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Shining Through the Rain |  |
Misaki
Phew~. Sorry I took so long. Did you guys already start?
Hagumi
Ah, Mii-kun! You're late~!
Misaki
I know, I'm sorry. Something came up.
Kokoro
Hey, Misaki, is Michelle coming today?
Misaki
Ah, actually, she told me she couldn't make it today, I guess...
Kaoru
Ah, such a pity. I bet she would have loved to see this...
Misaki
Huh? See what? I don't see anything... Kanon-san, do you know what she's talking about?
Kanon
Uhm, well... Do you see what's next to the drums?
Misaki
The drums? Is there someth--
Misaki
Huh?! Taiko drums?! Why are those here?!
Kokoro
We had so much fun with Tomoe the other day, I wanted to try adding taiko drums to our show!
Kokoro
And I was hoping Michelle could do the honor!
Misaki
(N-now that I think about it, she did say something like that, didn't she...?)
Kaoru
Who would think to incorporate taiko drums into our performance? As always, dear Kokoro, you are a visionary.
Hagumi
Yeah, what she said! I'm sure Michelle's gonna be thrilled! Isn't that right, Mii-kun?!
Misaki
Hmm~... I'm not so sure about that~...
Kanon
M-Misaki-chan... Sorry about all this...
Hagumi
Ah, hey! Let me give it a shot! Just to get things started! Here I go~!
Kaoru
Ah~, so distinct from the regular drums, so fleeting. My emotions overwhelm me. With but that single beat, I have been captivated by the allure of taiko.
Kokoro
I'm so glad you guys like it! Alright, let's start practicing!
Misaki
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. You can't just expect us to start playing just like that...
Kanon
Sh-she's right, Kokoro-chan... We don't even know how to play the taiko drums...
Kokoro
It's totally easy! You just gotta beat the drum with all your heart and a smile on your face!
Hagumi
That's it?! Kokoro, you sure know a lot about taiko~.
Kokoro
Tomoe taught me everything I know! We've already decided to perform together again someday!
Hagumi
If you're going, Kokoron, I wanna go too!
Kaoru
I shall also attend, Kokoro.
Kokoro
Sounds great! I'll let Tomoe know! You're coming too, right, Kanon?
Kanon
I-I...
Misaki
Oh boy, I can't even imagine what that would be like...
Kokoro
Alright! Now let's get started!
Misaki
H-hold on, Kokoro. We can't practice without a song. We don't have any that use taiko drums...
Kokoro
Then we'll just have to make one! Help me write it, Misaki!
Misaki
Y-you make it sound so easy...
Hagumi
Hey, Kokoro? If Michelle's not here, who's going to play the taiko drums?
Kokoro
You're right... Then we'll just need a stand-in for today!
Kokoro
Who wants to be the taiko drummer?!
Hagumi, Kaoru, Kokoro
Me!
Misaki
Yeah~, with these three, I knew this would happen...
Kokoro
Then it's settled! Today Hagumi, Kaoru, and I will be our taiko drummers!
Misaki
Huh? You mean all three of you?!
Misaki
Wait, does that mean the only instruments will be Kanon-san's drums and taiko drums? You can't really call that a band, can you...?
Kaoru
Hmm~...
Hagumi
Hm? What's wrong, Kaoru-kun? Is something bothering you?
Kaoru
Kokoro... Forgive me for saying this, but I believe there might be a flaw in your plan.
Misaki
Oh... Kaoru-san, so you noticed too? I figured you would.
Kokoro
What's the problem?
Misaki
Isn't it obvious? Anyone would question having three of you playing the taiko drums.
Kaoru
My thanks, Misaki. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Kaoru
Just as Misaki said, leaving Kanon on her own feels wrong. She may get lonely. For such a rare opportunity, shouldn't she join us as a taiko drummer?
Misaki
... Huh? You want to add more drummers?!
Kokoro
You're absolutely right, Kaoru! Alright, Kanon, grab some taiko sticks!
Kanon
Fueee~, I've never played the taiko drum before~...
Kokoro
Okay, everyone ready?! Soi-ya~!!
Transcript
Kokoro
Ah, Marina! BanG Dreamer! There you are! I've been looking for you!
Marina
Ah, Kokoro-chan! Did you need something?
Kokoro
I have something I want to ask you!
Marina
Me...? What is it?
Kokoro
I really, really want taiko drums! Do you know where I can get them?
Marina
Taiko drums...? I think they sell them at Edogawa Music... Why do you suddenly want something like that?
Kokoro
Tomoe and I played the taiko drums at a festival the other day, and it was so much fun!
Kokoro
Banging the taiko drum put a huge smile on my face! So now I love taiko!
Marina
Taiko, huh~? I suppose pounding away at one would serve as good stress relief.
Marina
Fufu. Hey, BanG Dreamer-san. Maybe next time you feel extra stressed, you should give taiko a try.
Kokoro
Hm...? 'Stressed'? Marina, what's this 'stressed' thing?
Marina
.. Huh? Kokoro-chan... You've never heard of stress...? I-I guess you do live a pretty stress-free life...
Kokoro
This is the first time I've ever heard of stress! What a fun sounding word!
Marina
Hm~... I wouldn't exactly call it fun...
Marina
How should I put this...? Stress is something most people have, it's--
Kokoro
I don't! I want some stress too! Do they sell it at the music store?
Marina
H-hold on, Kokoro-chan, calm down. Stress isn't something you want. In fact, it's better if you don't have any.
Kokoro
I don't get it. BanG Dreamer, do you have any stress?
Kokoro
... I see! So where did you buy yours? Tell me more about it!
Marina
Let's see... When you're stressed, you feel extra tired, I guess you could say?
Kokoro
Tired?! So then is stress some sort of sport?!
Marina
N-no, it's a little different from that...
Marina
I suppose you could say stress makes you feel sort of... down...
Kokoro
Cool! Then it's kinda like a sad picture book, too!
Kokoro
It sounds like a lot of fun! Now I want it even more!
Marina
... Huh. I've never thought about it like that before...
Marina
Fufu... From that point of view, I suppose stress isn't so bad after all.
Marina
Don't you agree, BanG Dreamer-san?
Marina
You know, talking to you makes me think that maybe stress just has a bad reputation! Thanks, Kokoro-chan!
Kokoro
You two have such big smiles on your faces right now! So stress makes you smile! Oh~, now I'm super interested!