Transcript
Mashiro
Ohh. There are so many people in the audience... Wh-what do I do~?
Nanami
Shiro-chan, are you okay? Your face is pale. Here, have some water... Drink it slowly.
Mashiro
Thanks, Nanami-chan... Sigh...
Touko
Don't you think you're being too nervous? It's almost our turn, so get it together~.
Tsukushi
I think it's been a while since I've seen you like this, Mashiro-chan.
Rui
Indeed. We have not seen you be this nervous as of late.
Mashiro
Well, that's because our opponent today is Afterglow...
Mashiro
I can't believe we're facing off against the people who put on the concert that motivated us to start a band... My stomach hurts...
Touko
Oh, come on. We can definitely pull it off! I can just kinda tell~. I'm totally in the zone today!
Touko
Today's audience is in luck~. After all, they'll get to witness the genius guitarist Toko Kirigaya!
???
... Huh? Tsugumi, where's Moca and the others?
???
They're getting ready in the dressing room. They said they'll come as soon as they're done.
Mashiro
Ah...
Touko
Ran-san! Tsugu-san! Hiya!
Ran
Toko, be quiet. Your voice is way too loud.
Touko
Now, now~. It's you and me we're talking about! More importantly, I'm looking forward to our competition today.
Touko
Make sure you don't collapse from our killer performance~. We're gonna get everyone more pumped than they've ever been!
Ran
Yeah. Let's perform with everything we've got. But...
Ran
The winner's gonna be Afterglow.
Ran
We can't afford to lose here. We're gonna play as hard as we can, as fast as we can, until we win... That's our plan, so get ready.
Tsugumi
...
Tsukushi
Tsugumi-senpai. I'm looking forward to our performance today!
Tsugumi
Ah, Tsukushi-chan. Yeah, same here.
Tsukushi
This feels kind of weird, doesn't it? I never imagined I'd be competing against you in a concert.
Tsukushi
But we'll be going all out. Let's all do our best and enjoy ourselves today!
Tsugumi
Enjoy ourselves, huh...? Sorry, Tsukushi-chan.
Tsugumi
We can't put on a concert that ends as having been fun. Because we can't afford to lose.
Tsugumi
We want to win no matter what.
Tsukushi
Tsugumi-senpai...
Host
Let's give it up for HONEY ALMONDMILK and Yoimadoi.! Both bands put on fantastic concerts!
Host
Now then. Next... let's move on to the matchup between Morfonica and Afterglow! Up first is Morfonica. Please come out on stage!
Mashiro
W-we're starting?! No way, I can't do this...! I couldn't sing now if I tried...
Nanami
Shiro-chan, it's okay. If you feel uneasy, just look around you. We'll be right there with you. Okay?
Mashiro
Nanami-chan...
Rui
We should go. Is everyone ready?
Touko
You bet! I'm gonna be the first one on stage~!
Mashiro
...
Mashiro
... Okay.
Mashiro
Everyone, good day. We're Morfonica.
Mashiro
Please listen to our first song... "Angel's Ladder."
Touko
(Ah, Shiro's on a roll! My guitar's gonna be spitting fire, too~!)
Rui
(... This is the best her voice has carried this far. And our parts are in sync with each other... The start is going smoothly.)
Tsukushi
(Wow, wow, wow! Mashiro-chan's singing is leading our music!)
Nanami
(That's our Shiro-chan. Okay. I'm gonna get more serious, too~.)
Mashiro
...♪ ...♪
Touko
Ahh~, oh my gosh! This is so crazy! That was our greatest concert ever!!
Tsukushi
Mhm! The audience members' eyes were sparkling the whole time!
Nanami
Fufu. You were all in perfect form. My bass was spitting fire, too~.
Touko
And my guitar absolutely blew up~. Right, Shiro?
Mashiro
...
Tsukushi
Mashiro-chan?
Mashiro
Ah, sorry... I was just thinking how good that time felt.
Mashiro
When I was singing, the crystals of our music sparkled as they spread throughout the venue... That's the sight I saw.
Rui
Everyone, Afterglow's concert is starting.
Mashiro
Th-this is kind of nerve-wracking, huh? I wonder what kind of concert they'll put on...
Touko
Well, I doubt that even Afterglow will be able to win against our awesome concert~.
Ran
We're Afterglow. Thanks for coming out today... "SENSENFUKOKU."
Morfonica
...!
Tsukushi
Wh-what is this...? They're incredible...
Nanami
It feels like I'm being punched by the music... My body and skin are tingling.
Rui
...
Mashiro
(The stage... is on fire...)
Mashiro
(The flames of Afterglow's performance are sweeping over the venue... And the crystals of our music are disappearing...)
Mashiro
(My body is hot. It feels like I'm getting burned. The fire is so large and fierce... And yet, it's so pretty...)
Mashiro
(I can't get away... It's pulling me in more and more... until I'll be part of the blaze...)
Host
I will now announce the bands advancing to the fifth round of the Girls Band Battle Tournament.
Morfonica
...
Host
Entry number ten, "My Nonsense World." Entry number thirteen, "Venus in the Noon Sky."
Host
Entry number eighteen, "Afterglow."
Transcript
Tsukushi
... Sigh~.
Nanami
Whoa, that was a big one just now~. That was the biggest sigh you've done lately, Tsu-chan.
Tsukushi
Huh? I-I'm sorry! I spoiled the mood, didn't I...?
Touko
You don't have to apologize. I'm reeling pretty bad from losing GBT, too.
Touko
It's like I can't focus... I kinda can't get motivated at all~.
Nanami
The thing we've been working so hard on this whole time suddenly ended, so we got discouraged.
Nanami
Plus... Afterglow's concert being so sensational might also be part of it.
Mashiro
Yeah... I couldn't take my eyes off the stage.
Mashiro
An intense, crimson flame flared up and engulfed the venue, the audience, and all of us...
Mashiro
It was amazing... I can still feel that stinging sensation deep in my chest.
Tsukushi
So that's how you saw it.
Tsukushi
I was... really scared. I felt something incredibly intense, and its impact was immense.
Touko
All of their songs were really crazy~. I got major goosebumps.
Tsukushi
That day we put on the best performance we've ever done, but it wasn't nearly enough to reach them...
Tsukushi
I thought we grew a lot, but could it be that wasn't that much...?
Rui
We should not continue to dwell on what has ended. More importantly, I would like to discuss the future.
Touko
Whaddya mean "the future?"
Rui
We spoke about how we would practice in preparation for the Tsukinomori Music Festival once the GBT was over.
Rui
We took a break from practicing until now to refresh our mental states. I believe it is about time that we resume practicing.
Rui
To that end, I would first like to hear what kind of concert each of you would like to put on at the Tsukinomori Music Festival.
Touko
I wanna make it a super pumped-up concert, obviously.
Rui
Exactly how do you mean that? Please give me concrete details.
Rui
When we were first-year students, performing at the Tsukinomori Music Festival was our goal. That is why I thought of our practice regimen with that in mind.
Rui
Our goal will influence how we practice. We should decide that first.
Mashiro
Rui-san, you're incredible... You're already planning ahead.
Mashiro
I still can't help but think about the GBT... I'm having trouble looking forward.
Rui
I simply believe that coming to a standstill while reflecting on the past is not constructive.
Rui
Therefore, I think we should focus on honing our skills based on past occurrences so we may produce results next time.
Nanami
Fufu. You really are positive, Rui-rui. By the way, what kind of concert do you want to put on?
Rui
Well... this is not limited to the Tsukinomori Music Festival, but...
Rui
Recently, there has been a sound I have been seeking with every stage we stand on.
Rui
I wish to play that sound at the music festival. Although, that will be more of a personal goal.
Tsukushi
Wow... So you were thinking of something like that.
Touko
Hrm~. How do I want to pump things up~? Hmm~...
Touko
It's no use~! I'm seriously outta whack... Normally, I'd come up with something in a flash.
Nanami
Yeah, really. Toko-chan, you'll have to charge up your motivation soon~.
Touko
You said it~. Well, doing that is easy enough! With that said, why don't we go somewhere after school ends today?
Mashiro, Nanami & Tsukushi
Huh…?
Touko
We gotta have a blast to get our motivation up! After all, having fun is unbeatable! It's seriously awesome~.
Rui
Making unnecessary detours on one's way home is not allowed. That is written in the school rules, is it not? Either go home first or wait until the weekend.
Touko
Huh?! What's up with that?! No one told me about that...!
Tsukushi
I'm actually surprised you didn't know about it until now!
Nanami
It's a good thing we had GBT going on. Since you were focusing on practicing, you avoided breaking the rules~.
Touko
Ugh, that's so annoying! It was so natural for us to hang out after school until now! That chairwoman really does nothing but butt in where she isn't wanted.
Touko
My friends are always worried about when she's gonna make her rounds, and our talks lately aren't exciting! School is seriously no fun!
Mashiro
It's like being under a cloudy sky. I can see a scene of little birds unable to fly through the sky as they worry about when it will rain...
Mashiro
Will the school not go back to how it used to be? Every day was so free and fun... I wish it would go back to being that way...
Touko
There's no point in just thinking that, is there? If you wanna change it, you've gotta take action yourself!
Mashiro
You say that, but... there's nothing that I can do.
Touko
Why do you always end up like that~...? Well, whatever. I'm gonna take action.
Touko
I'll finish my presentation for tearing down the super strict school rules in no time flat!
Tsukushi
You haven't given up on that?
Touko
Of course not! Now that the GBT's over, I'll be super serious about making it!
Touko
Now that that's decided, I've got no time for this! Alright, I'm gonna head back to the classroom! That chairwoman better watch out~!
Tsukushi
Hey, you're forgetting your lunch box! Ohh~. I'll go bring it to her...!
Rui
Sigh... Now that she is like that, Kirigaya-san will be fixated on making her presentation for some time.
Rui
I have student council duties, so I will excuse myself. Please consider what kind of concert you wish to put on by our next practice.
Nanami
Ahaha... That just now kind of made it feel like we had one of our usual lunches for the first time in a while.
Mashiro
Yeah, you might be right.
Nanami
Fufu. It won't be possible after school, but I'd like to go somewhere with you all again sometime.
Nanami
Ah, by the way, Shiro-chan. Apparently, there's a shop in Shibuya that sells Fairy Legends goods. Do you know of it?
Mashiro
Yeah, more or less... I've looked into it, but there are so many people in Shibuya, and it's scary...
Nanami
It's okay~. Let's go sometime. If we go together, it won't be scary.
Mashiro
Uh, umm~...
Class A Teacher
Ah, there you are. Kurata-san, do you have a moment? The chairwoman is saying she would like to have a one-on-one meeting with you after school...
Mashiro
Huh...?
Transcript
Mashiro
...
Chairwoman
Thank you for coming today despite the sudden summons. Now then. Let us begin.
Mashiro
Okay! P-please do... So, umm~...
Chairwoman
What is the matter? Is there something you would like to say?
Mashiro
Um... Why are you having a one-on-one meeting with me...?
Chairwoman
If that is what you are asking, I was just about to explain things.
Chairwoman
To fully comprehend Tsukinomori, I am currently checking the background of every student.
Mashiro
Every student? Isn't that a lot of people...?
Chairwoman
As chairwoman, being aware of the school's current circumstances is essential. Let us return to the topic at hand.
Chairwoman
While checking backgrounds, several students caught my eye. I have decided to have one-on-one meetings with those students.
Mashiro
...? I don't feel like there's anything eye-catching about me...
Chairwoman
Kurata-san, you came from an unaffiliated school, did you not? I also transferred to Tsukinomori from an unaffiliated school.
Mashiro
Huh...?
Chairwoman
I know the difficulty someone from a different environment faces in comporting themselves as a student of Tsukinomori.
Chairwoman
I thought that might be the same for you. How are your days at Tsukinomori?
Mashiro
U-umm... Well...
Mashiro
(How should I answer her? Is it okay for me to say that it's fun...?)
Chairwoman
... "A late bloomer who is weak in asserting herself. Appears to have no self-confidence."
Mashiro
...! What was that...?
Chairwoman
That is the evaluation I gave you based on your background and statements from relevant faculty members.
Chairwoman
Now that I have spoken with you, I have determined that that evaluation was accurate.
Chairwoman
Kurata-san. Why do you think it is that you lack confidence?
Mashiro
... I don't know...
Chairwoman
The answer is simple. It is because you have yet to become a Tsukinomori student.
Mashiro
...
Chairwoman
If you are aware that you are a Tsukinomori student, that will naturally give you confidence. That was also the case for me.
Chairwoman
Follow the rigid school rules and spend each day earnestly. That buildup will instill you with Tsukinomori's mentality and pride.
Chairwoman
It was not good that you transferred to the school when its regulations were lax. In a sense, you are a victim of that.
Chairwoman
Kurata-san, you should become a Tsukinomori student quickly. I will provide you with as much help with that as I can.
Mashiro
...
Mashiro
... That's... not...
Chairwoman
...? Kurata-san, I cannot hear you clearly. Please speak a little louder.
Mashiro
What makes us special... In my case, that would be the feelings that helped me decide to believe in myself... I guess.
Touko
Also, the fact that you learned to love yourself, right? Shiro, that's what you said during the Concourse of Words!
Mashiro
Th-that's... not true...
Mashiro
That's not...
Mashiro
(That's not true... It's just not... Even I was able to change...)
Mashiro
(Even I... became a Tsukinomori student...)
Touko
Isn't Shiro kinda late? Hey, Rui. What do you talk about in one-on-one meetings?
Rui
I do not know why you would ask me that. Those meetings are something the chairwoman is conducting personally.
Rui
... My apologies, but I will go now as I have a student council meeting. If you discover something, please inform me of it later.
Nanami
See you~. Good luck with your duties~.
Touko
Hm...? Ah, I got a message from my grandma. I wonder what's up.
Tsukushi
Toko-chan, shouldn't you stop that...? We're banned from using our phones except in emergencies.
Touko
It's fine! I'm just looking at the pop-up notification. That won't count as using my phone, right?
Tsukushi
D-do you think so...?
Touko
Umm, lemme see~... Ugh!! Oh crud. She's really mad...
Touko
I'll be in deep trouble if I don't clean my room quick! Sorry, but I'm heading home! Tell me what happens with Shiro later...!
Nanami
Toko-chan, you can't run in the hallway~.
Nanami & Tsukushi
Shiro-chan!
Mashiro-chan!
Mashiro-chan!
Tsukushi
Are you okay?! What was the meeting about?
Mashiro
Tsukushi-chan, Nanami-chan... W-waaah~...
Nanami
Shiro-chan... What happened?
Tsukushi
What is that?! That's so mean! You are a Tsukinomori student...!
Tsukushi
Mashiro-chan, don't pay any attention to what she said.
Mashiro
... Right...
Nanami
(Shiro-chan's eyes are swollen... She must've cried in the chairwoman's office...)
Nanami
(... Of course she did... It must've been a shock for her to suddenly be told something like that...)
Nanami
(What can I do to cheer her up...? Ah.)
Nanami
Having fun is unbeatable. It's seriously awesome...
Tsukushi
Nanami-chan? Did you say something?
Nanami
... Hey, you two. Are you free this weekend?
Transcript
Nanami
Ooh~, this is Shibuya! Shiro-chan, Tsu-chan. It's Shibuya~!
Mashiro
Ngh. There are so many people... The entire city is sparkling, and it feels like I shouldn't be here...
Tsukushi
I'd heard about it before, but it really is this crowded. It seems like we'll have trouble just walking around...
Nanami
This is just what I expected from the place I've dreamed of~. It was my dream to visit Shibuya with my friends!
Nanami
Mmm~. I'm so excited~!
Tsukushi
You're kind of acting like my little sisters did the first time they went to an amusement park.
Nanami
Fu, fu, fu~. My excitement right now isn't about to lose to your sisters' excitement back then~.
Tsukushi
Ohh~. What does that even mean? Well, why don't we get going? We're heading to the Fairy Legends shop, right?
Nanami
Yeah! Shiro-chan said there are some goods she wants.
Mashiro
I do want them, but... I feel like my stomach will start hurting along the way.
Nanami
You'll be fine~. After all, having fun is unbeatable and seriously awesome~.
Nanami
With that said, let's go~! Yeah~!
Mashiro
Wow, these donuts are delicious~. They're really fluffy and just melt in my mouth...
Tsukushi
Mhm! They're so easy to eat because they're not too sweet.
Nanami
Just what you would expect from Toko-chan's recommended shop. I'm so grateful she sent us that list of places to visit when going to Shibuya~.
Tsukushi
I wonder what she's doing right now. I never imagined she'd get grounded for not cleaning up her room.
Mashiro
Yeah... She was really upset, saying, "No fair, no fair! The three of you are going there by yourselves~! I wanna go to Shibuya, too~!"
Nanami
Rui-rui had student council duties, so the timing wasn't right... Sigh. How disappointing. I wanted all of us to come together~.
Tsukushi
Ohh~. There's nothing we can do about it. Let's all come next time.
Mashiro
Yeah. We can sync up our schedules.
Nanami
Fufu. I wonder if this is thanks to the sweets. The two of you were nervous a little while ago, but now you're smiling~.
Mashiro
Now that you mention it... I feel more relaxed than when we came, and now I feel like I might not have any problems walking around Shibuya.
Tsukushi
But you were quite the sight when we tried going into that used clothing store. You stiffened up like a rock.
Mashiro
Th-that was because~... I wasn't mentally prepared yet. And it was a shop I don't normally go to...
Mashiro
And you're one to talk. Your eyes bulged when Nanami-chan said we were going to the used clothing store.
Tsukushi
Huh?! Th-they did~?
Nanami
Ahaha. Tsu-chan, you're looking away as you say that~.
Tsukushi
W-well~, it had such a mature atmosphere. I've never been to a place like that either...
Mashiro
Was that also written on Toko-chan's list? She really does know a lot of different shops.
Nanami
Yeah. All of her recommended shops are places I don't normally visit. So it's really exciting.
Nanami
It kinda feels like we're on an adventure!
Mashiro
An adventure... I might know what you mean. It feels like my world is expanding.
Mashiro
At first, I was scared of Shibuya. But it had nothing but scenery I'd never seen, so I gradually got excited.
Nanami
I see...
Nanami
In that case, do you wanna make "Let's try things we don't normally do!" our theme for the day?
Mashiro
Things we don't normally do...?
Nanami
Yeah! Coming to Shibuya is something we don't normally do. And neither is going to a used clothing store, right?
Nanami
So let's go on lots of adventures today~. For the moment, I also wanna go to Harajuku~.
Tsukushi
I don't mind, but... isn't this a little sudden?
Mashiro
Y-yeah. I didn't think we'd also go to Harajuku, so I'm a little nervous...
Nanami
You two. Adventures always start unexpectedly.
Nanami
With that said, once we've seen the Fairy Legends goods, let's go~!
Mashiro
Nanami-chan's eyes are really sparkling... But I might be looking forward to it a little bit.
Tsukushi
Fufu. Right... Huh? Doesn't it seem like lots of people are dancing in this area?
Mashiro
You're right... They're all more or less the same age as us. Is it a dance club practice?
Nanami
I think they're probably taking videos.
Nanami
I heard it's a trend among high school girls where they dance to a popular song and then post it online.
Mashiro
Huh. I see...
Nanami
Gasp! I've got an idea! We should try that, too!
Tsukushi & Mashiro
What~?!
Mashiro
No way, I can't do that! It's impossible~!
Mashiro
I can't dance, and the thought alone of everyone watching me online... Ohh, it's so embarrassing.
Nanami
Even if we take a video, I won't upload it, so it's fine~. Plus, this is another adventure!
Nanami
I'll place my phone here, and... Okay, let's start filming~.
Tsukushi
Whoa! Wait, wait!
Mashiro
Wh-what kind of dance should we do...?
Nanami
It wouldn't really matter, would it? I'm sure the girls taking the videos aren't dance experts, either.
Nanami
You can just move around how you want to a song you like~. You could do small jumps like this or wave your hands up and down.
Tsukushi
If that's all, then I guess it's okay...
Nanami
Okay~. We're definitely going for it this time~... Start!
Transcript
Nanami
Sigh~. That was fun. We enjoyed ourselves so much today~.
Mashiro
Yeah... But I'm a little tired. I'll probably be sore tomorrow.
Nanami
We danced a lot. Shiro-chan, you were so cute when you moved your hands quickly like a cat playing around~.
Mashiro
That was because I didn't know what to do, and that's just how it ended up...
Mashiro
About that video... Are you really going to show it to Toko-chan and Rui-san?
Nanami
Of course! We need them to see the record of our adventure.
Nanami
I'm sure Tsu-chan will say the same thing as me. She'd say, "Our dancing was perfect, so it's okay!"
Mashiro
You might be right... Something tells me she's telling her little sisters about it right now.
Mashiro
As we were dancing, Tsukushi-chan got more and more excited.
Nanami
Ahaha, that's true~. She was all smiles towards the end~.
Mashiro
Fufu... Nanami-chan, thanks for today.
Mashiro
I might feel a little better thanks to you inviting me to hang out.
Nanami
I just wanted to go~. It was my dream to go to Shibuya with my friends after all.
Mashiro
I see...
Mashiro
... So, um. About when I had my one-on-one meeting with the chairwoman...
Nanami
Okay.
Mashiro
I felt frustrated being told I should become a Tsukinomori student.
Nanami
You did...?
Mashiro
Do you remember when we all brainstormed what changed about us so we could continue Morfonica's activities a while back?
Mashiro
That day, I started feeling like an actual Tsukinomori student.
Mashiro
I decided to try believing in myself and learned to love myself... I thought I'd finally become a Tsukinomori student...
Mashiro
That's why, at the time... I felt so frustrated...
Mashiro
I wanted to tell her... that wasn't true... That it wasn't true at all, but...
Mashiro
In the end... I wasn't able to say anything.
Nanami
Shiro-chan...
Mashiro
I wonder why I have so much trouble putting my thoughts into words...
Mashiro
Even though they're right here in my heart...
Mashiro
When I try to open my mouth, they disappear somewhere, and my mind goes in circles.
Mashiro
And then nothing makes any sense to me...
Mashiro
Being like that is so frustrating... and I felt so pathetic...
Nanami
...
Mashiro
Nanami-chan... The chairwoman said she came from an unaffiliated school, just like me.
Nanami
Huh...? The chairwoman was a Tsukinomori student?
Mashiro
Yeah... She said it was hard for her until she got used to Tsukinomori.
Mashiro
But after following the strict school rules and spending each day the best she could, she naturally became a Tsukinomori student.
Mashiro
Was I not trying my best...?
Mashiro
Am I not a Tsukinomori student because I haven't followed the strict school rules...?
Nanami
... That's not true, Shiro-chan.
Nanami
I've been watching by your side this whole time. No... Tsu-chan, Toko-chan, and Rui-rui were watching too.
Nanami
You've worried, hesitated, gotten hurt, and cried... But you've also laughed and had fun.
Nanami
You've done your best every day, Shiro-chan. The school rules have absolutely nothing to do with that.
Nanami
So, I'll say this as many times as it takes.
Nanami
That's not true... It's not true at all, Shiro-chan.
Mashiro
Nanami-chan...
Tsugumi
Thank you for waiting. Here are the café lattes you ordered.
Nanami
Ah, Tsugu-senpai. Thank you very much.
Tsugumi
You're welcome. Also... Here. Please have this as well.
Mashiro
Huh? Cake? But we didn't order these... Is that okay?
Tsugumi
Uh... Sorry. I could actually hear the two of you talking a little bit.
Tsugumi
I don't know what happened, so this is all I can really do, but...
Tsugumi
I was hoping this would cheer you up a little bit, Mashiro-chan.
Mashiro
Tsugumi-san... Thank you very much.
Tsugumi
Go ahead and dig in.
Nanami
Okay. Thanks for the food~... Munch.
Mashiro
... Hm. Ah... It has such a gentle flavor.
Nanami
Whoa, you're right... It kind of feels like it's working its way into my chest~.
Tsugumi
Fufu. I tried putting a lot of thought into the heavy cream for this cake. I'm glad you like it.
Nanami
Huh...? You made this, Tsugu-senpai?
Tsugumi
Yeah. I wanted to research different cakes and tried making that one a few minutes ago.
Nanami
I see~. So that's why the flavor is so gentle.
Tsugumi
...? What do you mean?
Mashiro
Tsukushi-chan talks about you often. She says that you're so very kind!
Nanami
That's right. You're famous for being an oni of kindness~.
Tsugumi
Ahaha... Is that supposed to be kind or strict?
Nanami
And what's more, you're so cool on stage. It feels like you're absolutely perfect.
Tsugumi
It's kind of embarrassing to be complimented that much... But thanks.
Mashiro
I thought you were cool, too. And you were amazing during the GBT...
Mashiro
I could tell from your performance how much all of you wanted to win...
Mashiro
Even now, when I close my eyes, the sight of that time comes to me.
Tsugumi
... Right. I agree that our desire to win was stronger than any other band that stepped on the stage that day.
Nanami
That's just how much Afterglow is staking on the GBT.
Tsugumi
... That's also part of it, but...
Tsugumi
In my case, I think it was because I wanted to treasure the moment.
Transcript
Mashiro
Umm, what do you mean by "treasure the moment"...?
Tsugumi
I'm obviously not saying I didn't treasure it until now. I've just thought that a lot recently.
Tsugumi
You both know there is so much fun and difficulty in having band activities, right?
Nanami
There sure is a lot~. Every time, I always think I'm living the teenage life~.
Tsugumi
The teenage life... Fufu. You might be right. You laugh, worry, and go through that process over and over.
Tsugumi
It's so strange, isn't it? When times are fun, power swells up inside you, and you feel like you can run forever...
Tsugumi
But when times are tough, it's the only thing you can think of, and you can't move from that spot.
Mashiro
I know what you mean... Even if I avert my gaze or run away, it doesn't ever leave my mind.
Tsugumi
Yeah... There's nothing you can do about what's already happened. You can't pretend the past didn't happen...
Mashiro
(You can't pretend it didn't happen...)
Tsugumi
No matter how much you worry, suffer... or cry... there are times when you won't find an answer.
Tsugumi
And as you're standing still like that, your precious time with everyone will pass you by.
Tsugumi
The smiling, rejoicing and being happy... All those fun memories you should have been able to make with them...
Tsugumi
That's why I want to do my best with what's in front of me and what I can do now... That's what I think.
Nanami
But if the problem never gets solved... wouldn't that be really painful...?
Tsugumi
... Yeah, it would...
Tsugumi
But I thought coming to a standstill would be more of a waste.
Tsugumi
Plus, I believe even if you still carry the problem with you... if you do your absolute best in the moment, you're sure to find a solution.
Tsugumi
That's why I want to treasure the moment.
Mashiro
...
Nanami
Shiro-chan, Tsugu-senpai's cake was really good, wasn't it? I think I might become a repeat customer~.
Mashiro
...
Nanami
...
Nanami
Let's go again sometime.
Mashiro
... Nanami-chan.
Nanami
Hm? What is it?
Mashiro
I... I think I probably won't ever be able to forget what happened with the chairwoman.
Mashiro
My pathetic self and my feelings of frustration... I think I'll remember those no matter how much time passes.
Mashiro
But... I'm going to stop worrying about them.
Nanami
I see. You'll remember, but you won't worry... That sounds kinda hard.
Mashiro
Yeah. It's me, after all... I don't know if I can do it, but I want to be able to.
Mashiro
Because hearing what Tsugumi-san said... made me want to treasure every day I'm with everyone in Morfonica.
Mashiro
So I won't worry about it anymore. I want to do my very best in what I can do now.
Mashiro
Although, I don't know what that is yet...
Nanami
If that's what you've decided, I think that's for the best~.
Nanami
The only thing I can do is give you a push forward when you seem like you're going to come to a stop.
Nanami
I'm part of Morfonica's rhythm section, after all~. I've always got my eye on the vocalist when we're on stage, so leave it to me.
Mashiro
Thanks.
Nanami
Fufu. Sweets really are great~.
Nanami
That was also the case in Shibuya, but eating Tsugu-senpai's cake made you smile.
Mashiro
You might be right... It also might be thanks to our having fun. That helped cheer me up.
Mashiro
And... so did your words of "That's not true."
Mashiro
They were so strong and helped push me forward.
Nanami
Fufu. I see~.
Mashiro
Wow... The marshmallow rabbit cushion I bought at the shop in Shibuya is so soft and fluffy~.
Mashiro
I was scared, but I'm glad I went. Fufufu...
Mashiro
(... I said what I said to Nanami-chan, but what can I do now?)
Mashiro
(Do my best for the Tsukinomori Music Festival...?)
Mashiro
(That's true, but it's so much of a given, I wonder if that's okay...)
Mashiro
Ah, it's a message from Toko-chan. "Making a presentation is super hard!" ...?
Mashiro
Oh yeah, the one she's showing to the chairwoman... She was working on it all day today.
Mashiro
(Toko-chan is so amazing. She's actually doing what she can now.)
Mashiro
(I also want Tsukinomori to return to being lively like before, but...)
Mashiro
Will the school not go back to how it used to be? Every day was so free and fun... I wish it would go back to being that way...
Touko
There's no point in just thinking that, is there? If you wanna change it, you've gotta take action yourself!
Mashiro
... I get it now. I already had something I wanted to do.
Transcript
Touko
It's done!!
Touko
I'll definitely be able to out-debate the chairwoman with this! My super invincible presentation is finished!
Rui
I see. Then please show it to me.
Touko
Hm?
Rui
I told you, did I not? I will check its contents before you show it to the chairwoman.
Nanami
Wow. So you made a promise like that? The two of you are such good friends~.
Rui
That is not the case. I am checking it because I cannot predict what will happen if I allow Kirigaya-san to do as she pleases.
Rui
There is a high likelihood that the chairwoman's impression will worsen due to the contents.
Rui
I want to quash such an occurrence as soon as possible so that I do not become involved in trouble when that happens.
Touko
Sheesh. You really are a worrywart, Rui~. It's me we're talking about. No way would that happen.
Touko
Here... Take a look at my totally sick presentation! See? It's perfect, isn't it?
Rui
... Denied. Redo it.
Touko
Why?!
Rui
"Having fun is unbeatable! It's seriously awesome! So we should allow afterschool detours!"
Rui
This is not logical at all. Do you think this will encourage the chairwoman to consent? If you want to communicate your opinion, write it cogently.
Touko
Cogently?
Rui
I am saying to write it so that the reader can properly understand.
Rui
Also, why is each page colorfully decorated?
Touko
Because having it be flashy gets me psyched!
Touko
If I'm psyched, that makes reading the presentation fun. And if it's fun, that'll make it easier for the presentation to get accepted, right?
Rui
There is no way that would happen.
Rui
How concise and easily viewable can you make it? That question is the basis of creating documents. Decorations are out of the question.
Touko
Excuse me? Don't you think your senses are off if you can't understand the greatness of this? More importantly, you-
Nanami
Ahaha... There they go.
Tsukushi
Nngh~. Nngh~...
Nanami
Tsu-chan? Why are you pacing like that?
Tsukushi
It's because Mashiro-chan isn't here yet... She had that incident with the chairwoman... She'll come today, right?
Tsukushi
She seemed to have fun yesterday, but she gets depressed quickly...
Tsukushi
And what's more, she doesn't seem to have read the message I sent her a minute ago. I wonder if she's okay~...
Nanami
Hmm~. Aren't you worrying a bit too much? She probably just hasn't noticed the message because she's rushing here.
Tsukushi
But~...
Nanami
Anyway, Shiro-chan is fine~. I guarantee it~.
Mashiro
S-sorry I'm late...!
Tsukushi
Mashiro-chan! Th-thank goodness~... I'm so happy you came!
Mashiro
Huh? What? What's wrong?
Touko
Huh? Shiro, you seem okay. I heard from Fusuke that you were down in the dumps.
Touko
Well, whatever! For now, I'm relieved to see it. Now then. Help me make my presentation!
Mashiro
P-presentation? Aren't we practicing...?
Touko
Rui's on my case about redoing it~. I wanna show the chairwoman who's boss as soon as possible. Help a girl out!
Tsukushi
Hey! Quit being so selfish! Mashiro-chan's here now, so come on and get ready!
Touko
No way! If school's not fun, I can't get motivated to practice!
Mashiro
U-um! Everyone...
Rui
Kurata-san?
Mashiro
I have something I want you all to hear. I was thinking yesterday...
Touko
Oh, what is it~? Quit beating around the bush and tell us already.
Mashiro
So, uh...
Mashiro
I want to give back to Tsukinomori.
Tsukushi
...? What do you mean?
Mashiro
I've had no self-confidence for the longest time, right? Ah, I don't have any now either...
Mashiro
But I've gradually increased the number of things I can do, and I feel like I'm different from before...
Mashiro
I think that's all because I enrolled at Tsukinomori.
Mashiro
I mean, thanks to that, I was able to meet Morfonica.
Tsukushi
Mashiro-chan...
Mashiro
I love Tsukinomori... I love this place that gave me a chance to have self-confidence.
Mashiro
That's why... I want to give back to Tsukinomori.
Mashiro
For the Tsukinomori Music Festival, I want to put on a concert that can cheer up the depressed Tsukinomori...!
Tsukushi & Toko
...
Mashiro
And that might not make the current Tsukinomori go back to being what it was before, but... for just that moment, the entire school will be able to smile.
Mashiro
I want to have that kind of concert to give back to the school.
Touko
Huh... Shiro, that's pretty cool. You clearly said what you wanted to do for once...
Nanami
Mhm. I really felt that~.
Touko
You said it~. I felt zapped by that just now! In fact, I'm super fired up...!
Rui
Our goal for the Tsukinomori Music Festival is decided. While illogical, it has given me an image.
Rui
A concert where our performance influences the audience... As I recall, we saw one such performance up close recently.
Nanami
So a concert like Afterglow did that one day, huh~? That seems like it will be hard~.
Touko
Don't worry! That'll be a cinch for us! Alright. How about we start practicing? It's to pump up Tsukinomori!
Mashiro
Right...
Nanami
Ahaha. Toko-chan's burning with passion~. It looks like she's forgotten about the presentation.
Tsukushi
... It's just like you said, Nanami-chan. Mashiro-chan really was okay.
Nanami
Fu, fu, fu~. She's gotten stronger again when you weren't aware of it~.
Tsukushi
(It happened when I didn't know...)
Tsukushi
(I still don't know how to deal with the current Tsukinomori, but Mashiro-chan...)
Touko
Oh man~. I never would've thought you'd be the one to get me motivated, Shiro~. Way to go, girl~!
Mashiro
T-Toko-chan, stop it~. You're messing up my hair~.
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