video;

[happyends]

Um..! I-I'm sorry, I know there have been a lot of people talking over this lately, but there's something I really wanted to say.. [ That's probably relatively less strage fright than last time, but that's since last time was a disaster, okay. She still looks a little nervous.

She pulls out her notebook, shoving off a drawing. (Except with the girl on it wearing the usual train outfit.) ]

This is my friend from back home, Mami Tomoe. She showed up here the other day. And.. um.. maybe you've already met her! O-Or you haven't! But either way, I really hope everyone here can be nice to her.. or maybe even become her friend? She's really amazing to be friends with..! Mami-san is so cool, and she's super nice, and she is smart and give great advice and she's really mature and she also makes really delicious cakes..! [ And also desperately needs friends. Hence why Madoka is on a mission. ] B--Basically.. um! Anyone who likes being friends with me.. Mami-san is all that, but even more amazingly! So please think about talking to her when you see her..!

[ She even politely bows. And manages to not hit her head this time. Good job, Madoka. ]

T-Thanks for listening!

Comments

[pleple]

[ No, and she might have less of it if she's too aware. ]

You'll just be... giving them an excuse to branch out.

[happyends]

[ She pauses, seemingly considering this. Ple Two really does make it sound like it's not a bad thing.. ]

.. did you like playing the game? [ She figures Ple Two is a pretty good standard! If she can like it despite being so serious and cool, then surely anyone can! ]

[pleple]

...I didn't mind playing it. Especially. ...with you.

[ Clearing her throat. ]

[happyends]

[ Usually Madoka would fret about whether 'didn't mind' means something close enough to 'like' or not..

But there's no way that worry could even come up when Ple Two adds that last part. Madoka's cheeks grow bright pink, her mouth stretching into a smile. ]

Hehe.. See, this is what I mean! You're so sweet! I'm sure I'd like playing any game together with you too, even the complicated ones I'm no good at.

[pleple]

[ No don't smile at that you'll make Ple Two blush as well! ]

You can... learn them. Anyone can. It's more about patience and willingness than... any intangible mental abilities.

[happyends]

[ Bask in that smile! ]

.. You think so? [ She seems surprised by the thought. Madoka isn't sure if that's the truth or whether Ple Two is just trying to be nice to her.. ] Even someone like me?

[pleple]

'Even' you? [ Ple Two scoffs. ] I've fought alongside grown adult soldiers less capable of learning than you are.

[happyends]

[ Grown adult soldiers?! Please, how can anyone even begin to compare her to those! ]

I.. I-I'm not so sure if that's the case! [ Still, it's kind of a weak protest since she'd feel too bad telling Ple Two she's wrong.. ] A-Anyway, I should probably prove I can learn it at all first!

[ Before any flustering comparisons are drawn! ]

[pleple]

[ Lots of grown adults are absolute idiots. ]

Trust me, the intelligence level here is way above average. We'll start slow though.

[happyends]

Then maybe we can start with one of the slightly easier complicated ones..?

[ Which is probably still more than Madoka is used to. But if Ple Two says she could learn, then she's going to try her darnest to do so! She can't let down her friend. ]

[pleple]

...checkers?

[ Checkers are tactical, but not too complicated. ]

[happyends]

That's the one with the round pieces, right? [ Yeah, apparently Madoka hasn't touched that one yet. ]

I think that should be doable.. All the pieces look the same, so maybe it's not as hard.

[pleple]

Right! I think it should be easy to start with.

[ And then we'll turn Madoka into a master strategist!!! ]

[happyends]

Okay! I know I'll always have fun playing with you anyway..

[ So learning something from Ple Two is just guaranteed to be fun, even if she may be slow to pick it up. ]

Let's do it sometime soon!

[pleple]

Let's make time for it, yes. I'm sure it won't take too long to get you started.