Section 5: Can't Let a Dream Die (1/2)

Okay, it's almost time to head to the arena for the second round. Is everyone ready?

Yes, I'm ready.

...

？！

Eep! Y-yes, b-but...I-I'll be okay.

Sheesh, you're all nerves. Relax, will you? You're already naturally cute, so just perform like you've been practicing and you'll be fine.

Give her some stress relief, Cat.

Take this! Toe beans, gooo!

Bwa!? Ah... Mmm... I didn't know you were so good at massages, Cat...

I feel...warm and tingly. I'm okay now. I'm positive I can do this.

You're a member of AxXxS now, Mash. We're all counting on you.

Right! I won't let you down!

AxXxS!

That's our name. Don't wear it out.

Is it true you're not competing today, Medb? Do you really think you can beat us that easily?

Oh please. Do you really think we could beat you if we didn't take you seriously?

D-don't try to flatter your way out of this! As Pharaoh, I demand an explanation.

Well...

？！

Secret weapon...?

Huh? I mean... Yes, exactly. We have a super awesome secret weapon in the works.

Well? What is it?

？！

Th-that's right. I'm AxXxS's secret weapon...

N-no way! Mash is making her idol debut, too!?

...I can sense a lot of Idol☆Glo within her. She's strong... Very strong.

I knew she was strong, but I had no idea she'd become an idol, too!

Now I see. So your leader chose to take a step back in order to maximize the impression made by your new member's debut.

I have to admit, that's an excellent strategy, AxXxS!

Right? We're always thinking of new ways to surprise and delight our fans.

Then I must apologize for my earlier outburst. I see now that you are indeed bringing your A game.

Then we shall meet you with our best! And when the show is over, AxXxS will play its final curtain call.

Final curtain call? Non non. I'm not at all ready to say goodbye.

I believe in AxXxS! They shine too brightly to be stopped!

Even the best dreams have to end someday... All right, see you on stage!

See you later. Good luck to all of us.

Nice one, Master. You know those two are too nice for their own good.

If they found out I was sitting out because I got injured back on the beach...

Yup. They'd feel so bad they'd never be able to perform at their best, and it wouldn't be a fair battle at all.

？！

Exactly. We're all glad to have you, Mash.

Thank you, Ex. I promise I'll do the very best I can!

Don't you dare go gentle into that transient night, AxXxS!

My heart yearns for your touch♪ Why have I longed for you all this time♪

One look at your eyes, one glimpse of your smile♪ And my heart races like it's going to burst♪

Oh man, it's so sad... I can't stop crying!

Well done, Dreams Gone Serenity. Once again, you have the audience sobbing in their seats.

Soon, the final curtain call will be upon us. All I can ask is that we fade into peaceful darkness while we still dream...

Aww, it's over... This concert's gonna be over soon. It was beautiful while it lasted...

No song can possibly measure up to this sense of finality. Dreams Gone Girls totally deserves to win!

...That's right. Soon, this will all be over. Even this stage is but a dream within a dream.

The spotlight has begun to fade, too. That's it... Rest now, and be at peace in the dark...

...

That's it for the second round. It was a good concert.

...Hold up. What's that?

Is that...light? Where's it coming from!?

!?

Yes, there is beauty in transience.

Set against to eternity, even a star's life is but a momentary shimmer. I was born in the ocean of stars, so I know that all too well.

But just because some things are impermanent doesn't mean everything's doomed to disappear.

After all...that light still lives on in my heart! And it always will!

So I'll sing as loud and proud as I can!

Yay! Thank you for your support, everyone!

Wooo! Maaaaaash!

That's it, Mash! You're doing great!

Things are only going to get more exciting from here on! Will you all stick with us!?

Yeaaah!

Man, AxXxS is really something else, huh? I could listen to them all day.

Me too! This concert isn't over yet! So why's it so dark? We want light!

Turn up the lights! Turn up the lights!

What the...!? First the crowd comes back to life, now the lighting, too!?

I guess AxXxS's singing must have revived the spotlights as well...

That's it! THAT'S how idols do it! Like the man said, we're not about to go gentle into that good night!

Which is why it's a good thing we have a new star prepared for just such an occasion!

Go on, Mash! Don't hold back! Hit them with all the feelings you've got!

I will! This is AxXxS's time to shine!

I-I can't believe they've blasted away our ambience! They're much stronger than they were on the beach!

I never expected them to be this powerful. What are we going to do...?

Please get a hold of yourself, Nitocris.

But Serenity, they

All we can doall we need to dois sing our songs.

Songs about things we seek, but can never claim. Songs about things we reach for, but cannot touch.

Songs about the wistful tears we shed when trying to grasp the incomprehensible scale of the universe...

Aren't those the kinds of songs you created Dreams Gone Girls for?

...Right. You're right. I wanted to...console people.

I wanted to sing gentle requiems that would offer comfort while they shed tears at the end of something they cared about.

Exactly. So let's keep singing now, and bring this concert to a peaceful end.

I thought our momentum could carry us to victory, but I guess like an "All the Sweets You Can Eat" Spacebucks coupon, that was too much to hope for.

Still, as long as I have this outfit... As long as it inspires me to be brave...

Then I know my Idol☆Glo can shine brighter than ever!

What the!? I've never seen Alter's outfit glow like that!

...!

Incredible. She's taken to the outfit so well that she's drawn out power beyond its limits! Even I never expected anything like this!

...Go, AxXxS! Go, Ex! Show me what a never-ending dream looks like. Show me something even more powerful than a decisive farewell!

Bring it, AxXxS! We'll take you and your youthful shine head-on!

Now that's what I call a great performance! The winner, who stood strong even through the finale, is...AxXxS!

WOOOOOO!!!

I broke through another of my limits... And it's all thanks to you, outfit.

I can't believe they blew away our atmosphere...the very veil of night! They're like the light of dawn itself!

It's true, Pharaoh Nitocris. They have completely dispersed our darkness.

This is the end of the end, the beginning of a new age, led by the newly formed AxXxS.

...Yes, you're right. Well done, AxXxS. You've won the right to move on to the next round.

All that aside, I have to say, your secret weapon really was everything you said she would be.

It seems Chaldea Productions really knows what they're doing!

Um... That's very kind of you, but the truth is, I'm really just a last-minute replace

That's right! She's our newest member, and we're lucky to have her!

What she said♪

...! Thank you, everyone!

(Sniff) They really did it. Ooh, they're so precious... (Ugly crying)

Come on, Miss Crane. Wipe the tears and...drool off your face. We need to get ready to welcome them back.

They really did come through, didn't they?

？！

Thank you, Senpai! This has been absolutely wonderful.

It felt like a dream... But it was one of the best real experiences I've ever had!