Natsume Izawa and Mahoro Hamasaki

(Five minutes left of break...)

(This feels like a good stopping point. I could head back early, but... I may as well practice until the last minute.)

Ah! I knew I'd find you here!

What do you want...?

Don't "what do you want" me~ Natsume-chan, you still haven't turned in the assignment due today, have you?

Huh? You're in the class next door. Why do you even know that?

You know the class rep in your class? She's in the Home Economics Club with me.

We were having lunch together today, and your name came up. She was worried about the deadline.

Then she should've come to get it herself.

Uh... Well...

Then spit it out.

Uh, y-yeah... You're right! It's just... she says you're kind of hard to approach, Natsume-chan.

Hmph. So you came in her place? Well, I can see why she'd be intimidated by my aura.

"Aura" isn't quite the word... You're always so on edge. And the way you glare... I think people find you scary.

Oh, give it a rest. That's part of my aura too.

A-Anyway! She seems really worried, so just hand it in. Okay?

All right, already... What was the assignment again?

She said it was math.

I'll hand it in tomorrow...

Did you forget it...?

Right. I forgot. To bring it. To school.

Honestly... Then make absolutely sure you bring it tomorrow, okay? I'll let the class rep know you said so.

Yeah, yeah... Still, you really are too nice for your own good.

Huh? Me?

Yeah. Even when we first met, Kanata was one hundred percent in the wrong, but you were the one apologizing.

You kept smiling and acting harmless. I figured you were just a pushover.

A pushover...? That's kind of harsh~

But... maybe I was. Kanata was always a whirlwind... and she shone so brightly.

It's not that I was holding back... But maybe I'd gotten used to standing a step behind her.

That's not exactly cool of me, huh?

Even so... you kept the band going.

Huh?

You were too softhearted and too nice to leave it alone. You figured you had to be the one to keep millsage together this time, right?

That's why you kept working on Nagi and Houka, and kept the band going even with just the three of you.

I think that's more than enough to be proud of.

...!

millsage is what it is today because you didn't give up. Don't you forget that.

N-Natsume-chaaaan...!

But! From now on, no more smiling and going along with everything!

If you're aiming to win Comet Rising, then you need to carry yourself like it!

Hehe... Honestly, I can't tell whether you're praising me or scolding me~

That's why...

See? Now class has started because of you!

I'm sorry~!

Oh, it's open... I wonder if someone's already here...

Natsume-chan...?

Oh, Mahoro. Just who I needed. Give me a hand for a second.

Huh? You want help... taking selfies?

Exactly. I need you to be my cameraman.

My personal social media profile picture. I'm thinking of changing it.

Ah... I see. So that's what all those cool poses are for...

By the way, didn't you bring your usual camera today?

My usual one... You mean my mirrorless camera?

That one. You take pictures all the time at lives, don't you?

I don't bring it on school days.

Oh, you didn't bring it. I was hoping you'd take some high-quality shots for me.

Sorry. It seems pretty expensive, and it'd be awful if it got damaged.

Seems? What do you mean, "seems"? Didn't you buy it?

Nope. It was my dad's, and he handed it down to me. I couldn't afford one like it on my allowance~

But phone cameras are supposed to be amazing these days. For an icon, I think yours will do just fine.

Really? Then... here. My phone. Pretend you're a professional cameraman and do your thing, please.

A professional...!?

(Still... It has a nice ring to it...!)

Ahem... So, what kind of picture are we taking today?

Something cool.

Cool, got it~ How about we start with a profile shot? Do you want to use a filter?

I'll figure out the colors later. First, I want the photo itself to look good.

I see~ Do you have a particular look in mind?

No. But I hate anything generic.

Got it. Then maybe I'll get a little creative with the framing...

Oh... I've got it. What if I stretch up and take it from above...!

Are you sure about this? You're wobbling.

I'm fine, I'm fine...! Okay, here goes... Whoa!?

!?

Got it! That was close...!

H-Hey... Are you okay?

Ahaha... Sorry, sorry. But look, your phone's safe!

That's not what I meant... Whatever.

Huh...? It took a picture. Did I hit the button when I caught it?

Oh wow... It's completely blurry. Here, look.

This picture...!

This is perfect!

Huh!?

The blur! The way the subject isn't properly in focus on purpose! It's artistic. And it's cool!

Oh... Um... Is it?

Nice one, Mahoro! I've decided. This is going to be my icon.

O-Okay... If you like it, then I guess that's... good?

Phew... Maybe I went a little overboard.

Oh, Natsume-chan. Went shopping? That's a lot of bags!

Mahoro. Fancy seeing you. Yeah, I just went clothes shopping.

Nice~ I want some new clothes too. Maybe I'll check out the shopping mall sometime~

Huh? The shopping mall?

What? Is something wrong...?

Where do you usually buy your clothes, anyway?

Where...? At the regular shops in the shopping mall. I go when they're having a sale and stuff.

Phew... I can't believe you.

Huh? What?

You're in a band, and you think that's good enough?

I-Is that not okay...?

Absolutely not. Listen, someone in a band is an artist.

Fast fashion, sale racks... There's not one cool thing about dressing like everyone else!

B-But come on! People say fast fashion is stylish again these days, don't they!?

Don't tell me fashion has just gone all the way around again!

!!

Only people who are filthy rich... or losers who've given up on making their own choices say that.

L-Losers...!?

I-I know I'm not exactly confident about fashion, but... You didn't have to say it like that...

Then where do you buy your clothes, Natsume-chan?

Hmph. Isn't it obvious...? Vintage shops.

!?

Vintage shops... You mean, those places on the side streets, just off the main road...?

Exactly. The kind where you can find one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else has, as long as you've got an eye for them.

You buy your clothes at vintage shops, Natsume-chan...! I'd always thought you dressed so stylishly...!

Well, ordinary shops just aren't enough for someone like me, you know? I guess I've discovered the thrill of digging.

D-Digging...?

Yeah. It means digging until you find something good.

I see...! That's so coo, No, I mean, that's such a cool word!

See? I went to my favorite place today and dug to my heart's content...

Oh, you're still here! Hey, you in the jacket!

Gah!?

Huh? Do you think they're talking to you, Natsume-chan?

I'm glad you hadn't gone too far! Here, this is for you. A point card!

We're supposed to give one to every first-time customer, but I completely forgot!

Thank you...

Thanks for buying so much! Come again!

...

What...? Go ahead and pity me. That's right. I'm a loser too.

I-I don't think that at all... I think it's cool that you can walk into a new shop by yourself.

R-Right...! I did buy clothes at a vintage shop, after all! I'm cool, right!?

Exactly! You're super cool!

Now that's what I like to hear, Mahoro! Next time I go, I'll take you with me!

Th-Thank you...

(Natsume-chan... She's tough.)