Natsume

(Five minutes left of break...)

Natsume

(This feels like a good stopping point. I could head back early, but... I may as well practice until the last minute.)

Mahoro

Ah! I knew I'd find you here!

Natsume

What do you want...?

Mahoro

Don't "what do you want" me~ Natsume-chan, you still haven't turned in the assignment due today, have you?

Natsume

Huh? You're in the class next door. Why do you even know that?

Mahoro

You know the class rep in your class? She's in the Home Economics Club with me.

Mahoro

We were having lunch together today, and your name came up. She was worried about the deadline.

Natsume

Then she should've come to get it herself.

Mahoro

Uh... Well...

Natsume

Then spit it out.

Mahoro

Uh, y-yeah... You're right! It's just... she says you're kind of hard to approach, Natsume-chan.

Natsume

Hmph. So you came in her place? Well, I can see why she'd be intimidated by my aura.

Mahoro

"Aura" isn't quite the word... You're always so on edge. And the way you glare... I think people find you scary.

Natsume

Oh, give it a rest. That's part of my aura too.

Mahoro

A-Anyway! She seems really worried, so just hand it in. Okay?

Natsume

All right, already... What was the assignment again?

Mahoro

She said it was math.

Natsume

I'll hand it in tomorrow...

Mahoro

Did you forget it...?

Natsume

Right. I forgot. To bring it. To school.

Mahoro

Honestly... Then make absolutely sure you bring it tomorrow, okay? I'll let the class rep know you said so.

Natsume

Yeah, yeah... Still, you really are too nice for your own good.

Mahoro

Huh? Me?

Natsume

Yeah. Even when we first met, Kanata was one hundred percent in the wrong, but you were the one apologizing.

Natsume

You kept smiling and acting harmless. I figured you were just a pushover.

Mahoro

A pushover...? That's kind of harsh~

Mahoro

But... maybe I was. Kanata was always a whirlwind... and she shone so brightly.

Mahoro

It's not that I was holding back... But maybe I'd gotten used to standing a step behind her.

Mahoro

That's not exactly cool of me, huh?

Natsume

Even so... you kept the band going.

Mahoro

Huh?

Natsume

You were too softhearted and too nice to leave it alone. You figured you had to be the one to keep millsage together this time, right?

Natsume

That's why you kept working on Nagi and Houka, and kept the band going even with just the three of you.

Natsume

I think that's more than enough to be proud of.

Mahoro

...!

Natsume

millsage is what it is today because you didn't give up. Don't you forget that.

Mahoro

N-Natsume-chaaaan...!

Natsume

But! From now on, no more smiling and going along with everything!

Natsume

If you're aiming to win Comet Rising, then you need to carry yourself like it!

Mahoro

Hehe... Honestly, I can't tell whether you're praising me or scolding me~

Natsume

That's why—

Natsume

See? Now class has started because of you!

Mahoro

I'm sorry~!