The girls start to drift apart. Can they regain their heart-pounding feelings?
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
Arisa's Suggestion
Arisa is called to the teacher's lounge during afternoon recess. What will her homeroom teacher tell her...?
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Courtyard
Kasumi
Ready, guys?! Now... Open your bento!
All
Ooo~.
Kasumi
Whoa~, your bento looks super yummy today, Arisa~!
Arisa
Except... you say that every single day the moment you see it.
Kasumi
It's kinda like all of the different colors make me even hungrier just by looking at it. O-Tae, I know you're thinking the same thing, right?
Tae
I think... I want a hamburg steak. Hey, Arisa. Will you trade with me? Your steak for my lettuce?
Arisa
For lettuce?! Is that a joke?!
Rimi
O-Tae-chan, I can give you mine if you'd like.
Tae
Yeah? Thanks, Rimi! I am forever in your debt.
Saaya
O-Tae... That's a bit over the top, don't you think?
Classmate
Oh, Ichigaya-san, there you are. One of the teachers was just looking for you. They want you to stop by the teachers' lounge during recess.
Arisa
Huh? The teachers' lounge...? Uhh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. I'll stop by soon.
Kasumi
A teacher wants to talk to you? I wonder what that's about... Any idea?
Arisa
No, not really.
Rimi
Well, they specifically want to talk to you, so it's probably that they want you to be the next student council president or something like that, no?
Saaya
Yeah. That totally sounds like something that would happen.
Tae
Good luck, President Arisa.
Arisa
What?! Of course that's not what it is!
Kasumi
That student said the teacher wants to see you during recess, right? Let's hurry up and get through these bentos then! C'mon, is everyone ready to dig in?!
The Other Four
Yeah~!
Kasumi
Ah! Wait, Arisa didn't say anything! I'll ask again!
Arisa
Hello, we're not in elementary school, you know! Do we all really have to yell together before we eat?! Pft, please! Leave me out of it!
Teachers' Lounge
Arisa
Uhh, Sensei...? What did you want to talk about?
Homeroom Teacher
Ah, Ichigaya-san. Sorry to call you here during recess. The truth is, I've been a little worried about something... I wanted to talk to you about your grades...
Homeroom Teacher
I'll get right to the point. You haven't been performing as well, recently. You'll still hold your place at the top of the class, but... it's a little concerning, so I thought I should let you know.
Arisa
O-oh...
Homeroom Teacher
Is it possible that balancing school and your band could be affecting your work? It's fine if you want to take your music seriously, but you have tests coming up soon. You have to think about your future--
Arisa
Sensei...! Th-the... The band has nothing to do with my grades. And the last test we had was just a bit difficult, so I had a hard time, that's all... I have no problem balancing the two.
Arisa
Ah, how about we do this? On the next test, I'll...
Arisa
... Hmph! Gimme a break.
Arisa
(What was that all about? That wasn't anything like I imagined it would be... I mean, sure, I have been spending more time with Kasumi and the others, and I have been studying less...)
Arisa
Either way... I said I can balance the two, so... I can't back out now...!
Ichigaya Residence
Basement
Kasumi
Hey, hey, Arisa. What did you talk to the teacher about during recess? Was it about becoming the student council president like we thought?
Arisa
No! I-it wasn't really about anything special. It was just like... about how I've been doing and stuff. Small talk.
Kasumi
Ohh~. Aww~, and I thought this would be the birth of President Arisa~.
Arisa
W-would you cut it out already?! Forget about that... I've been thinking... It's been a while since we had a concert... I bet you all wanna have one, right?
Kasumi
What?! Absolutely positively! I always knew you and I thought alike, Arisa~. I've been thinking a lot recently about how I wanna put on a show!
Tae
Yeah! I do too!
Arisa
R-right? If you're in a band, you have to take the time to perform in front of other people, or else you'll start getting rusty... Don't you think?
Saaya
Wow~, I never thought I'd hear you talk like this, Arisa.
Arisa
R-really? I'm pretty sure it's normal for the member of a band to wanna perform...
Saaya
Did you juts call yourself a member of the band...?
Arisa
I-is there something wrong with that? I-if possible, I also want us to write a new song for the concert...
Rimi
A new song...? You guys, I think if Arisa-chan is going out of her way to say all of this, we have to do it. Kasumi-chan, will you be able to take care of the lyrics?
Kasumi
Mhm! I've got it, no question! Especially since Arisa's feeling so motivated! Let's do this thing!
Saaya
Alright, then why don't we start by picking a date?
Arisa
... Why don't we do a month from now? Here's a calendar... How's this day?
Rimi
Isn't that...? Wait, that's the last day of exams, isn't it?
Kasumi
Ahh~! That's right, Arisa! We have tests to take!
Arisa
Ohh~, i-is that right~? Oh yeah~, now that you mention it, it is~... Aha, ahahaha...
Arisa
(If we can debut a new song on the last day of exams, and I can get a total of 480 points on the 5 test subjects, Sensei will have no choice but to admit that everything is fine...)
Arisa
(You'll see...! I'm gonna balance my studies and the band, no problem!)
Concert Postponed?
Arisa proposes having a concert on the last day of tests. However, unsurprisingly, everyone else feels unsure...
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Courtyard
All
Lunchtime~!
Arisa
Phew~, I'm so exhausted... It felt like recess took forever to come... Yawn, so sleepy...
Rimi
Arisa-chan, did you get enough sleep? Were you up late last night?
Arisa
N-no, not really. It's not because I'm lacking sleep or anything.
Saaya
Fufu. It is easy to feel sleepy with how warm it is. I was so, so close to falling asleep during class...
Tae
Kasumi was actually asleep.
Kasumi
No I wasn't, O-Tae~. I was just closing my eyes and thinking about something for a little bit.
Tae
For 15 minutes? What could you have been thinking that hard about?
Kasumi
Y-you know~. Like the performance we're gonna have and stuff... Ah! That reminds me! Arisa, we wanted to talk to you about that!
Arisa
Hm? What's up?
Kasumi
Remember everything we talked about yesterday about having the concert...? I know we want over this already, but it'd probably be better if we changed the date.
Arisa
You wanna change the date? Why?
Kasumi
Think about it. If we have a show and tests on the same day, we probably won't be able to give all of our effort to either of them. We were all talking about it on our way home. Right, Saya?
Saaya
Mhm. We definitely want to perform, but these exams are really important...
Kasumi
So~, we figured we really should do the show after all of the testing is over. What do you think?
Arisa
Okay, but it's not like this is the only time this is gonna happen. If we continue being a band, there are gonna be lots of times when concerts and tests end up on the same day.
Arisa
Are we just supposed to put off and refuses gigs every single time? Are you guys actually okay with that?
Rimi
Now that you mention it... Yeah, that is true...
Arisa
... So there should be no problem, right?
Kasumi
Well, we were worried about where we would perform, too. Is there really a place we could reserve at this point...? I'm pretty sure CiRCLE is supposed to be booked for a while.
Rimi
So then... at the school?
Saaya
But we'd be in the middle of exams, right? There's no way we'd be able to do that, is there?
Arisa
Do you guys wanna have a show or not?!
Arisa
You're talking about a venue here! I'm sure there are a million places! We just have to try hard enough and we'll find one! This sounds like you guys don't want it enough! Is that it?!
Kasumi
...?!
Saaya
A-Arisa...?
Arisa
... Ah, I-I'm sorry. I just really wanna have a concert. I didn't mean to get carried away...
Tae
Okay, I'll look for a place we can use. I mean, I wanna perform with you guys too.
Kasumi
Huh? Are you sure, O-Tae? You know we'd only be giving them a month's notice, right?
Tae
Mhm. I can talk to the people I knew from SPACE, and I know a lot more people than I used to. I think I can work something out.
Rimi
Thank you, O-Tae-chan. If there's anything I can help you with, please let me know.
Arisa
Alright, that takes care of the venue problem, right? Which means... now it comes down to how motivated we are.
Kasumi
... Okay, got it! If you really want to do it that much and on that day, then let's do it! Saaya, Rimi-rin, are you two okay with that?
Saaya
Fufu, alright then. If you insist. We wouldn't wanna be the ones to let you down.
Rimi
Yeah! I'll do everything I can too!
Saaya
Still, you're really blowing me away, Arisa. No one would normally think of having a concert on the last day of exams.
Rimi
That'll make it all the more impressive if we're able to do it.
Kasumi
That means I'm gonna have to work extra hard to study~. You're so lucky, Arisa~. Being able to do well on tests without having to bother with that.
Rimi
It really is something. When do you even study, Arisa-chan? I don't think I've ever actually seen it myself...
Arisa
Wh-why would you need to...? If you just focus during class, then there shouldn't be a problem...
Arisa
The only things that ever show up on the test are things we've done in class anyway.
Kasumi
Sigh... That's so cool. I'd love to be able to say something like that. "The only things that ever show up on the test are things we've done in class anyway."
Tae
Ahaha. Yeah, that's not a line you can pull off.
Kasumi
Hey~, O-Tae~. Don't make it sound so obvious~.
Rimi
Ah, Kasumi-chan! I know you're going to be working hard with the studying and all, but we have to put the new song together.
Kasumi
Oh yeah! Okay, Rimi-rin! Let's think of some ideas and figure out what theme we're going for later!
Rimi
Alright!
Arisa
Sounds like we're all about to get really busy! But I actually get fired up jsut thinking about it!
Kasumi
I feel the heat too!
Saaya
Guys, I know you're heating up and all, but your bentos are only getting colder. Recess is gonna end soon, so you might wanna hurry up and finish those.
Kasumi
Oh, that's right! 'Kay! Everyone, we're on the road to our concert-slash-test day! Let's do our best!
All
Yeah~!
Arisa
(... Phew. I have to study as soon as I get home... If I don't get to sleep early... things might start getting really rough...)
Saaya
...
Boiling Over
Kasumi and the others are busy writing a new song for the performance. After Arisa arrives late, the others try to talk to her, but...
A Few Days Later
Riverside
Kasumi
Sigh, classes are finally over. Man, I'm so tired today~.
Rimi
Well you were up late last night, Kasumi-chan. I was so surprised to be getting a message at that time... Cough...
Kasumi
I'm sorry about that, Rimi-rin. I just couldn't think of any lyrics for our new song~. I thought you might be sleeping, but I tired messaging you anyway...
Rimi
No, that's okay. I was starting to worry. I couldn't bring together the image for the song either. I'm glad I was able to talk to you.
Rimi
Although, I still haven't been able to settle on anything concrete... Cough, cough...
Tae
Rimi... You've been coughing a bunch. Are you alright?
Rimi
Y-yeah... I think I caught a little cold though... Cough...
Saaya
You two... Don't go pushing yourselves too much. You're studying for tests and you're preparing for a concert... Just doing those two things is hard enough.
Rimi
But if we don't have a song, we can't practice. And we're supposed to rehearse together in Arisa's basement today... I'm sorry, you guys.
Kasumi
You don't have to apologize! For now, we can work on getting in sync for the parts you do have... Arisa is supposed to be a little late, right?
Tae
She stayed behind to do something the classroom. She said we should start without her.
Kasumi
Oh... Ah, that reminds me! O-Tae! Does it seem like we'll have a place to perform?
Tae
Not yet, but I've contacted a number of people.
Kasumi
Ah, I know! Maybe you should ask Arisa to help you out. Saya can't. She's gotta help out at her store! We can ask Arisa about it later.
Saaya
Well, anyway, I don't want any of you overdoing it. Your body has to hold up too. Otherwise, there's no point in doing all this.
Ichigaya Residence
Basement
Kasumi
Saya~, can I ask you to give me a hand with something...? I can't come up with lyrics for the chorus. Right here... What do you think I should do~?
Saaya
Is that the part you stayed up late thinking about?
Kasumi
It is. The idea I'm going for is something where we'll be all sparkly and heart-pound-y...
Saaya
Sparkly and heart-pound-y, huh? That sure would be difficult. Let me think about it for a bit.
Kasumi
Thanks! Ah, you too, O-Tae! Help me think! Please!
Tae
Yeah, okay. I just have to come up with something sparkly and heart-pound-y, right?
Rimi
Hey, Saya-chan... Cough... Sorry to bother you. Do you think you could help me out too?
Saaya
Mhm, no problem, but... are you sure you're okay, Rimi-rin? You really don't look so good. Maybe you should head home early today.
Rimi
No, everyone's working so hard. I can't be the only one to leave. And I can't even put together the part leading up to the chorus, let alone the chorus itself. I have to at least come up with something that everyone can practice.
Rimi
Uhh, so these are the two melodies I've thought so far. The one written at the top, and--
Kasumi
Hey, Rimi-rin. We told you, you don't have to rush it. There's no point if you end up with something you don't even like.
Rimi
I know, but... I asked you and O-Tae-chan for your opinions at school earlier, right?
Rimi
So I was hoping to see what Saya-chan and Arisa-chan think too... Cough...
Saaya
If I had to choose... I'd say I prefer the one on the bottom.
Rimi
I knew it! I liked that one better too. Now I just need to ask Arisa-chan...
Tae
... Ah, there she is.
Arisa
... Sorry to make you wait, guys... Phew... I'm beat...
Kasumi
Ugh~, Arisa~! You're late~! What have you been doing all this time~?!
Arisa
...!! ... Sigh... I'm sorry. I had something to take care of.
Arisa
(There's no way I could say that I was studying on my own...)
Kasumi
So, Arisa. O-Tae's been looking for a place for us to perform at, but she said she's having a hard time finding anything!
Kasumi
If you don't mind, could you help her out? You have time after school, right?
Arisa
Huh?! No, I don't! Just like everyone else! I have a lot of stuff to do!
Kasumi
I see~... Ah, also! I wanted to ask you for help with something. It's about these lyrics--
Arisa
Stop. Do you have to shout right into my ear? I can hear your voice echoing in my head!
Kasumi
Whoa. I'm sorry, Arisa~. You don't have to get so angry~.
Arisa
I'll leave it to you to decide! The lyrics are your job. Don't worry about what I'd think!
Kasumi
Don't say that~. It wouldn't hurt for you to help me just a bit.
Rimi
E-excuse me, Arisa-chan. I wanted to ask you something too. I have these two ideas for the melody leading up to the chorus, and I'm not sure which one to go with...
Arisa
... Sigh. I don't care. Either is fine. Rimi-rin, you're the one writing the music, right? You decide... And no more asking me to do all this extra crap!
Rimi
...?!
Rimi
... I-I'm sorry... Arisa-chan...
Saaya
Ah, Rimi-rin?! Come back!
Arisa
... Ah.
Kasumi
Arisa! That was so mean... Rimi-rin's not feeling well, and yet here she is, trying her best! You can't talk to her like that!
Arisa
... I'm trying my best too...
Saaya
Ah, no good... Looks like she took off... I'm... gonna get her stuff and go after her.
Kasumi
Thanks, Saya.
Kasumi
You know, Arisa, you're acting really weird today. It's like you've been mad the whole time.
Arisa
... You~ Shut up! What the hell do you know about me anyway?! Know what?! Today's rehearsal is over! Get out!
Arisa
I said get out! Now!!
Kasumi
Arisa?! What are you~...
Tae
... Kasumi, let's go.
Kasumi
But~!
Tae
Just come on... Get your stuff.
Arisa
... Sigh... What the hell do they want from me...?! I have it hard too! They have no idea, and they just go on and on, saying whatever they want...
Arisa
... Get the hell outta here with that!
Arisa
... Just... get out of here...
Arisa
...
Arisa
Ahh... I can't take this anymore... That was so... messed up... I can't believe I did that...
Arisa
... Rimi... I'm so sorry... Ngh...
Arisa
... Sniff...
I'm the Worst
Arisa looks to apologize to Rimi about what happened yesterday, but Rimi is taking the day off from school...
The Next Day - Recess
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Courtyard
Arisa
... Sigh.
Arisa
(If I really think about it, I should be grateful that everyone was willing to go with my idea to have the concert on such a difficult day... The things I said yesterday were awful...)
Arisa
(I felt too awkward to stop by class A to go see them, but... I have to make sure to apologize to Rimi...)
Kasumi
A-Arisa...
Arisa
H-hey...
Saaya
S-so your class let out early.
Arisa
... Yeah.
Arisa
(I knew it... Could this be any more uncomfortable...?)
Tae
Hm? Arisa, your eyes seem kinda puffy. What's wrong?
Saaya
Wha-- O-Tae...!
Arisa
... Hm? Uhhh... Where's Rimi?
Kasumi
Oh, well... Apparently, she took the day off because of her cold...
Arisa
...
Kasumi
Ah, I know! Arisa! When school's done, we can all stop by her place together! I bet she'd be happy to see us!
Kasumi
I wonder what she's up to right now~. Oh, of course! Whenever you get the day off from school, you can watch TV shows that you never get to see. That's always a nice change of pace.
Kasumi
D-don't you think, Arisa?
Arisa
... O-oh. I see... Sigh... Yeah...
Arisa
This is all my fault... Haha...
Kasumi
Huh...? Arisa?
Arisa
After that mean thing I said to her yesterday... No way she'd wanna come to school today...
Kasumi
Th-that's not true! I told you, she's sick! She's been coughing since yesterday, and she didn't look so good. It really is a cold.
Arisa
Okay, so that means I was mean to her when she wasn't feeling very well...
Arisa
Either way...
Arisa
It makes me a terrible person.
Kasumi
... What? Arisa, where are you going..?
Kasumi
Hey! Arisa?! Wait a sec'! Arisa!
Kasumi
Saaya! I'll be right back! I'm gonna go talk to her!
Saaya
Kasumi, hold on! Just take a breather.
Kasumi
Huh? But what about Arisa...?
Saaya
Don't you think she's been acting a little strange lately? Like she's extra tired...? Or rather, like she's on edge?
Kasumi
Yeah, you're right. It did feel like that yesterday.
Saaya
No, I don't mean just yesterday. There's actually a specific point when I think she started acting this way.
Saaya
It was when we started talking about having the concert on the last day of exams.
Kasumi
What? From that long ago?
Saaya
Something about that moment... Something about the way Arisa was acting felt kinda off to me. She seemed more pushy than usual...
Kasumi
Now that you mention it, yeah...
Kasumi
I didn't realize. I was just so happy that she was motivated to do band stuff... But yeah, that actually sounds right.
Saaya
I'm not sure, but... I think she might be dealing with something that we don't know about...
Kasumi
That we don't know about? What could that possibly be...?
Tae
Uhm, can I interrupt for a second?
Kasumi
Hm? Something wrong, O-Tae?
Tae
What are we gonna do about today's practice? We have rehearsal scheduled in Arisa's basement today, right?
Kasumi
Ah, you're right! There isn't a lot of time until the performance, so... I think we should practice whatever we can.
Tae
What about Rimi and Arisa?
Kasumi
Well, Rimi-rin's sick, so there's nothing we can do about that. As for Arisa...
Saaya
We might wanna give her some space for now.
Kasumi
But I think if she doesn't come today, it's gonna become even harder for her to come the next time. Sometimes things like this can get pretty complicated for her.
Saaya
Y-you're right about that...
Kasumi
... 'Kay, I got it! No point in racking our brains! Now is the time for action! I'll make things work with Arisa somehow!
Kasumi
I'm sure even she would have a change of heart once we're playing together! Just leave her to me!
Unproductive Rehearsal
The others realize that something happened to Arisa. The four try practicing without Rimi, but...
After School
Ichigaya Residence
Arisa's Room
Kasumi
Hey, Arisa. We're about to start practice. C'mon, let's go.
Arisa
No... I'll pass...
Kasumi
Come on~. It'll just be guitars and a set of drums without you. You can't even call that rehearsal~.
Arisa
I said I'm good... I'm sure if I go, it'll just make things awkward...
Kasumi
No way~. And think about it. We can play the score we have now until we've perfected it and surprise Rimi-rin when she gets back.
Arisa
... Rimi...
Kasumi
Also, I bet it would Rimi-rin relax so she can properly rest! Ah, maybe we should send her a video of us practicing then. Don't you think, Arisa? C'mon, let's do it.
Arisa
So... For Rimi...?
Kasumi
Mhm, that's right! Let's go!
Basement
Kasumi
Saya, O-Tae, thanks for waiting~! Arisa's here~!
Arisa
... Sorry I'm late...
Saaya
Arisa... Are you okay? If you're not feeling up to it, there's nothing wrong with taking it easy in your room...
Kasumi
Y-you're fine, right? Okay~, now that she's here, let's get this thing started! Now, shall we start with the intro?!
Arisa
...
Kasumi
W-we'll just do the best we can...!
Kasumi & Saaya
L-let's go!
10 Minutes Later
Kasumi
S-sorry~! I messed up again...!
Kasumi
This part is so hard... I can never get it right~. Hey, Arisa~. What do you think I should do?
Arisa
...
Kasumi
... Ah, you're right. I should just practice more, yeah~. Ahaha... Aha...
Kasumi
Saya~... What do you think...?
Saaya
For that section... Wouldn't it be easier if you were more mindful of Arisa's pian~...?
Tae
Phew... Off you go...
Kasumi
... Hm? O-Tae, what's wrong? Why'd you put your guitar down...? Is something the matter?
Tae
Where's my guitar case...? Oh, there it is.
Kasumi
H-hey! O-Tae...!
Tae
Kasumi, I'm gonna go.
Kasumi
What?!
Saaya
O-Tae...?
Kasumi
Wait a sec'! Wh-why are you leaving?!
Tae
To be honest, I think practicing right now is a waste of time.
Kasumi
Huh? That's not true! We can get better while we wait for Rimi-rin's cold to go a--
Tae
But... I'm not really vibing.
Kasumi
...?!
Tae
Kasumi, do you feel sparkling and heart-pounding right now?
Kasumi
W-well...
Tae
If you're not, then no matter how much we practice, it'll be pointless. 'Kay, bye-bye.
Kasumi
O-Tae...
Kasumi
O-Tae! Wait! Listen to me! Arisa actually came to rehearsal, so we should~! H-hey! O-Tae!!
Saaya
She really left...
Arisa
Fufu... I told you, didn't I...? I would only make things awkward by being here...
Arisa
This is why I said you'd all be better off without me!
Arisa
Hmph, what a joke...!
Kasumi
Arisa, wait! That's not true! This was my fault! It's because I couldn't play my part well!
Kasumi
Now that I think about it, my brain was filled with stuff I shouldn't have been thinking about. I was too distracted to hear everyone else playing! I'm sure O-Tae realized that!
Kasumi
So it definitely wasn't your fault, Arisa! See?!
Arisa
Whatever, let go of my hand! I'm going back to my room. If you really wanna practice that much, I don't care! Do whatever you want!
Arisa
See ya...
Kasumi
Arisa...!
Saaya
... Kasumi, you probably shouldn't follow her. Let's give her some space.
Kasumi
S-Saya...
Through Our Hands
After an awful ending to rehearsal, Kasumi and Saya are on their way home. Kasumi thinks about what Tae said to her.
Walking Home
Kasumi
Sigh~... I kinda messed up, huh...?
Saaya
Kasumi?
Kasumi
When O-Tae asked me if I felt sparkling and heart-pounding, I couldn't even answer her.
Kasumi
And she was right. I didn't feel that way at all today.
Kasumi
Up until recently, I would feel it as long as we were all together... And now I have no idea how to get that feeling back...
Saaya
Mhm... I can see that... Yeah.
Kasumi
Guess I should've listened to you.
Saaya
Hm? About what?
Kasumi
I should've let Arisa have some time to herself like you said...
Kasumi
But I forced her to join us for rehearsal... And she...
Kasumi
(She ended up getting hurt when she didn't have to because of me...)
Kasumi
Saya, what are we supposed to do...? First Arisa and Rimi-rin, and now we don't even have O-Tae... At this rate, Poppin'Party will fall apart...
Kasumi
Sniff... Ngh...
Saaya
Whoa, Kasumi! Come on! If you don't stay strong, we're in trouble!
Kasumi
But I... I...
Saaya
Don't worry! This is us we're talking about! I'm sure we can overcome this! We've been through a lot, and nothing has stopped us so far! We'll be okay...!
Kasumi
Saya...
Saaya
No... Everything I just said felt really fake... Even I started feeling uncomfortable partway through, and I was the one saying it...
Saaya
I'm sorry, Kasumi. I actually don't know what we should do either.
Kasumi
Huh?
Saaya
You know the band I was in, CHiSPA? I watched it fall apart right before my very eyes...
Saaya
Or maybe... I was the one who destroyed it with my own two hands...
Saaya
We were close friends, always hanging out with each other... Then suddenly, I was always running away and avoiding them...
Saaya
Let's say I saw my bandmates at the other end of the hallway. If I did... I would hide...
Saaya
We hung out with each other every day before that started happening. Hard to believe, huh?
Saaya
Our band falling apart could mean... that we're unable to have the same relationships that we used to have... Relationships with friends we were always with, up until yesterday...
Kasumi
Sniff... Saya...
Saaya
And that's the reason... I'm so afraid... We finally find and create a place where we belong... And I'm starting to think... I might lose that place... again...
Kasumi
No... That can't happen... We can't let that happen...!
Saaya
I actually think you're really amazing, Kasumi.
Kasumi
That's not true at all... Things turned out this way because I keep doing things I'm not supposed to. I keep stepping over the line...
Saaya
Well, when CHiSPA started falling apart, I couldn't do anything... Not even step over the line.
Saaya
No matter what happens, you always take action right away. I have to stop and think, but you don't. Whenever something comes up, you're on it.
Saaya
That's definitely something only you can do. And while you were talking to Arisa, I just kept thinking about how impressive that is.
Kasumi
But... everything still ended up being a mess... I just... don't know what do anymore!!
Saaya
Say, Kasumi... Would you like to hold hands?
Kasumi
... Hold hands?
Saaya
Remember how during the fireworks festival we all held hands? And we were able to communicate how we were feeling to each other by doing that?
Kasumi
Mhm...
Saaya
Right now, I feel like I just really want you to understand... Not my words, but my feelings...
Saaya
So... Here. Grab my hand?
Kasumi
Okay!
Saaya
Go, feelings! Go...!
Kasumi
... Saya.
Saaya
Ey!
Saaya
Ey! Ey! ... Ey!!
Saaya
Well? Did I communicate my feelings?
Kasumi
Yeah, I think they're the exact same as mine.
Kasumi & Saaya
I love Poppin'Party!
Kasumi
... Saya, thank you. I'm gonna do everything I can. No holding back!
Saaya
No no no. Not just everything "you" can. We'll do everything "we" can!
Kasumi
Yeah!
Kasumi
Uhm, Saya... Can I say one thing?
Saaya
Hm? What is it?
Kasumi
You squeezed a little too hard... It really hurt...
Saaya
Ah! I'm so sorry! I put too many feelings into it...
Kasumi & Saaya
Haha... Ahahahahaha.
Bring It Back!
It's time to bring Poppin'Party back together as one. How will Kasumi accomplish this goal...?
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Courtyard
Kasumi
Alrighty, let's eat~!
Kasumi
Saaya, where do you think O-Tae ended up going? She took off as soon as class ended...
Saaya
Yeah, we didn't even have a chance to talk to her.
Saaya
I guess our bento time in the courtyard is just the two of us now, huh...? Makes you feel a bit lonely, doesn't it...?
Kasumi
Y-yeah...
Kasumi
... But this is just beginning! Let's do everything we can so that we're back to all of us sitting and eating again!
Saaya
Mhm, yeah. Let's do it!
Kasumi
You know, after that thing happened and I was by myself, I got to thinking. I wanted to figure out what it is we need to do.
Kasumi
And I'm not sure how, but I think I came up with an answer.
Saaya
Do you mind telling me what it is?
Kasumi
The thing we probably have to do is... make it so that everyone can be sparkling and heart-pounding again...
Saaya
What...?
Kasumi
We bring back our sparkling and our heart-pounding!
Saaya
Fufu, I see... So we get it back, huh...? Yeah! That's the kind of answer I'd expect from you. I think it's good!
Kasumi
Right? Thanks, Saya!
Kasumi
So many things were happening at once before. It made my head spin, but after taking some time to think about it, the solution was simple!
Saaya
Okay, and what do we have to do first?
Kasumi
Before anything, I want to talk to everyone. Arisa, O-Tae, Rimi-rin, all of them!
Saaya
Ah, speaking of, did Rimi-rin get back to you?
Kasumi
Nuh-uh, not yet.
Saaya
You neither, huh~? I didn't get a message back from her either. I want us to go see how she's doing, but we also can't just barge into her house. All we can do is wait...
Kasumi
I'll send her another quick message.
Tae
... Ah. Kasumi, Saya...
Kasumi
O-O-Tae~! Where'd you go~?! We were looking for you~!
Saaya
So she did come. Isn't that great, Kasumi?
Kasumi
Mhm! Okay, O-Tae! Sit over here! Ah, that's right! I wanted to give you this hamburg steak!
Tae
Sorry. I didn't come here to eat, actually.
Saaya
Huh...?
Kasumi
O-Tae...? You're not... gonna eat with us?
Tae
Nope. I'm just passing through. There's something I have to take care of.
Tae
Don't you have something you have to take care of too, Kasumi?
Kasumi
Me... Something to take care of?
Tae
Welp, I don't have much time, so I'm gonna go!
Saaya
Ah... And she's gone...
Kasumi
... Nnn~...
Saaya
Kasumi, don't feel too bad...
Kasumi
Oh, I'm okay. I don't feel bad... I'm happy! I mean, O-Tae wasn't hiding!
Saaya
Huh?
Kasumi
Didn't you mention that the other day? That when your band fell apart, you would hide when you thought you were gonna run into your bandmates in the hallway?
Kasumi
But just now... O-Tae wasn't hiding!
Saaya
Yeah. You're right!
Kasumi
Alrighty, we're on a roll. Maybe we should go find Arisa then... Before she starts hiding. C'mon, Saya!
Saaya
Okay. There's also the fact that she might be dealing with something. Hopefully she can talk to us about it if she is. 'Kay, let's do it!
Class 1-B
Kasumi
Arisa~?
Arisa
...?! K-Kasumi...
Saaya
Arisa~, I'm here too.
Arisa
I-is there something I can help you with? And I already ate my bento, just so you know...
Kasumi
Arisa! I'm sorry about pushing you to come to practice the other day... I must not have been thinking about how you felt...
Arisa
Wh-what?
Kasumi
Uhm, Arisa... Can you tell us if something is bothering you...?
Arisa
Wh-what are you talking about...?
Kasumi
What have you been worrying so much about? We want you to talk to us about it...!
Arisa
L-look, our class is gonna be moving to another room soon... L-later...!
Saaya
... Sigh. Feels like... she was totally trying to avoid us, didn't it?
Kasumi
She couldn't even look me in the eye...
Kasumi
... But we're still just getting started! I can't let this get me down!
Kasumi
Arisa~, get ready~. We're gonna get our sparkling and heart-pounding back, and we will absolutely, positively eat our bentos together again!
Saaya
Fufufu. We can always count on you, good ol' reliable Kasumi ♪
Everyone's Own
Arisa passes the time by herself, unable to talk to anyone else. But then, she spots Tae at CiRCLE...
Riverside
Arisa
... Phew.
Arisa
(Classes are finally over... Man, has school always been this long...?)
Arisa
(... Everything that's been happening keeps running through my mind. I needed up not being able to focus during class...)
Arisa
... Sigh. I don't care. Either is fine. Rimi-rin, you're the one writing the music, right? You decide... And no more asking me to do all this extra crap!
Rimi
... I-I'm sorry... Arisa-chan...
Arisa
... Sigh, I really am the worst... It doesn't matter whether or not I was tired... How could I say something like that to her...?
Arisa
(On top of that, O-Tae took off in the middle of rehearsal... All this is happening to Poppin'Party because of my stupid stubbornness...)
Arisa
... Sigh.
Arisa
(Am I really gonna have to be this bored tomorrow, too? I didn't really mind being by myself before, and yet...)
Arisa
There's no way I can try to message them now...
Arisa
(Ah... That reminds me, I've had this draft to send to Rimi for a while now...)
Arisa
(... What am I supposed to write next...? I have no idea... This is the kind of thing Kasumi or Saya would be good at.)
Arisa
I wonder what the others are doing right now...
CiRCLE Café
Arisa
(... Huh? How did I end up here...? Sigh, I must have been spacing out way too much.)
Arisa
(Normally we would sit here, talking about complete nonsense... We'd laugh at pretty much... anything...)
Arisa
... Hm? Is that...?
Tae
... Mhm! Thank you, Marina-san.
Marina
Alright, Tae-chan. I think you have your work cut out for you. Good luck though!
Arisa
(O-Tae...? At CiRCLE...? What is she doing?)
Arisa
(Maybe she's practicing by herself...)
Tae
Ah, Arisa.
Arisa
H-hey... O-Tae... Crazy coincidence, huh...?
Tae
What are you up to? Did you have something at CiRCLE to take care of?
Arisa
No, I wouldn't say that... What about you? What are you doing here?
Tae
Sorry, kinda busy. I don't really have time to explain... Oh, I know... Give me your hand.
Arisa
What? My hand? L-like this?
Tae
Mhm. Ready...? Here.
Arisa
O-oww~! D-don't squeeze so hard!
Tae
Get it now?
Arisa
E-excuse me?! Wh-what are y--?!
Tae
That's all there is to know. See ya later~!
Arisa
... Ugh, you don't make any sense!
Ushigome Residence
Rimi's Room
Rimi
... Cough, cough.
Rimi
Classes should be ending soon... Cough.
Rimi
(I wonder what everyone is up to...)
Rimi
(I've pretty much gotten over my cold, but seeing the others just seemed like it would be uncomfortable, so I ended up staying home again today...)
Rimi
(Not to mention... I've been too busy thinking about them to even finish our new song...)
Rimi
Sigh... They're all so worried about me and I haven't even sent them a reply yet...
Rimi
(Still no message from Arisa-chan, huh...?)
Rimi
(I suppose that makes sense. O-Tae-chan did say in one of her messages that they haven't been able to have a proper rehearsal ever since that whole thing happened...)
Rimi
(Poppin'Party is falling apart, so of course they haven't. And it's my fault...)
Rimi
I'm sorry, you guys...
Rimi
(But... what am I supposed to say to them at this point...? This is so heartbreaking... Maybe I'll... stay home from school tomorrow too...)
Rimi
... Hm?
Rimi
... A message. Huh...? From... Kasumi-chan?
Rimi
Let's see... "Saya and I are out front, Rimi-rin. Look outside."
Rimi
... What? Kasumi-chan and Saya-chan are here?
What Should I Do?
Kasumi and Saya stop by Rimi's house. After hearing what they have to say, what will Rimi do...?
Ushigome Residence
Front
Rimi
Kasumi-chan, Saya-chan... You came to see me~...
Kasumi
Rimi-rin~, I've missed you~.
Saaya
Sorry for just showing up like this. How's your cold? Fighting it off okay?
Rimi
M-mhm... I'm the one who should be apologizing for not answering your messages though...
Saaya
No way. You're sick, you can't help that.
Rimi
Y-yeah...
Rimi
(The truth is, I couldn't answer because it felt kind of uncomfortable...)
Kasumi
We were worried about you, so I wanted to come see how you were doing right away, but Saya said we shouldn't just force our way into your house when you're not feeling well... Right, Saya?
Saaya
Fufu. It sure was hard putting the brakes on her.
Rimi
... Th-thank you. I ended up being sick much longer than I thought I would be... It makes sense that you would be worried...
Rimi
But there's no need for that anymore since my cold is going away.
Kasumi
Thank goodness~. Does that mean you're gonna be at school tomorrow?
Rimi
W-well...
Saaya
Kasumi~, she's only just feeling better. You can't be so pushy. Rimi-rin, you don't have to do anything you're not up to doing, okay?
Rimi
O-okay...
Rimi
Uhm... How was Arisa-chan today?
Rimi
I heard from O-Tae that you guys haven't been able to have rehearsal ever since that whole thing happened...
Kasumi
Y-yeah... It's true. Arisa seems to be really down too...
Rimi
Arisa-chan is...?
Kasumi
She was acting pretty strange that day, wasn't she? Like she was easily annoyed, or like she was mad at everything or something.
Rimi
That's because I did something to make her upset...
Saaya
Nuh-uh, that's not it. She starting acting weird probably around... when she said we should have the concert on the last day of exams.
Rimi
... What?
Kasumi
It seems like Arisa is dealing with something, all on her own. We did try to ask her about it, but she wouldn't tell us what it is...
Saaya
I think she was so mean to you that day because of whatever she's going through...
Kasumi
That's why... you should forgive her, Rimi-rin.
Rimi
(... Arisa-chan's worried about something?)
Kasumi
... J-just so you know, Rimi-rin, we'll be waiting for you!
Kasumi
I want us to get back our sparkling and heart-pounding! So you—
Saaya
Kasumi... That's enough. Remember, she's sick...
Kasumi
Oh, that's right! Sorry! I just haven't seen you in so long! It makes me wanna talk to you about everything!
Kasumi
Alrighty! Get over your cold so you can come back to school, Rimi-rin!
Saaya
We'll be waiting.
Rimi
...
Rimi's Room
Rimi
So Arisa-chan's been going through something...? And I left rehearsal just like that, without even realizing it...
Rimi
... I'm sorry, Arisa-chan.
Yuri
Kasumi-chan and the others were so worried, they came to see you, huh?
Rimi
Ah, Sis...!
Yuri
Aren't you glad you made such good friends, Rimi?
Rimi
Sis... What am I supposed to do...?
Yuri
You won't get any advice from me. You have to come up with a solution on your own for this kind of thing.
Rimi
Come up with a solution... on my own...
Ichigaya Residence
Kasumi
Arisa's taking a while to come home, huh?
Saaya
Kasumi... You actually still plan on waiting?
Kasumi
I can't stand everything being awkward anymore!
Kasumi
I feel like it would be such a waste to let something like this make us uncomfortable to be around each other. More so if it keeps us from being together.
Kasumi
I want us to go back to being the Poppin'Party we were as soon as possible!
Saaya
But with the way she was acting, she might just try to avoid us again...
Kasumi
And if she does, then I'll come here tomorrow before school! And if that doesn't work, I'll just come again! I will absolutely never give up!
Saaya
You have thought of what you're gonna say, right?
Kasumi
I... have not. Forget that though. I'm just gonna hit her with everything I'm feeling!
Saaya
Fufu... Amazing as always, Kasumi. That's exactly the kind of thing that makes you who you are!
Kasumi
Hey, cut it out~! There's nothing amazing about it!
Saaya
I'm really happy we became friends. I get the feeling that if you're at the other end of the hallway and I try to hide, you'll do everything you can to find me.
Kasumi
... Mhm! I'd definitely find you! And not just you! I'd find all of you! O-Tae, Rimi-rin, Arisa! Every single one of you!
Saaya
Thanks... ... Ah, speaking of...
Kasumi
... Arisa!
Arisa
K-Kasumi...
This Is All I Can Do!
Kasumi and Saya continue their visits by stopping at Arisa's house. That's when Kasumi and Arisa's feelings clash...
Ichigaya Residence
Kasumi
... Arisa!
Arisa
K-Kasumi...
Kasumi
Arisa... Welcome home.
Arisa
Wait, have you two... been waiting this whole time...?
Saaya
Kasumi said... she just had to talk to you.
Arisa
Well... There's nothing to talk about.
Kasumi
That can't be true! You can hide it, but we still know! Something... is bothering you, right? Talk to us about it! We wanna help!
Arisa
You're so annoying! I told you, there's nothing to worry about! Just leave me alone already!
Kasumi
No! I won't! I can't! You may not have anything you wanna tell me about, but I have lots of things I wanna share with you!
Arisa
...?
Kasumi
Like the thing I saw on TV yesterday, or the yummy candy I bought at the convenience store the other day... Outfits too! There's also studying and bentos... And I wanna talk to you about Poppin'Party!
Kasumi
There's a lot I wanna talk to you about! So, so many things I want you to hear!
Arisa
Wh-what are you getting at?! I have no idea what you're talking about!
Kasumi
Neither do I! All I know is that I wanna have more conversations at school! I wanna laugh together while we talk about absolutely nothing! I want us... to eat our bentos together.
Arisa
Wh-why should I care about any of that?!
Kasumi
Nnn~!! Arisa, give me your hand!
Arisa
H-huh?!
Kasumi
I don't know the right words to tell you how I'm feeling! I know if we hold hands I can show you!
Arisa
Wh-what are you going on about?!
Kasumi
Sorry! This is the only thing I can do! Gimme your hand!
Arisa
St-stop it! You know I hate this kinda stuff! C-cut it out--!
Kasumi
Show Arisa how I feel...! Ey... Ey...!
Arisa
O-oww~! You're squeezing too hard—...
Arisa
(Hm? This... feeling...)
Park
Arisa
... Seriously, that hurt. My hand is numb now... I told you, you were squeezing too hard...
Kasumi
I-I got carried away with the amount of feelings I put in...
Arisa
... You know you play the guitar right? Learn to control your grip strength, will you...?
Kasumi
I'm... so sorry...
Arisa
... Still, that was the same exact feeling I got from O-Tae.
Kasumi
Hm?
Arisa
When you squeezed my hand, it felt the same as when O-Tae did it.
Kasumi
The same as O-Tae?
Arisa
Yeah. Doesn't really make sense, does it? But that's what happened...
Arisa
... You guys. You remember how Sensei asked me to visit the teacher's lounge? When we were having our bentos...?
Kasumi
Mhm. We were all saying how they would probably ask you to become the student council president.
Arisa
Well, Sensei told me...
Saaya
Sensei told you...? Go on, we're listening.
Arisa
That my grades are lower than they used to be...
Kasumi
... What?
Arisa
I mean, once you think about it, it makes sense. Ever since we started the band, we've been spending every hour together, right? So my study time has gone down a bit...
Arisa
I figured things would continue to get worse if we kept hanging out, but when I'm with you guys...
Arisa
... I really enjoy myself, so...
Saaya
Arisa...
Arisa
So Sensei asked... "Is it possible that balancing school and your band could be affecting your work?"
Arisa
I was just so irritated by that... So I replied with a declaration...
Arisa
I said I would show that I could handle both. That if I didn't get a total of 480 points on all five subjects, I would quit the band...
Saaya
Y-you have to get 480 points?! I know it's not impossible for you, but that's pretty tough to pull off, isn't it?
Arisa
... But if I can't do at least that, it won't be as persuasive, you know? So I buckled down and I hit the books. That's when I started going to sleep late...
Saaya
Yeah, now that you mention it, you've seemed kinda sleepy... So that's what it was.
Arisa
It turns out school work in high school really is different from middle school. If I don't study, I can't do well.
Kasumi
... Why... would you keep something that important from us?
Arisa
... Well, it's lame, isn't it? Not to mention that my stubbornness got you all dragged into this whole thing...
Arisa
Also... I wouldn't want you guys to see me trying so hard to study or knowing that I have to stay up late and put so much effort...
Kasumi
Arisa... You're looking at this the wrong way, Arisa. We always see you working hard! We've been watching you put a lot of effort into the things you do for a long time now!
Kasumi
You always give your 100 percent, every time... Every time you practice your instrument.
Arisa
...?!
Saaya
... Yep, that's right. You're always doing your best to improve when you play your keyboard. We know.
Arisa
... Haha, I see... So I didn't have to hide it... Man, I was trying so hard to keep you all from knowing and ended up making a huge mess of things... So what I did was lame anyway...
Arisa
... And I put us into this really tough situation because of my selfishness. Plus, I let my anger get out of control and attacked Rimi...
Arisa
I'm the worst... Seriously, what am I even doing...?! I'm such an embarrassment...
Arisa
... Maybe Poppin'Party would be better off without someone like me...
The Norm is Great
Arisa says that Poppin'Party may be better off without her, but Kasumi absolutely refuses to accept that.
Arisa
I'm the worst... Seriously, what am I even doing...?! I'm such an embarrassment...
Arisa
... Maybe Poppin'Party would be better off without someone like me...
Kasumi
You're not an embarrassment, Arisa! And you're definitely not the worst! The day you quit Poppin'Party would be the day Poppin'Party comes to an end!
Arisa
What?! Why would that happen?! There are countless other people who are better than me out there.
Kasumi
That's not what I mean...! It's not just you! Saya, Rimi-rin, O-Tae! If any one of you left the band, there's no way I can be sparkling and heart-pounding!
Saaya
Kasumi...
Arisa
Sparkling and heart-pounding...?
Kasumi
You remember the day we had that performance in your basement? We all played together, and my sparkling and heart-pounding hit an unbelievable level!
Kasumi
Yours did too, right?
Arisa
Well...
Kasumi
And I believed for a while that bands were just super amazing and that music was crazy awesome.
Kasumi
I mean, no matter how down you're feeling, once you get together with everyone and start playing, you can get rid of that negativity and fill your heart with sparkling, heart-pounding feelings.
Kasumi
But the other day, I realized something, thanks to what O-Tae said to me. Music is not the only thing that allows me to feel that way...
Kasumi
Saya, Rimi-rin, O-Tae... And you, Arisa! It's all of you that make me feel that way when I'm performing!
Kasumi
That's why... That's why...! Don't ever say that Poppin'Party would be better off without you, Arisa!
Arisa
I see... Okay, now I get it...
Saaya
Hm? What's up?
Arisa
Well... Before I joined the band, I was always alone at school, you know? So I was pretty much used to being by myself... Or at least, I should've been...
Arisa
Now, when I'm by myself at school, I'm so bored and kinda... lonely...? All I can think about is how much I want classes to be over...
Arisa
Before, I didn't think anything of it, and now, without even realizing it, I start thinking about all of you.
Arisa
Like what you, Kasumi, are doing, or how it was very wrong for me to act that way towards Rimi... Now my head is filled with these kinds of thoughts...
Saaya
think I get how you feel, Arisa. You guys are the only thing I've been thinking about too.
Arisa
At this point, I can't even focus on studying. It's just become so natural for all of us to be together, and...
Arisa
How do I put this...? Something happening naturally like that feels... great.
Saaya
Doesn't it?
Arisa
Uhm, so... I want to apologize to Rimi.
Kasumi
Huh?!
Arisa
Everything that's been happening is all my fault... And I really hurt her when I blew up at her...
Arisa
I've been trying to send her a message for a while, but no matter how many times I try, I just get stuck at this part. I don't know how to go about these things...
Kasumi
Have you been working on that draft the entire time?
Arisa
I write, then I delete. I write, then I delete. I've been going back and forth for so long. I'm not sure how to put my feeling into words...
Arisa
It's just...
Arisa
No exam has ever asked me to solve such a difficult problem...
Kasumi
... Wonderful... This is wonderful... Ngh...
Arisa
Kasumi...?
Kasumi
You know... I was so worried that you started hating Poppin'Party...!
Arisa
Wh-why would I do that...? That's the whole reason I've been thinking so hard... Because I love Poppin'Party...
Kasumi
Arisa~!
Arisa
K-Kasumi... A little warning before you jump on me like that.
Kasumi
The three of us should visit Rimi-rin together! And she's feeling better, so I think she'll be coming back to school soon.
Arisa
Okay... St-still... Can you stop hugging me so tightly? You're hurting me.
Kasumi
No, I'll never let you go...
Arisa
... F-fine, I guess...
Arisa
Uhh, Kasumi... I'm... sorry... I made you worry.
Kasumi
I'm sorry too... There's no way you would ever hate Poppin'Party. I should have never thought that.
Saaya
Fufu...
Saaya
Forget all that. You guys aren't being fair~. I'm your friend too, you know~.
Kasumi
Ahh, yeah! Here! Come over here!
Saaya
Fufu... I'm just kidding. Sigh, such a heavy weight lifted~...
Saaya
... Ah, hey. Look, you guys. Up at the sky...
Arisa
Hm? At the sky?
Kasumi
Whoa~!! The stars look amazing~!
Saaya
They seem even brighter than they normally are... Is that just in my head?
Kasumi
Nuh-uh! Absolutely not! We can see it as well! Right, Arisa?! They look shinier to you too?!
Arisa
... Mhm. You might be right. They kinda do look like they're... sparkling more than usual...
Arisa's Secret Prep
Kasumi tells Arisa that Rimi's at school, but Arisa says they can't see each other until afternoon recess.
The Next Day
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Class 1-A
Kasumi
Morning, Saya!
Saaya
Ah, Kasumi. Good morning... Hmhmm~ ♪
Kasumi
Hm? What happened? Why are you in such a good mood?
Saaya
Well~, take a look~.
Rimi
Good morning, Kasumi-chan!
Kasumi
Wahhh, Rimi-rin! You came to school! Does that mean your cold is gone?! That's great~!
Rimi
I'm sorry for making you worry so much...
Kasumi
No, don't apologize! I'm happy just knowing that you made it!
Saaya
That's right! O-Tae's not here yet, but I'm sure she'll be thrilled.
Kasumi
Oh yeah! I'm gonna go tell Arisa that you're here!
Rimi
Arisa-chan...?
Kasumi
I'm sure she'll come flying over here, unable to contain her joy! Wait here for a bit.
Hallway
Kasumi
Arisa~! Come here for a sec'!
Arisa
Wh-what? Isn't it a little too early to be bouncing off the walls...?
Kasumi
Well, I have news that I know will make you happy! So today~... Rimi-rin came to school!
Arisa
Oh... So she's not sick anymore... That's good...
Kasumi
You were saying you wanted to apologize to her, right?! C'mon, let's go right now. I'll go with you.
Arisa
Ah, ahh~, hold on. Right now doesn't work... Could you give me until recess?
Kasumi
Huh? Arisa...? Don't tell me you don't wanna see Rimi-rin...
Arisa
I have some stuff I have to take care of first...
Kasumi
A-alright... Then we'll see you during lunch! You promise, okay?!
Arisa
Y-yeah...
Courtyard
Saaya
... Arisa's taking pretty long. It's already been 10 minutes since recess started...
Rimi
Maybe she didn't want to see me after all... I suppose I should've gone to her instead...
Kasumi
Yout hink I should go get her?
Arisa
Ah, my bad, you guys! Sorry I'm late.
Kasumi
Arisa's here~! Ugh, we were worried because you were taking so long, you know.
Arisa
I said sorry. There were some things I had to do...
Rimi
A-Arisa-chan...
Arisa
Rimi...
Arisa & Rimi
About the other day...
Saaya
Fufu... Perfect harmony you got going on there.
Arisa
Uhm, Rimi. I'm really sorry about the other day... I was just... going through a lot, and it made me kinda high-strung...
Rimi
Don't worry about that. I heard a bit about what was going on from Kasumi-chan and Saya-chan. I want to apologize myself for not realizing that something was bothering you.
Arisa
W-well... If you want... you can have this.
Rimi
A notebook? Is there something written in here? ... Huh? This is...!
Arisa
Yeah. I did what I could to summarize all of the stuff we learned in class while you were absent. We go over pretty much the same stuff in our class, so it should be fine.
Kasumi
... This was the thing you needed to take care of?!
Arisa
I wasn't done making it this morning... And there'd be no point if I didn't complete it.
Rimi
Th-this is amazing... There's so much information in here and from every subject.
Saaya
Yeah. And more importantly, all of these explanations Arisa added are really easy to understand!
Rimi
Arisa-chan... Making this must have been tough... Thank you so much... Sniff...
Arisa
I'm glad you like it... But I should be the one saying thanks.
Arisa
This might sound weird, but... I was able to focus really well knowing that I was making it for you... Doing that made for some pretty good review.
Saaya
Makes sense. They say the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. You should do well on those tests then, right?
Arisa
At this rate, I'll get even higher than 480 points! That's a promise!
Kasumi
Hey, Rimi-rin! Can I borrow that notebook too?!
Rimi
I'm okay with that... Is that alright, Arisa?
Arisa
F-fine, if you really have to, then I guess...
Kasumi
Yayy~!! Now I'll be able to ace those tests too!
Arisa
You do know that you still have to study. You're not gonna get anything done by just looking at that book...
Kasumi
O-oh...
All
Ahahahaha...
Kasumi
Arisa, Rimi-rin... Welcome back! Now that we're together, let's have our bentos!
Arisa & Rimi
Mhm! Yeah!
Kasumi
All that's left is... O-Tae. She took off right when recess started again today...
Saaya
She's been disappearing right after school finishes too...
Kasumi
Yeah~... Where could she be going...?
Arisa
... Ah! I think I might know...!
Kasumi
Huh? You do, Arisa?
Arisa
Probably... CiRCLE...
Tae's Request
Poppin'Party is finally starting to become united once again. Kasumi and the others go to apologize to Tae, but...
CiRCLE Café
Kasumi
O-Tae ran off at the end of class again today. Not a second to waste.
Rimi
It did kind of look like she was in a rush.
Saaya
I hope she's here at CiRCLE like Arisa said...
Arisa
I only said that because I happened to run into her here the other day. I can't say for sure that we'll find her.
Kasumi
Welp, no point in thinking about it! Let's just check it out!
Tae
Later, Marina-san. Thank you so much.
Kasumi
Ah! It's O-Tae! Arisa was right, she's actually here!
Saaya
Great! Hey, O-Tae!
Tae
Ah, you guys... What's up? What are you all doing here?
Kasumi
O-Tae... I'm sorry about rehearsal the other day! I kinda let myself get distracted and then everything got all weird... It makes sense that you wanted to go home...
Kasumi
I'm really sorry... I won't let that happen again...
Tae
...?
Rimi
No, O-Tae-chan! Everything was my fault, really! All of that happened because I didn't realize that something was bothering Arisa-chan... I'm sorry, O-Tae-chan.
Arisa
That wasn't it either. If it wasn't for my stupid stubbornness, none of this would have happened in the first place. This was my fault... Sorry...
Saaya
So please, O-Tae... Come back!
Tae
...
Tae
... Come back? What are you talking about? Actually, why is everyone apologizing?
Kasumi
... Huh? W-well--
Tae
Oh, but you all have great timing. I wanted to ask you guys for a favor.
Kasumi
A-a favor? What do you want us to do...?
Tae
Let me get these~... 'Kay, here you go.
Kasumi
... Hm? P-Paper bags? What's in them...?
Tae
What do you mean? They're concert flyers. I want everyone to hand them out.
Kasumi
... What?
Arisa
... Wh-what is she going on about?
Saaya
No idea...
Rimi
O-O-Tae-chan... What is this about...?
Tae
Well, we're planning to put on a show, so I made flyers. I designed them by hand. Is that okay?
Kasumi
Our... concert... flyers?!
Tae
Mhm, that's right. I mean, you can't have a show without them, can you?
Kasumi
O-Tae... H-have you... been preparing these all by yourself...?!
Tae
Yep. I can take care of this kind of planning for a show just like anyone else, but the only one who can bring the band together is you, Kasumi... Right? I trusted you would take care of that for us.
Saaya
Okay, so the reason you've seemed so busy recently is...
Tae
I was doing pre-show prep, yeah. But that's done now. Let's have lunch together tomorrow, okay?
Kasumi
O-O-Tae... O-Tae~...!
Tae
... Wait, did I mess something up?
Kasumi
No...! You didn't, not at all! O-Tae...! Thank you~!!
Tae
Let's get this show on the road already. I've been looking forward to performing this whole time!
Kasumi
... Yeah! You're right...! Alrighty, then let's get back to rehearsing, starting today!
Rimi
Uhm, can I say something...?
Kasumi
Oh yeah! I'm sorry, Rimi-rin! You're still not 100 percent better! We'll start up again once you're over your cold...
Rimi
No, that's not it... I didn't really know when I should say this, but I brought something for you all too...
Rimi
Here, Kasumi-chan. Uhh, this is Saya-chan's... This one's for O-Tae-chan. And this last one's for Arisa-chan.
Saaya
Is this the score... for our new song?
Rimi
Mhm. After you two visited, my sister said something to me. She said I have to come up with an answer on my own for this kind of problem...
Rimi
And so, this is my answer. This song is filled with my feelings toward Poppin'Party. I worked on it all day yesterday and was able to finish it somehow.
Kasumi
Th-this... is amazing! It's completely different from the one you showed us before!
Rimi
Yeah. While I was writing, I was thinking about you all, and I just kept coming up with new ideas. When I was finally done, it ended up being nothing like the ones I made before.
Rimi
This is the answer I came up with. I know it's nothing like the last one, but... would you guys be okay with practicing this one, starting today?
Kasumi
Of course! Guys! We're gonna set our sights on that performance and do our very best, okay?!
Rimi, Saaya & Tae
Yeah!
Tae
Ah, I made a temporary set list. Rimi's new song is first, obviously. It's noted on the flyer as well.
Rimi
Oh, it is. Right here.
Tae
I was certain you'd come up with something good. This seems like it's gonna be even better than I thought, though.
Rimi
I hope so! Thank you, O-Tae-chan!
Arisa
A-a moment...? Sorry, I don't mean to rain on the parade here, but... can I ask you a question, O-Tae?
Tae
Hm? Yes?
Arisa
If I'm understanding this right... it says here, "Another Show in that Basement!" This couldn't possibly be referring to my basement... Could it?
Kasumi
Huh?! That's where we're doing it?!
Tae
Yeah, that's correct. I went around asking live houses about the date, but no one had any openings, so that's where I decided we would have it.
Arisa
Excuse me?! You decided?! Y-you just do whatever you want without asking...?!
Tae
I already got permission from your grandma, and there are arrangements set for getting the equipment we need from CiRCLE, so it'll be okay. That's why I'm here today.
Arisa
W-wait, grandma said it's okay...? What is she doing...?! She didn't even ask me about it...
Tae
Hm? But a concert in your basement is still a concert, right?
Arisa
Th-that's true, I guess, but still... We're gonna do another one of those? Of all things...?
Tae
Alrighty, hand out those flyers, guys! Oh, I have tickets too. Give these out as well.
Arisa
...?! Hey! How big is this stack?!
Tae
I made 200 for now... Think that's enough?
Arisa
Wh—?! 200 tickets?! O-Tae, you~!!
Another Basement Performance
Now that Poppin'Party is back together, they can start preparing for something they haven't done in a while: a show in Arisa's basement.
Ichigaya Residence
Basement
Tae
Hey, Arisa. Is it okay if I move this sofa and this table? I wanna make space for the audience.
Arisa
Sure, that's fine, but... how many people are supposed to be coming again?
Tae
At this point... about 15?
Arisa
Oh, 15 people...? Well, that's a lot better than 200, but can all those people fit in here?
Tae
Don't worry. It'll be alright. I guarantee it.
Arisa
And?! That guarantee does nothing for me and my worrying!
Rimi
Uhm, Arisa-chan. Can I ask you a quick question...?
Arisa
Hm? What's up, Rimi?
Rimi
I'm doing this math problem... I was wondering why we have to use this formula to solve it. I would have thought we'd have to use this other one...
Arisa
Oh, that problem. It's actually pretty confusing. I got mixed up at first too. I wrote a little bit about it in the notebook, but what you have to do is...
Saaya
Fufu. Isn't that great, Kasumi? Arisa's back to being her normal self.
Kasumi
Mmm~!
Saaya
Kasumi? Wait, now you? Is something bothering you?
Kasumi
Nnn~... I've been thinking so hard about this... But I just can't do it~.
Arisa
... Jeez, you're hopeless. Which part don't you understand? I'll take a look for you.
Rimi
Arisa-chan's really good at explaining this stuff. If you don't know how to do something, you're better off asking her about it. The way she taught me just now really helped me understand.
Kasumi
It's this one~. This is really, really hard...
Arisa
Wait a second... These are the lyrics to the new song! What happened to studying?!
Kasumi
It's just... if I don't finish writing the lyrics, I can't focus on school work~.
Saaya
Huh? Have you been trying to come up with the lyrics to this part since the last time we were all here?
Kasumi
Mhm. So many things were happening, I couldn't think straight...
Tae
Kasumi... Isn't that the part where you said you wanted to put something where we can be all sparkly and heart-pounding?
Kasumi
Yeah, it is! I still wanna do that, but I'm not sure how to put it into words...
Tae
You remember how you asked me to think about it for you? I did, for a while. And I figured out what our sparkling, heart-pounding thing is.
Kasumi
What? Really?! What is it? Tell me, O-Tae!
Saaya
I'd love to hear this too.
Tae
Well, it's...
Tae
... Meat.
The Other Four
...
Tae
No, wait...! It's hamburg steaks.
Arisa
That's... not that different...
Kasumi
... Pft... Ahahahaha! Meat...? You're the best, O-Tae!
Saaya
Fufu. I see everything's going well in Hanazono Land! Ufufufufu...
Rimi
Phew, my heart was racing for a moment there. I knew O-Tae-chan would say something great, I just didn't know what it was. Fufufu.
Arisa
Haha, what's really impressive is how you were able to say that with a serious face, O-Tae. In a way... that deserves some respect... Hahaha... Ahh~...
Tae
Wait, it's not good?
Kasumi
Well, it's not that... But still... Ahahaha... Ahh~. This is exactly what I expect when we're all together. Just non-stop laughter. This brings such joy to my heart.
Saaya
Can't disagree with you there. But remember, we can't just assume that our being together will just happen naturally.
Kasumi
... Ah! That's it! I think I got it! The thing that makes us sparkling and heart-pounding... I figured it out!
Saaya
What is it? I can't wait to hear this.
Kasumi
The thing that does it is... this!
The Other Four
... Hm?
Kasumi
.. Right now!
Arisa
... What? Right now?
Kasumi
Mhm! Being together with you all, this moment... I'm super-duper sparkling and heart-pounding right now!
Arisa
This moment... huh? I get it, yeah. You're right...
Saaya
Hmm... Yep, that's good! I totally agree!
Rimi
It really is true. There's no way we could be more sparkling and heart-pounding than we are right now at this very moment.
Tae
Thanks, Kasumi! You said everything I wanted to say.
Arisa
What? You can't be serious... You said meat!
All
Ahahahahaha.
Saaya
... We sure have dealt with a lot recently, haven't we?
Saaya
You know, I've been thinking... Everything that happened only happened because we all really love Poppin'Party. So I wouldn't blame anyone.
Kasumi
Mhm, I agree! And thanks to all of that stuff, I know for sure how strong that love is! Arisa, Rimi-rin, you guys think so too, right?!
Arisa & Rimi
Yeah. Mhm!
Kasumi
Alrighty...! And with that, the lyrics are done!
Arisa
Kasumi! That means you need to get started on that math soon!
Kasumi
Yep!
Rimi
Ah, Kasumi-chan. When you're done with that, would you like to try out the new song with everyone?
Kasumi
Sounds good~!
Saaya
Ah, Kasumi. Afterward, let's think of decorations for our performance.
Kasumi
Okay~!
Tae
Ah, Kasumi. We should all have a meal together when you guys finish with that.
Kasumi
It's about time!
Kasumi
Here we go, you guys! Let's give it our all~!
All
Yeah~!
Love!
The girls of Poppin'Party get into a huddle before the show, and they only have one thing on their mind...
Last Day of Exams
Ichigaya Residence
Basement
Kasumi
Ta-da~! And now that we're in our stage outfits, it's time to rock this thing!
Arisa
Looks like it was worth putting all that effort into the lighting. The attendees are all so shocked. This doesn't even look like my basement anymore... Makes sense with everything we did to it.
Rimi
Hm? Kasumi-chan? You did something different with your hair today... right?
Kasumi
Mhm! I decided to try out a new look since it's a special day!
Kasumi
Ehehe, looks nice, doesn't it~?
Arisa
Wh-what? Wh-why are you looking at me...? I-I mean... Sure, why not?
Kasumi
Woo~♪ Arisa gave me a compliment~.
Arisa
N-no one was complimenting you! Anyway... It's almost time... Should we get this thing started?
Saaya
Yeah, let's do it!
Kasumi
... Ah, but before that! Let's get into a huddle and do the thing we always do!
Arisa
S-seriously...? Shouldn't we do that in a dressing room or offstage or something? We're right in front of the audience, you know...
Kasumi
It's fine~, c'mon~! Please give us a moment, everyone! There's something we have to do! It's an important tradition! Okay, you guys... Here! Let's hold hands!
Rimi, Saaya & Tae
Alright!
Kasumi
Arisa, you too! Hurry! Join the huddle!
Arisa
... I-is this good enough?
Kasumi
... Yep! I can tell... exactly how all of you are feeling!
Kasumi
Ready? Go!
All
Popipa! Pipopa! Popipapa! Pipopa~!
Kasumi
(Right here, right now... We all stand together. What we're feeling is clear to one another...)
Kasumi
(I...)
Rimi
(Love Poppin'Party!)
Tae
(Love Poppin'Party!)
Saaya
(Love Poppin'Party!)
Arisa
(Love Poppin'Party!)
Kasumi
(Love Poppin'Party!!)
All
(Love Poppin'Party!!)
The Next Day
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy
Courtyard
Kasumi
The show we did in your basement yesterday was so good~! And of course it was! That's the place where our sound came together for the first time! That was the perfect place for us to play!
Rimi
Mhm! The attendees had a good time too. I had a lot of fun.
Tae
Not only that, but we got two encores. They really loved your new song, Rimi.
Saaya
The last time you all had a show in Arisa's basement, I was in the audience, so that was my first time doing it. What a wild ride. Sigh~, I'd love to do that again.
Arisa
Huh?! There will be no 'again'! Besides, I don't think I'll be feeling up to performing for a while.
Homeroom Teacher
Ah, Ichigaya-san. There you are. Sorry to bother you during recess.
Arisa
Ah, Sensei!
Homeroom Teacher
The exams are done being graded, so I figured I would come let you know. Could you come with me for a moment?
Arisa
S-sure...
Kasumi
... I-I wonder how she did... Do you think she'll be okay?
Saaya
You saw how confident she looked before, didn't you? I'm sure it'll be alright! We just have to have faith in her!
Tae
Even I'm starting to feel kinda nervous.
Rimi
M-me too... I can feel my heart beating really fast...
Arisa
... I'm back.
Kasumi
... A-Arisa...! How... did you do...?!
Arisa
Hmph!
Kasumi
... Y-you really did it?!
Arisa
Yep, I really did. In fact, it's the highest grade I've ever gotten...!
All
Yay~!!
Arisa
I-I mean, what did you expect? Stuff like this becomes a breeze when I get serious.
Kasumi
Congrats~!! Arisa~!
Arisa
N-no hugging...! You are way too happy about this... B-but I guess... thank you. And I'm sorry for making you all worry so much.
Homeroom Teacher
Oh, that's right. Ichigaya-san. The show yesterday was a lot of fun. It's nice to see that my title as sensei didn't stop you from inviting me. I appreciate it.
Homeroom Teacher
I hear that a lot of girls didn't get to go, so if you don't mind... maybe you'll do another show here at the school soon? I'll be there, cheering you on!
Arisa
... Y-yes! O-of course...!
Kasumi
Hahaha! Arisa~, you said you weren't gonna be feeling up to it for a while, and just like that, you have another performance lined up ♪
Arisa
... Sigh, guess I have no choice. Sensei really went to the trouble of asking. It's not like I can say no...
Rimi
Should I write another song then? I feel like everything that happened has broadened my musical horizons.
Saaya
Alright! This time, we'll be setting our sights on this school performance! Let's get back in that basement today and start practicing!
Tae
In that case, we have to eat all of our lunch and recharge. Ah, recess is almost over. We need to eat quickly.
Kasumi
Yeah! Let's chow down!
Tae
Hey, Arisa. Will you trade with me? Your chicken for my parsley.
Arisa
For parsley?! Is that a joke?! ... Sigh... Today will be the only day I ever agree to this, got it...?
Tae
Yay~. I am forever in your debt.
Kasumi
Ahaha! O-Tae, wasn't that lucky?! Alright, everyone! Together...
