Mia found it difficult to contain herself. She began hyperventilating while her pupils dilated.
"S-She's here? Oh... I-I want to see her. But it's so dangerous... Was I the reason? What have I done? I-"
"Um, w-wait."
Jack raised his hand, trying to get her to listen to him for a bit.
"When she talked about you, she kept saying Mimi, and even though I told her that wasn't your name, she didn't listen to me! Also, her name isn't Emi either, I said Emily."
Mia's mind was racing, but she was brought back down to Earth from his comments. After hearing what he had to say, a small smile formed on her face.
"No, no. Mimi and Emi aren't our actual names. They are nicknames, a shorter version of the original. Usually, it's easier to say and shows how close you've become. Or at least, that's what Emily told me."
Jack tilted his head to the side for a moment before letting out a gasp.
"Ah, she did say nickname... I don't remember Dad telling me about that word. So you guys really do know each other! I told her that she shouldn't rush too fast and that we wouldn't go to the next floor too fast without her!"
Mia took a deep breath, holding a lightly closed fist to her heart.
"She's... coming to us? Then I just have to wait. Oh no, what if something bad happens to her? Wouldn't that be my fault then? I... I don't know what I'd do if-"
Once again, she started rambling on with her concerns and mixed emotions. It seemed she couldn't even tell if this was something to be happy or sad for. Jack scratched the side of his head before he spoke up.
"Why are you so worried about it? Emily said she was coming, and even if you wanted to do something about it, you can't really talk to her, can you? I guess what you could do is figure out what you want to say to her when she comes!"
Mia calmed down slightly.
"When you put it that way... I guess there isn't much of a point in worrying too much. But still, I can't help but think of her. Mm, I'm not sure if I'm in the proper state to go out and collect cards right now. I... think I'll just wait for her here."
After she said that Jack looked off into the distance, then, he suddenly turned to look in a different direction with a rather curious look. After holding that position for a little while, he turned back to look at her.
"Someone told me to tell you that um... you are wasting your time. I think he said that you should be considering things properly. Just because we won't leave the floor doesn't mean we can't explore around. Emily or Emi would probably be disappointed if she saw you like this. Or um, something like that."
Mia blinked a few times. The awkward phrasing was rather confusing, though she was still able to get that he was disagreeing with her decision. Though the way he did it implied he had talked with someone else, despite the fact it wouldn't make all that much sense.
Regardless, she pushed those thoughts away rather quickly, still too overwhelmed by the knowledge she was suddenly granted.
"I... guess you're right. It makes sense that I should go and explore this place so that when she does end up coming, I can show her around confidently. That's the least I could do for her after everything I made her go through..."
"What are you two talking about?"
Jessica appeared, seemingly satisfied with the tour she took part in, and sat next to Jack. Mia put her hand on her cheek, blushing ever so slightly.
"Ah, it was about a very good friend of mine that Jack had seen. My... impulsive actions led to me coming here, and she ended up following me here into such a dangerous place. I really... haven't been that good of a friend to her. She is much too good for someone like me."
She started off embarrassed but soon pivoted to self-deprecating. Jessica let out a chuckle and leaned over the table to put a hand on her shoulder. It looked rather awkward, but the gesture was there.
"For what it's worth, I think you're a great friend. You really helped me out when we first met and I was the most unsure of myself. And looking back, I'm sure you weren't in the best of positions either. Still, you were able to keep your cool and hold my hand. It's something I really haven't thanked you enough for."
Mia blinked a few times, clearly quite flustered by her words. She ended up blushing even harder.
"A-Ah. Thank you. When you put it that way, it makes me feel a lot better about myself. I still feel quite a bit of shame... but that's not what I should linger on I guess."
Jessica let out a giggle, sitting back in her seat with a small smile.
"I'm sure that friend of yours will appreciate your help when she comes around."
Mia brushed the tip of her nose, almost like she was trying to get the dust off.
"That's... not really how it's going to be, but thank you anyway."
Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Well, how am I supposed to know if you won't tell me about this friend you have?"
Mia looked down at the table, thinking for a short moment.
"Yeah, it wouldn't hurt to talk about it. As long as she can make it to this floor on her own, then... all of you will meet her as well."
A small smile formed on her face.
"Her name is Emily. I think she was my first friend, and she almost always had a smile on her face. It felt like nothing could ever go wrong as long as she was there with me. To be honest, it's not much of an exaggeration that she taught me how to be happy."
Jessica wore a forlorn expression on her face but didn't comment on her thoughts. Mia continued on unperturbed.
"She knew this one place that still had a patch of grass and quite a few flowers. Most of them ended up being wilted and even for just the two of us kids, it was a little bit cramped. But still, it felt so freeing to be there. Emily would tell me different stories that she heard. I would try to contribute to the conversation, but most of the time I just ended up being the one listening. Still, she didn't seem to mind, and only got more friendly with me in time."
She ran her fingers through her hair.
"I'm... not sure why she took such a liking to me even now. Maybe it was just because I happened to be someone of similar age to her at the time and I got lucky that she chose me."
Jack put a finger on his chin and pulled, though his head remained stationary.
"I remember that Dad once said some people just like it when you listen to them talk. As long as I show interest, then they will like me!"
Jessica raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Huh, your... Dad said that? That sounds... uh, nevermind."
Mia thoughtfully looked back at Jack, with slightly widened eyes.
"So it was because I just listened. Then I was right. It was just because I got lucky."
Jessica shrugged her shoulders.
"I wouldn't say that. While I can't say how it is for everyone, but... for me, not many people would take anything I said seriously. It was really hard to find someone that would listen to me, even if just listening itself was quite easy to do. Maybe she was an important person to you that did many things for you. But that doesn't mean you weren't also an important person that would just be there for her."
Mia began tearing up slightly. She lightly wiped them away with a smile on her face.
"I guess that could be the case. Honestly, it feels like I'm cheating almost."
Jack giggled before raising his hands up in the air.
"Why does that matter? As long as everyone is happy, then everything is great, right?"
Jessica laughed and reached out to hug him closely.
"Hahaha, you should learn from Jack! He really knows what he's talking about."
Mia began laughing as well.
"You're right. I've just been overthinking things. Thank you two. I suppose Emily isn't the only one I can call my good friend. I'm very lucky to have met the both of you."
Jessica gave a wink and gestured towards her.
"Likewise. I feel much safer with you as well."
Jack raised his hand in the air.
"I think so too!"
Lilith peaked her head in from a doorway.
"Ehhhh, you guys are making me jealous..."
Lily walked to the doorway while looking off to the side, pouting.
"Why should we be jealous? They've been together for longer."
And Kenji was standing a few steps behind her, silently waiting.