Spirit

Kokona
Sorry! Can we do that last scene again?

Panda
W-What?! Again?! We've already rehearsed this scene at least 20 times today!

Kokona
I'm so sorry for keeping you out so late!
But I want to solidify Hiyori's feelings for Hotaru a little more.

Panda
...Well, I'll stick with it until Koko-chan is satisfied. If the lead actress is this enthusiastic, I can't just turn her down.

Chisa
Kokona, let me join in too.

Kokona
Thank you, Sasuga-chan! In that case, let's start with the scene where Hiyori appear with her mother—

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Yae
Kokona-san has been really fired up lately!
It's as if energy is surging from her entire body. I wonder what happened?

Kathrina
Doesn't Shizuka know why Kokona ended up like that?

Shizuka
I...

Noa
Whatever the reason, the fact remains that this sparked a fire within us.

Shamo
Yes, she's changed so much I could hardly recognize her. She's finally got the look of a leading lady.

Yae
Hiiragi-san and Shamo-san, what do you think happened to Kokona-san?

Noa
I don't know. But—
I recognize the light in those eyes.
From the moment she showed up for the audition for "The Phantom of the Opera" until the actual performance, that girl had eyes like that.

Kathrina
...Yes.

Shamo
That's not all.

Kathrina
Huh?

Shamo
Up until now, she was just working hard and giving it her all. But now, her feelings must have changed.
She's putting her all into the role for the sake of someone important to her. I'm sure she'll become a wonderful Hiyori.

Noa
I can just picture the look of frustration on Renjakuno's face.

Yae
She's putting her all into the role for the sake of someone important to her...
I'm envious of the people who get to have Kokona do all that for them.

Kathrina
...That's right.

Shizuka
.....
(Since that day, I've been watching over Kokona's efforts. I wanted to be able to stop her immediately if anything happened.
But Kokona didn't waver in her resolve. She was more focused than ever before, determined to create her own performance.
I kind of know it... Kokona is growing up. At an incredible speed...
...I have to take care of myself. I don't want to be left behind Kokona.
To give the best performance I can, one that can stand alongside Kokona...!)

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Kokona
Shizuka-chan...?

Panda
Hmm? Is something wrong?

Kokona
...No, it's nothing!
(It's strange. I feel like Shizuka-chan is right beside me.
In that case, all the more reason I can't let her see my embarrassing side...!)