A Fleeting Performance/Card Story

* Episode
* Special Episode

**Transcript**

 Haneoka Girls' Academy
 Class 2A

Lisa
Kaoru and Hina sure are courageous~. And then, there's me... Sigh~.
**Lisa**: Kaoru and Hina sure are courageous~. And then, there's me... Sigh~.

Hina
What's up, Lisa-chi~? Something wrong?
**Hina**: What's up, Lisa-chi~? Something wrong?

Kaoru
Ahh~, Lisa... What a melancholic face... Tell me, what is it that troubles you such that you must sigh?
**Kaoru**: Ahh~, Lisa... What a melancholic face... Tell me, what is it that troubles you such that you must sigh?

Lisa
Well~... Remember when we were looking into the well from the seven mysteries during cleaning day?
**Lisa**: Well~... Remember when we were looking into the well from the seven mysteries during cleaning day?

Lisa
I was just thinking about how you two weren't scared at all~...
**Lisa**: I was just thinking about how you two weren't scared at all~...

Hina
Yeah, you and Ran-chan were pretty freaked out, weren't you?!
**Hina**: Yeah, you and Ran-chan were pretty freaked out, weren't you?!

Kaoru
Fufu, seeing you two quiver in fear like two little rabbits was so endearing and yet, so fleeting.
**Kaoru**: Fufu, seeing you two quiver in fear like two little rabbits was so endearing and yet, so fleeting.

Lisa
Oh~, stop it~!
**Lisa**: Oh~, stop it~!

Lisa
I'm so bad with that scary stuff~... I get all panicky and completely forget what's going on around me.
**Lisa**: I'm so bad with that scary stuff~... I get all panicky and completely forget what's going on around me.

Lisa
So I thought you two being brave was really cool~.
**Lisa**: So I thought you two being brave was really cool~.

Kaoru
Fufu... 'Tis nothing you need to fret about, Lisa. We all have our fears.
**Kaoru**: Fufu... 'Tis nothing you need to fret about, Lisa. We all have our fears.

Hina
Yeah, Kaoru-kun's right~! You and I are two separate people! Of course we're gonna be different!
**Hina**: Yeah, Kaoru-kun's right~! You and I are two separate people! Of course we're gonna be different!

Hina
If it were me, I'd want to meet a ghost, but you couldn't say the same, right, Lisa-chi?
**Hina**: If it were me, I'd want to meet a ghost, but you couldn't say the same, right, Lisa-chi?

Lisa
No way! Not happening! Absolutely not! Wait, Hina, what exactly would you do if you ever did meet one?
**Lisa**: No way! Not happening! Absolutely not! Wait, Hina, what exactly would you do if you ever did meet one?

Hina
Hm~... Probably check if they really didn't have feet, or if you really can see through them!
**Hina**: Hm~... Probably check if they really didn't have feet, or if you really can see through them!

Hina
Oh, and I want to ask why they became a ghost! Not just anyone can become one, right~?
**Hina**: Oh, and I want to ask why they became a ghost! Not just anyone can become one, right~?

Lisa
Urgh... You're going to get yourself cursed asking stuff like that! You sure are curious...
**Lisa**: Urgh... You're going to get yourself cursed asking stuff like that! You sure are curious...

Hina
What~? Really~? You think ghosts are that moody~?
**Hina**: What~? Really~? You think ghosts are that moody~?

Hina
Ah, but I'll be fine as long as you're with me, Kaoru-kun! You're really interesting, so I'm sure you'd get along great with them!
**Hina**: Ah, but I'll be fine as long as you're with me, Kaoru-kun! You're really interesting, so I'm sure you'd get along great with them!

Kaoru
H-how can you be so sure...? Come now, ghosts are all so delicate, so temperamental... I doubt they would even notice just how fleeting my existence is.
**Kaoru**: H-how can you be so sure...? Come now, ghosts are all so delicate, so temperamental... I doubt they would even notice just how fleeting my existence is.

Hina
Aw~, you really think so?
**Hina**: Aw~, you really think so?

Kaoru
I've played the part of a ghost, have I not? I not only think so, I know so! So please, enough of this ghost nonsense!
**Kaoru**: I've played the part of a ghost, have I not? I not only think so, I know so! So please, enough of this ghost nonsense!

Hina
I see~. I really want to know though... We didn't get to meet the ghost of the well, after all...
**Hina**: I see~. I really want to know though... We didn't get to meet the ghost of the well, after all...

Hina
Not to mention, Maya-chan struck down the rumor by proving it's not even one of the seven mysteries.
**Hina**: Not to mention, Maya-chan struck down the rumor by proving it's not even one of the seven mysteries.

Hina
... Ah! I've got it! Why don't we take this opportunity to check out the other mysteries of our school?!
**Hina**: ... Ah! I've got it! Why don't we take this opportunity to check out the other mysteries of our school?!

Kaoru
What...?!
**Kaoru**: What...?!

Lisa
Huh?! No way! Count me out~!!
**Lisa**: Huh?! No way! Count me out~!!

Hina
Come on, it'll be fun~! Don't you want to see the "Moving Anatomy Model" in real life?
**Hina**: Come on, it'll be fun~! Don't you want to see the "Moving Anatomy Model" in real life?

Kaoru
I-it moves...?!
**Kaoru**: I-it moves...?!

Lisa
No, no, no! Not happening! Not even in the daylight!
**Lisa**: No, no, no! Not happening! Not even in the daylight!

Hina
Alright, how about the "Strangers in the Mirror" rumor? That one's super interesting!
**Hina**: Alright, how about the "Strangers in the Mirror" rumor? That one's super interesting!

Lisa
Wait... That's the story about the mirror that shows you someone else's face rather than your own, right...?
**Lisa**: Wait... That's the story about the mirror that shows you someone else's face rather than your own, right...?

Kaoru
...!
**Kaoru**: ...!

Lisa
Definitely not~! My heart would stop if some stranger showed up in my mirror! Even someone I know would be bad!
**Lisa**: Definitely not~! My heart would stop if some stranger showed up in my mirror! Even someone I know would be bad!

Hina
Really~? A mirror that shows someone else's face would be so interesting... Don't you think, Kaoru-kun?
**Hina**: Really~? A mirror that shows someone else's face would be so interesting... Don't you think, Kaoru-kun?

Kaoru
More importantly... I think your curious spirit adds to your charm, Hina. It's so fleeting.
**Kaoru**: More importantly... I think your curious spirit adds to your charm, Hina. It's so fleeting.

Kaoru
However, we seem to be frightening poor Lisa. I can't have that. So please, let us forget about the seven mysteries. For her sake.
**Kaoru**: However, we seem to be frightening poor Lisa. I can't have that. So please, let us forget about the seven mysteries. For her sake.

Lisa
K-Kaoru~!
**Lisa**: K-Kaoru~!

Hina
I suppose you're right. Alright, then you and I will just have to do it ourselves!
**Hina**: I suppose you're right. Alright, then you and I will just have to do it ourselves!

Kaoru
What...?
**Kaoru**: What...?

Hina
With the two of us on the case, I'm sure we can solve every one of the seven mysteries of Haneoka Girls' Academy!
**Hina**: With the two of us on the case, I'm sure we can solve every one of the seven mysteries of Haneoka Girls' Academy!

Kaoru
W-well...
**Kaoru**: W-well...

Hina
Right, Kaoru-kun?!
**Hina**: Right, Kaoru-kun?!

Kaoru
My gravest apologies, but I, too, must decline. Uncovering the truth is not what it's all about.
**Kaoru**: My gravest apologies, but I, too, must decline. Uncovering the truth is not what it's all about.

Hina
Huh~?! Why not?
**Hina**: Huh~?! Why not?

Kaoru
Allow me to put it thusly... Isn't a mystery at its most exhilarating when the answer eludes us?
**Kaoru**: Allow me to put it thusly... Isn't a mystery at its most exhilarating when the answer eludes us?

Kaoru
I understand your thirst for knowledge, but the thrill of imagining the unknown can be fleeting all the same.
**Kaoru**: I understand your thirst for knowledge, but the thrill of imagining the unknown can be fleeting all the same.

Hina
Hmm~, so not knowing is more boppin' for you, huh? You sure are funny, Kaoru-kun!
**Hina**: Hmm~, so not knowing is more boppin' for you, huh? You sure are funny, Kaoru-kun!

Kaoru
I see you understand my feelings. That is all that matters. Phew...
**Kaoru**: I see you understand my feelings. That is all that matters. Phew...

Lisa
Hmm~...
**Lisa**: Hmm~...

Kaoru
Wh-whatever is the matter, Lisa?
**Kaoru**: Wh-whatever is the matter, Lisa?

Lisa
Maybe I'm just imagining things, but Kaoru, are you actually afraid of ghosts...?
**Lisa**: Maybe I'm just imagining things, but Kaoru, are you actually afraid of ghosts...?

Kaoru
...! Wh-whatever gave you that idea...?!
**Kaoru**: ...! Wh-whatever gave you that idea...?!

Lisa
Call it a hunch...
**Lisa**: Call it a hunch...

Kaoru
L-Lisa, what a vivid imagination you have...! Me? Afraid of ghouls and goblins? The very idea is simply absurd.
**Kaoru**: L-Lisa, what a vivid imagination you have...! Me? Afraid of ghouls and goblins? The very idea is simply absurd.

Lisa
I-I see. I suppose you're right...
**Lisa**: I-I see. I suppose you're right...

Lisa
(Is it just me, or did Kaoru's voice sound shriller than usual...? Oh well, whatever.)
**Lisa**: (Is it just me, or did Kaoru's voice sound shriller than usual...? Oh well, whatever.)

**Transcript**

 CiRCLE Lobby

Marina
Ah! Welcome to CiRCLE, Kaoru-san!
**Marina**: Ah! Welcome to CiRCLE, Kaoru-san!

Kaoru
... Oh, have you been cleaning? CiRCLE looks absolutely radiant today, more so than usual.
**Kaoru**: ... Oh, have you been cleaning? CiRCLE looks absolutely radiant today, more so than usual.

Marina
Ahaha, hearing you say that makes it all worthwhile.
**Marina**: Ahaha, hearing you say that makes it all worthwhile.

Marina
We tidy up every day, but some stuff just requires a bit more elbow grease. So BanG Dreamer-san and I did some heavy duty cleaning today.
**Marina**: We tidy up every day, but some stuff just requires a bit more elbow grease. So BanG Dreamer-san and I did some heavy duty cleaning today.

Kaoru
Ah~, an excellent idea. There are certainly times where a more thorough cleansing is in order.
**Kaoru**: Ah~, an excellent idea. There are certainly times where a more thorough cleansing is in order.

Kaoru
In fact, we had a similar function at my school the other day. We set aside the whole day to focus on making our school spotless.
**Kaoru**: In fact, we had a similar function at my school the other day. We set aside the whole day to focus on making our school spotless.

Marina
Wow, sounds like quite the event~! You are there all the time. I bet it feels great to get it clean. That's great!
**Marina**: Wow, sounds like quite the event~! You are there all the time. I bet it feels great to get it clean. That's great!

Kaoru
Yes, with our combined strength, we transformed our school into a thing of beauty... And I was reminded of just how noble and fleeting that act truly is.
**Kaoru**: Yes, with our combined strength, we transformed our school into a thing of beauty... And I was reminded of just how noble and fleeting that act truly is.

Kaoru
However, we did much more than cleaning. The memories we made that day will stay with us until the end of time...
**Kaoru**: However, we did much more than cleaning. The memories we made that day will stay with us until the end of time...

Marina
...? Did something happen?
**Marina**: ...? Did something happen?

Kaoru
Worry not, it was nothing serious. Let's just say the area we were assigned had an interesting past.
**Kaoru**: Worry not, it was nothing serious. Let's just say the area we were assigned had an interesting past.

Marina
A-an interesting past?!
**Marina**: A-an interesting past?!

Kaoru
Yes, for you see, it was a place listed amongst the seven mysteries of our school. A well that drags you in if you look into it.
**Kaoru**: Yes, for you see, it was a place listed amongst the seven mysteries of our school. A well that drags you in if you look into it.

Marina
You were cleaning in such a scary place?! Th-that had to be tough...!
**Marina**: You were cleaning in such a scary place?! Th-that had to be tough...!

Kaoru
Indeed. Until then, I was completely ignorant of such rumors. Had I known, perhaps I would have refrained from perusing the area for my rehear--
**Kaoru**: Indeed. Until then, I was completely ignorant of such rumors. Had I known, perhaps I would have refrained from perusing the area for my rehear--

Kaoru
... My apologies, I'm speaking nonsense. The stories were of little concern to me. However, Lisa and Ran-chan were terribly afraid.
**Kaoru**: ... My apologies, I'm speaking nonsense. The stories were of little concern to me. However, Lisa and Ran-chan were terribly afraid.

Kaoru
So in order to put their hearts at ease, we decided to investigate these frightful tales.
**Kaoru**: So in order to put their hearts at ease, we decided to investigate these frightful tales.

Marina
Wow~! Sounds scary, but I bet it was a lot of fun too! So did you find out the truth?
**Marina**: Wow~! Sounds scary, but I bet it was a lot of fun too! So did you find out the truth?

Kaoru
Indeed we did. They were simple rumors after all. Another student saw Hina and myself interacting and mistook it for something else.
**Kaoru**: Indeed we did. They were simple rumors after all. Another student saw Hina and myself interacting and mistook it for something else.

Marina
Huh? You mean, you and Hina-chan caused the rumors about the well?
**Marina**: Huh? You mean, you and Hina-chan caused the rumors about the well?

Kaoru
Yes. A little kitten spotted me practicing for my role as ghost in an upcoming play. It seems they thought I was the real deal.
**Kaoru**: Yes. A little kitten spotted me practicing for my role as ghost in an upcoming play. It seems they thought I was the real deal.

Marina
And that's how it all started...
**Marina**: And that's how it all started...

Kaoru
I never thought I'd become the subject of a famous ghost story.
**Kaoru**: I never thought I'd become the subject of a famous ghost story.

Kaoru
Hm? Is it weird for me that I was mistaken for a ghost?
**Kaoru**: Hm? Is it weird for me that I was mistaken for a ghost?

Kaoru
Not at all. It simply means my rehearsal went so well that my audience confused reality with fiction.
**Kaoru**: Not at all. It simply means my rehearsal went so well that my audience confused reality with fiction.

Kaoru
With but one performance, the entire school was paralyzed with fear... What's truly frightening here is the limitlessness of my talent.
**Kaoru**: With but one performance, the entire school was paralyzed with fear... What's truly frightening here is the limitlessness of my talent.

Marina
Ahaha... You sure know how to look on the bright side, Kaoru-san...
**Marina**: Ahaha... You sure know how to look on the bright side, Kaoru-san...

Kaoru
But of course. I am always optimistic.
**Kaoru**: But of course. I am always optimistic.

Kaoru
It is my hope to have even more fleeting performances in the future, so that they, too, may become legend.
**Kaoru**: It is my hope to have even more fleeting performances in the future, so that they, too, may become legend.

Kaoru
Ah, that's right. Perhaps I should create something for CiRCLE as well. What do you think?
**Kaoru**: Ah, that's right. Perhaps I should create something for CiRCLE as well. What do you think?

Kaoru
Tales of my performance will be whispered amongst the patrons for ages to come.
**Kaoru**: Tales of my performance will be whispered amongst the patrons for ages to come.

Marina
Huh...?
**Marina**: Huh...?

Kaoru
Would it not be interesting to have your own version of the seven mysteries of Haneoka Girls' Academy right here at CiRCLE?
**Kaoru**: Would it not be interesting to have your own version of the seven mysteries of Haneoka Girls' Academy right here at CiRCLE?

Kaoru
A phantom that appears every night at the live house... The tragic soul of a guitarist... Sounds intriguing, no?
**Kaoru**: A phantom that appears every night at the live house... The tragic soul of a guitarist... Sounds intriguing, no?

Kaoru
What sort of tale would transform this place into something truly fleeting...? Fufu, it seems we have much planning to do.
**Kaoru**: What sort of tale would transform this place into something truly fleeting...? Fufu, it seems we have much planning to do.

Marina
Uhhh, yeah~, I think we're okay for now~. I appreciate the thought though. Thank you, Kaoru-san!
**Marina**: Uhhh, yeah~, I think we're okay for now~. I appreciate the thought though. Thank you, Kaoru-san!

Kaoru
Are you sure? Well then, perhaps some other time.
**Kaoru**: Are you sure? Well then, perhaps some other time.

Kaoru
If you ever have the need for a fleeting story, please feel free to call upon me. You need not hesitate.
**Kaoru**: If you ever have the need for a fleeting story, please feel free to call upon me. You need not hesitate.