Disorder! Strongest Encounter/Story

* Part 1
* Part 2
* Part 3
* Part 4
* Part 5
* Final Part

RAISE A SUILEN

 **Yuyuko:**You were so nervous the entire meeting!

 **Rui:**O-of course I was! I never thought I would be chosen for the lead role...!

 **Fumi:**The Regional Culture Festival, huh...? It's the first time that Rinmeikan will be participating, so we really need to buckle down.

 **Ichie:**Ms. Ukaji secured this performance for us! She's such a queen!

 **Tamao:**Apparently the organizers have been involved with some of the extracurricular activities at Rinmeikan. Ms. Ukaji used those connections to recommend us.

 **Rui:**It seems like we're the only ones who will be doing a play. I'm so nervous...

 **Yuyuko:**There are choirs, dancers, and bands participating... Everyone else's performances are going to be related to music.

 **Fumi:**The script that we were handed today is also a story about a band. The title is..."Disorder!".

 **Ichie:**It's a story about a young girl who comes from a wealthy family. Although she was brought up facing no inconveniences in life, she runs away to start a rock band in rebellion against her family.

 **Tamao:**Thanks to the fact that she started classical vocal training when she was little, her vocal skills are on par with that of a pro...

 **Fumi:**But she has a bit of a strong personality...so she really struggles to recruit band members.

 **Yuyuko:**The main character butts heads with the other members a number of times as they start to recognize each other's talent, and in the end they successfully pull off their first performance. Talk about a story of youth!

 **Fumi:**The target audience is young people who enjoy music, so we should keep that in mind when working on our character developments.

 **Rui:**(I don't have anything in common with the main character at all... Why did they choose me for the leading role?)

 **Ichie:**Our roles have already been decided, so I want to hurry home to practice! When is Ms. Ukaji going to come back?

 **Tamao:**It looks like she's still talking to one of the organizers. She said she was going to ask if we can borrow some instruments to use as props.

 **Ichie:**Instruments, huh? Sigh. I wanted to perform the concert scene for real...

 **Yuyuko:**You were really persistent during the meeting about actually playing instruments.

 **Fumi:**I understand how you feel, Ichie, but that's impossible. We would need time to practice the instruments, not to mention teachers...

 **Fumi:**Not only that, the roles that we're playing are supposed to be bandsmen who are on par with the pros. Our acting won't be believable if we give a sloppy performance.

 **Rui:**It would feel out of place to put on a mediocre performance in this setting...

 **Ichie:**Then, even if we don't perform for real the day of the show, I want to at least get some real professional bandsmen to mentor us.

 **Fumi:**Who has the connections to pull something like that off...

 **Yuyuko:**Huh? Is that a guitar I hear...? It sounds like something on stage is about to begin.

 **Tamao:**How odd. I didn't hear anything about rehearsals today...

**CHU²:**I don't care if this is just a test. I won't allow you to take it easy. We're going to play with the intent to crush the other participants!

**MASKING:**I get it already!

**LOCK:**G-Got it!

**PAREO:**As you wish, CHU²-sama♪

**LAYER:**All right, then. Let's go!

 **Fumi:**What a high-level performance... I can't believe they're high schoolers like us. They're pros.

 **Yuyuko:**RAISE A SUILEN... According to the program, they perform just before we do.

 **Tamao:**We're going after a performance like that...? The audience's expectations are going to be through the roof.

 **Rui:**(They really are skillful...but the part she said about wanting to crush the other performers is a little scary...)

 **Tamao:**...Huh? Does anyone see Ichie?

 **Fumi:**We might have to start putting her on a leash... Where did she go?

 **Yuyuko:**Ichie-san was really excited and headed over to the stage.

**Rui & Fumi & Tamao:**...!?

**CHU²:**Marvelous! Keep it up for the actual performance.

***\*clap clap clap\****

 **Ichie:**What an amazing performance! It was so moving! You're...RAISE A SUILEN, right?

**CHU²:**...And you are?

**PAREO:**I'm not sure who she is either, but if she's here today, that must mean she's participating in the event.

 **Ichie:**Yes! You hit the nail on the head☆ I'm Ichie Otonashi, a second year student at Rinmeikan Girls School! I'll be participating in a play for the event!

**MASKING:**You were dancing to our music as you approached us, right? What an interesting person.

**CHU²:**Stop! I have to cut the conversation there. Our goal for today isn't to become friends with the other performers.

 **Ichie:**Goal...? There isn't supposed to be a rehearsal today. Did you guys just get up on stage without permission!?

**CHU²:**No! This stage is different from the one we usually perform on, so we got special permission to do a sound check. It's an important step we have to take to deliver the strongest music.

 **Ichie:**I see! You must be really particular about your sound then!

 **Fumi:**Hey! Ichie! Why did you go running off on your own!

 **Ichie:**S-Sorry! Not the iron claw!

 **Tamao:**Hello. I'm Tamao Tomoe, a second year student at the Performance Association. ...Please excuse the behavior of one of our students.

**LAYER:**Don't worry about it. She's not bothering us at all. I'm the bassist and vocalist of RAISE A SUILEN, LAYER.

**MASKING:**I'm MASKING, the drummer.

**LOCK:**I'm the guitarist, LOCK! N-Nice to meet you.

**PAREO:**My name is PAREO, the keyboardist♪ Please remember me!

**CHU²:**...I'm the producer of RAS, and also the DJ, CHU².

 **Fumi:**...I apologize for all the fuss. I'm Fumi Yumeoji, a second year student at Rinmeikan Girls School.

 **Rui:**I-I'm Rui Akikaze, a first year.

 **Yuyuko:**I'm also a first year. My name is Yuyuko Tanaka.

 **Tamao:**I really enjoyed your performance just now. It's as if I could feel your music deep in my soul...

**LAYER:**Thank you. So you guys are putting on a play?

 **Tamao:**That's right. It's a play based on a rock band.

**MASKING:**Really, that's nice! What is it about?

**Ukaji:**Sorry to have kept you waiting, everyone.

 **Fumi:**Tamao, it looks like Ms. Ukaji is finished. We should get going...

 **Tamao:**Right. Sorry, we have to excuse ourselves for today. Let's both work hard to prepare for the day of the show.

**LAYER:**Yeah, let's make it a great performance.

**LAYER:**Heh heh, they were an interesting group of girls. What are you doing, Masuki?

**MASKING:**I exchanged contact information with that Ichie girl, so I'm registering it into my phone. She said something about wanting to talk about something.

Welcome to Rinmeikan

**CHU²:**Ugh...! Why do I have to go along too!

**LAYER:**CHU², it's not far from where we were rehearsing. Let's help them out a little.

**MASKING:**It's a play about a band, so it would be better to have a producer's perspective, don't you think?

 **Tamao:**Thank you for coming all the way to Rinmeikan after a long rehearsal.

**MASKING:**No need to be so formal. We only accepted Ichie's request to mentor you all because it sounded interesting.

**LAYER:**It's not like you're really going to be playing instruments during the show, right?

 **Ichie:**It would have been cool if we could though! We're planning to playback a recording during the concert scene.

 **Tamao:**We were hoping that today you could teach us how to hold our instruments properly and give us some feedback about the staging.

**MASKING:**Okay. Then let's split up and get to work.

Keyboard Part

**PAREO:**Fumi-san, sorry for making you wait. I was giving some jerky to CHU²-sama.

 **Fumi:**You're really devoted to CHU²-san. I feel like your relationship goes beyond a normal band member and their producer. It's almost as if you're her servant...

**PAREO:**That's right, Fumi-san. I'm CHU²-sama's keyboard maid♪

 **Fumi:**Keyboard...maid?

**PAREO:**That's right, CHU²-sama's keyboard maid♪

 **Fumi:**(She's a little odd, but her keyboard skills are top-notch.)

 **Fumi:**...So when I need to play the keyboard, is this okay?

**PAREO:**Oh! Fumi-san, do you by chance have experience playing?

 **Fumi:**Yes, I played the piano. How did you know?

**PAREO:**I can tell by looking at the way you rest your hands on the keys♪ In that case, I think you'll get the hang of the keyboard pretty quickly. Let's start with your stance...

Drum Part

 **Ichie:**I'm ready to be your disciple! I don't have any experience with drums, but I'm confident in my ability to keep a beat!

**MASKING:**I thought so when we first met as well, but...you're really cute.

 **Ichie:**Thanks☆ I used to be an idol♪

**MASKING:**What, really!?

 **Ichie:**Do you like cute things, MASKING-chan? This bunny jacket that I posted online is really cute.

**MASKING:**Oh, thanks. I don't post anything myself though. Ichie, let's stop chit-chatting and get to work.

 **Ichie:**Oh, right! Let's do it. Tadah! I bought my own drumsticks for this!☆

Guitar Part

**LOCK:**I'm LOCK, the guitarist. And you're...Tanaka-san, right?

 **Yuyuko:**You can just call me Yuyuko.

**LOCK:**B-But we just met!

**LOCK:**Have you played any instruments before...Y-Yuyuko-chan?

 **Yuyuko:**The shamisen...

**LOCK:**Th-The shamisen!? Whoa!

 **Yuyuko:**...Would be nice to learn.

**LOCK:**... Umm... So you don't have much experience then?

 **Yuyuko:**As of right now at least. But someday I'd like to play the shamisen for a rakugo performance...

**LOCK:**(Wow! I know about the guitar, but I don't know much about the shamisen! She's a very laid back person. I hope this goes well.)

Bass and Vocal Part

**LAYER:**Tomoe-san will be playing the bassist, while Akikaze-san will be playing the vocalist, right? Try picking up the bass, Tomoe-san.

 **Tamao:**...Like this?

**LAYER:**It might be better to make the strap shorter. Also, the finger placement for your left hand should be...

 **Rui:**(Ahh! Tamao-senpai with a bass is such a beautiful sight! I need to burn this image into my memory.)

**CHU²:**...

 **Yuyuko:**Phew. It's finally break time. Huh? Ichie-san, what's that...?

 **Ichie:**This is a custom practice pad for the drums! MASKING-chan taught me how to make it.

 **Ichie:**First, I reinforce a magazine with duct tape, then put a rag inside, and...there! Now I can practice my drumming whenever I want☆

 **Fumi:**She was hitting the cushions before, so I stopped her. I'm glad you learned a better method.

**MASKING:**Hey, everyone. I made donuts, so come and get some.

 **Tamao:**I'll prepare some drinks too. Rui-chan, will you give me a hand?

 **Rui:**Yes, absolutely!

 **Tamao:**Do you bake often, MASKING-san?

**MASKING:**Kind of. I bake a lot of cakes.

**PAREO:**Massu-san's desserts are all the rave among the RAS members♪

**LOCK:**The sweet potato tart she made last time was amazing!

 **Yuyuko:**\*munch\* Oh, this is really good...! No one would ever guess that MASKING-san's hobby was making sweets just by looking at her.

 **Fumi:**Yuyuko, that's so rude!

**MASKING:**Haha, don't worry about it! I hear that all the time.

 **Rui:**...

**MASKING:**Hey, Rui. Are you holding yourself back? I made these because Ichie told me that they were your favorite.

 **Rui:**Th-Thank you! \*nom\* Th-This is...delicious!

**MASKING:**Haha, I'm glad you like it. I just so happened to have some pancake mix left over.

 **Tamao:**These donuts are really good. Will you share the recipe with me?

**MASKING:**Sure. I'll send it to you later.

**LAYER:**Do you bake too, Tomoe-san?

 **Tamao:**Sometimes. I usually cook more than bake, though.

 **Rui:**Ta-Tamao-senpai's family owns a restaurant...! Her baking is delicious too, but she makes amazing traditional Japanese food! Her flavorful simmered dishes are to die for...!

 **Yuyuko:**Rui, what are you getting so competitive about?

 **Fumi:**...It's about time for us to go back to rehearsing.

 **Yuyuko:**Time flies when you're having fun...

**CHU²:**...Can I talk to you all for a second?

 **Tamao:**CHU²-san? Is something wrong?

**CHU²:**I was hoping to see you go through a full rehearsal... We might be able to give you some advice about other details as well.

**LAYER:**That's true. I also want to see it.

 **Tamao:**All right. That's okay with everyone, right?

**Yuyuko & Ichie & Fumi:**Yes!

 **Rui:**(What is this feeling... I'm kind of anxious to act in front of CHU²-san.)

The Missing Piece

 **Rui:****(Akika)**
"I've seen you play online. You're amazing. I'm here today to recruit you for my band."

 **Fumi:****(Fumina)**
"...!"

 **Rui:****(Akika)**
"Did you listen to my vocals in the recording I sent you?"

 **Fumi:****(Fumina)**
"Y-Yeah, you're really good. I think it would be fun to perform together with someone like you."

 **Rui:****(Akika)**
"Then...!"

 **Fumi:****(Fumina)**
"B-But I can't join a band. I've never even performed on stage before... There has to be someone who is better suited than me..."

 **Rui:****(Akika)**
"I don't like that way of thinking. What do you want to do?"

 **Fumi:****(Fumina)**
"Well..."

 **Rui:****(Akika)**
"I believe that we can create amazing music. Let's change the world together!"

**CHU²:**...

***\*clap clap clap\****

**LAYER:**It's really cute how the bassist, Mao, that Tomoe-san plays shows her true face to the other band members when she's usually very dry and mature.

**MASKING:**The drummer that Ichie plays, Oto, is kind of similar to me. The more we play, the more into it we get and end up adding in too much improv. ...And then I get scolded by CHU².

**LOCK:**I'm glad that the guitarist that Yuyuko-chan plays, Yu, was able to form her dream band. She only removes her sunglasses when she's playing. That gap in her image is so cool.

**PAREO:**The keyboardist, Fumina, that Fumi-san plays looks just like your average honor student, but it's cute how crazy she gets when she's performing♪ It was a great show, don't you think, CHU²-sama?

**CHU²:**It really was an exciting show. Even though you're still in your rehearsal stages, your quality was pretty solid.

 **Ichie:**Heh heh, yay!

 **Yuyuko:**It's kind of embarrassing to get compliments from people who are actually in the field.

**CHU²:**...But! I was really disappointed with you, Rui Akikaze.

 **Rui:**...!!

**MASKING:**H-Hey! CHU²...!

 **Fumi:**Hold on. I want to hear what she has to say.

**MASKING:**...

**CHU²:**Rui, your acting as a person who is serious about being in a band is missing something...

 **Rui:**(Something that Yukko and the others have that I don't...!?)

**CHU²:**The audience at this event is going to be full of music lovers. That's why I think they're going to notice the unnaturalness in Rui's acting...

**CHU²:**If that is the level you are putting forth in the lead role, then Rinmeikan will not receive rave reviews.

 **Rui:**...!

**LOCK:**CHU²!? You've gone too far...

 **Fumi:**No, I don't think she has. After running through the entire show, I think I understand what she means.

 **Fumi:**Rui, try thinking a little more about the feelings of a bandsman.

 **Rui:**Fumi-senpai... I understand...

 **Rui:**(\*sigh\* I thought I was used to getting harsh feedback...)

 **Rui:**(It's my fault that the mood between the RAS members got so tense... Thanks to that, I've caused problems for Tamao-senpai too...)

**LAYER:**...Akikaze-san, do you have a minute?

 **Rui:**L-LAYER-san? Sure...

***\*clank\****

 **Rui:**(LAYER-san drinks her coffee straight... It matches her mature image.)

 **Rui:**(Someone like LAYER-san has probably never gotten scolded during a rehearsal before...)

**LAYER:**...Do you...like flowers?

 **Rui:**Huh?

**LAYER:**You stopped in front of the flower bed.

 **Rui:**Oh, Tamao-senpai takes care of the flowers here... Whenever I look at the flowers, they remind me of Tamao-senpai's kindness, so I just...

**LAYER:**Heh heh, I see. You really like Tomoe-san, huh?

 **Rui:**I-I don't know if I would put it that way...! It's more like...I look up to her.

**LAYER:**Tomoe-san really is kind. She cares a lot about her friends. I can understand your adoration of her.

**LAYER:**Even though they're both leaders, she and CHU² are completely different types.

 **Rui:**That's...

**LAYER:**...You know, I'm always getting yelled at by CHU² during rehearsals.

 **Rui:**Oh, really?

**LAYER:**CHU² is always really blunt when she speaks, so I was a little surprised in the beginning...but that just means she's serious.

 **Rui:**Serious?

**LAYER:**She doesn't hold back and says what she truly thinks. She doesn't compromise for anyone. I realized that that's just how serious CHU² is.

**LAYER:**CHU² speaks her mind and faces us seriously... That's why we're able to seriously live up to her expectations.

 **Rui:**RAS produces such amazing music because the members share their true thoughts with each other...

 **Rui:**(Is LAYER-san trying to tell me something? That has to be what my acting is missing...)

 **Tamao:**...Thank you for today.

**MASKING:**The next time we see you will be the day of the show. Rui, don't let yourself get too down about what CHU² said.

**CHU²:**...

 **Rui:**(I wasn't able to talk to CHU²-san properly after that happened. I still don't know what it is that I'm missing...)

 **Rui:**(But I'm going to prove myself with my acting during the actual performance...!)

**Ukaji:**Thank goodness. I made it in time to see you all off. I apologize for not being around to assist today.

**PAREO:**Don't worry about it♪ Thanks for having us. Thank you for taking the time in your busy schedule to see us off.

**Ukaji:**PAREO-san, pardon my rude request, but do you have a moment before you leave?

**PAREO:**Me? What could this be about...?

Unexpected Technical Difficulties

***\*restless chatter\****

 **Ichie:**It's a super full house today! People are really excited about this event!

 **Fumi:**They did say that they invited a popular artist to bring in the crowd. The audience is also young, so the venue is full of life.

 **Yuyuko:**...Oh, Rui?

 **Rui:**(CHU²-san told me I was missing something... I tried to figure it out, but performance day came before I could...)

 **Yuyuko:**Rui, you look so stiff! Tamao-senpai, can you do something about Rui's nerves?

 **Rui:**Y-Yukko!

 **Tamao:**Rui-chan, calm down. It will be okay. I'm sure the performance will go smoothly.

 **Ichie:**That's right! Don't just hold everything inside. Try to rely on all of us a little more!

 **Rui:**Tamao-senpai, Ichie-senpai, Fumi-senpai...

 **Fumi:**(Rui... It looks like she's still confused about how to portray her character. I hope that watching RAS perform today will give her the inspiration she needs...)

***Yeaaaaaahh!***

 **Tamao:**The audience is really fired up. I wonder if it's because RAS is up soon.

 **Ichie:**I think there are a lot of people who came today specifically because they wanted to see RAS. I also want to see MASKING-chan's drumming live!

 **Yuyuko:**...Oh?

**CHU²:**Why!? Everything went so perfectly during rehearsal...!

**LOCK:**I can't believe CHU²-san is having technical difficulties right before we go on...

**CHU²:**There's no problem with any of your instruments, right? I'll fix this right away, so just buy me some time! PAREO, come help me out!

**PAREO:**Of course!

**LAYER:**...LOCK, Masuki, are you ready?

**LOCK:**Of course!

**MASKING:**Ahh, let's hold the audience over until they're ready!

**LAYER:**Let's go, you two!

 **Tamao:**That's odd. RAS's performance has started...but CHU²-san and PAREO-san aren't on stage.

 **Fumi:**...It looks like they're having some technical difficulties. But LAYER-san and the others are getting the audience even more fired up in the meantime. They're real pros.

 **Rui:**Even though there were no issues during the rehearsal, I can't believe they're suddenly having technical problems...

 **Ichie:**I-It'll be okay. CHU²-chan is amazing! I'm sure she'll fix everything in no time!

 **Yuyuko:**It looks like CHU²-san is struggling. It's probably going to take some time to fix.

 **Rui:**No way...!

 **Fumi:**Right now, the other RAS members are captivating the audience with their individual skills, but they can't go on like this for very long...

 **Tamao:**We owe RAS for helping us out with our acting. Isn't there anything we can do to help...?

 **Ichie:**Hey! What if we get up on stage and do some improv until the problem is fixed?

 **Fumi:**Ichie, we can't do that.

 **Ichie:**Wh-Why not!?

 **Fumi:**RAS are really particular about the world they create when they perform. If we just suddenly barge onto the stage, we'll ruin the atmosphere.

 **Ichie:**Y-You're right, we'll stick out like a sore thumb in our school uniforms. Then what should we do!?

 **Tamao:**At the very least, if we had costumes, we could at least try to fit into the atmosphere that RAS created...

**Ukaji:**Everyone, can I have your attention for a minute?

 **Ichie:**Ms. Ukaji, are those costumes you're holding...RAS stage outfits!?

 **Tamao:**Why do you have those?

**Ukaji:**I wanted to make RAISE A SUILEN's costumes, so I got permission to beforehand.

**Ukaji:**I brought them with me to show them to PAREO-san, but if they can prove to be useful in any way...

 **Tamao:**Fumi, do you think we can get up on stage if we wear these costumes?

 **Fumi:**Yeah. I would have wanted to get CHU²-san's permission, but this is an emergency.

 **Ichie:**Ms. Ukaji, nice assist! ...But are there only 2 sets?

**Ukaji:**Sorry, I didn't finish in time... Right now I only have Akikaze-san and Yumeoji-san's costumes.

 **Ichie:**Wh-What!? There's no costume for me!?

 **Fumi:**I'm going to change and get up on stage with RAS right away. Rui, what are you going to do?

 **Rui:**...!

 **Ichie:**Rui, should I put your costume on and go out for you instead?

 **Tamao:**Ichie, Rui-chan's costume wouldn't fit you properly...

 **Rui:**Um, I...!

***\*restless chatter\****

**Spectator A:**Why aren't the keyboardist and the DJ on stage?

**Spectator B:**I wonder if something happened.

**LAYER:**(The audience is starting to get suspicious. CHU²...!)

 **Rui:****(CHU²)**
"Let's go, PAREO!"

 **Fumi:****(PAREO)**
"Yes, mistress♪"

**LOCK & LAYER & MASKING:**...!?

**LAYER:**(Akikaze-san and Yumeoji-san are on stage in costume!?)

**CHU²:**What's...What's going on!?

Collaboration

 **Rui:****(CHU²)**
"Let's go, PAREO!"

 **Fumi:****(PAREO)**
"Yes, mistress♪"

**CHU²:**What's...What's going on!?

**LAYER:**(Akikaze-san and Yumeoji-san are up on stage in place of CHU² and PAREO...!?)

 **Rui:****(CHU²)**
"Let's start the performance of our lives!"

 **Fumi:****(PAREO)**
"Yes, PAREO♪"

**CHU²:**They're just imitating mine and PAREO's performance...? Wait, no, this isn't just some imitation...!?

**LAYER:**(Impressive. Those two aren't even performing, but they have a similar energy that CHU² and PAREO give off.)

**MASKING:**(Haha, their performance has so much intensity! I can't let them outdo me!)

**LOCK:**(It's like CHU²-san's performance and PAREO-san's keyboard technique are on full display!)

**CHU²:**They didn't have any time to prepare. Just to be able to improv like this, it's so crazy! Is this what Stage Girls are capable of!?

***Yeaaaaaahh!***

**LAYER:**(Looks like it's going well... The audience is really getting into it. If this keeps up...!)

**PAREO:**...CHU²-sama! Looks like we have the green light!

**CHU²:**OK! Looks like our technical issues are resolved. PAREO, get back here and start getting ready for the performance!

**PAREO:**We'll finally be able to perform together as RAS! Let's switch out with them.

**CHU²:**Not so fast. We need them to take responsibility for making a huge mess of RAS's stage.

 **Fumi:**(PAREO-san is coming over... That must mean they fixed their problems. Let's get ready to switch out. Rui?)

 **Rui:**(Understood! I'll switch with CHU²-san...)

**CHU²:**You guys have guts to cause a scene up on RAS's stage! The real stage starts now. You don't plan on running away, do you?

**Rui & Fumi:**...!?

**LAYER:**Will you be able to keep up with RAS when we aren't holding back?

 **Rui:**(RAS is challenging us...! We can't back down here if we are to understand what it means to be bandsmen...)

 **Rui:**(You got it, CHU²-san! I'll bring the sound!)

 **Fumi:**(Rui is really fired up...! I can't lose to her.)

***Yeaaaaaahh!***

**Spectator A:**RAS is starting their performance with all 7 members!

**Spectator B:**The two CHU²'s are going to fight!? They've riled each other up... I've never seen a performance like this!

 **Tamao:**Good work, Rui-chan. Use this towel.

 **Rui:**Thank you, Tamao-senpai.

 **Ichie:**You did some good work too, Fumi☆ Don't get all defensive! I wouldn't tease you in a moment like this.

 **Fumi:**Oh, really now? Thanks for the towel and water.

 **Tamao:**...I would have never imagined you two performing with RAS after they ironed out the technical issues...

 **Rui:**We couldn't leave the stage after CHU²-san came at us like that... I was relived when they let us go after one song.

 **Fumi:**We are almost up. Let's get the stage ready after we take a bit of a break.

 **Tamao:**Rui-chan, how is your body holding up?

 **Rui:**I'm doing perfectly fine! I'll go to the stage as soon as I change into my costume.

 **Yuyuko:**What a strong response. You wouldn't think that would come on the heels of making a huge scene on RAS's stage.

 **Rui:**We weren't making a scene...!

 **Rui:**But we would have been swallowed up in their sound if we didn't fight back...

 **Tamao:**Rui-chan seems like she's brimming with confidence after she came off stage. What did she find there?

 **Rui:**Yes!

**Fumi & Ichie & Yuyuko:**...

 **Fumi:**(That performance with RAS was the jumpstart that Rui needed. I think our performance will go off without a hitch.)

 **Rui:**(Standing on the same stage as RAS, I realized...)

Rui's Performance

 **Narrator:**This is the story of a girl, born into a family of musicians, finding her own voice by forming a rock band.

 **Akika:**"Everyone looks at me as the daughter of famous musicians. But it wasn't me who was held in such high regard, it was my parents."

 **Akika:**"I trained in classical music from a young age. But I've always wanted to start a rock band."

 **Akika:**"That's why I ran away from home, so I could form the most powerful band and be recognized throughout the world."

 **Akika:**"I've seen you play online. You're amazing. I'm here today to recruit you for my band."

 **Fumina:**"I can't be a part of a band. I've never even been up on stage. There's got to be someone more qualified..."

 **Akika:**"I don't like that way of thinking. What do you want to do?"

 **Fumina:**"...!"

 **Akika:**"...Why do you refuse my invitation!? You are more than just a supporting piece."

 **Mao:**"I'm sorry, I just can't join."

 **Akika:**"You've just been doing your job like an adult. But wait until you hear me sing before refusing!"

 **Mao:**"...!"

 **Akika:**"I'm scouting you as the drummer for my band."

 **Oto:**"Sorry, I'll pass. You won't be able to keep the band together with me in it."

 **Akika:**"Those bands you were in previously just couldn't keep up with you. You'll be able to unleash your full potential in my band."

 **Oto:**"...!"

 **Akika:**"You're back again? You didn't make the cut. I don't need someone who is just going to blend in with everyone else."

 **Yu:**"I've always wanted to be in a band. I knew it had to be your band when I performed with you last time."

 **Yu:**"I refuse to give up on joining your band. This is my real sound... Listen to it!"

 **Akika:**"...!"

 **Akika:**"Today marks the day when us five come together for our first concert. Let's let the world know who we are!"

**Yu & Fumina & Mao & Oto:**"Yeah!"

 **Rui:**(My performance was missing something...)

 **Rui:**(I was focusing too much on the protagonist's arrogance and not listening to the sound they were producing. I'm not a one-girl show...)

 **Rui:**(If we don't butt heads with each other, we'll never be able to create a good sound... When we did butt heads, however, I needed to listen to the sound they were producing.)

 **Rui:**(Bandsmen and Stage Girls are one and the same... CHU²-san probably wanted to communicate that to me.)

**CHU²:**(Unbelievable! You're doing great, Rui...!)

 **Fumi:**Great work, everyone. I think the stage went off well. You did well too, Rui.

 **Rui:**Fumi-senpai... It's thanks to everyone, including RAS.

 **Yuyuko:**The audience was really eating it up. The energy in there felt more like a concert rather than a stage.

 **Tamao:**I think we can take that as evidence that the music lovers in the audience liked us.

 **Ichie:**The audience was great from the get-go☆ Us crashing RAS's stage probably became promotion for our stage.

 **Fumi:**I only went out there to help, but it ended up helping us out as well. I can't say how grateful I am to everyone from RAS.

 **Tamao:**Let's go visit them. We need to apologize for crashing their stage anyway.

 **Rui:**(Ugh, I'm so nervous... What is CHU²-san going to say to me...?)

RAS's Dressing Room

***\*knock knock\****

 **Tamao:**Excuse me. It's Tomoe from Rinmeikan.

**LAYER:**Everyone came to say hi. Akikaze-san and Yumeoji-san really helped us out there on stage. Thank you.

**LOCK:**I was so surprised! It was like there were two members of RAS on stage...!

 **Yuyuko:**Hehe. Rui can do anything she sets her mind to.

**MASKING:**You guys were awesome! Thanks a lot.

 **Ichie:**I'm going to blush if you praise me like that, MASKING-chan☆

**PAREO:**Your collab with RAS is really making waves on social media♪

 **Fumi:**I was worried that RAS fans wouldn't be too keen about us, but I can relax a bit if the reviews aren't bad.

 **Rui:**H-Hey...CHU²-san... I'm sorry about what happened on stage...

**CHU²:**Actually, I'm going to thank you as the producer. It's all thanks to you that the crowd was warmed up for our stage.

**CHU²:**Also...about...

 **Rui:**...?

**CHU²:**About you... I have a slightly better opinion of you... But only slightly!

**CHU²:**Your performance today...wasn't that bad.

 **Rui:**CHU²-san...

**MASKING:**Haha. You really are trash at praising people, CHU².

**CHU²:**Shut up, MASKING! I wasn't even really complimenting her...

**LAYER:**Because you aren't being sincere...

 **Ichie:**Hey, do you guys want to have a party later?

**CHU²:**Sorry, but RAS has some reflecting to do after this.

**CHU²:**I felt a bunch of new possibilities for RAS through today's performance... I need to get back and come up with plans.

**MASKING:**You can do that tomorrow, right? Wouldn't it be better if we got to talk with everyone some more?

**LOCK:**Everyone from Rinmeikan took good care of us, it would be sad to say our goodbyes here.

**LAYER:**CHU², let's join them. PAREO, you agree with me, right?

**PAREO:**Yes♪ CHU²-sama's place is too far away for us to invite you to, so let's go somewhere nearby for today.

 **Ichie:**I saw a good restaurant on my way here. I'll make a reservation for all of us.

**CHU²:**Hey! Don't just decide this without me!

 **Fumi:**Heh, this restaurant... It looks like their homemade jerky is something special.

**PAREO:**The review sites say that it is exquisite, CHU²-sama♪

**CHU²:**......! Well, if you all are going to be so insistent, I guess we have to go...

**Rui & Fumi & PAREO:**Heh heh.

**CHU²:**Rui! You laughed! There is still some room for improvement for your concert scene that I want to talk to you about!

 **Rui:**Whaaat!? I-I'm sorry!