Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 12

The End of the Beginning
*Himari and Tomoe visit Tsugumi in the hospital. The three of them consider what Ran said...*

 The Next Day
 Hospital Room
**Himari**How are you feeling, Tsugu?**Tsugumi**Himari-chan, Tomoe-chan! You came to visit!**Tomoe**Hey. You're looking much better.**Tsugumi**I feel much better, too. They said I just had a fever from stress... I'm sorry I caused so much trouble for you all.**Himari**What are you talking about, trouble? We're just glad to see you're okay, Tsugu!**Tomoe**Yeah. Seeing you collapse like that really had us worried, you know.**Tsugumi**Hehehe... I won't let it happen again! I'm really lucky I had you two there to help me... By the way, have you seen Ran-chan and Moca-chan?**Himari**Erm... About that...**Tomoe**... There's no use hiding it. The thing is, Tsugu...**Tsugumi**... Oh. I had no idea.**Tomoe**I was just worried about Ran, but I got all emotional and took it too far... I went way over the top... I just wish I could apologize to her like this, too.**Tsugumi**I'm sure if you talk to her again, she'll understand.**Tomoe**... I really hope so...**Himari**... It's just not the same without the five of us together.**Tsugumi**That's why we started the band in the first place... so we could always be together.**Tomoe**... You're right. It was all because Ran was moving to another class in middle school.**Tomoe**She stopped going to classes, spending all of her time up on the roof...**Himari**She sat there thinking up ways we could all be together, like before... and suddenly, it's Tsugu who said "let's make a band!"**Tomoe**To be honest, I thought she was joking when she first told me.**Tsugumi**Hahaha...**Tomoe**But then once we formed the band, Ran started going back to classes again. And the rooftop became a sort of home ground for us all, right?**Tsugumi**Yeah, it did.**Himari**The first sunset we saw up there after starting the band was just so pretty, we decided that would be our name - Afterglow.**Tomoe**It did take us forever to look it up though. We knew we wanted the word for evening orange twilight, but no one knew what it was.**Himari**Oh yeah! I forgot about that part...!**Tsugumi**Fufu. We really didn't know anything when we first started out... but that was part of the fun, wasn't it? The five of us experiencing something new, together...**Himari**... I wonder if Ran still enjoys it all.**Tsugumi**... Huh?**Himari**She hasn't looked like she's enjoyed practice for some time now... Her performance, her singing, it's just not the same...**Tomoe**... She must be under a lot of pressure. From the band and from home, too.**Tsugumi**But if... if the band really is making her feel this way, then... maybe we should all think about quitting...**Himari**But...!**Tsugumi**I enjoy it, too! I love performing with everyone, but... it's not worth making Ran feel terrible for...**Tomoe & Himari**... ...**Tomoe**I don't want her to suffer any more either. Seeing Ran's face after what I said to her the other day... Well, I just don't want it to happen again.**Tomoe**What do you think, Himari?**Himari**I think it's so sad, but... if it'll help Ran, then maybe we should take a break…**Tomoe**We can start again once things have calmed down. I'm sure we'll get another chance at Girl Jam in the future, but for now we have to put Ran first.**Himari**You're right.

 Downtown
**Moca**Are you sure we won't need any buns~?**Ran**Are you sure you just don't want some for yourself?**Moca**Of course not~, I wanted to take some for Tsugu~. Why would I ever think something like that~?**Ran**Sure, of course. ... Visiting hours are almost over. We should hurry.**Moca**Okay~. I wonder if Tomo-chin and Hii-chan are there.**Ran**Huh... I wonder.**Moca**I hope they are~.**Ran**... Mmm.**Moca**Ran, you look scary~. Are you nervous or something~?**Ran**N-no, I always look like this. I'm not nervous! If Tomoe and Himari are there, then... I just have to apologize, and...**Ran**... And say I want to continue the band.**Moca**Yeah.**Ran**Come on. First we just need to see if Tsugumi's okay.