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The Day Before the Live

Shiomi Residence - Hotaru's Room

Hotaru(Tomorrow... let's do our best...!)

Hotaru(Because they told me they need my sound, my rainbow colors.)

Hotaru(As millsage's pianist. As their vocalist.)

Hotaru(From now on, I'll keep making music that brings happiness to everyone...!)

Hotaru...Ah.

Hotaru(Kanata-san's keychain... After everything that happened, I missed my chance to return it.)

Hotaru(I need to return it to Mahoro-san tomorrow.)

Hotaru...?

Hotaru(What's this? Nikopan-chan's head came off...?)

HotaruAh...!

Hotaru(This... is a USB flash drive...!)

Hotaru(Is there some kind of data on here...?)

Hotaru...

Hotaru(Would it be okay... if I just take a quick peek...?)

HotaruWow...!

Hotaru(Amazing...! It's full of rough song drafts and lyric notes!)

Kanata"I'll definitely make Natsume acknowledge me!"

Kanata"It's Houka Time!"

Kanata"A unison part for Mahoro and Nagi?"

HotaruHehe. There are lots of doodles, too.

HotaruIt feels like... I got to see Kanata-san again after such a long time.

Hotaru...?

Hotaru(There's one file all the way at the bottom... what is this?)

Hotaru(This is...?)

HotaruHuh?

Day of the Live

Live House - Dressing Room

HotaruH-how does it look...!

MahoroWow, it really suits you!

HoukaYes. I'm glad it was ready in time. ♡

NagiWas yours made by your friend too, Hotaru?

HoukaYes. She has a strong background in fashion♪

NatsumeActually, it's been a while since we wore these costumes ourselves.

MahoroYeah. After what happened with Kanata, we were a little hesitant to put them on.

MahoroBut we do need to wear them to really get into the right mindset.

HoukaHehe, it's perfect for the start of our new lineup.

NagiWell, I think it's important to get the form right from the start, too.

NatsumeHah, we're going to win Comet Rising, after all, right? We might as well start thinking about what to wear for the finals.

NagiThat's incredibly premature.

HoukaIsn't it wonderful, though? It just shows how motivated everyone is♪

MahoroExactly, since we're making a fresh start from here on out.

MahoroRight, Hotaru-chan?

Hotaru...

Hotaru"4/16"

Hotaru"I've always been cursing God."

HotaruHuh?

Hotaru"The entrance ceremony, sports day, the school trip. I have almost no memories of them."

Hotaru"They're all chipped away, incomplete."

Hotaru"Why keep me alive if you won't give me an ordinary youth?"

Hotaru"Why me? Why did I get sick? Why do I have to die? Why, why, why?"

Hotaru"Drop dead, God."

Hotaru...

Hotaru"9/4"

Hotaru"My story hasn't even begun yet."

Hotaru"Does it end here?"

Hotaru"I want to spill it all. I don't want to die. I'm scared. I want to scream."

HotaruThis...

Kanata、Hotaru"I want to tell them, I want to reach out, 'Help me.' Hey, why is it only me?"

Kanata、Hotaru"But I don't want to be a curse on them."

HotaruHaa... Haa... Haa...

"I saw a news story about the annual suicide statistics and things like that."

"Life isn't fair at all. Nothing at all is equal."

"Hey, please, someone."

"I promise I won't waste it. I'll do anything."

"I'm begging you."

"Give that life to me."

Hotaru...

"10/9"...

"My story. A life with me at the center."

"But even if I'm gone, the world will keep turning." "Everyone's stories will go on."

"millsage. Will it end? Will it go on?"

"Ah, but I hate it. The thought of someone other than me at the center."

"It makes me sick."

Hotaru...!

"millsage. My happiness."

"At least millsage..."

"Burn it along with my coffin."

Hotaru...

HotaruAh... Aah...

HotaruI-I... I...!

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

HotaruIf that were the case, it wouldn't be millsage...! I wouldn't be able to face Kanata-san!

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

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

HotaruAh... Ah...!

HotaruI-I'm so... I'm so sorry...! Uuu...!

Hotaru...! Waah, aaaaaaaah...!

Hotaru...

HotaruKanata-san. I finally understand.

Hotaru—What it is I truly have to do.

Hotaru...

MahoroHotaru-chan? What's wrong?

HotaruNo, I'm fine!

Hotaru(I was wrong from the very beginning.)

Hotaru(Everything I've done, all of it.)

NatsumeAre you just itching to start playing? Or are the nerves finally hitting you?

Hotaru...I was just getting fired up to do my best.

HotaruBecause I'm going to make absolutely sure we succeed.

Natsume...? Well, in that case, good.

NagiOh, looks like it's almost our turn.

NatsumeI've been waiting long enough.

HoukaHehe, let's enjoy this♪

MahoroAlright... let's go, everyone.

HotaruAh... Mahoro-san.

Mahoro? What is it?

HotaruHere... Kanata-san's keychain.

MahoroYou were holding onto that for me, Hotaru-chan! I thought I'd lost it.

HotaruUm, I know this is a really presumptuous thing to ask, but... may I keep it?

HotaruI... want to use it as a good luck charm...

Mahoro...! That makes sense. You're still feeling a bit uneasy, after all.

MahoroGo ahead and hold onto it, Hotaru-chan. I'm sure it'll be a source of strength for you from now on.

HotaruThank you so much.

Hotaru—I'll carry it with me to my grave.

Hotaru(I'm sorry, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru(I didn't understand your true wish at all.)

Hotaru(I just took those words at face value, got it into my head all on my own, and turned the band into a mess.)

Hotaru(And then, I stole the center spot of millsage.)

Hotaru(I am truly sorry.)

Hotaru(No amount of apologizing will ever be enough.)

Hotaru(I can never atone.)

Hotaru(So at least, to make amends for what I've done to you...)

Hotaru(I'll throw away my own "happiness.")

Hotaru(I love happy endings.)

Hotaru(I love stories where, in the end, everyone is smiling.)

Hotaru(But this story isn't mine.)

Hotaru(There's no way I should make it my story.)

Hotaru(There's no way I should be the protagonist, or even a character in it.)

Hotaru(—And so.)

The AudienceWaahhh!!

Audience Amillsage!!!

Audience BHotaru!!! Natsume!!!

Hotaru...

NagiI can go anytime.

HoukaSame here. ♡

NatsumeCome on, hurry up.

MahoroHotaru-chan, please!

Hotaru...

Hotaru(The one standing here isn't "me".)

Hotaru(Just a tool to make sound.)

Hotaru(Singing just to grant wishes—just a piece of stage machinery.)

Hotaru(Rainbow colors. That homework from Kanata-san. I never needed any of that from the very start.)

Hotaru(Someone like me, wishing for her own happiness...)

Hotaru(I was nothing but a fool.)

Hotaru(I'll guide Mahoro-san and the others to Comet.)

Hotaru(And I'll bring an end to millsage.)

Hotaru(That way, Mahoro-san's and everyone's wishes, and Kanata-san's wish... they can all be granted equally, right?)

Hotaru(Hey, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru(This time, I'll make it happen for sure.)

The AudienceWaahhh!

Hotaru(My throat and my fingers. My voice and my keyboard.)

Hotaru(Bringing only those with me to this place...)

Hotaru(I'll shine. Only for everyone's happiness.)

Hotaru(And then, there you'll see—)

HotaruWe are millsage. Thank you for having us!

Hotaru(What a wonderful happy ending!)