Natsume

How old are you?

Hotaru

Huh...? Oh, I'm fourteen.

Natsume

Hmph? Well, I'm sixteen.

Hotaru

...?

Natsume

All right, kid. Let's see you keep up!

Hotaru

Y-Yes!

Hotaru

!

Hotaru

(Whoa... What a complicated phrase...!)

Hotaru

(Just keeping the rhythm straight is taking everything I've got...!)

Mahoro

...? Wait, this... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before...

Houka

I believe that is a phrase... from the new song Natsume-san was working on with Kanata-san.

Houka

It was left unfinished partway through.

Nagi

Then... that’s not really improvising, is it?

Houka・Mahoro・Nagi

...

Natsume

Come on, then! Let's see what Kanata's apprentice can do!

Hotaru

...!

Hotaru

(Take what she just played, arrange it, and answer back...!)

Hotaru

(I can sort of tell what notes she's using, but...)

Hotaru

(This is nothing like playing with Kanata-san...!)

Hotaru

(I have to hang on with everything I've got...!)

Why is Hotaru-chan always the one who wins gold?! I'm trying just as hard!!

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(Everything I've got...? Really?)

Then go take an advanced course or something. Piano isn't fun with you here, Hotaru-chan!

Hotaru

(If I play with everything I have, and that same rainbow-colored light from back then...)

Hotaru

(If something bad that hurts people comes out again...)

Hotaru

(I can't let that happen...!)

Mahoro

Amazing... She's keeping up with Natsume-chan...!

Nagi

That girl really is good.

Houka

However, merely keeping up will not be enough...

Natsume

Are you messing with me...?!

Hotaru

...!

Natsume

No fills, no arrangement, not one interesting idea!

Natsume

Forget it. I'll end this on the next one...!

Hotaru

(I need Natsume-san... to accept me...)

Hotaru

(But my memories from back then keep getting in the way...)

Hotaru

(I keep trying not to let that color out. The one that hurts people.)

Hotaru

(My fingers pull away from it on their own.)

Hotaru

(Kanata-san told me the same thing before... and I still...!)

All right, stop. Back to the top.

Hotaru

What?! I played it properly, didn't I?!

Yeah, you played it properly. Your rhythm was spot-on, every note was clean and even. That's all!

There's nooothing interesting about it at all!

Hotaru

Y-you don't have to put it like that!

No, Hotaru... I don't feel any "soul" in your playing!

Hotaru

S-soul...?

Yes! Soul, as in spirit!

You can play exactly by the book, but past that, there's nothing there.

That prim and proper piano of yours isn't gonna make the audience happy, y'know? You've gotta throw everything you've got into it!

Hotaru

With everything... I've got...?

Yeah, everything you've got. I dunno what you're so scared of, Hotaru... but pretty sure you've got the wrong idea, y'know.

The audience isn't your enemy. And obviously, neither am I.

They're on your side, here to have fun with you.

Believe in your friends and play your heart out!

Hotaru

(People on my side... here to have fun with me...)

Hotaru

(That's right... Natsume-san can play guitar like this. She's incredible.)

Hotaru

(Believe in them... trust Natsume-san, and do it with all my might...!)

Natsume

!?

Houka

My...♡

Nagi

Did she just... change all of a sudden?

Mahoro

Yeah... Hotaru-chan is starting to fight back.

Hotaru

(Something strong enough... for Natsume-san to accept me...!)

Natsume

...!

Nagi

Hey... isn't this...

Houka

Yes... before we knew it, the lead melody had shifted from guitar to piano.

Mahoro

It's the same...

Mahoro

(A scene I've watched here over and over, dozens of times.)

Mahoro

(Kanata and Natsume-chan making songs by clashing through music.)

Mahoro

(Hotaru-chan really is something...)

Mahoro

(She walked into a band full of older girls she barely knew...)

Mahoro

(And even when she's challenged to prove herself, she digs in and keeps up...)

Mahoro

(All for Kanata's treasure...)

Mahoro

(You really cared about Kanata that much... I understand...)

Houka

There we are. That will do♪

Hotaru

!!

Houka

Natsume-san. I do believe the outcome is clear, is it not?

Natsume

...

Hotaru

*Pant*... How... did I do...?

Hotaru

(When was the last time I gave it that much...?)

Hotaru

(But... I didn't see that rainbow-colored light...?)

Natsume

...Hmph. Fine. I get it. You can play decently enough.

Hotaru

! Then...!

Natsume

But listen! That was just the opening round, the opening round! I haven't played guitar in forever, so the real thing's a whole different story!

Hotaru

Huh...?

Nagi

Ugh. Here we go. This is the annoying part.

Natsume

Ugh, enough already! And you guys are just as bad! Dragging me into some weird jam session out of nowhere!

Natsume

Got it?! I haven't lost! Next time, it won't be anything like this!!

Hotaru

Ah?! Wait, please... Natsume-san!

Hotaru

(So I really did... hurt Natsume-san...?!)

Houka

There is no need to chase after her.

Hotaru

What!? But...

Houka

Natsume-san did say "next time," after all.

Hotaru

Huh...?

Houka

Natsume-san... absolutely cannot stand losing.

Nagi

In terms of the result, that's basically a pass.

Hotaru

Um... is that so?

Nagi

Either way, she'll be fine.

Hotaru

B-but...

Mahoro

As for me... honestly, I'm still torn.

Hotaru

!

Mahoro

I still don't really know you yet, Hotaru-chan...

Mahoro

And honestly... part of me still feels the way Natsume-chan does. That was Kanata's part.

Mahoro

But... I could feel how serious you are, Hotaru-chan. How desperately you want to keep millsage from falling apart.

Mahoro

I feel the same way... so please, lend us your strength.

Hotaru

Yes...!

Hotaru

U-um, Nagi-san...

Nagi

I'm just going along with Mahoro's decision. So... yeah. Guess we're working together?

Hotaru

Th-thank you so much!

Houka

Hehe. With Nagi-san's approval secured as well, that leaves only Natsume-san.

Natsume

Ugh, seriously!!

Natsume

I didn't lose...

Natsume

I didn't lose, I didn't lose, I didn't lose!

Natsume

What is her deal?! What is her deal?!

Natsume

I was the one who spent over a year playing with Kanata!

Natsume

(I let that girl's momentum push me back, and for a second, I thought... I might not win...)

Natsume

(So I ran away again.)

Natsume

So lame...

Natsume

I won't accept this...

Natsume

The only one who gets to stand beside me... is Kanata.

Natsume

Hotaru? Firefly? Dragonfly? I don't care what bug she is. I will never accept her!