Mahoro・Nagi

...

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(The tension in the air is so heavy...)

Hotaru

(But I already made up my mind.)

Hotaru

U-Um... I...!

Nagi

Houka. Can you say that again?

Houka

Certainly♪ What would you all say to having Shiomi-san join the band?

Mahoro

Um... What do you mean...?

Houka

Exactly as I said. Shiomi-san would play piano for us as a support member.

Nagi

Sorry... I'm not following. What is her playing piano supposed to change?

Nagi

Even if you add piano, Mahoro's burden isn't going anywhere, is it?

Houka

It would give us a way to keep millsage from disbanding.

Nagi

Don't toss that out like it's nothing.

Nagi

Besides, you're the one who said it, Houka. You said it would be better to end things as we are.

Houka

Until a few days ago, I believed that was our only choice as well.

Houka

But... if there is even a chance we might not have to, would it not be worth considering?

Nagi

That... is...

Mahoro

Houka-chan, so this chance you mentioned... the one that means we might not have to disband... is Hotaru-chan?

Nagi

Mahoro...!

Mahoro

millsage... was the band Kanata started.

Mahoro

If we disband, we won't gather here together anymore, and we won't get to play our songs anymore...

Mahoro

It's the last memory we have left of her...

Nagi

...!

Nagi

But... think about it. Piano was Kanata's part, you know? Are we really okay with that?

Houka

Even professional bands, at times, undergo lineup changes under deeply unfortunate circumstances.

Houka

Such decisions often divide opinion among fans... but I believe the members who remain make that choice so they may carry the band onward.

Houka

So long as the songs continue to be performed... so long as the band itself endures, the original members' presence remains within it.

Houka

Perhaps it is a declaration of resolve, a way of saying, "We will not forget."

Nagi

...

Houka

Besides... Shiomi-san is Kanata-san's apprentice. I cannot imagine she would ever dishonor what Kanata-san left behind.

Hotaru

Y-yes! Of course I wouldn't...!

Houka

To begin with, this support arrangement was proposed by Shiomi-san herself.

Mahoro

Huh...? Hotaru-chan did?

Hotaru

I was the one who brought it up... I asked if there was anything at all I could do.

Hotaru

I'm sure all of you have talked this over again and again.

Hotaru

I know very well that it isn't my place, as an outsider, to say anything...

Hotaru

But...! Kanata-san told me she wanted all of you "to be happy."

Mahoro

...!

Hotaru

If that was Kanata-san's wish... then I want to make it come true!

Hotaru

I hope Kanata-san can smile... and that all of you can, too!

Hotaru

I think... there's no way Kanata-san would have wanted an ending like the band disbanding...!

Mahoro

I...

Natsume

Hah... What a beautiful little fantasy.

Mahoro

Natsume-chan...!

Hotaru

(So this is Natsume-san...!)

Houka

I have been expecting you. Please, this way.

Natsume

Don't give me that "expecting you" act...! Why are you trying to decide the band's future without me?!

Natsume

What are you thinking, Houka?!

Houka

What else would I be thinking of? The survival of the band, naturally.

Natsume

The survival of the band? Don't make me laugh!

Natsume

Mahoro, Nagi, use your heads and think this through!

Natsume

The second that girl joins, it becomes something else. It won't be the band you're trying so hard to keep from disbanding anymore.

Houka

By that reasoning, millsage would already no longer be millsage as things stand...

Natsume

Exactly! That's what I've been saying! Without Kanata, it isn't millsage!

Natsume

There's no point playing in a band like that!

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(I understand how Natsume-san feels. I really do.)

Hotaru

(But still...)

Hotaru

(Natsume-san looks so sad, too. So...)

Hotaru

U-um...!

Natsume

What...?

Hotaru

N-nice to meet you. My name is Hotaru Shiomi!

Natsume

Huh...?

Hotaru

I'm truly... truly sorry for bringing all this up and confusing everyone.

Hotaru

But, please... Could you at least consider keeping the band going...?

Hotaru

I... I want everyone who loved Kanata-san to be happy.

Hotaru

And that includes you too, Natsume-san...!

Natsume

What...?

Hotaru

You must have been hurt... and sad... and it must have been so painful.

Hotaru

But... if the band is gone, I think you'll regret it someday...!

Natsume

What is with that girl...? She doesn't know a thing, but she keeps talking like she understands...!

Natsume

"I want you to be happy?!" Don't decide I'm unhappy for me.

Natsume

I decide what makes me happy.

Natsume

You're just playing savior to someone you decided was pitiful so you can feel good about yourself!

Hotaru

...!

Mahoro

Natsume-chan, that is...

Houka

My, that was rather harsh.

Nagi

...

Hotaru

(My legs are shaking. I can't even look up...)

Hotaru

(Having anger thrown straight at me like this... really is scary.)

Hotaru

(Natsume-san is right.)

Hotaru

(Saying I want to make everyone happy... sounds so stupid.)

Hotaru

(But...!)

Hotaru

It’s my... assignment.

Natsume

...?

Hotaru

It’s something... I have to do.

Hotaru

My promise to Kanata-san...!

Hotaru

Please tell me, Natsume-san.

Natsume

Huh...?

Hotaru

What do I have to do for you to accept me? What do I have to do to prove that I'm serious?!

Natsume

H-huh?! Like I said, that's just your own problem...

Houka

Why not settle this with a battle?

Natsume

!?

Hotaru

A battle...?

Houka

Yes. Natsume-san will improvise on guitar, and Shiomi-san will answer it with her own arrangement.

Houka

In other words, you could call it... "Let's do a jam session!"♪

Nagi

That's... what Natsume-senpai and Kanata used to do...!

Natsume

Houka! You just had to stick your nose in again...!

Houka

Because it would settle things much faster, wouldn’t it?

Houka

Natsume-san has her reservations about Shiomi-san, while Shiomi-san wishes to earn Natsume-san's respect.

Houka

In that case, there is only one way to settle this: a battle of skill♪ Wouldn't you agree? If you don't like having her here, then beat her with your own playing and send her back.

Natsume

Hah. Like that little runt could ever keep up with me.

Houka

Hmm, is that so...? What do you say, Shiomi-san?

Hotaru

I... I'll do it. Please let me try!

Hotaru

If that is what it takes for Natsume-san to accept me...! If that is what it takes for all of you to accept me.

Mahoro・Nagi

...

Hotaru

Because... I am Kanata-san's apprentice.

Natsume

Fine. Come at me, then. I'll wipe the floor with you!

Houka

Then let us begin at once♪ You two have no objections, I trust?

Mahoro

Yeah...

Nagi

If Mahoro is okay with it...

Houka

As for the piano... Let us have you use Kanata-san's. This way.

Hotaru

I got it...

Hotaru

(This is... the piano Kanata-san used to play.)

Hotaru

(It's covered in dust... It hasn't been used in so long...)

Hotaru

(Please... Let me play on it.)

Hotaru

...?

Hotaru

(Wait... Down by the pedals. Something fell...)

Hotaru

(A Nikopan-chan... keychain...?)

Hotaru

(Could this be... Kanata-san's...?)

Natsume

Come on, let's get started already!

Hotaru

R-right! I'll get ready right away!

Hotaru

(Sorry. It might be a little cramped in there, please stay in my pocket for now, okay?)

Hotaru

Thank you for waiting. Please... let's begin!