"You know what, next time we go out to karaoke? You're in. Everyone can come, in fact. Even Akari, although...I don't know if she likes karaoke all that much..." "Still, it's nice to get to know new friends!"Free Time draws to a close.Bonuses Accrued:
Mildred: +1 RES/DEF, +15 EVA
Shiro: +1 DEF/MAG, +10 Crit
Mori: +15 EVA, 1 DEF
Masaru: +2 MAG, +10 Crit
Yui: +1 RES, +1 DEF
Aika: +3 DR
Earnings:
Mori: 100 yen
Yui: 100 yen
Aika: 400 yen
Misa: 100 yen
Some time later....[Now Playing: Ambient Theme 1 ~Rain~]"You need to play with more spirit.""Huh? What do you mean more spirit?""You know, a certain....je ne sais quoi.""Here you go with the French again. What does that even mean?""It means....je ne sais quoi."Otoya put down his cello, sighing. The moonlight was beginning to stream through the windows, as the evening approached. The two had been given special dispensation to remain at school at night, with Ms. Kurenai staying around to keep an eye on them. It was only for the duration of the tournament preparation for security reasons; a few other students were also being given the same privilege, such as Futaba and Sawatari, in preparation for the school play. A few Amamiya students were being allowed to come over, as well; Mishima among them.
"...you know, I think we've done all we can tonight. I'm pretty beat. Besides, I promised Rise I'd help her and Riku out tonight." "Are you sure you're not just making an excuse to avoid practicing? You know, we're running out of time." "Why would I avoid you?" "D-Don't use flattery to avoid the question!"Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupts the two. Otoya looks to Kanna.
"...do you know who that is?"Kanna shakes her head. Otoya turned his back to her to open the door.
As he does so, the young woman felt her legs begin to give out under her, propping herself up with the piano she'd been practicing on. Kanna hissed as she trembled, waiting as she slid onto the chair in front.
"..." "A little longer....please....I can't let go of this dream of mine. Not yet. I can't let go of Otoya....""Is she okay?"The new voice drew Kanna's attention. She looked over to see a young man in an Amamiya uniform. He had an easy charm about him; he wasn't bad on the eyes, and he had the air of the kind of student anyone could get along with. Kanna was just about able to pull herself together.
"Huh?" "Sorry. I noticed you were having a bit of trouble." "I'm sorry, who are you?" "Suigura Kazuya. I'm a transfer student from Amamiya. I was in the area and thought I'd have a little look around and I couldn't help but notice the beautiful music. My, my, you must be Miyazono and Sakurajima, right?" "Yeah?" "Yes?" "Man! It's an honor to meet such genius musicians. You guys are known all over Japan, you know. The Genius Cellist himself...." "Please don't call me that." "Sorry. Not often you see celebrities in person, you know? Unless it's our very own Kanade Mishima, of course." "Glad someone appreciates our skill. But....is there anything we can help you with?"Kazuya took a glance over at Kanna, scanning back over towards Otoya.
"...no, I think I have what I need. Sorry to disturb you, by the way. I hope I wasn't interrupting something." "....Eh?"Kazuya laughed.
"You two will be pretty interesting to see. Ciao!"He waved, walking away, as Otoya's eyes followed him. He turned back to Kanna.
"....that was weird. Sakurajima, are you okay? He mentioned you were having trouble."Mori's words briefly rang in Kanna's head.
No. Not yet. Not until after the recital. I can't let go of that dream. Not yet.She nodded.
"I'm fine, really. Let's get some moon cake before you see Rise and Riku. My treat!"Otoya snorted.
"Your treat, huh? He must've had a point." "Hey!"However, as Kanna giggled, she could still see, in Otoya's eyes, a hint of concern.
As if he suspected something.
"Trust me, it's my treat." "You know, it's my job to treat you, yes, Ri-kun?"Riku rubbed the back of his head, grinning cheekily as he sat down in front of a ramen bowl, Rise with her own bowl. The two were eating at a ramen place in the Old Quarter, not far from Rise's home. A pile of Student Council work lay to the side, all cleared up. Touma had already done his part and gone home for the night; tomorrow, they'd need to re-check the numbers with Masaru but the work he'd done was enough.
"You're always having people's backs, you know. I decided to give you a little lift myself!" "You're quite reliable, Ri-kun. I'm surprised you had the work done so quickly." "Maybe you've rubbed off on me, Rise."Rise smiled. Riku really was a cute guy.
"....say, Ri-kun." "Hm?" "Is there....someone you like?"Riku's cheeks turned red.
"So direct! W-what makes you ask?!" "Well...."She placed the love letter she'd found earlier. At that, Riku blanched.
"I-I can explain! I'm sorry! I-It wasn't meant to be in there! I-I swear, I didn't mean a-anything about what was in it-!" "I hadn't read it, Ri-kun." "...huh?"Riku sighed, relievedly.
"...you scared me, Rise. I thought you'd read it. I...don't know what I would've done if you did." "I would never read something so private, Ri-kun. Don't worry. But....well, do you like someone?"For a moment, Rise swore she saw Riku stare right at her, before his eyes flit away.
"Uh...maybe....I'll tell you some other time. It's kinda difficult to explain."Rise smiled.
"I trust you, Ri-kun." "....hehe, yeah...."Unbeknownst to them, however, another student from their school was keeping a close eye on them.
"...."
Saya whistled to herself as she finished cleaning up her room. She was practically dancing around in her own room, a Coral Star Light tune playing in the background as she finished fixing her room.
"Gonna clean the room, doo doo do doo~ Gonna make everything real nice, doo do doo doo~"Humming to herself to the tune of the music, her gaze fell on a picture of herself and Akihiko, stuck on the mirror. It was the two of them, last year, hanging out at the beach near the coast area downtown. That was a good day; one of a few that year for Akihiko.
"Akkun..."As Saya stared at the picture, smiling at the memory it brought to her face, something changed, for a few brief seconds.
Something appeared in the mirror.
"...."Saya jumped, as that....
thing appeared in the mirror. Lunarian, whatever it had called itself, was here. But it looked....different?
The music was still playing, and whatever it was, had disappeared from the mirror as quickly as it had appeared. Saya stared, wide-eyed, at the mirror, it now reflecting Saya as it should have been.
"What was that?"