Purely Purple/Band Story 1 (Steps to Glory)

**Chapter 1 - If it Shines**

*Emika, a student at Tsukinomori, decides that she’s done just “existing”. She wants a purpose. However, she can’t find a suitable one.*

***Tsukinomori Girls' Academy - Corridor***

**Emika:** Excuse me! Sorry! Can I get through, please?

**Emika (narration):** Hi. My name is Kirasaki Emika. I’ve been going to this school for a while, and the only real friends I have are the ones I’ve had for years.

**Emika (narration):** Yes, I’ve been at this school for a whole year and I’ve only made 3 friends. Well, today’s the first day of my second year of high school, and I’m ready to change that.

**???:** Oh, Emika? What are you doing on the floor?

**Emika:** Oh, hey, Surien. Y’know, just getting trampled by the popular kids!

**Surien:** Sigh..of course. You really need me on speed dial, don’t you?

**Emika:** I could use all three of you on speed dial, knowing me.

*They laugh*

**Emika:** Anyway, any idea when Mao’s going to perfect that peanut butter pie recipe? I’m really ready to sink my teeth into one of her desserts.

**Surien:** Dunno. Sometime this week, I hope. You’re not the only one who loves Mao’s sweets!

**Emika (narration):** That’s Yamishiro Surien. She’s part of my ridiculously small inner circle. She used to be pretty shy, but she’s got more friends now.

***Cafeteria***

**Emika:** I’m starving! Jeez, school really takes a toll on my stomach!

**???:** Well, do I have the thing for you! I’ve been trying out a new recipe!

**Emika & Surien:** Mao!

**Mao:** We’ll just wait for Lillie, and dig in!

**Lillie:** Sorry I’m late! Satou Lillie, always getting caught up in some way or another. That’s just me for you..

**Emika:** Lillie, how much do you need to do in 5 minutes?? In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never been so busy!

**Surien:** You know, good people are always busy.

**Lillie:** Really? I’ve never thought of that, Surien-chan.

**Surien:** I mean, I’d tell you why, but I’m busy right now.

***Tsukinomori Girls' Academy - Courtyard***

**Emika:** Sigh..I wish I had something to do after school. If I clicked enough with other people, I definitely would join a club.

**Emika:** Hey..is that a dragonfly?

**Emika:** That means there’s a new beginning coming..!

**Emika:** I think I’ve found my purpose! Since I play guitar, I think I want to start a band! It’s purely a matter of a dream I’ve had for years!

**Emika:** It’s settled then. I’m starting a band. And I’m going to ask my friends to be my bandmates!

**Chapter 2 - The Plan**

*Emika decides to keep her ambition to start a band and the dragonfly a secret from her friends for the time being. She starts to create a plan for her new goal.*

***The next morning***

***Tsukinomori Girls' Academy - Class 2-A***

**Teacher:** And open your books to page..

**Emika:** (Alright. I need a game plan. Should I tell my friends now, or..?)

**Emika:** \*Sigh\* (I don’t know what to do! I think I’ll keep it a secret until I get a band name and stuff.)

**Mao:** Emika! Earth to Kirasaki!

**Emika:** Huh?

**Mao:** Group project. Me, you, Lillie, and Surien?

**Emika:** Sure! I’ll be right there.

**Emika:** (This band..I want it to be purely based off of my dreams. And that dragonfly was purple. Hey..Purely Purple!)

***After school***

***Park***

**Lillie:** So, Emika-chan, how was school?

**Emika:** Meh.

**Lillie:** Ah, so nothing’s changed?

**Emika:** ‘Course not. It’s me, after all~

**Lillie:** Come on. There’s got to be something different.

**Emika:** Well..I saw a dragonfly. And I got an idea.

**Lillie:** Really?! Tell me! I’m your best friend!

**Emika:** \*Sigh\* Well..I want to start a band! And you’re going to be my bassist!

**Lillie:** Really?! Thank you! This is the best day ever!

**Emika:** Woah, I wouldn’t go that far. And, you’re not going to tell Surien and Mao that they’re going to be in the band, either, okay?

**Lillie:** My lips are sealed, Emika-chan.

**Chapter 3 - Time for a Keyboardist!**

*Lillie and Emika are ready to enlist Surien to be in the band. The problem? She’s always got something to do. Will they be able to recruit her?*

***Outdoor Mall***

**Surien:** And a one! And a two! And a three, four, five!

**Lillie:** Hello, Surien-chan!

**Surien:** Hey, you two! Want to dance?

**Emika:** Nah, we actually came here for a different reason.

*Emika pulls Lillie aside*

**Emika:** So, are we gonna ask her?

**Lillie:** Well..I don’t know. She’s always busy, you know?

**Emika:** I’m sure she can make time for the band if she says yes.

**Lillie:** But..Emika-chan! What if she doesn’t?

**Emika:** Come on, Lillie! Stop worrying!

**Surien:** So, you wanted to ask me to join a band?

**Emika:** How’d you know..?

**Surien:** I could hear you. I’d love to join your band! If you don’t have a keyboardist, I’m your gal!

**Lillie:** Great! It’s settled then! All we need is a drummer, and our lineup is complete!

**Surien:** Perfect! Band on three! One, two, three..

**Emika, Lillie, and Surien:** Band!~

**Chapter 4 - To the Future**

***A Few Days Later***

***CiRCLE***

**Marina:** Oh, it’s you three! Here for your rehearsal?

**Emika:** Yep! It should be under Kirasaki.

**Marina:** Okay! Have fun~

***Studio***

**Lillie:** As fun as this is..for the future of the band, we need a drummer.

**Emika:** Yeah, you’re right. Mao plays the drums, right?

**Surien:** Yes, but she’s got the restaurant too. I’m worried she won’t have enough time to be our drummer.

**Lillie:** Well, we had the same worry with you.

**Surien:** Really? Maybe we shouldn’t worry about Mao having enough free time then.

**Emika:** Let’s focus on this practice. We’ll try our best, right?

**Lillie:** Yes, but isn’t it best to focus on the future, too?

**Surien:** She’s not wrong, Emika.

**Lillie:** What’s wrong? You’re always thinking about the future. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you talk about how awesome the present is.

**Emika:** Nothing. Just..what if this doesn’t work?

**Surien:** It’s going to be fine. Promise. I can lock in the promise at Promise Bridge, if you want.

**Lillie:** It is technically warm enough to swim. If we jumped off as third graders, we can do it again as eleventh graders.

**Emika:** Alright. We’re going to Promise Bridge, gang!

**Chapter 5 - “Childish” Promises**

*Promise Bridge is where the girls met, and they’re back to make another vow. One that they promise to keep for as long as the last one.*

***Promise Bridge***

**Emika:** Looks like we’re here.

**Lillie:** Finally. You guys really had to stop for snacks?

**Surien:** Yes. Yes we did.

**Lillie:** And do we really need to jump off the bridge..?

**Emika:** You can just walk down the side and wade into the water if you’d like.

**Lillie:** What? No! I’m going to jump too.

**Surien:** A shocking change of heart!

**Lillie:** I want to face my fears. Come on guys! Let’s jump!

**Emika:** Alright!

**Emika:** 3, 2, 1..

**Emika, Lillie, and Surien:** We promise that this band will reflect our friendship! Forever!

***River***

**Surien:** It’s so nice!

**Lillie:** You said it!

**Emika:** You guys are right, but..maybe it’s best to go and ask Mao now?

**Surien:** Emika, we need to stay for a little longer! Seriously, you don’t think our customs are childish, right?

**Emika:** No, no, of course not! It’s just..I want to complete the band.

**Lillie:** Come on, Emika-chan. We’re fine with just the three of us now, yeah?

**Emika:** You guys, we need a drummer. How are we supposed to be a band without one?! Do we just have a rhythmless style?! What kind of band is that?!

**Lillie and Surien:** ...!

**Emika:** I’m..sorry. That was really jerky of me. Let’s...let’s go ask Mao.

***Mao’s Restaurant***

**Surien:** (What she said in the river...I’ve never seen her yell like that. She’s always been so fun-loving and carefree...being mad just doesn’t seem like her.)

**Mao:** Hey, guys!

**Emika, Lillie, and Surien:** Hi, Mao!

**Mao:** What brings you all here?

**Lillie:** We’d like to ask you something.

**Emika:** Would you want to join our band? Drum for us?

**Mao:** Er..no. I’m too busy with the restaurant, you guys know that!

**Lillie:** (I..knew she’d say that.)

**Emika:** I-I understand. I..need to go, anyway.