Kasumi makes a suggestion for people who can't attend the Rocking Star festival。
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
A Growing Desire to Perform
Kasumi and the others discuss their previous show and feel the desire to perform.
Ichigaya Residence - Basement
Kasumi
And don't you guys also think Sayo-senpai was amazing on the guitar?
Tae
She was... The sound of her guitar made me see all kinds of scenery.
Rimi
I so know what you mean~. It was like her guitar spread the world of Roselia's music throughout the venue.
Saya
Ako was no slouch on the drums either... Yesterday's concert was probably the best of their recent ones~.
Kasumi
It wasn't just Roselia! I thought everyone was really good! Don't you agree, Arisa?
Arisa
Well, it was definitely one of the best recent concerts I've seen, not just in terms of technique but also in terms of intensity.
Kasumi
Yeah! You could tell everyone really gave it their all~!
Arisa
You know, how many times do you plan on bringing it up? You were also talking about it the whole time at school yesterday.
Kasumi
But it was so incredible!
Kasumi
It's not just Roselia's live performances that are so awesome. Their songs and emceeing are awesome too!
Kasumi
I wish I could emcee like that~...
Kasumi
Are you prepared to fully devote yourselves to Poppin'Party?
Arisa
Not even close~. Your words carry absolutely no weight. Good luck convincing anyone with that.
Kasumi
Aw~, really? I thought I did pretty good.
Tae
Okay, my turn next! "Are you prepared to fully devote yourselves to Poppin'Party?" ... What's my score?
Arisa
Your score?! This isn't some kind of impersonation show!
Rimi & Saya
Fufufu...
Tae
... Ah, by the way, did you guys notice Lisa-san winked at us during the "BLACK SHOUT" interlude?
Rimi
You noticed it too?! It really was for us then, huh? My heart leaped when she did that.
Kasumi
Seriously? Awww, I missed it!
Kasumi
No fair~. I wish I could've seen it too!
Arisa
Stop complaining like a kid... Not like there's anything you can do about it now...
Kasumi
I know, but still... Roselia's performing again next week, right? Let's go see them! I won't miss the wink this time!
Saya
I don't mind going, but there's no guarantee she'll wink at us again.
Arisa
Yeah, every concert is different. You know how it goes, concerts are like creatures.
Arisa
No two are ever the same, so you're never gonna see the same one.
Kasumi
But that's exactly why I wanna go~. Each one gives me a different sparkling, heart-pounding feeling! Isn't that amazing?!
Tae
They turn out different even when the setlist is the same.
Rimi
I guess it's like each one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Kasumi
Yeah, that's it exactly~! C'mon, guys! Let's go together! Please!
Tae
All this talk about concerts is making me want to do one.
Kasumi
...?!
Kasumi
That's it! We just have to do one of our own! You're such a genius, O-Tae!
Tae
When do we do it?
Arisa
Whoa, whoa! Slow down~. We can't just throw a concert. We gotta find a live house to perform at.
Arisa
And we gotta do that before we start planning~.
Rimi
If we're going to do it, it would be nice to write a new song too.
Kasumi
Absolutely!
Saya
In that case, it'll probably end up being a month or so from now...
Tae
That'd be perfect! We won't have any exams either! You'd like that, right, Arisa?
Arisa
Errr... C-could you not rub it in...?
Tae
Ah, how about we just do another basement show?
Kasumi
Oh yeah! We can do one in the basement!
Arisa
No way, not a chance! Don't you remember how cramped it was the last time?
Saya
Aww~, too bad. I enjoyed performing down there.
Arisa
C'mon, we even managed to perform at the Budokan. If we're gonna do a show, don't you wanna show more people how far we've come?
Kasumi
Sounds like somebody wants to do that...
Arisa
Not really, it's just, you know...
Tae
We need a place at least as big as CiRCLE if we want everyone to come.
Kasumi
Yeah. There's Roselia, Afterglow, Pastel＊Palettes... Hello, Happy World!, Morfonica, RAS... That's already a lot of people...
Saya
I want to invite CHiSPA too.
Kasumi
Yeah! We should invite them for sure!
Rimi
I want my sister to watch...
Arisa
Is Yuri-senpai coming back to Japan?
Rimi
I'll ask her if she has any plans to.
Kasumi
It would be great if she could watch us!
Arisa
But if we're gonna have her watch, we need to set a date first...
Kasumi
Hey, why don't we go to CiRCLE after practice? We can ask what the schedule looks like.
Saya
I hope they have free slots.
Kasumi
Alright then!
Kasumi
Let's perform live in front of everyone and show them how far we've come~!
Poppin'Party
Yeah~!
A Friend Like...
The girls can't get a reservation at CiRCLE, but Marina has an idea.
CiRCLE - Lobby
Marina
Hm~, let me see if we have any available slots around that time... I'm sorry, we're fully booked~.
Kasumi
Oh~... They're full.
Rimi
Yes, I don't see any available slots during the weekend...
Arisa
Well, can't be helped since we decided to ask so suddenly.
Kasumi
Aw~, but I can't just give up so easily~.
Arisa
There you go acting like a kid again...
Tae
Even if we can't get a spot a month from now, shouldn't we book what we can while we still have the chance?
Saya
Probably. If we don't, we'll have to keep postponing.
Rimi
Since we have exams coming up... Maybe three months from now would work best?
Kasumi
Three months?! That long?! Isn't there any way we could do one sooner~?
Arisa
Stop complaining. We're very sorry, Marina-san.
Marina
Fufufu... You really like concerts, don't you, Kasumi-chan?
Kasumi
Yeah! I wanna have that sparkling, heart-pounding feeling that they give me!
Marina
Actually... There is a way to do one in a month... Interested?
Poppin'Party
Really?!
Kasumi
I'm super interested! Please tell us!
Marina
I was planning on getting in touch with you girls about it anyway, but you showed up. Take a look at this flyer, will you?
Kasumi
... Wait, this-
Poppin'Party
The Rocking Star Festival?!
Marina
Do you remember? It's that event where live houses from all over the country gather.
Kasumi
Of course I do! I really appreciate how you let us represent you in the last one!
Tae
There's another one this year, huh?
Marina
It was decided just yesterday. We'd like you to represent CiRCLE again.
Kasumi
We'll do it for sure! Right, guys?!
Tae
Of course!
Saya
We get to be in that event again. I can't wait~...
Rimi
Mmhmm! I'm so happy~! I still remember it like it was yesterday.
Arisa
If you don't mind me asking, are you sure you want us again this year?
Marina
We are. It'd be nice if you could put on another show that lifts everyone's spirits. I look forward to seeing what you can do as our representative!
Kasumi
Me too! We'll do our best!
Arisa
Er, the venue's a lot bigger than I'd imagined...
Kasumi
That means more people will get to see how much we've grown!
Saya
This is quite a coincidence...
Tae
It's like the concert itself wants us to be there.
Kasumi
I know what you mean! It feels that way to me too!
Marina
Ah, by the way, do you remember how you let me be in the huddle with you guys?
Saya
Oh, yeah! We did, huh?
Marina
It made me so happy that I still think about it even now. And you put on an amazing show afterward.
Kasumi
You could say we're who we are today because of that concert. I remember how O-Tae said we should put on a show that would make everyone take another look at us.
Marina
Fufufu. And that's exactly what happened. It was really incredible.
Rimi
It's great that we get to be on that same stage and show everyone how much we've grown.
Arisa
Totally.
Marina
Alright, I'll let you all know the details later. I look forward to working with you girls!
Poppin'Party
So do we!
Toyama Residence - Living Room
Kasumi
And you see, you won't believe what happened next! We're gonna be in the Rocking Star Festival again!
Asuka
I see~... That sounds like quite the miraculous coincidence...
Kasumi
You think so too?! What do you call things like this? Fate? It's like the concert itself invited us because it wants to do a show with us again~!
Asuka
Invited you...? You're making it sound like you and the concert are friends.
Kasumi
That's exactly it! You always have such a nice way of putting things~.
Asuka
I was trying to tell you to stop being so childish...
Kasumi
I'm not a child~.
Asuka
Your tone's already childish. Why do you always keep giving feelings to everything anyway? Remember the tin toy?
Asuka
High schoolers don't usually do that, you know?
Kasumi
Hey~, that's not nice. You know what'll happen if you're gonna be mean...!
Asuka
I do...?
Kasumi
I sentence you... to be tickled! Prepare yourself! Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle...
Asuka
Ahaha, s-stop! I'm sorry, I get it! Ahahaha...!
Kasumi
I'm glad you understand!
Asuka
... See! You are like a kid!
Kasumi
There you go with your mouth again~. You still want more, huh? Tickle, tickle, tickle...
Asuka
Ahaha, you win, you win! I'm sorry! Stop tickling me!
Roaring Curiosity
Marina will be participating in a meeting for the festival. What will Tae and Kasumi do with this information...?
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy - Courtyard
Rimi
I never thought we would get the chance to be in the Rocking Star Festival again.
Saya
Yeah! Although, considering this is an event with live houses from all over the country, this is a much bigger concert than what we were hoping for.
Kasumi
We get to see all those people we got to know back then! Hooray~!
Arisa
You practically went to every booth last time, didn't you?
Tae
Hey, why don't we make flyers like last time? Handmade ones.
Arisa
O-Tae... That might've been a foot-in-mouth moment...
Tae
Ah, I'm sorry...
Kasumi
Hm? You mean how everyone threw our flyers away...? It's okay, I'm not bothered anymore!
Kasumi
I was really hurt when it happened, but we were able to grow because of it!
Saya
True... The disappointment we felt is what helped us come together to put on a good show.
Rimi
You were amazing on the guitar that day, O-Tae-chan.
Arisa
Anyway, let's not worry about the flyers for now. We're doing a new song, right?
Kasumi
Of course! I totally want everyone who comes to the Rocking Star Festival to hear our new song!
Saya
It sounds like we've got some busy days ahead of us again~, fufufu.
Tae
Ah, by the way, Rimi, any word from Yuri-san? Did she say she's coming back to Japan?
Rimi
About that, she said she doesn't think she can make it, but she did wish us well.
Kasumi
Oh~, that's too bad~...
Tae
It would've been nice if we could show her how we've improved.
Arisa
It stinks, but I don't think there's anything we can do about it.
Rimi
Thanks for worrying about me, everyone. Don't worry, I'll just send her the usual videos.
Kasumi
I wish there was a good way to share it with her...
Saya
Hey, guys, it's almost time. We've only got fifteen minutes before we're supposed to meet Marina-san.
Kasumi
Huh? Seriously?! It's already this late?! Let's hurry to CiRCLE!
Arisa
Marina-san said It's a meeting to discuss the festival, right? We can't be late for it.
Kasumi
C'mon, guys!
CiRCLE - Lobby
Marina
... So, just like last time, we're thinking of preparing various merchandise, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Kasumi
The t-shirts and towels you made last time were really nice! I still have mine safely tucked away!
Tae
I wear that shirt.
Kasumi
Yeah, I see you wearing it at practice sometimes! Hm~, maybe I should wear mine more regularly~.
Marina
Since you all seem to like them so much, what do you think about having some different colored versions?
Arisa
Whoa... That would be great...!
Saya
Fufufu, I know you keep our Poppin'Party merch stored away, Arisa.
Rimi
I saw the flyer, t-shirt, and towel in a box case.
Arisa
L-leave me alone~! My stuff, my business, alright?!
Marina
Fufufu, it looks like we'll be going with the color variants then. Now then, there are some other things I'd like to discuss...
Marina
Thanks, I think we've figured out what merchandise we'll be going with for the festival. You were all a big help~.
Kasumi
Is there anything else we can do for you?!
Marina
Hm~, I appreciate the offer, but I think that's all for now.
Marina
I have to be at a meeting to discuss the Rocking Star Festival, so maybe something will come up there.
Kasumi
Huh...? Another meeting...?
Marina
Mmhmm. I'm actually the organizer of the festival.
Marina
The Girls Band Challenge was such an engaging experience that I wanted to try my hand at this one as well.
Tae
Organizer...
Rimi
Hm? What is it, Kasumi-chan, O-Tae-chan...?
Kasumi & Tae
I want to go...
Arisa
Huh?!
Kasumi
What's wrong? It's not like we get a chance like this every day! Don't you wanna see what a meeting like that is gonna be like?
Tae
I love the Rocking Star Festival so much that I want to go too!
Kasumi
Let's go, guys!
Saya
I don't mind, but... Marina-san, will you be okay with us coming along?
Marina
Sure, you're all welcome... But I have to warn you that it could get boring because we'll be doing a lot of talking. Do you still want to come...?
Kasumi
I do! This is great, isn't it, O-Tae?
Tae
Yeah!
Arisa
Sigh... You better behave, okay?
Kasumi
I know, I know♪ Let's go, guys~!
Overcoming Distance
Poppin'Party joins the festival meeting. While there, Kasumi makes a suggestion.
Rocking Star Festival - Meeting Room
Marina
Come on in. This is where the meeting will be taking place.
Kasumi
Hello, everybody~! I'm Poppin'Party's Kasumi Toyama, and we'll be representing CiRCLE!
Arisa
J-jeez... You're really something... Do you even know what scared means?
Kasumi
Huh...? What do you mean...?
Arisa
I gotta explain from there, huh...?
Tae
Ah! It's the person who helped us out during the Girls Band Challenge, the one from the live house!
Kasumi
Oh yeah! Let's go say hi, O-Tae!
Kasumi
Thank you so much for everything last time~! We were able to perform at the Budokan because of your help!
Saya
Kasumi can be pretty amazing in situations like these, don't you think~?
Rimi
It's one of her strengths for sure, fufufu.
Arisa
Hey, people are starting to gather around her and O-Tae...
Live House Staff
Wow, it's the real Kasumi-chan. I know we've never met, but I feel like I already know you because I saw you at the Girls Band Challenge~.
Kasumi
Oh! You saw us? Thank you!
Live House Staff
You girls also put on an amazing show at the Budokan~. What was it like performing there?
Kasumi
It was awesome! It's hard to describe, but it was kind of like the atmosphere itself turned into this huge force or something. I could feel that force being directed at us!
Tae
It was like feeling the audience's excitement directly.
Kasumi
Yeah, that!
Live House Staff
I was so moved at the end, I almost cried. It would be nice if you guys could come to our live house. I've heard quite a few people say they like you.
Kasumi
We'd love to! Where is it?
Live House Staff
Uh, we're in Kansai. Ahahaha...
Kasumi
Kansai?! Okay, we'll go for sure!
Arisa
Hey! Don't just go making promises without thinking things through!
Kasumi
But aren't you happy to hear there are people in Kansai who like us? We gotta do something for them!
Live House Staff
You'd be surprised how many people over there were paying attention to the Girls Band Challenge. I know a few who even voted for you after seeing your music video.
Kasumi
I'm so touched...! Isn't that amazing?!
Rimi
My friends in Kansai and my sister also said they saw it.
Saya
Well, when you think about it, that's basically what it means to upload a video to the internet.
Kasumi
Excuse me! Could you let everyone who supports us know that we'll be going to Kansai for sure to perform?
Tae
Takoyaki, takoyaki~♪
Live House Staff
Ahaha, I bet they'd love to have you guys. It really would be nice if you came.
Saya
Don't worry, Kasumi never says anything just to be polite. If she says we'll do it, you can be sure we will. I hope you know what you're getting into, fufufu.
Kasumi
And just think about it! People are doing live concerts online now! Distance doesn't mean anything when it's online!
Arisa
Hm? Looks like someone else just came in...
Arisa
...?!
Tae
That's...
Kasumi
Don't you think it's pretty amazing?! We've got people in Kansai who support us!
Kasumi
I'm kind of moved~.
Arisa
H-hey... Kasumi...
Kasumi
When do you think we should go do the concert? Ah, why don't we go on a nationwide tour while we're at it? Ahahaha.
???
Ahem... It seems a rather boisterous one has snuck in.
Kasumi
... Huh?! This voice...
Kasumi & Tae
Owner?!
Owner
Why are you all looking like you've just seen a ghost?
Marina
She's helping us with the festival as a special advisor, just like she did with the Girls Band Challenge.
Kasumi
H-hello... it's been a while!
Owner
...
Kasumi
U-ummm...
Owner
How long do you intend to just stand around there? You're getting in the way of the meeting.
Kasumi
Ah! I-I'm sorry!
Marina
Okay, I would like to begin the meeting now. Our goal is to make the festival even better, so I hope I can count on all of you to provide input. Let's begin.
Poppin'Party
Okay!
Marina
Very well, we will proceed with proposal A. Let's see, what else is there...?
Arisa
Uh, this is a real meeting... Aren't we kinda out of place?
Rimi
You can tell how eager everyone is to improve the festival...
Marina
Does anyone have any other ideas? I want as many people as possible to enjoy the festival, so I would appreciate any suggestions.
Kasumi
As many people as possible... Ah, I know!
Kasumi
I've got an idea!
Arisa, Rimi & Saya
... Huh?
Arisa
H-hey, Kasumi... What's gotten into you...?! You should just keep your mouth shut...
Marina
Kasumi-chan? Do you have a suggestion?
Kasumi
Um, I think we should stream the concert for the people who won't be able to come to the venue!
Kasumi
I think it will let a lot more people enjoy the festival.
Kasumi
Don't you think this is a great idea?! We might as well even make it possible for people overseas to view it!
Marina
...
Owner
There will be no livestreaming.
Kasumi
Huh? Why not?
Owner
Are there any other ideas? If not, this meeting is adjourned for the day.
Kasumi
Wait, why?! Please tell me why you're against the idea!
Owner
If you want to know why...
Owner
Figure it out yourself.
LIFE
Kasumi tries to talk the owner into allowing the concert to be live-streamed. What will her reply be...?
The Next Day
Ichigaya Residence - Basement
Arisa
Gotta say, I never expected the owner to show up...
Rimi
We didn't get to speak with her much during the Girls Band Challenge, but it looks like she hasn't changed much since SPACE.
Kasumi
It feels like everyone is on edge when she's around.
Saya
Yeah... The meeting's atmosphere changed drastically the moment she showed up.
Tae
I think she's mellowed out a bit compared to back at SPACE.
Arisa
S-seriously...? I'm surprised you didn't just up and quit when you worked there...
Kasumi
Hey... Do any of you have any clue why she rejected my idea yesterday...?
Arisa
Your idea yesterday...? You mean about streaming?
Kasumi
I was so sure it was a great idea... I mean, there are a lot of people who wouldn't be able to come, and it lets them enjoy the festival too...
Kasumi
I did as she said after I got home and tried to think of a reason, but I still have no idea.
Kasumi
I thought my new way of doing concerts would help make the festival accessible to more people...
Tae
More and more people do seem to be performing online.
Rimi
It seems that way! The one I went to the other day was also being streamed.
Saya
But based on how the owner was acting yesterday, I don't think she's going to budge. It was like she didn't even want to talk about it...
Kasumi
... I'm not going to accept this!
Arisa
Wh-what's wrong, Kasumi? Where'd that come from?
Kasumi
I wanna go ask why she's so against it!
Arisa
Huh?! Ask who exactly?
Kasumi
Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna ask the owner directly!
Saya
Take a deep breath. We don't know where she lives or how to even get in touch with her.
Arisa
Hey, wouldn't it be better to just give up? The special adviser herself is saying no to the idea, after all.
Kasumi
You guys aren't wrong, but...
Tae
Maybe Marina-san will know how to contact her.
Arisa
O-Tae...?
Tae
I think she would be the one who contacts the owner about the meetings.
Kasumi
Ah! That's it, O-Tae!
Tae
I'm with Kasumi on this one. I also want more people to be able to enjoy the festival.
Kasumi
Right? Okay, I'm gonna try asking Marina-san!
The Next Day
Café
Kasumi
Owner, I just can't accept the response you gave me! What's wrong with doing a concert online?!
Tae
I would also like to know the reason!
Owner
...
Kasumi
This festival will have live houses from all over the country participating! I'm sure there'll be people who won't be able to come!
Kasumi
Giving them the chance to see the festival would make them so happy!
Tae
More and more people are doing concerts online. I can't see why you're so against the idea.
Owner
So, that's the answer you've arrived at after thinking about it?
Owner
You're right that doing the festival online might make more people happy.
Kasumi
But if you know that...
Owner
However, do you think it would be a true concert?
Kasumi
... Hm?
Owner
You call yourself a musician, so you know that concerts are like creatures, right? To truly experience them, you have to be there, feel the same air, and be in the same moment.
Kasumi
W-well...
Owner
And more importantly, have you thought about what it's going to be like for the performers?
Tae
The performers...?
Owner
If we do it online, it means they will be performing for a large audience that won't be present.
Owner
Do you really think it's possible to convey your feelings properly to people you can't see? Can you really make people on the other end of a screen feel the same energy of being there?
Kasumi
W-well... We'll do our best!
Owner
It's not that simple!
Poppin'Party
...?!
Owner
I'm well aware that people are doing concerts online.
Owner
But even professional musicians are still debating and deliberating how to bring the best concert experience online.
Owner
If you want to do it just because you want more people to be able to see the festival... then you're clearly not serious or resolved enough, and I can't sign off on the idea.
Owner
It's an insult to the musicians everywhere who are taking the problem seriously.
Kasumi
An... insult...
Owner
That's all I have to say. If you're still dissatisfied, you know how to reach me.
Kasumi
...
Searching for an Answer
The girls contemplate the owner's words, and they realize something.
CiRCLE - Lobby
Arisa
There was no countering her argument... huh...?
Saya
Yeah, it was obvious she's thought about it far more than us...
Marina
I see... So that's what you talked about...
Kasumi
The resolve to perform for people you can't see...
Rimi
It's probably very difficult...
Tae
I think the owner is someone who's always serious when it comes to concerts, no matter what kind.
Arisa
Yeah, you're probably right.
Marina
This actually isn't the first time the idea's come up. It was brought up during our first meeting.
Poppin'Party
Really?!
Marina
The people from afar were especially eager to do it, but nobody could find a way to counter the owner's argument...
Saya
Oh, so that's why the mood became so heavy during the meeting.
Marina
Mm-hmm... Now you know why...
Kasumi
What about you, Marina-san?! What do you think?!
Marina
I... want to do it, if we can. I think it'll make for a more exciting festival, after all.
Kasumi
I know, right?
Marina
But I can also see the owner's viewpoint.
Marina
If we do a half-baked livestream concert, it'll be rude to the audience and viewers, and it might have a negative effect on the performing bands.
Arisa
True... It's still a new way of doing things, so there are probably still a lot of problems we don't know about.
Kasumi
Hm~, I thought it was a pretty good idea~...
Arisa
Hey, I actually think your idea's pretty alright.
Kasumi
Huh? You do?! Then you should've helped me out~!
Arisa
You spoke so suddenly, it caught me off guard. I still needed, you know, time to mentally prepare...
Rimi
I'm sorry too, Kasumi-chan...
Rimi
You made the suggestion because you were thinking of my sister, didn't you...?
Rimi
But I couldn't speak up and say I agreed with you...
Kasumi
Rimi-rin...
Marina
If you're apologizing for not speaking up, then we owe you an apology as the organizers. We want to do it too, but we still haven't found a way to convince the owner.
Tae
It's just a hunch, but I think she feels the same way.
Kasumi
... Hm? What do you mean?
Tae
Think about it. She said we could contact her if we're still dissatisfied.
Tae
Doesn't that sound to you like it's because she wants to find a solution too?
Saya
You're right... Knowing her, if she really was against it, she probably would've said, "We have nothing more to talk about."
Kasumi
No way! The owner isn't that nice! I bet she would've said, "You're the one who gets it the least. Don't ever bother me again!"
Arisa
Taking things a bit personally there, aren't you...?
Kasumi
But it also means we'll get to perform online if we can figure out a solution, doesn't it?!
Arisa
It's not that easy... This isn't like finding the answer for a quiz.
Arisa
You want us to find a solution for a problem the owner can't solve. How do you expect us to-
Saya
I kinda want to do this.
Arisa
... Huh?
Rimi
Saya-chan?
Saya
I feel the same way as Kasumi. I want the people who can't come to the venue to see us perform.
Saya
I think we've been able to grow so much because of all the help we've had from others.
Saya
And I don't just mean from people we're connected to through music. I mean our friends at school, the people downtown, our music video's viewers... Countless people...
Saya
I know not all of them are going to be able to come to the venue.
Saya
But I want to show them how far we've come, and I want them to experience the joy of a live performance!
Saya
I want them to hear our music!
Saya
Let's do it! Let's do an online concert that conveys our feelings just like we do when we're live!
Kasumi
Saya! That's it! That's what I've been trying to say! We should totally have Jun-jun and Sanan watch us too!
Saya
That'd be great since they're too young to go to a festival yet♪
Marina
Fufufu. You were just like Kasumi-chan, Saya-chan.
Arisa
Don't you think you let her rub off on you a little too much?
Saya
Hey, part of what's great about Poppin'Party is how we can jump in head first, isn't it?
Saya
And I'm a pretty greedy person, after all. Fufufu.
Kasumi
Saya~!
Marina
Alright! Since you girls are all fired up, I think I need to get my act together too! I'll help you in any way I can!
Marina
Let's do this!
Tae
Even you're becoming like Kasumi, Marina-san...
Marina
Part of what's great about Poppin'Party is how you can lift the spirits of everyone around you, after all♪ Fufufu...
Kasumi
Marina-san~! I love you~!
Kasumi
Let's find a way to do a concert that conveys our feelings to the tons of people we can't see!
First, We Try
Rimi relays what's happening with the festival to Yuri, who is currently overseas. Yuri's words help her realize something.
Rimi's Room / Yuri's Room
Rimi
... So that's what's happening right now.
Yuri
I see... It sounds like you have quite the challenge ahead.
Rimi
But I'm going to do my best! If it works out, you'll be able to see us perform live...
Yuri
Fufufu, you don't need to tell me you'll do your best. You're a part of Poppin'Party, after all.
Rimi
Sis...
Rimi
... Thanks!
Rimi
I was actually really sad when I heard you were going overseas...
Rimi
But I'm okay now!
Rimi
Maybe it's because we're chatting a lot more than we used to. I know this sounds weird, but I feel like we're closer to each other now.
Yuri
I feel the same way. I guess there's no telling until you try, huh? Fufufu.
Rimi
... Ah.
Yuri
Hm? What is it?
Rimi
Nothing! It's nothing! Thanks!
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy - Courtyard
Kasumi
Ah, if Yuri-senpai's saying that, we have to do our best!
Rimi
And while I was chatting with her, I realized it didn't feel like we're so far apart.
Rimi
It's like she's right there when we're doing a video call.
Rimi
I still feel a connection to her.
Tae
That makes sense... Even for me, it doesn't feel like she's far away because you're always talking about her.
Rimi
That's why I think it should be possible to do a performance that conveys our feelings to people who aren't right there.
Arisa
Huh... Don't you think it might be 'cause you know her and can actually speak with her?
Arisa
The owner's talking about performing for people we've never seen and who we won't be seeing. I don't think it's the same deal...
Arisa
Ugh~, this is all so complicated. I can't get a clear picture of the problems in the first place because there are technical and emotional issues all jumbled together...
Rimi
Yes! That's exactly what I've been trying to say!
Saya
What do you mean?
Rimi
Has anyone here actually streamed a performance?
Kasumi
Probably... not...
Saya
What about you, O-Tae? Like when you were helping RAS out.
Tae
We never did anything like that, so I haven't either.
Rimi
That's what I thought. We don't fully understand the difficulties the owner is talking about because we've never actually done it ourselves.
Rimi
Before my sister went overseas, I was worried because I didn't know how things were going to work out. But I learned a lot by actually trying.
Rimi
So...
Rimi
Why don't we just try streaming a performance?
Arisa
... Huh?
Saya
I don't know much about that sort of thing, but is it that easy?
Rimi
Not if we're trying to do a proper stream, but we can do something similar by making a video call with a phone.
Saya
I see. That makes sense...
Rimi
I think it will do us a lot of good to gain first-hand knowledge of the difficulties.
Kasumi
That's a great idea! I wanna try it out too! It's not our style to just sit around thinking anyway!
Kasumi
We need to remember who we are and keep tackling things head-on!
Rimi
Yes! That's what makes us Poppin'Party!
Arisa
You guys are all turning into mini Kasumis...
Saya
But if we're gonna do this, who should we ask to watch?
Saya
This isn't going to work without somebody watching.
Tae
How about Marina-san?
Rimi
Ah, that's a good idea! She did offer to help.
Saya
Want me to try to ask some of my friends?
Kasumi
Hey... If we're doing this, there's one other person I think we should have watch us.
Arisa
Huh? Who are you thinking of...?
Kasumi
The owner!
Tae, Rimi, Saya & Arisa
What?!
Arisa
Y-you for real...?
Kasumi
I mean, we can't livestream the festival unless we get her approval.
Kasumi
We should totally try to give a performance that she'll acknowledge!
Arisa
If you put it that way, I understand, but... It's not gonna be easy...
Rimi
Why don't we do a test run later so that we can figure out how we should be playing?
Saya
Yeah! We need to set up the camera too.
Tae
I want Marina-san to see us. I think she'll have a lot of advice to offer.
Kasumi
Ah! We also need to work on our new song! How's that coming along, Rimi-rin?
Rimi
I have a rough image for one, but it's far from complete...
Kasumi
Oh, okay~. It sounds like we're doing an all-nighter tomorrow at Arisa's place then!
Arisa
Hey! You don't get to decide what to do with my place!
Another Audition
The girls decide to live stream a performance for the owner to watch. What will she say after seeing their show?
Studio / Owner's Room
Kasumi
Owner, please listen to our performance! We'll do our best!
Kasumi
Do you think you could consider streaming the festival if we put on a good show?
Owner
Only if you put on a good show.
Tae
The sound quality might not be that great since this is a video call.
Owner
You don't need to tell me that. That's not what I'm looking for anyway.
Owner
I want to see if your music... and the energy of your live performance... can reach me. That's what I'll base my decision on.
Owner
If you can't do that, then you can forget about streaming the festival.
Kasumi
We'll make absolutely sure you can feel the energy!
Owner
I didn't come to hear you wag your tongue. Now, start playing.
Owner
I'll have you know I have no intention of subjecting the audience to some half-hearted performance while I'm the adviser.
Kasumi
Okay! We understand!
Owner
Fufu... This takes me back to the stage at SPACE... Alright, let me hear your music.
Kasumi
What did you think...?
Owner
...
Owner
Let me ask you one thing. What did you do differently from your usual performances?
Kasumi
Um, we paid attention to how we'd appear on camera!
Owner
...
Kasumi
We tried different formations and camera positions during practice so that we could give anyone watching the best viewing experience!
Kasumi
All of us agreed we should be doing something we can only do because we're doing it online! That's why we put in a lot of thought!
Kasumi
What did you think? Did you feel the energy?
Owner
If this is the best you can do... I'm afraid I can't give my approval.
Saya
Huh? could you tell us why...? What did we do wrong?
Owner
I'll be frank with you. Compared to that time at SPACE, the level of your performance has indeed improved.
Owner
But that's it.
Poppin'Party
...
Owner
The energy, the atmosphere, the sound, the excitement, the lingering sensation after a show... None of those things I expect from a live performance were there.
Owner
All you did was sing and play your instruments on the other side of the screen.
Owner
What you did was no live performance.
Owner
At least in my book.
Kasumi
...
Kasumi
... I think that's because this was our first time, and we didn't have a good feel for how we should do things!
Kasumi
I'm sure we can do better! We'll start practicing right after this!
Kasumi
Please give us another chance tomorrow!
Owner
...
Kasumi
If tomorrow doesn't work out, then we'll try again the day after! As long as there's a chance, we don't want to give up! Please!
Tae, Rimi, Saya & Arisa
Please!
Owner
... Sigh.
Owner
I know full well how stubborn you girls can be from the time you auditioned at SPACE.
Kasumi
D-does that mean...?
Owner
One week... But not a day longer. Delaying any further will interfere with everyone's schedules.
Kasumi
Th-thank you so much!
Owner
Tsukishima, you're there, aren't you?
Marina
Ah, yes... Was it that obvious...?
Owner
You expected me not to notice after heavily modifying the sound with a PA system?
Owner
... Try increasing the acoustic pressure tomorrow.
Marina
Th-the acoustic pressure...?! Okay!
Owner
That's all I have to say.
CiRCLE Café
Arisa
I didn't expect her to rip into us that hard...
Saya
We did get wrecked... I'm getting flashbacks of our audition at SPACE...
Tae
Yeah, but I think the owner is hoping we'll be able to deliver. She wouldn't have said what she did to Marina-san otherwise.
Marina
Mmhmm, I got the same impression. I think she's also trying to find a way of doing concerts online that works.
Arisa
Kasumi... Don't let it get to you too much, alright...?
Kasumi
I was hoping we would've done better... I think I finally understand the difficulties the owner was talking about.
Rimi
Yes, I feel the same way. It wasn't anything like my video calls with my sister.
Tae
It was hard to tell who we were supposed to direct our feelings towards, huh?
Saya
Nothing really clicked...
Kasumi
Sigh~...
Arisa
Hey, at least we learned how difficult it is. That's a pretty big step forward, don't you think?
Arisa
Now we just gotta figure out a solution to the problem!
Arisa
Compared to not even knowing what the problem was, we've made progress!
Arisa
All that remains is to put our heads together to find an answer that'll get us a perfect score. After all, no matter how difficult, every problem has an solution.
Kasumi
Arisa...
Kasumi
I... I think you're right... Yeah! Definitely!
Tae
You just sounded like Kasumi, Arisa...
Arisa
Huh?! I-I sounded nothing like her~!
Tae
But you've shown us what we need to do.
Tae
It's just like the last Rocking Star Festival.
Tae
Only this time, it's the owner on the other side of a screen. We just have to use our music to make her take another look at us.
Tae
Let's give her goosebumps.
We'll Try Again and Again!
The girls aim to give a performance that moves the owner. But her answer doesn't change.
The Next Day
Ichigaya Residence - Basement
Saya
Give the owner goosebumps, huh...? The question's how...
Rimi
Hey, look at this. Marina-san recorded our performance from yesterday.
Kasumi
Did you notice anything?
Rimi
We don't look like we were enjoying playing music... I think we were too preoccupied with how we would look on camera.
Arisa
Huh, I think you're onto something... It looks like we're just going through the motions. Just look at how stiff our expressions are...
Tae
Nobody would be excited by this...
Saya
If we're going to get the owner's approval, we need to work on more than just how our performance looks. What she wants is probably something deeper.
Arisa
... Yeah.
Kasumi
Hm~. Alright, why don't we...
Studio / Owner's Room
Owner
Not good enough.
Owner
How was that performance different from yesterday?
Kasumi
Last time, we were so preoccupied with the camera that we couldn't put as much emotion into our music!
Kasumi
That's why we decided to forget about it today and focus on our feelings!
Owner
I'm sorry to say I didn't feel a thing.
Rimi
You didn't?! May I ask what we did wrong?
Owner
Nothing has changed. I still didn't feel the energy of a live performance.
Tae
The energy of a live performance...
Arisa
How are we supposed to convey that...?
Owner
Giving up?
Kasumi
Of course not! Please listen to us again tomorrow!
Ichigaya Residence - Basement
Tae
Arisa, I want the part before the chorus to linger a bit more. Do you think you could express the emotional tone of that section more gently?
Arisa
Alright, I'll see what I can do. Lemme know if you notice anything you'd like changed, Saya.
Saya
Don't worry. I haven't held back since day one.
Rimi
Ah, Kasumi-chan! I made some adjustments to the bridge, so do you think you could try playing with these changes?
Kasumi
Sure! You just came up with them right now?!
Rimi
I had this image, so I tried putting it all together. There might be a need for further adjustments, though.
Kasumi
Okay, I'll give it a shot! Uh... First, I go like this... and then-
Kasumi
Ow!
Rimi
K-Kasumi-chan?! Are you okay?
Kasumi
Yeah...! I'm fine, it's no big deal...!
Arisa
Hey... you should take a break...
Kasumi
It's alright! We can't afford to stop right now! We have to keep trying!
Arisa
...
A Few Days Later
Toyama Residence - Living Room
Kasumi
Hey, Aa-chan, could you put some bandages here?
Asuka
Wh-what's with all the scratches...? Are you okay? Can you even play the guitar like that?
Kasumi
Yeah, I can manage... Tomorrow's the final day of the week we were given, so I just have to tough it out until then!
Asuka
Well, you have been practicing at Arisa-san's place this whole week. Doing a livestreamed performance sounds really challenging...
Asuka
I sometimes look at concert clips on video-sharing sites, and I find them plenty moving.
Asuka
Ah, you know, the same goes for concert CDs too. I like how those can make you feel like you're there.
Kasumi
Hey... thanks...
Asuka
What for?
Kasumi
For trying to give me ideas. That's what you're doing, right?
Asuka
N-not really...
Kasumi
... You've grown so much.
Kasumi
You always used to follow me around... Like that time I heard the beating of the stars! Remember?
Asuka
That story again? You always bring it up.
Kasumi
Hey~, you don't mind when I bring it up, right~?
Kasumi
I was just thinking about how instead of following me, you're now beside me and trying to give me advice.
Asuka
Well, yeah. That's what it means to grow up, and growing means changing.
Kasumi
Growing means changing, huh...? Do you think that means concerts are going to keep changing?
Asuka
I don't know about that... Anyway, I'm going to bed.
Kasumi
Already~? Ah, one last thing before you go then!
Kasumi
... Let's see who's taller.
Asuka
Huh? I don't want to. It's embarrassing.
Kasumi
C'mon, it's not~. Let's compare heights~.
Asuka
No way~. I'm going to my room.
Kasumi
Aw~, so you're really not going to~? Meanie~.
Asuka
Yeah, yeah...
Kasumi
Good night.
Asuka
Good night... Hey.
Asuka
You'll be fine. Everything will work out.
Kasumi
Huh?
Asuka
And if you do get to do the festival online, maybe I'll even watch you.
Kasumi
Hey~, if you're gonna watch, at least come to the venue~.
Asuka
But I'd rather watch since you're working so hard to make them put it online.
Kasumi
I see... That makes sense...
Asuka
Fufufu... Good luck.
Kasumi
Mmhmm... Thanks...
Kasumi
... Tomorrow's our last chance... We have to do it no matter what...!
Why We're Here
The week the owner granted them is up. What will Kasumi do upon hearing the owner's answer...?
Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy - Class 2A
Arisa
Today's our last chance...
Saya
I'm so nervous... Everything's going to be decided today...
Rimi
We've been practicing so much every day! I know we'll be able to do it!
Kasumi
Let's give everything we've got...
Tae
Yeah! We need to believe in ourselves and focus on doing everything we can!
Arisa
... Right. I'd say that method suits us the most.
Saya
Let's do this, guys!
Rimi
Yes!
Kasumi
Here we go!
Studio
Kasumi
Huff... huff... huff...
Kasumi
How did we do... Owner...?
Owner
...
Kasumi
How much of our performance were you able to feel?
Owner
...
Poppin'Party
Owner?
Owner
It was a good performance. Compared to when you first started, I even felt the energy.
Kasumi
Then...
Owner
But... it wasn't good enough. I can't give my permission...
Kasumi
What...?
Arisa
N-no...
Kasumi
S-sniff...
Kasumi
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... Sniff...
Arisa
Wh-what are you... apologizing for...? We gave it our best shot... didn't we...?
Kasumi
Nuh-uh, that's not it. I'm apologizing... because I feel bad for the concert...
Arisa
You feel bad... for the concert?
Kasumi
It's our fault that it's not going to get a chance to evolve into something new...
Kasumi
We couldn't help it grow... I'm so sorry... Sniff...
Arisa, Rimi, Saya & Tae
...
Arisa
Um... Owner... please...
Arisa
Please give us one more chance! Please!
Kasumi
Arisa...?
Arisa
I know how unreasonable and childish this request is! But...
Arisa
I don't want to give up yet!
Arisa
Kasumi is... Kasumi is really amazing...
Arisa
She's accomplished so much!
Arisa
She's always pulled off the impossible even when people have told her it couldn't be done!
Arisa
We're here thanks to her. She's the reason Poppin'Party is here right now!
Arisa
I can feel how close we are to figuring it out! I know she... Poppin'Party... can do it!
Arisa
Please! Give us one more chance!
Saya
Owner! Please!
Rimi
Please!
Tae
You gave us a week because you believed in Kasumi, right? Please let us try again!
Kasumi
Y-you guys...
Marina
... I would also like to ask you to give them another chance!
Owner
...
Owner
Toyama... Everyone that deals with you somehow ends up becoming like you...
Owner
Well? Do you think you can give it another shot?
Kasumi
... I can.
Kasumi
We can. We'll do even better tomorrow than we did today!
Kasumi
Because we'll have grown more!
Owner
... Alright. However, tomorrow will be your final chance. We can't afford to wait any longer.
Poppin'Party
Thank you very much!!
Owner
Tsukishima! Can you come to my place right now? I want to discuss some things with you.
Marina
Yes, ma'am! I'll be there immediately.
Owner
I'm counting on you girls. Make me feel the energy of a live performance.
Poppin'Party
We will!
A Live that Connects
The girls have been give one last chance, and the girls talk about what to do.
Ichigaya Residence - Basement
Kasumi
Tomorrow's truly going to be our last chance. We need to practice really hard...
Kasumi
And hey, Arisa, thanks for saying what you did earlier. I never would've expected those words to come from you...
Arisa
I'm just as surprised that I said what I did...
Arisa
To be honest... I was acting like a sore loser begging for a rematch or something. Talk about lame.
Tae
No, you were really cool.
Rimi
What you said resonated with me so much.
Saya
I even found myself crying... I felt something like the spirit of Poppin'Party coming from you.
Arisa
It was nothing like our spirit...
Arisa
But well, I guess you could say I remembered I'm just as much a member of Poppin'Party as you guys...
Kasumi
Aww~, Arisa~!
Arisa
Get your arms off of me!
Tae
Hey, do you guys wanna spend the night at my place after practice? It'd be just like that day before we auditioned.
Tae
We should be together like we did back then.
Tae
It'll help us come up with some great ideas for sure. All five of us need to be together to be Poppin'Party, after all.
Arisa
Nice speech, but I bet you're gonna be the first one to pass out.
Saya
Fufufu... Well, I'm all for rituals like that, so count me in♪
Rimi
I want to sleepover too! It helped me avoid getting nervous last time.
Kasumi
Alright, let's head over to O-Tae's place after practice!
Arisa
Hey, we just need to bring the same stuff we brought last time, right?
Hanazono Residence - Guest Room
Kasumi
Let's be sure to give everything we've got tomorrow, okay?
Arisa
Agreed.
Rimi
If everything works out, it'll be like making concerts evolve.
Saya
Evolve, huh...? Fufufu, I get what you mean~.
Tae
I think it'll be a chance for music to grow and create connections that weren't there before.
Kasumi
Hm, I've got a video call... I wonder who it's from? Ah...! It's Marina-san!
Marina
Hi, sorry for calling at this hour. Were you still awake?
Kasumi
I was! I'm with everyone else at O-Tae's place! Is there something you need?
Marina
I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of you... Thank you so much for trying so hard.
Kasumi
But... things haven't been working out... I'm really sorry we haven't been able to do better, even with your help...
Marina
No... It's my fault for not being able to be of more help.
Marina
I've also been trying to think of a way to connect people through a streamed concert... but I still don't know how.
Marina
It's made me realize just how difficult what you're trying to do really is...
Kasumi
Marina-san...
Marina
As someone who loves live performances, I feel so helpless.
Marina
I mean, we couldn't say a word to the owner when she objected...
Marina
But unlike us, you girls are trying to tackle the issue head-on. That's something really remarkable.
Kasumi
No, we're just trying because it's something we want to do!
Marina
That's why I decided to do what I could.
Marina
I sent the videos of your attempts to the live houses that are a part of the upcoming festival.
Kasumi
... Huh?
Marina
I just wanted everyone to know how hard you've been trying.
Saya
I had no idea you did something like that for us...
Marina
I have some messages from them, so I'll send them your way.
Kasumi
Ah, I got them!
Marina
Be sure to read them later, okay? Everyone's trying to figure out what they can do. And it's all because you inspired them!
Marina
I want you to know we're all supporting you! All the energy you've given us has spurred us to act!
Kasumi
This... it's unbelievable! I had no idea so many people supported us!
Marina
No, it was your music that supported all of us involved in the festival. Thank you for everything.
Kasumi
Marina-san...
Marina
Good luck tomorrow... Wait, no... I guess I should say let's both do our best!
Poppin'Party
Yeah!
Last Chance
Today's the day. Their last chance. As they feel the power of music, the girls give their performance.
Hanazono Residence - Guest Room
Kasumi
Arisa, O-Tae, Saya, Rimi-rin! Look! All of these are messages of support!
Saya
Wow, so many...
Tae
Read one, Kasumi!
Kasumi
Okay! Let's see...
Kasumi
I've been supporting you girls ever since I saw your music video during the Girls Band Challenge! We're also trying to figure out if there's anything we can do! Let's do our best!
Arisa
And this one says... "Your music is filled with so much joy. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help!"
Saya
I had given up on streaming the festival, but seeing you girls has reinvigorated me! Thank you for the energy boost!
Rimi
This is incredible... Kasumi-chan...
Rimi
All these people we don't even know are supporting us!
Tae
I'm so touched right now...!
Kasumi
Our feelings... They have reached people who are far away...!
Kasumi
It doesn't matter where we are! It doesn't matter if we've met or not! Music can overcome any distance and bring everyone together!
Kasumi
... Music really is amazing...
Kasumi
This is the power of music!
Kasumi
Hey... I have an idea for when we play tomorrow...
The Next Day
Studio / Owner's Room
Poppin'Party
Thank you for giving us this opportunity...!
Kasumi
...!
Kasumi
(There's no distance our feelings won't reach because our music will carry them for us!)
Kasumi
(That's why... all we have to do is enjoy the music!)
Kasumi
(And believe in its power!)
Kasumi
Owner...
Owner
...
Arisa
How was our... performance?
Owner
First, tell me this... Were you able to give everything you've got?
Poppin'Party
We were!
Kasumi
And it's because we had everyone's love and support.
Owner
Your music flew towards my heart more directly than it has before. If you had to rate your performance today, what score would you give yourselves?
Kasumi
It may not have been a hundred... but I think we gave the best performance we're capable of giving now.
Owner
...
Kasumi
Owner...
Kasumi
Concerts have always helped us grow... That's why I think it's time for us to help them grow too.
Owner
Help concerts... grow...?
Kasumi
I think doing concerts in new ways is a way of making them grow.
Kasumi
I'm sure concerts would like that too.
Owner
...
Kasumi
You said so yourself...
Kasumi
Concerts are like creatures!
Kasumi
And if it's like a creature, it has to grow!
Kasumi
Even if it's just a tiny bit! That's what creatures do.
Kasumi
The people around us influenced our band and helped us grow! It may not be a fast growth, but I'm sure concerts can change too!
Kasumi
If concerts are like creatures... then I want to help concerts grow!
Owner
Concerts... are like creatures...
Owner
It's a phrase I... no, musicians everywhere, have repeated. To think I'd run into someone who interprets it your way...
Owner
Equating a new way of doing concerts with growth... Haha... Only you could make such an off-the-wall connection, Toyama...
Kasumi
Owner...
Owner
I've been expecting perfection from you...
Owner
... But perhaps I should've realized that it just might be my job to provide what's missing...
Kasumi
Huh...?
Owner
Making concerts grow... Things are getting interesting now.
Owner
As a musician who has grown because of concerts, I guess it's my turn to return the favor.
Kasumi
D-does this mean...?
Owner
It was a good performance... You've passed.
Kasumi
W-we did it...
Arisa
Kasumi!
Tae
We did it, Kasumi!
Rimi
I'm so happy, Kasumi-chan... All our hard work paid off...
Saya
We did it! I can't believe it, but we did it!
Kasumi
We did it~!!
Kasumi
Guys~. Ngh~!
Owner
You girls made me realize something important...
Owner
You may have given everything you've got... but I haven't yet!
Owner
With only two weeks left, we don't have any time for tears. I'm calling in all of my connections.
Owner
Tsukishima! I want you to contact all the live houses!
Marina
Yes, ma'am!
Owner
Let's make this festival a success!
Poppin'Party
Yes!
Arisa
I-is it just me... or is the owner acting like Kasumi now...?
Link ☆ Ring
The day before the Rocking Star Festival. Kasumi and the others take a look around the event area.
The Day Before the Rocking Star Festival
Venue
Kasumi
Marina-san! We've finished handing out flyers! Is there anything else you want us to do?
Marina
Phew~, thanks. You've all been a huge help~. I think we're good for now. Let's take a quick break.
Arisa
Thank goodness, we finally get a break... If you don't mind me saying so, that seemed like a lot of flyers.
Marina
I don't think it was that many. I'm actually not sure they'll be enough. You guys are famous, you know?
Kasumi
F-famous? C'mon, stop it~.
Live House Staff
Ah! Hi guys! Long time no see!
Kasumi
Hello!
Rimi
Oh, you're the person from the live house in Kansai, right...? We met during the last meeting!
Live House Staff
I'm flattered you remember me~! By the way, I saw how hard you guys have been trying! Thanks so much!
Kasumi
No, no! Thank you for your support!
Live House Staff
Your attempts had quite the effect on the people at our live house. We ended up having a lot of discussions about ways to make an online concert feel like a live one.
Kasumi
You did?
Live House Staff
After seeing you girls trying so hard, it was impossible not to be compelled to act. I think everyone here felt the same way.
Marina
Ah, why don't you go around and visit the other booths? I'm sure there are a lot of people who would like to say hi to you girls.
Kasumi
Aw~, you're making me blush~.
Tae
Let's go, Kasumi. I've been itching to see what the venue is like.
Saya
Fufufu, thank you, Marina-san!
30 Minutes Later
Saya
Everyone at the booths really did say hi, huh?
Kasumi
It's incredible! It's like we suddenly have a ton of new friends!
Rimi
I totally know what you mean~! I exchanged contact info with a lot of people.
Tae
Some of them even brought the flyers we handed out last time.
Kasumi
Yeah! It was so touching to see people take such good care of them.
Saya
It makes you want to hand out flyers again, doesn't it? We still have the pile that Marina-san prepared to go through.
Arisa
Hey, you guys notice this event seems to have grown in scale compared to last time?
Saya
No, it's not just the scale. Everyone at the booths seems extra motivated.
Kasumi
I noticed that too! You could literally feel it in the air!
Tae
Say, why don't we go and check out the center stage? I wonder how it's looking.
Arisa
Now that you mention it, I kinda wanna see too... Let's go...
Kasumi
Okay!
Rocking Star Festival - Center Stage
Kasumi
Wow~... Th-this is incredible...
Saya
Just look at the size of that monitor...
Rimi
I think it's as big as the monitors they use for outdoor concerts...
Arisa
Ah... The owner's over there.
Owner
Do you think you could raise the monitor a little bit more? Keep the speakers where they are. Just move the monitors.
Owner
Once this is done, I want a PA check in half an hour.
Saya
You can feel the tension in the air... Now's probably not a good time to approach her...
Arisa
Yeah...
Owner
Everyone should use this time to review what they need to do.
Staff
Yes, ma'am!
Tae
Ah...! It's everyone that used to work at SPACE...
Kasumi
Huh? Seriously...?! Wow, it really is them! Everyone's there!
Saya
Can you believe this, Kasumi? I bet they all came for the festival.
Kasumi
Yeah!
Tae
I'm going to go say hi!
Kasumi
Ah, O-Tae, wait! We should all go~!
Arisa
K-Kasumi, are you seriously going?! Now's clearly not the time...!
Arisa
... Who am I kidding? This is Kasumi, after all...
Saya
Fufufu. And only someone like her would be able to make an event like this happen...
Rimi
Arisa-chan, Saya-chan! Let's go too!
Kasumi
Hello, Owner!
Owner
Ah, Toyama... If I'd known how much work this would be, I never would've signed off on it. Fufu.
Kasumi
You look awfully happy though.
Owner
I don't need you to state the obvious. What kind of musician doesn't enjoy getting ready for a concert?
Kasumi
True!
Owner
... Come with me.
Kasumi
Hm?
Owner
Everyone, I'd like you to pause what you're doing. That goes for all of you preparing the booths.
Owner
We've got a big day tomorrow. It's going to be our first-ever livestreamed Rocking Star Festival. I'm counting on all of you!
Owner
Toyama... Say a few words to everyone.
Kasumi
Huh?! M-me...?!
Owner
We're going online because of you. I'm sure everyone wants to hear what you have to say. Here, take the mic.
Kasumi
U-um... well~...
Kasumi
E-everyone... Thank you for all the support! Your messages really encouraged us!
Kasumi
Music is so amazing...! It's what brought all of us here together... And it's thanks to all of you that we have this sparkling, heart-pounding feeling!
Kasumi
I want us to enjoy tomorrow's festival to the fullest!
Kasumi
That way, all of us will be able to share our sparkling, heart-pounding feelings with everyone who won't be able to come!
Kasumi
Let's believe in the power of music!
Kasumi
Ah! I know! A huddle! Why don't we all do a huddle?
Arisa
... Huh? K-Kasumi...? You don't mean with everyone in this entire venue, do you...?
Kasumi
But of course, I do! Everyone hold hands with someone nearby~!
Kasumi
Alright, everybody huddle up~! Yeah, like that~! Everyone, get together~!
Arisa
Whoa...! I-I've never seen a huddle this big...!
Saya
Kasumi's probably the only one who would think of something like this...
Tae
Look... It's the power of music... Look at how much it's grown!
Rimi
This is so amazing! I-I'm tearing up...
Owner
I haven't done a huddle in decades... And never one this massive.
Kasumi
Please do the honors, if you will!
Owner
... No.
Owner
We do this together. Your voice is what will resonate the most with everyone.
Kasumi
Okay, together then! Let's do it!
Owner
Ahem...
Owner
Everyone... let's give this event everything we've got!
Kasumi
We'll make this a sparkling, heart-pounding festival!
All
Popipa! Pipopa! Popipapa! Pipopa!
To Our Far Away Friends
The day of the Rocking Star Festival has arrived. Satisfied, the owner takes a look around the event space and speaks...
The Day of the Rocking Star Festival
Venue
Kasumi
It sounds like people are having a blast at the center stage concert.
Arisa
Of course it does. Marina-san did say we have a larger audience than last time.
Rimi
Look at this! People who are watching the livestream are posting on social media.
Saya
Wow, that's a lot of posts. It looks like everyone's having a good time!
Tae
That means people are feeling the power of music.
Marina
I think things have settled down here at the booth, so why don't you all go check out the center stage? You've been wanting to, right?
Kasumi
Oh, can we?!
Marina
It should be fine as long as you come back around noon. You can watch all the shows you want until then.
Kasumi
Yay~! Thanks so much! Let's go, guys!
Rocking Star Festival - Center Stage
Kasumi
Ah~, I love live performances~! You could tell every band put their heart into their shows!
Arisa
I'm pretty impressed by the screen in the back. They used it to show posts people are making online.
Saya
Yeah! I was thinking the same thing! It really makes it feel like this is a new kind of concert.
Rimi
And it's like you can also hear the voices of the people who couldn't come!
Tae
Kasumi! We've succeeded in making this concert grow!
Kasumi
There's this sparkling, heart-pounding feeling... It's like the beginning of something new!
Owner
I rounded up the people I used to work with, and we did everything we could.
Kasumi
Owner!
Owner
Feelings alone won't make a concert evolve... You also need technology.
Owner
The history of music is one built upon technology. Only when technology meets the love for music can you get new music.
Owner
You more than covered the emotional angle. That's why I was able to see what I needed to do.
Owner
Thank you, Poppin'Party.
Kasumi
W-we'd like to thank you too!
Arisa
Kasumi, that was the last band of the morning. We gotta go back to the booth-
Owner
Hold on. It's not over yet.
Kasumi
Hm? But according to this handout, that was the last ban-
Announcer
And now, I would like to present to you today's special guest band!
Saya
Special guest band...?
Announcer
Representing SPACE, the legendary live house where the great age of girl bands all began, is this band!
Announcer
Everyone, please turn your attention to the monitor!
Yuri
Hello, everyone. We're Glitter*Green!
Poppin'Party
...?!
Kasumi & Rimi
Yuri-senpai?! Sis?!
Yuri
Thank you for having us! It's been a while since we last performed, but we would like to put on a show for all of you today!
Arisa
Wh-what the heck's going on...?
Owner
Since we were going to be attempting a new kind of concert, I thought it would be interesting to try this as well. It's a little something Yuri and I worked on.
Rimi
She never said a word...
Kasumi
Rimi-rin, isn't she supposed to be overseas?
Owner
The members of Glitter*Green will each be performing from different locations.
Kasumi
Performing live from different locations...? Is that even possible...?!
Owner
Who do you think they are? They're musicians.
Owner
I told you earlier, didn't I? The history of music has been built on technology. It worked during rehearsals, at least.
Owner
That said, anything can happen once a show starts... including accidents.
Kasumi
...
Owner
But... that's what makes it a live performance.
Yuri
We're so excited to have been given this opportunity to try this new way of performing for all of you!
Yuri
We believe in the power of music! And we'd like to send our feelings to all of you in Japan!
Kasumi
I-it's starting! It's been a while since they last played live, but it doesn't matter if it's online! I just wanna enjoy it!
Arisa
Man... I can't believe I get to see a Glitter*Green show here... This seriously rocks...!
Tae
Hey! Let's go closer to the front!
Saya
Yeah! Wow~, this is so exciting~!
Rimi
Sis! Good luck~!
Yuri
Japan! Are you ready to party?
Poppin'Party
Yeah~!
LIVE
Kasumi and the others are up, and near or far, they'll make sure their emotions are conveyed.
Rocking Star Festival - Center Stage
Kasumi
This new style of performing... it's amazing! Everyone here really enjoyed it...! They all had a sparkling, heart-pounding look in their eyes!
Arisa
Glitter*Green really is something... It felt like they were right there...
Rimi
Ngh... We felt their music, didn't we?
Saya
After seeing something like that, there's no way we're not on fire, right?
Tae
It's our turn next! Let's enjoy this new type of concert as much as we can!
Rocking Star Festival - Dressing Room
Rimi
The cheering's so loud, you can hear it all the way here...
Arisa
You guys see what people are saying online? There's a boatload of posts by people who are watching the festival!
Saya
It's like more and more people are getting involved in this show!
Kasumi
Guys... We've helped this concert grow, right?
Tae
Yes, we have... Concerts are like creatures, after all.
Arisa
It's finally gonna be our turn next. I can't wait to see what this evolved concert is gonna be like!
Kasumi
Hey. When we were performing our music over video call with the owner, we never did figure out who we should be directing our music to, did we?
Saya
Yeah... We tried various targets, like the people we care about, but none of them felt right.
Kasumi
I might've just figured it out right now.
Arisa
... Huh? What do you mean?
Kasumi
This way of doing concerts is still new.
Kasumi
That's why I think we should try to send our feelings as far away as possible.
Tae
As far away as possible...?
Kasumi
Yeah, as far as we can...
Kasumi
Right to the stars!
Arisa, Rimi, Saya & Tae
...!
Arisa
The stars... huh? Sounds like something you'd... no, we'd say.
Saya
But it makes sense. If we send them to the stars, they'll reach everyone!
Rimi
I really like it! Let's send our feelings to the stars.
Tae
Let's give the stars goosebumps this time!
Kasumi
Alright~, let's do this!
Owner
Girls, can I have a moment?
Kasumi
Ah, Owner!
Owner
It's been a while since I've felt this excited.
Kasumi
Thank you so much for giving us so many chances!
Owner
It doesn't really matter what shape a concert takes... I do love concerts.
Owner
Everyone's waiting to hear you. Now go out there and show them what you've got.
Poppin'Party
We will!
Kasumi
Guys! Let's give this everything we've got and make this the best concert we've ever done!
Tae, Arisa, Rimi & Saya
Yeah! Right on!
Poppin'Party
Popipa! Pipopa! Popipapa! Pipopa~!
Rocking Star Festival - Center Stage
Kasumi
Hi, everyone! We're~...
Poppin'Party
Poppin'Party!
Kasumi
Are those of you watching us online having a good time? We hope we get to see you in person when there's another concert!
Kasumi
This place is filled with sparkling, heart-pounding feelings!
Kasumi
Anyway! We've written a song just for this day! We hope you like it!
Saya
(The people who couldn't come can also see now...)
Saya
(I want more people to hear our music. I want more people to see our concerts. I want people to know that this is the Poppin'Party that I love, and this is how we do shows!)
Rimi
(I feel it too, Kasumi-chan. I feel it... There's a sparkling, heart-pounding feeling inside me now.)
Rimi
(Music really is amazing... I feel there's no place I can't go as long as I have music at my side!)
Tae
(What a curious sensation... I feel like I'm being embraced by the music itself.)
Tae
(I want to feel this moment forever... together with the rest of Poppin'Party...)
Arisa
(Kasumi... You're acting the same as always, just enjoying playing music in front of everyone... But do you really understand?)
Arisa
(Do you know how incredible what you've accomplished is...? Do you know how many people you've brought together...? You really are something...)
Kasumi
(The heat in the air, the vibrations of the sound, everyone's cheering... Every single moment on this stage is filled with sparkling, heart-pounding brightness...)
Kasumi
(I know there's nowhere my feelings can't reach! Distance doesn't matter! Our music will carry them! That's why...)
Kasumi
(They can reach the stars...!)
Asuka
You did it... I can feel it here...
Asuka
You really are amazing... And I've always been so proud of you...
After the Show
Kasumi
Mmm~! That. Was. Awesome~!
Marina
Great job out there, girls! You really nailed it~!
Tae
Ah, Marina-san! Did you do something to the acoustics?! They were on a whole different level!
Saya
You felt it too?! The sound was totally different!
Rimi
I totally know what you mean! Sigh~, my skin still feels tingly~...
Arisa
Having the owner be a special adviser really showed.
Rimi
Hm? Somebody just messaged me...
Rimi
Ah, it's from my sister! She says, "You guys were great. I felt your intensity!"
Kasumi
Yay~! It reached her!
Marina
Fufufu, congratulations. It was a really great show. Look at the reaction online!
Kasumi
Wow! I'm going to take my time reading through the comments later!
Kasumi
Oh, Marina-san! Thank you so much for everything! I'll never forget the experience you gave us!
Marina
I'm the one who should be thanking you girls. You all made this an amazing festival! Thank you!
Kasumi
But the festival isn't over yet! There's more fun to be had!
Kasumi
I mean, look! So many people from the audience are still here!
Marina
You know, as I was watching you girls, I couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of live houses is going to be if concerts are going to change...
Kasumi
Huh...? You have nothing to worry about...
Kasumi
There's only one place you can hear the crowd cheering while experiencing the vibrations in the air, sweat, and energy of a live performance...
Kasumi
That's at a live house! And after all... a concert is like a creature!
Marina
Ah... Yeah, I think you're right. Fufufu.
Kasumi
Hey, guys! There's a booth I want to check out! Let's go take a look!
Arisa
Alright, alright. We're coming. Slow down~.
Tae
Ah! Why don't we bring our flyers with us and hand them out?
Saya
Nice~. I'll have you know, I've become quite the expert at handing out flyers~. It is my second time, after all.
Rimi
Fufufu, I'll have to do my best to keep up then!
Kasumi
Alright, guys... Let's go!
Marina
Ah, don't run inside the venue~!
Poppin'Party
We're not running~! We're just walking really fast~!
