Tears

Shizuka
So I'm going back to... Kokona's sense.

Kokona
No, Shizuka-chan... Don't give up...!

Shizuka
I'm not giving up. Because I believe that's the happiest outcome for us.
I was so happy when you asked me to stand on stage with you and gave me that encouragement.

Kokona
.....

Shizuka
...Kokona?

Kokona
I'm sorry, Shizuka-chan...

Shizuka
Why is Kokona apologizing...? I was the one who was pushing you too hard...

Kokona
No, it's not...
Shizuka-chan has absolutely nothing to feel bad about...!

Shizuka
But...

Kokona
I was so happy... that you said you wanted to stand on stage with me...
That's why I've decided I'll definitely keep my promise to you... I'll do anything for that...
And yet, I was only thinking about myself... I didn't understand anything about your feelings...
I wanted to make Shizuka-chan's first stage performance a success, but I ended up relying on you for advice on character development and everything...

Shizuka
That's only natural, isn't it? I'm your sense, after all...

Kokona
I was taking advantage of those feelings.
Because of that... I almost turned Shizuka-chan, who had finally become an actress, back into just a sense...

Shizuka
No! It was me—

Kokona
Shizuka-chan!

Shizuka
gasp

Kokona
Shizuka-chan is no longer just my sense...! You're a member of the Sirius Theater Company, named 'Shizuka'!
I was so happy to finally be able to stand on the stage I'd always dreamed of... What a wonderful actor...!

Shizuka
...Kokona.
But I—

Kokona
...Just a little more.

Shizuka
Huh...

Kokona
I'm so close to grasping Hiyori. My own Hiyori, who won't lose to Shizuka-chan's Asmodeus.
So even Shizuka-chan won't get in the way.
—I won't let this be the only time I get to stand on stage with Shizuka-chan!

Shizuka
But if Kokona ends up suffering...

Kokona
It's not painful at all! Because that's what I want to do!
I want to keep performing on stage with Shizuka-chan forever!

Shizuka
.....!

Kokona
I'll give you some advice.
Speak your dreams out loud.

Shizuka
Ah...

Kokona
"They’ll definitely come true."

Kokona - Shizuka
Make yourself believe it!

Kokona
So... I might worry you, but please wait for me.

Shizuka
…Understood.

Kokona
Alright! Now that things have come to this, I have to make the most of every single second!
Shizuka-chan, I'll head back first!

Shizuka
Huh?! Wait, hold on a second!
Kokona...

==========

Noa
...Should I have a drink tonight or not?

Kokona
There she is! Hiiragi-san!

Noa
Huh, Kokona?

Kokona
Would you mind staying behind to practice with me after this? There's a scene I just can't quite get right...!

Noa
That’s fine, but... Are you sure you don't need to rest?

Kokona
Yes! So please!

Noa
...Okay. I'll go to the practice room.

Shizuka
(Kokona... I believe in you...)