Our Ever-Blooming Cherry Blossoms – Bloom Garden Party Theatrical Bonus Novel
This is a complete English translation of the 30-page special novel distributed as an attendee bonus during the film's theatrical release.
Author : Teren Mikami (Hasunosora Scenario Team) ——————————————————– With graduation fast approaching, Kaho, Sayaka, and Rurino find themselves looking back on everyone who made their journey possible. Before their time at Hasunosora comes to an end, they want to express their gratitude to the underclassmen who supported them, to everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club, and to every single person who has cheered Hasunosora on up to this very day. Their project began with the idea of creating an "Album Tree" to preserve their memories, but the sentiments they hope to express keep growing beyond what they first imagined…
Hasunosora Girls’ High School. A prestigious boarding high school renowned throughout the prefecture for its long history and excellence in the arts. Any middle school student in the Hokuriku region involved in the cultural arts dreams of attending. The ultimate goal they all look up to.
Within this academy, where strict discipline is held in high regard, there was a certain club activity: the School Idol Club—
“I'm a fool... a fool among fools…”
One girl sat there utterly dejected, her face as gloomy as the bottom of a well where the sun never reaches.
The girls who had just arrived widened their eyes in surprise.
“Kaho-chan!?”
“Kaho-san?”
They were Osawa Rurino and Murano Sayaka. Both third-year students who had already finished their graduation ceremony, with March now entering its latter half.
The two hurried over to Hinoshita Khaho, who was as downcast and dejected as Vantablack, the darkest black in the world.
“What's wrong today?”
“Did you mess something up again, Kaho-san!?”
“Uuu~... Rurino-chan... Sayaka-chan…”
Kaho let out a cry weaker than that of a rabbit.
One might want to say she was usually energetic and full of life, but honestly, Kaho tended to get depressed rather often. It was practically routine.
“I forgot something I absolutely had to do…”
“What would that be? We have no spring break homework this year…”
“And Ruri and Sayaka-chan already submitted the application for the Bloom Garden Party shuttle bus.”
Sayaka and Rurino exchanged glances.
Kaho shook her head vigorously.
“That's not it! It's just... I forgot about the person I should be thanking the most! Wait! I didn’t actually forget! It’s not like that!"
“What is that even supposed to mean?”
Question marks practically danced above Sayaka's head.
“Let’s see… You forgot, but you didn’t really forget… In other words, Kaho-chan, you realized something’s not quite good enough? Is that it?”
“!?”
A spark returned to Kaho's eyes, “Wow, Rurino-chan! You got it exactly!”
"Well, we're not called the Hasuno Sanrenka for nothing."
“I see. Then please give me a moment. I'll work out the answer myself…”
“When did this become a quiz about me!?”
“Well, setting the quiz aside, what exactly is going on?”
“Yeah, actually…”
Sayaka cried out, “Ah! I was still thinking!” but Kaho began speaking anyway.
“I think there are still people we haven't thanked enough.”
In a small voice, Rurino muttered, “Hinoshita Kaho Quiz: Question Two…?”
This time, however, Sayaka quietly raised her hand.
“Those people would be everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club!”
“You got it, Sayaka-chan!”
Kaho looked at her friends with admiration for seeing right through her so easily.
Without any hint of pride, Sayaka revealed her reasoning.
“Because, Kaho-san. Lately, every time your With×MEETS ends, you've been saying things like, ‘I wonder if there was still more I could've done’”
“Eh? Was I saying that out loud!?”
“Yep, Ruri heard it too. You kept saying you wanted to thank everyone even more.”
“Ugh. It's true. Honestly, if only we could have, like, forty-eight hours for every With×MEETS stream…looking back on our memories together never feels like enough.”
With that, Kaho clutched her temples in sheer frustration.
“I wish March had a hundred days this year!”
“Well, it doesn't,” Sayaka replied. “But I understand how you feel, Kaho-san. There's no doubt that the reason we've had such a wonderful three years is because of everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club.”
“Exactly! They're our rain, our wind, and our sunshine!”
Kaho clenched her fist.
“We thanked the people who helped with the Bloom Garden Party, and everyone who supported our events in Kanazawa too. But the closer we get to saying goodbye, the more I realize just how special the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club is to me!”
The light had fully returned to her eyes as she spoke passionately.
“They found us, met us, and connected with us! No matter how much we want to bring smiles to people, we couldn't do anything without those who support us. That's why, before it's all over, I want to give them a huge thank-you one last time!”
At those words—
“Hmm.”
Rurino placed a hand over her chin.
Like a master detective, she surveyed the clubroom and flashed a handsome grin.
“Kaho-chan, Sayaka-chan. In that case, how about we make one more giant flower bloom?”
“Which means...?”
“It’s time for the Osawa Rurino Quiz!”
Holding up a finger, Rurino smiled.
“I agree with Kaho-chan. To be honest, I felt the same way, that maybe the Fes×LIVE alone wasn't enough. So here's the question: What do we call the important flower we're making together with our seniors and juniors, the one that’ll let our countless memories bloom?”
This time, Kaho and Sayaka answered in unison.
“The Album Tree!”
Rurino narrowed her eyes and smiled.
“Ding-dong, ding-dooong!”
The Album Tree was created by Kaho and the members of the Hasunosora School Idol Club.
Inspired by Tanabata wish strips, the entire club decorated it with countless photographs, turning a single album into a literal tree.
Kaho immediately threw her arms around Rurino.
“Wah!”
“That's amazing! Rurino-chan, you're a genius! That's the perfect idea!”
A moment later, Sayaka finally caught on.
“You mean... the Album Tree...!”
“Yep!”
Still wrapped around Rurino in a hug, Kaho turned back with a smile as bright as a sunflower.
“Let's make one!”
As though she'd completely forgotten the gloomy mood she'd been in just moments before, Kaho beamed, “We're making another one!”
・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
“And that’s the gist of it, Ginko-chan!”
“I see…”
This is Hinoshita Kaho's room.
Seated opposite Kaho, who looked thoroughly pleased with herself, was a girl with cleanly trimmed black hair and a traditional, refined air about her, Momose Ginko, a second-year student at Hasunosora Girls’ High School.
A beat later, Ginko finally grasped the sheer audacity of what Kaho and the others were proposing.
“Wait. Another Album Tree...? Starting now!?”
“Yep!”
“You mean we'd be preparing for the Bloom Garden Party and making another Album Tree at the same time...?”
“Yep!”
Ginko quietly rose to her feet and headed for the door.
“Ginko-chan, where are you going?”
“To check the schedule with Sayaka-senpai…”
“Sayaka-chan was totally on board with it!”
“Oh, come on! Did graduating make her lose her mind or something!?”
“Ahaha.”
Ginko shot Kaho a glare that seemed to say ‘This isn't something to laugh about,’ but it had absolutely no effect. In the past two years, not once had Kaho ever reconsidered one of her ideas because of that look. Realizing the futility of her efforts once again, Ginko let out a small sigh and mentally moved the newly assigned task much higher up her list of priorities.
“All right. I suppose if you graduated with unfinished business, Kaho-senpai, you'd end up becoming a ghost that haunts the dorms every night.”
“I'm very much alive!!”
To be fair, Kaho's ghost wouldn't be particularly scary, Ginko thought to herself.
The same went for ghost versions of Rurino and Sayaka. Kosuzu and Hime would probably be delighted, if anything.
Still, as a junior, she wanted to make sure all of her seniors' lingering wishes came true. She had hesitated at first because openly agreeing would only encourage Kaho even more, but that reluctance had never been genuine.
Ginko looked back at Kaho and prompted her.
“So then, what exactly do you want us to do?”
“That's my Ginko-chan!”
Kaho immediately tried to hug her.
Ginko stopped her by planting a hand squarely against her cheek and pushing her back.
Kaho's face squished into a ridiculous shape, and at the sight of it, Ginko couldn't help letting out a small laugh.
Unfazed and still in high spirits, Kaho threw her arms out wide as she spoke.
“So! If we're going to decorate the Album Tree with our memories, I thought it'd be nice to gather lots of photos too!”
“But memories with everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club would be…”
Then it clicked.
“Ah.”
Kaho voiced the conclusion Ginko had just reached.
“Exactly! Fes×LIVE and With×MEETS! We decided to collect memorable moments from each unit!”
“That does make sense. We can work on it during the evenings when we're not able to go out anywhere.”
“Right? Right?”
Spend the daytime visiting places filled with memories, and the nights revisiting memorable streams. Following that schedule, creating a second Album Tree at the same time wouldn't be impossible.
“So then, Ginko-chan! Can I start by asking which Fes×LIVE moments left the biggest impression on you?”
“Eh? All of them?”
“Got it! We'll put up all of them!”
Her words had only slipped out by accident. If she wasn't careful, Kaho had the frightening tendency to adopt absolutely any suggestion thrown her way. Ginko needed to keep a firm grip on the reins.
“No, wait.”
“We should probably focus on the more representative ones. In that case... the December and October Fes×LIVEs of the 105th term are still fresh in my memory.”
She recalled Starring Bloom and the Bloom Days Fes×LIVE.
The former featured Yuki Mau Sora to Nibyo no Eien while the latter was the live performance of Hitoyo ni Yume ga Sakuyo ni, a turning point in Ginko's life.
Both held a special place in her heart.
“Then I cast my vote for the April Fes×LIVE from the 104th term, the very first live after you enrolled, Ginko-chan.”
“Well…”
Ginko frowned slightly.
It was certainly a memorable live show.
But...
“Eh? You don't like that one, Ginko-chan?”
“I wouldn't go that far... It's just that I was probably really nervous back then…”
Kaho laughed at Ginko's concern over how she might look in the photos.
“Ahaha. Then what about the October Fes×LIVE from the 104th term? The Rindo Festival! Link to the FUTURE went amazingly well that time!”
“That would be fine, but...if we're preserving our memories with everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club, maybe we should focus on performances that left an impression on a lot of people.”
“You mean... Love Live! Finals playoff match?”
“I'd definitely like to include at least one photo from that.”
Kaho crossed her arms and tilted her body to one side. Then she clapped her hands.
“Hmmmm. Okay! I've decided! We'll display photos from every Fes×LIVE!”
“Let's talk it over with the other units later.”
Though she said, “Let's talk it over,” Ginko had smoothly rejected Kaho's proposal without making it obvious.
This time, Kaho opened the tablet she used for streaming.
“All right, that settles it for the Fes×LIVE stuff. Next up: With×MEETS!”
“There really are so many of them. Kaho-senpai, just how many streams have you done over these past three years?”
“A whole bunch!”
Kaho threw both hands into the air, using her entire body to demonstrate just how many. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she had always been the driving force behind the School Idol Club's streaming activities.
Leaning shoulder-to-shoulder as they peered at the tablet, Ginko asked, “What about you, Kaho-senpai? Are there any streams that stand out in your memory?”
“I'd have to say my very first solo stream. I was so nervous!”
Kaho pointed at a stream from April 23rd of the 103rd term. The title was as straightforward as it gets, Hinoshita Kaho’s Solo Stream!
When Ginko tapped it and started playback, even Kaho began blushing with embarrassment.
“W-Wait, Ginko-chan!”
On the screen, a much younger Kaho was introducing herself with obvious nervousness.
“Honestly, it doesn't seem all that different from how you are now.”
“Ehh? It's totally different! Look closer!”, Kaho insisted, pointing at the screen.
But from Ginko's perspective, she was already reading comments smoothly and interacting with viewers just fine. It was impressive.
“In that case, let's watch your first stream too, Ginko-chan.”
“Ah, wait—”
Momose Ginko’s Solo Stream, June 1st, 104th term. Ginko's very first solo broadcast.
She immediately buried her face in both hands and cried out:
“I'm way too stiff!”
"Ah, you hid behind Otsuru-san!"
"Aaaahhh!"
Ginko wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
These days, Ginko genuinely enjoys making streams about Ishikawa's traditional culture.
But back then, she had struggled far more than any of her peers. She rehearsed over and over again, only to stumble during the actual stream. Every time it happened, she'd spend another sleepless night tossing and turning under her blankets.
“Kaho-senpai, stop! Stop!”
“Ginko-chan is sooo cute~~!”
“We can’t forget your Hasunosora Fantasy Stream! It even ended up becoming a big event, right!?”
Forcibly snatching the tablet from Kaho's arms, Ginko ignored Kaho's protest, “H-Hey, wait a second!”
Ginko immediately played the Hasunosora Fantasy episode. A series built around Kaho's imaginative premise, What if the members of Hasunosora were characters in a fantasy world?
Beginning with the first broadcast on December 4th of the 103rd term, the project became an annual tradition and ran for three installments in total, earning tremendous popularity. Better yet, it was a viewer-participation event, making it a perfect fit for the Album Tree.
As she watched Kaho effortlessly assign fantasy-world occupations to the club members, Ginko was struck by an odd thought.
“You were still only a first-year student back then, Kaho-senpai…”
“Yeah. It really brings back memories. That was already two years ago, after all.”
Two years ago, Ginko was still a third-year middle school student. She hadn't even enrolled at Hasunosora yet. Back then, she never would have imagined that one day she'd end up in a unit with this lively senior who loved chatting so much.
“The members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club have been supporting you for a whole year longer than I have, haven't they, Kaho-senpai?”
“Yeah.”
Kaho turned and smiled at her.
Thinking about it that way, Ginko felt the urge to thank every single name scrolling past in the comments. Thanks to all of you, Kaho-senpai was able to enjoy such a fulfilling school life. Thank you.
“It's a wonderful idea. This second Album Tree.”
The moment Ginko said that, Kaho's smile grew even brighter.
“Right? Right?!”
And so, night after night, the two members of Cerise Bouquet spent their evenings sorting through photos for the Album Tree, with Kozue occasionally joining them.
・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
“All right then, let's start choosing the photos for the Album Tree.”
“Yes, Sayaka-senpai!”
Kachimachi Kosuzu responded energetically.
The two of them were in the room of Murano Sayaka, Kosuzu's senior and fellow DOLLCHESTRA member.
Sayaka scrolled through her tablet with the ease that comes with experience.
“Looking at the stream archive like this, we really have done an incredible number of With×MEETS, haven't we?”
“It's all part of the history Sayaka-senpai built for the Hasunosora School Idol Club!”
“I think that's a bit of an exaggeration…”, Sayaka let out a modest laugh.
Her expression softened as she looked at the screen.
“Though... perhaps you have a point. Murano Sayaka's Radio is a good example. Looking back, I really have been doing it for quite a long time.”
“Saya Radio!"
It was a program she had created to connect with her listeners, whom she referred to as "the villagers." Starting in the 103rd term, she had invited all sorts of guests and continued the series for three years, supported by countless listener letters along the way. This stood as clear proof of the immense effort Sayaka made to overcome her awkwardness when talking to people by sharing both her own charm and that of her clubmates.
“And thank you for coming on as a guest, Kosuzu-san.”
"Oh no, it was always so much fun. I really loved the atmosphere you created, Sayaka-senpai."
“Hehehe. Hearing that makes me feel like all the effort was worth it.”
With a swift tap, Kosuzu saved a screenshot of Saya Radio.
That one was an obvious keeper.
“I have so many other streams of yours that I love, Sayaka-senpai!”
“I'm glad to hear that. But, make sure to pick some of your own streams as well, okay?”
“Hmm…”
Kozuzu tapped the tablet.
“Oh! Then what about this series?”
She turned the screen toward Sayaka.
“T-The line-reading streams?”
Sayaka’s face flushed red instantly.
“Yes! The line-reading streams you did with Tsuzuri-senpai, the ones the three of us did together, and the ones just between you and me! Every single one of them is a precious memory to me!”, Kosuzu's voice was full of genuine enthusiasm.
“And since the lines were requested by the listeners, it perfectly matches the whole purpose of making this Album Tree!”
“I mean, yes... you're not wrong, but…”
“Sayaka-senpai?”
“It's just... the more I think about it, the more I remember how embarrassing those were."
“Really? What about this one?”
As she said this, Kosuzu innocently turned up the volume on her tablet.
『Become delicious~ Moe... Moe... Kyun!』
“So cute!”
“And whose idea was that line again? Yours, Kosuzu-san!”
It was from the July 8th, 104th-term stream, Let's Read Some Lines Together!
As Sayaka flustered, Kosuzu flashed her a bright smile.
The project itself had actually started when Megumi-senpai advised a worried Sayaka, "Why not try doing something out of the ordinary?" However, the person responsible for choosing the actual lines was Tsuzuri-senpai, with Kosuzu joining in the following year.
“I’m sure Tsuzuri-senpai picked all those different lines because she wanted everyone to discover a brand-new, charming side of you, Sayaka-senpai!”
“Do you honestly think that was her only reason?”
Kosuzu slightly averted her eyes from Sayaka.
“Yup! 100%!”
“Look me in the eye when you say that!”
Deep down, even Kosuzu suspected that Tsuzuri-senpai's real goal had been to enjoy watching an adorable Murano Sayaka. And honestly, she was probably right.
"So, that one's definitely going on the tree!"
"Geez... Well, if we're putting that on there, then I'm picking this one next."
It was a With×MEETS stream from the 104th term:
"This Is What Filming the Movie Was Like!", broadcast on August 26th.
"Oh! That one was a lot of fun!"
“We reenacted the movie with Ginko-san, didn't we?"
The film they had devoted an entire summer to creating had been made for Sekka's sake and was never publicly released.
Instead, they recreated it during a With×MEETS stream.
“We got so many comments about that one too. Tsuzuri-senpai's performance was incredible!”
“Ginko-san made a charming heroine as well. And above all, Kosuzu-san really looked the part of the protagonist.”
“Ehehe. I'm honored.”
"And this one, too."
Sayaka selected another stream, this time one of Kosuzu's.
“Huh? This one?”
Kosuzu tilted her head in surprise.
The stream titled A Glimpse of Everyday Life, broadcast on May 8th of the 105th term. This one differed slightly from the standard With×MEETS format. Since they couldn't stream during midterms, the members decided to replace the usual live broadcast with a pre-recorded radio-style content.
“I feel like I was just chatting with Ginko-chan like I normally would though...?”
“And that’s exactly what made it so good. It felt so incredibly real, like getting a sneak peek into how you spend time alone with a friend. I felt like I got to see a whole new side of you, Kosuzu-san.”
“Oh wow... In that case, the everyday life stream was a massive success!”
“Wait, if we keep going like this, it won’t really be an Album Tree made with the viewers anymore. I'm just picking all of my own favorite moments.”
Realizing she had drifted away from the original purpose, Sayaka grew concerned, but Kosuzu immediately shook her head.
“Not at all! If the stream put a smile on your face, Sayaka-senpai, I'm sure it did the same for the listeners!”
“Y-You think so?”
“Besides, what's wrong with that, Sayaka-senpai?”
Kosuzu smiled, her eyes sparkling brightly.
“If you watched the stream, then you're a listener too, Sayaka-senpai. Right now, that makes you one of the members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club!”
Drawn in by that ridiculous logic, Sayaka let out a soft smile.
“Hehe... All right, then. Let's go with that.”
“Yes!”
Even when the things Kosuzu said seemed completely absurd, Sayaka always accepted them. That made Kosuzu happy. It wasn't that Sayaka was just spoiling her, she truly recognized Kosuzu's worth and respected her opinions, and sometimes even praised her, saying things like, “That's an idea I never would've thought of myself.”
There were times when Kosuzu second-guessed herself, and times when she got carried away. But over the two years she'd spent with Sayaka, she felt like she was finally figuring out what it really meant to just “be herself.”
And that was the exact same feeling she got whenever she was chatting with the members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club.
“Kachimachi really has done a lot of streams, haven't I?”
“You have. The path you've walked still shines brightly in the hearts of both me and the listeners.”
“Ehehe...”
Kosuzu might not be able to speak as intelligently as Ginko or as eloquently as Hime, but there were people who watched her streams, accepted her for who she was, and enjoyed spending time with her.
That acceptance had been her saving grace over the past two years. She had already thanked Sayaka countless times for it, but she wanted to ensure she properly got that message across to the members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club, too.
“I’m going to do my absolute best to complete the second Album Tree! Sayaka-senpai! Oh, Sayaka-senpai, don't you still have paperwork left to do? It's okay! I'll handle things here, so leave it to me!”
Back when she'd first joined the club, there was no way Kosuzu could have confidently said, “Leave it to me.” Especially not to Murano Sayaka, the seemingly perfect senior she admired so much.
As if she understood what Kosuzu was thinking, Sayaka gently patted her on the head.
“Hehe... You've become quite dependable, Kosuzu-san.”
“Of course! I'll be a third-year student next year, after all!”
“Even so, let me stick around a little longer. This is just too much fun.”
“Yes, let’s do it together!”
After they shared a laugh, Sayaka suddenly remembered something and quickly scrolled through the tablet.
“Come to think of it, I completely forgot. There’s a stream that’s absolutely essential for us!”
“Oh? Which one?”
“This, of course. The one from June 29th of the 104th term. Didn't the three of us in DOLLCHESTRA literally make history that day?"
Sayaka held out the tablet with excitement on her face.
On the screen was: “ENTERTAINMENT.”
“Sayaka-senpai! I'll handle the rest, so please go home and rest for the day!”
“Huh? Why?!”
Later on, when Tsuzuri joined them, she would offer her own unique commentary, “Saya was incredibly funny back then”, which would only end up fueling Sayaka’s excitement even more…
But that is a story for another day.
・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
“Wow, another Album Tree? That’s such a great idea~ As expected of Ruri-chan-senpai~”
“Right? Right?”
The two members of Mira-Cra Park! weren’t in Rurino’s room today, but instead in the dorm lounge, rewatching old stream archives. Hime and Rurino sat side by side, each wearing one earbud, carefully selecting moments while watching the tablet.
“Alright then, let’s just start screenshotting all the RuriMegu streams~”
“I knew you’d say that! Hey, I saw you commenting under ‘Tsumayoji,’ you know!”
“Being recognized individually is kind of embarrassing but also nice~ Don’t worry though, Ruri-chan-senpai.”
“Huh?”
Rurino tilted her head, confused, while Hime smiled brightly.
“You don’t need to rescreenshot anything. I already have everything saved on my phone~”
“Wait... huh? Twenty thousand images!?”
Rurino froze in shock at the size of Hime’s “RuriMegu” folder.
“This one in particular is extra cute~”
“What is this?”
Hime happily showed her a photo.
Rurino blushed deeply while shooting her a sharp look.
“Hey… I’ve been meaning to ask, but what kind of reaction are you expecting to get when you show me stuff like this?”
“Huh?”
Hime froze for a moment. Reaction?
“Nothing in particular?”
“Oh. I see…”
“If anything, it’s just that Ruri-chan-senpai being cute is a given, so I want you to be proud of that. And if I can convey even a little of how much I love you, that’s enough for me. When I’m talking about my oshi, I literally can't think about anything other than her happiness, and if anything, I want Ruri-chan-senpai to understand her own cuteness—"
“C-Calm down!”
Just as Hime’s rambling reached its peak, Rurino cut her off. Hime just let out a silly, sheepish “Hehehe~” in response.
“Alright, let's get it together and start making another Album Tree for the members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club to use~”
“The way you phrased that makes it sound like there's another Album Tree out there somewhere...”
It seemed Rurino hadn't caught on to the secret Album Tree Hime had already built in her own room. Or maybe she had. Either way, it didn't matter. An otaku's passion cannot be stopped.
“Ruri-chan-senpai, what kind of streams do you like~?”
“Well, I thought about it, and for the 103rd term, I’d pick these.”
“Ohh…”
The first was the Training Camp Radio, streamed from Kozue’s villa on August 12th of the 103rd term. The second was the Belated Christmas, streamed on January 24th of the 103rd term.
“I feel like Hime might tease me for this…”
Rurino glanced at Hime’s expression as she spoke hesitantly.
“Training Camp Radio was technically my first With×MEETS appearance with Megu-chan, and Belated Christmas was a stream we did after things got pretty rough for the club, but Megu-chan said she still wanted us to do something fun together, so we made it happen.”
A warm, gentle smile spread across Rurino’s face.
“They’re overflowing with memories.”
Hime nodded along as if drinking in the absolute peak of human happiness.
“I see~... Yep, there's no doubt those will bring tears to everyone's eyes~...”
“You're getting way too deep into your feelings...”
“The four hundred million Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club fans living inside my head are also in complete and total agreement with this choice.”
Rurino gave up on trying to understand the math and just nodded along anyway.
“But for Ruri, I think I'd like to include more of the streams where everyone was just hanging out and having a loud, chaotic, fun time.”
“Oh, that’s nice too~”
“Yeah, so for the 104th term, I think something like the 103rd Class’s Victory Celebration!’ stands out to me.”
“Ahhh! The episode with Cerarin’s first ever guest appearance~”
That was the With×MEETS streamed by Hasuno Sanrenka on February 6th of the 104th term, right after they won the Love Live! finals.
Inviting a rival they had just defeated felt a little awkward at first, but Ceras, still a middle school student from Mizukawa at the time, had insisted on coming over to hang out anyway. It turned into a completely wild, free-spirited stream that gave everyone an early glimpse of what the 105th term would be like, and the fans loved every second of it.
“Ever since the two from Edel Note joined us, things have gotten even livelier~”
“Ceras-chan’s always coming up with new ideas too, she really wants to try everything,” Rurino said with a smile.
She was just like Fujishima Megumi, the self-proclaimed queen of streaming from the previous year, with how much she loved putting on shows.
“Hasunosora Ghost Stories 2! was incredible. It really showed off Ceras-chan’s charm.”
“Haha, I watched that too~ Kaho-senpai had a rough time in that one, didn’t she?”
“She sure did!”
Taking place on July 10th of the 105th term, the stream featured Rurino, Kosuzu, and Kaho, with the addition of Ceras. They took turns sharing ghost stories, thoroughly enjoying Kaho’s frightened reactions… delivering a fun and friendly stream filled with laughter and good vibes.
“For me, the karaoke streams and the 'What Comes Next?' quiz streams really left a huge impression~”
“Ahh, the karaoke streams were always a blast, weren’t they?”
The comment section would overflow with messages, almost like a mini Fes×LIVE.
“By the way, Hime, I’ve been meaning to ask.”
“Yes~?”
”What does ‘Megu-Genesis’ mean?”
At Rurino’s question, Hime simply smiled quietly.
“Well!?”
“My, we really have done so many fun streams, haven't we?”
As Hime laughed cheerfully to dodge the question, a couple of girls spotted the two of them and walked over.
"Ya~, I heard you're creating an Album Tree for the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club.”
“We've got plenty to add as well!”
"Oh, Izumin and Cerarin~"
Katsuragi Izumi and Ceras Yanagida Lilienfeld. The two were members of Edel Note, a unit formed for a limited one-year run, set to disband at the end of the 105th term, which was now fast approaching.
“We might not match up to your history, but we've received so much love over this past year, too.”
“It's all thanks to the people who support us that we can have this much fun as school idols every day,” Izumi smiled warmly while Ceras threw up a small peace sign close to her chest.
Rurino beamed back at them with a bright, carefree grin.
“Ahaha, thanks! The fans are definitely gonna love your picks."
“What did you choose, Izumin~?"
“Well… I’d say the most memorable ones were the birthday streams. Not just mine, but everyone’s. Getting to celebrate birthdays together with so many people through our streams was an experience unique to being a school idol,” Izumi said, looking a little embarrassed.
“Ahh, yeah, I get that~”
The birthday streams held for each member every year had become a regular tradition. Each one was specially planned, making them feel like something extra special within With×MEETS.
“And what about Ceras-chan?”
“I personally believe I’ve deepened my bond with the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club through every stream this year, but if I had to choose, the shuffle unit streams were the most memorable!”
“Ruri&To and PRINCEε>ε>, right? That one was really fun.”
The first unit featured Rurino, Sayaka, Kosuzu, and Ceras, while the second centered around Hime and included Kaho, Ginko, and Izumi as a special four-member unit.
In addition to song release, each unit also hosted its own With×MEETS. The unusual combinations brought a fresh appeal, earning enthusiastic reactions from viewers.
As the conversation grew lively, members of Cerise Bouquet and DOLLCHESTRA also arrived.
“Were you all talking about the other Album Tree too?”
“Indeed we were, Kosuzu-senpai.”
“Oh, I see, I see. We were actually just talking about Fes×LIVE too.”
As Kosuzu cheerfully brought it up, standing just behind her, Ginko raised a concern to Kaho.
“But seriously… What are we going to do? Even if we make the Album Tree and leave it in the clubroom, no one will be able to see it.”
“Huh? Couldn’t we just show it during a stream?”
Standing next to Kosuzu, Kaho puffed out her chest proudly.
“Fufufu. Don’t worry! We’ve got a great idea!”
At that, Ginko looked toward Kaho, Hime toward Rurino, and Kosuzu toward Sayaka. It seemed the third-years had already discussed this in advance.
“You all remember the STEP UP Flower event we held back in February, right?”
Everyone nodded. It was an event where all sorts of people shared their countless dreams with one another, held to connect a massive crowd of people together.
“So, at that time, everyone who participated helped grow a tree full of dreams. So this time, we thought we’d decorate that same tree with photos!”
“Oooh~!”
Cheers erupted from the first and second-years alike.
Watching their enthusiastic reactions with a satisfied smile, Sayaka and Rurino spoke up.
“That tree doesn't belong exclusively to the members of the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club, I think we can borrow it for just a little while.”
“Yep, yep! Think of it like giving the tree a beautiful makeover!”
Hime clapped her hands in delight.
“That sounds wonderful~”
“Yes, that means we’ll have plenty of space to display photos!”
Kosuzu smiled brightly, and Izumi nodded with her arms crossed.
“So we’re decorating the tree of dreams with dreams we all watched come true together.”
“Well, I'm glad to see you all actually thought this through. I’m relieved,” Ginko said, letting out a relaxed breath.
“Marvelous!" Ceras declared, giving two thumbs-up.
And as if awaiting the perfect moment, Kaho declared, “And that’s how the Album Tree will be completed! Its name will be, the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club Tree!”
“Way too on the nose!”
But Sayaka smiled happily. “Sounds like something Tsuzuri-senpai would love.”
“Right? Right?”
Kaho’s face lit up with joy.
“I can’t wait for it to be finished!”
With the unveiling just around the corner, everyone thought it was almost complete.
But none of them could have imagined that an even greater step forward still awaited them.
・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
Over the next few days, various things happened. Ginko’s declaration as club president and the completion of the Album Tree.
In the school idol clubroom, the finished Album Tree was displayed. Each unit had contributed photos they had taken over time, images of the past and the present, and symbols of being connected even while apart. Photographs meant to link past, present, and future had blossomed across the tree like flowers.
But even so, it was still not truly complete.
On an evening shortly before the Bloom Garden Party, just a few days before the third-years were set to leave Hasunosora. Hasuno Sanrenka gathered in the clubroom. They were determined to face their graduation with everything they had, leaving absolutely no room for regrets.
Standing before Sayaka and Rurino, Kaho spoke up.
“Hey, the whole idea behind the Album Tree we're making is that everyone gets to take a flower home, right? That way, it becomes a true symbol that we're still connected, no matter how far apart we are.”
“So,” she continued, “For the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club tree, if we could give them some kind of ‘proof’ too, then maybe they’ll feel that same ‘we’re connected even when we’re apart’ feeling, right?”
Both Sayaka and Rurino nodded.
“Then the question is what that ‘proof’ would be exactly,” Sayaka said.
“For me, I think something tangible works best,” Rurino said, touching the necklace around her neck over her uniform.
“A physical thing that links the school idol club and the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club. If we had that, I think it would always make us feel connected.”
“I think Kaho-san’s idea of the tree itself, something everyone can see, was a wonderful idea. But yes… I’ve come to realize that alone may not be enough.”
Hearing both of their responses, Kaho nodded again.
“A proof we can deliver to everyone…”
Her eyes wandered around the room.
The whiteboard that had helped them so many times during streams. The podium and cabinets. The flower vases by the window. The teapot used for making tea. There were even times Ginko would bring in a siphon coffee maker.
Under the shelf holding the phonograph sat Peking Duck. Alongside the displayed photos and the Album Tree itself, everything in the room had become a collection of irreplaceable proof of who they were.
Memories captured in photographs. If that was the case, then what was still missing—
Feelings.
“Let’s write letters.”
Kaho declared firmly, spreading both arms wide.
“Not just memories! Let’s put our current feelings into words and send them to everyone who has supported us until now! To the members of Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club members! With everything we’ve got!”
Carrying that rising excitement with her, Kaho said with a smile,
“Let's make sure it doesn't end with just, 'That was fun,' or, 'I'm glad for everything that's happened so far!' Let's tell them that we'll still be together from now on too!”
Rurino was the first to agree.
“So that everyone will remember how we feel forever... Yeah! Let's share it with everyone."
“Then we'd better go buy some stationery right away!”
“W-Wait a minute.”
Sayaka reached out to stop Kaho, who looked ready to dash out of the clubroom right away.
“For starters, I think it's a wonderful idea! I completely agree that we should deliver something people can actually see and hold, not just digital data!”
“Thanks! Let’s get going then!”
“Let me finish! How exactly are you planning to deliver those letters? Do you even realize how many people there are in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club?”
Kaho faltered.
“A-A lot...?”
"Exactly! This isn't the same as handing letters to your friends! If you're sending letters to tens of thousands of people, even if you wrote a hundred a day, there's no way you'd finish in time!”
“No way...”
The smile gradually faded from Kaho's face.
As if stepping in between them, Rurino cut in.
“Yeah, which is why we're going to figure out how to do it now, right, Sayaka-chan?”
The antenna sticking out from the side of Kaho's head perked back up with renewed energy.
Sayaka gave an exaggerated nod.
“That's right.”
“Sayaka-chan!"
“Wah.”
Though surprised for a moment, Sayaka was already used to Kaho hugging her. She caught Kaho in her arms and gently patted her back.
“Honestly... please don't jump to conclusions, Kaho-san.”
"Ehehe, sorry.”
“Sayaka-chan's tone of voice was pretty harsh too, Ruri thinks. Ergo Ruri.”
“T-That's only because Kaho-san looked like she was about to fly out the door!”
The three of them laughed together before continuing to flesh out their plan.
First of all, handwriting everything was obviously impossible. Arranging it on such short notice would be difficult too, but they decided to seek help from people in Kanazawa City to find a place that could print them.
The next problem was how to deliver them. Naturally, they couldn't ask everyone for their addresses and mail them individually. Instead, they decided to borrow the strength of the Bloom Garden Party Union.
They would deliver the letters to the various Bloom Garden Party venues being held nationwide. Then, they could hand them out to whoever wanted one. A letter filled with all their feelings, given to every single person who came. It is a massive project. For individuals, and mere students at that, it completely goes beyond the scope of normal club activities.
Even so, the Hasunosora School Idol Club had already made countless dreams come true before. Then surely this, too, could be made a reality. If they believed in it and saw it through to the end, then certainly it would.
The sun had long since set, and the whiteboard was packed with the outline of their plan.
There was still so much left to do. Even so, the three members of Hasuno Sanrenka looked as excited as if a party were about to start, their enthusiasm more than enough to carry them through.
“Then first things first, we have to write the letters!”
“You're jumping straight to the climax.”
Rurino gave a wry smile at Kaho's declaration. These would be the original drafts used for printing.
“I feel like this is the kind of thing you'd want to think over carefully for weeks... But sometimes, going with the flow is important too.”
“Exactly! As expected of Sayaka-chan, you get it.”
“How many years do you think I've known you, Kaho-san?”
“Three!”
Kaho laughed as she held up three fingers.
They had already been together for three years. And yet, only three years. Their time together would surely continue from here on out. Even after graduation, and long after that. Not just with Kaho and Rurino. Surely, with everyone in the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club as well.
“I've already thought of what to write, so I'm starting!”
“That was fast.”
Kaho's pen danced smoothly across the page.
Rurino followed after her, and finally Sayaka.
The original drafts of their letters gradually took form.
“All done~!“
“Though, the real hard work starts after this,” Sayaka reminded them.
“Yeah, we've got to give it our all to make sure these actually reach everyone!”
The Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club Tree, filled with all the memories they had gathered. And the letters that would serve as proof. Only when those two became one would everything finally be complete.
Kaho happily looked over the letter she had just written before turning to Sayaka and Rurino with a smile.
“I'm really happy. Coming to Hasunosora... and getting to meet all of you!”
Those feelings had already been conveyed long ago. Neither Sayaka nor Rurino had any reason to doubt Kaho's words now.
Even so… Because she had put them into words, gentle smiles appeared on both of their faces.
“Ruri too. I had so much fun being a school idol.“
“Yes, I feel the same. They were three truly wonderful years.“
Holding hands and sharing each other's warmth, they savored the present moment. They didn't think it was embarrassing. They simply treasured the joy of having met here and now.
“That's right!“
Kaho drew a small flower at the end of the letter.
“We’ll be just one step ahead. There.“
In place of the pressed-flower decorations they had planned to use for the School Idol Club's Album Tree, a hand-drawn flower bloomed within the letter.
It was a flower crafted specifically for the Hasunosora Suki-Suki Club, destined to shine forever in their care.
Our always, ever-blooming cherry blossoms.
To everyone who has supported us, from the 103rd Class
Even if we're apart, we'll always be together! From here on too, everyone, let's bloom! — Hinoshita Kaho I'll carry in my heart the time we've walked together as I continue searching for new dreams. I hope all of you will have a wonderful future as well. We are always together. — Murano Sayaka These past three years have been amazing, thanks to all the conversations we shared and the chance to share our music with you!! Thank you! — Osawa Rurino
Thanks for reading!
Translation : Afi
Quality check & Proofreading: riimuda