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Morfonica, To the Sparkling World
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- ???
Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, a prestigious school with a hundred-year history...
- ???
The students here are the best of the best, some coming from rich families, while others have won various awards.
- ???
Countless students from other schools dream of coming here.
- ???
If I enter this school, then maybe even I...
- Mashiro
Th-thank you for your time...
- Mashiro
Sigh, looks like the choir isn't going to work either...
- Mashiro
(I had heard the choir won all sorts of competitions, but it sounds like everyone in the club is taking lessons from famous instructors...)
- Mashiro
(Their poster said anyone is welcome, but there's no way I can join a group of such talented people...!)
- ???
Ah, Kurata-san. Hello.
- Mashiro
Huh? Ah, h-hello... Uhm...
- ???
Come on, Kurata-san! Did you really forget my name?!
- Tsukushi
It's Futaba! Tsukushi Futaba, your class president!
- Tsukushi
It's been a whole month since school started. You should at least know your classmates' names now!
- Mashiro
I-I'm sorry...
- Tsukushi
Well, I suppose you did come from an unaffiliated school. I'm sure adjusting to our school has been tough...
- Tsukushi
Anyway, what are you doing here? Isn't this where the choir has their practice?
- Mashiro
I wanted to check out some clubs...
- Tsukushi
Oh, the clubs, huh? So are you going to join the choir?
- Mashiro
N-no, I don't think so. It doesn't seem like a good fit for me...
- Tsukushi
Oh, I see. Ah, if you plan on checking out any of the other clubs, I can show you around!
- Mashiro
...
- Tsukushi
You still haven't gotten used to the school building, right? Don't worry, as class president, I—
- Mashiro
Uhm, I'll be going now...
- Tsukushi
Huh...? Ah, w-wait, Kurata-san!
- Mashiro
Sigh... I visited all sorts of clubs, but...
- Mashiro
(All of the clubs here are on a completely different level than other schools... I'd never fit in with any of them...)
- Mashiro
(I thought if I entered my dream school... I'd find something special about myself, even if I am just an ordinary girl...)
- Mashiro
(Maybe this place isn't suited to someone as talentless as me...)
- Mashiro
A butterfly...
- Mashiro
(It's fluttering over the flower beds... It must be trying to decide which flower to land on...)
- Mashiro
(Maybe it's wondering if this is really where it belongs.)
- Mashiro
Just like me...
- Tsukushi
... Kurata-san?
- Mashiro
Huh? F-Futaba-san...!
- Tsukushi
You left in the middle of our conversation, so I ran after you...
- Tsukushi
Only to find you zoning out and talking to a butterfly... Your class president is worried about you!
- Mashiro
I-I was just...
- Tsukushi
Aha, let me guess, you're worried about something, right? Then let me help!
- Mashiro
Huh...?
- Tsukushi
This is all part of my job as class president! Whatever it is, I'll do my best to solve your problem!
- Mashiro
W-well...
- Tsukushi
... I see. You thought you'd be able to change yourself if you entered your dream school, so you worked hard to pass the entrance exam.
- Tsukushi
However, being surrounded by all these talented students has made you lose your self-confidence.
- Mashiro
Everyone in class is always talking about the contests and awards they've won...
- Mashiro
Not only that, but everyone's rich, so I can't even relate to their everyday stories...
- Tsukushi
You don't have to worry about that! Come on, have some confidence! You got into this school, after all. That makes you special too!
- Mashiro
But being confident is impossible for me...
- Tsukushi
Hey, you can't say that! You're a Tsukinomori student now!
- Tsukushi
I guess I have no choice... Are you free tomorrow?
- Mashiro
I am, but why...?
- Tsukushi
Alright, then I'm taking you somewhere to cheer you up! We're going to a girls band event!
- Mashiro
A girls band event...?
- Tsukushi
Yup! You need a break, and seeing a fun concert could be just the thing you need to lift your spirits!
- Mashiro
Y-you don't have to do that. I've already seen those kinds of bands on TV... Besides, live houses are kind of scary...
- Tsukushi
Oh, stop it! We're going, and that's that! Just trust me on this one. Concerts are always better in person!
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
So this is a live house...
- Mashiro
There sure are a lot of people here... I don't see any scary people though. Thank goodness.
- Tsukushi
Kurata-san, you're going to get lost if you keep glancing around like that!
- Tsukushi
Come on, let's hurry up and go inside. Stay close to me so you don't get lost.
- Mashiro
Okay... Ah, wait! I have to buy my ticket...
- Tsukushi
Don't worry about that. I've got your ticket right here.
- Mashiro
Huh?
- Tsukushi
My dad gave me tickets to this event.
- Tsukushi
We were talking about the girls band trend at home, so he brought them for me as a gift. He said I should go with a friend.
- Tsukushi
So you don't have to worry buying a ticket.
- Mashiro
I see... U-uhm, thank you.
- Tsukushi
Don't worry about it. I'm just trying to help.
- Tsukushi
Alright, then let's go... Uhm...
- Mashiro
This crowd makes it hard to see where the entrance is.
- Tsukushi
The entrance is... Ah, over here! See? There's all sorts of people lined up! Let's go get in line!
- Mashiro
Huh? Wait, isn't that the drink counter?
- Tsukushi
What...?
- Tsukushi
Th-that's right! Are you thirsty, Kurata-san? If you are, now's a good time to buy a drink!
- Mashiro
R-right, but everyone seems to be handing the staff something in exchange for their drinks. What is that?
- Tsukushi
Huh? W-well, that's...
- Mashiro
Don't tell me... Is this your first time at a live house too, Futaba-san?
- Tsukushi
Eep!
- Tsukushi
I-I've been to concerts in way bigger venues than this before!
- Tsukushi
My dad took me there, and there were a lot more people!
- Mashiro
I-I see...
- Mashiro
(That must mean she's never been to one before...)
- ???
Hey, can I ask you two something?
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
Hm?
- ???
What is everyone using to buy their drin-... Huh? That uniform...
- Tsukushi
Kirigaya-san...?
- Mashiro
You know her?
- ???
...? Uhm... Ah, if it isn't Tanaka! What a surprise seeing you here!
- Mashiro
Why is she calling you Tanaka-san...?
- Tsukushi
I'm not Tanaka!
- ???
Huh? Oh, then was it Yamada...?
- Tsukushi
That's not my name either!
- Mashiro
I'm a little lost here. Are you two friends?
- Tsukushi
I wouldn't say that. Kirigaya-san just tends to stick out, that's all. We went to the same elementary and middle school, so even if we haven't talked personally, we still know each other.
- ???
So that's it! I thought for sure we were friends when you said my name.
- Tsukushi
Argh~, don't just pretend you know someone when you don't.
- Mashiro
Still, I can't believe you're that famous...
- ???
Well, yeah, there's even a bronze statue of me at school~!
- Mashiro
What? Really?! Th-that's amazing!
- Tsukushi
Hey, cut that out! Don't tease her like that! Kurata-san's still new to the school, so she'll actually believe you!
- ???
Ahaha. My bad, my bad!
- Tsukushi
Kirigaya-san has a unique style and a lot of friends, so that's why she's so well-known. And as you can see, she's so energetic...!
- Mashiro
Y-yeah, I think I can see that.
- ???
Wait, aren't you guys first years too? Which class are you in?
- Tsukushi
Class 1-A. I'm the class president, Tsukushi Futaba. This is Mashiro Kurata. She's in the same class as me.
- Touko
Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Toko Kirigaya from 1-B! You can call me Toko!
- Mashiro
O-okay. It's nice to meet you too...
- Tsukushi
By the way, Kirigaya-sa-... I mean, Toko-chan, I didn't know you were interested in bands.
- Touko
Well, yeah, they're super big right now, aren't they? I wanted to check out this new trend for myself.
- Touko
This is my first time at a live house, and boy, is it exciting! There sure are a lot of girl bands here!
- Tsukushi
Are there really that many?
- Touko
Yeah, didn't you see the flyers posted over there? Take a look!
- Mashiro
You're right. There are a lot... Poppin'Party, Roselia...
- Touko
Oh, there are even flyers for bands recRuiting members!
- Mashiro
...
- Tsukushi
What's wrong, Kurata-san?
- Mashiro
... It's just so strange. I had no idea this world existed so close to us.
- Tsukushi
See? It's just like I told you. There are some things you can't experience through a TV screen.
- Mashiro
Yeah, you're right. I wonder if the concert will be different in person as well...
- Kasumi
Hello, everyone!! We're Poppin'Party!
- Kasumi
I wanna hear you all cheering all the way till the end! Now, let's have some fun!!
- Mashiro
(Poppin'Party... Ah, that's the band from the flyer.)
- Kasumi
It's been a whole year since we first took the stage here at CiRCLE!
- Kasumi
We were just starting out as a band back then, but in this year alone, we've experienced so many sparkling, heart-pounding moments!
- Kasumi
And I hope to deliver those same feelings to everyone here today. Now, onto the music!
- Audience
Wooo!
- Tsukushi
Th-the crowd's going wild...!
- Mashiro
It feels like the music is crashing into us...! So this is what a live house sounds like...
- Tsukushi
S-see? Concerts are way more intense in person, right?
- Touko
No kidding! I'm super pumped! I'm gonna try to get closer!
- Tsukushi
What?! Can we do that?!
- Mashiro
Amazing...
- Mashiro
The atmosphere has completely changed...! The whole world is sparkling...!
- Mashiro
It's not just the glowsticks either... The band's music itself is shining!
- Tsukushi
Huh? What? Did you say something?
- Mashiro
So this... is what a band is like...!
- Mashiro
(Sigh, that concert was so much fun... When was the last time my heart pounded that fast...?)
- Mashiro
(The music and performances completely sucked me in and brought so much joy to the crowd. The live house and the people on that stage were all shining so bright...)
- Mashiro
(Kasumi-san from Poppin'Party was so cool...)
- Tsukushi & Toko
Oh~, that was amazing~!!
- Tsukushi
Weren't the members of Pastel✽Palettes so cute~?! I can't believe we saw real idols up close and personal~!
- Touko
What about Afterglow?! Weren't they just the coolest?! Talk about a killer show!
- Tsukushi
The same goes for Roselia! They were so cool! The atmosphere of the entire room changed when they walked on stage!
- Touko
Did you see all the stuff Hello, Happy World! was doing?! It was totally wild! They even had a bear!
- Mashiro
Don't forget Poppin'Party!
- Mashiro
That stage was sparkling when they were on it! It was like seeing a bright blue sky full of stars!
- Mashiro
It felt like something amazing was about to happen. My heart wouldn't stop pounding...!
- Tsukushi
A bright blue sky full of stars...? You sure do say some funny stuff, Kurata-san! Still, I think I know what you mean!
- Touko
...? Wouldn't it be impossible to see the stars in the daylight?
- Mashiro
I-I guess that's just what came to mind during the show...
- Tsukushi
Ah, hey, what's that over there?
- Mashiro
There sure are a lot of people gathering in that one spot. It looks like they're writing in a notebook.
- Touko
I think they're giving their thoughts on the concert! I'm gonna go write something~!
- Tsukushi
Ah, wait! I want to give my thoughts too!
- Mashiro
... There. All done. I hope this is alright.
- Touko
What did you write?
- Mashiro
Ah! N-no, don't look~!
- kasumi
Hi there! Thanks for coming to our show today!
- kasumi
What did you think of the performances?
- All
...!
- Touko
It's Poppin'Party!
- Tsukushi
I didn't know the bands came out to see the audience...!
- Mashiro
Th-they... w-were a lot of fun!! Just amazing!! So cool!!
- tae
Yes! Isn't that awesome, Kasumi?
- Mashiro
I-I thought maybe I'd start a band of my own!
- Mashiro
(After that, I went home and made a poster to recRuit bandmates right away...)
- Mashiro
(Kasumi-san and the other bands were all shining just as brightly as the students at Tsukinomori.)
- Mashiro
(If I start a band, maybe even someone like me... can shine just as bright as them...)
- Touko
... Huh? If it isn't Kurata.
- Tsukushi
What are you doing here?
- Mashiro
Ah, Toko-chan, Futaba-san. Uhm, you see...
- Tsukushi
...? Is that a poster you're holding?
- Touko
Let's see... "Wanted: Band Members..."
- Touko
This is just like the recRuiting flyers we saw at CiRCLE!
- Tsukushi
Now that I think about it, you did say you wanted to start a band, didn't you?
- Mashiro
Y-yeah. All the bands were so cool, so I wanted to give it a try...
- Mashiro
I also think this might be a good chance to change myself. Maybe being in a band could make me special too...
- Tsukushi
I see...
- Mashiro
I got really excited and made these posters, but now I'm wondering if anyone will want to join my band...
- The Other Two
...
- Touko
Come on, aren't there already two people you should be asking to join?
- Tsukushi
No kidding. Did you forget who you saw that concert with?
- Mashiro
Huh?
- Touko
You should've just said, "That concert was a blast. Do you wanna start a band with me?"
- Mashiro
Would you... really like to join...?
- Touko
Who wouldn't after seeing that concert?!
- Tsukushi
Yeah, those bands were all amazing! You can't help but want to be like them!
- Mashiro
Toko-chan, Futaba-san... Uhm, thank you so much...!
- Tsukushi
Fufu, let's give this band our all!
- Touko
Now that that's settled, I'll help you put up these posters! Actually, shouldn't we post these in live houses?
- Mashiro
Ah, that's a good idea. Do you think CiRCLE would let us hang some up in their space as well...?
- Tsukushi
Fufu~, leave that to me! I'll go ask them!
- Touko
Ahaha, what a reliable class president you are!
- Mashiro
Yeah. Thank you.
- All
Rock, paper... Scissors!
- Touko
...?!
- Tsukushi
Alright, Kurata-san wins. That means you get to choose what part of the band you want to play first.
- Touko
Wait, wait! That was just a practice round! Let's play one more time! Please!!
- Tsukushi
Oh~, cut it out, will you?! How many practice rounds do you want?!
- Touko
Please! Just one more time! That last one didn't count~!
- Mashiro
You must have a part you really want to play, huh, Toko-chan? What is it?
- Touko
Urgh, the guitar...
- Touko
I mean, the guitarist totally stands out! I knew I had to play the guitar the minute I saw them playing at that concert.
- Touko
... Still, I shouldn't be talking about this! Now you guys will feel like you have to hold back for my sake~!
- Tsukushi
How do you think we feel playing rock, paper, scissors over and over again?!
- Mashiro
Uhm, I don't really want to play the guitar, so you don't have to worry about me.
- Tsukushi
I've got something else in mind too, so you're welcome to play the guitar if you want.
- Touko
Huh?! Seriously?! Are you sure?!
- Touko
Oh~, you guys are too good for this world! Thank you!
- Mashiro
Ahaha...
- Mashiro
What about you, Futaba-san? You said you have a part you want to play as well.
- Tsukushi
Yup! I want to play the drums! I used to play the drums in the elementary school marching band!
- Touko
Whoa, wait, that means you're an experienced drummer, right?!
- Tsukushi
I wouldn't say that... But, well, you could always come to me if you want advice.
- Touko
So what about you, Kurata? What do you want to do?
- Mashiro
What do I want to do...?
- Mashiro
Maybe the vocals...
- Tsukushi
Huh?
- Mashiro
N-no! That's just the first thing that came to mind...! The vocals are very important, so I shouldn't be the one to do them...!
- Tsukushi
Why not? I say go for it. Besides, if that's the first thing that came to mind, that means you want to do it.
- Mashiro
But the vocalist should be someone who shines on stage. I'm too plain. Besides, it's not like I'm good at singing anyway.
- Mashiro
Our band will never stand out with me as the singer. I should really step back and let someone else-
- Tsukushi
Don't you dare step back!
- Touko
Yeah, even if you are plain, our band will have me in it, so we'll stand out for sure!
- Tsukushi
You're not helping~!
- Tsukushi
Anyway, just give vocals a shot! I'm sure you can do it! It'll be fine!
- Mashiro
I'm not sure I agree with you, but... If you insist, I'll give it a shot.
- Tsukushi
Yeah, it's good to try new things.
- Touko
After that, we still need a bassist, right? ... Hm?
- Tsukushi
What's wrong?
- Touko
I must be imagining things... I could have sworn someone was watching us...
- ???
Hmmm~...
- Mashiro
Ah! Someone is watching us! Look, over by the bushes!
- Tsukushi
Wh-who is it, and what are they doing there?
- Touko
Huh? Wait a second... Hey~! What're you doing over there, Hiromachi?
- ???
Ah! They saw me!
- Mashiro
Huh? Is she a friend of yours, Toko-chan?
- Touko
Yeah, That's Nanami Hiromachi. She's in my class. We only became friends when high school started though.
- Nanami
Hey~, sorry about that. You all seemed to be having so much fun, so I couldn't help but stare.
- Tsukushi
Jeez~, do you know how scary that was?! You could have just joined us. You're friends with Toko-chan, after all!
- Nanami
Come on, there was no way I could interrupt such an intense game of rock, paper, scissors.
- Tsukushi
It was only intense for one of us...
- Mashiro
Ahaha...
- Nanami
So what were you guys talking about?
- Touko
Our band! These two and I decided to form one together!
- Touko
We went to a concert together recently, and it made me wanna give it a try too~!
- Nanami
Oh~, now that you mention it, I did see you post something about a concert online...
- Touko
Ah, that reminds me! Do you guys wanna go to the music store after school today? Now that we've decided our parts, I wanna check out some instruments!
- Tsukushi
Wow! I want to go too! I hope they have a cool set of drums~!
- Mashiro
Why don't we meet at the school gates after homeroom then?
- Touko
Okay~! Then after we check out our instruments, we should get some rainbows!
- Mashiro
R-rainbows...?
- Tsukushi
What are you talking about...?
- Touko
Huh? You haven't heard about rainbows? They're smoothies filled with all the colors of the rainbow!
- Touko
A café by the station started selling them recently, and they're my latest obsession!
- Mashiro
A-a rainbow smoothie...? Uhm, what are they made of?
- Touko
No clue. They kinda taste like milk tea though.
- Tsukushi
That sounds terrifying! Why would a rainbow drink taste like milk tea?!
- Touko
Who knows? I'm positive they're gonna be the next big thing, so you should try them! The rainbow trend is on its way~.
- Mashiro
Y-you really think so...?
- Tsukushi
There's no way a weird drink like that will get popular...
- Nanami
...
- Mashiro
... Ah, I'm sorry, Hiromachi-san! We're leaving you out, aren't we?
- Nanami
No, don't worry about it. You guys sure sound like you're having fun though. I'm kinda jealous~.
- Touko
In that case, why don't you join our band too? We're actually looking for members!
- Nanami
Huh? Can I really join?
- Tsukushi
Of course! We're looking for a bassist right now. Do you have any experience with musical instruments?
- Nanami
Nope, not at all, but I'd love to try the bass! It sounds fun!
- Mashiro
Wow, thank you, Hiromachi-san...!
- Nanami
No problem. I've actually been interested in bands for a while now~. They just sound so normal, don't they?
- The Other Three
Normal...?!
- Nanami
I-I mean... Ahaha... Never mind me! Just talking to myself. I can't wait to be in a band with all of you!
- Touko
Fufu! Well? What do you think of my guitar?!
- Touko
Black is such an intense color, isn't it? It looks so cool!
- Nanami
You were showing off your guitar to our classmates during break too, weren't you?
- Touko
Well, yeah~. I wanted everyone to see it~.
- Mashiro
Ahaha, you must really like it...
- Mashiro
It really is cool-looking. Futaba-san's drums and Hiromachi-san's bass look amazing too.
- Tsukushi
Ehehe, thanks. I was a little worried I wouldn't find a set I like, so I'm glad these jumped out at me right away.
- Nanami
Yeah. I'm glad I found something cool too~. Plus, now all our instruments match~.
- Mashiro
Are you guys really okay with bringing your instruments to school though? It must be extra hard for you and your drums, Futaba-san.
- Tsukushi
Don't worry about it. I've already asked for permission to use this room.
- Tsukushi
From today onward, this classroom is ours to practice in! We can even leave our instruments here!
- Nanami
Wow, you even got permission for us. Thanks, Tsu-chan.
- Touko
That's the class president of 1-A for you! You sure take your job seriously!
- Tsukushi
Hehe, of course I do. If you ever need anything, just ask.
- Touko
Alright~! I've got something, Madam President!
- Mashiro
Huh? Already...?
- Tsukushi
Yes, Kirigaya-san. What is it that you need?
- Touko
I'd rather practice in a studio than in a classroom.
- Tsukushi
Hey! How can you say that when I went to the trouble of borrowing this classroom?!
- Touko
But bands are supposed to practice in the studio, aren't they? Don't you wanna at least check one out?
- Tsukushi
Sounds like you're more concerned with appearances than the music...
- Tsukushi
In any case, we can't go to a studio just yet. I tried to make a reservation, but every place I contacted was booked.
- Mashiro
Is that because of how popular girls bands are now?
- Tsukushi
Definitely.
- Nanami
I do see a lot of high-schoolers carrying around instruments~. They must all be racing to the studio after school~.
- Tsukushi
... Ah, that reminds me. Shouldn't we decide on some sort of goal for our band?
- Tsukushi
Having something to aim for would give us more motivation to practice!
- Touko
Hmm~, a goal, huh...? Then how about playing in front of ten thousand people?!
- Nanami
Ten thousand people, huh...? That sounds like a good place to start, right?
- Mashiro
Huh...?!
- Tsukushi
Let's be realistic here! Jeez, Hiromachi-san, don't just go along with Toko-chan like that!
- Nanami
Huh...? Ah. Ahaha... You got me~. I see, so that's not a normal goal...
- Tsukushi
As for what we're aiming for... I know! Why don't we try to play at the Tsukinomori Music Festival?!
- Mashiro
The what...?
- Tsukushi
It's one of the events at our school!
- Nanami
You could say it's like a concert. The school orchestra and choir play there, as well as individual students.
- Nanami
After all, we've got a lot of students here who can play instruments like the piano and violin.
- Mashiro
This school really is full of talent.
- Touko
The music festival, huh...? That works, right? We'll perform there and surprise everyone!
- Nanami
I-I like that idea too~! The music festival is a great goal~!
- Mashiro
But won't that event be filled with super talented people...?
- Tsukushi
Of course it will. This is Tsukinomori we're talking about.
- Touko
Well, by that time, we'll be a super talented band too, so it's perfect, right?
- Mashiro
I-I don't know if things are going to go that smoothly...
- Tsukushi
They totally will! We're already a cut above the rest, so there's nothing we can't do!
- Touko
Alright, then let's get practicing! Tsukinomori Music Festival, we're coming for you~!!
- Nanami
Ah~, now that was a good practice~! What a blast~!
- Touko
No kidding~. I'm a little annoyed though. I'm so close to getting that phrase down~.
- Tsukushi
Fufu, annoyed is an understatement. You kept saying your fingers were getting all mixed up.
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
(Everyone's so amazing. They just keep getting better and better...)
- Mashiro
(They really are Tsukinomori students. I don't even come close...)
- Mashiro
U-uhm...!
- Nanami
Hm? What's wrong, Shiro-chan?
- Mashiro
Uhm, I promise I'll work harder...!
- Touko
Huh? Where's all that motivation coming from?
- Mashiro
I can't keep up with you guys at practice, so I feel like I need to do more...
- Touko
Ahaha, you don't have to worry about something so small.
- Tsukushi
Yeah, we're just getting started, after all.
- Mashiro
O-okay...
- Nanami
What made you think that way?
- Mashiro
I mean, Toko-chan has already learned multiple cords, and Futaba-san's really good at the drums despite not playing them for so long.
- Mashiro
Even you are able to play all those hard phrases, Hiromachi-san. I need to get better so I don't get in everyone's way...
- Touko
Well, you know, I just have good senses, that's all~.
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah, and this is just how I am. Learning stuff like this is easy when I put my mind to it~...
- Nanami
You say that, but you've been practicing in secret, haven't you, Tsu-chan~?
- Tsukushi
Eep! Wh-wh-what are you talking about?!
- Nanami
You've got more and more bandages on your hands every day... Did you really think you could fool my eyes~?
- Mashiro
Are you practicing at home too?
- Touko
Whoa, you sure are taking this seriously, Futaba.
- Tsukushi
This is... Y-yeah. You got me. I've been playing at home too.
- Tsukushi
I've actually got a little musical experience, so it'd look extra bad if couldn't drum, right?
- Nanami
Ahaha. Still, I think your hard work has been paying off.
- Tsukushi
Grr~, well, haven't you been practicing on your own too?
- Nanami
Huh? Me?
- Tsukushi
You're learning the bass really fast for someone who's just getting started. There's no way you could get that good without a ton of work.
- Nanami
Uhm, I haven't though...
- ???
...
- Mashiro
...? It looks like someone's in the courtyard... I thought everyone went home already.
- Tsukushi
Isn't that... Yashio-san?
- Mashiro
Yashio-san...?
- Tsukushi
Rui Yashio. She's just as famous as Toko-chan in our year.
- Nanami
She's beautiful, brilliant, and athletic. What's more, she's been a member of the student council since middle school.
- Tsukushi
She's really good at the violin too! I've seen her play at the music festival, and it was fantastic~.
- Mashiro
So she's good at everything. Wow...
- Nanami
Well, she is kind of hard to approach~.
- Touko
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of hers~.
- Rui
You there.
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
Huh...?
- Rui
Was that performance back there your doing?
- Touko
Yeah. So...?
- Rui
Kirigaya-san... I should have known this would involve you.
- Touko
Hey! What do you mean by that?
- Rui
You are always present where there is a ruckus. A noise complaint was filed with the student council.
- Touko & Nanami
Wh-what...?!
- Mashiro
Could you be talking about our band practice...?
- Rui
Band practice? That was a song?
- Rui
I do not think so. Music is about harmony, and there was nothing harmonious about what I heard coming from that classroom.
- Touko
O-of course not! We're just getting started!
- Rui
I do not care when you started. All I care about is what is happening now.
- Rui
And what is currently coming out of that classroom is noise. As a member of the student council, I cannot allow such disruptive activities.
- Tsukushi
W-wait! I already got permission from the student council to use that room!
- Rui
I see. So you were the one who submitted this application.
- Rui
There are several sections left blank, and I counted three spelling errors.
- Tsukushi
Huh...?
- Touko
Come on, Futaba... I thought you had this all taken care of.
- Tsukushi
I-I did! I just happened to miss a few spots!
- Rui
In any case, I am withdrawing your permission to use that classroom. Please be sure to take everything home with you.
- Mashiro & Nanami
What?!
- Touko
H-hold on a moment!
- Rui
This conversation is over. I have no reason to argue with you.
- Tsukushi
Whoa, wait! Yashio-san~!
- Tsukushi
Phew~, it's good to be back in this classroom...
- Nanami
Thank goodness we managed to get permission to use it again. I was worried for a second there~.
- Mashiro
I'm just glad they let us resubmit our application.
- Tsukushi
Although they did warn us that we had to keep it down...
- Touko
That's all fine and dandy, but... Why's Yashio here?
- Rui
...
- Tsukushi
The student council said that we need to have one of their members supervise our practices.
- Rui
Pay no attention to me. I have no intention of interfering with your activities.
- Touko
Come on, there's no way we can ignore you if you stare at us like that...
- Nanami
There's no use worrying about it, so let's just get on with practice already~.
- Tsukushi
... Yeah. Alright, then let's start where we left off yesterday.
- Mashiro
We were thinking about trying a slightly more difficult song, right?
- Touko
Yup. Although, if possible, I'd like an original song.
- Tsukushi
What do you mean?
- Touko
You know, a song that's all ours! Don't you want that?
- Tsukushi
Well, yeah, that'd be nice, but we can't write music...
- Touko
... Ah, what about Yashio? She can probably write music, right?
- Touko
She plays the violin, so she must know how to do that!
- Mashiro
Yashio-san...?
- Rui
... I have indeed written music before.
- Rui
However, that is all in the past. I have since quit playing the violin.
- Tsukushi
Huh?! You did?! Wh-why?! You were so good at it...
- Rui
I had no talent, so I saw no future in playing the violin.
- Tsukushi
Huh? I thought you were really talented...
- Rui
I simply saw no point in continuing if I could not be the best.
- Touko
The best, huh...? Don't you think you're being a bit unrealistic?
- Touko
Anyway~, since you know how to write music... Could you write one for us?!
- Rui
Were you not listening?
- Touko
I'm begging you! We want a song for our band~!
- Tsukushi
I'm begging you too! I'd love to have a song written by you, Yashio-san!
- Touko
I'll buy you a crepe, pancakes, or whatever you'd like...!
- Rui
I apologize, but I must refuse.
- Touko
... Alright, huddle up, everybody. Emergency strategy meeting.
- Mashiro
Huh? R-right...!
- Touko
What should we do? It doesn't sound like she's gonna budge.
- Nanami
Maybe we should ask another musician to write a song for us.
- Mashiro
But how many other students here can write music...?
- Tsukushi
Yeah, it has to be Yashio-san! I'll write up a formal request!
- Touko
Alright. I'll ask her every day after school.
- Mashiro
A-and I'll... find a way to ask her too!
- Nanami
Hmm, I wonder if I can find anything about making requests more effective online...
- Rui
... I can hear you talking, you know.
- Touko
U-uhm, well~...
- Rui
I suppose I understand your point of view. I am willing to give you a song I wrote long ago, if that is alright with you.
- Mashiro
Huh? You're going to give us a song...?
- Tsukushi
R-really?! Thank you so much, Yashio-san!
- Touko
Yeah, thanks! You're not so bad after all, Yashio!
- Rui
Being good or bad has nothing to do with it. I simply thought offering you an old song of mine would take less time than dealing with your request.
- Nanami
G-got it...
- Mashiro
... Ah, it's great that we have a song now, but don't we need lyrics too?
- Nanami
Oh yeah. Our singer needs something to sing, doesn't she?
- Touko
Isn't it usually the vocalist's job to write the lyrics?
- Mashiro
What? There's no way I could do that. I've never written lyrics before...
- Tsukushi
Come on~, don't give up so quickly! You'll never know until you try, right?
- Mashiro
B-but~...
- Nanami
Hmm~, well, why don't we all try writing something? Then we can just pick the lyrics that we like the best.
- Touko
Yeah, this is the first time we're making a song, so doing it together sounds good to me.
- Tsukushi
Hmm~, well, if that's what everyone wants, then I guess I'm okay with it.
- Tsukushi
Alright, then your homework for today is to write some lyrics. Don't forget.
- The Other Three
Right! Okay~! Okay...
- Mashiro
Hmm, lyrics, huh...? What should I do? I can't think of anything...
- Mashiro
No, I have to do my best. I'm already holding everyone else back in practice...!
- Mashiro
There must be something I can use as a hint... Huh? What's that monument over there...?
- Mashiro
Isn't this engraving the school motto? I think I remember hearing it during the entrance ceremony.
- Mashiro
"Your spark will light the way." ... What did they say it meant again...?
- Mashiro
Still, a road lit by sparks sounds like a nice image for a song...
- Nanami
... I moved things around a little bit, and this is what I came up with. What do you guys think?
- Mashiro & Touko
...!
- Touko
This is amazing! A total masterpiece!
- Nanami
Come on, it's not that big of a deal. It took me a while to do too.
- Tsukushi
No way, this is fantastic! Thank you so much for arranging our song!
- Nanami
I'm just glad you like it. I was so surprised when the song we got was for the violin~.
- Mashiro
It's not like Yashio-san was in a band, so it makes sense her song would be for an instrument she plays...
- Touko
Right?! I can't believe nobody thought of that~.
- Touko
But everything's fine now, thanks to our Hiromachi! Jeez, if you knew how to arrange music, you should've told us sooner~!
- Nanami
...? This is my first time arranging a song.
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
Huh...?!
- Tsukushi
How could you arrange a song this good on your first try...?
- Mashiro
This took you about a week, didn't it...?
- Nanami
Ahaha, it's easier than you think. All you have to do is look up how to do it!
- Touko
Wow~. Maybe I'll give it a look myself later.
- Tsukushi
I-I get the feeling it's a bit harder than that...
- Mashiro
Just who is Hiromachi-san...?
- Touko
Now the lyrics are another problem all together~. None of these feel right.
- Tsukushi
W-well, this is our first time writing a song, so they aren't going to be perfect.
- Nanami
Huh? I only see three sets of lyrics though. Who's missing?
- Mashiro
Ah, well...
- Touko
Someone looks pretty guilty~. Did you forget to write your lyrics or something?
- Mashiro
N-no, I wrote some, but after seeing everyone else's, I don't know if they're up to par...
- Mashiro
Uhm, do I have to show mine...? I really don't think they're any good, so maybe we can just skip me...
- Tsukushi
Argh, how can we say they're bad when we haven't even seen them? Come on, hand them over.
- Nanami
Ah, these are your lyrics, right?
- Touko
Let's see...
- The Other Three
...
- Mashiro
They're bad, aren't they...?
- Tsukushi
N-not at all. These lyrics are great...
- Mashiro
Huh...?!
- Touko
They aren't just great, they're fantastic! I can't say why I think they're so good, but I know that they are!
- Tsukushi
You really can't explain it...?
- Touko
What, and you can?
- Tsukushi
Huh? O-of course I can...!
- Tsukushi
And I'll be more than happy to elaborate, b-but first we need to get Hiromachi-san's opinion!
- Nanami
Yeah, I like these lyrics too.
- Nanami
You must have had something in mind when you wrote these lyrics, right? I can almost picture the scenery as I read them!
- Nanami
Maybe you could say we're seeing the world through your eyes. It's super interesting!
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah! That's exactly what I was going to say!
- Touko
Are you sure~? Still, how did you come up with these lyrics, anyway?
- Mashiro
Uhm... This is what came to mind when I was reading the school motto...
- Tsukushi
You got all this from the school motto...?!
- Mashiro
When I'm by myself, I tend to get lost in my own thoughts...
- Mashiro
Sometimes I imagine that I'm a tiny butterfly lost in a magnificent garden. Just a plain girl that somehow got into this famous school...
- Nanami
H-how dark...
- Touko
You were saying some weird stuff at the concert too. Wasn't it something about stars in a bright blue sky...?
- Mashiro
Yeah, the same thing happened there. That was the image that came to mind while I was watching the concert.
- Mashiro
It was like Poppin'Party's song itself was sparkling under a clear blue sky...
- Touko
Hmm, I still don't get it. I guess this means we'll be using Kurata's lyrics though, right?
- Tsukushi
Yeah, no complaints here. Besides, having lyrics inspired by the school motto really gives our song a Tsukinomori feel.
- Nanami
Yeah, for sure. Congratulations, Shiro-chan!
- Mashiro
Th-thank you...
- Touko
Mmm~, rainbows after practice are the absolute best!
- Nanami
Ahaha, you really like these drinks, don't you, Toko-chan~?
- Nanami
Still, sitting in a café after practice like this sure is nice... Ooh, this is exactly the kind of normal teenager life I imagined~!
- Tsukushi
Fufu, I wish Yashio-san would've joined us though. She always leaves right after our practice.
- Mashiro
She arrives and leaves at the same time every day, doesn't she?
- Nanami
It makes Rui-Rui seem pretty robotic, doesn't it~?
- Touko
Didn't practice today go amazing though? Our song is really coming together!
- Mashiro
Yeah, I thought I sounded my best today...
- Tsukushi
Hmm~, still, we shouldn't let it go to our heads. We're Tsukinomori students, after all. We should be able to give an even better performance.
- Nanami
Ahaha, somebody's motivated~.
- Tsukushi
If we're going to do this, we should do it right. Which is why we always need to think of ways to improve.
- Tsukushi
For example, Toko-chan, you still have parts you struggle to play, so wouldn't it be best to practice at home too?
- Touko
Aww~, but practicing at home isn't my style~.
- Tsukushi
And Kurata-san, there are still times where your voice gets drowned out. You need to practice singing in a louder voice.
- Mashiro
Huh? I'm already singing as loud as I can, though. Any more than that would be impossible...
- Mashiro
Besides, overdoing it might cause me to lose my voice. I'd rather just stick to the level I'm singing at now...
- Tsukushi
...! I thought I told you to stop giving up before you even try! You'll be fine! I know you can do it!
- Mashiro
S-saying that doesn't help~...
- Touko
Well, no use worrying about it now. We'll get there eventually. Besides, I've got stuff I need to tell you guys!
- Mashiro
Is it something big...?
- Touko
It sure is! Check it out!
- Nanami
What? Why are you showing us your phone...?
- Mashiro
It looks like some sort of social media page. Is this your account, Toko-chan? Y-you have so many followers...!
- Tsukushi
No kidding. This is on par with a minor celebrity.
- Touko
Well, the world can't help but pay attention to someone like me~! It's only a matter of time before I hit ten billion followers.
- Tsukushi
That's more than the population of the entire planet!
- Touko
Anyway, this isn't about me. You see, I've been posting about our band a lot lately.
- Mashiro
Ah, look at all the pictures of us practicing... You even uploaded a video... That's a lot of comments.
- Tsukushi
I thought I saw you doing something with your phone. So this is what you were up to.
- Touko
Yeah, and you know what? Someone saw my posts and contacted me about signing up for an event.
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
An event?!
- Touko
They said it's going to be all newly formed bands. So what do you think? We've been practicing for a while now, so don't you want to give performing a try?
- Nanami
Whoa~! Yeah! Doing a concert sounds like fun!
- Tsukushi
Plus it'd be a good idea for us to get some performing experience before the music festival...
- Mashiro
A concert...
- Mashiro
Yeah, I want to stand on that sparkling stage too...!
- Touko
Ahaha, even Kurata's excited. Alright, then I'll go ahead and contact them.
- Nanami
Ah, wait a minute. If we're going to be performing, shouldn't we decide on a name?
- Tsukushi
You're right... We need something that suits us as Tsukinomori students. Hmm, what about "Cutie Elegant?"
- Touko
That's so lame! We need something way cooler than that! Like... "Thunder Slashers."
- Tsukushi
That doesn't match our image at all!
- Mashiro
L-looks like figuring out a name is going to be tougher than we thought...
- Nanami
Why don't we enter the event with a temporary name for now? We can pick out our actual name before the school music festival.
- Tsukushi
Hmm, yeah, it doesn't seem like we'll decide on a name any time soon, so let's do that.
- Touko
Sounds good to me~.
- Touko
Then, starting tomorrow, we get ready for our first concert~!
- Tsukushi
Today's the day, guys!
- Tsukushi
This is it! Our first concert! Everybody's ready, right?!
- Touko
Totally! We'll show these bands just how amazing Tsukinomori is!
- Mashiro
There are way more people here than I thought there'd be...!
- Mashiro
I figured no one would come to this event because all the bands are newer ones.
- Touko
Ah, that's probably because I posted about it online. See? Look at all the girls from our school.
- Nanami
Y-you really do have a lot of friends...!
- Tsukushi
Ah, looks like we're up. O-okay, let's go!
- Touko
Hey, everybody! We're Tsukinomori, or at least, that's our name for now!
- Touko
This is our first concert as a band, but I just know our performance will rock your world!
- Tsukushi
Uhm~, ahem. We hope you'll enjoy this song we put together.
- Mashiro
(Ooh, there really are a lot of people here. Standing on stage makes that even more obvious.)
- Mashiro
(Still, we did great during practice. As long as I just sing like I always do, it'll be fine...)
- Mashiro
(Besides, I'm finally on that sparkling stage...!)
- Touko
Oooh~, we did it! Our first performance is over~!!
- Nanami
Yeah~. Now that was fun~. That was pretty good for our first concert, don't you think?
- Tsukushi
Heh, they made a big mistake putting us first. I bet we're the best band here today.
- Mashiro
Y-yeah...
- Nanami
Hm? You don't seem very excited.
- Mashiro
Ah, it's just that, um, the concert we went to before seemed a lot more lively...
- Touko
Ah, the one at CiRCLE, right?
- Tsukushi
All those bands have been performing for a while now though. Of course they'd be different.
- Tsukushi
Out of all the new bands, I'm sure we're the best there is.
- Mashiro
I see. Yeah, I guess you're right...
- All
...!
- Nanami
What was that? Did you hear those cheers?
- Tsukushi
O-oh. I guess there is another band as popular as us.
- Touko
Looks like it... Why don't we go check it out?
- Mashiro
Y-yeah...
- All but Nanami
...
- Nanami
What's wrong, guys? You're all really quiet.
- Touko
I mean, wasn't the crowd a lot more pumped up during the other bands' performances...?
- Mashiro
Compared to their concerts, the reaction we got from the crowd was nothing...
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah. Still, I don't think that means our performance was bad.
- Touko
It was like their shows had more passion or energy to them though. They were completely different from ours.
- Mashiro
Even your friends seemed to have more fun during the other band's shows...
- Mashiro
If Toko-chan's friends hadn't been there, would the crowd have even cheered for us...?
- Tsukushi & Touko
...
- Touko
W-well, I'm sure we'll get to that level someday! We can't let this get us down!
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah, you're right! This is us we're talking about. I'm sure we'll be able to perform like that in no time!
- Nanami
Yeah, that's the spirit. We need to think positively.
- Mashiro
Are you sure we'll get better though...?
- Tsukushi
Our next show will be a hit! I know it!
- Touko
Yeah. I'll look around for other events we can perform at! Something that suits us just right!
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
...
- Nanami
C-come on, Shiro-chan, cheer up! Don't look so gloomy!
- Mashiro
We've performed at so many events now though, and nothing's changed...
- Touko
Well, the crowd's reaction hasn't gotten any better since that first concert...
- Nanami
But we've only just started performing! We'll get there! I know it!
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah! We can't rush these things!
- Tsukushi
We shouldn't let this get us down! We need to move forward with confidence!
- Mashiro
... Did you know about this?
- Nanami
What? Is there something on social media...?
- Mashiro
I found people talking about us online.
- Tsukushi
Did they come to our shows? Let's see...
- Tsukushi
"That Tsukinomori band was kinda disappointing..."
- Nanami
"For such an elite school, that band was pretty mediocre..."
- Tsukushi
So this is what people are saying...
- Nanami
Some people just expect more from our school, I guess.
- Touko
What about this one...?
- Touko
"The vocalist for that Tsukinomori band was pretty average. I was expecting more." "There's gotta be better singers at that school than her, right?"
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
(I've been trying my best...)
- Mashiro
(I thought for sure I'd find my special something if I worked hard enough... But no one's ever going to look at me like that...)
- Tsukushi
H-hey, don't let this get to you!
- Nanami
Y-yeah! You didn't do anything wrong, Shiro-chan. The vocalist is just the one people notice first...
- Tsukushi
In any case, what we need to do now is practice! If we just keep working at it, I'm sure—
- Mashiro
I don't want to be in a band anymore...
- Others
Huh...?
- Mashiro
I worked really hard, but look at what they're saying.
- Mashiro
I practiced so much for those shows, and it was all for nothing... I don't want to be in a band if it's just going to be like this.
- Tsukushi
O-our shows didn't go well because we haven't been practicing enough...!
- Tsukushi
Now that we've played live, aren't there a lot of areas you noticed you need to improve on?
- Tsukushi
Like how you get lost in our sound, or how you need to sing more clearly. You even messed up the lyrics because you were nervous.
- Mashiro
W-well... What about Toko-chan...?
- Touko
Huh? What about me?
- Mashiro
You make a ton of mistakes and you're always off beat from the rest of us... It's really distracting...
- Touko
Well yeah, that's true, but... Are you saying it's my fault?
- Tsukushi
K-Kurata-san...!
- Mashiro
And you, Futaba-san... You said you'd always be there to help if I needed it, but you didn't help at all...
- Tsukushi
...
- Nanami
Shiro-chan, you don't mean tha—
- Mashiro
It doesn't matter how hard I try. I'll never be able to sing well...
- Tsukushi
Stop saying that!
- Mashiro
...!
- Tsukushi
You're always so quick to make excuses!
- Tsukushi
Saying you can't do this or that... Whether you can or can't do something doesn't matter!
- Tsukushi
Is it always someone else's fault when you fail? If you're going be like that, then fine, quit already!
- Mashiro
Wh-what else am I suppose to think...? Unlike everyone else in this school, I'm nothing special...!
- Mashiro
I can't be confident like you, Futaba-san...!
- Nanami
Shiro-chan!
- Touko
... What the heck, Kurata?
- Tsukushi
...
- Tsukushi
I'm not as confident as you think...!
- Mashiro
...
- Rui
Is there something on your mind?
- Mashiro
Yashio-san...
- Rui
Practice should already have started by now. I am also currently on my way to the classroom.
- Mashiro
I'm not going to practice. I'm quitting the band...
- Rui
What are you talking about?
- Rui
... I see. I believe I understand the situation now.
- Mashiro
I guess I wasn't cut out for band life after all...
- Mashiro
Why did I ever think I could perform like the bands I saw at CiRCLE anyway?
- Mashiro
I'm not the type to sing in front of people, and it's not like I'm a great singer...
- Mashiro
Everyone else in the band probably felt the same way. That's why they didn't try to stop me from leaving...
- Rui
Did you want them to?
- Mashiro
Huh?
- Rui
It sounds to me like you would have continued to be in the band if they had tried to stop you... Is that correct?
- Rui
How childish.
- Rui
You are the one responsible for your actions. You should not seek a reason to stay from others.
- Mashiro
B-but...
- Rui
That being said, I don't think you were wrong to quit the band. There is no point in continuing something you see no future in.
- Rui
It is much better to spend your time on something you know you can win than waste it on something you know you will lose.
- Rui
My parents told me that, and I agree with them.
- Mashiro
That's right. You said you quit the violin because you had no future in it.
- Rui
Yes, I gave up. I had been learning the violin since I was a little girl, but I never won any competitions.
- Mashiro
You were able to make such an amazing song, though...
- Rui
The results are what matter. I could never be like her.
- Mashiro
Who?
- Rui
I knew someone very good at the piano. If I was like her, perhaps things would be different...
- Rui
... But in any case, I believe it is far more efficient to make use of my existing talents than to pursue an area in which I have none.
- Rui
Not that you necessarily need to do the same. I am not going to force you either way.
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
(Is there any place where I truly belong...?)
- Mashiro
(I don't have any special talents. I don't have anything...)
- Mashiro
...
- Kasumi
Hey there! Do you remember us?
- Mashiro
Ah... You're the girls... from the show...
- tae
You were saying you wanted to join a band before, right? Do you still feel that way?
- Mashiro
...
- Kasumi
That's... a flyer to recRuit members, isn't it? Why are you taking it down?
- Mashiro
I don't need it.
- tae
Huh...!
- Mashiro
I thought... being in a band would be more enjoyable...
- Kasumi
You mean—?!
- Mashiro
I probably won't be coming here again... See ya.
- tae
Ah, wait!!
- Kasumi
...
- Nanami
Stop! Stop! Our music is getting all mixed up~!
- Tsukushi
S-sorry. I can't get into the right rhythm...
- Touko
My bad. I can't concentrate.
- Nanami
Why don't we take a short break then...?
- Touko
Sounds good. Kurata, do you wanna go grab some juice?
- Tsukushi
Huh...?
- Touko
Ah, right. She's not here...
- Nanami
Are you both thinking about Shiro-chan?
- Touko
I guess. We're always together, so not having her here feels weird.
- Tsukushi
...
- Touko
Is she seriously going to quit the band...?
- Touko
I mean, she made me mad, but I know she's been working hard for the band.
- Touko
It must have been a real shock to see our show's fail. And then to see those comments online on top of that...
- Tsukushi
...
- Nanami
T-Toko-chan!
- Touko
Huh? Ah, don't get me wrong, Futaba! I'm not saying it's your fault!
- Tsukushi
I know that...! Everything I said was true!
- Tsukushi
She kept saying all those half-hearted things, and then she tried to blame everyone else for her own mistakes... That's wrong!
- Nanami
Y-yeah, I think so too, but... Then why do you seem so sad?
- Tsukushi
I-I'm just... wondering if I was too hard on her...
- Tsukushi
Kurata-san lost all her confidence after coming to this school. She's been feeling down ever since...
- Tsukushi
Being in a band seemed to cheer her up, but then I had to go and scold her like that...
- Nanami
In that case, wouldn't it be best to apologize to her?
- Tsukushi
I suppose, but what I said wasn't wrong...
- Tsukushi
Oooh~, I just don't know what to say to her~!
- Nanami
Th-things sure are complicated, huh...?
- Tsukushi
What should I do, Hiromachi-san?
- Nanami
Huh? Y-you're asking me...? I don't know anything about this stuff, but~...
- Nanami
O-okay. I'll go talk to her, so you don't need to worry about it.
- Nanami
If you want to make up with a friend, you need to talk to them...
- Nanami
That's what came up first when I looked it up online, so that's what I'll do! I need to find out how Shiro-chan's feeling...!
- Nanami
Ah, there she is! Shiro-chan, could we talk for a—
- Mashiro
...! U-uh, uhm, I-I'm sorry!
- Nanami
Huh? W-wait! Why are you running away~?!
- Nanami
Sigh~...
- Nanami
I never did catch up to her... I tried sending her a message, but she's not responding either. How am I suppose to talk to someone who hates talking...?
- Rui
That was quite the sigh there, Hiromachi-san.
- Nanami
Ah, Rui-ru-... I mean, Yashio-san.
- Nanami
I'm just a little worried about Shiro-chan. Having normal friends sure is hard. How do people do it...?
- Rui
You mean normal people, correct?
- Nanami
Uhm, you see, I don't have that many friends, so I just don't know how to handle these situations...
- Rui
I can imagine. Especially since you were once the most special person among us.
- Nanami
Wh-what are you talking about? We only got to know each other recently, right?
- Rui
Indeed, but I knew of you before that.
- Rui
You were once at the top of our class in terms of grades.
- Nanami
...?!
- Rui
Your artistic skills were also garnering much attention. I remember people expecting you to be the best in our class.
- Rui
However, somewhere along the line, the extraordinary Nanami Hiromachi became ordinary.
- Nanami
... I thought everyone had forgotten that by now...
- Rui
Sometimes our growth slows down as we get older. I'm sure that's what everyone assumed happened to you.
- Rui
Until recently, I would have agreed with them. But not anymore.
- Rui
You are just pretending to be normal.
- Nanami
Wh-what makes you think that...?
- Nanami
I might have been smart as a kid, but I'm completely normal now~...
- Rui
A normal person would not have been able to arrange a song like that on their first try.
- Nanami
Huh...? That's not normal?
- Rui
No, it is not.
- Nanami
I-I see...
- Rui
I do not understand you. What reason could you have to hide your abilities?
- Nanami
... I mean, you can't make friends unless you're normal.
- Nanami
When you're gifted, the only things you get from other people are weird expectations and jealousy. Nothing good ever comes of it.
- Nanami
How could I possibly like myself in that case? I just wish I could be like everyone else...
- Rui
...
- Mashiro
(I thought entering that school would change things... I thought even an ordinary girl like me could find my special talent there.)
- Mashiro
(But that's not true. A normal girl like me doesn't belong in that school...)
- Kasumi
E-excuse me!!
- Mashiro
...? Y-you're...
- Kasumi
Don't go! Could we... talk for a little bit?
- Mashiro
(Why does Kasumi-san care so much about me...?)
- Mashiro
(I've already given up on my band...)
- Kasumi
But listen... I've also had painful times with my band. And times when I've cried.
- Kasumi
But the others help me. And sometimes, I grab hold of them really tight and pull them forward, just like I'm doing now... That's why I am who I am today.
- Kasumi
It's because of those moments that I can enjoy the moment I'm in now. The others and I can look back and laugh together at the hard times we've been through!
- Kasumi
And that's why the me I am now can only communicate how fun being in a band is!
- Mashiro
All you're doing is rambling!
- Kasumi
You're completely right!! I may be selfish, and I may be rambling, but we've decided that we're just gonna get people to understand this feeling of fun!!
- Kasumi
All we can do is push forward and perform with what we think and what we feel. It's up to you to watch and decide what you think of that.
- Mashiro
...
- Touko
Ah, Kurata...
- Mashiro
T-Toko-chan...
- Mashiro
Uhm, are you still mad at me... about before...?
- Touko
No, not at all.
- Mashiro
...?
- Touko
Sure, I was a little angry, but what you were saying about me wasn't exactly wrong.
- Touko
Actually, it really got me thinking. If I still can't play certain parts or get in tune with everyone else, that must mean I need to practice more, right?
- Touko
Unlike Futaba, I haven't been practicing at home at all. Only after school with you guys... And I think that showed in my performance.
- Mashiro
Toko-chan...
- Touko
You know, I actually really like being in a band. It's fun. It's just that I've always been this way.
- Touko
Rather than pushing myself, I was more concerned about having fun. I don't think I've ever taken anything super seriously before.
- Touko
But that ended up causing problems for everyone else. I'm sorry.
- Mashiro
Y-you don't have to apologize!
- Mashiro
I'm the one who should be apologizing... I was wrong to say all those things...
- Touko
... Don't worry about it. But are you seriously going to quit the band?
- Mashiro
Yeah, I don't think I'm cut out for it...
- Mashiro
If I could perform like the bands we saw at CiRCLE, it'd be different, but I don't think I can.
- Touko
That's not what I mean. I'm asking what you want to do.
- Mashiro
Huh...?
- Touko
I don't really think about what I can or can't do.
- Touko
If I want to do something, I just do it... Isn't that better? No one's stopping you from doing something just because you're not good at it.
- Mashiro
I suppose. But...
- Touko
Besides, there was something you were good at, right?
- Mashiro
Th-that's not true...
- Touko
Yes, it is! Those lyrics! You wrote some really amazing stuff back then!
- Touko
I can't say why, but they really had an effect on me! Futaba and Hiromachi said the same thing, remember?
- Mashiro
D-did they...?
- Touko
They did! You know, you don't need to be so hard on yourself all the time. Have a little confidence.
- Touko
... Ah, I better get going. See ya later.
- Mashiro
Ah, Toko-chan...
- Mashiro
... Confidence... What I want to do...
- Mashiro
Amazing...
- Mashiro
The atmosphere has completely changed...! The whole world is sparkling...!
- Mashiro
It's not just the glow sticks either... The band's music itself is shining!
- Tsukushi
Huh? What? Did you say something?
- Mashiro
So this... is what a band is like...!
- Mashiro
Yeah, that's right...! How could I forget those feelings I had in the beginning...?
- Mashiro
I didn't care about what I could or couldn't do back then...
- Mashiro
I just saw a bright, sparkling world before my eyes... I just wanted... to try being in a band...
- Tsukushi
Hiromachi-san, did you speak to Kurata-san?
- Nanami
Ah~, this is about before, right? I tried to talk to her, but she ran away...
- Touko
Are you talking about Kurata? I just spoke to her a little while ago.
- Tsukushi
Huh? Really?
- Touko
Really. And I said everything I wanted to. Although, I don't know if it'll help bring her back.
- Tsukushi
No, if you talked to her, that's more than enough. Thank you, Touko-chan.
- Nanami
I'm sure she'll come back. Until then, we just have to wait here for her.
- Rui
You three certainly are persistent.
- Schoolgirl
Ah, here it is. This is the classroom I was talking about. Isn't this the perfect place to practice?
- Touko
Wh-what do you think you're doing?
- Schoolgirl
Hey, can we use this classroom? We're going to be in the school music festival and need a place to practice!
- Tsukushi, Nanami & Touko
Huh?!
- Nanami
They're trying to take our classroom...!
- Tsukushi
O-of course not! We're the one's using it!
- Schoolgirl
Yeah, but you guys haven't been practicing at all lately, right? If you don't use it, you lose your right to the classroom.
- Touko
Huh? Seriously?
- Schoolgirl
Yeah, so get-
- Rui
What on earth are you talking about?
- Tsukushi, Touko & Nanami
...!
- Rui
These girls are the ones given permission to use this room. You do not get to decide how they use it.
- Touko
Yashio...
- Rui
This conversation is over. I have no reason to argue with you.
- Schoolgirl
I-I guess if Yashio-san says so, we don't have much of a choice. Sorry to bother you...
- Nanami
Whoa, Rui-ru-... I mean, Yashio-san, you were so cool!
- Tsukushi
Thank you so much for helping us!
- Rui
...? What are you talking about?
- Tsukushi
You protected our right to use this classroom just now!
- Touko
You know, I was wrong about you, Yashio! Who knew you'd actually defend us?! Seriously, thank you!
- Touko
I thought we were nothing more than gnats to you, but it looks like you believe in us after all...!
- Rui
... There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I was simply conveying the reality of the situation to those girls.
- Rui
The student council is the one who decides which students can use what rooms. I cannot have students handing over that permission at their own convenience.
- Touko
Oh, you~! Come on, just admit that you like us already~!
- Rui
... Futaba-san, could you please interpret what I said to Kirigaya-san?
- Tsukushi
You're speaking the same language though!
- Nanami
Ahaha, well, it's fine, right? As long as you know we're thankful to you, Yashio-san... Hm?
- Touko
What's up?
- Nanami
Ah, I thought I felt someone watching us... Huh? Someone's standing in the hallway. Is that...?
- Mashiro
...
- Tsukushi & Nanami
Kurata-san! Shiro-chan!
- Mashiro
...! Ah, uhm, I...!
- Mashiro
(I need to apologize for running away and causing trouble for everyone.)
- Mashiro
(And then, I need to tell them. I need to tell them I want to be in the band with them.)
- Mashiro
...
- Touko
...? Something wrong, Kurata?
- Mashiro
N-no, it's nothing...
- Mashiro
(Do I really have what it takes to tell them I want to stay...?)
- Mashiro
(What I did was horrible. They might not forgive me...)
- Nanami
Sh-Shiro-chan~? Are you okay~?
- Mashiro
(B-but if I don't say it now... I'll live to regret it...)
- Mashiro
U-uhm, guys...! I'm really, really sorry!!
- Mashiro
I'm the one who started this band, but then I tried to just toss it all aside...! I blamed my own mistakes on Futaba-san and Touko-chan...! What I did was horrible!
- Tsukushi
Kurata-san...
- Mashiro
I've always been like this. I give up and make excuses as soon as things get hard. I'm always running away from things I don't like.
- Mashiro
But there's no way I'm going to change myself like that...
- Mashiro
I promise I won't run away anymore... So... So...
- Tsukushi & Touko
...
- Mashiro
Just once more, I... Uhm...
- Mashiro
Urgh...
- Tsukushi
Come on! Just tell us you want to play in the band already!
- Mashiro
F-Futaba-san...
- Tsukushi
That's what you want to say, right? Then just do it!
- Mashiro
How did you know...?
- Touko
Why else would you come all the way here?
- Mashiro
Huh...?
- Touko
Besides, we're all thinking the same thing. We want to play in the band with you.
- Nanami
Yeah, our vocalist is a little timid, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
- Mashiro
Why...?
- Mashiro
You have every right to hate me for leaving the way I did. Why are you saying such nice things to me...?
- Touko
Huh? Do you seriously not know?
- Nanami
It's obvious!
- Tsukushi
It's because we're friends!
- Mashiro
...
- Mashiro
Urgh... Ooh... Waaah...
- Rui
She's crying.
- Nanami
Ah! Don't cry, Shiro-chan!
- Mashiro
I-I'm sorry... And I'm sorry I couldn't say how I felt before...
- Tsukushi
Well, then tell us how you feel now.
- Mashiro
Okay...
- Mashiro
Can someone like me be in the band with you...?
- Nanami, Tsukushi & Touko
Of course!
- Touko
Phew...!
- Mashiro
That was amazing, Touko-chan. You've gotten so good at the guitar.
- Tsukushi
You can even play the parts you were struggling with before.
- Touko
Fufufu, that's because I've started practicing at home!
- Nanami
Huh? I thought you said that wasn't your style.
- Touko
Yeah, but now playing the guitar is super fun! I'm always practicing at home!
- Nanami
Sounds like somebody's easily swayed by their emotions~.
- Touko
You know, you've gotten a lot better at projecting your voice, haven't you, Kurata?
- Mashiro
Y-yeah, I don't want to make excuses anymore, so I've been practicing singing in a louder voice in the bathroom at home.
- Mashiro
That being said, there might still be times when I try to make excuses...
- Tsukushi
Fufu, isn't that an excuse right there?
- Nanami
Alright, should we try playing a song all together now?
- Tsukushi
Yeah. Ah, but before that... Yashio-san!
- Rui
...? What is it?
- Tsukushi
Would you like to play with us?
- Tsukushi
We were all talking, and a lot of us haven't heard you play before.
- Nanami
Yeah. I'd love to hear you play violin~.
- Rui
Like I said before, I have quit music. Besides, I do not have an instrument to play.
- Touko
We thought you might say that, so... We borrowed a violin from the music department!
- Rui
... It seems you all wish to see me perform no matter what. Very well, but only this once.
- Nanami
Thank you! Alright, places, everybody!
- Rui
... That is all.
- Rui
My skills have greatly deteriorated. My apologies for such a boring performance.
- Touko
Huh?! In what world was that a boring?!
- Mashiro
Y-yeah! I can't believe how skilled you are...!
- Rui
A boring performance is still boring.
- Rui
If you think that was a satisfactory performance, then perhaps you should listen to a few other musicians.
- Tsukushi
No, I think your standards are just too high...
- Nanami
Actually... Yashio-san, would you like to join our band?
- Rui
Me? Join your band...?
- Nanami
Not playing at all is such a waste of your skills~!
- Nanami
You're always with us anyway, so being in the band would be much more fun!
- Touko
That's true. You haven't done anything but watch us this whole time.
- Touko
Besides, if you believe in us so much, why not join the band?
- Mashiro
Ah, that's right. You said Yashio-san helped you guys out before.
- Rui
Like I said, that was just a misunderstanding.
- Tsukushi
Still, having you in our band would really put us on another level!
- Tsukushi
You're a skilled violinist and can even write music!
- Rui
So having me in the band would just be more convenient for you, is that it?
- Nanami
A-ahaha, rather than convenient, we're just saying it'd be nice...
- Rui
... I do not understand how you all can choose a path which you see no future in. Kurata-san even returned after leaving.
- Nanami
No future? Are you talking about the band?
- Rui
To be frank, I do not think any of you have musical talent.
- Tsukushi
You sure are blunt...
- Rui
I am the same way, which is why I decided that I had no future in music. Yet you have all decided to pursue this path.
- Mashiro
Th-that's because we want to be in a band...!
- Rui
In other words, you are prioritizing your emotions over reality.
- Rui
Which I cannot call good decision-making. One should stick to what they do best.
- Touko
Yeah, I guess that's how most people in this school think. They just focus on what they're good at.
- Touko
But Yashio, have you ever, you know... prioritized your emotions before?
- Rui
Of course not.
- Touko
Alright, then how do you know it's not a good decision?
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah! How can you decide something without trying it yourself?!
- Mashiro
Y-yeah...!
- Rui
... This is true. I suppose I cannot call it bad decision-making.
- Rui
(I chose to quit violin because of the reality of the situation. I still believe this was the right call...)
- Rui
(However, what would have happened if I had decided to prioritize my emotions...? I do not know where that path would have taken me...)
- Mashiro
Yashio-san...?
- Rui
Fine. I will join your band.
- Mashiro, Tsukushi, Touko & Nanami
Huh?!
- Nanami
That's what got you to join the band...?
- Rui
I am simply interested in seeing what happens when I choose a path I see no future in.
- Rui
Do not misunderstand though. I still believe that people should prioritize reality over their emotions.
- Nanami
Reality over emotions, huh...? Y-yeah, that sounds like a robot, alright.
- Touko
When you say it like that, though... It makes me think you actually wanted to keep playing music.
- Rui
...
- Tsukushi
Well, in any case, it's great to have you on board, Yashio-san!
- Touko
Yeah! After practice, we should get some soba crepes to celebrate!
- Mashiro
Soba crepes...?
- Tsukushi
What's that? It sounds like some kind of food...
- Nanami
Weren't you really into those rainbow smoothies?
- Touko
Ah~, those are so yesterday. Now I'm really into yakisoba crepes!
- Rui
Yakisoba crepes...?
- Mashiro
Are they crepes stuffed with yakisoba...?
- Touko
Obviously! The crepe place by the station just started making them. They're my latest obsession~.
- Touko
Trust me, they're gonna be the next big thing! In three months, everybody will be eating soba crepes!
- Mashiro
I-I can't really picture it...
- Tsukushi
Yeah, that's not going to happen...
- Rui
... I will have to decline your invitation.
- Nanami
Ahaha. I don't know about soba crepes, but getting crepes sounds nice. There's something I want to talk to you guys about anyway.
- Touko
What is it?
- Nanami
Something that I think will help us level up even more.
- Nanami
I've been thinking, wouldn't it be a good idea to study some concerts?
- Mashiro
Study concerts?
- Nanami
Yeah. We could go to a show and study it. And I've got the perfect show in mind~...
- Mashiro
Every single band is incredible...!
- Rui
Indeed, they are all very experienced. Their performances are also consistent.
- Tsukushi
This show's even more intense than the last one...!
- Nanami
Well, it has been a while since the last event, so maybe the bands have just gotten better since then.
- Touko
Ah~! I hope we can play like this someday!
- Rui
... Quiet down. The encore is about to begin.
- Kasumi
Thank you for calling us back up!
- Aya
For our encore, all of us will perform a song that we made together!
- Kokoro
We made this song by combining all the things we think are fun. It's super wonderful!
- Kasumi
Here we go! This is TWiNKLE CiRCLE!
- Tsukushi
Huh? This song...
- Nanami
Huh? What is it? What's wrong?
- Touko
Aren't these the notes we wrote at the last concert...?
- Rui
Does that mean they took your notes and made them into lyrics?
- Mashiro
Yeah, there's no mistake. These are our thoughts and feelings on the last concert put into song...
- Mashiro
(That's right. This is how I felt at that last concert too...)
- Mashiro
(The whole world was shining, and I could see a bright blue sky full of stars... It's all coming back to me...)
- Mashiro
(This is the feeling that made me want to start a band...!)
- Tsukushi & Touko
Oooh~, that was so cool!!
- Touko
That last song sure was something else! I didn't see that one coming at all!
- Tsukushi
Wasn't that amazing?! Our notes were made into a song!
- Rui
It certainly was an interesting move.
- Nanami
Aww~, I wish I could've written something down too~.
- Nanami
Did your notes make it into the song, Shiro-chan?
- Mashiro
Yeah, they did. It reminded me of the first time I saw a live concert.
- Mashiro
Everything was sparkling, and it was so much fun. I couldn't believe such a world existed...
- Mashiro
I remember wanting to visit that world...
- Touko
We better work hard if we wanna give a show like that!
- Rui
We are going to need a lot more practice and experience for that to happen.
- Tsukushi
Yeah, practice makes perfect, after all. Seriously though, after that concert, all I want to do is play the drums~.
- Mashiro
Fufu, I feel the same way. I want to get practicing right away.
- Rui
I see. Unfortunately, the school is currently closed.
- Touko
Yeah. Being able to practice at school is great and all, but getting kicked out at night is pretty inconvenient~.
- Tsukushi
If only we had somewhere we could practice at night...
- Nanami
Somewhere to practice, huh...?
- Rui
In that case, would it not be best to rent out a studio?
- Touko
Ah~, that won't work! All the studios are completely booked right now.
- Mashiro
There must be somewhere we can practice though.
- Touko & Tsukushi
Hmm...
- Nanami
Well, I'm not exactly keen on the idea, but... I might know a good place.
- Touko
Seriously? Then let's head over right away! I wanna check this place out for myself!
- Nanami
Uh~, yeah, that's fine. Although, don't get your hopes up. It's nothing special~...
- Mashiro
Ah, wait. Before that, I need to talk to Kasumi-san...!
- Tsukushi
Kasumi-san...? You're talking about Poppin'Party's vocalist, right?
- Mashiro
Yeah. She really did a lot to encourage me when I was feeling down, so I want to tell her I'm going to try being in a band again...
- Tsukushi
S-since when did you start talking to the members of Poppin'Party...?
- Rui
Kurata-san, this Poppin'Party band you speak of... Are they the ones who are going into the audience right now?
- Mashiro
...! Yes, that's Kasumi-san! Just a minute. I'll be right back!
- Touko
Ah, no fair! I wanna chat too!
- Touko
Morning~! Oh, looks like everybody's here!
- Mashiro
Ah, good morning, Touko-chan.
- Tsukushi
Jeez, do you know how late you are?! You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago!
- Touko
My bad! My alarm stopped~!
- Rui
You should get used to Kirigaya-san's tardiness if you intend to be in the same band as her.
- Rui
When we called her into a student council meeting, she showed up an hour late.
- Touko
W-well, when you think of it in terms of the universe, being late doesn't seem like that big of a deal, does it?
- Tsukushi
That's for us to decide, not you...!
- Mashiro
Ahaha...
- Mashiro
Anyway, I'm glad we found a place to practice. This way we can even rehearse on our days off.
- Tsukushi
Yeah, no kidding. Thanks again, Hiromachi-san.
- Nanami
No problem at all. Feel free to use this place however you like.
- Touko
I still can't believe you have such an amazing atelier in your own home! What a shock!
- Mashiro
Your father's a sculptor and your mother's a painter, right? That's so cool.
- Nanami
Ah~, yeah, I guess... Ah, just don't ever go into my house!
- Mashiro
O-okay, we won't. But why...?
- Nanami
Let's just say, my family's a bit different...
- Mashiro
...?
- Touko
Ah, that's right. I've got something to show you guys.
- Mashiro
What is it?
- Touko
All those bands at the concert had their own stage costumes, right?
- Touko
Well, I figured we should have some too, so I whipped us up something myself!
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
Wh-what?!
- Touko
Ta-dah~! Well, what do you think of our brand new stage outfits?!
- Tsukushi
Huh?! You made this amazing outfit yourself?!
- Rui
It seems very well-made and comfortable.
- Mashiro
This looks like something you'd see in a store...!
- Touko
Of course it does! It was done by a professional after all!
- Mashiro
A professional?
- Touko
Ah, did I never tell you guys? My family has been running a kimono shop for generations.
- Touko
I know a lot of people in the apparel industry, so I've even started my own brand as a hobby.
- Touko
Which is why I decided to make our stage costumes!
- Mashiro
...
- Nanami
Shiro-chan, are you in there? You're freezing up again~!
- Mashiro
Ah, s-sorry... I'd never heard of a high school student starting their own brand before. I was just surprised...
- Touko
Well, once you reach my level, making something like this is a piece of cake~.
- Tsukushi
The outfit itself is really cool, but so are these accessories. Did your brand make these as well?
- Touko
Ah~, actually those were made by Hiromachi.
- Tsukushi
Hiromachi-san?
- Touko
When I was designing the outfits, I mentioned to her that I'd love to add some accessories, and she said she'd make them.
- Nanami
Yeah, they seemed easy enough to make...
- Mashiro & Tsukushi
...
- Nanami
Huh? Is something wrong with them? I made sure to follow Touko-chan's design...
- Rui
They are surprised because you managed to create something that a high schooler should not be able to make.
- Nanami
Huh...? But it's easy if you just look up how to make them. Anybody can do it~!
- Tsukushi
N-no way! These look like they could be sold in a shop!
- Mashiro
Yeah, and an expensive shop at that...
- Nanami
R-really...? Ooh, being normal is so hard...
- Touko
Anyway, with our outfits ready to go, all we have to do now is make our show at the music festival a success!
- Tsukushi
Right. Ah, that reminds me. Can I ask you guys something?
- Tsukushi
I was thinking it might be a good idea to make another original song for the festival. What do you guys think?
- Mashiro
Another original song?
- Tsukushi
We only have one, right? Having another one would help us show the audience who we are as a band.
- Nanami
We still have time until the music festival, so one song should be no problem.
- Touko
Sounds like a plan to me! Let's do it! I want more original songs anyway!
- Tsukushi
Well, in the end, the one who actually composes the song will be Yashio-san...
- Rui
I do not mind. It has been some time since I left music, so this will be an excellent chance for me to get used to composing again.
- Nanami
Then that settles it! As for the lyrics... It's gotta be our Shiro-chan!
- Touko
For sure! Don't try to tell us you're not confident enough, okay~?
- Mashiro
I won't...!
- Mashiro
If you all trust me, I want to do everything I can...!
- Tsukushi
Yeah, that's it. Now we're starting to sound like a real band!
- Tsukushi
We've got Kurata-san as our lyricist and Yashio-san as our composer. Then we have Touko-chan and Hiromachi-san doing our costumes. Yup, everyone's got their own role!
- Touko
Hm? What about you, Futaba? Doesn't that leave you out?
- Tsukushi
M-me? What are you talking about? I'm our magnificent leader!
- Nanami
Ahaha, she called herself magnificent~!
- Tsukushi
D-don't laugh~!
- Tsukushi
There's only one more week until the music festival!
- Tsukushi
Our new song sounds fantastic too. We're really on a roll!
- Nanami
Isn't that new song great?! I can't stop listening to it, even at home~!
- Rui
That is good to hear.
- Rui
I honestly thought it would take us more time, but it came together much faster than I expected.
- Touko
Fufu! That just shows how much we've improved!
- Tsukushi
Yeah, and you've been working hard, haven't you, Touko-chan?
- Touko
Huh?
- Nanami
You've got more and more bandages on your hands every day... Did you really think you could fool our eyes~?
- Touko
Ugh, well, that's just how I am. If I don't keep at it, I'll end up slacking off.
- Tsukushi
I really like the lyrics you wrote too, Kurata-san.
- Nanami
Reading them was like watching the scenery change before my very eyes! Just like last time!
- Mashiro
Th-thank you...
- Tsukushi
I just hope we see that same scenery on stage.
- Mashiro
Huh? Do you guys know what feelings I put into that song?
- Touko
It's just a guess, but... It's the same feeling you got when you saw that first concert, right?
- Touko
Like something amazing is about to happen!
- Nanami
That's how I felt at the Girls Band Party concert too~.
- Nanami
And if those feelings were made into some kind of scenery, I think they'd look something like what you described in your lyrics.
- Rui
True. These lyrics certainly do match the atmosphere of that place.
- Touko
Huh? You can tell?
- Rui
What exactly do you mean?
- Touko
Well, I just kinda figured you wouldn't get it~.
- Rui
... Even I can understand that much.
- Mashiro
Ah... Was it wrong of me to use my own emotions for this song?
- Touko
You're asking that now?
- Rui
What could possibly be wrong with that?
- Mashiro
We're all performing together, so maybe I shouldn't have written lyrics based on my feelings alone...
- Nanami
Ahaha, we don't care about that.
- Tsukushi
Yeah. We all want to see the scenery created from these lyrics.
- Nanami
And if our audience gets to see it too, even better.
- Mashiro
Y-yeah...!
- Nanami
So the song is good to go. That just leaves~... Ah!!
- Nanami
The name! We forgot about our band's name! We've been using a temporary one this whole time!
- Mashiro
Th-that's right...
- Tsukushi
I forgot that we said we'd decide before the music festival!
- Rui
Is there something wrong with using a temporary name?
- Touko
Are you kidding? Of course there is! We're performing in front of the whole school!
- Touko
We can't go on stage without a name that represents us!
- Rui
Then what should we call ourselves?
- Touko & Mashiro
Hmm...
- Tsukushi
I'd like our name to have something to do with change...
- Tsukushi
Kurata-san, didn't you say you thought starting a band would be a good chance to change yourself? Then that idea should be a part of our name.
- Nanami
Is that true?
- Mashiro
Yeah...
- Rui
... Do you also have such a desire, Futaba-san?
- Tsukushi
Huh?
- Rui
I thought perhaps you brought it up because you shared the same feelings.
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah... I'm the same as Kurata-san.
- Mashiro
What do you mean?
- Tsukushi
Unlike the rest of the students at Tsukinomori, I don't have any special talents.
- Tsukushi
I'm actually not very confident at all. I just keep reminding myself that I'm a student at Tsukinomori too. I must have something special I can do.
- Tsukushi
I was hoping that'd be our band. I wanted this band to become my pride and joy...
- Tsukushi
Things didn't go as I planned, though. We just kept going around in circles, and then I said all those horrible things to you.
- Mashiro
No, I'm the one who said horrible things...
- Nanami
Hmm~, gotcha. So we all have an idea of what kind of person we want to become...
- Touko
You too, Hiromachi?
- Nanami
Y-yeah. It's not that big of a deal, though~... A-anyway, what about you, Rui-rui? Is there anything you want to change about yourself?
- Rui
... Who can say? At the moment, I would have to say no. However, if you wish to add an element of change to our band name, I see no problem with that.
- Touko
Alright, then our name will have something to do with change! I don't want to just add the word as is, though. Are there any other words we could use?
- Rui
What about 'metamorphose'? That is the German word for change or transformation.
- Touko
Metamorphose, huh...? I like it! It sounds so cool!
- Tsukushi
Other than that~... I'd like to add something that represents us... Ah, the violin!
- Rui
...?
- Tsukushi
I didn't see a violin in any of the bands at CiRCLE!
- Nanami
Violin, violin... Maybe a classical sounding word would work.
- Nanami
Ah... Symphony... What about 'symphonic'?
- Mashiro
Wow, that's so elegant...
- Tsukushi
Yeah, a classy word like that is perfect for Tsukinomori!
- Touko
Then all we have to do is combine 'symphonic' with 'metamorphose'...
- Tsukushi
So how about Symphonic Metamorphose?
- Touko
That's just the two words back to back! We gotta mix it up a little bit~...
- Mashiro
Morfonica... What about Morfonica?
- Tsukushi
Morfonica... Ah, that has a nice ring to it.
- Nanami
Morfonica, Morfonica... Yeah, it's perfect for us!
- Rui
That name seems fine to me.
- Touko
Then it's settled! Starting today, we are Morfonica!
- Tsukushi
Yes! And now that we have a name, it's time to get back to work! We've only got a week left before the music festival!
- Nanami
The day we've all been waiting for is finally here...
- Tsukushi
Y-yeah...! At long last...!
- Nanami
A-are you okay, Tsu-chan? You look pretty nervous...
- Tsukushi
Wh-why would I be nervous? Th-this is just pre-show excitement.
- Tsukushi
Our concert's going to be perfect. There's absolutely nothing to worry about...!
- Touko
Th-that's right! We were super serious about rehearsals, so there's no way we'll screw it up!
- Rui
You seem nervous as well.
- Touko
Sh-shut up~! I'm not even a little bit nervous!
- Nanami
That's not what it looks like from here~...
- Rui
... Are you feeling alright, Kurata-san?
- Mashiro
Huh?
- Rui
You are the one most likely to be nervous under these circumstances.
- Mashiro
Ah... Y-yeah, I suppose I can see that. I'm actually fine though.
- Mashiro
I decided to not worry about making this show a success.
- Rui
So do you think it is acceptable for us to fail?
- Mashiro
Ah, no, I don't want us to fail either...!
- Mashiro
My biggest goal for today is to show the crowd what our stage looks like.
- Nanami
What do you mean...?
- Mashiro
Our song is amazing, and everyone's performances are so cool. I'm even a little confident in my lyrics...
- Mashiro
I want everyone in the audience to see all of that. I want to show them that this is what we do.
- Mashiro
I think doing that will lead to a successful concert, so... I figured it'd be best to focus on that instead.
- Mashiro
After all, we're doing this for fun.
- Touko & Tsukushi
Kurata... Kurata-san...
- Nanami
Yeah, you're right. Okay, then that's what I'll focus on too.
- Rui
... In the end, results are all that matter. However, if that helps you stand on that stage confidently, so be it.
- Mashiro
Yeah, today I'm going to stand on that stage with my head held high...!
- Touko
Nice to meet you all! We are Morfonica!
- Touko
I'm sure a lot of you have heard about our band made up of students from this school. We've been through a lot...
- Touko
We went through a bit of a rough patch, but despite that, we're thrilled to be standing here today!
- Touko
Just know that we're having fun up here, so we hope you'll all have fun out there!
- Mashiro
We hope you will enjoy our song, Prelude to Gold!
- Touko
(That's it! We're doing it! I can hear everyone's instruments, and I'm in sync with them, just like I planned! I knew I had talent!)
- Touko
(Well, I did rehearse a lot. Now that I think about it, this might be the first time I've ever practiced anything so seriously. I'm way more passionate about this band than I thought I'd be!)
- Nanami
(Shiro-chan looks a little nervous, but she's clearly having fun. So are Tsu-chan and Touko-chan. As for Rui-rui... I'm sure she's happy to be on stage too.)
- Nanami
(This is what I've always wanted. Our thoughts and feelings have become one. I feel... like a real high school student!)
- Rui
(Do not be swayed by your emotions. Face reality and continue down the path you can see a future in. This is what you must do to not only succeed, but stand at the top.)
- Rui
(Yet the fate of this band has me curious... Whether or not my beliefs are correct remains to be seen.)
- Tsukushi
(This is so cool...! This is the most in sync we've ever been...! We can do this!)
- Tsukushi
(It's all thanks to Kurata-san... She's the one who brought us together emotionally. You really are special, Kurata-san.)
- Mashiro
(I feel supported by everyone's music... The stage I feared is no longer scary... It's super fun!)
- Mashiro
(This is what I felt at CiRCLE that day. It feels like something amazing is about to happen! Like this is the beginning of something big...!)
- Mashiro
(I still don't see that shining scenery, but... I know that what I'm seeing and feeling right now will lead me to that bright place...!)
- Tsukushi
Oooh~, that was so much fun~!
- Touko
I can't believe I hit every note! I'm so happy~!
- Mashiro
The crowd was really excited too. They all looked like they were having a good time.
- Nanami
For sure! Did you hear all that clapping? I was so moved~!
- Touko
Ahaha, right?! Me too~! And~, cue Yashio!
- Rui
...?
- Touko
This is where you say something like, "They were just clapping because bands are a rarity at this school!"
- Rui
Why would I? You can tell whether a crowd is actually having fun just by looking at it, no?
- Mashiro
Yashio-san...
- Tsukushi
Hey, Kurata-san, did you see that sparkling scenery back there?
- Mashiro
Just a little bit...
- Mashiro
We might have given a real performance, but we've still got a long ways to go... Still, I did catch a glimpse of it.
- Mashiro
I saw the path to that shining world I saw at CiRCLE.
- Nanami
Hmm~... Ah, doesn't that sound kinda like our school motto?
- Touko
Our what now?
- Tsukushi
Are you kidding me...? Our school motto! The one the teachers talked about during the entrance ceremony!
- Touko
Oh~... What was it again?
- Rui
You really should be more aware of your surroundings. Our motto is carved into that monument.
- Mashiro
Your spark will light the way...!
- Tsukushi
It means what you value most, as well as what makes you special, will light the way to your future.
- Nanami
Hey, why don't we make that our goal? We'll find our sparks and make our way to that shining landscape.
- Touko
That sounds great to me! A band aiming for a sparkling scenery sounds super cool.
- Tsukushi
Using the school's motto as our goal, huh...? Yeah, that sounds like a goal befitting Tsukinomori students.
- Rui
I have no complaints.
- Mashiro
I like it too. We'll have to work hard if we want to see that scenery.
- Tsukushi
... Ah, a butterfly!
- Nanami
Ahaha, it's circling us. Looks like it's cheering us on too.
- Mashiro
(The butterfly I saw before was the same type as this one...)
- Mashiro
(It's leaving the courtyard and headed towards the sky... It looks like you found a place to aim for...)
- Mashiro
Fufu, just like me...