Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 4

Let's practice!
*Ran finds herself unable to focus on practice, while the others are busy with after-school clubs...*

 The Next Day
 Haneoka Girls' Academy - Class 1B
**Himari**To-mo-e~! Good morning~!**Tomoe**Hey, morning.**Tsugumi**Himari-chan, Tomoe-chan. Good morning.**Himari & Tomoe**Good morning~! Morning.**Tsugumi**I was so excited I couldn't sleep at all last night... \*yawn\*...**Himari**I didn't sleep much either~... \*yawn\*...**Tomoe**Why not? Homework?**Himari**...?! I just... I had... things...! I-it's a secret! Hehehe~.**Tomoe**...? Strange girl. I didn't exactly lose sleep, but I've been pretty excited, too.**Tsugumi**You too, Tomoe-chan? I'm glad it wasn't just me. I just couldn't fall asleep, and now I'm feeling so tired... I have a student council meeting after school, too~...**Tomoe**Don't push yourself too hard, Tsugu. I know you like to give 110% with these things.**Tsugumi**I'm not pushing too hard~... Everyone else is still doing more than me. Part time jobs, and band, and clubs... I've got to do better, too...!**Himari**I just love that about you, Tsugu! I feel like I get all this motivation just watching you! I'm gonna ace my tennis practice today, too!**Tsugumi**Himari-chan...! Thank you! We can do it!

 After School
 Student Council
**Student A**Right, we should get those documents ready...**Tsugumi**Ah, I-I'll do it!**Student A**Thanks, that'll really help. I need you to sort and collect up this data here. There's a lot of it, but do you think you can get it done today?**Tsugumi**O-of course!

 Tennis Court
**Student B**Himari~! Come and help me set up the court~!**Himari**Leave it to me! I'll have it done in no time at all!**Student B**Always with a smile, huh Himari~.**Student C**Himari~, do you have that training schedule we talked about?**Himari**Ack... I forgot...**Student B**Himari...**Student C**Uehara-san, about the equipment...**Himari**Ahh...**Student B**Why do you take on all these different tasks like this, Himari...?**Himari**I just like it when people count on me for stuff~! Ahh~, what do I do~?!**Tomoe**Hey, Himari! ... Is something wrong? You look pretty upset.**Himari**Tomoe~! Help me~!

 Studio
**Ran**...**Ran's Dad***Do you understand what that means, to take over the School of Flowers?***Ran**...**Ran**(I'm not focused at all. I haven't got a single idea for a song...)**Moca**Hey~. You're early, Ran.**Ran**You're late.**Moca**Potato, potahto. Come on, Ran, smile~. You know you're cutest when you smile~.**Ran**Cut it out already. Why did you ask to practice just the two of us, anyway?**Moca**Mmm... I dunno, no reason. I just wanted to practice with you~. Hey, is that our new song written out there~?**Ran**It's.. nowhere near ready. I can't show you yet.**Moca**Hmm. Is it a love song, about your dearest Moca~?**Ran**You got me. Come on, let's start.**Ran**...**Moca**Shouldn't you get that?**Ran**No. It's just my dad.**Moca**... Huh. Okay...**Ran**I'm ready.

 Walk Home
**Himari**I am beat~... I didn't think it would go so late today...**Tsugumi**I know what you mean, Himari-chan. My student council meeting was really tough, too...**Moca**Oh, Hii-chan, Tsugu. Are you heading home~?**Tsugumi**Hi Ran-chan, Moca-chan.**Himari**What are you two doing?**Moca**It's a secret~.**Ran**We were in the studio. And you?**Tsugumi**I had a student council meeting and Himari-chan had tennis practice. We just left to go home. So you two were practicing together?**Tomoe**What's everyone doing here?**Himari**To~mo~e~~!**Tomoe**And a hello to you, too. Himari must have had tennis, and Tsugu had student council. Which means Ran and Moca were at the studio?**Ran**More or less.**Tomoe**Great... that's good. You looked pretty tired yesterday, Ran. We were worried. I'm glad to hear you managed to practice today.**Ran**You don't have to worry about me.**Moca**You've got instruments too. Why?**Tomoe**I was just getting them checked out. You know, making sure they sound their best, ready for Girl Jam.**Tsugumi**The three of you, practicing and fixing instruments...**Tomoe**Ever since we decided to take part in Girl Jam, I just haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Just like you, Tsugu.**Moca**Me too~. It's all exciting and buzzing~.**Himari**I already let the staff know we want to apply. I guess I'll get some kind of instructions in the next few days. I'll let you all know as soon as I do!**Tomoe**... Very calm of you, Himari.**Moca**It's weird not seeing her panic like this~. You're not buzzing enough, Hii-chan. Buzz buzz~.**Himari**Hya~?! S-stop that! Tickling me is not going to help~! Ha... haha~! Get off me, Moca~!