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One Week Before the Live Show

The Garage

Mahoro—♪

NagiMahoro. Time's about up.

Mahoro—♪

NagiMahoro... Mahoro, come on.

MahoroEek?! What? What's up, Nagi-chan?!

NagiTime's up... It's late.

MahoroOh... you're right. But just a little bit longer...!

NagiNo. You've been staying late to practice every day. What are you going to do if you wreck your voice?

NagiCome on. I'll grab your bag. We're leaving.

MahoroAww... But I finally got the lyrics sorted out, and now I can focus on singing...

NagiThat's exactly why you need to take care of yourself.

NagiWait...? This Nikopan keychain... It's the one Shiomi-san found, isn't it?

MahoroYeah. I went to Kanata's house to return it, but her family said we could keep it.

MahoroSo I figured I'd keep it as a good-luck charm. It feels like Kanata is watching over us.

NagiI see...

MahoroSooo... Please! Just a little longer! Just a tiny bit!

Nagi*Sigh*...

NagiHey, Mahoro. Why are you pushing yourself this hard?

NagiWith Shiomi-san joining us, your burden could've gotten lighter if you'd let it, right?

NagiAnd we aren't talking about disbanding anymore. That should've been enough for us.

NagiSo why are you backing yourself into a corner like this?

Mahoro...

MahoroAww, 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!

Nagi...

Nagi(There she goes again, hiding it behind a smile.)

Nagi(That same old habit she's had forever.)

Nagi(Does she really think an act that obvious is going to fool anyone?)

MahoroYou'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.

Nagi(Why... does she always have to go there?)

Nagi(She wasn't like this back when Kanata was here.)

Nagi(The band was supposed to be about making memories while we were young.)

Nagi(That's why we could all smile the way we did.)

Nagi(I think that's what I liked about it...)

NagiWe're not trying to go pro, right...?

MahoroY-yeah.

NagiThen...

Nagi(Then why are you so set on moving forward? On reaching higher?)

Nagi(Are you... trying to change?)

Nagi(Is it so wrong to stay right here, just like this? To be a band playing music because we love it...)

Nagi(Without trying to become something else...)

Nagi(Don't leave me... behind.)

Nagi...!

MahoroNagi-chan...?

Nagi(Not that I have the courage to say any of that. All the things I've let pile up inside me...)

Nagi(Or the courage... to let her see what a coward I am.)

NagiSorry. It's nothing.

NagiBut just don't push yourself too hard. Promise me.

MahoroYeah... okay! I promise!

Nagi(And there I go too, smiling it away because that's all I can do.)

NagiHah...

Nagi(I really can't stand myself.)

A Few Days Later

The Garage

HotaruHello... Huh?

Hotaru(It looks like no one's here yet. Maybe everyone is still at school.)

Hotaru(What should I do...? Maybe I should practice first.)

Hotaru(Our first live show is getting close too.)

Hotaru...

HoukaYou should take on vocals too, Hotaru-san.

Hotaru(millsage's music was built around Kanata-san's vocals and piano.)

Hotaru(That's why... Mahoro-san is trying so hard to stand in for Kanata-san.)

Hotaru(But Kanata-san had a special kind of talent.)

Hotaru(She isn't someone you can become just by trying to be like her.)

Hotaru(Then...)

HotaruShare... the pain...!

Hotaru(I don't think for a second... that someone like me could ever become Kanata-san.)

Hotaru(But if Mahoro-san and I do this together...!)

Hotaru—♪

Outside the Garage

NagiMahoro... You've got dark circles under your eyes.

HoukaA lack of sleep is the enemy of good skin, you know?

MahoroAhaha, I got a little carried away practicing at home.

NagiWait... the garage is unlocked.

MahoroS-sorry. I might have forgotten to lock it yesterday...!

NatsumeHuh? I hear something. Sounds like Hotaru got here first.

Natsume、Houka、Nagi、Mahoro!?

Hotaru—♪

NatsumeWhoa...

Nagi...

Nagi(There are two kinds of people in this world.)

Nagi(Mortal and genius.)

Nagi(Shiomi-san is... the latter.)

Nagi(No matter how hard mortals struggle, they can never compete with geniuses.)

Nagi(So mortals should stick to being mortals.)

Mahoro...!

Nagi(Mahoro... If you did that, you wouldn't have to get hurt like this, or suffer so much...)

Hotaru—♪ Phew...

HoukaSplendid, Hotaru-san!

HotaruWhat!? When did you all get here...?! You heard that...?!

HoukaYes. Your singing voice was absolutely captivating♡

NatsumeIf you could sing, you should've said so sooner.

HotaruN-no! I was just...!

HoukaIf I may, everyone. I have a suggestion...

HoukaWhat if Hotaru-san took on vocals as well?

Mahoro、Nagi!?

NatsumeHotaru too...? You mean dual vocals?

HoukaYes, that would be the idea♪ What do you all think?

Mahoro...

Nagi(I don't want Mahoro... to go through that kind of pain.)

Nagi(But there's nothing I can do for her.)

Nagi(I can't save Mahoro...)

Nagi(Then...!)

NagiSounds good to me.

MahoroWhat...!?

NagiAfter hearing that, it'd be a waste not to have Shiomi-san sing.

NagiI know you've been working hard, Mahoro. But apart from that, don't you think we could make our performance even better?

NagiRight, Natsume-senpai?

NatsumeHmm... Well, yeah. If the two of them split the vocal parts, I do think it'd feel more stable.

NatsumeIt's worth trying.

HoukaAnd what do you two think? I do not believe it is a bad idea...

MahoroAh...

MahoroYeah! I think it's a great idea!

MahoroI mean, after hearing her sing like that, it'd be a waste not to let her do it!

MahoroIt'd be a huge help to me too~!

Hotaru...! R-really?

MahoroYeah... I'm counting on you, Hotaru-chan!

HotaruYes! If you're okay with it, Mahoro-san, I'd love to...!

NatsumeThen it's settled. Let's start practicing right away. We need to decide who sings which parts.

HoukaMy, Natsume-san. How enthusiastic of you♪

NatsumeThat's not it. We're reworking a song that used to be sung by one person into something for two, so we need to get started early!

NatsumeThough I guess I do want to hear how it changes...

HoukaYes... I am looking forward to it as well♪

NatsumeCome on, everyone. Hurry up and get set up.

NagiOkaaay.

Hotaru(Let's do our best...!)

Hotaru(For Mahoro-san, and for millsage's happiness!)

Mahoro...

MahoroSo it can be decided... just like that.