Why Play in a Band If Not Forever

Shiko crouched down, facing Ryo face-to-face. "What should we do?"

Confidence, you know, isn't something you can just build. Not to mention, neither of them could say they'd built any confidence themselves.

When Sayo returned to the group, she saw Yukina attaching her vines to a giant monstrous fish.

"What are you doing?"

"When Kessoku Band is thinking, we need to keep moving forward," Yukina replied.

"So, Ako summoned a demon from hell, and Yukina-chan put it in shackles..." Ako seemed to have regained her energy. "Put it in shackles, and then..."

"Enslave it," Rinko reminded from the side.

"Exactly! Enslave it! Roselia will enslave the demon and make it submit to Yukina-chan's supreme might!"

"Hah," Sayo shook her head. "You guys are really taking it easy."

She looked at the few people still frowning at the tail of the line. "I hope they can manage."

"They can," Yukina successfully controlled the monstrous fish, and it began to tow the raft forward. "Just like Roselia has overcome countless difficulties. Until then, let's just do our own thing."

"Ah," Lisa saw Shiko and Ryo walking toward them. "They're here."

Yukina didn't answer, still looking ahead, seemingly very focused.

"Yukina~"

Yukina sighed, and as she released her vines, the monstrous fish Ako had barely managed to grab immediately darted back into the deep water. She walked over to Shiko and Ryo. "I know, I'll apologize properly."

"If you're going to apologize, then give us some advice," After hearing Yukina's apology, there was no trace of her previous anger on Ryo's face.

Yukina took out a letter, which Miss Marina had originally left for Roselia.

"Have you two read this letter?"

Shiko and Ryo both shook their heads. Out of respect, the letters left for Roselia and Poppin'Party had not been opened.

"Then, please take a look."

When the two returned, Nijika turned to them with joy. "Ryo, Little Shiko, you've come at just the right time. I think I understand what we're missing."

Shiko also showed them the letter.

To Roselia:

I am Marina. It's a shame I can't reunite with you in this world. However, I have brought you new companions.

In the letter, besides the words for Roselia, there was an introduction to Kessoku Band. The introduction was filled with Miss Marina's admiration and pride for Kessoku Band. Reading such words, it was as if they could hear Miss Marina praising their efforts and tenacity from an observer's perspective, even though they themselves didn't feel they deserved such praise.

"Kessoku Band is a band that makes me feel proud. I believe they can become stars!" This was the last sentence about Kessoku Band.

Even without motivation, the raft was still moving forward. It was being pushed by the waves from upstream, and the raft was drifting with the current. Countless memories were reflected in the waves, and within those memories, Kessoku Band saw themselves.

A light gradually began to shine in everyone's eyes.

"Do you remember?" Nijika said. "We said we wanted to become stars and send the message to the heavens!"

"Miss Marina is proud of us, so we have to become someone she can be proud of!" Kita clenched her fist.

"We can't... stop here. Because Kessoku Band is more than just us!" Ichiri showed a rare smile.

"Come on, let's form a circle," Nijika extended her hand.

Kita, Ichiri, Ryo, and Shiko placed their hands on top of hers.

"Let's think of a slogan for Kessoku Band! Little Shiko, do we have a slogan?"

Shiko recalled for a moment. "I don't think so."

"Then let's make one up!"

"Three!" Miss Marina's figure appeared behind Nijika.

"Two!" Miss Niiki's figure appeared next to Marina.

"One!" Kessoku Band stood on the CiRCLE stage!

"Let's become stars--!"

Shiko hadn't laughed like this in a long time. No matter what, Kessoku Band had overcome a crisis—thanks to Yukina. She thought. She turned her head, and everyone from Roselia had also gathered here. There was a rare smile on Yukina's face.

"So, set off with pride, Kessoku Band."

Chapter 6 Shiko's Summer Vacation

After summer vacation began, Kessoku Band encountered Roselia during their outdoor camp!

Roselia was here for intensive training. In preparation for the Future World Fes, they needed a lot of practice time.

Although their goals were different, the two bands hit it off and joined forces. They drifted together, camped together, trained together, and watched the stars together. The relationship between the two groups gradually grew closer.

However, Shiko always felt that Roselia's condition was a bit off.

How should I put it? When everyone was together, Roselia's condition was normal, but Shiko noticed that sometimes when they were alone, they seemed dispirited. Yukina would often stare blankly in the direction of a TV tower, Ako would inexplicably start sighing, and Sayo would often sit outside alone when it rained...

Speaking of which, the members of Kessoku Band had also been a bit strange before, but they refused to say what had happened... Although they were better now, being kept in the dark felt really unpleasant...

How can I make everyone smile? Today, Shiko was still thinking about this question. Today, they decided to set up camp on a flat area. On the other side of the river were rolling hills, and on this side was a plain formed by sediment. There was a small sandy beach with fine, soft sand. It seemed that because it was too remote, there were no other tourists.

The breeze blowing from the river in the afternoon was pleasant. Shiko enjoyed this moment.

But once night fell, due to the temperature difference between land and water, the humid river breeze would turn into dry land wind. And before they slept, when the temperature difference between land and water wasn't that significant, the wind wouldn't be this strong either, so this comfortable feeling only lasted for a short while.

How annoying, my mood is ruined by this damned geography knowledge! I'm not someone who's happy lucky smile yeah! all day anyway! How am I supposed to make everyone smile, ahhhhh! Shiko irritably kicked a clump of sand towards the river. Some fine dust flew up and was blown backward by the river breeze. Shiko's gaze followed it and she saw Ryo sitting on a rock, writing and drawing in a notebook.

"What are you doing?" she walked over, tilting her head to look at Ryo's notebook. A shadow blocked the notebook, and Ryo looked up.

"A new song?" Shiko saw that Ryo's notebook was filled with various markings.

Ryo glanced at Shiko before answering, "Yes, inspiration I got a while ago."

"Hmm?" Shiko read the melody Ryo had written and hummed it softly. Another cool breeze blew, Shiko's long hair fluttered, and the notebook was cast with shifting light and shadow.

"What a nice breeze—ah, you guys are here." Nijika walked over towards them.

"Yeah, a nice breeze like this is better enjoyed alone," Ryo closed her notebook and looked at the newcomer with displeasure. In such a small space, three people were a bit much.

Nijika's smile froze, "I see. Sorry to bother you, then little Shiko, let's go—"

Shiko obediently left, but felt inexplicably annoyed.

Before leaving, she waved, "Then you enjoy the breeze here. After all, according to the sea-land breeze principle, the river breeze will lessen due to the temperature difference in a while, haha!"

Watching Shiko's retreating back, Ryo tilted her head in confusion. Sea-land breeze? Temperature difference? A head that scored 0 on every exam wasn't enough to understand these words.

Shiko walked ahead of Nijika with a cheerful mood. The sound of waves lapping reached her ears, and to the rhythm of the waves, Shiko softly hummed the melody Ryo had just composed.

"Little Shiko has been quite happy lately," Nijika commented casually. Shiko's relaxed mood was easily contagious, allowing others to temporarily set aside their current confusion.

Hearing Nijika's words, Shiko stopped and looked up at the drifting clouds, "Well, I find it strange too. I wasn't like this at all before."

The changing clouds stirred something in her heart, and Shiko suddenly felt a sense of unease.

"Actually..." Shiko's voice suddenly lowered a bit, "When I first met you all, my interactions with you had a bit of a performance element to them."

Hearing this, Nijika turned back, her expression unsurprised, "Mm, I could tell to some extent. The little Shiko back then was completely different from the little Shiko I first met. Even for a change, it wouldn't be this fast."

Shiko turned her head, looking below Nijika's eyes, at her moving lips.

"But it's different now, isn't it?" Nijika's expression was warm like sunshine, "I believe the little Shiko now has truly, genuinely changed."

Shiko gazed into Nijika's eyes. For Nijika's trust, she offered a natural smile, "Yes. I've changed."

"What changed you?" Nijika walked up to Shiko, looking at her, "Was it Kessoku Band?"

"Kessoku Band?" Shiko tilted her head up and rubbed her chin, "Of course, of course, I am different at Kessoku Band than usual, but it's probably not just that."

The summer sun reflected in her eyes, "I think another reason is that it's summer vacation right now."

Summer vacation? Nijika's mouth opened slightly. So this little Shiko thought she was on summer vacation?

"Is summer vacation important to you?" she asked with some curiosity.

Shiko continued walking forward, "No, it used to just be a normal, slightly longer holiday."

"I used to be a shut-in, with no friends and no like-minded people around. Every day of summer vacation was spent in my room," Shiko recalled her past life, a bitter smile appearing on her face.

"It's not that being a shut-in in my room wasn't fun—many anime, games, and novels left important marks in my heart. But when I think of those memories, I think of the corresponding works, not summer vacation itself."

"I never had a summer vacation that I would remember for a lifetime."

Nijika listened quietly beside her.

"Nijika, there's a game called Summer Pockets that showed me a different kind of summer vacation," Shiko changed the subject, "Everyone spent the summer on an island, surrounded by familiar and friendly friends, with ordinary yet fun daily lives, with no need to worry about pressure or troubles, like a summer that would never end."

The campsite came into view. Some people were setting up tents, some were picking wild vegetables and fruits, and some were starting a fire.

Shiko looked at the scene, "This is my first summer vacation spent with friends."

"I think maybe I can have that kind of summer too, with you all!" Shiko suddenly turned to Nijika, grabbed her hand, and started running.

They ran into a tent, where several musical instruments were placed, including a keyboard that was already connected to power. The tent was empty.

Shiko stood behind the keyboard and raised her hands. The melody flowed from her fingers.

It was the theme song of the game she loved. A song that was tranquil yet tinged with sadness, and sad yet filled with nostalgia.

Everyone was gradually drawn by the music. The knots in their hearts were gradually untangled by the melody. Shiko simply closed her eyes, immersed in the performance.

The song soon ended. Shiko opened her eyes and saw everyone gathered around her. Some people's eyes were even a little moist.

Shiko put one hand on her hip and pointed at everyone with her right hand, "You're all hiding something from me. Something that prevents you from smiling."

She grinned.

"But this is my summer vacation! During summer vacation, I'm invincible!"

"To create a perfect summer vacation, I, Shiko Niiki, hereby promise you—"

Shiko pointed at Roselia, pointed at Kessoku Band, "Before summer vacation ends, I will make you all—" Her fingertip lifted high, pointing towards the ceiling.

"Smile again!"

Everyone was slightly stunned by the sudden declaration.

Shiko's eyes suddenly flashed, and she fell backward. Before anyone could react, she had landed in a pile of sponges.

"That was close..." Shiko stood up and brushed herself off. She saw everyone gathered around her.

"Why are you all looking at me?" she felt completely out of sorts.

Sayo spoke strangely, "You suddenly said you'd make us smile before the summer vacation ended... Honestly, I thought I saw someone else I knew."

"Huh? She said that?" Shiko looked at the others, and they all nodded.

Shiko's mouth twitched.

"...Haha."

"Hahahahahahaha--" Shiko suddenly threw her head back and burst into laughter.

"Little Shiko?" Nijika immediately waved her hand in front of her eyes, "Are you okay?"

"Hahaha..." Shiko continued to laugh, even holding her stomach, "Ha... ha... ha..."

She looked up, a strained smile still on her face, but her eyes seemed to be filled with something. "Okay then, bring it on."

"Bring what on?"

"I'll help her. I'll try too, to make you smile."

The last rays of the setting sun shone on Shiko's face.

"Um..." Sayo raised her hand, carefully choosing her words, "Do you happen to know a band called hello happy world?"

"Huge fan."

"Then never mind."

Chapter 7: A Poem Card Wishing Upon the Stars

It was raining heavily. These past few days, they had encountered heavy rain frequently. Everyone was huddled in a small cave. The cave wasn't deep; the entrance was about two people tall, and the deepest part could only accommodate sitting down with difficulty. It was only about the size of a classroom. However, this small cave was divided into two rooms, separated by soundproofing materials when Shiko was still normal. One side was the living area, and the other served as a temporary recording studio, where instruments were kept. Today, Roselia was practicing together in another location as usual. Kessoku Band's practice had just ended. They were currently gathered at the cave entrance, doing nothing in particular.