Text

A Few Hours Earlier

Shiomi Residence - Hotaru's Room

Hotaru...

Houka IzumiI'd like to properly apologize for what happened yesterday.

Houka Izumi

Houka IzumiI'll be waiting for you in front of the ticket gates at the nearest station from your home.

Hotaru(She mentioned scheming, or whatever she called it...)

Hotaru(But I don't have any right to blame her.)

Hotaru(No. More than that—)

Hotaru(The one who messed up millsage... was me.)

Hotaru(Even though it was Kanata-san's treasure.)

Hotaru(Even though I wanted her to be happy.)

Hotaru(—It was my fault for getting lost in those rainbow colors and forgetting everything.)

Hotaru(I was just selfishly enjoying the music for myself.)

Hotaru(Someone like me, wanting to make everyone happy...)

Hotaru(How presumptuous.)

HotaruI have to quit the band.

HotaruThere's no way I can stay after this...

Hotaru(Barging my way in, and now trying to leave on my own... I'm truly the worst. ...But.)

HotaruIt's far better than... making things any worse than they already are.

Hotaru!

Hotaru(A call...? Natsume-san...)

HotaruHello?

NatsumeHotaru! Where are you right now!?

HotaruI-I'm at home.

NatsumeNever mind that, get ready and come out right away. Meet us at that café from before.

HotaruHuh!? But, I...!

NatsumeOh, hush. This is an order from your senpai. You don't have the right to refuse!

HotaruI have to tell her.

Hotaru...

HoukaHotaru-san, thank you for coming all this way.

HotaruWhy is Houka-san here...?

NatsumeI picked her up in front of your station. She'd been waiting there like a loyal dog this whole time.

HoukaHotaru-san. About yesterday, I am truly sorry.

Hotaru...! No, it's me who caused everyone trouble... And, um... so, I—

NatsumeI told you, didn't I? You just did what you had to do. You could even be proud of it as a great save.

Hotaru...

NatsumeIt was the four of us who decided to have you sing, too. The responsibility lies with us as well.

NatsumeWe all messed up, but we somehow got through the live. That's all there is to it.

NatsumeWell, as for Houka, who was apparently using you— feel free to hate her or despise her as much as you like.

HoukaHonestly, did you have to put it like that?

Hotaru...

NatsumeKnowing you, you're thinking things like "I shouldn't be in the band anymore," aren't you?

Hotaru...!?

NatsumeKnew it.

NatsumeThat's not happening. I won't allow you to quit. You were the one who told me not to quit.

Hotaru...

HoukaI'm begging you, too.

HoukaYou may not believe me, but... you are my hope.

NatsumeHuh?

HoukaA light, a flame, a reaper, a messiah.

HoukaYour music brings me happiness.

NatsumeAre you kidding? If you're going to make this even more complicated, just go home.

HoukaI'm completely serious...

Hotaru...

NatsumeI'm doing this band for Kanata's sake. But...

NatsumeThat's not the only reason. I'm also doing it for myself, so I can keep my feelings for Kanata alive.

NatsumeAnd simply put, I just like the band.

Hotaru...

NatsumeWhat about you? How do you feel about the band?

HotaruI...

Hotaru!

HotaruFrom Mahoro-san...?

NatsumeHah, perfect timing.

MahoroEveryone, can you come to the garage?

millsage

MahoroI want us to have a proper talk about what happened yesterday.

The Garage

NatsumeWe're here.

MahoroAh, Natsume-chan... and, you two as well.

MahoroYou were all together, huh?

NatsumeSort of. Did you two sort things out?

NagiWell... More or less.

NatsumeRight. Good.

Hotaru、Nagi...

Hotaru、NagiUm...! Um...!

NatsumeOkay, stop. You two can have your apology time later.

NatsumeYou have something important to say, right? Mahoro.

MahoroAhaha... I appreciate you getting straight to the point.

MahoroHotaru-chan...

Hotaru! Yes...

MahoroI'm sorry about yesterday. For saying those terrible things. Even though I should be thanking you, Hotaru-chan.

HotaruN-no, that's not true!

MahoroIt is true. Because Hotaru-chan sang for us, the live was saved from falling apart.

MahoroNo... it wasn't just the live. millsage itself is still here today because of how hard you tried, Hotaru-chan.

MahoroThank you. Truly.

Hotaru...

MahoroI've been thinking...

MahoroA lot happened, and I was made painfully aware of my own powerlessness.

MahoroEven so, I don't want this band to end. That, at least, is the honest truth for me.

MahoroSo I want to keep millsage going.

MahoroWhat about everyone else?

NatsumeHah. After calling us back here, did you think I'd tell you to go play somewhere else now?

NagiI'm in.

HoukaOf course, I'd like to join as well, but...

Hotaru...

MahoroHotaru-chan. What about you?

HotaruI...

Mahoro...

MahoroSo, Hotaru-chan. How was it... being in the band?

HotaruHuh...

MahoroFor me, when Hotaru-chan came, my stopped time started moving again...

MahoroIt made me think, once again, that bands are wonderful, and music is wonderful.

MahoroWasn't it like that for you too, Hotaru-chan?

Hotaru...

HotaruI... I am also...

Mahoro...

HotaruI, too... thought music is wonderful...! Being in a band was so much fun!

HotaruBefore I knew it, everyone's sounds were surrounding me... so warm, so happy...!

MahoroYeah.

HotaruBut! My music... it ends up hurting people...!

HotaruThat's why I... I really shouldn't be in a band after all.

HotaruToday, I came to say that...

MahoroI see... yeah, that makes sense...

MahoroI, Mahoro Hamasaki, won't let myself get hurt anymore, so I'll be fine!

Hotaru!?

MahoroYou know, at yesterday's live... Honestly, I got mixed up too, and I think I acted terribly... I'm truly sorry.

MahoroBut! I'm standing in front of you once more now.

MahoroI've decided to face you head-on. I won't run away anymore.

MahoroAnd so... from now on, I have a request. I want you to take over vocals, Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru!?

HotaruWh-what are you saying...!? There's no way I can do that...!

HotaruBecause...! At yesterday's live, I...!

NatsumeJust so you know, it's not just Mahoro.

NatsumeI, for one, have absolutely no intention of losing to the music of someone like you, either.

NagiHuh, didn't you get reduced to tears the other day?

NatsumeDon't bring that up, you dummy!

NagiAha... well, that's how it is. We've gotten somewhat used to having a genius around thanks to Kanata.

HoukaThat's right. If you don't play with everything you've got, there would be no point in inviting you. ♡

Hotaru...

MahoroHotaru-chan.

MahoroPlease join millsage. We need your music.

Hotaru...

HotaruB-but...!

MahoroOf course it's hard to believe. After the way things went yesterday, you can't trust us.

HotaruThat's not what I...!

MahoroNo, it's okay. Well then, I'll just have to prove it so you can believe.

Hotaru...?

MahoroHotaru-chan. Let's have a session together.

Houka、Natsume、Nagi!?

HotaruA-a session...?

MahoroTo be precise, it's more like a battle, I guess?

MahoroWe'll each take turns playing and singing one chorus of "Narasu."

MahoroThis is a contest, Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru...!

NatsumeHah! Now that's more like it. I'll watch closely to the very end for you.

NagiOf all the things to suggest...

HoukaBut, it's a proposal we're quite familiar with, isn't it?

MahoroThen I'll go first. Is that alright? Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru...

MahoroIf you want to say you don't want to do it... that's still okay.

MahoroSo, just for now. Listen to my song!

Hotaru...

Mahoro—♪

Hotaru...!

Hotaru(This is the first time I've seen this side of Mahoro-san.)

Hotaru(Her singing voice, her sound... it's not just that. It's music that feels like she's shouting with her whole body.)

Hotaru(Shouting that she wants to face me.)

Hotaru(Trying to convey her determination to me.)

Hotaru(—Ah, I see.)

Hotaru(This is also Mahoro-san's cheer for me.)

Hotaru(If we had simply swapped vocal roles...)

Hotaru(I would still be lost.)

Hotaru(Making it clear who the vocalist is... this is a kind of ritual for that, too.)

Mahoro—♪

Hotaru(Mahoro-san is amazing.)

Hotaru(Even though it must be painful for Mahoro-san, too.)

Hotaru(Even though she must have wanted to stand in the center and sing...!)

Hotaru(Smiling like that.)

Hotaru(Taking the hand of a frightened me and pulling me forward.)

Hotaru(I want to respond to this person's all-out efforts, too.)

HotaruMahoro-san...!

MahoroHaa... Haa...!

MahoroNext! It's your turn, Hotaru-chan!

HotaruYes...

Hotaru(How incredibly fortunate I am.)

Hotaru(To meet such wonderful people, and to be accepted by them...)

Hotaru(Hey, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru(I think I may have found the answer to that homework.)

Hotaru(How to make "music that makes everyone happy." The answer to that.)

Hotaru(Those rainbow colors are my own desires.)

Hotaru(Selfish music that ends up hurting others. So I must not let it out... That's what I thought.)

Hotaru(But—)

Hotaru(If I truly want to make "everyone" happy, I have to include "myself" in that "everyone," too.)

Hotaru(Otherwise, it wouldn't be a true happy ending.)

Hotaru(So, I won't run anymore.)

Hotaru(Thank you, Mahoro-san. Everyone.)

Hotaru(Performing with this fulfilled feeling in my heart—)

Hotaru(That itself is the music that can make everyone happy!)

Hotaru—♪

Mahoro...!

MahoroAhahah!

MahoroYeah, you really are so good.

MahoroRight, Kanata?

A Few Days Later

The Garage

HotaruI-I'm sorry! I'm late!

NatsumeMaking your senpais wait— our new vocalist must be quite the big shot now.

HotaruUugh...

MahoroThat's not nice, Natsume-chan, teasing her like that. She let us know in advance she had cleaning duty, didn't she?

NagiThat's right. We just got here ourselves a moment ago.

HoukaTake your time settling in before we practice, okay? ♡

HotaruYes...!

MahoroAh, in that case, while we're at it... I have a major announcement to make!

Hotaru...?

NatsumeWhat? Are you finally giving up on writing lyrics?

MahoroI am not! I'll keep at it even if it kills me!

NatsumeThen what?

NagiLike how you went back for three more servings of curry the other day?

MahoroHey—!?

HoukaOh my, I think that's a very healthy sign♪

MahoroWait, wait, that's not it! I only did twice... wait, not that either!

MahoroAhem.

MahoroWhat do you all think about aiming for Comet Rising together?

Nagi!

NatsumeHeh, not bad.

HotaruComet Rising...?

HoukaIt's a Koshien-style contest where only teenage bands are eligible, isn't it?

MahoroThat's right! millsage will aim for qualifying for the finals... no, we'll aim to win the whole thing!

NatsumeThe finals were at the open-air amphitheater, weren't they? Suzugaya Music Hall.

NatsumeStanding on the holy ground for bands... That's the coolest thing ever.

HoukaBut why so suddenly...?

MahoroKanata said she wanted to enter.

Natsume! What's this, I'm hearing it for the first time.

MahoroAh, that's probably because I turned it down before it even came up with you, Natsume-chan...

NatsumeI see...

MahoroAh, but, you know! It's not just for Kanata.

MahoroFor myself personally, too, I want to aim for it.

MahoroA lot has happened, but I don't want to give up on taking on challenges.

NatsumeHah. You make it sound so easy. Comet's called the "Gateway to Success for the Next Big Band," you know.

MahoroI-I know. But, I want to do it.

NagiYeah... I think it's good.

MahoroNagi-chan...!

NagiWell, it'll start with properly waking up on time in the morning first, I guess.

MahoroGeez! Treating me like a kid again!

NagiAha, sorry.

NagiI have to make sure I don't get left behind, too.

NatsumeWell, I have no objection to taking on a challenge. Why not? It's a stage perfectly suited for me.

HoukaHehe, I have no objection either♪ A big stage, I'm very much looking forward to it.

MahoroHotaru-chan?

HotaruYes, let's do it!

Mahoro...! Then it's decided!

NatsumeSince we're aiming for it, practice will be grueling, so don't start complaining, alright?

MahoroUgh, I might complain just a little sometimes...?

HoukaWell then, shall we submit the application right away?

NagiOh, that was fast.

NatsumeFirst, live shows. We need more experience; there's no question about it.

MahoroYou're right. We have to build up more experience...! We're aiming for Comet, after all!

Hotaru(Let's do our best.)

Hotaru(I'll protect millsage's... and Kanata-san's happiness.)

Hotaru(And then, surely, beyond that... my own happiness will—)

A happy ending.

A happy ending where not a single person is crying or sad, where everyone is smiling.

That's how it was supposed to be.

—The truth is, I didn't understand anything at all.