Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 9

It is my business!
*The band is worried about Ran when she doesn't show up to class. What will Tomoe do when Ran tells her to mind her own business?*

 The Next Day
 Haneoka Girls' Academy - Class 1B
**Tomoe**Have any of you seen Ran today?**Himari**No, I don't think so.**Moca**Ran~? She's where she always is.**Tomoe**... She hasn't been up on the roof much at all recently. Moca, you should really stop her if you see her heading there.**Moca**Mmm~... Sorry. I'll stop her next time~. So are we starting rehearsals again today?**Tomoe**Yeah. Tsugu won't be able to come yet, but we just don't have enough time left before the show. We'll have to do what we can for now.**Tomoe**Let's make a strong foundation of skill for her to come back to.**Himari**Yeah! Good idea!

 Haneoka Girls' Academy - Roof
**Ran**......**Moca**Ran~?**Moca**It's time for rehearsals~.**Ran**... You go ahead. I'll be down later.**Moca**I mean, it's already later now~. I guess if we're gonna get shouted at, we might as well get it over with together~.**Ran**I'm used to getting shouted at alone. It's all I hear at home.**Moca**You mean, your dad...?**Ran**... Yesterday, he told me I was just pretending in some band fantasy. Said I should just give it up already.**Moca**Band fantasy, huh~. I wanna play the guitarist~.**Ran**I don't think what we're doing is just some fantasy. And I'm not going to give up. And I'm not going to do flower arranging, either...!**Ran**And I keep telling him all this, but...!**Moca**......**Ran**... I'm sorry, Moca. Go to practice. I'll be there later.**Moca**Okay... I'll be waiting.**Ran**......

 Studio
**Moca**Heyo~. I'm late, I'm late~.**Tomoe**Didn't you bring Ran with you?**Moca**She said she'll be around later~.**Himari**Poor Ran...**Tomoe**Let's hope she can make it to practice today.**Himari**Ran! Are you okay? We were so worried.**Ran**I'm fine... There's nothing to worry about.**Himari**B-but... They said you spent all day on the roof, not even going to classes...**Ran**... And what if I did?**Himari**It's just you've been so good with attendance lately, I thought something might be-**Ran**Nothing's wrong. And me not going to class doesn't affect you anyway, Himari.**Himari**M-maybe not, but...**Tomoe**That's not fair, Ran. We're all just worried-**Ran**Well don't be. So what if I am skipping classes? It's none of your business!**Tomoe**None of our business...?**Himari**Tomoe...!**Tomoe**How dare you say that to us! You have no idea just how worried we all are, do you?!**Ran**...!**Tomoe**... We're friends, aren't we? We're supposed to know you better than anyone.**Tomoe**And you tell us it's none of our business...? How can you even say that...?!**Tomoe**I know your family, Ran. I know you must be going through so much, with future plans and whatever else...!**Tomoe**But you don't tell us anything! You don't let us in...!**Himari**Tomoe!**Tomoe**... I'm sorry. I went too far.**Ran**......**Himari**Ran!**Moca**......**Tomoe**... I'm really sorry. I'm the worst.**Himari**I-it's okay!**Himari**Ran's been going through a lot. Tensions are high, and... I think if we all calm down and try again, she'll understand. Right, Tomoe?**Tomoe**... I think I need some fresh air.**Himari**Ah, Tomoe...!**Moca**I'll look for Ran.**Himari**Moca...! They all left... ... Wh-what am I supposed to do...?