"...I hate it."
It was Ichikawa who whispered those words.
"...I really hate this side of myself."
As she spoke, her strength grew even more. Being pressed against her, it became difficult to breathe, and my voice wouldn't come out.
In the meantime, the CD import finished, and a silly "ping" sound echoed from the computer into the quiet room.
"That's why, I'm stopping now."
With those words, the pressure eased, and the sensation of her wrapping around my back softly pulled away.
"Amane...?"
Hearing my voice, which had easily become raspy just from not speaking for a short while, she seemed to give a faint smile.
"I've realized it. As long as I'm worrying about Konuma-kun and living for Konuma-kun's sake, I can't feel like I deserve to be by your side."
"...I'm not that great of a person."
"Maybe the problem isn't you, Konuma-kun."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ahaha, I'm not telling."
The air in the room, which had been damp until a moment ago, began to dry with Ichikawa's smile.
"That's why, for the December Lock-on, I'm going to try making a song by myself again. A song that isn't for anyone else, but one where I can acknowledge myself."
Ichikawa gripped her own arm, her determination showing through.
"I will make the song I love most in the world, once again, with my own strength."
"...I see."
If she says that's an action for her to acknowledge her own independence, then it doesn't contradict the band's growth, and there's no reason to stop her.
But even so.
"Ichikawa, your ability to resolve things yourself is amazing...?"
In terms of independence, I think she's doing just fine... She's been talking almost entirely to herself for a while now.
"...?"
Perhaps she wasn't aware of it, as Ichikawa made a blank face at my pointing it out, and then,
"I guess my bad habits haven't been cured yet,"
She said, a self-deprecating smile appearing on her face.
A few days later, after school.
At the front desk of Studio Octa, the four of us were sitting side by side in front of a computer.
On the screen was the application form for Seishun Rebellion.
After entering the band name, representative, and other required information, and even attaching the audio file, all that was left was to click the 'Apply' button at the very bottom.
"Uwaa, I'm getting nervous...!"
"Hey, who's going to press it? Whose luck is the best today...?"
"Takuto's zodiac sign was number one in this morning's horoscope."
"Eh, even I didn't know that. I mean, I really don't want to be the one to press it..."
The pathetic members were muttering and trying to push the responsibility onto each other in a huddle.
"You guys, hurry up... It doesn't matter who presses it..."
Kanno-san was standing by, looking irritated.
"Hmm, well then, let's all press it together?"
"...Yeah."
When Ichikawa placed her finger on the laptop's trackpad, Sako softly added her finger on top of it.
"Sako-san? Your finger is on top?"
"...If we click with four fingers, it might trigger some other function."
"Is that how it works?"
It certainly is how it works. However, it also sounded like a desperate excuse from Sako.
"Alright, me too."
"...Right."
Azuma placed her finger on top, followed by mine.
"Okay, here we go! One, two!"
As the four of us pressed down together,
'Application accepted! Get the Rock!!'
A message that made little sense appeared. Are you guys okay, Seishun Rebellion office...?
Azuma rubbed her hands together toward the screen and bowed as if praying.
I followed her lead a moment later.
When I finished my prayer and looked up, Kanno-san was standing on the other side of the screen with her arms crossed, grinning.
"...Maika-bucho, what are you doing?"
"Nah, I just thought it was funny because standing here made it look like I was being worshipped."
"Haa... If you want to be worshipped, I'll worship you anytime."
"Stop it, don't idolize me. I'll send you flying."
When told that by the tsundere junior Azuma, Kanno-san glared at her.
"Ahaha... Well then, let's switch gears,"
After watching that exchange with amusement, Ichikawa smiled brightly and raised her arm.
"From here on, it's full speed ahead toward the December Lock-on!"