Ch. 18 Ep. 6: Evening Enjoyment!
After stuffing themselves at their sunset barbecue, the μ's and Nijigasaki girls head back to the house. They can't wait for tomorrow's practice, so they're going to go straight to bed…or are they?
Ayumu
Ahh, that bath was so nice.
Shizuku
Very much so. It was so spacious and beautiful.
Rina
It even had a jacuzzi! I couldn't believe it.
Ai
A big ol' thank you to Maki for setting this all up for us.
Maki
I didn't do anything, but I'll let my parents know.
Hanayo
We got to have so much fun and delicious food on this wonderful island.
Rin
We even shot off some fireworks and got to use that huge bath. This is true happiness!
Kasumi
I could stay here forever.
Karin
Would you be able to survive in a place without TV or internet for very long?
Kasumi
Ugh, Karin, you're so mean!
Karin
*Chuckle* Sorry. You're just so cute, I couldn't help it.
Kasumi
Well, I guess I can forgive you. My cuteness is a hard thing to resist.
Shioriko
*Giggle*
Kasumi
Hm? What is it, Shioko?
Shioriko
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.
Ai
Why's that?
Shioriko
Because I'm here enjoying my time with all of you, even though we aren't in the same classes or schools, even.
Shioriko
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.
Shioriko
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.
Shioriko
Thinking about how strange it all is brings a smile to my face.
Kasumi
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!
Kasumi
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.
Shioriko
*Giggle* Thank you very much.
Ayumu
This training camp is so much fun. It's just like a school trip!
Setsuna
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.
Ai
That's perfect! I never lose at pillow fights.
Nico
Wait, before we have a pillow fight, why don't we do another important school trip tradition?
Maki
I have the feeling you're going to suggest something nonsensical.
Nico
I am not!
Emma
What do you mean by school trip tradition?
Nico
Heh heh heh, well you see…
Eli
Phew, that bath felt really good.
Nico
Hey, Eli, get over here! It's time for tonight's main event.
Nico
Wait, where are Honoka and Kotori?
Nozomi
Apparently, Honoka enjoyed the bath a little too much.
Umi
She stared feeling dizzy, so Kotori is taking care of her. Even after I warned her not to get too excited.
Nico
Right on schedule…
Umi
Nico, did you say something?
Nico
Huh?! Ah, nope! Nothing at all! But that's good that Kotori is keeping an eye on Honoka.
Eli
Yes, she should be fine. So, what's this main event you mentioned?
Nico
It's an essential part of trips like this! I'm talking about a ghost story competition!
Eli
G-Ghost story?!
Eli
I'm…going to take a bath.
Nico
What do you mean? You just came out of the bath! This is another part of making memories, so get over here.
Eli
*Groan*
Kasumi
You know, I-I think I'd like to join Eli in the bath.
Nico
Oh, are you scared? I guess Nijigasaki students aren't as brave as I thought.
Kasumi
I-I'm not scared at all! I could sit through a hundred scary stories!
Nico
Then there's no problem. Long, long ago…
Kasumi
H-Hold on. You're starting already?!
Nico
What do I need to wait for?
Nozomi
You sound super ready to go, Nico-chi.
Nico
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.
Eli
A sc-scary legend?!
Nico
Long ago, eight girls from a music school who dreamed of becoming singers were forced to evacuate from the mainland to this very island.
Nico
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.
Nico
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.
Nico
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.
Nico
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.
Setsuna
Oh, what a gripping development!
Umi
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…
Nico
You catch on quick, Umi. That's right, things are about to get serious.
Umi
Eek, p-please don't continue.
Nico
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…
Nico
…they were caught in a landslide!
Nico
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.
Shizuku
Oh my, how dreadful.
Nico
Some time has passed since that tragic event, but many islanders have said they can hear someone singing off in the distance at night.
Eli
The story's still not over?
Nico
There have been several cases of people who heard that singing being lured into the ocean, their minds clouded over, and drowning.
Nico
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.
Kasumi
I-I can't take anymore of this!
Nico
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.
Nico
You won't believe what happened next.
Nozomi
I bet people started hearing the singing again.
Nico
Hey, Nozomi, don't ruin the mood!
Nico
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.
Nico
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.
Nico
That they heard an irresistible voice calling to them, asking them to come play.
Nico
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.
Nico
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!
Nico
The next person it lures off…could be one of us!
Kasumi, Eli, Umi
Eeeeekk!
Ai
That was a great story, full of intrigue at every turn. Next it's time for my super scary story.
Eli
N-No more, please! No more!
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