Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 10

Birds of a Feather
*Moca confides in Lisa during their shift at the convenience store. What advice will Lisa give her?*

 Walk Home
**Himari**......**Himari**(There was no way we could start practice again after that... Everyone just left, not knowing what to say...)**Himari**I never noticed how long the walk back home is, until I walked it on my own...**Himari**(The five of us have been together for so long now... I only now realize how lonely it is without them.)**Himari**(I couldn't do anything to keep everyone together tonight... And I call myself leader... It's laughable.)**Himari**... We'll perform together again though, right...?

 The Next Day
 Convenience Store
**Lisa**Thank you for shopping with us~.**Moca**... Cheers~.**Lisa**Moca... You're getting worse with these thank you's, you know.**Moca**I'm seeing how far I can go with it~. The other day I said "Hank's view" and they didn't even notice~.**Lisa**Haha, you did? That's crazy! If only you were that dedicated in your actual work.**Moca**Hehehe~. Lisa-san, compliments will get you nowhere~.**Lisa**Definitely not a compliment! ... Oh, from Yukina.**Moca**You've been friends with Minato-san a long time, right?**Lisa**Yeah. We're neighbors, you see. We must have known each other more than 10 years now... Same with you and Ran though, right?**Moca**Yeah... I mean, I guess so...**Lisa**Hmm? Is something wrong~?**Lisa**Huh. I didn't know Ran's family owned a flower arranging school.**Lisa**... So then what? I mean, I can see why Ran has problems, but how did you react to them?**Moca**React...?**Lisa**She came to you and told you all of this right? And it was emotional enough for her to burst out the studio. So what did you do?**Moca**What did I do...?**Moca**I... I always listen to her problems... and I try to do what I can to make her feel less stressed...**Lisa**Okay. So what do you want her to do?**Moca**I... I don't want her to quit the band. I want her to always be with us, so... I want her to face her problems at home... but that's just me...**Lisa**That's good. And I think you should tell her exactly that. All of it, just how you told me.**Moca**All of it...**Lisa**You're sweet, Moca. You're worried she might not want to hear what you have to say, aren't you?**Moca**I... Maybe...**Lisa**If Ran's really that important to you, it's no longer enough just being there for her.**Lisa**Being her friend... her best friend, means that you have to make sure she doesn't go down any wrong roads, take any wrong paths.**Moca**No longer enough...**Lisa**... That was probably just me trying to sound cool. Hehe. The truth is, I'm kind of worried about Yukina, too... She tries to do everything herself, too.**Lisa**I always promised I'd be right by her side, as long as she was happy. Just standing there, wondering if she was making the right choices.**Lisa**... Thinking back on it now, I wasn't doing enough either.**Lisa**I guess we're quite similar, you and me. ... That's why I don't want you to make the same mistake I did.**Moca**......**Moca**Me and you, we're similar...**Lisa**At least, I think so.**Moca**I think... I'm probably cuter, though~.**Lisa**... Haha! Hahaha! You are a strange one, Moca~. Maybe we're not so alike after all! I just think you should try talking to Ran again.**Lisa**I know you're not the most communicative pair... but there's no harm in trying, right? You're not going to fall out over something like this. Give it a go!**Moca**If I do fall out and smash into tiny little pieces, scatter them over the ocean for me~.**Lisa**Okay, sure. Anything you want, my cute little Moca.**Moca**It is great being so cute~.**Lisa**Okay, okay! Man, Ran really has some skill handling you, doesn't she?**Moca**Hehehe~, she does~. So I'll do my best, for her. I'll let you know how it goes, Lisa-san.**Lisa**I'll be waiting.