Afterglow/Band Story/Chapter 3

The Wrong Key
*During intermission, Ran gets another phone call. When the band sees her exhausted expression, they all grow concerned.*

 Studio
**Tsugumi**Maybe we should try it again one last time, from the start.**Moca**Okay~.**Tomoe**... Are you okay, Ran? Your throat sounds a little rough.**Ran**I'm fine. It's just been a long practice.**Tomoe**Sure. As long as you're okay.**Ran**...**Himari**...**Himari**I-I think I'm getting a little tired, too~! I'm feeling kinda sweaty as well. I guess I really gave it my all today!**Himari**... So maybe we should call it there for today? Yeah?**Moca**Agreed~.

 Walking Home
**Himari**...**Himari**(Ran really didn't seem the same after we went back to practice.)**Himari**(She's never usually off-key like that... She looked upset, too. Maybe it had something to do with that phone call after all...)**Tomoe**Hello~, Himari? Are you listening?**Himari**Huh?! Wh-what?!**Tomoe**It wasn't anything important. You just had this weird, puzzled look on your face, is all.**Himari**I-I did?! Really?! Ha, haha... I guess I'm just tired. I-I'm fine, though! Really!**Tomoe**Are you sure...?**Ran**... I'm gonna go home, then.**Moca**See you, Ran~.**Tsugumi**Good bye.**Tomoe**See ya.**Himari**(She looks more tired than any of us. Ran... What's going on with you...?)

 Mitake Residence - Living Room
**Ran**... I'm home.**Ran's Dad**Were you out practicing with your band this late again, Ran? You know, you haven't been to your flower arranging class in some time now. You should really rethink your priorities.**Ran**Leave me alone. It's none of your business.**Ran's Dad**Of course it's my business, Ran. I'm your father and the head of the Mitake School of Flowers. A school that you will one day take over from me. Do you understand what that means?**Ran's Dad**I don't think you do, not enough. So let me tell you.**Ran's Dad**If you are to lead a traditional school of flower arrangement, you will need to improve your own skill as well. You are in high school now, Ran. It is time you started considering your future, and-**Ran**... Shut up! I'm going to my room.**Ran's Dad**Get back here, Ran... That girl...**Ran**...

 Walking Home
**Tsugumi**Ran-chan seemed very tired during practice today. I hope she's okay...**Tomoe**It's not like her to sing out of tune, is it? She said it was from all the practice, but... I wonder if that's all it was.**Tsugumi**What do you mean?**Tsugumi**She's been getting a lot of calls recently. I think it might be her dad.**Tsugumi**Her dad owns the Mitake School of Flowers, right...? I heard he wants her to go into flower arrangement, just like he did...**Tomoe**I heard him say she should start practicing once she enters high school. But she's always said she has no interest in it at all...**Tomoe**I'm wondering if that's what her dad keeps calling her about recently...**Himari**I did see her on the phone to someone during our break. She looked furious... She was shouting into the phone, "It's none of your business!" and "Leave me alone!"...**Himari**After she hung up, she looked like she was holding back tears... She looked like that all through practice, really. You noticed too, right Moca?**Moca**Mmm, I dunno. She kinda felt the same to me~. All, y'know... "Hmm~" and stuff.**Himari**Maybe I'm just reading too much into it... At least, I hope I am...**Tsugumi**It is a worry...**Tomoe**If she still seems the same tomorrow, we should just find the right time and ask her about it. Not that she'll answer so easily, but still...**Tsugumi**Good idea. I'm worried about Ran-chan... and I'm worried about Girl Jam, too~.**Himari**Whoa, whoa. You're the one who said we should join, right Tsugu~? Come on, we'll be fine! We'll get in, no problem!**Tsugumi**... I guess we should probably end for the night, then!**Tomoe**We still don't know if we'll be chosen, of course. But Tsugu knows we've got the best sound out there, right? You've just gotta believe in us.**Tsugumi**You're right...! Okay! I'll do everything I can, too! I don't know what exactly, but... just everything!**Tomoe**Haha, that's all we ask. Let's get back to it tomorrow, then. See you.**Moca**...**Moca**... Hello? Ran, dear? It's me, your great great grandma, Moca... Just kidding.**Moca**Mmm... I didn't really have a reason to call~. I'm just walking back from practice on my own, so...**Moca**I dunno. It's nice to call sometimes. I'm sure you'll feel all kinds of happy hearing my pretty voice, too. You already were? Well now you're 100 times happier, I guess.**Moca**Hehe~, I'm just joking with you... Well, I just reached my house, so~. I'll see you all happy tomorrow, I guess~.**Moca**...**Moca**I'm rooting for you, Ran~.