First Star After the Rain - 3: Less Stars More Bass

School SEKAI

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1

Ichika

The observatory?

2

Saki

Yes! Let's all go next Saturday! You don't get to go inside
that often, you know!

3

Honami

Oh, I heard about it too! They're mostly closed to the
public.

4

Honami

They will be hosting an open lecture about stars. I was
thinking of going myself!

5

Saki

I should have known, you're such an astronomy buff!

6

Honami

You're exaggerating... Besides, that place is quite famous.

7

Luka

That's very interesting, a place where you can see the
stars and learn about them.

8

Miku

I can imagine that knowing more about stars makes gazing
at them even more enjoyable.

9

Saki

Right?

10

Shiho

You don't need to go to an observatory to see the stars.
They even look prettier when seen with the naked eye.

11

Saki

That's... That's a fair point to make, but it'd be nice for
a change and we could all go together.

12

Saki

We could also go to a cafe, check out clothing stores, and
go karaoke on the same day.

13

Shiho

Is that the main reason you want to go?

14

Saki

Um... Those are just other fun things we could do...

15

Saki

Hona! Shiho's being mean to me...

16

Honami

There, there. No need to get upset.

17

Miku

Are you not interested in going to the observatory, Shiho?

18

Shiho

It's not that. I just think it's not worth going so far for
that.

19

Shiho

That time would be better spent on more band practice.

20

Ichika

You're so down to earth, Shiho. Or should I say, down to
play bass.

21

Shiho

Is that supposed to be funny?

22

Ichika

Was it not?

23

Saki

Sometimes the things you come out with are kind of bizarre!

24

Ichika

Bizarre...

25

Honami

Saki, you can't say that!

26

Shiho

If you just want to hang out, we can do that close to our
station. There's no need to—

27

Luka

It's important to be in sync with each other in order to
make good music as a team.

28

Shiho

Huh?

29

Luka

There's no harm in connecting through things other than
music every now and then. It can only help you as a band.

30

Miku

Yup, I agree.

31

Saki

Shiho... You really don't want to go?

32

Shiho

Sigh... Give me a moment to think it over.

33

Shiho

I've got work on that day, so I'll have to swap my shift
with someone else.

34

Saki

So you'll come? Yay!

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35

Shiho

Stop being so clingy. I get enough of that from my sister.

36

Miku

Sounds like you persuaded her, Luka.

37

Luka

I only gave Shiho a little nudge in the direction she
already wanted to go.

38

Shiho

There's one condition, though. Don't start slacking off with
band practice because of this trip.

39

Shiho

If I see you start to get lazy, I'm out. Got it?

40

Saki

No worries! I'll practice diligently every day!

41

Honami

Every day? But you also have soft tennis practice, and your
part-time job. Won't that be too much?

42

Saki

I'll be fine! I'm not as weak as I used to be!

43

Ichika

You say that now, but just the other time you overworked
yourself and caught a bad cold that kept you in bed for
a whole week.

44

Saki

I can manage! You two worry too much.

45

Saki

Nothing's going to stop me from enjoying my wonderful
teenage life♪

46

Shiho

All right, then.

47

Honami

Let's have a wonderful time!

48

Saki

Yeah!

49

Shiho

Is something the matter, Luka?

50

Luka

No, not really. Nothing too important.

51

Miku

That only makes me more curious. What is it?

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52

Luka

It's just that... Saki's a little different today.

53

Shiho

Hm?

54

Luka

The tone of her voice told me that she was straining herself.

55

Shiho

Her voice sounded strained...?

56

Shiho

This rings a bell... I don't want that to happen again...

57

Shiho

Thank you, Luka. I'll make sure to look after Saki.

58

Luka

Please do.

59

Saki

Shiho, let's get started with band practice!

60

Shiho

All right. Saki, it's good to be enthusiastic, but don't
push yourself past your limits, okay?

61

Saki

Don't talk to me like I'm a child who can't take care of
herself...

62

Saki

I can play our songs perfectly now, you know!

63

Shiho

Really? Okay, let's make a bet. If you make a mistake,
you've got to buy me ramen.

64

Saki

Whaaat?!

65

Shiho

It shouldn't be a problem if you're so confident, right?
And if you play everything without slipping up, I'll treat
you to bubble tea. With toppings, the price's the same.

66

Saki

You promise to treat me? I'm going to win this bet for sure!

67

Honami

Oh!

68

Ichika

A-Are you okay, Honami?

69

Honami

When you think about it, it makes no sense! Why on earth
would ramen cost the same as bubble tea?

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70

Honami

When you think of the cost of the ingredients, it just
doesn't add up...
What's wrong?

71

Ichika

Honami...

72

Shiho

We thought something was seriously wrong when you suddenly
shouted.

73

Honami

Oh? I...I'm sorry! It just suddenly hit me, you know...

74

Saki

Hahaha! You made us all jump!

75

Honami

Sorry! Let's um, let's start our practice session!

76

Saki

Okay! Let's start from just before the chorus. Get ready!

77

Miku

They seem to be having fun. Are you still worried, Luka?

78

Luka

A little.

79

Luka

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Next Chapter: Until Our Date