Link! Like!: Episode 8 ~ Part 1 - MagiCircles/IdolStoryWiki GitHub Wiki
Kozue has set conditions for performing as a full group of four at the Nadeshiko Festival: to add a song showing their bonds to the setlist. To ensure a successful performance, the group begins training, but…
Sachi-senpai… Megumi…
…Tsuzuri.
What… What should I do here…?
Can't sleep?
Tsuzuri… I don't often see you awake at this hour, either.
Yeah…
Saya came over earlier.
… Actually, Kaho-san came to my dorm room earlier as well.
Oh.
I assume they told us the same thing, then.
Let's perform as a full group of four! Together at the Nadeshiko Festival!
I… I need some time to think about it.
How did you respond, Tsuzuri?
I didn't.
Well… I guess I just thanked her. They care a lot about the two of us.
…I see.
What about you, Kozu?
…I wasn't sure myself. That's why I came here.
…I think you should decide.
…Why?
Because being a school idol isn't something you should be forced into.
…Tsuzuri.
I know. We promised we wouldn't stand on stage together again… But we never said anything about performing as four, so…
You have a point. I suppose the rest is up to me, then.
…That song from back then.
If I worked hard to perform that song one more time… Maybe I could stand alongside you again.
Alongside me? I mean, I'd like it if you always stood alongside me. But that song was…
This time… This time, we'll do it properly.
…O…kay. Okay.
Hm?
You're right. It's different from before. So I'm sure this will go better than before.
Right. We're different than we were before… I know that now.
Yeah. Now we have Saya and Kaho.
And I'd like to respond to their feelings.
Yeah. If we do that, I'm sure I'll finally be able to be a school idol with you this time.
I agree. Let's do this.
Hmhm.
Let's try a four-member performance, then!
Wow…!
We did it, Kaho-san!
Yeah!
I have a request to make of you, in that case.
See… The thing is, there is a particular song I want to perform at this year's Nadeshiko Festival.
What kind of song is it?
This song is… very difficult.
It's also the song that Tsuzuri and I performed at the Love Live! qualifiers.
I am ashamed to admit it, but I wasn't able to perform it at a level where I would feel comfortable performing it with her.
It's a song we decided to never perform together again. So…
Then, we'll just have to give it another try!
Huh?
I got this! Leave it to me! I'll do everything to support you, Kozue-senpai!
Kaho-san…
Let's do it! Are you in, Sayaka-chan!?
Yes. We've come this far for our seniors, after all!
Kaho-san… Murano-san… Alright. I'll… do my best.
Thanks.
Huh?
If you didn't suggest performing as a full group… we wouldn't have thought of trying this song again.
Yeah! Alright! Let's give it our best shot!
Of course!
…Oh, Tsuzuri-senpai.
Yeah?
Could you tell me more about the song? You too, Otomune-senpai… You said it was a difficult song, so…
Yeah…
Alright, let's start here, then. Kozu, do you remember how the choreo went?
…Of course. Kaho-san, Murano-san, please watch this.
Phew…
Sorta like that.
Wow…!
It's very… creative. I'm not completely sure, but did Tsuzuri-senpai compose it?
Yeah.
Whoa… It's a really cool song!
Really? I'm happy to hear it, then.
Last year… Tsuzuri suddenly presented it to the club one day. She said she thought she might have finished making a song.
That sounds like something she would do.
All I could think of then… was that I wanted to do my best together with Kozu.
…I failed to meet your expectations, though.
But that's why I wanted to try again, one more time.
The choreography is very extensive, yet there are still so many subtle details… I can clearly see how this would be very difficult to perform.
Huh? Was what you just did… not good enough?
Yes./Yeah.
No hesitation at all!?
Is this what you meant by not being in sync? You know, I did notice that something felt a little off…
Yeah.
In any case, one of my deepest regrets is that we never managed to perfect our performance of this song.
…
So… I really want to get it right this time.
Alright, I get it! So first, we need to work on getting in sync, right?
Let's do this, Sayaka-chan!
R-Right. You know I can handle anything, but have you come up with something, Kaho-san?
Yeah! Alright, I'll go first!
Kozue-senpai, Tsuzuri-senpai. You said you were having problems getting in sync, right?
Y-Yes. I mentioned that, but…
Yeah.
Then… you should stick together real close until you get it!
…
'Kay.
Is that what you meant…?
Just like that!
Huh!?
I have two younger sisters, you know! And they're always together, so they're real close!
So…?
So!
As long as you're together, you'll definitely understand each other better…. And you'll get closer and closer!
…F-For how long?
Forever!
I… see… Otomune-senpai, Tsuzuri-senpai can be a real handful, so… good luck.
A-Are we really doing this!?
I can be a real handful, so good luck.
…A-Alright, fine. I said I'd trust those two, so… if they think we need this, I guess we'll just have to do it!
There's no way this will work.
No way!
We have to come up with something else as fast as we can!
Yeah, you're right, Sayaka-chan! Let's figure something out!
Haa…
Did you hate it, Kozu?
I-I didn't hate it…
But at the very least, it's dangerous for us to be that close during practice, so I think we should stop.
I agree with that…
Hm… Okay. I'll allow it, then.
T-Thank you…?
And we can't just ignore our dance lessons. They're very important.
This is hard…
Well, even though physically getting closer wasn't the best idea…
Wait, it wasn't!?
I do agree that you need to be emotionally closer to get in sync.
How should we do that?
Hm, well… This is just a thought, but maybe if you had a conversation with each other and discussed your worries, then you'll be able to do something you couldn't before… probably.
…Hm…
…
Personally, there are a lot of things I haven't told you about, Tsuzuri-senpai. Things like what I worry about my figure skating, for example.
Kozu, is something worrying you?
Nothing in particular…
Alright, done.
That's not what I meant!
…Ahem. Anyway, um… I know you're already working so hard, but there was something I wanted to talk to you two about.
What could it be? Is it something for the article?
Oh, no, that's already done.
I wanted to have you check on it before the Nadeshiko Festival, but right now, there's something more important I need you two for.
And that's this!
A festival?
It's nearly summer, so it's about that time of year when shrines start holding these kinds of events, huh? Did you want all of us to go together?
No, actually. The thing is, I met up with Reika-san this morning.
Oh, Reika-san. Haven't talked to her in a while.
It sounded like she needed more part-timers to help her out. So…
We were hoping you'd go help out!
Wait, us…?
Yeah! Actually, I already said that you two would go over!
You already did…!?
Yes. She even said she was looking forward to it.
I see…
Um…
We're sorry that we're forcing you into this!
…No, it's fine. Actually, I probably should be thanking you.
Yeah. Thanks, you two.
Ehehe~
Anyway!
Kozue-senpai, Tsuzuri-senpai, see you later!
Have a nice trip!