"I think I've… seen something like that.." Kanata said hesitantly, looking away from the others. "A-at the… during the festival, when I first came here…" She trailed off, stared at the wall, her foot tracing a circle in the ground. She glanced at the group, saw disbelief on their faces, and turned her gaze downward.

Kureha stared at her for awhile, as did the others. The long silence made Kanata uneasy, and she took a step back, tracing her trumpet's shape with one hand. The owl in the room hooted, cocking its head to the side, as if urging the girl on.

Kureha spoke up. "You've seen the angel in the story?" Kanata nodded, took a deep breath, and let it out. Feeling calmer now, she carefully placed her trumpet on the table beside her, then turned to face the other girls, who still had not moved from their position.

Her captain smiled kindly at her, placing her hands on the younger girl's shoulders. "I believe you, Kanata. Would you… please describe what you saw to us? Start from the beginning."

Kanata nodded again. She stood up straight, then took another deep breath. "It was during the festival, when I first came to this town. I met Rio, and at that time I didn't know she was part of the 1121st platoon. She had the bell with her, and the sound of it brought back memories of when I first met the woman who made me fall in love with music.

"Well, Shuko swooped down out of nowhere and took the bell. I tried to get it back, but almost fell off the balcony. Rio had caught me before I fell, so I was safe. I really felt bad that the bell had been stolen so I went to look for it.

"Eventually I found it again, on the edge of the stairs on the side of a cliff. I tried to get it, but the stairs broke and I fell into the water. The sun was setting… and… I saw it…" She trailed off again, recollecting her memories.

"It… looked like a winged creature, but, it had no head…" Kanata was silent for a moment, remembering. "It was just the skeleton, and the setting sun made it seem like it was made of gold, it was glowing. I watched it for awhile, then came back up to the surface of the water, and climbed onto shore. And then… you guys found me…"

Everyone was silent, thinking. Kureha took a step forward and hugged Kanata, who yelped, surprised. Kureha spoke, voicing everyone's thoughts. "I've known you long enough to know you're not lying, Kanata. I believe you."

"Well this is around the same time you fell into the water, I think." Rio said, looking around.

"And this is right above the spot where we found you." Filicia noted, peering into the water.

Aisha smiled widely. "I can't believe we're actually going to be able to see the angel from the story!"

"I don't see anything." Kureha said, disappointed. She sighed, stepping away from the edge of the cliff.

Noël looked Kureha, then down into the water. After awhile she looked up at the others and quietly said, "It's down there."

Kanata paused. "Do you all know how to swim?" She asked.

"Yes," Kureha answered. "Of course we do."

Kanata nodded, grinning. "You probably won't forgive me for this but… Take a deep breath!" She grabbed Kureha's hand, then Noël's.

"Wh-what for?" Kureha asked, already dreading the answer. Noël gave a faint smile, already knowing what her friend was thinking.

"We're going in!" Kanata jumped off the cliff, dragging a screaming Kureha behind her.

"N-no! Idiot, we're going to-" They fell, Kanata laughing and Kureha latched onto Kanata for dear life. Noël laughed.

Aisha grinned. "Kanata sure knows how to have fun!" She said, laughing, and dived in after them.

Rio and Filicia watched the four girls free falling, three having the time of their lives and one scared out of her wits. Rio looked over at Filicia and smiled. "Well. Shall we?"

Filicia smiled back, her eyes shining. "Yes, I don't want to be left out," Her smile widened. "But you're going first, Rio."

"Wha-" Rio was gently pushed over the edge of the cliff, stunned. "You-!"

Filicia grinned, leaping in after her.

They gazed in awe at the sight of the golden creature. Kanata swam closer to the sight, until she was able to touch it. The others seemed to be thinking the same thing, carefully touching the winged creature, thoughts of the story flitting across their minds.

Kanata thought of the bell which had first brought her here, then of the time when she heard a full orchestra of Amazing Grace from Takemikazuchi.

I wish… I could hear real music… from real instruments. She thought to herself, tracing the line of the angel's wing with her hands.

All of a sudden, a golden light erupted from the fossil, startling everyone.

Kanata stared at her hands, stunned. She was glowing too! And… so were the others!

The light became brighter, too bright. Kanata closed her eyes, wondering what would happen next.

Yui, Mio, Ritsu, Azusa, and Tsumugi froze mid-song when a large circle of bright, golden light appeared in the middle of their club room, illuminating the enclosed space.

Six soaked girls wearing military uniforms fell out of the circle, coughing up water. Breathing hard as if short of breath, they lay sprawled out on the ground, looking at their surroundings.

A girl around 17 years old noticed the band and froze, staring at the girls and their instruments. "F-Felicia…" She said, nudging one of the other girls.

The other military-clad girls turned and stared, silent, confused. One of them finally found her voice, and shakily stood up.

"M-my name is Kanata Sorami, of the 1121st Platoon of Helvetia!" She saluted, and the other girls saw this and slowly copied her example, somewhat dazed.

Yui looked shocked, then mildly surprised. She placed her guitar in its case carefully, then stood up straight and saluted back. "Yui Hirasawa of the K-On Club! P-pleased to meet you!" She looked at the girls of the 1121st Platoon, then gave a broad smile. "Um… do you want some tea? And…" She glanced at the water dripping from their clothes. "Maybe some towels, too?"

"S-sure…" The girl named Kanata replied, looking back at her friends.

Ritsu's drumsticks fell out of her hands, clattering to the ground.

Azusa stood rooted to her spot, stunned, the guitar strap the only thing keeping her guitar from dropping to the ground. "What…" She mumbled to herself.

Mugi got the tea ready, humming a tune as she did so. "Luckily I brought some extra teacups and snack." She said happily to nobody in particular, already accepting the situation.

Mio fainted.

To be continued…?

Author's Notes

Thank you for taking the time to read my second fan fiction!

Right now I'm working on improving my first fan fiction and its next chapter, and wondering whether I should continue this story or not…

I'll put up a poll on my profile about that, so please vote on what you want!

Thank you ^^