Ahh, that bath was so nice.

Very much so. It was so spacious and beautiful.

It even had a jacuzzi! I couldn't believe it.

A big ol' thank you to Maki for setting this all up for us.

I didn't do anything, but I'll let my parents know.

We got to have so much fun and delicious food on this wonderful island.

We even shot off some fireworks and got to use that huge bath. This is true happiness!

I could stay here forever.

Would you be able to survive in a place without TV or internet for very long?

Ugh, Karin, you're so mean!

*Chuckle* Sorry. You're just so cute, I couldn't help it.

Well, I guess I can forgive you. My cuteness is a hard thing to resist.

*Giggle*

Hm? What is it, Shioko?

Oh, I'm sorry for laughing all of a sudden. I was just thinking about how strange this all is. Well, maybe strange isn't the correct word, more like wonderful.

Why's that?

Because I'm here enjoying my time with all of you, even though we aren't in the same classes or schools, even.

On top of that, I'm at a school idol training camp! I spent so long avoiding such activities, but now I myself am a school idol.

Not that long ago, I wouldn't have even dreamed that I'd meet you all, and that we'd all spend time together like this.

Thinking about how strange it all is brings a smile to my face.

When you put it that way, it is a pretty amazing change. At first, I thought you were such a nag. I had a really hard time trying to get above a sixty on every test!

But now, I know that you're actually someone who really gets it. And since I'm so kind and forgiving, it's all water under the bridge.

*Giggle* Thank you very much.

This training camp is so much fun. It's just like a school trip!

Speaking of which, don't school trips often have a pillow fight? I haven't been in one myself, but I see them all the time in anime and manga. I've always wanted to try it.

That's perfect! I never lose at pillow fights.

Wait, before we have a pillow fight, why don't we do another important school trip tradition?

I have the feeling you're going to suggest something nonsensical.

I am not!

What do you mean by school trip tradition?

Heh heh heh, well you see…

Phew, that bath felt really good.

Hey, Eli, get over here! It's time for tonight's main event.

Wait, where are Honoka and Kotori?

Apparently, Honoka enjoyed the bath a little too much.

She stared feeling dizzy, so Kotori is taking care of her. Even after I warned her not to get too excited.

Right on schedule…

Nico, did you say something?

Huh?! Ah, nope! Nothing at all! But that's good that Kotori is keeping an eye on Honoka.

Yes, she should be fine. So, what's this main event you mentioned?

It's an essential part of trips like this! I'm talking about a ghost story competition!

G-Ghost story?!

I'm…going to take a bath.

What do you mean? You just came out of the bath! This is another part of making memories, so get over here.

*Groan*

You know, I-I think I'd like to join Eli in the bath.

Oh, are you scared? I guess Nijigasaki students aren't as brave as I thought.

I-I'm not scared at all! I could sit through a hundred scary stories!

Then there's no problem. Long, long ago…

H-Hold on. You're starting already?!

What do I need to wait for?

You sound super ready to go, Nico-chi.

Yup. After we picked this place for our trip, I looked up a bunch of information about the island, and I found this really scary legend.

A sc-scary legend?!

Long ago, eight girls from a music school who dreamed of becoming singers were forced to evacuate from the mainland to this very island.

Life on the mainland must've been rough. The evacuees looked so down in the dumps that one of the girls on the island asked the elders to hold a welcoming festival for them.

The elders were opposed to a celebration in such chaotic times, but I think they felt sorry for the girls, too. So, they decided to hold a long-postponed summer festival.

The girls at first were reluctant to take part, but the lone island girl did her best to convince them. She wanted to hear them sing, and said that she wanted to sing, too.

Her words gave the girls all the motivation they needed, and together the nine of them practiced as hard as they could to get ready for the summer festival.

Oh, what a gripping development!

What are you talking about, Setsuna? This is a ghost story. That means it's only going to go downhill from here. I really would rather not hear anymore, to be honest…

You catch on quick, Umi. That's right, things are about to get serious.

Eek, p-please don't continue.

A few days before the summer festival, the nine girls went to check on the bandstand to make sure it was safe after a typhoon had passed, but then…

…they were caught in a landslide!

They say the cause was cutting down too many trees for fuel in a drawn-out battle, leaving the ground unstable. The grieving islanders felt no end to the depths of their sorrow.

Oh my, how dreadful.

Some time has passed since that tragic event, but many islanders have said they can hear someone singing off in the distance at night.

The story's still not over?

There have been several cases of people who heard that singing being lured into the ocean, their minds clouded over, and drowning.

Believing such accidents were caused by the girls' deep regret from the tragedy, the islanders erected a memorial and prayed, but to no avail. The islanders had to move away.

I-I can't take anymore of this!

Eventually, this incident was lost to history, and the island was made into a vacation spot. A resort was built and people returned, bringing life back to the island.

You won't believe what happened next.

I bet people started hearing the singing again.

Hey, Nozomi, don't ruin the mood!

A-Anyway, Nozomi's right. Visitors started hearing that singing voice again. Some even wandered into the ocean, just like before. It happened more than once or twice.

Luckily, unlike the past, the beach had gotten lifeguards, so nobody drowned as a result. But everyone who was rescued apparently said the same thing.

That they heard an irresistible voice calling to them, asking them to come play.

The incidents kept happening, so tourists stopped coming. It wasn't long until the resort closed down and was sold off. Now the land is used for vacation homes.

You guys better be careful. If you ever hear a mysterious voice singing to you in the night, don't you lend an ear to it!

The next person it lures off…could be one of us!

Eeeeekk!

That was a great story, full of intrigue at every turn. Next it's time for my super scary story.

N-No more, please! No more!