Part 8: Flipping through the Memories
Yae: Hiiragi-san, would you like a refill of sake?
Noa: Yae… You’re still an elementary schooler, no need to be so caring.
Yae: No, no. I’d love to be of help.
Chisa: Kathrina, did you know? Lotus roots have holes so that lotus can breathe underwater.
Kathrina: I told you I wouldn’t be falling for your jokes anymore. Give it up, and enjoy your meal.
Panda: Attention, please! Glad to see you all enjoying the party! But thereʼs something special we've prepared for you!
Noa: Something special?
Shamo: What could that be? Fufu, canʼt wait to find out.
Panda: Koko-chan, it’s your turn!
Kokona: Right!
Kokona: Umm… Thank you for giving me the floor.
Kokona: Well… It’s a little embarrassing, but since all of Sirius is here, we'd like to show you a video.
Shizuka: A video?
Kokona: Yes. I asked Panda-chan to put together memorable moments I shared with you all from the day I joined and up till now.
Kokona: The days we’ve spent together are very dear to me, and spring is associated with graduating and bidding farewells, right? For me it means turning a new leaf, so I wanted to convey this feeling…
Kokona: From now on, I plan to continue working hard, so I’d be happy if you all could watch me.
Kathrina: Kokona…
Shizuka: Honestly… So the reason you didn’t come back last night was because you were working on it?
Panda: Hold up! Would you please save your excitement for later?! For now, please, watch the video Panda and Koko-chan made for you!
Yae: That’s right! I’m looking forward to seeing the fruit of your efforts!
Panda: That’s our Nizumacchi, always saying exactly the right thing!
Panda: Alright. Let’s go…
Noa: “Let’s get started. Are you ready?”
Kokona: “Yes, ma’am!”
Kokona: “But be at ease. I’m here with you. I’ll always be by your side.”
Kathrina: Is this from the auditions to join the troupe? You sure film it all.
Chisa: Back then it was unexpected to see Niizuma suddenly show up.
Yae: That’s because you and Panda-san didn’t come to practice, so I went looking for you, you know?
Panda: Ugh… W-well! No point talking about it now!
Shizuka: In the video Kokona and Panda made Kokona goes a long way from a girl with a dream to a fine actress.
Shizuka: The Prince from The Little Mermaid, Misao, Aladdin, the Phantom. And finally, the Prince again. She gets better with each performance.
Shizuka: To think it all started back with us playing theatre at that breakwater. I’ve been watching her all this time, standing right by her side.
Shizuka: The actress Ootori Kokona is as dazzling as ever. But…
Kokona (in a flashback): But you know, Shizuka-chan. To make a promise, there should be the one you make it with.
Kokona (in a flashback): Shizuka-chan, you used to say it was my story, and you were just a supporting character, but…
Kokona (in a flashback): This is the story of the two of us. And you are a main character too.
Kokona (in a flashback): So, I want once again to take the stage with you by my side.
Kokona (in a flashback): What about you, Shizuka-chan?
Shizuka: …
Kokona: “That’s enough. I can’t keep her tied down any longer.”
Kokona: “This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been glad that I was born… Thank you, Christine.”
Kokona: “I love you from the bottom of my heart.”
Yae: …somehow I canʼt take my eyes off of it.
Noa: Yes. Even though we came for sakura viewing.
Chisa: Ah, that’s the photo from the time we went to the zoo. And that one is from the skatepark.
Kathrina: Isn’t that the Athletics Festival? Thereʼs also the New Year.
Kathrina: Fufu, Kokona looking so happy after getting off the stage.
Noa: It’s nostalgic to see the photos from the move-in party. Really, there are so many of them.
Chisa: When you look at them, you realize how lively it’s become since the girls joined. Time sure flies.
Yae: That’s true. There’s being so many heartwarming moments, both onstage and in daily life.
Shizuka: You’re right. Kokona’s been so happy ever since joining Sirius.
Shamo: Dear, dear, should you say that with such a sad face? You two will continue to perform, won’t you?
Shizuka: Shamo-san…
Shizuka: …yes, we will.
Shizuka: Say, Kokona… Huh…
Kokona: Zzzz…
Kathrina: She fell asleep.
Shizuka: Come now, and there you said, “Please, watch it.”
Chisa: Is Panda asleep too?
Panda: …
Shamo: Let them rest for a bit.
Yae: Yes. Fufu, the two of them were working hard till late.
Shizuka: But thanks to them we get to watch such a nice video.
Shizuka: Thank you so much, Kokona, Panda.