Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 1

Same as always
*Ran gets a phone call in the middle of practice. After seeing the look on Ran's face, Tomoe is concerned.*

 Studio
**Tomoe**... Okay. I think we've got this song down.**Himari**Yeah we do! That's the power of friendship! We childhood friends of Afterglow are invincible~!**Moca**You say that now~. I'm pretty sure you missed a beat in the first verse there, Hii-chan.**Himari**Ahh...**Tsugumi**E-even so, that was really well done, Himari-chan.**Moca**Really well done, Himari-chan~.**Himari**Hmph!**Tomoe**Come on Moca, leave her alone.**Moca**Fine~.**Tomoe**How did you think it went, Ran?**Ran**... The same as always, really.**Himari**There's the catchphrase, "Same as always"!**Moca**Ooh.**Ran**... Don't say it like that.**Tsugumi**We know what you mean, Ran-chan. "The same amazing sound as always." It's a good thing!**Tomoe**For us, the best we can be is the "same as always." That way we know we're still putting out the best music possible.**Moca**I'm getting tired of staying cooped up in this studio, though~. I wanna try performing live some time~.**Himari**Great idea! I think I wanna try performing live some time too!**Ran**I'm in.**Tomoe**Me too. It'll be good to get back on stage thrashing the drums again.**Tsugumi**And I'll do my best on the keyboard, too!**Moca**And Hii-chan will get all emotional and cry again, I bet~.**Himari**What? I... That was just one time, and... Hmph! Stop teasing me, Moca~!**Tomoe**Haha. Try not to let her win too much, Himari. ... Oh wow, it looks like our time's nearly up already.**Moca**Hmm... I'm hungry~.**Tsugumi**Hehe. Maybe we should stop by that bakery, then. The one you really like.**Moca**Perfect, Tsugu. Exactly what I wanted to hear~.**Tomoe**First things first, let's all tidy up the studio.**Himari**I'll go and settle the bill, then. Everyone, money over this way!**Moca**How much was it again?**Himari**The same as last time~!**Moca**Right... so... 100 yen?**Himari**You know that's not right!**Tsugumi**Haha!**Ran**...?**Ran**...**Moca**... Ran?

**Himari**All done! I went ahead and put in our next reservation, too.**Tsugumi**And we're all done cleaning up.**Himari**Nice timing! All that's left is to head on home.**Moca**... Hey. Where's Ran?**Ran**... Sorry. I had to take a call.**Moca**...**Tomoe**Are you feeling okay, Ran? You look kinda tired...**Ran**I'm fine... Let's go. We don't want the bakery to close on us.**Moca**Wait, wait, hold on! Yamabuki Bakery closes... does that mean...?**Ran**You don't get any bread.**Moca**But... that's not good! That's really not good...!**Ran**We'd better get moving, then.**Himari**After all this time, it still amazes me how Ran follows Moca's wandering mind like that.**Tsugumi**Of course we're all great childhood friends, but those two have something special. On stage and off, they're like two bodies with one mind.**Tomoe**They don't even need words to communicate any more. It's all pure feelings.**Tsugumi**Yeah! That's a great way to describe it.**Moca**What are you guys talking about~? We have to go, before the bread disappears~.**Ran**Let's go, Moca.**Himari**Hey, wait for me~! Hmph! They're always doing this...!**Tomoe**Same as always, I guess.**Tsugumi**Haha, oh yeah.**Tomoe**Moca, Ran, the music... I'm glad it's all the "same as always."**Tsugumi**Me too.**Himari**Tomoe! Tsugu! Come on, come on~!**Tomoe**Yes, yes. I guess we should get going, too.**Tsugumi**Okay!