Chapter 2 Another Way to Spread Hope
Airi's POV

Once school ended for the day, I began making my way to the school rooftop. In my hands…I was holding a case containing a base guitar.

As I walked to the roof, I thought about what had happened earlier.

"I used to watch you on variety shows when I was in the hospital!"

"That was a tough time for me, but…watching you always made me feel better!"

"Watching me on those variety shows…made her happy?"

When I thought about this…a small smile came to my face.

"I actually managed to make someone happy", I said, before my small smile turned into a confident grin. "Alright! I've gotta do my best to make even more people happy!"

With newfound determination, my grip on the bass case tightened, and I rushed to the roo

When I reached my destination, someone was already there waiting for me.

"Sorry I'm late, Shiho!"

"That's okay, Momoi-Senpai", Shiho reassured, before grabbing onto her own base guitar. "Are you ready for practice?"

Before I gave my answer, I put my case down and took my own base out from it.

"I'm ready", I replied with enthusiasm.

"Then let's begin."

As Shiho and I practiced, I began thinking about how we met, and how I began playing the base in the first place.

Flashback

I was standing by the Scramble Crossing. As I waited for the light to turn green, I hung my head low in disappointment.

"Rejected by another agency. Seems like everyone thinks the only thing I'm good for is being on variety shows."

After I said this to myself, I clenched my hands in frustration as I fought to hold back tears.

"I'm I really not cut out to be an idol after all? If so, then…how I am I going to spread hope to people?"

Just as I was on verge of crying…some excited chatter caught my attention.

"Is that Momoi Airi?!"

"It is! It's lovely fairy Airi!"

"Do you think she'll give us her autograph?"

"Why don't we ask her?"

After I heard this, I groaned in frustration.

"I am not in the mood for this."

Thankfully, the light finally turned green, so I quickly ducked into the crowd of people crossing to avoid my fans. Then, to further avoid them, I ducked into a quiet alleyway, where I let out a sigh of relief.

"I managed to dodge them."

Just when I thought I could take a moment to relax, a familiar face suddenly walked up to me.

"Airi-Chan", she greeted happily.

"Shizuku", I said in confusion. "What are you doing here? Wait, don't tell me. You're lost, aren't you?"

"I'm afraid so", Shizuku replied. "Do you remember my little sister, Shii-Chan?"

"How can I not", I asked. "You talk about her all the time."

"That's because I love her so much", Shizuku said. "Anyway, she often plays at live houses, but I've never actually seen her perform before. I decided to finally watch one of her performances, but as I was trying to get to the live house she usually plays at.."

"You got lost", I completed, before sighing in frustration. "Well, it's a good thing I'm here. Show me the address of the live house, and I'll take you to it."

…

Shizuku and I had arrived at the live house, which was already filled with a lot of people.

"Is this the right place", I asked.

"I think so", Shizuku replied. "I just hope that I haven't missed Shii-Chan's performance."

After Shizuku said this, a band suddenly walked onto the stage…and she started grinning from ear to ear.

"There's she is", she said, before waving her hand to someone on stage excitedly. "Shii-Chan! It's me! It's Shizuku!"

"Quiet, Shizuku", I commanded as I suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled it down. "Don't bring attention to yourself! What if there's any Cheerful*Days fans here?!"

"You're right", Shizuku said in dismay. "I wouldn't want to take any attention away from Shii-Chan!"

After Shizuku said this, I began looking at the stage to spot her sister, who I had seen in pictures she'd shown me.

I soon spotted her at the side of the stage. Her face was very red, probably because of her sister's outburst.

Thankfully, the lights soon dimmed. And then…the band began playing.

When I listened to them play, I was in complete awe. I couldn't explain it, but their music made me feel something.

…

The performance was over, and Shizuku's sister walked up to us.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Shizuku cut her off when she suddenly wrapped her arms around her.

"Shii-Chan", she exclaimed. "You were absolutely amazing!"

"Onee-Chan, get off of me", Shiho commanded, before pulling away from her sister. "And what are you even doing here?"

"I came to see you perform, Shii-Chan", Shizuku replied. "Oh, by the way, this is my classmate and fellow idol, Momoi Airi!"

"Oh", Shiho said when she noticed me. "Right, it's very nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too", I greeted with a bow. "Shizuku talks about you all the time."

"Great", Shiho said in annoyance.

"Your performance was amazing", I said, changing the subject. "There's something about the music you were playing that made me feel something."

"Really", Shiho asked hopefully. "I'm glad. After all, my goal is perform music that will touch people's heart."

"Perform music…that will touch people's hearts?"

"Shii-Chan", Shizuku started. "Do you want to walk home together?"

"Well, we'll both be going home soon anyway", Shiho pointed out. "Plus, you'll probably get lost on the way back if I don't come with you. Let me just help with packing up, and then we can go."

"Yay", Shizuku said happily. "Then I'll wait for you outside, Shii-Chan!"

With that, Shizuku left, leaving me and Shiho alone.

"Hinomori-San", I started. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course", Shiho replied. "What is it?"

"Do you think…reaching someone's heart…can be used to give them hope?"

"Can reaching someone's heart be used to give them hope?"

After repeating my question, Shiho gave it some thought, before giving her answer.

"Yeah. I definitely think so."

"I see", I said. "Then…can I ask you something else?"

"What is it", Shiho asked.

"Would you…teach me how to play the bass?

"Huh", Shiho said in confusion. "You want to learn how to play the bass? Why?"

"The reason why I wanted to become an idol was spread hope to people", I revealed. "But, no matter what agency I go to, they just want to stick me onto variety shows! They don't think I have what it takes to be an actual idol! If that's so, then…I need to find another way to spread hope to people."

"I see", Shiho said. "I understand how you feel, Momoi-Senpai, but…learning to play the bass isn't as easy as it may look, you know."

"I know, but…", I started. "I don't have any other options right now, so…

Before I finished…I bowed down in front of Shiho.

"Please teach me, Shiho!"