After days of torrential rain, the sky cleared.
A bright, sunny day in Enoshima, calm and peaceful.
End Band members gathered.
"Why here suddenly?" Hotaru asked Nijika.
Seika was to check their ensemble in two days.
Their stage performance depended on meeting her standards.
They should be practicing new songs, urging Ikuyo and Hitori.
Why play now?
Per the original story, this trip was post-summer vacation, after their first live.
Butterfly effect, perhaps.
"Great, right? Ikuyo's happy," Nijika smiled warmly.
Hotaru glanced at Ikuyo, nodded.
Ikuyo glowed brighter today.
Sunlight broke her seal.
Hotaru and Nijika shielded their eyes from Ikuyo's dazzle.
"Those two aren't doing great," Hotaru pointed at Hitori and Ryo, leaning on each other.
Ikuyo's radiance wasn't kind to them.
"I'm drying up…" Hitori groaned.
"Blinding," Ryo muttered.
Ikuyo beamed, "Great! I've wanted to play with everyone forever!"
"I'll take tons of photos for SNS!"
"Manage the band's account too," Nijika reminded softly.
"Mission accomplished, Nijika-senpai!" Ikuyo patted her chest.
Worry flickered in Ikuyo. "Is it okay not to practice?"
She felt she was the weakest link.
Nijika shook her head, "Work-life balance matters."
"End Band hasn't had an outing since forming!"
"Today's Enoshima trip is significant."
"As expected of Nijika-senpai!" Ikuyo cheered.
Band matters raised, Nijika asked Ryo, half-asleep, "Songs coming along?"
Ryo, eyes half-closed, replied, "Finished Hitori's two songs."
"Last night, someone gave me another."
She glanced at Hotaru, yawning, weak.
"You made me stay up all night."
"You worked hard, Ryo," Nijika praised.
"Only you can compose and arrange."
Ryo nodded.
Seika's rehearsal time: 20 minutes, likely three songs.
Hitori wrote two lyrics, out of inspiration.
Hotaru took the third song.
From his past life, he knew famous anime songs by heart.
But not melodies or composition.
Music software was daunting.
Hotaru planned to exchange for composing ability in the system.
Complete songs were an option, but composing himself was more rewarding.
Seeing Ryo's glance, Hotaru chuckled, flattered, "Ryo-sama, I'll cover your expenses today!"
"Mm." Ryo smiled, not sleepy.
"Ryo-senpai, I'll pay too!" Ikuyo waved her wallet.
Nijika clapped, mediating, "No band talk today, relax."
She hesitated, then protested, "Why'd you all bring instruments?"
Betrayed! They agreed to play, yet carried instruments!
She didn't bring her drum kit—couldn't carry it!
"Ahem!" They smiled awkwardly.
Hotaru: "Thought we'd do a street performance."
Ikuyo: "For pretty pictures."
Hitori: "Insecure without my guitar…"
Ryo: "No money, brought my bass."
What's a bass for?
"Ryo-senpai, I'll pay!" Ikuyo persisted.
Ikuyo, when will you see Ryo's true colors?
Hotaru comforted Nijika, "Don't worry. You brought drumsticks, right?"
Nijika held up drumsticks. "Who'll swap?"
Silence.
"No one?" Nijika pressed.
They exchanged looks.
Hotaru and Ryo pointed at each other, then Hitori.
"Eh? I…" Hitori trembled, nearly removing her guitar.
"No bullying Hitori," Nijika scolded, hands on hips.
After commotion, Nijika dropped swapping.
She announced, "Let's make wonderful summer memories today!"
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