Chapter Text
Hello, Happy World! was rehearsing at the CiRCLE studio. They were performing their last song of the day, Egao no Orchestra (Orchestra of Smiles) and as Kokoro sung the line, “Bokura de tsukuri da-“ her singing was interrupted by a cough, followed by blood.
“KOKORO!”
Misaki, dressed as Michelle, came to her aid. “Hold on, I’ll go get the Suits!” “I got it, Misaki-Chan!” Kanon said, and rushed out of the studio to get the Suits. Hagumi rushed out to tell Marina what’s going on, while Kaoru just stood there, not knowing what to do. She went over to Kokoro and asked her what’s going on.
Just then, the Suits arrived, and they, along with Misaki, carried Kokoro into a limousine with the rest of Harohapi and they went to the Tsurumaki mansion, where Kokoro was taken care of.
After a while of Kaoru pacing around the meeting room, Hagumi telling everyone what’s going on through text, Kanon quietly fueeing in the corner, and Misaki crying in the bathroom, praying for Kokoro’s recovery, the Suits told the girls that Kokoro is alright and that people can see her. Kanon went to get Misaki and bring her to the others, and they all go to see Kokoro, but someone hears a knock on the front door.
Hagumi offered to get it, noticing that Kasumi and the rest of Poppin’Party had arrived to see Kokoro.
“Hagu! Is Kokoron okay?” “The Suits said she’s fine now, but I think you should wait here for now. Wait, I’ll show you to the meeting room!” As Hagumi showed Kasumi and the others the way to the meeting room, Kaoru, Kanon, and Misaki made their way up to Kokoro’s bedroom.
And there Kokoro was, in her bed, hooked up to an IV. “Fuee! K-Kokoro-Chan, what happened to you?” “I’m fine, Kanon! After all, I’m still smiling!” Kokoro showed them a big, bright smile, despite the current situation. Hagumi rushed into the room. “Sorry I’m late! Kyaa! Kokoron, what’d they do to you?!” “I’m fine, Hagumi! The Suits are taking great care of me!” “Yeah, about that,” Misaki cut in, “what happened to you in the first place?”
“I guess I should explain to you guys what’s going on...” Kokoro’s smile faded, something very rare for the girl. “I have a chronic illness that causes me to cough up blood every once in a while. I’ve been trying to hide it from you guys so you wouldn’t worry and keep smiling. But I guess that failed.” Kaoru went over to her and put her hand on Kokoro’s shoulder. “It’s alright, Kokoro. At least we know you’re alright.” “Thank goodness.” Kanon commented, glad her friend was okay.
“But there’s one thing I’m wondering: Why is Misaki here and not Michelle? Michelle was here earlier, so where is she?”
Misaki sighed. “I’ve tried to tell you this before, but you haven’t listened. You know how Marie Andromeda is Hagumi?” Kokoro nodded.
“Well, I’m Michelle. I’m the one inside the suit.”
Kokoro thought about it for a moment and then realized. “That’s true! So Michelle is here!” Kokoro’s smile warmed up Misaki’s heart, almost causing her to shed a tear.
“Yep. Michelle is here.”
The doorbell rang again, and Kasumi could be heard saying, “I’ll get it!” The girls turned back to Kokoro.
“Anyway, Michelle and I are one and the same.” “Well, if I’m gonna say one thing, it’s that you’re an amazing DJ, Misaki.” That caused Misaki to shed a tear. “Thank you, Kokoro.” “Fuee! Misaki-Chan, are you alright?” “Y-Yeah. Just happy.”
Someone knocked on Kokoro’s door. “Am I interrupting something?”
The voice sounded like it belonged to someone familiar: Ran Mitake. “I have something for Kokoro if I can come in. If not, I’ll come back later.” “You’re fine, Ran! Come on in!” Ran came in and set a pot of flowers down on a table beside Kokoro. “Are those flowers for me?” Ran nodded. “Thank you, Ran!” “You’re welcome, Kokoro.”
“Oh, by the way, who else is here?” “The rest of Afterglow came with me. Apparently Kasumi and the rest of Poppin’Party are here as well.” “That’s great! More smiles!” Ran smiled and left the room, happy to know that Kokoro was alright.
Ran went back to the meeting room just to see Himari and Kasumi sharing their catchphrases. “Hey, hey, hoh~!” “Popipa! Pipopa! Popipapopipopa!” Ran chimed in with, “Same as always.” “Ran-Chan, you’re back!” Himari said, glad to see her friend back with them.
Saya and Tsugumi we’re discussing a collaboration between their shops to give something to Kokoro. “Maybe we could bake a cake together!” Tsugumi suggested as Moca chimed in, “You guys talking about buns?” “Yeah, actually. We were discussing a collaboration between my bakery and Hazawa Coffee.”
The Suits entered the room. “May we get you girls anything while you wait?” The girls were starting to get hungry, and the Suits accommodated to their needs while they waited.
Back in Kokoro’s room, she was telling the rest of Harohapi how she was able to hide her illness. From taking off days to staying in the bathroom for a while, she wished to keep her condition from them for as long as she could. Misaki commented, “I’m kinda glad it got out, actually.” The others looked at her.
“Think about it. If Kokoro had waited longer and shown it later, we probably would’ve been more worried.” “Ah, yes, that is fleetingly true.” “So what you’re saying is that it’s good that we found it out early so that we’d have more time to spend with her?” “Right, Kanon-San.”
“I agree with you all. I was planning to tell you soon, anyway, but I guess it just slipped out.” “But at least we know you’re getting better, right, Kokoron?” Kokoro laughed a little. “Right, Hagumi.”