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“Sometimes, it feels like I don’t really have any options either.”
CHAIN-LINK EVENT
WARNING: this Event is part of an Event Chain! You've lost all control over your own actions and must now sit back while
someone else takes the wheel. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, and hope that you did things right before taking the plunge!
As Nodoka provides a vague answer to Otoha's question, the scene shifts to the inside of Wakana and Osako's apartment.
While Wakana ruminates over a notebook of Ami's poetry, Osako tries to get her girlfriend to take a step back from her recent obsession. Wakana largely ignores this request, asking for help in identifying the meaning behind a particular line. Osako continues to plead with her, depressed at the thought of not spending Christmas together like always. Wakana assures her that there will be other opportunities to be together, whilst her research requires extreme attentiveness, especially if she doesn't want to risk losing a potential lead.
Instead, she asks Osako why she seems unphased by Sensei's disappearance, with her retorting that he's a grown man who doesn't need such overblown concern. Wakana refutes this explanation, angrily stating that Sensei cannot possibly be so easily brushed aside when the slightest allusion to his past nearly breaks him. After apologizing for this slight outburst, she reminds Osako about the potential link between him and the elusive poet, "The Girl Who Cannot Breathe", whose poetry centers around a consistent muse the poet was apparently infatuated with. Having heard this theory more than enough, and failing to see the point in confirming this connection, Osako tries once more to get the topic dropped. Wakana refuses, claiming she could've prevented the Arakawa's isolation had she only paid more attention.
Done with this conversation, Osako tells Wakana to be dressed by the time she returns before stepping outside to take a call.
Osako steps out the front door of her apartment, calling Rika in the hope she'll be able to keep her company until Wakana finishes up. While initially claiming to be free to talk, Rika is revealed to be shopping with Rin, the aforementioned girl interjecting to rebuke her mother's claim. The two begin to bicker as Osako slowly gives up on her idea, saying she'll call again if her plans with Wakana fall through. She hangs up after assuring Rika she'll come to her if the situation becomes too much to bear.
Now alone with her daughter, Rika asks Rin to do the same, reminding her how much she loves her even if she isn't always the best mother. The two are soon after thrown out by staff for causing too much commotion.