Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 7

Disappearing Act & Brain
*Tsugumi is exhausted from band practice and student council every day. Tomoe is worried about her, but what will she do...?*

 Studio
**Tsugumi**(Only two weeks left until Girl Jam... Everyone is improving so much... But me...?)**Himari**Tsugu~? I think we're about ready to finish~.**Tsugumi**... I-I think I'll stay and practice some more.**Moca**Ooh. That's the spirit.**Ran**You shouldn't push too hard. Taking a break is just as-**Tsugumi**It's fine! I won't go all night or anything. I just want to review what we practiced today.**Himari**As long as you're sure, Tsugu... Just don't be too long, okay? I wanna see you bright and happy at school again tomorrow~!**Tsugumi**You will. Thanks! I'm gonna go and ask for some extra time. See you all later.**All**See you~!**Tsugumi**......**Tsugumi**(I have to keep going... I have to catch up with everyone... I have to make this performance a success...!)

 The Next Day
 Haneoka Girls' Academy - Class 1B
**Tsugumi**(I think I went a bit too far yesterday... I can't focus at all in class. This is no good at all...)**Tomoe**... Tsugu, you don't look too good. Are you okay?**Tsugumi**I'm fine... I'm okay...**Tomoe**... Whoa there! Stumbling around like that is "fine," is it? Have you got a fever?**Tsugumi**Hehe... I'm sorry... Oh, I almost forgot. I have a student council meeting. I might be a little late for rehearsals today. I'd better get going...**Tomoe**Wait, Tsugu...!**Tomoe**......

 After School
 Haneoka Girls' Academy - School Gate
**Himari**To~mo~e~! It's time to get rehearsing!**Tomoe**Yeah...**Himari**...? What's the matter?**Tomoe**Did you see Tsugu?**Himari**Now you mention it... I wonder where she's gone. D'you think she went ahead to the studio already?**Tomoe**... She's got a student council meeting today. It's just she looked so sick since lunch... She could hardly stand straight when I spoke to her.**Himari**It does feel like she's been pushing herself a lot, lately. She keeps saying she's fine, but still...**Tomoe**Right? I was hoping I might still catch her, tell her to just go home and get some sleep tonight... Will you come to the student council room with me, Himari?**Himari**Of course!

 Studio
**Ran**Tsugumi said she'll be late today. She has student council.**Moca**Huh... That Tsugu sure is a hard worker. You could say she's pretty "Tsugurific."**Ran**You should probably be more Tsugurific yourself, Moca.**Moca**I'm way Tsugurific. I'm Mocatastic too, baby~... Umm?**Ran**What is it?**Moca**That voodoo thing Himari made me, it's gone. I had it right here on my guitar case~.**Ran**Voodoo thing...? You mean the lucky charm? Did it drop off out on the street or something?**Moca**Mmm... I dunno where it went~...

 Haneoka Girls' Academy - Student Council Room
**Tsugumi**......**Student A**... So we're all in agreement with the budget for the track team? Good. Let's write it up and announce it to the students.**Student B**Hazawa-san, do you think you could write the documents?**Tsugumi**......**Tsugumi**(As soon as this meeting is over, I'll run to the studio for rehearsals. They've probably all started without me...)**Tsugumi**(Huh...? I... I can't move... my body...)**Tsugumi**(... No, no please... I have to get to practice... I have to...)**Student A**... Hazawa-san?! Hazawa-san!!**Tomoe**...! Tsugu! Oi, Tsugumi!!**Himari**Tsugu...?**Tomoe**Himari, call an ambulance! Quick!**Himari**......**Tomoe**Now!!**Himari**...! O-okay!**Tomoe**Ran and the others must be at the studio. I have to call them...!

 Studio
**Ran**Maybe we can keep looking for the charm after practice, Moca.**Moca**Mmm... Can I at least keep looking until Hii-chan and the others get here?**Ran**... They're running pretty late, huh.**Moca**Yeah. Wonder what they're doing. ... Ah. It's raining.**Moca**And I didn't bring my umbrella~. This is all because I lost that lucky charm~. Not that I could fight the rain off with it anyway, but still...**Ran**... Tomoe?