(The three characters walk out from the school rooftop, the heavy silence that had weighed on their hearts just moments ago finally lifting. Honoka walked while clutching the drawing to her chest, as if she feared losing it.)
As they were walking down the stairs, Misaki turned toward Honoka with an encouraging smile.
Misaki: "It's been a long time... since I last saw this look in your eyes."
Honoka looks at her with surprise.
Honoka: "What look?"
Misaki smiled gently.
Misaki: "The look of someone who has started to believe that tomorrow might be better."
(Honoka looks at the drawing in her hands, and then a small smile forms on her lips—it wasn't a smile of complete happiness, but it was her first genuine smile in days.)
Ahmed notices this and breathes a sigh of relief without saying a word. After a few moments... he stops in front of the administration office door. He looks at the two girls with a calm but firm gaze.
Ahmed: "What we are about to do now might not be easy."
(Honoka looks at him attentively.)
Ahmed: "You might have to remember painful things... and speaking of them might be difficult."
He pauses for a moment, then smiles a reassuring smile.
Ahmed: "But this time... you won't be alone."
Misaki nods her head.
Misaki: "We will be with you until the end."
Honoka feels the warmth of her two friends' words. She takes a deep breath and wipes away her last tears. Then she bows to them slightly.
Honoka: "Thank you... I will try to be strong."
(Ahmed nods his head with a smile of satisfaction.)
Then he knocks gently on the principal's office door. The principal's voice comes from inside:
Principal: "Come in."
Ahmed slowly opens the door. He enters first, followed by Misaki, then Honoka, who was still holding the drawing Ahmed gave her, as if drawing courage from it.
The principal raises his head from his desk, and as soon as his eyes fall on the three of them, he realizes from their expressions that the upcoming conversation will be different from anything before it.