinking.
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