Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(She mentioned scheming, or whatever she called it...)

Hotaru

(But I don't have any right to blame her.)

Hotaru

(No. More than that—)

Hotaru

(The one who messed up millsage... was me.)

Hotaru

(Even though it was Kanata-san's treasure.)

Hotaru

(Even though I wanted her to be happy.)

Hotaru

(—It was my fault for getting lost in those rainbow colors and forgetting everything.)

Hotaru

(I was just selfishly enjoying the music for myself.)

Hotaru

(Someone like me, wanting to make everyone happy...)

Hotaru

(How presumptuous.)

Hotaru

I have to quit the band.

Hotaru

There's no way I can stay after this...

Hotaru

(Barging my way in, and now trying to leave on my own... I'm truly the worst. ...But.)

Hotaru

It's far better than... making things any worse than they already are.

Hotaru

!

Hotaru

(A call...? Natsume-san...)

Hotaru

Hello?

Natsume

Hotaru! Where are you right now!?

Hotaru

I-I'm at home.

Natsume

Never mind that, get ready and come out right away. Meet us at that café from before.

Hotaru

Huh!? But, I...!

Natsume

Oh, hush. This is an order from your senpai. You don't have the right to refuse!

Hotaru

I have to tell her.

Hotaru

...

Houka

Hotaru-san, thank you for coming all this way.

Hotaru

Why is Houka-san here...?

Natsume

I picked her up in front of your station. She'd been waiting there like a loyal dog this whole time.

Houka

Hotaru-san. About yesterday, I am truly sorry.

Hotaru

...! No, it's me who caused everyone trouble... And, um... so, I—

Natsume

I told you, didn't I? You just did what you had to do. You could even be proud of it as a great save.

Hotaru

...

Natsume

It was the four of us who decided to have you sing, too. The responsibility lies with us as well.

Natsume

We all messed up, but we somehow got through the live. That's all there is to it.

Natsume

Well, as for Houka, who was apparently using you— feel free to hate her or despise her as much as you like.

Houka

Honestly, did you have to put it like that?

Hotaru

...

Natsume

Knowing you, you're thinking things like "I shouldn't be in the band anymore," aren't you?

Hotaru

...!?

Natsume

Knew it.

Natsume

That's not happening. I won't allow you to quit. You were the one who told me not to quit.

Hotaru

...

Houka

I'm begging you, too.

Houka

You may not believe me, but... you are my hope.

Natsume

Huh?

Houka

A light, a flame, a reaper, a messiah.

Houka

Your music brings me happiness.

Natsume

Are you kidding? If you're going to make this even more complicated, just go home.

Houka

I'm completely serious...

Hotaru

...

Natsume

I'm doing this band for Kanata's sake. But...

Natsume

That's not the only reason. I'm also doing it for myself, so I can keep my feelings for Kanata alive.

Natsume

And simply put, I just like the band.

Hotaru

...

Natsume

What about you? How do you feel about the band?

Hotaru

I...

Hotaru

!

Hotaru

From Mahoro-san...?

Natsume

Hah, perfect timing.

Natsume

We're here.

Mahoro

Ah, Natsume-chan... and, you two as well.

Mahoro

You were all together, huh?

Natsume

Sort of. Did you two sort things out?

Nagi

Well... More or less.

Natsume

Right. Good.

Hotaru・Nagi

...

Hotaru・Nagi

Um...! Um...!

Natsume

Okay, stop. You two can have your apology time later.

Natsume

You have something important to say, right? Mahoro.

Mahoro

Ahaha... I appreciate you getting straight to the point.

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan...

Hotaru

! Yes...

Mahoro

I'm sorry about yesterday. For saying those terrible things. Even though I should be thanking you, Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru

N-no, that's not true!

Mahoro

It is true. Because Hotaru-chan sang for us, the live was saved from falling apart.

Mahoro

No... it wasn't just the live. millsage itself is still here today because of how hard you tried, Hotaru-chan.

Mahoro

Thank you. Truly.

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

I've been thinking...

Mahoro

A lot happened, and I was made painfully aware of my own powerlessness.

Mahoro

Even so, I don't want this band to end. That, at least, is the honest truth for me.

Mahoro

So I want to keep millsage going.

Mahoro

What about everyone else?

Natsume

Hah. After calling us back here, did you think I'd tell you to go play somewhere else now?

Nagi

I'm in.

Houka

Of course, I'd like to join as well, but...

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan. What about you?

Hotaru

I...

Mahoro

...

Mahoro

So, Hotaru-chan. How was it... being in the band?

Hotaru

Huh...

Mahoro

For me, when Hotaru-chan came, my stopped time started moving again...

Mahoro

It made me think, once again, that bands are wonderful, and music is wonderful.

Mahoro

Wasn't it like that for you too, Hotaru-chan?

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

I... I am also...

Mahoro

...

Hotaru

I, too... thought music is wonderful...! Being in a band was so much fun!

Hotaru

Before I knew it, everyone's sounds were surrounding me... so warm, so happy...!

Mahoro

Yeah.

Hotaru

But! My music... it ends up hurting people...!

Hotaru

That's why I... I really shouldn't be in a band after all.

Hotaru

Today, I came to say that...

Mahoro

I see... yeah, that makes sense...

Mahoro

I, Mahoro Hamasaki, won't let myself get hurt anymore, so I'll be fine!

Hotaru

!?

Mahoro

You know, at yesterday's live... Honestly, I got mixed up too, and I think I acted terribly... I'm truly sorry.

Mahoro

But! I'm standing in front of you once more now.

Mahoro

I've decided to face you head-on. I won't run away anymore.

Mahoro

And so... from now on, I have a request. I want you to take over vocals, Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru

!?

Hotaru

Wh-what are you saying...!? There's no way I can do that...!

Hotaru

Because...! At yesterday's live, I...!

Natsume

Just so you know, it's not just Mahoro.

Natsume

I, for one, have absolutely no intention of losing to the music of someone like you, either.

Nagi

Huh, didn't you get reduced to tears the other day?

Natsume

Don't bring that up, you dummy!

Nagi

Aha... well, that's how it is. We've gotten somewhat used to having a genius around thanks to Kanata.

Houka

That's right. If you don't play with everything you've got, there would be no point in inviting you. ♡

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan.

Mahoro

Please join millsage. We need your music.

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

B-but...!

Mahoro

Of course it's hard to believe. After the way things went yesterday, you can't trust us.

Hotaru

That's not what I...!

Mahoro

No, it's okay. Well then, I'll just have to prove it so you can believe.

Hotaru

...?

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan. Let's have a session together.

Houka・Natsume・Nagi

!?

Hotaru

A-a session...?

Mahoro

To be precise, it's more like a battle, I guess?

Mahoro

We'll each take turns playing and singing one chorus of "Narasu".

Mahoro

This is a contest, Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru

...!

Natsume

Hah! Now that's more like it. I'll watch closely to the very end for you.

Nagi

Of all the things to suggest...

Houka

But, it's a proposal we're quite familiar with, isn't it?

Mahoro

Then I'll go first. Is that alright? Hotaru-chan.

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

If you want to say you don't want to do it... that's still okay.

Mahoro

So, just for now. Listen to my song!

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

—♪

Hotaru

...!

Hotaru

(This is the first time I've seen this side of Mahoro-san.)

Hotaru

(Her singing voice, her sound... it's not just that. It's music that feels like she's shouting with her whole body.)

Hotaru

(Shouting that she wants to face me.)

Hotaru

(Trying to convey her determination to me.)

Hotaru

(—Ah, I see.)

Hotaru

(This is also Mahoro-san's cheer for me.)

Hotaru

(If we had simply swapped vocal roles...)

Hotaru

(I would still be lost.)

Hotaru

(Making it clear who the vocalist is... this is a kind of ritual for that, too.)

Mahoro

—♪

Hotaru

(Mahoro-san is amazing.)

Hotaru

(Even though it must be painful for Mahoro-san, too.)

Hotaru

(Even though she must have wanted to stand in the center and sing...!)

Hotaru

(Smiling like that.)

Hotaru

(Taking the hand of a frightened me and pulling me forward.)

Hotaru

(I want to respond to this person's all-out efforts, too.)

Hotaru

Mahoro-san...!

Mahoro

Haa... Haa...!

Mahoro

Next! It's your turn, Hotaru-chan!

Hotaru

Yes...

Hotaru

(How incredibly fortunate I am.)

Hotaru

(To meet such wonderful people, and to be accepted by them...)

Hotaru

(Hey, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru

(I think I may have found the answer to that homework.)

Hotaru

(How to make "music that makes everyone happy." The answer to that.)

Hotaru

(Those rainbow colors are my own desires.)

Hotaru

(Selfish music that ends up hurting others. So I must not let it out... That's what I thought.)

Hotaru

(But—)

Hotaru

(If I truly want to make "everyone" happy, I have to include "myself" in that "everyone," too.)

Hotaru

(Otherwise, it wouldn't be a true happy ending.)

Hotaru

(So, I won't run anymore.)

Hotaru

(Thank you, Mahoro-san. Everyone.)

Hotaru

(Performing with this fulfilled feeling in my heart—)

Hotaru

(That itself is the music that can make everyone happy!)

Hotaru

—♪

Mahoro

...!

Mahoro

Ahahah!

Mahoro

Yeah, you really are so good.

Mahoro

Right, Kanata?

Hotaru

I-I'm sorry! I'm late!

Natsume

Making your senpais wait— our new vocalist must be quite the big shot now.

Hotaru

Uugh...

Mahoro

That's not nice, Natsume-chan, teasing her like that. She let us know in advance she had cleaning duty, didn't she?

Nagi

That's right. We just got here ourselves a moment ago.

Houka

Take your time settling in before we practice, okay? ♡

Hotaru

Yes...!

Mahoro

Ah, in that case, while we're at it... I have a major announcement to make!

Hotaru

...?

Natsume

What? Are you finally giving up on writing lyrics?

Mahoro

I am not! I'll keep at it even if it kills me!

Natsume

Then what?

Nagi

Like how you went back for three more servings of curry the other day?

Mahoro

Hey—!?

Houka

Oh my, I think that's a very healthy sign♪

Mahoro

Wait, wait, that's not it! I only did twice... wait, not that either!

Mahoro

Ahem.

Mahoro

What do you all think about aiming for Comet Rising together?

Nagi

!

Natsume

Heh, not bad.

Hotaru

Comet Rising...?

Houka

It's a Koshien-style contest where only teenage bands are eligible, isn't it?

Mahoro

That's right! millsage will aim for qualifying for the finals... no, we'll aim to win the whole thing!

Natsume

The finals were at the open-air amphitheater, weren't they? Suzugaya Music Hall.

Natsume

Standing on the holy ground for bands... That's the coolest thing ever.

Houka

But why so suddenly...?

Mahoro

Kanata said she wanted to enter.

Natsume

! What's this, I'm hearing it for the first time.

Mahoro

Ah, that's probably because I turned it down before it even came up with you, Natsume-chan...

Natsume

I see...

Mahoro

Ah, but, you know! It's not just for Kanata.

Mahoro

For myself personally, too, I want to aim for it.

Mahoro

A lot has happened, but I don't want to give up on taking on challenges.

Natsume

Hah. You make it sound so easy. Comet's called the "Gateway to Success for the Next Big Band," you know.

Mahoro

I-I know. But, I want to do it.

Nagi

Yeah... I think it's good.

Mahoro

Nagi-chan...!

Nagi

Well, it'll start with properly waking up on time in the morning first, I guess.

Mahoro

Geez! Treating me like a kid again!

Nagi

Aha, sorry.

Nagi

I have to make sure I don't get left behind, too.

Natsume

Well, I have no objection to taking on a challenge. Why not? It's a stage perfectly suited for me.

Houka

Hehe, I have no objection either♪ A big stage, I'm very much looking forward to it.

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan?

Hotaru

Yes, let's do it!

Mahoro

...! Then it's decided!

Natsume

Since we're aiming for it, practice will be grueling, so don't start complaining, alright?

Mahoro

Ugh, I might complain just a little sometimes...?

Houka

Well then, shall we submit the application right away?

Nagi

Oh, that was fast.

Natsume

First, live shows. We need more experience; there's no question about it.

Mahoro

You're right. We have to build up more experience...! We're aiming for Comet, after all!

Hotaru

(Let's do our best.)

Hotaru

(I'll protect millsage's... and Kanata-san's happiness.)

Hotaru

(And then, surely, beyond that... my own happiness will—)

(Hotaru)

A happy ending.

(Hotaru)

A happy ending where not a single person is crying or sad, where everyone is smiling.

(Hotaru)

That's how it was supposed to be.

(Hotaru)

—The truth is, I didn't understand anything at all.