✽ imeeji: memory one

Nobody's listening. There's nobody to listen. Idiot, she thinks again - then she forces herself not to think it. Her hopes and dreams - aren't they worth more than this? There's so little left already. She can't let the rain wash it all away.

( raise your voice )

✽ imeeji: memory two

What do I mean to you?' She knows the answer now. She understands, now that it's over, exactly what it is Ayumi gave her: that, more than a dream, she gave her a goal. A model for the kind of idol she dreams of becoming.

( what do i mean to you? )

✽ imeeji: memory three

Yes, okay, so it sounds a little funny, the thought of being scolded by pretty, petite Chisato Shirasagi, but it was only amusing if you'd never been on the receiving end of one of her only-for-your-own-good sermons.

( is there anything else you guys have to be careful of? )

✽ imeeji: memory four

She turns, looks back at the others and sees nothing in their faces but the same confusion and panic and dismay they must see in her own. Nothing could go wrong, save this: nothing save for total, shuddering silence.

( i'm just a fool. )

✽ imeeji: memory five

Why hadn't she guessed how hard it would be to look into a stranger's eyes and know they were expecting something wonderful? Something more than meeting another awkward schoolgirl who just happened to sort of sing a bit?

( things never go exactly how you planned! )

✽ imeeji: memory six

There's something there she can't quite put her finger on - a distance, a certain awkwardness, maybe even a little discomfort - but it'll pass, she's quite convinced of that. When it came to your sister, these things always did.

( when you're together, you can really feel at home )

✽ imeeji: memory seven

She wants to join in, but she doesn't: she's running over all the things they could tell her, all the ways they could find to shut her down flat. She hoards her words as if she fears she'll run out of them, just when she needs them the most.

( let me sing! )