Décor for Floral Adornments

A happy ending.

A happy ending with no tears, no sorrow, and smiles blooming on every face.

And so, everyone lived happily ever after.

The end.

...!

Again, again! Read it again, please!

Again~? Haha. You never get tired of this story, do you, Hotaru?

Nope! Because everyone is happy!

Oh, right. There's a concert based on this story coming up. Want to go see it?

! Yeah!

Ever since I was little, I loved seeing people smile.

How was the concert?

It was fun! The singing and the piano were amazing! Everyone... Everyone was smiling!

Hehe. I'm glad.

I wanna...

?

I wanna... try singing and playing the piano, too!

That must have been the magic of music.

La~ la-la~...♪

A-And that's it.

That was wonderful, Hotaru! You've gotten so good at the piano! Your singing was lovely too!

!

Seeing people smile as they listened...

Mommy wants to hear more~ Can I ask for another song?

Yeah! Hehe.

made my heart feel warm too.

When I made music with a happy heart...

La, la...♪

(Huh...? Why is everything...)

(so sparkly...?)

(Wow, amazing...! It's so pretty!)

...the whole world seemed to shine in rainbow colors.

A competition?

Yes. Your teacher said you should give it a try.

Hotaru-chan, you play so, so much better than most kids your age.

A competition is different from a recital, so it might feel a little overwhelming at first... though I think more people should get to hear you play, Hotaru-chan.

What do you think, Hotaru?

I want to try!

If I play well, everyone will smile, right?

And that was my happiness too.

Next is the middle elementary grades division. The Gold Prize goes to... Hotaru Shiomi-san.

!

This is amazing, Hotaru! You won Gold!

Gold Prize...

That means your performance touched everyone!

...! I did it...!

I believed those rainbow colors were proof that my music had made someone happy.

It was the light I felt whenever I gave a really good performance.

It felt like God Himself was praising me, so I believed they had to be something wonderful.

But...

Why is Hotaru-chan always the one who wins gold?! I'm trying just as hard!!

Huh...?

The teachers said it too. They said Hotaru-chan's on a whole different level. That you're a genius.

Then go take an advanced course or something. Piano isn't fun with you here, Hotaru-chan!

...!

Yeah, exactly. Everyone who quit said the same thing. They said it was because of you, Hotaru-chan!

Wait, Hotaru-chan... You seriously didn't know? Yikes.

...

My music, and that rainbow light...

...seemed like something bad, something that hurt people.

"The Angel of the Music World..." Such a shame. She used to win gold all the time, and now look how low she ranks.

It's not unusual, is it? A child prodigy grows up and becomes perfectly ordinary.

But even then, I couldn't quit music.

So...

Don't look. Don't look. Just keep playing...

Hotaru, are you really sure you're done with competitions?

Yeah... I still enjoy just playing the piano.

Do you? Well, if you're happy, that's what matters... I'm just happy I still get to hear you play, Hotaru.

...

Oh, that's right. I brought home some information on Geijutsu. It looks like their middle school has a music department too.

They offer all kinds of courses, but for you, Hotaru... The piano, I suppose. You've loved the piano ever since you were tiny.

Yeah... I guess so.

That wasn't a lie.

But little by little, I no longer knew how to face music.

Hello, Shiomi-san!

H-Hello!

This is the first time we've had seats next to each other. We didn't get to talk much in first year, so I'm glad.

So, the whole class is doing a little get-together after this. You should come too, Shiomi-san!

Huh...? Is that really okay?

Of course! The teacher even said we could use the music room! We're gonna introduce ourselves with a little ensemble...

!

Oh... I-I'm sorry! I just remembered I have something to do today...!

Um, so... please excuse me!

Shiomi-san, wait...

What if I saw those rainbow colors again?

What if that hurt someone again?

Just thinking about it made me anxious. Scared.

*Pant*...!

*Pant*...

Everyone else was facing the music so earnestly, and all I could do was run away. I felt ashamed.

Before I knew it, I was keeping my distance not only from competitions, but from people too.

...

I really wanted to go.

...?

(What's that...? People are gathering.)

(Piano... and singing?)

(Right... There was a street piano here, I think.)

Hey, hey, heeey~!

You all just gonna stand there spacing out? Come on, my audience! Give me something to work with!

What do you have hands and feet for? What do you have a heart for?

To make it beat!

(Wh-What is with her...!?)

(Is she... working the crowd?)

Hear something good? Throw your hands up! Come on, vibe with me!

(! She's incredible...)

(Wait, is that how you're supposed to play a street piano...?)

♪

(But... what is this?)

(The more I listen to her music... the more I...)

All right, hands up already! Or clap your hands! Mine are busy, so I need you all!

Ahaha! What is this? She's ridiculous!

Should we try it? It looks fun!

...!

Mommy, I wanna do it too!

Sure. Let's do what she's doing!

(Everyone's actually joining in...!)

Yeah, that's it! You guys are the best!

(She's smiling... and so is everyone listening...!)

Hm? Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one staring off into space!

...?

Yeah, you. You! The one giving off sad little puppy vibes!

Huh...? M-Me!?

Listen, I seriously hate seeing someone look bored when I'm playing my music!

I'm delicate, okay!

I-I'm sorry!?

Come here, come here! Sit next to me!

Huh...? But next to you...

Just do it! Come on, sit!

O-Okay...

Hands out! Put them on the keys! And then...

Play however you want!

Whaaaat!?

I-I can't do that...! I don't even know the song you're playing...!

Huh... So you didn't say you can't play.

Ah...

I knew it! You smell like someone who can play. Now that I know, play already! Play!

But... my playing isn't...

Haah? What are you talking about?

Music's something you can do however you want. Obviously.

!

Here, copy the phrase I play! Then I'll go wild on top of it!

Ugh...

(I don't think anything I say will get me out of this...)

(If I'm only copying her, maybe... it'll be okay?)

You can do it, miss!

Relax, you got this~

All right, here we go!

Y-Yes!

...!

(How long has it been...)

(Since I faced the piano like this?)

Oh... Whoa!? Wait, you're actually pretty good!

Hehe. Not bad at all!

Wooow! That girl is amazing!!

This is so fun~~! More, more! Ahaha!

(Since I've seen people smile as they listened?)

All right, you take the melody too! Special privilege, just for you!

(Huh...?)

(I'm not afraid to touch the keys anymore...)

*Pant*...

Geez. You really played piano with that face right to the very end.

Huh...?

You didn't notice? You looked like you had a stomachache the whole time.

Oh... My stomach is fine.

Listen. I want every single person who hears my music to be happy.

...!

I dunno what you're carrying around, but...

you're the only one here making that face, you know?

Come on, look.

That was so fun! Thank you both!

One more song, please!

Mommy, I wanna play the piano, too!

Hehe, thank you, thank you! You're all gonna have sweet dreams tonight!

(Everyone is smiling...)

(Even though this is so different from the music I know...!)

This is amazing...

(I want to play music like this too...)

(Music that can make everyone happy... the way hers does.)

(Music that exists for someone else...!)

*Sniff*...

Huh? What?! Hey, why are you crying?!

Huh...? Wait...

Whoa, whoa, hold up! This makes it look like I made you cry! D-Do you want me to play something?

Do you know Nikopan-chan? That baby goat anime? I'll play the OP for you!

Nikopan-chan's great, right? She's got a pretty sharp tongue, like, "Guess I gotta dance!" and...

Hehe...

Hey, you laughed!

Sorry... I was just a little surprised.

Um... may I ask your name?

Me? I'm Kanata. Kanata Sawami.

It was the spring of my second year in middle school.

Into my heavy, suffocating world...

Kanata-san...

Would you teach me music?

A dazzling light came pouring in.

Thank you very much...!

Hotaru-chan~, your piano playing was wonderful today as always!

We'll keep cheering you on~!

! Hehe. Thank you so much!

(Okay...!)

(I think I played better than usual today.)

(No rainbow colors are showing up, and there are more people smiling for me now...!)

Hotaru! Kanata didn't come by again today, huh?

Ah... I guess not. Her band must be keeping her busy.

Aww... I want to see you two play together again~

It'll be okay! I'm sure she'll come back soon.

Wow...! I'll look forward to it!

Yeah! Leave it to me!

On that day one year ago...

After I met Kanata-san, we started playing piano together here from time to time.

E-everyone...!

H-Ha... Ha... Hands...!

Oh? Is today the day you finally say it?

Ra... raise... raise your...

Keep going! You're almost there!

~~~!

Please... raise your hands...

Gaaah, come on! There you go being a goody-goody again! You're supposed to say, "Get those hands up!"

Keep that up and you'll never play like me, y'know?

Ugh...

Whatever happened to "my master's word is law?"

B-But...! I still don't think it's right to tell the audience what to do!

Man, you really don't get it. That's not telling them what to do. It's communication. A conversation!

You've gotta reach out and pull 'em in yourself! That's what you're after, right? "Music that makes everyone happy."

Ugh... I know, but...!

Band lives are all kinda like that, y'know? Like, "You ready?!" "Yeeaah!" Stuff like that.

I've never been to a live, so I wouldn't know...

Ah... Mom said no, huh? No live houses until you're in high school, right?

Right...

Well, if that's how your family does things, I guess there's no helping it. Still, I really wish you'd come see my band's live sometime.

Your band... millsage, right? I've always wanted to go, but... ugh.

Well, maybe a live house would be too much for our little goody-goody Hotaru~

Ugh, I want to be in high school already...!

You're in your second year of middle school now, so... that's still about two years away. Long time. Haha.

I really wanted to show you my incredible band, too.

I want to see it! I absolutely, absolutely want to see it...!

Because, Kanata-san... I just know you'd be so, so cool up there, singing and playing with your band!

In two years, I promise I'll be there! Just wait for me!

...

Hahaha, yeah! I'm super cool, obviously. You'd better come see me someday.

Yes!

And y'know, my members are cooool too~

It started out with me and two childhood friends. And those two are seriously such a pain, it's hilarious.

"And the two who joined later are total weirdos, which makes it the best band ever." I know... Hehe. You've told me that one a bunch of times.

Huh? Well, listen to me talk about it some more! You're my apprentice, after all! I'm delicate, y'know?

Hehe... Kanata-san, you really do love millsage, don't you?

Of course! More than anything, I just want them to be happy.

They're my treasure.

...!

Treasure...

But about six months ago...

(Kanata-san isn't coming... I wonder what happened.)

!

(A message... It's from Kanata-san.)

Hotaru

Sorry I flaked on our promise🙇‍♀️

Some stuff came up, so I might not be able to see you for a while🥺

You said you wanted to make music like mine, and now I'm making you wait. My bad‼️

But y'know, "music that makes everyone happy..."

If anyone can make that happen, it's you, Hotaru!

...!

(Kanata-san...!)

There's your homework until next time. When we meet again, let me hear it.

That happy music of yours, Hotaru.👍

See ya! 👋

After that message, Kanata-san stopped coming here.

...

Um! Could you maybe play one more song~?

Ah, yes! Of course!

Since then, I've kept making music here.

So that the next time I see Kanata-san, I can give her my answer to that homework.

I'm still not very good at it. But I want to make the kind of music that can make everyone happy, like Kanata-san's...

Well then... This is a song by my friend... or rather, my master's band...

(I still haven't been to one of their lives, but we played this together here so many times that I remember it.)

(It's a really wonderful song, and I love it.)

♪

...!

It really is a millsage song... She's playing it...!

Whew...

(I wonder if everyone who listened is smiling...)

…

(Huh? Is that person staring at me...?)

Ah...!

S-Sorry! You're waiting your turn, right!? I'll switch with you right away, so could you wait just...

Ah, no, that's not it!

You're the girl from that video... right?

The girl from that video?

Here, this video. The one titled "Mysterious Street Piano Girl Plays Insanely Well."

Huh...? Wh-What is this!? That's me!

Ah, so someone really did upload it without asking...

Yes...

I see... Sorry, I startled you. It's been getting a little attention on social media.

That got me curious, so I came to see you, but...

I don't really understand social media...

I see. Then it might be better to ask someone who knows about filing a takedown request.

Oh, sorry for springing all this on you... I'm Mahoro Hamasaki, a second-year high school student at Minase Girls' Academy.

I promise I'm not suspicious, so don't worry... Okay?

Ah... My name is Hotaru Shiomi.

...!

? Is something wrong?

Ah... no. Nothing.

Um... do you always play piano here? You're really good.

Thank you. Kanata-san used to... Oh, um, someone used to play here with me...

But she's been busy lately, and I haven't been able to see her much.

I see...

Um, listen. Actually, I...

Ah! There she is, the girl from the video!

It really is her! She's so cute! Excuse me, could we request something!?

What!? Ah, um...

You always play that millsage song, right? "everscape"!

That song is so good!

...!

Um, you know millsage?

Yeah. They're pretty well-known around here, aren't they?

They have a live this weekend too~

They do!? I-I had no idea...

Oh, are you interested?

This is a flyer for that show. We have a few, so take one if you would like!

Wow, thank you!

(That's right...! If I go to their live, I should be able to see Kanata-san!)

(If waiting won't bring her here, I'll go see her.)

(There's still a year left on my promise with Mom... and I thought maybe I would be a bother, but...)

(Still, I want to see Kanata-san!)

Huh...? Mahoro-san?

(Did she leave...?)

(Th-This is a live house...!)

(I made it... I finally made it here!)

(Ugh, Mom, I'm sorry...)

...

(But...)

(Since I was told I couldn't come until high school, I thought it was going to be some kind of dangerous place...)

(But it's actually pretty clean, and there are lots of students here too...)

(It's not that scary... Far from it, in fact...)

(It kind of feels like I've grown up a little, and my heart won't stop racing...!)

Hwah! Kyah!

I-I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going...

No, no, I should be the one apologizing. Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine.

I'm glad to hear that. It would be dreadful if I'd caused any harm to someone as lovely as you.

Um... what...?

Could this be your first time at a live house?

Huh...!?

Hehe. So I was right♪ You were looking around with such wonder in your eyes.

(I-I guess it was really obvious... How embarrassing...)

But I understand how you feel. There is something "special" about live houses, after all.

Huh?

A dim, cramped box, packed to the brim with people...

Every last person here came chasing music, driven by their own desires.

When you think about it that way... it's kind of thrilling, isn't it? ♪

U-Um... what...?

Enjoy your first live, all right? Well then.

...

(Looks like there are all kinds of people here...)

(Right, Kanata-san!)

(But... I don't see any sign of her...)

(I wonder if there's a dressing room here, like the concert hall...)

(But once the show starts, she'll definitely come out on stage...!)

(Will she notice me? I bet she'll be surprised.)

Hehe...

(I can't wait.)

Good evening~!

!

We're up first, and we're gonna get this place fired up... so let's go!

(I-It's starting...!)

(Kanata-san... isn't there. This must be a different band from millsage.)

(Huh? There aren't any seats... Is everyone going to watch standing up like this?)

(Wow... This is nothing like a competition.)

Get those hands up~!

!

(This is... what Kanata-san was talking about!)

(Wow, wow! They really do say it...!)

Hehe...

(She was right... This might actually be fun!)

Thank you! The final band is up next. Let's hear it for them!

(It was over before I knew it...)

(So this is what a live feels like...!)

(The sound is so much louder than a concert. And the stage is so close to the audience.)

(The music... hits my whole body... like a wall of sound.)

That's amazing...

(I wonder what Kanata-san's live will be like...)

(I've heard her sing and play the piano up close so many times...)

(I wonder what kind of music she'll play to make everyone happy...)

The last band is millsage, right?

!

(Finally... I finally get to see her.)

Oh, that's the one, right? The tragedy band.

Yeah. I'm honestly surprised they're still going.

But lately? They've been pretty underwhelming.

...?

(Tragedy...?)

Good evening, we're millsage!

Ah...!

(They're here...!)

!?

(Mahoro-san...?! The girl I met the other day? She's in the band...!)

(And that mysterious girl from earlier is here too...!)

Huh...?

(The performance already started, but...)

(Kanata-san hasn't come out.)

(But I'm sure this is Kanata-san's song...)

(And Mahoro-san is the one singing... not Kanata-san...)

(I can hear the piano... but there isn't one anywhere onstage...)

(And...)

♪

(What is it about this song...?)

(I know this song. It should be beautiful.)

(But it sounds so, so sad.)

...

(Kanata-san never came out, not even at the end...)

(Maybe she wasn't feeling well...?)

(I wish I could have seen Kanata-san today, but...)

(At least, if I could talk to Mahoro-san and ask her to tell Kanata-san I was here...)

Hey, you there. This area is staff-only.

!

Oh, um...! I wanted to talk to Mahoro-san...

Are you... one of Mahoro's problem fans? If so, I can't let you see her.

P-Problem...? I-I don't think so...!

Okay, okay, everyone says that. Sorry, but her time outside of the live is private.

Um, well...

M-My name is Hotaru Shiomi...! If you could tell Mahoro-san, I think she'll know who I am...

...!

Sorry, can I hear your name again...?

Huh...? Hotaru Shiomi.

...

(Is my name... really that strange...?)

!

Houka... Heading home already?

Yes. But before I go, the store manager would like to speak with me.

I see. So... did you get in touch with Natsume-senpai?

No... she left it unread again.

Oh...? It's you from earlier.

H-Hello...

So you're a fan of Nagi-san. Of course you are. Nagi-san does have a fan club at school, after all.

That's not it. She's here for Mahoro.

This is... Hotaru Shiomi-san.

...!

(She reacted the same way...)

Can you stay a little longer?

I don't mind.

(Does that mean... they don't suspect me anymore...?)

Mahoro, is now a good time? You have a visitor.

Hotaru Shiomi-san.

...!

Yeah, I'm coming.

! Mahoro-san.

Hello... Hotaru-chan.

You really came...

Sorry. It's a little hectic after the live. And the corridor isn't the best place to talk, so...

I'm sorry... for showing up like this.

No, don't be. I'm the one who should apologize. Sorry about the other day.

I was going to explain it all back then, but...

I must have caught you off guard with today's live too...

...? No...

(Explain...?)

Mahoro-san, did you already know Shiomi-san?

I wouldn't say I know her that well... The other day, I saw Hotaru-chan playing the piano and went up to talk to her.

You know that video that's been getting some buzz? The one with the girl playing the street piano.

That girl is Hotaru-chan.

Oh...

She was playing "everscape" in the video, so... I couldn't stop thinking about it.

...

You came today... to see Kanata, right?

Y-Yes! I thought I'd be able to see her if I came to the live, but...

...

...?

(Why does the air feel so heavy...?)

(Something deep in my chest feels unsettled...)

Um... did Kanata-san take the day off today? Maybe she caught a cold or something?

Th-Then that's totally okay. I'll come see another live sometime.

Kanata-san has helped me so, so much... I wouldn't be who I am today without her.

But then, at some point, I couldn't see her anymore. And I've been worried about her ever since...!

...

Mahoro-san...?

She isn't here.

Huh...?

Not anywhere in this world.

Kanata is already... gone.

Huh...? What do you mean, gone...?

She passed away from an illness six months ago.

...

W-Wait, please. Um... what?

No... I can't believe this...

But... Kanata-san was so full of life. Whenever I saw her, she always seemed so happy...!

...

Yeah... We felt the same way.

Kanata had a condition she was born with. She'd been in and out of the hospital since she was little.

But after we formed the band... Once we started high school, she said she'd be okay...

Things were going well with the band, too...

...!

Oh, that's the one, right? The tragedy band.

(Tragedy...)

(So that's why Mahoro-san was singing instead of Kanata-san...)

(Why it sounded so sad...)

(All of it...)

No...

(She said... she'd see me again...!)

(She helped me so much... so, so much...!)

(And I still...!)

(I never even... got to say thank you...!)

...

I'm sorry... I should have told you when we first met.

I'm really sorry this is how you had to find out...

No...

I was the one who got my hopes up... You didn't do anything wrong, Mahoro-san. Really...

...

So... so...!

Ngh...

Ugh... waaaaaah...!

*Sniff*... I-I'm sorry... for breaking down like this.

No, it's okay. Here, tissues. Use these.

Thank you... *Sniff*...

...

We've heard a lot about you. From Kanata.

Yes. She spoke very highly of your piano playing.

She would get all smug and say, "Hotaru makes seriously amazing music. She is my prized apprentice."

Kanata-san...

Kanata-san... Kanata-san told me so much about everyone in millsage, too.

She said all of you were the best... that all of you were her treasure.

...!

So that's why... you're still going, right?

Even after Kanata-san... left us. You are still here, as a band...

...

Mahoro. Should I say it?

No... I will. I'll explain it myself, all the way through.

I owe you the truth, Hotaru-chan. You were Kanata's apprentice, after all.

Mahoro-san...?

Hotaru-chan, will you hear me out?

About us, and Kanata... about everything millsage has been through. And about where we go from here.

Ever since we were little, it had always been the three of us: Kanata, Nagi-chan, and me.

Kanata, always charging headfirst into everything with everything she had.

Me, getting swept along in her wake and trying to keep up. Nagi-chan, somehow always going along with us in the end.

I used to think... we were the ultimate trio of childhood friends.

Most of the time, Kanata was so energetic, over-the-top, and foul-mouthed that you'd never believe she was sick...

But sometimes, she'd be in the hospital for long stretches.

In our third year of middle school, she was in the hospital for a really long time... I was so worried back then...

I wonder if Kanata's still not getting any better... And today was supposed to be the start of a new school year...

She's been in the hospital for a while this time, hasn't she? We haven't even heard from her since we visited last week...

Definitely. Took forever, didn't it?

Yeah... Huh?

Yo.

K-Kanata!?

Hehe. Surprise!

You scared me... Finally getting out of the hospital?

Yep! Kanata Sawami is fully, totally back!

Just when you thought I was done for, I go and flip the script! Pretty hype entrance, right?

...!

Whoa!? H-Hey, what the heck, Mahoro!?

I'm so glad... I'm so glad...!

Huh? Wait, are you crying!?

This one's kind of on you, Kanata.

You were in the hospital longer than usual, and you told us not to visit! I thought... maybe...! I was worried about you!

C'mon... I said I was sorry...!

The doctor said after this hospital stay, I'm all good. Cured for real, y'know?

What!?

Really?

For real. So don't be too mad, okay...?

~~~! Fine, you're forgiven!

Haha. There you go.

I'm forgiven~!

Wait, if you're wearing your uniform, does that mean you're back at school too?

Yup! That means the ultimate trio is finally back together!

Ah... This is going to get loud.

Come on, Nagi. You say that, but you're happy, right~?

Let's leave it at that.

Man, you're bad at being honest~

Anyway, today, I've got something to tell you two!

Huh? Not the "I'm out of the hospital" announcement?

A love confession, maybe?

Yes, I love you!

Huh. I was right.

A band! Let's start one! The three of us!

Huh...?

A b-b-b-band?! I don't know how to play any instruments!

Same here.

Relax, I've played the piano before!

I know that! I'm saying I'm the one who's never done this before...

Come on, it'll be fine. Pleeease~?

We can do practice camps, play school festival lives, all that stuff! Let's make the whole world remember our music!

...!

Mahoro... You're kidding, right? You're not seriously getting swayed by this, are you?

H-Huh~? N-No, no, nothing like that...

Yeah, she's caving.

W-Well... It sounds kind of like one of those classic high school memories. And I actually really like that kind of thing...

Yes! Then Mahoro's in!

Yeah. I've got you and Nagi-chan with me, Kanata! I'm starting to feel like we can make this work.

I never said I was in...

N-Nagi-chan...!

*Sigh*... Fine. I'll do it, but I don't know much about bands.

So even if you two come running to me for help like always, there won't be much I can do.

I know, I know~! Leave it to the great Kanata, the one who started this whole thing!

This pattern has never once ended without a hitch...

I-I'll help too! Okay?

All right! Our ultimate band life starts now~!

Whoa! They actually brought the piano in! This place is awesome, like our own secret base!

But Nagi-chan, are you sure it's okay for us to use this garage?

Yeah. My older sister used to practice basketball here... But nobody uses the place anymore.

Nice! Practice space problem solved!

Happy to be of service.

Ahaha. So... that leaves one more problem we need to solve, right?

What are you guys up to...?

So? Feel like joining our band now?

Like hell I do! You dragged me all the way here by force!

I mean, come on~ You were just up on the roof playing guitar all by yourself~

So obviously I had to invite you!

Kanata... You're skipping way too many steps.

What is her deal?! No matter how many times I told her to let go, she wouldn't listen! I'm going home.

I-I'm so sorry! Kanata caused you a lot of trouble...

Um, your name is...

Natsume Izawa...

Yep! Same age as me and Mahoro! Different class, though.

Now that you mention it... I think we might have crossed paths before...?

Hmph. Unlike you mediocrities, I don't need to flock together with anyone.

M-Mediocrities...?

Right... I remember now. You're that rumored senior who took over the roof and won't let anyone near.

A girl in my class mentioned it.

You're in middle school, right? What year?

Huh? I'm a second-year.

Hmph. I'm a third-year. Do you get what that means?

Uh... Sure.

Hey, why are you saying no to the band? You're good at guitar, so why not~?

You're basically all beginners, aren't you? I'm not interested in hanging around with bad players.

I can play the piano, you know?

Sure. Probably "Chopsticks" or something.

Hey now, that hurts~ I'm delicate, y'know?

If you're gonna talk like that, I'll grace you with a listen. My piano.

Though I dunno if a lonely roof guitarist like you will get how good it is~

Bring it on. Since we're here, I'll do you the favor of playing along.

Oh yeah?

I'm going to improvise a phrase. You listen, then come in wherever you want.

I'll show you just how far out of your league I am.

Okay, okay, a jam session it is! Good thing I had them bring the upright piano in!

N-Nagi-chan, is this really okay...? Doesn't this feel kind of like a showdown now...?

It'll turn out however it turns out. This is Kanata we're talking about.

If by some miracle you manage to impress me, I might even consider joining your band.

Still, it's not like a genius guitarist like me could ever lose to some amateur like you.

And after that jam-session showdown, there were four of us.

From there, we practiced and practiced, and our first live was a huge success.

Our first time playing at a live house, our first cheers, our first applause... Every bit of it made my heart race...

I felt light and floaty, like something was gently tickling my heart.

Ready...

Cheeeers!!

Phew... So good!

Aha. You sound like an old man.

Come on! It's the after-party for our first live! And it was a huge success!

I was playing, so of course it was a success.

Exactly! My eye for talent was spot-on even back then!

Natsume, your guitar was seriously cool!

Yeah... whatever.

Hehe. Natsume-chan, you like being called cool, don't you?

Of course I do. It means stylish and awesome, doesn't it?

R-Right...

What? If you've got something to say, say it.

Natsume-chan! Cool! Cool down!

That's not the cool I meant!

Eek!

Okay, sorry, but let's call it there. Go easy on her, please.

There it is, Mahoro's knight.

Not just Mahoro, actually. And as for the knight thing, it's more like I have no choice...

Nagi! Look at this, a huge crab! It was walking right over there!

Mm. This crab has a home too, so let's let it go.

Nagiii-chan... I spilled my juice...

All right, all right. Will a handkerchief and some wet wipes do?

So... what were we talking about again?

Are you sure... you're younger than these people?

Aha. I get that a lot.

Excuse me!

...?

I'm sorry to interrupt. My name is... Houka Izumi.

Oh... You're one of the girls from yesterday's band battle.

My, yes. To think you remembered someone like me...!

What do you want?

I must confess... After yesterday's live show, I became a fan of yours, Kanata-san...♡

Wow...

A-A-A-A fan?!

Why Kanata and not me...!?

Ahahaha! Guess my charisma got to you!

Yes... And on that note, there is a favor I would very much like to ask of you...

Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Autograph, handshake, whatever you want.

Getting cocky...

Would you please... allow me to join your band, Kanata-san?

Huh...

Sure!

Whaaaat!?

She didn't even hesitate...

What? It's fine, isn't it? She seems pretty interesting!

Thank you so much...! I promise I'll do my very best♡

And that was how our band officially began as a five-piece.

After that, our noisy, chaotic days went on.

Then summer came.

I'm telling you, this phrase is way better! It'll get the crowd fired up at lives!

I don't care about getting the crowd fired up. I care about the song's artistry.

Ugh, why don't you get it...!?

That's my line. Perfect timing. Let's use that to settle this.

Hey, nice~~ Guess we're on the same page there, at least.

Natsume, let's do a jam session!

Um... Those two have already started jamming... Is it okay to just leave them to it?

Yeah, it's fine. Once they get like that, they usually find a way to land.

Yeah, exactly. We're pretty used to it by now~ I guess this is just how we do things.

Yes! Total victory!! The great Kanata is unstoppable~~!!

I didn't lose! I haven't lost yet!

Oh yeah? Then shouldn't it be, "Please, let me jam with you again?"

...

So, uh... You said you were a Kanata fan, but... did that disappoint you?

No...

I think this hot-blooded side of Kanata-san is ever so lovely too♡

Ahaha... Aha...

Autumn came, and then winter.

...

What are we gonna do now...!? It's not even morning anymore, it's already noon!

Who said we were here for a practice camp!? All we did was talk and play games all night!

Well... You were totally enjoying it too, Natsume-senpai.

Ugh...

Mahoro-san, please wake up.

Mmm... Seconds, please...

My, how delightfully cliché.

Mahoro! How long are you gonna keep sleeping!?

Huh? Ah!

Haha. Still not a morning person, huh?

Hehe... Ahaha~

Hm? Is something the matter, Kanata-san?

Nah... I was just thinking how stupidly happy I am right now. And that gave me a good idea.

What? Wait, a phrase for a new song!?

Nah. A band name.

A band name...? You mean, not "Aqua Rapids?"

That was just a placeholder. I've been thinking... we need a real name!

And... I just came up with a good one.

Mm... Sorry... What are we talking about again...?

Kanata says she came up with our real band name.

Yup. A seriously awesome one.

millsage

So... what's the meaning behind this "real" band name?

Yeah, so this is...

We laughed, had fun, and played lots of lives. They were special, yet ordinary days.

The seasons kept turning. Before we knew it, we were in high school, and it had been a little over one year since we formed the band.

Hotaru Shiomi-chan?

Yeah. I met her recently. She's seriously amazing on piano, y'know.

For you to speak so highly of her, Kanata-san... She must be truly remarkable.

I would love to meet her someday... But of course, Kanata-san, you are still my number one♡

Well... I dunno. That girl might actually be better than me.

Might?

Yeah. I dunno why, but she always holds something back when she plays.

It sounds like she's in pain... or something.

If she'd just go all out, she'd be absolutely unreal.

Who knows? Maybe that's all she's actually got.

Nah, I can tell. Hotaru's the real deal when it comes to music.

I mean, she's my apprentice, after all.

Then came September of last year.

Sorry! It took me longer to get into my outfit than I thought...

Took you long enough, Mahoro! Look, the gym's packed!

! Wow... Th-This is crazy...! Is the whole school here!?

Hmph. Looks like our talent is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

The final act on the cultural festival stage... Well, would you look at that.

This is so different from last year. Our middle school festival was kind of a disaster.

You could actually count the people in the audience.

Thirteen.

Haha, brutal, Natsume~ Even delicate little me took a serious hit back then...

But! Now look at this full house! And our outfits are perfect. How is that not hype!?

Yeah!

Hehe. Mahoro-san, your outfit seems to fit you just fine too.

Yeah...! This is amazing. It's so cool! It feels like... like we're a real band!

Aha. We were already a band, weren't we?

W-We were! But that's not what I mean!

Um, how do I put it... Right!

Right now, I feel like my whole life is about to begin!

...!

Haha, nice. Until we step off this stage, the five of us are the main characters.

Let's scream our lungs out!

And let 'em hear us say, "We're right here!"

Yeah...!

Yo, everybody! Thanks for coming! Enjoying the festival? Yeah, of course you are!

Now let me introduce... the best bandmates I could ever ask for!

On guitar, Natsume Izawa!

And our other guitarist, Nagi Kotohira!

On bass, Mahoro Hamasaki!

On drums, Houka Izumi!

And last but not least! On keyboard and vocals, Kanata Sawami!

Together, the five of us are millsage! Now let's get the music started!

Let's make this a night no one ever forgets!

That was the last time... the five of us ever played live together.

And then, just a few weeks later...

On a clear autumn day,

Kanata quietly passed away.

...

Why...? Why...!?

We were just... getting started...! This was supposed to be just the beginning...!

You have to... take responsibility for this...!!

...

That's right.

I'm... I am angry. After making me fall so deeply for all of this, how could you disappear?

That is far too cruel.

But... But...

I'm still... so very sad.

Hey... Kanata.

Why did you keep quiet about how much time you had left?

Since the day we formed the band...? That's just...!

We could've handled this... so much better...!

You idiot. Seriously...!

What do I do...

I...

What am I supposed to do...?

That was six months ago.

After that... we all talked it over. About what to do with millsage.

We knew it wouldn't really be millsage's music without Kanata...

Even so... I was the one who asked everyone to keep the band going.

So... that's what happened.

My feelings are still... all over the place.

But if I hadn't come here today, I... would've gone on never knowing the truth.

So... thank you, for telling me all of this.

No... I'm the one who should be thanking you for coming.

I'm glad I got to tell you... before it all ends.

Huh...?

...

millsage. We've decided to disband.

What...!?

After Kanata's funeral, Natsume-senpai... our lead guitarist, stopped coming around.

She said, "There's no point without Kanata," and "I don't want to play."

She even began keeping her distance... from us.

I think she's hurting so much... I am too... We all are...

We can't make her stay by our side when she's hurting so much, can we?

...

So for the time being, the three of us decided we'd do what we could, but...

The truth is, the music we made as a five-piece is simply hard to perform as a trio.

Mahoro-san, in particular, ended up carrying far too much of that weight.

...

So the three of us talked about whether continuing like this was truly the right thing to do.

The band... If there's a way to keep it alive, I want to.

But if that means making Mahoro push herself past her limits... then that isn't right.

Yes. And our audience's response is no longer what it was when there were five of us.

I think it's important to preserve our memories as something beautiful, too.

So... that's why you're disbanding...

Yeah... that's right.

No...

Kanata-san told me... millsage was her treasure...!

...

...!

(I can't.)

(Someone like me... has no right to step in.)

(I don't know anything about this band... or any of them...)

I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said anything...

No... Thank you, Hotaru-chan.

I'd love for you to come see our last live, if you can.

Oh, we haven't picked a date or anything yet, though.

I see...

Hotaru-chan... Thank you for caring enough about Kanata to cry for her...

(But...)

(Is this really... how it should end...?)

...

(I feel like I'm floating.)

(Every sound around me feels so far away.)

(It feels like I'm wrapped in a thin, invisible veil.)

Kanata-san...

(Some part of me still can't believe it.)

(That I'll never see her again.)

So... that's why you're disbanding...

Yeah... that's right.

(Mahoro-san looked like she was in so much pain.)

(But when she talked about their memories, her expression was so soft.)

(Could the band... really just end like this...?)

Hehe... Kanata-san, you really do love millsage, don't you?

Of course! I hope they would be happy.

They're my treasure.

...!!

Hah... hah...!

(Kanata-san, Kanata-san, Kanata-san!)

(Maybe someone like me can't change anything...!)

(Maybe I won't be any help at all...!)

(But...!)

(Kanata-san's treasure...)

(The music you left behind in this world...)

(I can't stand the thought of it... disappearing!)

(I still haven't given anything back to you...! After you gave me so much... so much...!)

(At the very least... the happiness you wished for everyone, Kanata-san...!)

(If I can change this ending, even just a little, so everyone doesn't have to be left grieving...! Then I...!)

Houka-chan, are you sure you don't want to join another band? You even got an invitation...

Yes. The band I belong to now is my coffin.

Your coffin...? That's really not a good way to put it.

(That was my intent from the very beginning. This band was to be my coffin. And yet, that wish can no longer come true.)

(Then at least... even if I must go on as one who failed to die... I will leave the musician I was here.)

I know what happened, but... I still can't help wishing you'd keep playing in a band.

If I could, that would be the greatest happiness of all.

That's such a shame. You've got all that talent, Houka-chan.

I wonder about that...

You were on vocals before you joined millsage, after all. I think you could do perfectly well that way too.

Hehe. Such lavish praise is more than someone like me deserves.

Right, that reminds me. That long-haired girl who came by the dressing room today... Was she someone you know, Houka-chan?

Ah... You mean Shiomi-san? Today was our first meeting.

Are you familiar with her?

Not personally, no. Videos of her playing street piano have been getting some attention lately.

She was really famous in the classical music world when she was a kid. People called her the "Angel of the Music World." She was a prodigy!

Apparently she doesn't enter competitions anymore these days. But I've seen her play, and she was unbelievable.

My... You are rather well informed.

My niece used to play piano, that's why. Here, this is the video that got all that buzz.

...!

(Remarkable...!)

Hah, hah...! Um, excuse me!

My...♪

Wait, it's really her!? Why is she here!?

Hah... hah...! Is... Is Mahoro-san still here!?

If it is Mahoro-san you are looking for, I'm afraid she has already gone home. Did you need something from her?

Ah... um...! It's about millsage...! ...(Deep breath)...

Is there anything... I can do to help...!?

!

I-I'm sorry. I know it must sound strange, some outsider suddenly saying this...

Like, what do I know about any of this...!? I-I think that too...

But... I...!

I could tell how precious millsage was to all of you.

And I'm sure Kanata-san felt the same way.

She talked so much about millsage... and she smiled when she did. She called it her treasure, and said she wanted all of you to be happy...!

So... please! Don't let the band end!

There has to be a future, where all of you can still be happy!

...

(How very greedy...)

(So childlike, so rough around the edges.)

(And perhaps that is precisely why...)

I have taken your feelings... to heart.

!

However, it is already rather late tonight...

If you would not mind, perhaps we could speak again properly another day♪

Are you really sure... you're okay going home alone?

I told you, I'll be fine. You're having dinner with your family, right? Then you should hurry and meet up with them.

But...

You worry too much. I'm still the older one here, you know, Nagi-chan.

Then... maybe it's about time you learned to wake up on your own in the morning, big sister.

Urk... Let's say that's a separate issue...

It's still cold at night, don't make any detours. Call me if anything happens.

No practice today either. Get some proper rest, okay?

Okaaay.

Do you really get it, though?

See you, then.

Yeah. Thanks.

...

Nagi-chan used to be so much cuter...

Somewhere along the way, she went and got so cool. Makes me look like the unreliable one, doesn't it?

Well... I guess I really am unreliable.

...

Hey... Kanata.

I still remember what we talked about that day.

There you are~ The festival after-party is already starting, you know?

Oh...

What's wrong? You're totally spacing out.

Nah...

Just thinking how fun that live was.

Huh~? I didn't know you got like this too, Kanata.

What, that a problem?

No, not at all. I had a ton of fun at today's live too.

My second-year middle school self would never believe it. Like, "You'll be playing in a band on the school festival stage one day!"

I think... my heart's still racing a little.

Still, that was the whole youth thing, right?

Yeah... Almost enough to make me laugh.

At first... there was something I wanted to do. That's why I started this band.

Wait, what? Are we getting a passionate speech?

Yup. So shut up and listen.

A mark I left behind, I guess.

Proof that I was really here in this world. Something that could only exist because I lived this life.

I thought it'd be nice to have something like that. Y'know, proof I existed?

Kanata...?

Ahaha! I mean, you know I used to be a sickly, fragile beauty, right?

So yeah, I tended to think about stuff like that.

Since when were you fragile?

Harsh.

Anyway. I wanted that, so I asked you guys to start a band with me.

Then Natsume and Houka joined, and there were five of us... Haha. Damn, all I can think of are the dumbest memories.

Like... the metronome incident?

Oh yeah, that one. We could not come in together on the chorus for anything, so we tried playing along to a click, but...

We listened to it so much, and I could still hear the click in my head when I went to bed... Then I overslept the next day. Ahaha.

And that time, Nagi hit the distortion pedal for the first time with the knobs all over the place and made that toy-like sound. I laughed like crazy.

Nagi-chan was panicking for once. Like, "I don't know how to fix it!"

Then~ Y'know, our first live! Natsume stepped off the riser and wiped out mid-show.

It was amazing how she still protected her guitar on instinct, wasn't it?

Seriously, how did she not get hurt~?

Oh, I remember when we all escorted Houka-chan too. The one where our arms got so sore we couldn't lift them afterward.

Somewhere along the way, it turned into this whole noble lady with four butlers thing. Like, "Allow me to carry your luggage."

Ahaha. What even was that?

Haha, yeah... Anyway, y'know, we just kept piling up memories like that.

Then, at that practice camp the other day, I realized something.

I was like, oh... this was it.

This...?

Yep. I kept lining up all these cool-sounding reasons, like leaving a mark and proving I existed, but...

In the end, I just wanted to live out my youth.

...!

The story of our youth, with us as the main characters.

I think... I kind of get that.

When our live ended earlier, it felt like the last chapter of a manga or something!

Huh? Who was it backstage saying, "It feels like my life is about to start!"?

That's how it felt then! But now it feels like the credits are rolling on the perfect ending.

Haha, what the heck does that mean?

Anyway, y'know. I'm stupidly happy right now. I'm even grateful to this world.

Enough that I wanna grab every random person walking by and go around kissing them all.

Huh?! K-Kiss?! W-W-W-What are you saying, Kanata!?

You're freaking out way too hard. What are you, an elementary school girl? I'm just saying that's how happy I am.

So instead, I'm gonna make music.

I'm going to deliver it to everyone through sound. A happy gift from us to the world.

Oh... So, that's why we're "millsage"...? The French word for "thousand," and...

Corsage, a flower for celebration. millsage.

It's happiness I wanna share, more than we could ever hold in both hands.

Hey, Mahoro. Truth is, I...

Huh...?

...!!

...

That happiness... was mine too...

It really was... and yet...

I'm sorry, Kanata.

Please, choose anything that catches your eye♪

Y-yes...

Shiomi-san...? Your menu is upside down~

What...? Ah! I-I'm so sorry...!

Hehe. There is no need to be so tense. Plenty of students come here as well.

O-oh, I see...

Actually, um... this is my first time going somewhere with someone outside my family...!

My, then I am truly honored♪

If you are comfortable with it, Shiomi-san, shall we order a few things to share?

May I...!?

Of course♪

I do have rather discerning tastes, and this Café is especially renowned for its pancakes.

Pancakes...!

Hehe. Then let us place our order first.

Now then... shall we turn to the subject that brought us here today?

About millsage... you said you hoped to help us somehow...

Y-yes...!

What exactly did you have in mind?

Um... After I went home yesterday, I thought about what I might be able to do...

Like... if you ever needed me for an important rehearsal or live show, I could play piano...

and maybe that would bring your sound a little closer... to how it was when there were five of you...

I see. So you would be helping us as a support member.

Support...?

A support member is not a formal member of the band, but someone who joins in when needed to help with performances.

Yes...! I think that's exactly what I meant!

That is a very generous offer. Truly.

If there were any way for us to avoid disbanding, I wanted to find it as well.

I'm so relieved...!

However... I am afraid that alone would not be enough to change where we stand.

Huh...?

Allow me to explain where millsage stands at the moment.

The main reason was the departure of Kanata-san and Natsume-san... Natsume-san was our lead guitarist. Losing both of them had a major impact.

As a result, music that was once performed by five people is now being carried by three.

We have managed to cover the guitar and piano parts with programmed tracks, but...

The vocals, however, are different. Someone still needs to take on that role.

That was when Mahoro-san volunteered to sing.

Nagi-san said singing was not her strength, and in my case... handling vocals while drumming would not be realistic.

Even if it was by process of elimination, Mahoro-san was the only real option.

But... millsage's songs were written around Kanata-san's voice.

To be frank, Kanata-san was in a class of her own, both in her piano playing and her vocal performance.

Mahoro-san is giving it everything she has, but she also began learning bass with no prior experience...

Between the thinner sound I mentioned earlier and the absence of Kanata-san's presence, the audience has judged us rather severely.

...!

(That must be why yesterday's audience felt so distant...)

And... there is another difficulty.

With Natsume-san, who composed our songs, gone as well, work on new music has come to a halt.

Of course, it would be possible for us to continue performing lives with only the songs we already have, but...

In other words, that would amount to little more than maintaining the status quo. We would not be moving forward, merely standing still.

If we were to continue under such circumstances, we would only wear ourselves down little by little.

...

(So... just playing piano would not be enough.)

(Mahoro-san's burden, the new songs... We would have to solve both of those problems...)

...

Please don't worry. There is indeed a way.

We simply need to have Natsume-san come back to us♪

Huh...?

With Natsume-san back with us, we would be able to resume work on new songs.

And as for Mahoro-san, we could ease her burden as well by having Natsume-san adjust the bass part accordingly.

That's true...!

Wait... But if that is the case, wouldn't that mean you don't need me...?

No, that is not the case at all. The piano remains an essential part of this band, and that has not changed.

Besides, Shiomi-san, there is a task of the utmost importance that I would like to entrust to you: persuading Natsume-san.

M-Me? You want me to persuade her!?

Yes. You, Shiomi-san♪

But Natsume-san... stopped even coming to practice, didn't she...?

If you were to join us as a support member, Shiomi-san, that would change matters entirely. I am certain she would agree to sit down and speak with us.

B-but would she really listen to someone like me, when we have never even met...?

There is no need for concern. I have every confidence that you can do it.

You are the "Angel of the Music World," after all.

!

I understand you were held in exceptionally high regard in the classical music world, Shiomi-san.

Forgive my presumption, but I took the liberty of watching the video of your street piano performance.

It was so... truly beautiful♡

U-um...

With your music, I truly believe we can make it a reality.

"A future where everyone can be happy."

With... my music...?

But y'know, "music that makes everyone happy..."

If anyone can make that happen, it's you, Hotaru!

...

(I still don't know what I can do... or whether I can really do it properly...)

(But if it would help everyone...)

(then I want to try believing in Houka-san.)

All right... I'll give it a try!

My, thank you very much♪

Let us strive together, shall we?

...

(I haven't touched my guitar at all lately.)

(Every time I so much as touch music, my chest starts to hurt.)

(Maybe I should just... leave things as they are.)

...? From Houka?

Hey, hope you're doing well.

We had a rather unusual guest at our live the other day.

Hotaru Shiomi-san.

The girl Kanata-san mentioned before, if I recall correctly.

Apparently she's really good at piano🎹

...?

What is this supposed to be? Some kind of report? This has nothing to do with me...

I don't get it. Whatever. I'm ignoring this...

I am thinking of having Shiomi-san join millsage.

What...?

...

...

(The tension in the air is so heavy...)

(But I already made up my mind.)

U-Um... I...!

Houka. Can you say that again?

Certainly♪ What would you all say to having Shiomi-san join the band?

Um... What do you mean...?

Exactly as I said. Shiomi-san would play piano for us as a support member.

Sorry... I'm not following. What is her playing piano supposed to change?

Even if you add piano, Mahoro's burden isn't going anywhere, is it?

It would give us a way to keep millsage from disbanding.

Don't toss that out like it's nothing.

Besides, you're the one who said it, Houka. You said it would be better to end things as we are.

Until a few days ago, I believed that was our only choice as well.

But... if there is even a chance we might not have to, would it not be worth considering?

That... is...

Houka-chan, so this chance you mentioned... the one that means we might not have to disband... is Hotaru-chan?

Mahoro...!

millsage... was the band Kanata started.

If we disband, we won't gather here together anymore, and we won't get to play our songs anymore...

It's the last memory we have left of her...

...!

But... think about it. Piano was Kanata's part, you know? Are we really okay with that?

Even professional bands, at times, undergo lineup changes under deeply unfortunate circumstances.

Such decisions often divide opinion among fans... but I believe the members who remain make that choice so they may carry the band onward.

So long as the songs continue to be performed... so long as the band itself endures, the original members' presence remains within it.

Perhaps it is a declaration of resolve, a way of saying, "We will not forget."

...

Besides... Shiomi-san is Kanata-san's apprentice. I cannot imagine she would ever dishonor what Kanata-san left behind.

Y-yes! Of course I wouldn't...!

To begin with, this support arrangement was proposed by Shiomi-san herself.

Huh...? Hotaru-chan did?

I was the one who brought it up... I asked if there was anything at all I could do.

I'm sure all of you have talked this over again and again.

I know very well that it isn't my place, as an outsider, to say anything...

But...! Kanata-san told me she wanted all of you "to be happy."

...!

If that was Kanata-san's wish... then I want to make it come true!

I hope Kanata-san can smile... and that all of you can, too!

I think... there's no way Kanata-san would have wanted an ending like the band disbanding...!

I...

Hah... What a beautiful little fantasy.

Natsume-chan...!

(So this is Natsume-san...!)

I have been expecting you. Please, this way.

Don't give me that "expecting you" act...! Why are you trying to decide the band's future without me?!

What are you thinking, Houka?!

What else would I be thinking of? The survival of the band, naturally.

The survival of the band? Don't make me laugh!

Mahoro, Nagi, use your heads and think this through!

The second that girl joins, it becomes something else. It won't be the band you're trying so hard to keep from disbanding anymore.

By that reasoning, millsage would already no longer be millsage as things stand...

Exactly! That's what I've been saying! Without Kanata, it isn't millsage!

There's no point playing in a band like that!

...

(I understand how Natsume-san feels. I really do.)

(But still...)

(Natsume-san looks so sad, too. So...)

U-um...!

What...?

N-nice to meet you. My name is Hotaru Shiomi!

Huh...?

I'm truly... truly sorry for bringing all this up and confusing everyone.

But, please... Could you at least consider keeping the band going...?

I... I want everyone who loved Kanata-san to be happy.

And that includes you too, Natsume-san...!

What...?

You must have been hurt... and sad... and it must have been so painful.

But... if the band is gone, I think you'll regret it someday...!

What is with that girl...? She doesn't know a thing, but she keeps talking like she understands...!

"I want you to be happy?!" Don't decide I'm unhappy for me.

I decide what makes me happy.

You're just playing savior to someone you decided was pitiful so you can feel good about yourself!

...!

Natsume-chan, that is...

My, that was rather harsh.

...

(My legs are shaking. I can't even look up...)

(Having anger thrown straight at me like this... really is scary.)

(Natsume-san is right.)

(Saying I want to make everyone happy... sounds so stupid.)

(But...!)

It's my... assignment.

...?

It's something... I have to do.

My promise to Kanata-san...!

Please tell me, Natsume-san.

Huh...?

What do I have to do for you to accept me? What do I have to do to prove that I'm serious?!

H-huh?! Like I said, that's just your own problem...

Why not settle this with a battle?

!?

A battle...?

Yes. Natsume-san will improvise on guitar, and Shiomi-san will answer it with her own arrangement.

In other words, you could call it... "Let's do a jam session!"♪

That's... what Natsume-senpai and Kanata used to do...!

Houka! You just had to stick your nose in again...!

Because it would settle things much faster, wouldn't it?

Natsume-san has her reservations about Shiomi-san, while Shiomi-san wishes to earn Natsume-san's respect.

In that case, there is only one way to settle this: a battle of skill♪ Wouldn't you agree? If you don't like having her here, then beat her with your own playing and send her back.

Hah. Like that little runt could ever keep up with me.

Hmm, is that so...? What do you say, Shiomi-san?

I... I'll do it. Please let me try!

If that is what it takes for Natsume-san to accept me...! If that is what it takes for all of you to accept me.

...

Because... I am Kanata-san's apprentice.

Fine. Come at me, then. I'll wipe the floor with you!

Then let us begin at once♪ You two have no objections, I trust?

Yeah...

If Mahoro is okay with it...

As for the piano... Let us have you use Kanata-san's. This way.

I got it...

(This is... the piano Kanata-san used to play.)

(It's covered in dust... It hasn't been used in so long...)

(Please... Let me play on it.)

...?

(Wait... Down by the pedals. Something fell...)

(A Nikopan-chan... keychain...?)

(Could this be... Kanata-san's...?)

Come on, let's get started already!

R-right! I'll get ready right away!

(Sorry. It might be a little cramped in there, please stay in my pocket for now, okay?)

Thank you for waiting. Please... let's begin!

How old are you?

Huh...? Oh, I'm fourteen.

Hmph? Well, I'm sixteen.

...?

All right, kid. Let's see you keep up!

Y-Yes!

!

(Whoa... What a complicated phrase...!)

(Just keeping the rhythm straight is taking everything I've got...!)

...? Wait, this... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before...

I believe that is a phrase... from the new song Natsume-san was working on with Kanata-san.

It was left unfinished partway through.

Then... that's not really improvising, is it?

...

Come on, then! Let's see what Kanata's apprentice can do!

...!

(Take what she just played, arrange it, and answer back...!)

(I can sort of tell what notes she's using, but...)

(This is nothing like playing with Kanata-san...!)

(I have to hang on with everything I've got...!)

Why is Hotaru-chan always the one who wins gold?! I'm trying just as hard!!

...

(Everything I've got...? Really?)

Then go take an advanced course or something. Piano isn't fun with you here, Hotaru-chan!

(If I play with everything I have, and that same rainbow-colored light from back then...)

(If something bad that hurts people comes out again...)

(I can't let that happen...!)

Amazing... She's keeping up with Natsume-chan...!

That girl really is good.

However, merely keeping up will not be enough...

Are you messing with me...?!

...!

No fills, no arrangement, not one interesting idea!

Forget it. I'll end this on the next one...!

(I need Natsume-san... to accept me...)

(But my memories from back then keep getting in the way...)

(I keep trying not to let that color out. The one that hurts people.)

(My fingers pull away from it on their own.)

(Kanata-san told me the same thing before... and I still...!)

All right, stop. Back to the top.

What?! I played it properly, didn't I?!

Yeah, you played it properly. Your rhythm was spot-on, every note was clean and even. That's all!

There's nooothing interesting about it at all!

Y-you don't have to put it like that!

No, Hotaru... I don't feel any "soul" in your playing!

S-soul...?

Yes! Soul, as in spirit!

You can play exactly by the book, but past that, there's nothing there.

That prim and proper piano of yours isn't gonna make the audience happy, y'know? You've gotta throw everything you've got into it!

With everything... I've got...?

Yeah, everything you've got. I dunno what you're so scared of, Hotaru... but pretty sure you've got the wrong idea, y'know.

The audience isn't your enemy. And obviously, neither am I.

They're on your side, here to have fun with you.

Believe in your friends and play your heart out!

(People on my side... here to have fun with me...)

(That's right... Natsume-san can play guitar like this. She's incredible.)

(Believe in them... trust Natsume-san, and do it with all my might...!)

!?

My...♡

Did she just... change all of a sudden?

Yeah... Hotaru-chan is starting to fight back.

(Something strong enough... for Natsume-san to accept me...!)

...!

Hey... isn't this...

Yes... before we knew it, the lead melody had shifted from guitar to piano.

It's the same...

(A scene I've watched here over and over, dozens of times.)

(Kanata and Natsume-chan making songs by clashing through music.)

(Hotaru-chan really is something...)

(She walked into a band full of older girls she barely knew...)

(And even when she's challenged to prove herself, she digs in and keeps up...)

(All for Kanata's treasure...)

(You really cared about Kanata that much... I understand...)

There we are. That will do♪

!!

Natsume-san. I do believe the outcome is clear, is it not?

...

*Pant*... How... did I do...?

(When was the last time I gave it that much...?)

(But... I didn't see that rainbow-colored light...?)

...Hmph. Fine. I get it. You can play decently enough.

! Then...!

But listen! That was just the opening round, the opening round! I haven't played guitar in forever, so the real thing's a whole different story!

Huh...?

Ugh. Here we go. This is the annoying part.

Ugh, enough already! And you guys are just as bad! Dragging me into some weird jam session out of nowhere!

Got it?! I haven't lost! Next time, it won't be anything like this!!

Ah?! Wait, please... Natsume-san!

(So I really did... hurt Natsume-san...?!)

There is no need to chase after her.

What!? But...

Natsume-san did say "next time," after all.

Huh...?

Natsume-san... absolutely cannot stand losing.

In terms of the result, that's basically a pass.

Um... is that so?

Either way, she'll be fine.

B-but...

As for me... honestly, I'm still torn.

!

I still don't really know you yet, Hotaru-chan...

And honestly... part of me still feels the way Natsume-chan does. That was Kanata's part.

But... I could feel how serious you are, Hotaru-chan. How desperately you want to keep millsage from falling apart.

I feel the same way... so please, lend us your strength.

Yes...!

U-um, Nagi-san...

I'm just going along with Mahoro's decision. So... yeah. Guess we're working together?

Th-thank you so much!

Hehe. With Nagi-san's approval secured as well, that leaves only Natsume-san.

Ugh, seriously!!

I didn't lose...

I didn't lose, I didn't lose, I didn't lose!

What is her deal?! What is her deal?!

I was the one who spent over a year playing with Kanata!

(I let that girl's momentum push me back, and for a second, I thought... I might not win...)

(So I ran away again.)

So lame...

I won't accept this...

The only one who gets to stand beside me... is Kanata.

Hotaru? Firefly? Dragonfly? I don't care what bug she is. I will never accept her!

...

(Nagi-san and the others told me not to worry, but...)

(I still feel like I might have hurt Natsume-san...)

Hey, isn't that a Minase uniform?

Is she staring daggers over here?

I think she's looking for someone.

...?

(Something seems to be going on over there...)

There you are, kid!!

!?

N-Natsume-san? What are you doing here...?

What do you think? I'm here to pick up where we left off yesterday.

Where we left off...?

What? You think you've already won? Hah. How cute.

I told you, yesterday was just the opening round. A test run, nothing more than a warm-up.

That was nowhere near my real level!

Come on, we're going to the garage. Move it!

Sure, you play pretty well for someone younger, I guess. But don't get cocky.

I brought a phrase way harder than yesterday's!

You're... going to do another session with me?

Huh? Obviously.

(Natsume-san... She's going to have another session with me...!)

Why are you grinning like that...? Creepy.

Ah, I'm sorry! I was just so happy...!

Happy? Sounds like you're pretty relaxed. Today's gonna be nothing like yesterday!

Yes! Thank you for doing this with me again today!

So... why are you here?

Well... I figured this was probably where things were headed...

What's that supposed to mean?

Uh, well... Right, a witness! You'll need someone to confirm it when you win, won't you, Natsume-chan?

Fine... whatever. Just sit there and watch.

Hotaru-chan...

?

I don't think Natsume-chan is going to accept you that easily...

But if it's you, Hotaru-chan, I think you'll be okay. You've got this.

Y-yes!

Hey, you two! What are you whispering about?

Hmm? Nothing?

Hmph... Fine. Advise her all you want. There's no way she can beat me when I'm serious.

Better start thinking up your excuse for losing right now!

...!

How was that...? Did I... do it well?

Today was just...! My fingers weren't cooperating, that's all!

That's all it was!!

What...!? Um, Natsume-san...!

I think that means, "See you tomorrow."

Umm...

Ahaha. Don't look so crushed.

It's funny. The moment you sit at a piano, Hotaru-chan, you turn into this amazing pianist.

See you tomorrow. Show Natsume-chan and me that amazing playing of yours again.

! Y-yes! See you tomorrow!

Today, I'm not holding back! Got it!?

Yes! I'm all ready too!

Good luck, you two~

...!

How was that...?

Natsume-chan, maybe it's time to...

My stomach!

!?

My stomach was hurting! So this one doesn't count!!

Hmm, I see. Then I guess there's no helping it.

Hotaru-chan, looks like she wants another round.

P-please!

Ugh, fine! Let's do this already!

(Why... Why can't I win?!)

(Why can she match everything I do? Why can she arrange every single thing I throw at her?!)

(This is driving me crazy... driving me crazy...!)

(This is... This is just like...!)

Phew...!

Ummm...

Does that mean... Kanata won?

...!

After acting so confident, too...

Nagi-chan! Sugarcoat it a little!

...

Natsume-chan's crying again~

She's always behind in class and dead last when we race.

So lame~!

(I haven't... changed at all.)

(Even after finally finding my place with guitar, I'm still just as lame.)

(Everyone's going to laugh at me again...)

That was soooo freakin' cool!!

Huh...?

Whoa, whoa, a guitar can do stuff like that?! No fair! I wanna do that on piano too!

Huh...?

Also, you're seriously amazing! I was playing all over the place and you still kept up!

You must've practiced like crazy!

Uh... yeah...

Hey, Natsume. You really should join our band!

Then let's make some cool music together!

(It stings to admit it, but she does remind me of Kanata.)

(No matter how hard a phrase I throw at her, no matter how much I change its direction...)

(She charges after it like it's the most fun thing in the world. A total music-obsessed idiot.)

(Their personalities couldn't be more different, though...)

(But with her... she might actually be able to play Kanata's part.)

...

Natsume-san...

(Ugh... I'm pathetic.)

(If Kanata could see me now, she'd probably laugh.)

(Sorry, Kanata...)

(I failed to protect millsage...)

*Sniff*...

Natsume-chan...

I lost...

!

Fine. Be the new pianist or whatever. Do what you want.

Natsume-san...!

Then I'll leave instead. There, problem solved.

!?

Natsume-chan, wait! Hold on!

No. I told you already. If this girl joins, then to me, that isn't millsage anymore.

So this is where I...

No, you can't!

!?

You can't do that! I want you here too, Natsume-san!

If you aren't here, it won't be millsage either...! I wouldn't be able to face Kanata-san!

Huh...? I'm done. I can't deal with this anymore. I'm going home.

Ah...! Wait, please! Natsume-sa... oof?!

Hotaru-chan?! Are you okay?!

Uuu...

O-oh, that looked painful... You landed face-first...

We had so many sessions together...

?

I've listened to you play so many times, Natsume-san. I've seen the way you look when you're playing, over and over...!

I could feel how much millsage means to you! All of it came through!!

...!

Then you really can't leave!

If you leave too, Natsume-san... millsage really will be gone!

Kanata-san is right there in the music! As long as we keep the band going, we'll be together!

(That's right...)

(When I first met Kanata, it was like this too.)

(She didn't care what I had to say. She just grabbed my hand and dragged me along...)

I'll... I'll work even harder...!

I know I can never be Kanata-san... but I'll work hard enough to play her part!

W-wait, what?! Why are you crying?! Hey, quit it! Don't grab my sleeve!

Ngh... Natsume-saaaan... Please don't go...

Hey! I said let go!

Wow... She's got serious guts...

My, my. What have we here?

Natsume-senpai... did you make a junior high girl cry...?

Why are you all here?!

I called them over.

Mahorooo!!

*Sniff*... Natsume-saaaan...

Ngh... This girl...!

Natsume-chan... I'm asking too. Could you try staying with us for just a little longer?

Can you hold off on making your decision, just a little longer?

What am I supposed to do... when you say stuff like that...?!

Please...!

Ugh... fine...! I get it, okay?!

!

But, I'm putting my answer on hold too!

...?

All you've passed today is the first round! I'm gonna keep testing what you're made of from here on out!

So you'd better be ready... Hotaru!

! Yes!

(I'm so glad... Natsume-san actually decided to come back to the band.)

(When they told me to convince her and settle things through music, I had no idea what I was supposed to do...)

(But... those sessions were actually kind of fun.)

(We clashed with everything we had... and still, I didn't see any rainbow colors...)

(Maybe... I could only see them when I was a child...?)

(No, I can't assume that. I still don't know why I see those rainbow colors, so I have to keep being careful...!)

This almost doesn't feel real.

Just the other day, it was only the three of us playing live, barely holding it together... and talking about disbanding...

...

And now here we are, all together again... talking about the band... It's all because of you, Hotaru-chan.

N-no, not at all...! I'll work even harder so I can help more!

Yeah... I'll do my best too.

Yes♪ Let us all move forward together once more.

This really is... our last chance...

?

In any case, that settles one problem♪ Which leaves...

...

Huh? What, is something up with Mahoro?

About Mahoro's part... could you make it a little easier?

Now that she's doubling as a vocalist, that part's a little much to play while singing...

Um! Could we maybe talk about that later?

Huh? Yeah, sure.

Mahoro...?

Come on, this is Hotaru-chan's welcome party! Heavy band talk isn't exactly fun, you know~?

You think...?

Um, if that's the case, please don't worry about me! It's important to millsage, right?

It is, but... Oh! Why don't you ask us something instead, Hotaru-chan?

S-something I want to ask...? Oh!

It's about this keychain... I found it by the piano in the garage.

...! This was Kanata's.

She was quite fond of Nikopan-chan, wasn't she?

So it really was hers... I'm sorry I held on to it for so long. Here, I'll give it back.

No, thank you for finding it. I thought we'd returned all of Kanata's things back then...

...

I'll make sure it gets back to Kanata's family.

Yes... Please do.

Sorry, my phone's ringing. I'll step out for a moment.

I'm getting water. Hotaru, you're coming with me.

Huh? Oh, yes!

Wow. Putting her to work already?

I can't carry water for five people by myself, can I?!

I'll help!

Hehe. Hotaru-san and Natsume-san may turn out to be a surprisingly good pair.

Maybe...

Hey, Houka... what are you after?

Hm? Whatever do you mean?

Don't play dumb. I know your motivation for the band dropped after what happened with Kanata.

And I remember you were the one who first brought up disbanding. But ever since Shiomi-san showed up, you're suddenly all fired up.

So... what are you planning?

My, what a dreadful way to put it.

I merely saw a possibility.

The possibility of bringing the band back? Or something else?

Really, you are terribly suspicious.

I did not want millsage to disband, so I took action with Shiomi-san's help. That is all.

You do keep a very close eye on things, Nagi-san. I understand why you end up thinking more than most, but...

If you think so much that you only keep standing still, does that not become terribly dull?

...

Hey, first-years. Don't show off how badly you get along in front of the new girl.

My, badly? Not at all.

We're just messing around. That's all.

Sure you are.

I brought the water! Nagi-san, Houka-san, here you go!

My, thank you very much♡

Thanks...

*Sigh*...

E-everyone!!

? What's wrong? You're in a hurry.

A live show! We got an offer to play a live show!

A live house we played at ages ago asked if we wanted to join a band battle show a month from now!

Huh? Why all of a sudden?

Well... until pretty recently, I was thinking about where we should hold our final live. So I'd been contacting a bunch of live houses.

They reached out to say they had an open slot, and when I told them what's going on with millsage now, they suggested this.

If it is a month from now, I imagine we could make it work, couldn't we?

Right?! They went out of their way to invite us, and the timing couldn't be better!

This is our chance! We have to take it!

Hold on. Just because Hotaru can play doesn't mean we've even rehearsed as a band yet, you know?

Playing together is a whole different thing.

I-I know that, but...

Mahoro... are you rushing this?

N-no, I'm not...

It's happiness I wanna share, more than we could ever hold in both hands.

Hey, Mahoro. Truth is, I...

Huh...?

No, really. I'm not.

I just thought... it might help if we had something soon to aim for.

And I think it's a step millsage has to take someday if we're going to move forward... so maybe it's worth trying.

I mean... that's true.

Everything is experience, after all. I do think it may be worth trying. What do you think, Hotaru-san?

A live...

(My first live house stage... nothing like the competitions I'm used to.)

(I'd be lying... if I said I wasn't nervous, but...)

I... I'll do it.

(If it's for millsage...!)

I want to play that live!

...

Natsume-senpai, can I borrow your tuner?

Didn't you have a clip-on tuner...?

I forgot it.

Seriously? What kind of guitarist forgets their tuner?

And mine's a tuner pedal, so no. It's already wired into my board.

Fine. I'll use Mahoro's, then. Mahoro.

W-wait, I'm using mine too!

(Ugh... Our first real rehearsal is about to start... My heart won't stop pounding...!)

Are you nervous?

Eek?! H-Houka-san...!

Hehe. It is only practice. You needn't brace yourself quite so hard.

R-R-R-Right...!

(I memorized every song we're practicing today, just in case, but...)

(This is nothing like classical accompaniment... There's no way I wouldn't be nervous...!)

Is this really the right place for me to stand...? Am I in anyone's way...?

You're fine right there! Relax, Hotaru-chan. Deep breaths!

We're still easing back into things too. Let's all take it little by little!

We'll practice hard, then have snack time! What kind of snacks do you like, Hotaru-chan?

Huh? Um... I like egg boro cookies.

E-egg boro cookies?! Do we have any of those...?

Then let us take this at our own pace.

Y-Yes! At our own pace!

Nagi, are you done tuning?

All set.

Hotaru, you too. You're ready, right?

Ah... I'll give this everything I've got! Thank you for having me!

...

Ngh... I-I'm sorry...!

You're stiff as a board. Nothing like last time.

Mm, ahaha... Hard to believe you're the same person who went toe-to-toe with Natsume-chan.

Your technique itself is not the issue. And yet... somehow, the sound refuses to come together.

N-Next time, I'll listen more closely to everyone's sound...!

(I-I have to get this right! I'm a support player, so I have to support them properly...!)

(And I can't let my guard down. Not for a second. If I see those rainbow colors again, like when I was little...)

...!

See? I told you. If rehearsal sounds like this, a live is still asking too much.

!

(At this rate, I'll ruin the live...!)

(But Mahoro-san said she wanted to play it...!)

One more time! Please... please let me try one more time!

I don't mind, but... Mahoro?

Hmm...

All right, break time!

What!?

Hotaru-chan, come take a walk with me!

Wh-What?

Mmm~ What a nice breeze. The beach may be artificial, but it's still pretty, isn't it?

Ah, yes...

Um... Was it really okay? Stopping practice like that...

It's fine, it's fine. We needed to pick up some egg boro cookies anyway!

But...

(They're spending precious practice time on me...)

...

Hotaru-chan, you used to play with Kanata, right?

Huh...? Yes.

What was it like? Was it fun?

Um... I'm not sure if... "fun" is the right word.

I wanted to make music like Kanata-san's, but most of the time, all I could think was how far I still had to go.

What kind of music do you mean, like Kanata's?

Music that can make everyone happy...

After Kanata-san played, everyone in the audience would be smiling. They all looked so happy.

Hmm~ I see, I see.

At first, I thought you were just nervous. But you looked like you could barely breathe the whole time.

Then I remembered Kanata once saying you looked like playing was hurting you somehow, Hotaru-chan.

...! Did I look like I was in pain?

Well... sort of? In a faint, hard-to-explain way?

I'm sorry...

No, no, that's not something you need to apologize for. I didn't know what it was, but I figured there had to be a reason.

...

(The reason I can't face music head-on.)

(A bitter memory I never told my mother... or anyone.)

(I always thought I'd tell Kanata-san someday, but...)

When I was little... I used to see rainbow colors.

Rainbow colors...

When I played well, my mother and my teachers would smile... and then everything in front of me would start sparkling.

The notes would burst open, and it felt like the whole world was shining.

I loved that sight.

When I saw those rainbow colors, I could play well... and I won gold again and again.

But... because of that, I ended up hurting the other kids who were learning piano with me.

So I tried not to see those colors ever again...

...

If my piano... ever makes someone sad...

I think that's what I've been afraid of all this time.

I see... Thank you for telling me.

Yeah... I see... I see...

...?

I... I'm no good at this! I tried acting like a big sister and asking, but I can't give you any advice at all!

I'm sorry, Hotaru-chaaan...!

N-no, not at all! Just having you listen is enough!

Thank you... You're so kind... Rainbow colors... rainbow colors, huh?

That kind of sounds like the "zone" athletes talk about, doesn't it?

I don't really understand it myself... Just that I see it sometimes.

Hmm... Is it really such a bad thing, though?

Huh...?

I mean, I don't actually know what those rainbow colors are like, but...

If something feels that beautiful to you, it seems like such a waste to shut it away.

I don't have any special skill I can brag about, let alone anything like talent, so...

It sounds almost like a gift from god. I might even be a little jealous.

...

Besides! If we're talking about wild performances, Kanata already gave us plenty of practice!

In both good and bad ways, I mean.

Hehe...

In a band, maybe it won't bother anyone as much as you think.

In a band...

Exactly! If one of your members can play something amazing, that's only ever a plus!

...!

(I never thought of it that way.)

(That the rainbow colors might actually help someone...)

(If that's really true... then I...)

Oh, it's from Nagi-chan. "Are you about done with your walk?" ...she says.

Ahaha, maybe we wandered a little too far. Let's head back.

Yes!

♪

...!

(I'm starting to get used to band practice, even if it's just a little...!)

(This is a kind of music unlike competitions or accompaniment.)

(Every sound has its own personality.)

(Houka-san's drum...)

(Her form is beautiful, and her rhythm is always so precise... but every now and then, I can see something burning underneath.)

(Nagi-san's guitar...)

(She holds back one step, then slips right into whatever space needs filling.)

(Natsume-san's guitar...)

(Cool, always at full power. Like it's shouting, "Look at me!")

(Mahoro-san's bass and voice...)

(Unadorned music, honest and direct.)

(Balancing both still looks really hard, but... Mahoro-san is working so hard.)

...

(What Kanata-san told me back then...)

(When she called it a treasure.)

(I think... I'm starting to understand it, just a little.)

(Not playing alone, but taking someone's hand...)

(And playing toward the same place.)

(This... feels so nice.)

...♪

!!

(Wait... just now...?!)

(There's no mistaking it... This view... It's the rainbow colors...!)

(I haven't seen them for years... So why now...?!)

Hotaru...!

! O-Okay!

(What do I do? What if this becomes like back then again...)

See? You can do it!

Huh...?

Play like that from the start! You're finally starting to sound like yourself!

Senpai, how about praising her normally? Like, "That was good."

Wait...?

Was that... good...?

Yes. It was truly splendid♡

It was really good.

And, Hotaru-san. Did you notice that? Just now, you...

Huh?

Nothing... never mind. It really was wonderful. Wasn't it, Mahoro-san?

...

Mahoro?

Huh...? Oh. Yeah!

That sounded amazing! Let's keep that going, okay?

...! Yes!

(Thank goodness...!)

(Maybe Mahoro-san was right after all!)

(If we're a band, being different colors can still be okay!)

I see... So it's okay.

All right, let's do that again before you forget how it felt!

We've already been going for an hour straight.

My, how Spartan.

Enough, first-years! Just get in position! Hotaru, you too!

Y-Yes!

...

Hotaru-chan really is amazing...

Staying late to practice?

I'll drop the key in your mailbox later, okay, Nagi-chan?

I mean, you can use the place, but... why?

? I wonder what's going on with those two...

My. It seems that old habit of hers has shown itself again.

Old habit?

...Let us just say Mahoro-san is what one might call a "hard worker."♪

A-ahaha~ well... I figured I should be doing more too!

See? Hotaru-chan is settling in little by little, and we're starting to sound pretty good, right?

Then once I get the vocals down, that solves everything, right?

I guess, but... wait. What happened with the bass part?

Weren't you going to ask Natsume-senpai to make it easier?

Ah... about that...

She turned me down. Said she wants to play it as-is.

Wait... what? Why?

How should I know? You should ask her yourself.

Mahoro...?

...Please! Just let me try one more time.

Thanks to Hotaru-chan, we don't have to disband anymore. We finally have a chance to make music like we used to.

If we're really going to keep this band going... and for whatever comes next, I don't think we should compromise here.

Mahoro-san...

Whatever comes next...? It's not like we're trying to go pro or anything.

R-right, I know that, but...

No harm in trying, right? If it really starts looking impossible, we can rethink it then.

Though I'm not sure you can handle that on top of writing lyrics.

Wait, wait. You're writing the lyrics too, Mahoro? That's even more work than before.

You didn't tell them that either?

Huh...? Then your burden hasn't gotten lighter, Mahoro-san?

Ahaha... But it's fine! If everything I've done so far still isn't enough, I'll just work even harder!

I still haven't given it everything I have. So I have to push harder.

...!

*Sigh*...

I'm staying too.

Aww, you really are such a worrywart~

You hid this from us, Mahoro. You don't get to complain.

Ngh...

I-I can help with something too!

Nope. You, kiddo, are going home. You don't live close enough to walk here like I do.

Kiddo...

I am afraid if I stayed late now, I would be cutting it rather close to curfew... My apologies.

Aww, come on, everyone. You don't have to worry about me! Thanks for today. See you!

All right... I'll be going, then.

...

(I hope Mahoro-san is okay...)

Are you worried about Mahoro-san?

Mahoro-san... said she wants to keep trying, but...

Her burden hasn't gotten any lighter, and now she's writing lyrics too... On top of that, she's been looking after me so much.

But I can't just ignore how badly Mahoro-san wants to keep trying...

I keep wondering if there's something more I can do.

...

There is♡

Huh? Please tell me!

Hotaru-san. Have you ever watched one of our live videos?

Yes. Natsume-san showed me one.

Kanata-san was extraordinary, was she not?

Yes...! She looked like she was having so much fun singing while playing such difficult phrases.

I already knew how incredible Kanata-san was from the street piano, but... I thought, maybe this is what people mean by a genius.

Ah...

So that is how she appeared to you as well.

...?

I just adore geniuses♡

One of a kind, flawless and unbound. An existence from another realm, beyond anyone's imitation.

I want them to shine, to glitter, with everything they have...

And I want them to burn me away completely.

U-um...?

But God can be cruel. One day, He simply took that away from me...

(What is she talking about...?)

I seem to have strayed from the topic.

Mahoro-san is trying to stand in for a genius named "Kanata Sawami."

A glass bead desperately polishing itself in hopes of becoming a diamond...

But you, of all people, can save Mahoro-san.

Please tell me! What should I do?!

It is simple. Share the pain with her, and cut it in half...

You should take on vocals too, Hotaru-san.

Vocals...?

Your performance at our last practice drew high praise. I found myself captivated as well.

That was when I noticed. Hotaru-san... you were singing softly to yourself, were you not?

Huh...?

Hehe. Was it unconscious?

Then that only makes it clearer. You should sing too, Hotaru-san.

If you do it without even realizing it, surely that means you love singing♡

...

(Me, sing...?)

(Actually, back when I used to play with Kanata-san... no, even before that...)

(When I was little, I did sing while I played.)

But... loving something and being able to sing properly are two different things, aren't they...?

Who can say? There is a saying, after all. Passion is the best teacher.

At the very least, with Mahoro-san in that state, I believe this is the only way to lighten her burden for now.

My, we have reached the station already. Well then, Hotaru-san. I shall see you at practice♡

Ah, yes...! Thank you for today...!

...

(Would doing that really help Mahoro-san...?)

(What would Kanata-san do... in a situation like this?)

(Kanata-san...)

♪

*Cough* Cough, cough...!

Ngh... Hah, hah...

This isn't good enough... Not even close...!

(This time, I have to get it right.)

(For everyone.)

(And for Kanata's dream... the dream she never got to fulfill.)

Oh... So, that's why we're "millsage"...? The French word for "thousand," and...

Corsage, a flower for celebration. millsage.

It's happiness I wanna share, more than we could ever hold in both hands.

...!

Back then, my heart felt like it might overflow.

Hey, Mahoro. Truth is, I...

I wanna enter Comet Rising.

Huh...?

Comet Rising. You know it, right? The proving ground for student bands.

It's a teen-only contest, and if you win, you get to play the open-air stage!

Oh, yeah. I think I've heard of it. They call it the Koshien for bands, right?

Wait... Did you just say you want us to enter that?

I did!

Honestly, this is what made me wanna start a band in the first place.

How cool is that?! The open-air stage, Mahoro! Suzuya Music Hall! The holy ground for bands!

Let's enter the next Comet Rising! Let's make our music ring out at Suzuya!

I had let myself be content with what we already had.

Huh~? Kanata, you really do spring things on people~ I think it's still a little early for us.

No way! millsage can do it! Today's school festival convinced me!

Suzuya Music Hall, huh? Not bad. That's a pretty good goal!

But... You just said you were happy, Kanata. Then isn't it okay for things to stay the way they are?

Dreams gotta be big!

I was afraid of flying higher than where we were.

Then... next time! It doesn't have to be this one. Maybe the one after?

Uh...

Yeah! Let's do that! By then, I'm sure we'll be even better and totally ready!

It's still a little early for us, right?

Hmm... I guess so.

If that's what you think, Mahoro, then let's do that!

Right, right! That's better.

I had no idea.

That Kanata did not have much time left.

(Kanata's dream never came true...)

(Because I never tried hard enough.)

(Because I was a coward, spoiled and weak.)

(The disappointed smile Kanata gave me back then... is burned into me and won't let go.)

(I have to atone...)

(I have to stand onstage at Suzuya Music Hall with millsage and send our music beyond the sky, all the way to Kanata.)

(Otherwise, I...)

(I could never forgive myself. Not even in death.)

♪

Mahoro. Time's about up.

♪

Mahoro... Mahoro, come on.

Eek?! What? What's up, Nagi-chan?!

Time's up... It's late.

Oh... you're right. But just a little bit longer...!

No. You've been staying late to practice every day. What are you going to do if you wreck your voice?

Come on. I'll grab your bag. We're leaving.

Aww... But I finally got the lyrics sorted out, and now I can focus on singing...

That's exactly why you need to take care of yourself.

Wait...? This Nikopan keychain... It's the one Shiomi-san found, isn't it?

Yeah. I went to Kanata's house to return it, but her family said we could keep it.

So I figured I'd keep it as a good-luck charm. It feels like Kanata is watching over us.

I see...

Sooo... Please! Just a little longer! Just a tiny bit!

*Sigh*...

Hey, Mahoro. Why are you pushing yourself this hard?

With Shiomi-san joining us, your burden could've gotten lighter if you'd let it, right?

And we aren't talking about disbanding anymore. That should've been enough for us.

So why are you backing yourself into a corner like this?

...

Aww, come on. Backing myself into a corner? That's so dramatic! I just don't want anyone to see me looking lame, that's all!

...

(There she goes again, hiding it behind a smile.)

(That same old habit she's had forever.)

(Does she really think an act that obvious is going to fool anyone?)

You're right, Nagi-chan. We don't have to disband anymore. But I don't think we can just stop there and call it enough.

(Why... does she always have to go there?)

(She wasn't like this back when Kanata was here.)

(The band was supposed to be about making memories while we were young.)

(That's why we could all smile the way we did.)

(I think that's what I liked about it...)

We're not trying to go pro, right...?

Y-yeah.

Then...

(Then why are you so set on moving forward? On reaching higher?)

(Are you... trying to change?)

(Is it so wrong to stay right here, just like this? To be a band playing music because we love it...)

(Without trying to become something else...)

(Don't leave me... behind.)

...!

Nagi-chan...?

(Not that I have the courage to say any of that. All the things I've let pile up inside me...)

(Or the courage... to let her see what a coward I am.)

Sorry. It's nothing.

But just don't push yourself too hard. Promise me.

Yeah... okay! I promise!

(And there I go too, smiling it away because that's all I can do.)

Hah...

(I really can't stand myself.)