🎶春日の響きと記憶の音 — 外伝 — 祝祭 — 2

🌸✨ In this alternate universe, Mio and みお are twin sisters, set in a unified world where the virtual singers of Crypton Future Media, Team TWINDRILL, INTERNET Co., Ltd., and the characters of Project SEKAI: Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku coexist. 🌙🎶 💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 The Moment the Drums Began Sunlight fell across the river, broken by the ripples into countless shards of gold. The riverbank was far livelier than usual for the Dragon Boat Festival. Green banners reading “Peace and Health for Dragon Boat Festival” hung along both sides of the river, and red lanterns stretched from the streets all the way to the bridge. Bamboo leaves and colorful streamers swayed gently in the wind. From the distance came the sound of drums, cheering, and vendors calling out as they sold zongzi and sachets. All those sounds wove together, as if they had pulled the entire riverbank into the rhythm of the festival. At the center of the river, a dragon boat of green and gold was slowly leaving the dock. A majestic dragon head was carved at the bow, its golden horns gleaming beneath the sun. Red knots and tassels hung along both sides of the boat, while delicate cloud patterns and bamboo-leaf designs ran along the edges. Small waves tapped against the hull with a clear, bright sound, as though urging them to hurry and set off. Miku held her paddle with both hands. Her teal twin tails lifted in the breeze, the tips brushing against the tassel decorations near her shoulders. She looked back at everyone, her eyes reflecting the light of the river, bright as water beneath a clear sky. “Is everyone ready?” she asked with a smile. “Let’s row all the way to the finish line together!” “Of course!” Teto immediately raised her paddle. Her red twin drills stood out vividly in the sunlight, and she looked even more energetic than the drumbeats themselves. “Now that we’re on the boat, we have to row with the cutest and coolest spirit possible!” Hearing that, Mio’s visible purple eye sparkled beneath her heart-shaped eyepatch. She lifted her paddle high, her black cat ears twitching lightly, and the heart-shaped ahoge on top of her head bounced along with them. “Meow—then Mio will be the strongest frontliner!” みお blinked her purple eyes. Her white cat ears swayed slightly in the wind, and her shoulder-length hair shimmered with a faint pinkish-lavender tint. Smiling, she reminded her, “Even frontliners have to remember to sit steady. Otherwise, falling into the water won’t be spirit. It’ll be an accident.” “I won’t fall!” Mio puffed out her cheeks, though she obediently lowered her paddle back to the water. The dragon boat rocked gently with the current, and everyone adjusted their posture. Gakupo’s long purple hair lifted in the river breeze. The long locks in front of both ears fell to his waist, swaying softly with his movements. Even as he held his paddle, his posture remained calm and graceful, as though he carried the same composure here on the dragon boat that he did onstage. “Luka, be careful. The boat is rocking,” he reminded her quietly. Luka turned to look at him. The sunlight cast a soft glow over her pink hair, and her blue eyes carried a gentle smile. “Don’t worry. I can keep up.” The moment she finished speaking, the drums on the riverbank suddenly quickened. Boom. Boom. Boom. The rhythm fell like a heartbeat. “Ready—row!” Their paddles struck the water together for the first time. Splash! Water burst upward, and the sunlight passed through the tiny droplets, making them flash like countless jewels in the air. The dragon boat surged forward, its bow cutting through the river and leaving a white trail of foam behind it. “Whoa! We’re really moving!” Rin’s blue eyes widened, and the large white bow on her head bounced in the wind. She laughed while trying hard to match the rhythm. “Len, don’t you dare lose to me!” Len’s blond ahoge stood up in the breeze. Gripping his paddle tightly, he gave a competitive grin. “That’s my line, Rin!” Their paddles entered the water almost at the same time, sending up splashes of nearly equal height. KAITO’s short blue hair had been ruffled slightly by the wind, but his expression remained calm. He watched everyone’s rhythm carefully and reminded them in a steady voice, “Don’t rush. Follow the drumbeat, and the boat will stay stable.” MEIKO’s short brown hair moved lightly in the breeze. She drove her paddle into the water, sending spray scattering along the side of the boat, her mature smile touched with amusement. “Not bad. You’re all more in sync than I expected.” “Of course!” Teto called back with a laugh. “We’ve all been onstage together, after all!” Hearing that, Miku’s smile grew even brighter. She looked toward the bridge opening ahead and called out clearly, “Then let’s treat this dragon boat like our stage! Everyone, together—” “Row!” The movements of all ten of them fell into rhythm once more. Paddles dropped, water flew, and the dragon boat raced swiftly across the river. The spectators on both banks began to cheer. Flags and lanterns swayed in the wind, and the distant drums, applause, and laughter blended together into a lively melody that belonged only to this Dragon Boat Festival afternoon. Luka turned slightly and saw Gakupo’s purple hair lifting in the wind. Sunlight settled in his eyes, making that violet gaze appear softer than usual. His expression was still calm, but hidden within it was a faint smile. “You look happy,” Luka said softly. Gakupo lowered his gaze to her. “Because everyone is here.” He paused, as though tucking his next words between the sounds of drums and water, then added quietly, “And because you’re here, too.” Luka froze for a moment. The river breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of bamboo leaves, sunlight, and water. She did not answer right away. Instead, she smiled, tightened her grip on her paddle, and drove it into the water with the next beat of the drum. Water splashed beside them, glittering like a tiny burst of fireworks. Ahead, Miku called out the rhythm. Teto laughed as she urged everyone to speed up. Rin and Len competed with each other, neither willing to give in. MEIKO and KAITO steadily held the pace. Mio and みお rowed while laughing together, their two pairs of cat ears swaying gently in the wind. The dragon boat carried the laughter, sweat, and pounding hearts of all ten of them across the shining river. On that bright Dragon Boat Festival afternoon, they were not simply taking part in a race. It felt as though they were rowing the festival, the stage, their friendship, and all the feelings still left unspoken toward the very same direction.