SJMT Shipper: I know what you mean! I cried so much! And laughed so much! Binbougami ga is like the perfect mix! I wanna see what happens when Ichiko's parents meet Tsuwabuki, though. (Lol)
ChordOverstreetFan: good point... I never thought of that...
xxxxx
"It's finally time for the semi-finals!" Anna-sensei yelled, strumming a power chord on her guitar. "First off, in A Block, we have Sakuraba and Sakurai!"
(Sakurai means "cherry blossom well." Also, there are several definitions for most last names. Just a note.)
"The two 'cherry blossoms!" Ako grinned.
Mahiru and Koharu smiled.
"That's right," Koharu agreed.
"Hey, are you and Mahiru still good friends?" Ako asked. "Nothing happened because of the selection?"
"Of course not," Mahiru answered. "We're best friends."
Ako nodded. "But Yume and Laura..."
"Yeah," Mahiru agreed. "Things seem a little tense."
"It'll be fine," Koharu said. "After the semi-finals today, there's only one more round tomorrow. Only another day left..."
"I hope so..." Ako replied uncertainly.
xxxxx
"The one moving onto the finals is... Sakuraba Laura!" Anna-sensei announced.
Laura smiled. I did it!
She walked off the stage.
"Good job, Laura!" Yume smiling, running up to her. "You did great!"
"Thanks," Laura said. "You're against Lily-senpai next. How do you feel?"
Yume shrugged. "Not sure...?"
"Well, good luck."
"Thanks!" Yume grinned, running off.
xxxxx
"And now: the semi-finals for B Block! Nijino and Shirogane!" Anna-sensei yelled, and struck another power chord on her guitar.
Yume smiled in the changing room. "Nijino Yume, ready to go!"
She changed into the Royal Books coord.
"Shirogane Lily, pouring my soul into this moment!" Lily said, changing into the Gothic Rose coord.
The two girls appeared on the stage.
This is my last chance, Lily thought. I'm a second-year now... and I promised Yuzu. I really hope I don't collapse again. There are hardly any grains left in the top of the hourglass for me...
The music started to play.
"Peeji wo," Yume and Lily sang together. "Mekuru tabi ni atarashii kimi ga iru ni..."
(This song is "So Beautiful Story.")
I'm singing with Lily-senpai! Yume thought joyfully. I'm performing with her!
I need to win this, Lily thought, determinedly. For Yuzu!
But when they got to the middle, Lily looked strained.
What's wrong...? Yume thought frantically. Is she...?
"Nani... cough..." Lily forced out."Yori... cough...fu...sa...wa..."
Her voice got weaker and she felt dizzy. The world started to spin.
Sorry... Yuzu, Lily thought. I didn't make it after all... Please... forgive... me...
She collapsed.
Yume's eyes widened. "Lily-senpai!"
In the audience, Yuzu's eyes widened in sync with her. "Lilienne!"