4 and 1

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Hotaru

...Phew.

朋花・なつめ・凪・まほろ

...

Nagi

(...Lately, for some reason, Hotaru's playing
keeps getting more and more polished.)

Nagi

(She was already good, but how should I put it, it's even more...)

Natsume

...Mahoro, Houka.
The rhythm section still isn't locking in.

Natsume

If you two fall apart, the whole thing falls apart.
Keep that in mind.

Mahoro

Yeah...! Houka-chan.
Let's try using more eye contact during the chorus.

Houka

That sounds good. It should make it easier to match our timing, too.

Natsume

Hotaru... Well, you're fine.

Hotaru

Huh? Um, you don't have to hold back. Please tell me anything!

Natsume

I'm saying what you're doing now is fine.

Hotaru

! Thank you!

Nagi

...

Natsume

And then... Nagi.

Nagi

!

Natsume

Are you actually practicing?
You're slacking off on phrases here and there, aren't you?

Nagi

...No, that's not true.

Nagi

I mean, aren't I always like this?

Natsume

Huh? It's not like I let it slide normally either?

Natsume

This time it's an audio screening,
so I'm not compromising on any part more than before.

Natsume

Otherwise winning is a dream within a dream.
We decided to aim for it, didn't we?

Nagi

...Right.

Hotaru

Um, Nagi-san!

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Hotaru

If copying by ear is hard for you,
I can write out just the chords on a score for you!

Mahoro

Natsume-chan never gives us scores, you know...
I'm always struggling over here too.

Houka

For original songs especially, I'd like a score...

Natsume

Hmph. That's just coddling. Pure coddling.

Hotaru

Anything else, please tell me anything!
If there's something I can do, I'll do anything!

Nagi

...

Nagi

(Ah...)

Nagi

(I'm a burden right now.)

Nagi

...Yeah. Thanks.

Hotaru

Yeah!

Mahoro

...

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Mahoro

Ugh, I'm totally exhausted...

Nagi

...Aha. Good work.

Mahoro

Yeah, you too, Nagi-chan.

Mahoro

...This song is really hard, huh~
I'm doing all I can just to keep up.

Nagi

Ah... Sorry.

Mahoro

Ah...! No, that's not what I meant!
We just started playing together, so it's okay!

Mahoro

Oh, right!
If you want, how about we practice just the two of us?

Mahoro

Like when you practiced with me before!
Even hard practice might be easier when you're with someone!

Nagi

...Maybe.
I'll let you know when I do.

Mahoro

Huh? Ah... Yeah.

Nagi

Ah~ I'm really hungry now.
...Oh, there's a lollipop in my pocket. Lucky.

Nagi

I'll just eat it now.

Mahoro

...Can candy fill you up?
It's one of your weird flavors again, right?

Nagi

Yeah. Steak flavor.
I figured it'd tide me over until I get home.

Mahoro

S-Steak... Ah.
Speaking of which, we're having braised pork at my place today.

Mahoro

It's not steak, but want to come over and eat?
I'll ask my mom right now...!

Nagi

No, I'm good.
I have to go home and do homework.

Nagi

Thanks.

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Nagi

I'm home~

???

Ah, Nagi! Welcome back~!

Nagi

Huh... Big sister?

Itsuki

Jeez, you've completely switched to calling me that.
You could still call me big sis Itsuki like you used to.

Nagi

...Nah, I'm in high school now.
Anyway, you came home?

Itsuki

Yep! It's so nice to be back at my parents' house after so long~
A big sofa and my beloved family! Right, Roy?

Itsuki

Nagi, were you at band practice? You're working hard, huh~

Nagi

Uh... yeah.

Itsuki

Is Mahoro doing well?
I'd love to see her after so long~

Nagi

Aha. I'll tell her.

Nagi's Mother

You two, dinner's ready.

Itsuki

Wow, sushi! Delivery?

Nagi's Mother

Yes. A college student living alone
probably isn't eating anything decent anyway.

Itsuki

Ahaha... You hit the nail on the head.
I'm swamped with work and club activities.

Nagi's Mother

Well, I'm glad you look well.
Nagi, you too. Go put your things down.

Nagi

...Yeah.

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Nagi

...

Nagi

(Big sister looked like she was doing well.)

Nagi

(I wonder if she's okay now.)

Nagi

(...I just don't get you, big sister.)

Nagi

(Have those days... already become nothing but memories to you?)