Myamu overestimated her stamina.
To film scenery, she chose stairs over the escalator, planning to record the latter when descending.
Climbing alone, she wondered, Is this mountain empty? Everyone took the escalator? Lazy youth!
She spilled her only water.
Tired, hot, parched.
Finally, spotting Hotaru and Ikuyo, she called for help with her last strength.
Myamu collapsed on the steps.
Hotaru and Ikuyo approached.
Hotaru, surprised, told Ikuyo, "It's the one filming at the base."
Ikuyo nodded, "I recognized her."
Leaning closer, Ikuyo exclaimed, "It's Myamu!"
"The blogger?" Hotaru asked.
"Yes, I watch her makeup videos…" Ikuyo chattered.
Hotaru nodded.
"Help me before chatting…" Myamu said weakly.
Pleased Ikuyo was a fan, but dying of thirst.
"Sorry," Ikuyo laughed awkwardly.
"Water…"
Hotaru opened a water bottle; Ikuyo held it to Myamu's lips.
Myamu gulped, recovering.
"That feels good."
"Thanks!"
"Or tomorrow's headline: Myamu dies on Enoshima."
Hotaru and Ikuyo laughed.
Myamu pouted at Hotaru, "Saved by a guy like you…"
"Not 'a guy,' your savior," Hotaru corrected.
"Miss Myamu, I love your videos, but filming us without permission was wrong," Ikuyo said.
Lectured by younger kids, thick-skinned Myamu felt no shame.
She feigned tears, "Waaah, I know I was wrong…"
Truly remorseful? Unknown.
Gaining their understanding, they dropped it.
Myamu joined them; alone, she feared trouble.
She valued her life.
Ikuyo and Myamu chatted happily, taking photos, videos.
Myamu shared makeup tips, signed an autograph.
She got gossipy, pulled Ikuyo aside, whispered, "Kita-chan, what's your relationship with him?"
Ikuyo glanced at Hotaru, blushed, "Just bandmates."
"Really?" Myamu, disappointed, found no juicy info.
"What about your other bandmates?"
"Took the escalator," Ikuyo explained.
Myamu wailed, "I should've too!"
"Didn't expect Miss Myamu's stamina to be so bad," Ikuyo sighed.
"I'm a university student, it's normal," Myamu said.
Hotaru nodded, "She's right."
Ikuyo, puzzled: Is that normal?
At dusk, Hotaru and Ikuyo supported a half-dead Myamu to the summit.
Nijika, Hitori, and Ryo, resting at the observation deck, were curious about Myamu.
Hotaru explained briefly.
They visited the shrine.
"Myamu's reached Enoshima's top," she told her camera.
"At Enoshima shrine, Benzaiten, goddess of music and art, is enshrined."
Prepared, Myamu explained.
"No more talk, after this climb, I'm queuing to wish."
Myamu joined the line.
Ryo, regretful, "Thought it was the god of wealth."
"Don't always think money," Nijika scolded.
After tossing coins and wishing, the trip ended.
"What'd everyone wish for?" Nijika asked.
"Smooth live, better band," Nijika said.
Hotaru and others turned away guiltily, silent.
Only Nijika wished for the band.
Hitori transferred at Fujisawa.
Nijika and Ryo went to Shimokitazawa.
Hotaru and Ikuyo got off at intermediate stops.
At his station, Hotaru noticed Myamu heading his way.
She gave a professional smile, lagged behind, fiddling with her phone.
Dedicated.
At the traffic light, Hotaru stopped.
A phone call nearby.
He glanced, saw the punk-styled girl, Hachiman Kairin.
Her name, Hachiman, stuck with him.
He overheard, "Need a keyboardist and drummer?"
"Two idiots ate poisonous mushrooms, hospitalized."
"I see…" Kairin's mouth gaped.
"Can you find substitutes, Hailing?"
"Probably not," Kairin shook her head.
She was a lone wolf.
Too late to find people.
"The pay's generous. I'll eat dirt without it."
"Please, Hailing, think of something."
Static interrupted Kairin.
A hurried voice, "Manager's rushing, I'll stall."
"Can't talk, Hailing, look around. If no one, it's just us!"
Call disconnected.
"Hello? Wait…" Kairin stared at her phone.
She thought, head down.
Hotaru approached, asked, "Need help?"
Kairin looked up, surprised.
------------------------------
Thank you for enjoying my stories! If you want to go further and support my work,
Patreon is the best way to do it — many of the newest chapters will be posted there!
👉 pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ
💖