"So this is Rosa's next idea?" Mion looked over the drawing again as they all were outside.
After meeting up with Rosa again, Shion decided to tell everyone about what she had been talking to Rosa about. Meanwhile, Rosa held Maria as she sat on the steps again. Rena sat next to them as she kept trying to make Maria laugh.
"And you came up with this right after waking up?" Mion turned to look at Rosa.
"Yep." Rosa looked up and nodded at her. "Originally, I was studying art, but I was always interested in fashion and made the change to that instead."
"But wait," Keiichi said, making everyone turn to face him. "Shion said companies turned you down because your ideas were bland, but this is the opposite of that."
"I should have explained it better." Rosa sighed. "I was trying to stick to the norm so a top company would hire me. They don't like ideas like the one I just drew cause it's unique and needs a lot of convincing to give it a chance. I thought if I got my foot in the door, that would be something for the future."
"What about asking your family for help?" Mion asked.
"All my brothers and my sister have their own business issues." Rosa dropped her shoulders and closed her eyes. "And my dad, well, let's just say he's not the easiest to ask for help unless he gets something in return."
"That's horrible." Keiichi frowned. "He could at least be a little supportive of his daughter."
"You're all too kind." Rosa smiled. "Either way, I'd prefer doing this without his help if possible."
"And we'll be able to do that." Shion smiled as she sat next to Rosa and placed her hand on Rosa's shoulder. "I know Rena's up for the idea. Right Ren….."
Shion looked over to Rena, who seemed to be in a daze while looking down. She wasn't even paying attention to Maria anymore, who kept reaching towards her.
"Rena?" Rosa turned to look at her and frowned. "Are you okay?"
"Oh…." Rena blinked as she looked up at her and Shion. "Sorry, still a little exhausted."
"Should we go inside?" Rosa started to reach for Rena's forehead. "I'm hoping you're not dehydrated from the heat and running here."
"Oh, I'm fine!" Rena quickly stood up before Rosa could touch her. "It's probably best to get some water, though! I'll be back!"
"Hey, wai…." Rosa tried to get her attention, but she ran inside. Rosa sighed as she turned back around. "I swear, that girl can drive someone crazy."
"That's just Rena for you." Satoko laughed as she sat in Rena's spot. "Isn't that right Ri…"
Satoko turned and saw Rika was now gone.
"Where's Rika?" Satoko was turning in different directions to find her.
"She went inside right after Rena." Keiichi pointed at the door. "I thought you noticed since you were right next to her."
"Of course, she's still being weird today." Satoko sighed as she turned back around.
"I think someone is happy to be by you again." Rosa giggled as Maria reached for Satoko. Satoko smiled back as she started playing with Maria.
Meanwhile, Rena was getting some water from one of the fountains. She wiped her mouth after getting a drink.
"Turns out I really needed that." Rena smiled.
"You okay?"
Rena jumped before looking to see who was behind her.
"Oh, Rika." Rena placed her hand on her chest. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just had to get a drink."
"I see." Rika smiled. "I have to use the restroom and saw you, so I thought I should ask if you were okay."
"Awwwwh, thanks Rika." Rena smiled. "You're so kyute."
"Nipah." Rika smiled. "I'll see you back outside."
"Okay." Rena smiled before walking away.
Rika walked down to one of the restrooms and went inside. She checked all the stalls and ensured she was the only one there.
"Hanyuu?" Rika sat in one of the stalls and whispered. "Can you talk?"
"Yes, Rika?" Hanyuu appeared next to her.
"I don't know if it's possible, but can you get Rosa to stay another week?" Rika kept her eyes closed.
"Another week?" Hanyuu frowned. "That would be pushing it, but why would you want that?"
"Irie may need more time to examine Rosa and Maria," Rika explained. "Plus, I have a question about your future visions."
"What questions?" Hanyuu shook.
"In that future, does Rosa's work cause her to act that way to Maria?" Rika looked at her.
"I'm not sure. Let me check." Hanyuu closed her eyes, looking over the visions of the future she could now see. Hanyuu would wince a few times while her eyes were shut, making Rika jump. Eventually, Hanyuu opened her eyes. "It seems it plays a role in Rosa and Maria's future."
"I thought there could be a connection." Rika sighed. "Shion wants us to help Rosa with her clothing, and this may be able to support both of us."
"I see," Hanyuu replied. "In that case, I can help, but it will take much of my power. You won't see me for a while."
"Any idea how long?" Rika raised an eyebrow.
"Possibly a couple of weeks or a whole month." Hanyuu sighed. "Are you sure you won't need me if I go then?"
"No, but I don't think we can risk our time being short to fix things." Rika frowned.
"Understood." Hanyuu nodded. "I'll get to work on that then. Hope everything works out."
"Me too." Rika smiled as she waved goodbye. Once Hanyuu vanished, she left the restroom to return to her friends.
"Rika?" A male voice came from behind her, making her turn around.
"Hi, Irie." Rika smiled as she waved.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" Irie walked closer.
"Sensei let us out early to check on Rosa," Rika explained.
"I see." Irie sighed. "Speaking of, have you seen Rosa? She's not in her room."
"She's outside with everyone talking." Rika pointed in the direction of the entrance. "Thanks for helping her."
"I didn't do anything." Irie lifted his glasses. "I let her take a nap while I ran tests on her blood."
"Oh." Rika dropped her smile. "But she seems fine now."
"That's one good thing then." Irie lifted his clipboard and wrote something on it.
"Did you find out if she's infected?" Rika looked up at it.
"I'll have to run a few more tests to be sure what exactly she has," Irie looked at his clipboard. "But as far as Hinamizawa Syndrome, she doesn't have it."