Tsukasaaa!
No luck here either... Hm? What's this?
And the winner of the Kamiyama Gaming Tournament is... Nene Kusanagi! Congratulations!
Her incredible high score left the contestants in the dust! Could we please have a few words, Ms. Kusanagi?
I, um... I'm... I'm very happy. Th-Thank you...
Your score in the shooting game category deserves a special mention! Could you give us some tips on how to get better at shooters?
I, um... I just play a lot at home...
Hey, I think I've heard of that shooter.
Isn't it supposed to be super hard?
She must be amazing.
Maybe I should get that game too...
Wait, I'm already getting distracted!
Tsukasa! Where's Tsukasa...?
Ugh, I'm not making any progress. Plenty of people have seen him, but too many witnesses can be as bad as none.
Hm? Hey, look. It's Mizuki!
It's been ages! I didn't think you'd show up!
Oh...
You know, if Mizuki doesn't like people pointing it out, why not just dress normally for school?
I know, right? Of course people are going to say things when you stand out like that.
That's just the way Mizuki is, I guess.
Totally. Some people just don't know how to blend in.
Hey, good to see you again! The festival seemed fun, so I thought I'd check it out♪
But... Why aren't you wearing the class T-shirt?
Well... I was offered one but getting changed seemed like too much of a bother, so I figured I'd pass.
Hm. Yeah, I see your point. I guess wearing the same T-shirt as everyone else in your class is pretty cliche and uncool.
Yeah! It's a class event so I put mine on too, but it makes me kinda cringe.
...
Hey, do you want to check out the festival with us? It's been so long since we got to chat.
Sorry, but I'm actually looking for someone right now.
Oh, okay. That's too bad.
You guys have fun, though!
See ya!
...
Wearing the same outfit is uncool, huh?
You can only say that because you actually fit in.
<Wow!>
<You were right. You can see the entire festival from up here. Thank you for showing me, Rui.>
Hehe, it's my pleasure.
It's nothing, really.
<But are you sure you wouldn't rather be with your classmates than on the rooftop with me?>
Absolutely. I'm done with all I had to do anyway.
I love festivals like this, but my classmates always shoot down my ideas because they're too extreme.
Compatibility is really important when working on a project with other people. Which is sort of why I've always been an outcast.
<I see...>
Hehe, no need to pity me. I finally managed to find some like-minded friends so...
<You mean Tsukasa, Nene and Emu?>
Of course!
<I'm happy for you.
We all love seeing you smile.>
Hehe. Thank you, KAITO. But to be honest, I never expected things to get better for me.
I thought the only way to put on my shows was to do everything on my own.
I thought it would be enough as long as others were able to enjoy them, even if I had no friends.
But the shows I really wanted to do couldn't be done with just one person...
<Hm? It sounds like someone's coming up the stairs...>
Is that...?
Oh...
Another friend of mine.
<A friend?>
You could say we're kindred spirits.
Do you mind if I chat with them for a bit...?
<Not at all. Take your time. I was thinking of heading back anyway. See you later, Rui.>
Until our next show, KAITO.
Huh?
Who's there? Rui...?
Hello, Mizuki. It's been a while since we last met up here.