Are you quitting?

Tomori

Ah...

Soyo

Saki-chan! I'm so glad you came! You're soaking wet! Are you all right?

Taki・Mutsumi

...

Soyo

You didn't come to school, and you didn't reply to anyone...

Sakiko

I came here today because I have something to say.

Tomori・Soyo

...

Sakiko

I am quitting CRYCHIC.

Tomori・Soyo

What...?

Taki・Mutsumi

...

Soyo

W-wait... Why don't we sit down for a bit...?

Soyo

Why are you doing this...? Did something happen...?

Soyo

Is it something you can't tell us? Or is it because of us? If there's something wrong, we'll fix it, okay?

Sakiko

It's my problem and mine alone.

Soyo

But why? Our last live show was fun, wasn't it? You said you wanted to do it again, didn't you?

Sakiko

I never said that.

Soyo

Y-You didn't...? But you're the one who started CRYCHIC, Saki-chan. If you quit, then...

Sakiko

...

Tomori

Are you really quitting?

Taki

Tomori asked you a question. And isn't this kind of irresponsible of you?

Taki

Why aren't you saying anything?

Soyo

Taki-chan, don't...

Taki

Then, could she stop causing trouble for us? Even today, we were waiting for Sakiko, so we—

Soyo

Taki-chan!

Sakiko

You can do it without me, can't you?

Taki

What?

Sakiko

If you want to practice, then just do it. There's no rule that says we all have to be here for it. Don't blame other people.

Tomori

But Saki-chan, if you're not here...

Sakiko

Could you please not talk like a spoiled child? Tomori, you need to practice more than anyone else. What have you been doing all this time?

Taki

Tomori was waiting for you!

Taki・Sakiko

...! ...

Soyo

Wait...! Let's talk this out! After all, we've had so much fun getting to where we are... Mutsumi-chan, you think so too, don't you?

Mutsumi

...

Mutsumi

I... I've never thought being in this band was fun, not even once.

Soyo

What...?

Anon

Hmm~~! The interview is over~!

Anon

(I think I did pretty well~ My grades are good too, so I'll probably get in no problem.)

Anon

This is where I'm going to start over.

Anon

Hm?

Anon

Hey, did you drop something?

Tomori

Ah...

Anon

(What's this girl looking for...? Hm? She's picking up rocks?)

Anon

Umm... are you taking those rocks back with you?

Tomori

......?

Tomori

!?

Anon

You finally noticed me. I've been talking to you...

Tomori

...!

Anon

...Huh? What was that...?

Anon

Nice to meet you! I'm Anon Chihaya! I'll be a member of this class from today!

Anon

Due to my family's circumstances, I'm transferring in at a weird time, but I hope we'll get along. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

Chihaya-san, go ahead and sit in the seat furthest back.

Anon

Yes.

Anon

Oh, the rocks...

Tomori

...?

Anon

Ah, ahahaha, nice to meet you.

Anon

(Phew, my greeting to the class went smoothly, that should do if I want to fit in here, right?)

Anon

(My seat is behind this girl, huh... I think she's the one who was picking up rocks on the day of my transfer interview, right?)

Tomori

Chihaya-san...

Anon

Huh? What's wrong?

Tomori

I'm Tomori Takamatsu. Nice to meet you...

Anon

Y-Yeah... Nice to meet you.

Anon

(Oh no, it's the lunch break...! Who should I be friendly with?)

Anon

(They're way too high energy... They're... too serious.)

Tomori-chan, heading to the astronomy club again?

Tomori

Yeah.

Anon

(The trio over there... yeah, they seem easy to talk to.)

Anon

Um... do you mind if I eat with you?

Yeah, of course! Tell us your stories, Chihaya-san.

Anon

Really!? Yay~ I was worried I wouldn't find anyone to eat with.

It's hard when everyone's already grouped up, huh? I totally get it.

Your family name, Chihaya, it's like a first name. It's cute. What did they call you at your last school?

Anon

Um...

Anon

...You can call me Anon!

Then, Anon-chan it is! You mentioned that you transferred in late because of family stuff. That must be rough.

Anon

Oh, yeah! It's super rough! I mean, everyone's formed their cliques already, right?

Huh? But you know Tomori-chan, right? You talked with her this morning.

Anon

Oh, no! I just ran into her earlier while she was picking up... rocks?

Yeah, sometimes she picks things up like that.

That's Haneoka's guileless girl for you!

She's like a cute little animal, isn't she?

The other day in the courtyard—

Anon

(Huh...? Are we done talking about me already?)

Tomori

...

Anon

(What is she looking at...? Well, whatever. Those girls from before are—)

Anon

Ah! Let's head home together!

Anon

Huh?

What's wrong?

Anon

I just noticed that lots of people in this class brought their instruments.

Anon

You also brought yours. Are you in a band?

Yeah, we only just started though. I think a lot of us in this school probably are in bands.

I think the only one in our class who isn't in a band is Tomori-chan.

Anon

Oh... Everyone really is in a band...

What about you, Anon-chan? Do you play any instruments?

Anon

Huh? Ah... Yeah, a little. I guess I did guitar and vocals...

Oh! Me too! Me too! If you'd like, Anon-chan, why don't you join our band? We just need one more guitarist to play an Afterglow song!

Anon

(Guitar? Joining as a guitarist among the three of them...)

Anon

(Which would mean... I'd probably be off to the side...)

Anon

Thanks! I'll think about it!

Anon

*Sigh*... I'm so tired~ My face muscles are dead...

Anon

But I made some friends. For the first day, it's not bad.

Anon

Umm... where did I put the guitar...

Anon

Found it!

Anon

I mean, everyone's in a band, right? I have to be in one, too.

Anon

Huh?

Anon

I'm sorry! I'd like to be in your band, but it's been a while since my middle school cultural festival, and I don't really know Afterglow yet, so...

Anon

(And if I'm gonna do it, I'd rather do guitar and vocals.)

What? You don't have to worry about that!

Anon

I was happy you invited me, but I'll try finding the members myself.

Oh, that's a shame...

If you're looking for members, you should check out the bulletin board at a live house. A new live house called RiNG just opened, so why not check it out?

Anon

Really? RiNG, huh? Thank you for telling me~