Yura Hotaru (MSS)

Thanks Vivi, Yai for reviewing~
=======================

Loafer Loafing...

Hotaru: "Suu...suu...munya...mm~... Still so sleeeepy~... Munya...suu...suu..."

-1-

Hotaru
Suu...suu...

Akari
…………
Get up!

Hotaru
...Mm~... Some reasooon...
There's a "PuchiUsa" mascooot...shaking in front of mee~...

Akari
Not PuchiUsa. Look over here!

Hotaru
Mm... Who could it beee~... Akari, huuuh~...
That PuchiUsa and Akari are... Always together, aren't yaaa~...

Akari
Yeah! I love PuchiUsa and I love bunnies too!
Wait, forget that and wake up! No dodging the issue.

Hotaru
Tchee...

Akari
If you don't wake up we're going to be late. Then I'll REALLY get angry!

Hotaru
Ehh...that's a no tooo~...

Akari
Don't you NO me! Get up!

Hotaru
…………

Akari
Huu...finally got you up. Morning.

Hotaru
...mm...Morniiing~...

Akari
Don't tell me, after the witch extermination you just went to sleep as is...?

Hotaru
...Becauuuse...changing back into my uniform and then changing into my pajamaaas...
It's just too much trouuuble~...
Besides...seee~... I've been dressed in what looks like pajamas the whole time anyway~...

Akari
Don't be so lazy! It's normal to change one's clothes.
Come on, undo your transformation and get to school.

Hotaru
'Kaaay~...

---

Hotaru
...Morninnn~...

Hotaru's Mother
Morning, Hotaru-chan.
Akari-chan, thank you as always.

Akari
No, I'm used to this.

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
Here, drink up. It's a smoothie Mama made for you.

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
There's still some time before we leave, so get some nutrition in you.

Hotaru
Hhkaaay~...

Akari
Ah – hold on...! If you don't hold it properly it's going to spill.

Hotaru's Mother
Huhu, such a big help.

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
Ever since Akari-chan started coming over
Hotaru-chan's stopped being late.

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
You're a hard worker, aren't you Akari-chan?

Akari
W-well... I'm just doing what's natural is all.

Hotaru
Thanks for the meaaal~...

Akari
Sure. With that, we're heading out.

Hotaru
Ouuut~...

Akari
Geez! At least say your goodbyes properly.

Everyone
Have a good day!

---

Hotaru
…………

Akari
Damn, stop trying to sleep while you're walking!

Hotaru
Mm~...I've been found out, huuuh...

Akari
Haa... You REALLY love sleeping, don't you?
Even when we first met you were sleeping...
I had thought you fell. That seriously scared me.

Hotaru
...I'm sorryyy~... But all I was doing was sleepiiing~...
All that walkiiing... Just got so tiring on the waaay...

Akari
My goodness... Sleeping that much is bad for you.
What would I do if you couldn't wake up...

Hotaru
Mm~...I'll try my beeest~...suu...

Akari
As I was just saying, do not go to sleep!
Because we're already at school now...

---

Girl
Morning.

Hotaru
...Mooaa~...

Akari
Good morning.

Girl
Doing another great job today, Akari-chan.

Akari
If I left her alone she'd fall asleep on the sidewalk...
I couldn't bear to let that happen.
Please get Hotaru to her classroom from here.

Girl
Yeah, leave her to me.

Akari
Alright, don't fall asleep and get your classwork done, okay?

Hotaru
Mm~...I'll put the effort innn~...

Akari
You cannot be sleeping so much. Do you understand me?

Hotaru
Yeaaah~... I'll do my beeest~...

Akari
...Haa, then I'll come check on you during lunch break.

Hotaru
'Kay...I'll be waitiiing~...

Girl
Hotaru...You should take a page out of Akari-chan's book.

Girl 2
Yeah, she's still in elementary school, yet she's so diligent...

Hotaru
Suu...suu...

Everyone
――っ!?

Girl
She's asleep...


-2-

Hotaru
...Suusuu...

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Sensei
...That's all for today.
The final test is soon, so please review everything for it.

Hotaru
...Suu...suu...munya...

Girl (Red)
...She slept all through the morning, did she?

Girl (Teal)
I'm gonna tell Akari-chan.

Akari
Good day; sorry to bother you all.

Girl (Teal)
Yahoo, Akari-chan! Hotaru was sleepin' again.

Akari
Again...?
Haa...excuse me, I didn't mean for her to be a bother.

Girl (Red)
Well, that's just how it usually is around here.

Akari
Get up!

Hotaru
Mm...mm~... Akarii...?

Akari
I heard you were asleep during the entire class. It's already lunchtime.

Hotaru
...So it iiis~. It's already lunch breaaak~...
I was wonderiiing... Why I'm feeling so hungryyy~...

Akari
Right, so get up first, then we'll eat lunch.

Hotaru
'Kaaay~...
Huuh...? There's a bento box in heeere~...?

Akari
Your mother gave it to me, so I put it in with your things.

Hotaru
That's my Akariii~... Thanks~...

Akari
Good grief... It's because you're so helplessly careless, Hotaru.

Girl (Red)
Desks: together. Let's eat lunch!

---

Hotaru
Mm~...this sure is good, isn't iiit... I love it, but...
Eating is such a draaag...

Akari
That's no excuse to sleep through your meals.

Hotaru
Buuut...

Akari
No buts. I'll cut it into little pieces for you.

Hotaru
Waah~...so easy to eat... Thanks~.

Girl (Red)
...So Hotaru, where'd you meet such a nice girl?

Girl (Teal)
The elementary and high schools aren't connected in any way, right?

Hotaru
How we met, you aaask~... You could say sheee~...picked me up...

Girl (Teal)
...Picked you up? What does that mean?

Hotaru
Well ya seee~...if I remember riiight...
It was by the rabbit hutch, wasn't iiit~...?

Akari
Right, I found you collapsed by the rabbit hutch so I took charge in protecting you.

Girl (Teal)
Only Hotaru would be protected by an elementary school kid...

Hotaru
Ehehe...I was just thinking~ what a pain walking iiis~...
The sun was getting nice and warm, so why not lie down for a biiit~...

Girl (Teal)
People normally don't lie down and sleep for that reason...

Girl (Red)
Umm...a rabbit hutch – like the kind you take care of in elementary school?
Why were you hangin' out in a place like that to begin with?

Hotaru
Why was I theeere~...? Maybe I was taking a shortcuuut~...?

Girl (Red)
Haa...it's a good thing Akari-chan here was the one who picked you up...

Girl (Teal)
Akari-chan, I imagine that must have frightened you too?

Akari
...I suppose, just a little. It was the first time I had to do something like that...

Hotaru
Ehh...? But you were freaked ouuut~...?
I'd never seen someone so desperate before~...

Akari
Wai-...!

Girl (Red)
Thaaat's... A totally normal reaction to seeing someone fallen on the ground...
Or rather, why's the girl who did the scarin' the one telling the story here...?

Akari
No! I was not scared...!

Hotaru
Mm~...you weeeren't~?

Girl (Teal)
That means...back then, she protected Hotaru,
so Akari-chan is Hotaru's "guardian" now.

Akari
Well, I couldn't just leave her, so it's not like I had a choice.
I have to take care of her. That's all that was on my mind...

Hotaru
Suu...suu...

Girls
…………

Girl (Red)
...Guess we'll never know.

Girl (Teal)
I'm sure it must be rough work though.


-3-

Everyone
Thanks for the meal.

Hotaru
...eaaal~.

Akari
...At least give thanks for your meal before falling asleep.

Hotaru
Mm~...suu...

Akari
Haa...geez... Same as usual...

Girl (Teal)
Ahaha...

Girl (Red)
Akari-chan, it's rude of me to ask, but mind if I study the rest of the time?

Akari
...Ah, the high school is about to have its final exam, isn't it?

Girl (Teal)
It is. Things are getting overwhelming...

Girl (Red)
A student's purpose is to study. You need to get that part right.

Akari
...!
That's right. You need to do what must be done.

Girl (Teal)
Uh oh, guess that means... No skipping for me either.

Hotaru
...Suusuu...

Akari
Hotaru... Wake up.
Your test is soon so you need to study.

Hotaru
Mm~...I'm gooood~... It's too much of a pain~...

Akari
It is not a pain. It's your responsibility as a student.

Boy (Blue)
She's got ya there, Yura. You're always riding the edge of that red mark.

Boy (Green)
Why don't you ask "little miss guardian" here to give you lessons?

Akari
.....Eh?

Girl (Teal)
The way you're speaking is a little out of line! This girl's in elementary school!

Boy (Green)
Ah, crap... Sorry...

Boy (Blue)
That's our bad...

Akari
Yes...it's fine, I guess...

Boy
Yura, sorry to ya too...

Hotaru
All goood~... Doesn't bother me one biiit~...

Akari
Doesn't bother you...
You should show a little disappointment at least!

Hotaru
Ehh~...? But it's fiiine... I don't really care at all~...

Akari
...!

Hotaru
Besides...I want to sleeep~...

Akari
Why... Why are you like this...!
Everything is too much trouble for you... You don't care about anything...
Every single time...it's always just about you...
…………

Hotaru
...Akari?

Akari
I don't... I don't know you anymore!

Hotaru
.....Eh?
I upset her...?

Girl (Red)
…………

Girl (Teal)
...Ahh, umm...

Hotaru
Wait, Akari...

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Girl (Teal)
First bell... Talk about bad timing...

Girl (Red)
Hotaru, maybe you oughta wait a bit before going after her...

Hotaru
Why...?

Girl (Red)
"Why"...?
...Well ya see, I'm kinda thinking
Akari-chan isn't hurt because of the teasing.

Hotaru
…………

Girl (Teal)
The reason she's upset... is because of Hotaru's attitude, right?

Hotaru
Eh...me? Why's that...?

Girl (Teal)
I can't really explain it... But I think it's your fault, Hotaru.

Hotaru
...Uu~...it definitely feels like it iiis...

Girl (Red)
I think you should take some time and think why you upset her.

Girl (Teal)
She's right... So maybe it would be better to apologize to her after school.

Hotaru
...Yeah.

<After school>

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Hotaru
…………

Girl (Teal)
Looks like she's off to go apologize.

Girl (Red)
...Think she figured out the reason she upset her...?

<Elementary school>

Little Girl (Pink)
Mai-san? Mai-san already went home.

Hotaru
Eh-...

---

Hotaru
...Suu...suu... .....Suu...

---

Akari
…………
(Maybe I should have went to get her...)
(But getting upset like that makes things awkward...)
…………

Little Girl (Pink)
Oh, it's Akari-chan! Morning!

Akari
Morning. ...You're earlier than usual.

Little Girl (Pink)
That's 'cause this month I'm on bunny duty.

Akari
...Ah...
(...Bunny duty...)

Little Girl (Pink)
What's that in your hand...is that PuchiUsa? You sure like bunnies.

Akari
Ah...yeah.

Little Girl (Pink)
I need to get going now. Akari-chan, want to come with?

Akari
Umm...

Little Girl (Pink)
Ah...let me guess,
you were about to go wake up your onee-san like always?

Akari
...Something like that.

Little Girl (Pink)
I see, then see you at school!

Akari
…………
Bunny duty...

-Flashback-

Akari's Mother
What's wrong Akari?

Akari
.....The bunny... She died...

Akari's Mother
Oh dear... The little one you were taking care of at school?

Akari
Yeah...
I gave her her food but she wouldn't move.
At first I thought that... She was just sleeping, but...
She wasn't...breathing...
…………

Akari's Mother
Poor dear...

-End Flashback-

Akari
(...And after that I went to go get Hotaru, didn't I...)
…………
(That poor baby... She always slept so peacefully...)
(Just like Hotaru...)
(I gave it my all to take care of you... And yet...)
Thinking that bunny and Hotaru are similar... It's childish...
How ridiculous...
………… …………
...It's okay. Hotaru is not that baby...
I need to get to school...

---

???
[...ru-chaaan...!]
[If you don't get up you're gonna be late!]
[It's been a while since you've been this stubborn... Get your butt uuup...!]
[HO-TA-RU-CHAAAN!]

Hotaru
...Mm~...?

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
Geeet uuup!

Hotaru
――っ!?

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
Tossing her out of bed is overkill...

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
...Aha, finally~...

Hotaru
Geez~...where's the fiiire~...?

Hotaru's Father
You wouldn't wake up, so we had to get everyone to help get you up.

Hotaru
...Mm? Why's thaat...? Where's Akari...?

Hotaru's Mother
She contacted me saying she wasn't coming today.

Hotaru
Eh-...

Hotaru's Mother
Did you two get in a fight?

Hotaru
.....Yeah... Kinda...

---

Hotaru
…………

[*Chatter chatter...*]

Boy (Blue)
Yura's awake...

Boy (Green)
The whole friggin morning too...

[*Whisper whisper...*]

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Hotaru
…………

Girl (Red)
Akari-chan didn't show up huh... She always comes for our lunch break...

Hotaru
...Yeah.

Girl (Teal)
If it's bothering you, why not go? You didn't meet up with her yesterday, right?

Hotaru
Yeah...

<Elementary school>

Little Girl (Pink)
Umm...Akari-chan...
Right after lunch break she took off somewhere.

Hotaru
……………
(Maybe she's avoiding me...)

<High school>
<After school>

Hotaru
…………
Akari showed?

Girl (Teal)
...Well you see, we met her, but...

Hotaru
But?

Girl (Red)
...It wasn't to see you.

Hotaru
………… …………
I've been... Abandoned by Akari...?

Hotaru: "Even though Akari's upset... Mm~, I don't get why though..."


======

If I Want To, I Will

Hotaru: "I'm all set. I need to go to school, after all."

-1-

Hotaru
Morning.

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
No way...Hotaru...? Hotaru-chan got up by herself.

Hotaru
Nope, this isn't a dream.

Hotaru's Mother
What should I do... I only have the smoothies I normally make.

Hotaru
It's alright. I can make something myself.

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
...Think it's gonna rain spears?

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
I hope it's only spears...

Hotaru's Father
...Ahaha.

---

Hotaru
…………

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Sensei
This will be on the test, so give it a review.

Everyone
[Okaaay.]

Sensei
And sorry for this, but could someone help me carry out my teaching materials?

Hotaru
Here, Sensei. I'll help you.

Sensei
Eh-!? Yura-san...?

Hotaru
Don't want me to?

Sensei
Ah, no... That's not what I...
Are you feeling well?
Like... Hit your head recently?

Hotaru
I'm fine.

Sensei
I-is that so... Well, guess I'll ask you to help me then.

Hotaru
'Kay.

[*Chatter chatter...*]

Girl (Yellow)
Did something happen to Yura-san...? She's been up this whole time, hasn't she?

Girl (Green)
Well...maybe it's a whim...or something?

Boy (Blue)
Maybe she can't sleep 'cause she's slept too much?

Girl (Red)
Everyone's freakin' out.

Girl (Teal)
She's never been like this before... Even I'm getting a little scared...

Girl (Red)
This whole stint with Akari-chan must've put the hurt on her...

-Flashback-

Hotaru
I've been... Abandoned by Akari...?

Girl (Teal)
No...it's not that bad. ...I don't think at least...

Girl (Red)
Hmm...from an elementary schooler's point of view, high schoolers gotta look like adults to them, right?
And Akari-chan – she's always pushing herself to look taller,
so she's probably wanting high schoolers to act like high schoolers, I'm betting...

Girl (Teal)
Ah – Akari-chan is like that, isn't she?
I don't even get why, though...

Girl (Red)
For that matter, I guess Hotaru's a bit too lazy for her, huh...

Girl (Teal)
You're right..like she's had her ideal image of high school students shatter before her?

Hotaru
...What do I do? I know that I'm too lazy...
…………
...What do I do?

Girl (Teal)
What to do... If you're aware then fix yourself...

Hotaru
You mean stop being a slacker...? Me...?

Girl (Red)
Who else could we be talking about? If you can show her you can do good,
I bet Akari-chan will change her tune about you.

Hotaru
…………
You're right... I'll work a bit harder, just watch...

-End Flashback-

Girl (Yellow)
...Hey, what happened to Yura-san...?
You think she's one of those kids who gets things done when she tries?

Girl (Teal)
Actually, you're right about that. Hotaru can do anything if she gets into gear.

Girl (Yellow)
Eh-? For real?

Girl (Red)
Yep, I don't think Hotaru herself knows that though...

---

Hotaru
I'm back.

Girl (Teal)
Ah, welcome back!

Girl (Red)
Nice job helping out. Let's have lunch.

Girl (Teal)
Speaking of, did you bring your bento? Akari-chan's the one who always...

Hotaru
All good. I stuck it in myself.
If I didn't do it properly...you know...

Girl (Teal)
...You're serious.


-2-

<A few days later...>

Alina
………… …………

Karin
Senpaii~...
Alina-senpaii...
...It's no use.
She's been frozen in front of this painting forever...

Alina
This is...a dreamscape?
Acceptance of death, yet not denying life...
Or perhaps...resigning oneself to life while gazing upon death...
A trace of the unconscious mind of the person who painted it...?
Aha! Intaresutingu regardless though.			(interesting)

Karin
Eh-!? W-was that praise just now!?
Whose painting could this be...
High school second year... Yura...Hotaru...?

---

Girl (Purple)
Isn't Yura Hotaru that kid in the class next door?

Girl (Yellow)
Ahh, the one always sleeping...

Girl (Purple)
Right...that girl, she's got a twin.
And the one who's been coming in lately is this twin sister of hers.

Girl (Yellow)
So that's why she suddenly straightened up...?

Boy (Blue)
Eh, I heard she's got a split personality though...

[Yeah right, she fell asleep on the sidewalk and hit her head, didn't she?]
[I heard it's because she's running a high fever.]
[She had to have been abducted by aliens, right?]
[She's always sleepin' everywhere, so she's totally been replaced by a clone, right?]

---

Akari
…………
(Hotaru, is she doing okay...?)
(Are you able to get up in the morning without me...?)
(Uu~...cut it out... I'm still angry with her...)
(...But...but...)

Little Girl (Pink)
...Um, Mai-san.

Akari
What's wrong? Is there a problem?

Little Girl (Pink)
No, nothing like that, it's just...
You're close with a high school onee-san, aren't you?

Akari
...Is this about Hotaru?

Little Girl (Pink)
Yeah, that lady might've... Been abducted by aliens.
Then she got a high fever and split into twins, and then the twins got split personalities.
...Or at least that's what the rumors are saying, but...is it true?

Akari
...Ha-? Isn't that a bit ridiculous...?
I don't know where these rumors started, but they sound all jumbled up, don't they?

Little Girl (Pink)
But normally she slept in class all the time, and lately she hasn't at all.

Akari
...She's not sleeping? Hotaru isn't?

Little Girl (Pink)
Yeah, and there's more...

---

Little Girl (Pink)
...Or that's how it seems anyway.
It's rumored that she's a completely different person...

Akari
…………


-3-

Girl (Yellow)
The end of this term... Yura-san took first place this time.

Girl (Green)
On the test?

Girl (Yellow)
Even in the grade... She's the top of every subject in our entire grade.

Boy (Blue)
You gotta be kidding... And she's always been on the verge of failing...

Boy (Green)
Speaking of subjects, she didn't even sleep during the entire test...

Girl (Teal)
These guys just don't understand her.

Girl (Red)
Well, what's normal is normal to them, so I don't think they would.

-Flashback-

Girl (Teal)
How do you avoid failing even when you sleep during class and tests?
I've already gone red in two subjects...

Hotaru
How, you aaask... 'Caaause it's a pain getting red marks~...
I answer just enough to not fail so I can go to sleeeep~...

Girl (Teal)
Seriously...? How can you do that?

Girl (Red)
...Mind if I see your answer sheet?

Hotaru
Mm~...knock yourself ouuut~...

Girl (Red)
Holy...it's true...
She solves just enough problems to pass with a safe grade...

Girl (Teal)
On top of that, every single answer she did write is correct...

-End Flashback-

Girl (Red)
If she wants something done, she's the girl to get it done...

Girl (Teal)
The problem is she doesn't have any motivation...

Hotaru
(Maybe this will put Akari in a good mood...)

Girl (Teal)
...No wonder there's rumors that you're another person...

Hotaru
Yeah...? I'm just trying my hardest.

Karin
Pardon me folks! Is there a Yura Hotaru-san here, is there!?

Girl (Teal)
Someone's calling for you.

Girl (Red)
That a middle school girl...? Friend of yours?

Hotaru
No one I know...
...Need me for something?

Karin
In front of the art room - I saw your painting posted up on the wall!
Alina-senpai was so interested in it,
so I got super curious what kind of person painted it!

Hotaru
...Alina-senpai? Alina Gray...?

Karin
That's right! And it's very rare of her!

Hotaru
Heeh... I didn't paint anything particularly interesting though.

Karin
I want to hear all about it!

Hotaru
...Sure thing.

---

Karin
Thanks a bunch!
I'll use this for reference next time and get Alina-senpai's approval.

Hotaru
Yeah, give it your all...

Girl (Teal)
Alina Gray... The rumored genius artist...?

Girl (Red)
It's no rumor, it's for real. She's got her own exhibit at the art gallery.

Girl (Teal)
Eh-! That's incredible, Hotaru!

Hotaru
...Hmm?

Girl (Teal)
You don't have any interest in this either?

Hotaru
I guess I'm uninterested in ratings and reputation...
Besides sleeping I have no care in the world...

Girl (Red)
What about Akari-chan?

Hotaru
She's cute...my mistake, she's dependable.

Girl (Red)
You like her?

Hotaru
Yeah.

Girl (Teal)
How about us?

Hotaru
...You're asking me that yourself...?

Girl (Teal)
Only because I already know you like us.

Hotaru
…………
...You're right. My friends and family are important.
So I think it's alright to put a little bit of hard work in.

Both
Hotaru...

Hotaru
.....Ah-...
I still have my class duties to take care of. I'm heading to the staff room.

Akari
Hotaru...!

---

Akari
Hotaru...!

Hotaru
Akari...?

Akari
Is it true you made the top of the entire grade on your end of term test?

Hotaru
...!
Yeah, it's true.

Akari
Then what about the rumors that you woke up by yourself in the morning...?

Hotaru
I did wake up.

Akari
And you didn't sleep during class?

Hotaru
Yup, I stayed awake and did all my classwork properly.

Akari
Really...?

Girl (Teal)
Really, really! Everyone in the class was shocked.

Akari
Then, you also... Were helping your teacher out...?

Hotaru
Sure was.

Akari
.....You're lying...

Hotaru
It's not a lie.
I was just about to go do my class duties.

Akari
...On your own? But don't you always try to skip?

Hotaru
If I want to do it, I can be sure to do it.

Girl (Red)
To get you to give her another chance, Akari-chan,
she's been working her butt off.

Girl (Teal)
She's been doing some very un-Hotaru-like things, so it's about time you forgive her.

Akari
*Sniffle*...

Hotaru
Mm...?

Akari
Hotaru...uu...
Hotaru... You're not Hotaru anymore...!

Hotaru
Eh-...? Eh-?

Akari
UUeeEEEEEN...!

Hotaru: "H-Huh...? I thought if I did things right she'd be happy though..."

======

I'm a Slacker After All...

Hotaru: "Eh-...? Umm... What do I do...? I don't know why I made her cry..."

-1-

Akari
Hotaru... You're not Hotaru anymore...!

Hotaru
Eh-...? Eh-?

Akari
UUeeEEEEEN...!

Hotaru
H-huh...? I made you cry again...?
Hey...

Girl (Red)
Sorry...I don't get it... I don't have any siblings...

Girl (Teal)
I don't have any little sisters either...

Akari
Uu...

Hotaru
Umm...want some candy...?

Akari
Don't treat me like a kid...!

Hotaru
Sorry...

Girl (Teal)
Umm... I can take over for your class duties today...

Hotaru
That helps... Thanks.
...How about we change locations? Let's find an empty classroom...

---

Akari
…………

Hotaru
(She stopped crying... But she's still on guard...)

Akari
Where'd you take the real Hotaru?

Hotaru
...I'm the real Hotaru, though.

Akari
Liar.
Hotaru is a lazy, zero-motivation girl who does nothing but sleep.
You wake up on your own, you don't sleep in class, and you got the top grade on your test.
Obviously you're a fake.

Hotaru
...What can I say, I can't counter that.

Akari
So then you ARE a fake...!
Twins? Split personality...? Or were you abducted by aliens?

Hotaru
...I knew some weird rumors were going around, but that bad...?
Eh~...I'm the real Yura Hotaru...the real deal.

Akari
…………

Hotaru
I'm serious here... I just wanted you to reconsider me is all...
So I put some effort in...

Akari
Me?

Hotaru
I've been thinking I've been abandoned since I'm such a useless slacker...
And you got mad at me because I have no discipline, right...?

Akari
…………

Hotaru
...Am I wrong?

Akari
.....You are wrong.
What made me angry was...
Even though you were being made fun of, you're always smiling...

Hotaru
Eh-...?

Akari
And...
Because you're so lazy and unwilling to do anything and only have sleeping on your mind...
...Because you're always sleeping... Just like that bunny...
I'm scared... That one day you.....
That you're going to fall asleep one day and never wake up again...

Hotaru
Bunny...?
Mm?...mmm...? What do you mean...?

Akari
………… …………

-Flashback-

Akari's Mother
What's wrong Akari?

Akari
.....The bunny... She died...

Akari's Mother
Oh dear... The little one you were taking care of at school?

Akari
Yeah...
I gave her her food but she wouldn't move.
At first I thought that... She was just sleeping, but...
She wasn't...breathing...
…………

Akari's Mother
Poor dear...

Akari
Yeah, I thought she was just sleeping, because she sleeps all the time...
I didn't even realize right away... That she died...*sniffle*...

Hotaru's Mother
...I see. That...must have broken your heart...

Akari
...*Sniffle*...Uu...

-End Flashback-

Akari
...Since I met you right after that...
I can't help but associate that baby with you ever since I found you by the hutch.
And she also loved to sleep more than play or eat, and...*sniffle*...

Hotaru
…………

Akari
*Sniffle*...*sniffle*...
And Hotaru... You don't even care about yourself...
Someday...you're also going to fall asleep and you might never wake up...
I worry about you...
Sooner or later...just like that baby, I'm going to lose you too...!

Hotaru
…………
(It's not that I don't care about myself, but...)
(Mm~... I kinda get her...)


-2-

Hotaru
…………
(It's not that I don't care about myself, but...)
(Mm~... I kinda get her...)
Hey...can I talk about my past too...?

Akari
...I don't mind.

Hotaru
So I...
Didn't intend on becoming a mahou shoujooo~...

Akari
Eh-...

Hotaru
I was sleeping as usual, and then Kyubey showed up
asking me to contraaact...

Akari
…………

Hotaru
But at that time, I was just so sleepy, so...
"I'll sign your contract or whateverrr... Just let me sleep a little longerrr~...!"
was what I asked for...
Then I became a mahou shoujo.

Akari
....Haa?
Are you lying to me...?

Hotaru
It sounds like a lie, but it's the truuuth...
I was preparing for the school festival~ and was so worn out that I got a little sleeepy...
And when I woke up, it had all happened
and I forgot all about iiit~...

Akari
…………

Hotaru
But, well...
It's not like there's any point in getting panicky over it...

Akari
You know... You should be fuming over that.

Hotaru
Hehehe...but, that'd just be such a hassle~...
Getting mad and fighting... It's all so tiriiing~...

Akari
Haa...really... Honestly...!

Hotaru
And fighting witches is too much trouble...
But not having grief seeds seemed kinda dangerous, though...
As I figured, fighting is such a paiiin~...
Or so I'd thought, riiight...?
But I'm still fighting. As a mahou shoujo.

Akari
...I know.

Hotaru
Besides, I still live a normal life, ya knooow... I eat food, I go to school.
I do the bare minimum... Just what I need to stay alive.

Akari
It really is just the bare minimum though, isn't it...

Hotaru
Even though it's a drag, I still do what I need to live.
...Why do you think that is?

Akari
Eh-...? Why...?


-3-

Hotaru
Besides, I still live a normal life, ya knooow... I eat food, I go to school.
I do the bare minimum... Just what I need to stay alive.

Akari
It really is just the bare minimum though, isn't it...

Hotaru
Even though it's a drag, I still do what I need to live.
...Why do you think that is?

Akari
Eh-...? Why...?
…………
...Normal is "the same as usual"... There's nothing special about it...

Hotaru
That's riiight~...
People who value life take care of themselves like normal.

Akari
…っ…
Stop it, don't talk like that...

Hotaru
...But it's reality, so listen to me.
I talk to you... Because I think of you as an equal friend.

Hotaru
.....Yeah.

Hotaru
So for me... Just as you feared...
I have no attachments.
This or that, there's nothing I really care about...
There isn't anything I want...
Being a slacker, sleeping is what I love most.
Like I don't have any attachment to living.

Akari
…………

Hotaru
But ya know, I'm still alive today, and I'm still trying to live.
Because you're important to me, Akari.

Akari
...Me?

Hotaru
Yup. Akari, Papa and Mama, my older sisters...
My friends who stick with me...
Everyone, they're all special to me.
That's why, even today, I'm trying a little harder to live.
Because all those people special to me would be sad if I'm gone.

Akari
.....Dummy.

Hotaru
Ehehe...
That's why, ya know... You don't gotta worry about me...
Never waking up again when I fall asleep,
getting abducted by aliens, or disappearing from your life,
none of that is happening, so you don't have to worry.

Akari
You're seriously such an idiot... The heck is this...you dummy...

Hotaru
Ahaha... You back in a good mood...?

Akari
Hmph... I was only mad at you because you're such an idiot...

Hotaru
Then... Will you come wake me up again?

Akari
Good grief... Guess it can't be helped.
Fine by me. I'll come make sure you wake up.

Hotaru
Hooraaay~... Starting tomorrow I can sleep soundly again~...

---

Hotaru
Suu...suu...

Akari
…………
Get up!

Hotaru
I'm still sleeping todaaay~...

Akari
Not just today, it's "every day"!
Don't talk to me like you're awake all the time.

Hotaru
...I stayed awake properly all day yesterday thouuugh~...

Akari
That's not something I know about.
Come on, wake up. We're going to be late.

Hotaru
...Hhkaaay... Morninnn~...

Akari
Right, morning...
Wait, you slept in your uniform this time?

Hotaru
Mm~...
Well ya seee~...when I took my bath yesterday I forgot my pajamas,
I thought to myself that I should change my clothes, buuut...
When I got to my room, I was just so sleeepy~...

Akari
You need to put a little more effort in! Isn't your uniform all wrinkly now...!?
Geez, you have an extra, don't you? Hurry and get changed.

Hotaru
Eh~...

Akari
Don't "eh~" me! We're seriously going to be late.

---

Akari
I got Hotaru up!

Hotaru's Mother
Thank you, Akari-chan.

Hotaru
Haa~...

Hotaru's Father
You haven't said it yet, but morning.

Hotaru's Sister (Pink)
Here, your smoothie.

Hotaru
Mm~...

Akari
Geez... Open your eyes properly; you're going to spill it.

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
Hmm! I knew it, this right here... This is Hotaru's norm.

Hotaru
...meaaal...

Akari
It's thanks for the meal...
You're being lazier than ever...

Hotaru
Mm~...a reaction...?

Akari
Haa... At least don't fall asleep while walking, okay?

Hotaru
Mm...

Akari
With that, we're heading out.

Hotaru
Ouuut~...

Hotaru's Sister (Purple)
Sure thing, be careful out there, alriiight!

Everyone
Have a good day!

---

Hotaru
Suu...suu...suusuu...

[Ding Dong Bing Bong]

Sensei
Just because your tests are over doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

[*Chatter chatter...*]

Girl (Yellow)
Yura-san's back to normal...

Akari
Good day; sorry to bother you all.

Girl (Teal)
Akari-chan! Thank goodness, you guys made up.

Akari
...Sorry for all the trouble that happened. Everything's okay now.

Girl (Red)
Huhu, it's all good, but Hotaru's back to her old self.

Hotaru
...Suusuu...munya~...

Akari
Haa, geez...
Get up! Food time.

Hotaru
...Mm~...Foo~ood... But so sleeepy~...

Akari
Eat your meal and then go sleep. I swear you're such a slob...

Hotaru
Mm~...

Boy (Blue)
Huh, you're back... Your batteries die?

Hotaru
Sure diiid~...

Girl (Teal)
...Hey, you. That's far enough.

Boy (Blue)
Eh-, that's rude too? I'll go think about what I've done...

Akari
...I don't mind.

Girl (Teal)
Huh, you don't mind that now?

Akari
Yes, I've learned that I don't have to worry.

Girl (Teal)
Eh-?

Akari
Hotaru thinks about us and really treasures us.

Both
…………

Girl (Teal)
Heeh~, she does, does she?

Girl (Red)
Huhu, I see.

Hotaru
Mm~...! What're you poking my cheeks fooor~...?

Girl (Red)
Makes ya wonder, huh?

Girl (Teal)
Riiight~?

Hotaru
Now you guys are grinniiing~...

Akari
Ei-!

Hotaru
Mhyaa...! Even Akari is poking me nooow~...
...Well, s'pose that's okaaay~...

Akari
Ahaha-!

Hotaru: "Suusuu...mm~... Same as usual sure is the beeest~..."