Everyone cast approving looks at Honoka Kosaka. Though they said nothing, Honoka Kosaka could feel the trust in all their hearts.
At that moment, Minami Kotori, sitting off to the side, let her brows droop weakly, and the two stones clashing against each other in her heart collided once more.
"But practice is going to get even stricter!"
Eli Ayase glanced at the other eight girls and spoke in a stern tone, as if telling them all to steel themselves.
"Especially you, Honoka."
Eli Ayase's gaze finally settled on Honoka Kosaka.
"Mm...?"
"You're the lead singer. The demands on you will be twice as strict as everyone else's, understand?"
But Honoka Kosaka was no longer the girl who had once feared hardship. On the road to chasing her dream, she would knock down every obstacle in her way.
"Mm, I'll give it everything I've got!"
Honoka Kosaka's eyes shone with determination.
"..."
And at that moment, one of the passages in Minami Kotori's heart was blocked once again.
An accident!
"Huff, huff, huff—"
A steady, powerful rhythm of breathing sounded quietly in the pitch-black night.
As time passed, autumn nights began especially early. The sky where the sunset could usually still be seen had now gone completely dark.
On the stairs in front of the shrine, Honoka Kosaka was running upward alone.
-Time Divider-
A few minutes earlier.
"Huh? You're even practicing at night?"
Yukiho Kosaka wore red-rimmed women's glasses and was currently battling with her homework.
Honoka Kosaka, who was about to go out, had already said hello to Yukiho Kosaka.
"Mm." Honoka Kosaka nodded.
"Pushing yourself too hard isn't good, you know. You're always forcing yourself, Sis..."
As her younger sister, Yukiho Kosaka could not help but worry a little about the extra practice Honoka Kosaka had added