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"What am I seeing here?"

. . .

. . .

"Did you really make sure that you were all ready for this? Were you ready for this?"

. . .

"I-. . ." Kasumi tries to speak, but no words come out amidst her current anxiety.

"You failed again." she spoke, looking sternly towards the band leader. "Your next try will be the last. Don't use it to embarrass yourselves again. Especially you."

. . .

. . .

"You, among your friends, performed the weakest"

. . .

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[ Third Person POV ]

It was evening as they left SPACE.

Once again, they failed to make it through the audition. But this one was probably worse than the last.

Poppin' Party had all went their separate ways and the only ones that's left are Kasumi and Katsuhiko.

The two walked along the path hanging above the road. 

Kasumi stopped, turning as she watched the sea of lights passing by. Only making out the sounds of audible vehicles.

Katsuhiko stood there. Staring at his friend in worry. Thinking about the situation right now considering what happened to her earlier. He hopes that it was nothing but Kasumi being tired that she was unable to perform properly earlier.

Looking back at it, it looked like Kasumi couldn't sing. But to him, it seemed like she just tried to. But couldn't . .

Like she was struggling.

Something was bothering her, something is keeping her from doing what she needs to do.

. . . .

"Hey, cheer up." The male walks up to her. Putting a hand on her shoulder. "You're probably just exhausted from. . . all of this. Maybe it's best that you take a break, okay?" Katsuhiko advised. Leaning in to see her face.

Kasumi briefly glances to him. Giving him a small smile before nodding. "Mm. . ."

Katsuhiko let out a small chuckle, even though she showed him that response. It wasn't enough to wash away his worries. And he could only hide it behind his reassuring smile.

A few moments later, Kasumi had arrived home. . .

"Ah! Onee-chan! At least say something when you come in!" Asuka said to her sister. Who stood silently by the door way.

"Welcome home. How was your audition?" Kasumi's mother asked.

A light smile, Kasumi responded with the shook of her head before she steps out of the threshold and made her way upstairs. Both Asuka and her mother looked at each other for a moment. Growing concerned for her.

. . .

. . .

There within Kasumi's faint moonlit room.

Kasumi can be found crying.

. . .

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[ 𝔼𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖 𝟙𝟙 ] [ 𝕄𝕒𝕖 𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕦𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕖! ]

[ Location ] [ Hanasakigawa Girls' (?) School ]

Everyone from Poppin' Party gathered on the stairway. All having similar thoughts about their band leader - their friend. Their faces showing worry after what happened that day during their second audition.

"Kasumi-chan. . ." Rimi mutters.

"She went to the hospital. She'll be fine." Saaya said. Reassuring Rimi.

"To the otolaryngologist's?" Arisa asked.

"I think so." Saaya replied.

"Do you think she might've pushed herself too hard?" Rimi asked.

"Maybe. . ." Tae responds. The thought alone may have been the possibility, but who knows.

About a moment later. A certain boy arrived, noticing the girls above the staircase.

Rimi was the first to notice him, followed by the rest.

"She isn't here yet?" Katsuhiko asked, glancing around to look for Kasumi as he approached the group. They all responded with a nod. "I. . . see. . ."

"Do you have any ideas?" Saaya asked of him.

"I'm not certain." He replied. Sighing. "She's probably stressed from all the practicing. You know how she plays with her guitar almost non stop?"

"Yeah. . . It wasn't like her to act that way." Arisa agreed.

"Ah, Kasumi-chan." Rimi let out. Making the others turn their heads downstairs.

There they saw Kasumi standing by the stairway. With her guitar case around her shoulder. She waves her hand to greet her friends.

"Toyama-san?" That look on her face was enough for Katsuhiko to see that she wasn't okay. Her usually cheerful demeanor and bubbly personality was not present. . . Only a quiet girl.

"You Idiot!" Arisa shouted angrily. "Don't practice so hard to make yourself sick! What's the point of it all if you lose your voice?!"

"Hey that's enough now." Katsuhiko chided.

". . .I'm sorry. . ." Kasumi apologized. Her voice was meek, but everyone was able to hear.

"So, how'd it go?" Saaya asks. Kasumi spoke up to answer, but it was too quiet that they had to lean forward just to hear her.

"They. . ." Kasumi began. "They said there was nothing wrong with me physically. . . and that. . . my voice will come back once I let it rest for a while. . ."

"Really? Thank goodness!" Rimi expressed her relief.

"Well, that is what you get for forcing yourself through rehearsals." Katsuhiko said. Relieved to hear that."I better keep an eye on you in case it happens again."

". . .sorry. . . about the audition." Kasumi says with a downcast gaze.

"We still got one more chance now, right?" Saaya said.

"We'll try and keep doing our best." Rimi said.

"Just not to the point of exhaustion."Tae said.

"i'll make sure to keep that from happening.' Katsuhiko said.

"Can you all make it to practice today?" Kasumi asked.

"Yeah, but not you." Katsuhiko said.

"eh?"

"No way you're going to today." Arisa agrees, crossing her arms.

"What?"

"Weren't you told to rest?" Saaya pointed out.

"...But I can still play my guitar, and this is our last chanc-" Kasumi was interrupted by a sudden cough. Giving all the more reason for her to just lay back and rest instead of insisting to join them.

"Unless you want your voice to get worse. I'd advice that you should go and rest." Katsuhiko firmly said.

"We'll be the ones rehearsing for today." Tae said.

"You should wait until your get your voice back, Kasumi." Saaya said. Really insisting her friend to just take it easy for now.

"For now, You're completely restricted from practicing!" Arisa said, firmly. Kasumi wasn't able to say anything nor does she have the right to go against their wishes. This was for her own good after all.

. . .

. . .

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[ Location ] [ Hanasakigawa Girls (?) School: Class 1-A ]

[ First Person POV - Katsuhiko]

For some reason. I am unable to focus on class today. I keep finding myself sneaking glances towards Toyama. 

The face she bore from earlier still unchanging.

And to keep myself from getting called. I try to make it seem like I'm paying attention by look through my text book that's filled nothing but a single drawing of Gura.

I can assure myself that there will be no problems getting in my way.

"Next, let's have... Toyama-san." Sensei called out.

And it just had to be the person who could barely speak.

At that point, I just needed to save her. So I raised my hand. "Ah Sensei, the thing is... Toyama-san here lost her voice, So. . ."

I could notice everyones eyes directed towards me, as well as Toyama's.

"Really?" Sensei responded, before turning to said girl. "Are you alright?" She asked Toyama, whom nodded her head in response. "I see. . . Then, Natsuki-san."

"W- What?" Okaaay, i didn't think this through. . .

"This is the least you could do to your girlfriend now, right?" She said that with a smirk. Followed by the rest of the class cooing.

I feel myself blushing from this though I try to stay calm.

. . .

Toyama you're not supposed to blush! What gives?!!?

"Hm? Are you two not dating?" Sensei asked.

"She's not. . . Ugh. . . " I sighed in frustration. I feel like I've been in this situation a couple of times now and I'm growing tired of it. "Let's just get this over with. . ." I said, picking up my book. . .

Ehm. . .

. . .

. . .Heh?

HeHh?

". . . Um. . . which page???"

Maybe I should've paid attention more. . .

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[ Time Skip ] [ Lunch ]

[ Location ] [ Hanasakigawa Girls' (?) School: Court Yard ]

The rain finally let up and back again with the bright sun and beautiful clouds.

Lunch time and here we are at our usual spot. The soft greenery of grass. With a blanket for us to sit upon making it much more cozy.

And to prevent ourselves from getting soaked from the mildly wet grass

"So, Ririko-san asked of me if we're going to the next audition." Hanazono informed.

"When is it?" I asked as I glanced to her.

"Next Saturday."

". . .So it's this week. . ." I muttered.

"So soon. . ." Ushigome stated.

It's scary to think whatever the outcome is if they ever managed to fail again. . .

"It all depends on Kasumi, doesn't it?" Ichigaya says. I gave her a deadpanned look.". . .That's not how I meant to say that."

"Hmph." I huffed as I hugged my Gura plushie

"What's with that doll?" Ichigaya asks.

"To relieve stress." I responded. "Plus, Gura-chan will always be by my side."

"It's like I'm talking to Rii-senpai here. . ."

"No I don't!" I retorted, Pouting.

"Oh please, I've seen you talking to your plushie a couple of times, it's kinda weird."

"Don't listen to her Gura-chan, She's just all talk cuz all she has are her bonsai plants."

"Listen here you little sh-"

"Alright, nows not the time for your usual banters you two." Yamabuki interjected. Saving me from Ichigaya's physical tsundere attacks.

Sitting back down, Ichigaya- let out a 'hmph' whereas I stuck out my tongue at her playfully.

"If..." I heard Toyama say, to which me and Yamabuki-san leaned over to listen. "If i'm still not better... You guys should go without me..."

"No thanks you idiot." Ichigaya replied.

"PoPiPa wouldn't be PoPiPa without all of it's five members." Ushigome pointed out.

"Without you Kasumi, we wouldn't be Poppin' Party anymore. We'd be Droppin' Party!" Hanazono said. It made Toyama smile.

Honestly that was a good one.

"Kasumi, are you still hungry?" Yamabuki asked. She then took out a paper bag and placed it on top of the blanket. Unwrapping it, revealing the contents inside. Which are cookies.

"Choco Chips?"

"Are those Raisins?" Hanazono asked.

"They're black beans." Yamabuki-san answered. Black beans? Now that's something new topping I've only discovered now. "Supposedly they're good for your throat."

"Really? You should've used Ginger as well." I suggested.

"We ran out of it, apparently." She replied. "Plus they're from Jun and Sana, since they wanted to help Kasumi get better."

"I see..." I then turned to Toyama. "Better eat up now."

She opened a smile. Nodding as she began helping herself with the snacks.

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[ Later ]

Just when I thought the weather was fine. It wasn't. I stare through the window to witness the grey clouds looming from above, everything outside drenched by the rain once again.

"See you later Kasumi, Katsuhiko." Two of our classmates waved goodbye to us, leaving me and Toyama all alone in this dim room.

We both waved back as they left, and all that leaves us is to do the same as well. "Ready to go now?" I asked Toyama as I went to her table. "We can pass the time by hanging out at the culinary club."

She shook her head. "I want to go somewhere. . . ." Toyama said.

"Where to?"

. . .

. . .

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[ Location ] [ Hanasakigawa Girls' (?) School: Pool ]

Huh. . .

Of all the places we can go to. . . She chose this.

Not that I complain or anything. If it something that she needs in order to get her to her good spirits, then that's fine by me. I'll stick by her side no matter what.

I see Toyama crouching down in front of the pool. Gazing at the person swimming to her direction.

Just a little closer and I was able to make out who this person was. It was Toyama's little sister.

So this is the club she goes to?

As she reaches the end of the pool. Her head pops up, needing air. "How's my time- Huh?" She was about to ask, only to notice our presence before her. "Onee-chan! What are you doing here?!"

"She said she was bored and wanted to come here." I answered. Making her look at her big sister quizically. "And I'm only here to keep an eye on her."

"Really? Are you her boyfriend-"

"No, I am definitely not." I sheepishly respond. Just how many of the girl's here assume that sort of thing between me and Toyama?

"Kasumi-chan? And Katsuhiko-kun?" We turn our heads as we hear a familiar voice. It was Miss Ushigome, wearing her swimsuit.

. . .

. . .

Don't look over there or else they'll accuse you!-

"What happened to band practice?"

". . . They told me to go home and rest." Toyama responded.

"Then go home already!" Asuka said.

"I'm bored. . ."

"Geez. . ."

"Being on bed rest is no fun, now isn't it?" Miss Ushigome spoke. A soft lingering smile on her face. "Do you want to talk about it?"

. . .

. . .

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[ Third Person POV ]

One person could say that they'll find sitting by a pool comfortable. The place itself was peaceful. Not a lot of noise you could hear and only the sounds of stroking water, calm ripples and the gentle echoes.

Kasumi was that person sitting by the pool, beside her is her senior. Both watching the younger Toyama swam through the lane.

Meanwhile, Katsuhiko was sitting from the corner. Watching while playing with his Gura plushie.

He also could not help but listen to Kasumi and Yuri's conversation.

"At-chan's been good at swimming since elementary school. . . It's a shame she's quitting." Kasumi said, staring longingly as her sister continues to swim from start to finish.

"It is tough to balance your time while studying for entrance exams." Yuri said.

"Even for you, Yuri-san?"

"I do what I have to do, and I do things I want to do, too."

". . .wow. . ."

. . .

. . .

"You didn't freeze from fear. . . did you?" Yuri asked.

"What?"

"Your audition the other day. That sort of feeling can happen if you get too nervous. But if that wasn't it, maybe it could be stress."

". . .Stress?" Kasumi uttered. Thinking about it. Maybe she is indeed stressed. Thinking about the auditions and whether or not Poppin' Party will take part in SPACE's last live concert. "Maybe. . . you're right. . . The owner told me that I was the weakest member of the band. . . I just started playing recently, so I knew that what she said was true. . . but. . ."

. . .

. . .

"I didn't get it. . . Once I knew we only had two more chances left. . . Suddenly, my heart started pounding. . . Not the kind I usually feel. . . The nervous and panicky kind. . ."

"Even though I was standing up on the stage at SPACE, I couldn't see the sparkles at all. . ."

Yuri stares at her under classman. Understanding her situation.

"That's something you'll have to overcome yourself. . ." She said, turning her head back towards the pool.

That exciting moment you were expecting to see, which you were highly anticipating, was lost to your sight. Blinded by the feeling of anxiety. Blinded by those discouraging words.

Blinded by the truth.

. . .

. . .

. . .

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[ Time Skip ]

[ Location ] [ Toyama Residence ]

Kasumi finds herself sitting inside the bath tub. Contemplating about thing's she hasn't yet to resolve.

Barely sinking herself within the warm bath. She closes her eyes, trying to relax.

Then for a moment. She sat back up. She takes a deep breath and tries to sing. But that attempt would fail as only her meekly quiet voice resonated. She tries again, yet with the same results.

She tried again, this time, she tried even harder.

She wanted to make it louder.

But to no avail.

Nothing worked.

All she could do was to lower her head.