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A Few Days Later

Emerald Symphony - Inside

NyamuThis is insane...! This is just too incredible!

UmiriA giant wave pool, spa facilities, a movie theater, a golf course... Plus the hospitality of first-class concierges... I'm absolutely stunned.

UikaA ship this luxurious actually exists... It feels like something straight out of a movie...!

NyamuWhoa! That one over there is a Broadway director! Crazy...

UmiriWhy don't you go say hello? Isn't this a chance to promote yourself?

NyamuNot really... Sucking up to people won't make me any better.

UmiriHmm, it seems you've had a change of heart.

SakikoWell then, everyone, our dressing room is over there. Please wait there until the performance begins...

NyamuEhh, can't we have some free time? Sakiko is way too strict, huh.

SakikoVery well... Then, do as you please. But make sure you're back by the appointed time.

UmiriThis counts as networking too, Wakaba-san. Let's go.

NyamuWelp, see ya later♪

SakikoSeriously, you've got no sense of tension at all.

UikaBut I can understand how they feel. It's our first time on such a wonderful ship. Shall we look around a little, too?

SakikoJust for a little while, Uika.

UikaYeah.

Ship AnnouncementNow, it is time for the dance. Everyone, please take your partners and come to the dance floor!

NyamuEveryone's dancing so well. Just as you'd expect from the upper class.

UmiriWhat about us? For old times' sake, as the rhythm section.

NyamuHah, very funny.

Audience CHey, isn't that Mutsumi Wakaba? She really is just like a doll!

Audience DI heard she's accomplished not just in acting, but in ballet too. Won't someone ask her to dance?

Mutsumi...

UmiriWakaba-san...?

NyamuHey... You, that way is—

audienceeWonderful! It's like a water fairy has descended among us...!

audiencedYes...! I can't help but sigh...!

UmiriJust as expected of Wakaba-san. She really knows how to captivate.

Nyamu(What's with that look...! You think I can't do it?)

MutsumiMay I have this dance?

Nyamu(I absolutely won't back down...!)

NyamuAre you going to escort me or something...?

MutsumiIf that is what Nyamu desires.

audiencefOh my, what a lovely pair! They're like beautiful flowers blooming upon the sea.

audiencegBut the taller one seems to be struggling a little... Compared to her partner... she looks rather outshone, doesn't she.

Nyamu(I took waltz lessons! But...! No matter how hard I try, the audience's eyes are...!)

MutsumiFocus on the dance.

MutsumiYou can let yourself go even more.

MutsumiI'll match your pace.

NyamuBring it on!

Nyamu(This woman is really...!)

NyamuNngh...

MutsumiNyamu

MutsumiYou're good.

NyamuDone...! That's it!

NyamuAh, geez, my bangs got all messed up. I'm heading back to the dressing room.

UmiriOh my. Don't be so cold.

NyamuMm.

UmiriWon't you dance with me next?

NyamuHuh?

UmiriDon't keep all the fun to yourselves; let me join in.

NyamuNo, we weren't having fun... Wait, hey, hey! Umiko...!

UmiriDancing is a collaborative effort between partners. Come, let our spirit become one!

NyamuAre you feeling alright? You're totally off your game.

UmiriI am always perfectly serious.

UikaWow... Everyone is amazing! Right, Saki-chan?

SakikoYes. I'll be heading back to the dressing room ahead of you. You stay and enjoy yourself, Uika.

UikaHuh? Then I'll go with you—

Audience CExcuse me, Uika-sama! If it's not too much trouble, would you chat with us for a bit?

UikaHuh? Uh, um...

SakikoIt's a rare invitation. Why don't you go talk with them? I'll go on ahead.

UikaAh, Saki-chan. I'll be there soon!

Sakiko(For the sake of a perfect masquerade, I must read through the script once more...)

GirlGood day to you...

SakikoGood day. Have you perhaps gotten separated from your parents?

Girl—It's been a long time, Sister Sakiko.

Sakiko...? Have we met before?

GirlYou've... forgotten? Uuu... uuuu...!

SakikoI'm sorry... What is your name?

GirlMy name...? You've forgotten even that?

SakikoEek...!

GirlWhen you grow up, when you become an adult, when you overcome hardships... do you forget?

Girl—Even if you forget. We will never forget. Never.

SakikoWhat are you talking about...?

SakikoThat spot is dangerous. The lights might shatter again. Come here.

GirlWill you lend me your hand...?

SakikoOf course. Here.

GirlHehe, your hand... So small and pale... Come, let's dance, sister.

SakikoWha—? W-Wait— Don't pull me.

GirlUn, deux, trois... Un, deux, trois... You're very good at this, sister.

GirlDoing this brings back memories.

SakikoBut I told you, I've never met you—

GirlOh my. We used to practice like this all the time, didn't we?

GirlIn that piano room. Even when I said the lesson was over, you'd beg, "Just one more piece!" over and over...

SakikoHow do you know that...?

GirlHow, you ask? I taught you, didn't I? —My dear little Sakiko-chan.

SakikoWhat...

SakikoMo-Mother...?

Mizuho?To think you would even forget me... it's so sad.

Mizuho?Could it be that you've forgotten that day, too? When you practiced the piano for my birthday...

SakikoThat's just impossible. Mother passed away...

Mizuho?Sakiko-chan. If you wish it, I can come see you anytime.

SakikoAm I dreaming?

Mizuho?Sakiko-chan, why won't you believe me? Then—

Tomori?Saki-chan...

SakikoTomori...? Why are you...?

Tomori?Will you... dance with me?

Sakiko(Is this a waking dream? Have I fallen into a dream without realizing it? So—)

Sakiko(So that's why I can't shake off this hand?)

Tomori?CRYCHIC was fun. Me and Saki-chan... everyone's light—

Tomori?If only... somewhere along the way, we had been able to say our true feelings...

Tomori?We could have all stayed connected.

Sakiko...!

SakikoI...

UikaIt's been quite a while. I should head back to the dressing room too— huh?

Sakiko...

UikaSaki-chan...? Why are you dancing alone...? Saki-chan...!

Sakiko...

UikaCan't you hear me? Saki-chan! Saki-chan!

Tomori?Even now... I want to go back...! Let's go back... Saki-chan.

Tomori?Saki-chan, you want to go back to the past, too... don't you?

SakikoIf only we had just stayed the same as we were—

SakikoI...

Tomori?Hehe...