Calm Night Stage

Riko
...You aren’t going to tell Kokona-chan?

Shizuka
I can't complain about my weakness to Kokona. It would just ruin her trip.

Riko
I see...

Riko
...I also had a dream that I didn't want to give up on.

Shizuka
A dream?

Riko
Yes. I originally lived in Tokyo, not Numazu. I've been playing the piano since I was a child.

Riko
All I did at home and at school was play the piano. I was so ignorant of the world that even Chika-chan used to laugh at me.

Riko
I loved the piano that much, and I wanted to keep working hard at it. But...I ended up quitting.

Shizuka
Why? You didn't want to give up, did you?

Riko
I was in a slump. I'd even gone to the national championships in junior high school, but at the high school I went to in Tokyo... I just couldn't play well anymore.

Riko
I was on stage at the competition, but I couldn't move my hands, and I couldn't play anything. After that, I just couldn't get back into it.

Riko
So I thought that if I changed my environment, I'd be able to do better, so I transferred to Numazu. That's where I met Chika-chan and the others.

Riko
I didn't know what to do or how to face the piano, and then Chika-chan invited me to become a school idol.

Shizuka
So you became a member of Aqours?

Riko
Yeah, but at that time I thought, I don't want to give up on the piano either.

Riko
It's strange, isn't it? I started out as a school idol, but thanks to that I was able to think about trying the piano again.

Riko
I never thought it would happen to me. It was like a dream come true, with everything going so well.

Riko
So I know how it feels to be surprised when something you thought was impossible actually happens.

Shizuka
I see...

Shizuka
...

Riko
I'm sorry. It's irresponsible of me to say I understand your situation when I don't even know what it is.

Shizuka
No, I'm glad.

Riko
I'm glad to hear that.

Riko
You know, ever since I started composing for Aqours, I've felt like the way I approach the piano has changed.

Riko
Everyone taught me that there are other uses for my skills besides entering competitions.

Riko
Chika-chan and the others took me to a place I never would have reached on my own.

Riko
So now, my dream is to make everyone in Aqours' dreams come true.

Shizuka
Making everyone's dreams come true...

Riko
Yeah.

Shizuka
Riko-chan is amazing. I don't think I'll ever be able to get to that point.

Shizuka
I'm usually the one telling Kokona to be more confident, but when it comes down to it, I'm like this.

Shizuka
I'm happy that it's come true, but I'm also worried that it might not be a good thing, and I'm going back and forth like that every day.

Shizuka
...What will become of us from now on? What should we do, since we're different from before?

Shizuka
...I wonder what will happen to us from now on. How should we be different from before?

Riko
...

Riko
I've only just gotten to know Shizuka, so my opinion might be off the mark, but...

Riko
I'm sure there's a meaning to the time you spend feeling lost and worried, and there are lots of things your friends can help you with.

Riko
I know it's irresponsible of me to say this, but maybe the only thing to do is just enjoy what comes next?

Shizuka
Enjoy what comes next, huh?

Shizuka
...You're right, you can't know what the future holds.

Riko
Yeah. I can't decide whether it's good or bad, but even so, Shizuka-chan on stage was really wonderful.

Shizuka
Thanks.

Riko
That's what happened. Sorry, it feels like I'm talking about other people's problems...

Chika
No, I was worried too, so don't worry about it!

Chika
But it seems like Shizuka-chan is worried too...

Riko
Kokona-chan is too then?

Chika
Yeah. They’re both being considerate of each other and not saying anything.

Riko
It seems so.

Riko
I wanted to do something about it, but...what about you?

Chika
Of course! I want the two of them to think that this trip was fun!

Riko
Right. Even if it's hard to solve, I hope we can at least give them a push...

Chika
...

Riko
Maybe it's not our place to interfere after meeting by chance like this...

Chika
I got it!

Riko
Chika-chan!?

Chika
Let's do a live performance! It doesn't have to be big, but let's have them hear our song!

Riko
To Shizuka-chan and the others?

Chika
To Koyomi-san and the others too! I think Dia-san and the rest will help if we ask!

Chika
I'll contact them!

Chika
Wow, they replied already! Dia-san and Ruby-chan are going to help us too!

Riko
Wow, I got an email too - from Yoshiko-chan?

Riko
...Yoshiko-chan was going to propose a live too!

Chika
See, everyone really did want to help!

Chika
It really is like a miracle! Hehe!