View source for Confused feelings (Sayaka Miki)

{{Cutscene Header
|Date of Scene=2023/10/20
|Location=Tako Café
|Synopsis=Sayaka and Ula have a talk about recent events, especially concerning Kyousuke being discharged from the hospital.
|Cast of Characters=32
}}
“Here is your tea, have a nice afternoon”, says an employee to the bluenette who paid for it a few  minutes prior, giving her a yellow-green plastic cup for the girl to go outside with.

“Thank you”, is the reply Sayaka gives before she makes her way out of the cafè, clinging to the hot beverage in the cold autumn air. Lost in her thoughts, the girl doesn’t hear the creaking of the leaves on the ground as she walks towards a nearby bench.

She had a choice between going on a run, or staying on a bench listening to some of her favourite pieces, and so she picked the latter, only making a brief stop to purchase that cup of tea from Tako Cafè. She really needs something warm in this weather.

There isn’t much of a crowd around at this time of the day, people having started to return home after getting through the daily trudge of work. Sitting down on the bench, she looks at the spirals of steam rising from the tea, the sweet smell reaching her nostrils. A tugging on the sleeve distracts her, a small figure poking her head out of the inside of Sayaka’s bag.

“Sayaka-san, I really think you should talk about what’s going on”, the koi mermaid says, floating up from the small towel she was resting on.

The tense gaze Sayaka gives her doesn’t discourage her at all, leaving her to stare back until the bluenette shakes her head.

“Fine, let’s do this, Ula”, she concedes, looking at the tiny mermaid peeking up at her with an expression of concern and candor. “But let me give you the tea first”, Sayaka reminds her. She did say that after all.

"Right", Ula replies, unconvinced. She raises a thimble-sized cup for the bluenette to slowly pour her tea into.

"Kyousuke's mood has improved", Sayaka starts talking. "Doctors have been constantly buzzing around him about his hand's miraculous healing, but he is much happier."

"The boy with a passion for the violin? That sounds good, no?" Ula observes, waiting for the 'but' hovering in the air.

"It's just that he has actually been discharged already.", Sayaka reveals, her expression clearly saddened. She is not sure if she should even visit him at his home with how she is. And she would have thought he would have rejoiced with her.

"Oh, that’s why you left the hospital so quickly", the koi mermaid starts catching up. “I am sorry he didn’t leave you a word of warning, you deserved better. But I am sure he just had a lot on his plate: soon he will come to you saying he didn’t mean to let it slip his mind.”

Sayaka shakes her head. “I don’t think I do. Being able to do good was rewarding enough. Honestly, I think it’s better if things turned out this way. I have lots to deal with, and I don’t think I want to have him deal with me.”

“This is not about how you used your wish, Sayaka. I don’t doubt you truly wanted to do a good thing, but there is nothing wrong with feeling confused about not being told anything”, Ula observes. “You don’t regret your duty, do you?” She adds after taking a sip out of her tea, provoking the bluenette a little.

Sayaka shakes her head. “No, I have already said it: I don’t regret obtaining the power to fight this way. Even if it’s an aberration compared to people like Madoka, I intend to make good use of it.”

“What’s the problem, then? Seems like you have everything in order. Why do you look so restless?”

"I…" Sayaka looks uncertain at that question. "I just thought he would be more excited to share things with me, that's all.'

"Did you expect him to be grateful to you? Did you want him to praise you over your selflessness? Would you have preferred if he were here instead of practicing music?" Ula starts pressing her.

"N-no, of course not, what's with the sudden accusations?" the bluenette stammers.

Ula floats up and places her hand on Sayaka's. "The sudden accusations as you call them is just me getting to the bottom of this. Sayaka, you wanted him to acknowledge you, didn't you?"

"No, I just wanted to do the right thing." The bluenette replies sternly.

"Sayaka… You aren't being honest with yourself."

"What do you know about it, Ula? We literally just met! Would you pretend to be aware of everything that has been going on in my life?" She gets up and starts pacing, throwing the koi mermaid off her hand.

"I do not have any particular issue with Kyousuke having other priorities. We are friends, and I am glad he is using his time to improve his music. That's what I appreciate about him, so don’t talk about things you don’t understand. And anyway, I can’t be at his side, not with this Soul Gem”, she says, betraying herself. Chrono’s suggestions come back to her mind at this moment. ‘Why is that? This situation is completely different from what he told me’, she shakes her head.

Ula recollects herself after being thrown off by Sayaka, the flying mermaid stopping herself in midair. “Please be more careful, Sayaka”, she complains. “And you should really try to do something about Kyousuke, because it’s clear he weighs a lot on you. Have you tried asking yourself questions about him?”

Sayaka stops pacing around. “Like what?” She turns towards Ula perplexed.

“Like what you would do if he offered you a date, or what would happen if you dressed up for him…”

“Stop!” Sayaka yells suddenly. “There is nothing like that between me and Kyousuke, and I have no intention of…”

“Ok, Sayaka, that’s enough. I understand your point, but please think about it. I seriously think it would do you some good”, Ula interrupts her.

Sayaka nods hesitatingly. She really doesn't want to drop that conversation, but at the same time, she embraces the escape. “I was going to listen to some music. Want in?”

“Sure!” the koi mermaid decisively agrees, and soon enough the musical notes disperse themselves through the air…