Text

Minase Girls' Academy - Roof

Natsume(Five minutes left of break...)

Natsume(This feels like a good stopping point. I could head back early, but... I may as well practice until the last minute.)

MahoroAh! I knew I'd find you here!

NatsumeWhat do you want...?

MahoroDon't "what do you want" me~ Natsume-chan, you still haven't turned in the assignment due today, have you?

NatsumeHuh? You're in the class next door. Why do you even know that?

MahoroYou know the class rep in your class? She's in the Home Economics Club with me.

MahoroWe were having lunch together today, and your name came up. She was worried about the deadline.

NatsumeThen she should've come to get it herself.

MahoroUh... Well...

NatsumeThen spit it out.

MahoroUh, y-yeah... You're right! It's just... she says you're kind of hard to approach, Natsume-chan.

NatsumeHmph. So you came in her place? Well, I can see why she'd be intimidated by my aura.

Mahoro"Aura" isn't quite the word... You're always so on edge. And the way you glare... I think people find you scary.

NatsumeOh, give it a rest. That's part of my aura too.

MahoroA-Anyway! She seems really worried, so just hand it in. Okay?

NatsumeAll right, already... What was the assignment again?

MahoroShe said it was math.

NatsumeI'll hand it in tomorrow...

MahoroDid you forget it...?

NatsumeRight. I forgot. To bring it. To school.

MahoroHonestly... Then make absolutely sure you bring it tomorrow, okay? I'll let the class rep know you said so.

NatsumeYeah, yeah... Still, you really are too nice for your own good.

MahoroHuh? Me?

NatsumeYeah. Even when we first met, Kanata was one hundred percent in the wrong, but you were the one apologizing.

NatsumeYou kept smiling and acting harmless. I figured you were just a pushover.

MahoroA pushover...? That's kind of harsh~

MahoroBut... maybe I was. Kanata was always a whirlwind... and she shone so brightly.

MahoroIt's not that I was holding back... But maybe I'd gotten used to standing a step behind her.

MahoroThat's not exactly cool of me, huh?

NatsumeEven so... you kept the band going.

MahoroHuh?

NatsumeYou were too softhearted and too nice to leave it alone. You figured you had to be the one to keep millsage together this time, right?

NatsumeThat's why you kept working on Nagi and Houka, and kept the band going even with just the three of you.

NatsumeI think that's more than enough to be proud of.

Mahoro...!

Natsumemillsage is what it is today because you didn't give up. Don't you forget that.

MahoroN-Natsume-chaaaan...!

NatsumeBut! From now on, no more smiling and going along with everything!

NatsumeIf you're aiming to win Comet Rising, then you need to carry yourself like it!

MahoroHehe... Honestly, I can't tell whether you're praising me or scolding me~

NatsumeThat's why—

NatsumeSee? Now class has started because of you!

MahoroI'm sorry~!