Hotaru

(Tomorrow... let's do our best...!)

Hotaru

(Because they told me they need my sound, my rainbow colors.)

Hotaru

(As millsage's pianist. As their vocalist.)

Hotaru

(From now on, I'll keep making music that brings happiness to everyone...!)

Hotaru

...Ah.

Hotaru

(Kanata-san's keychain... After everything that happened, I missed my chance to return it.)

Hotaru

(I need to return it to Mahoro-san tomorrow.)

Hotaru

...?

Hotaru

(What's this? Nikopan-chan's head came off...?)

Hotaru

Ah...!

Hotaru

(This... is a USB flash drive...!)

Hotaru

(Is there some kind of data on here...?)

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(Would it be okay... if I just take a quick peek...?)

Hotaru

Wow...!

Hotaru

(Amazing...! It's full of rough song drafts and lyric notes!)

"I'll definitely make Natsume acknowledge me!"

"It's Houka Time!"

"A unison part for Mahoro and Nagi?"

Hotaru

Hehe. There are lots of doodles, too.

Hotaru

It feels like... I got to see Kanata-san again after such a long time.

Hotaru

...?

Hotaru

(There's one file all the way at the bottom... what is this?)

Hotaru

(This is...?)

Hotaru

Huh?

Hotaru

H-how does it look...!

Mahoro

Wow, it really suits you!

Houka

Yes. I'm glad it was ready in time. ♡

Nagi

Was yours made by your friend too, Hotaru?

Houka

Yes. She has a strong background in fashion♪

Natsume

Actually, it's been a while since we wore these costumes ourselves.

Mahoro

Yeah. After what happened with Kanata, we were a little hesitant to put them on.

Mahoro

But we do need to wear them to really get into the right mindset.

Houka

Hehe, it's perfect for the start of our new lineup.

Nagi

Well, I think it's important to get the form right from the start, too.

Natsume

Hah, we're going to win Comet Rising, after all, right? We might as well start thinking about what to wear for the finals.

Nagi

That's incredibly premature.

Houka

Isn't it wonderful, though? It just shows how motivated everyone is♪

Mahoro

Exactly, since we're making a fresh start from here on out.

Mahoro

Right, Hotaru-chan?

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

"4/16"

Hotaru

"I've always been cursing God."

Hotaru

Huh?

Hotaru

"The entrance ceremony, sports day, the school trip. I have almost no memories of them."

Hotaru

"They're all chipped away, incomplete."

Hotaru

"Why keep me alive if you won't give me an ordinary youth?"

Hotaru

"Why me? Why did I get sick? Why do I have to die? Why, why, why?"

Hotaru

"Drop dead, God."

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

"9/4"

Hotaru

"My story hasn't even begun yet."

Hotaru

"Does it end here?"

Hotaru

"I want to spill it all. I don't want to die. I'm scared. I want to scream."

Hotaru

This...

Kanata・Hotaru

"I want to tell them, I want to reach out, 'Help me.' Hey, why is it only me?"

Kanata・Hotaru

"But I don't want to be a curse on them."

Hotaru

Haa... Haa... Haa...

"I saw a news story about the annual suicide statistics and things like that."

"Life isn't fair at all. Nothing at all is equal."

"Hey, please, someone."

"I promise I won't waste it. I'll do anything."

"I'm begging you."

"Give that life to me."

Hotaru

...

"10/9"...

"My story. A life with me at the center."

"But even if I'm gone, the world will keep turning." "Everyone's stories will go on."

"millsage. Will it end? Will it go on?"

"Ah, but I hate it. The thought of someone other than me at the center."

"It makes me sick."

Hotaru

...!

"millsage. My happiness."

"At least millsage..."

"Burn it along with my coffin."

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

Ah... Aah...

Hotaru

I-I... I...!

Hotaru

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

Hotaru

If that were the case, it wouldn't be millsage...! I wouldn't be able to face Kanata-san!

Hotaru

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

Hotaru

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

Hotaru

Ah... Ah...!

Hotaru

I-I'm so... I'm so sorry...! Uuu...!

Hotaru

...! Waah, aaaaaaaah...!

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

Kanata-san. I finally understand.

Hotaru

—What it is I truly have to do.

Hotaru

...

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan? What's wrong?

Hotaru

No, I'm fine!

Hotaru

(I was wrong from the very beginning.)

Hotaru

(Everything I've done, all of it.)

Natsume

Are you just itching to start playing? Or are the nerves finally hitting you?

Hotaru

...I was just getting fired up to do my best.

Hotaru

Because I'm going to make absolutely sure we succeed.

Natsume

...? Well, in that case, good.

Nagi

Oh, looks like it's almost our turn.

Natsume

I've been waiting long enough.

Houka

Hehe, let's enjoy this♪

Mahoro

Alright... let's go, everyone.

Hotaru

Ah... Mahoro-san.

Mahoro

? What is it?

Hotaru

Here... Kanata-san's keychain.

Mahoro

You were holding onto that for me, Hotaru-chan! I thought I'd lost it.

Hotaru

Um, I know this is a really presumptuous thing to ask, but... may I keep it?

Hotaru

I... want to use it as a good luck charm...

Mahoro

...! That makes sense. You're still feeling a bit uneasy, after all.

Mahoro

Go ahead and hold onto it, Hotaru-chan. I'm sure it'll be a source of strength for you from now on.

Hotaru

Thank you so much.

Hotaru

—I'll carry it with me to my grave.

Hotaru

(I'm sorry, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru

(I didn't understand your true wish at all.)

Hotaru

(I just took those words at face value, got it into my head all on my own, and turned the band into a mess.)

Hotaru

(And then, I stole the center spot of millsage.)

Hotaru

(I am truly sorry.)

Hotaru

(No amount of apologizing will ever be enough.)

Hotaru

(I can never atone.)

Hotaru

(So at least, to make amends for what I've done to you...)

Hotaru

(I'll throw away my own "happiness.")

Hotaru

(I love happy endings.)

Hotaru

(I love stories where, in the end, everyone is smiling.)

Hotaru

(But this story isn't mine.)

Hotaru

(There's no way I should make it my story.)

Hotaru

(There's no way I should be the protagonist, or even a character in it.)

Hotaru

(—And so.)

Waahhh!!

millsage!!!

Hotaru!!! Natsume!!!

Hotaru

...

Nagi

I can go anytime.

Houka

Same here. ♡

Natsume

Come on, hurry up.

Mahoro

Hotaru-chan, please!

Hotaru

...

Hotaru

(The one standing here isn't "me".)

Hotaru

(Just a tool to make sound.)

Hotaru

(Singing just to grant wishes—just a piece of stage machinery.)

Hotaru

(Rainbow colors. That homework from Kanata-san. I never needed any of that from the very start.)

Hotaru

(Someone like me, wishing for her own happiness...)

Hotaru

(I was nothing but a fool.)

Hotaru

(I'll guide Mahoro-san and the others to Comet.)

Hotaru

(And I'll bring an end to millsage.)

Hotaru

(That way, Mahoro-san's and everyone's wishes, and Kanata-san's wish... they can all be granted equally, right?)

Hotaru

(Hey, Kanata-san.)

Hotaru

(This time, I'll make it happen for sure.)

Waahhh!

Hotaru

(My throat and my fingers. My voice and my keyboard.)

Hotaru

(Bringing only those with me to this place...)

Hotaru

(I'll shine. Only for everyone's happiness.)

Hotaru

(And then, there you'll see—)

Hotaru

We are millsage. Thank you for having us!

Hotaru

(What a wonderful happy ending!)