I can't believe I haven't thought of this before! I feel so dumb!

[Since parting ways with Sora, Konoka's actually been doing a bit of research. What Yukari said about her pactio during the wishing session had her thinking--mainly, why she hadn't put two and two together yet. She's at the computers. It appears that in such a while, she's found the wonders of the Romance page. She seems slightly edgy and annoyed by this fact, though.]

...so what is it like, for  a girl to fall in love with  a girl? Really, I wish there was more to draw from than a simple internet page and a bunch of poems! I wanna see romance! I want to make it happen! Maybe it's the key to making this world grow! Maybe the power of love could be a literal power! Wouldn't that be romantic?

[She dropped to a whisper.]

Is this what Secchan wanted... for me?

[At some point, she will be distracted by the glory that is Robot Unicorn Attack. Better move fast.]

[Near the edge of the Gardens, Lulu has a group of strange black creatures lined up. They don't look too friendly, but they do seem to be listening to her, despite all their hissing and moaning. She talks to them like they're children who don't listen very well, but they're very obviously not human.]

Come on, Kokuchi-chan! You're gonna do some exploring for Lulu today, okay? And you can't get lost this time, or Lulu will get really mad!

[The gardens has a new resident this morning a rather glassy eyed young girl with purple hair and wearing what appears to be a school uniform of sorts. She is milling about the landscape with no clear goal or purpose, simply observing the world around her and starring into space with an intensity one would not normally associate simply looking at plant life. Her monotone, almost, robotic voice eventually sounds alongside its video counterpart, spewing forth mysterious speech for all to hear.]

Data analysis suggests this dimension exists on a different plane of then that of the Earth. This also implies my phsyical form has gone through some kind of dimensional shift and, further, that my connection with the Integrated Thought Entity has been severed. Further analysis is needed to confirm these conclusions and then form a plan of action to return the point of origin...

[A cheerful woman, dressed in lavish royal blue robes, is grinning on camera]

Why, hello everyone. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iono Mito Archeline. My interests include various maidenly amusments, tea time, flirtatious chit chat, and you. <3 Yes. you, whoever you may be. You see, I know without a doubt each and every one of you is special and beautiful, and I want to know you better.

So, please, won't you be my sobame?

[The Vine's tentative creepers inside every stone building unravel slowly to reveal a mirror. The picture it reveals is rather more comforting than what lies outside: a maternal-looking woman sitting in a rocking chair, with a fire burning in a fireplace behind her.]

Good evening, my daughters. I would ask if you are well, but I'm afraid I know the answer to that question. Don't fear. When the storm ends, you will be safe here. I have made it my business to take care of you. Stay warm. Stay close to each other. This, too, shall pass. You must not go outside...

Ah, but children don't listen. If you do go outside, don't go alone. You'll have no chance. The things in the storm are vulnerable to the bonds between you. Defeat them together.

But really, my daughters, you should stay inside.

[There is a young woman wandering around the Gardens, still dressed in the plain white shift of a new arrival, although she has in her hands a red and white cheerleader's uniform. She's also holding an armload of scrolls she took from the cats, but she still looks rather... lost. She hasn't actually read any of the scrolls, you see.]

This is nicer than last time I got abducted by aliens.

... Am I in Heaven?