Xue
I'm back.
Hikari
...Oh, Xue. Welcome back.
Xue
That's unusual, you're the only one in the living room?
Hikari
Oh, Ramo-san and Lilja-san were here until a bit ago, but they're out shopping now.
Xue
Hmph, I see. That's perfect timing, I'll return this to you.
Hikari
Ah, my CD...!
Hikari
Did you listen to it? How was it?
Xue
It's not your CD, it's the CD you forcibly loaned to me.
Xue
...Well, they were good songs.
Xue
I don't usually listen to music. I don't really get it, but I thought it wasn't bad.
Hikari
Ehehe. Xue, you listen to them anyway, don't you? It was the same at the cultural festival.
Hikari
...Ehehe. Heh heh...
Xue
?
Hikari
Haah...what should I do...ugh...remembering it made me worried again.
Xue
Hey...you start laughing and then suddenly get depressed,
Xue
What's up with you? Are your emotions okay?
Hikari
...
Hikari
So, actually, I got a request.
Xue
A request?
Hikari
From Libea, through Gingaza's PR, there was a request for me to appear in an MV...
Xue
That's way too good timing...
Xue
Well, if you were posting that much on social media, it'd catch her eye.
Hikari
Yeah, maybe that's it.
Hikari
But...but...
Xue
But?
Hikari
I don't have confidence I can do it well...I'm worrying about whether to accept.
Xue
Huh...!?
Xue
A chance is rolling right to you, and you're going to let it slip away!?
Hikari
D-Don't say it like that...!
Xue
Look, this isn't a question of whether you have confidence or not,
Xue
it's whether you do it or not.
Xue
That request, you'll get paid, right? Then-even if you fail, there's no loss.
Hikari
...!
Hikari
That's not true!
Xue
Huh? The other party specifically requested you, right?
Xue
Then it's not that your skills are lacking, it's that their judgment was off.
Xue
Plus it's not a stage performance but a video, right? Then if they edit it well they can cover it up-
Hikari
You don't understand! That's not it, the problem is-
Hikari
I'm not a 'Rogue' who fits Libea's music!!
Xue
Rogue?
Hikari
Freedom! Rebellious spirit! Rising up from a desolate slum! That's our breakthrough STYLE!
Hikari
That's Libea's songs, and yet...!
Hikari
I'm...
Ramona
Xue, Hikari? What's been going on?
Hikari
Ramo-san, Lilja-san...!
Lilja
The MV appearance talk?
Hikari
You heard!?
Xue
With all that shouting, it'd be impossible not to hear...
Ramona
Ha ha ha, it seems it's only us for now, so you don't need to worry too much.
Ramona
...Having overheard, I'd like to help if I can. So, the one who offered Hikari is the artist you showed us before?
Hikari
...Um...
Ramona
...I see, Libea's fans are 'Rogues'. Just from the word, it would mean something like 'scoundrel' or 'villain'...
Xue
'Rogue' is a fan name. That's confusing...
Ramona
Are they okay?
Hikari
No, they're not actually doing bad things, okay? But they're like people who admire bad boys...
Xue
So basically delinquent wannabes?
Hikari
Nooo! That's not it, they're people who admire being unconventional!
Xue
Huh...?
Lilja
I get it. Hip-hop has a unique aesthetic.
Ramona
Hmm, so essentially not bound by norms, wanting to go their own way...something like that? Free spirits, so to speak...
Hikari
...For Libea's songs, freedom is a really important theme.
Hikari
Living freely is really difficult. There are so many people in the world, and rules you have to follow.
Hikari
But not everyone thinks the same way, so sometimes it leads to conflicts. It's the same at Gingaza, right?
Ramona
...
Hikari
When I'm worried, I always listen to music or dance to distract myself. I'm on the side receiving strength from Libea...
Xue
Receiving strength-meaning you like that artist's songs, right? Then shouldn't you just accept the request?
Hikari
Yes, I like her! But it's too much for me!
Xue
Ugh, make up your mind! This is irritating!
Hikari
Um, so what I mean is...ah, I admire her...maybe?
Ramona
Hmm...I understand what you're trying to say.
Ramona
But speaking of freedom, it feels like it fits Hikari's image too. You're innocent and carefree, and you often show us dances you thought up on the spot.
Hikari
Hmm~...
Hikari
I guess so?
Hikari
But...I don't have the courage to break conventions...do I have the right to dance to songs about freedom and rebellion?
Xue
Why would you think that? They're not delinquent songs, are they?
Hikari
Mmm...
Ramona
Well, what constitutes freedom is up to each person's values. Besides, isn't it not too late to try breaking conventions even now?
Ramona
Of course, not by openly breaking laws. Try researching these 'Rogues' you respect.
Hikari
You're right...I won't know unless I learn about it.
Hikari
I'll try my best to study...!