Ah, excellent work.

Then, on to the next page...

(I can still feel that fire burning right here...)

(I want to see what it's like. Beyond Nagi and her team's dream... With An. With everyone.)

...

(The way Taiga sang really was unbelievable...)

(I was so shaken that I couldn't even sing...)

(It'll take more than just skill to surpass RAD WEEKEND. But we still need to reach his level... Otherwise, I'm afraid that we won't be able to get anywhere...)

(How do we overcome this hurdle...?

No, more like an impossibly high wall...)

(At the same time, we know we can't let that get us down.)

(Because we've already made our decision...!)

Let's do it.

This is our real starting point.

We're gonna get even better.

We're gonna get Arata, Kotaro and EVER back...!

And surpass RAD WEEKEND!

Yeah!

Okay!

Yes!

So, I guess we need to start discussing what to do next.

Yes, I agree. Starting with...

What do we need to do to put on an event that can surpass RAD WEEKEND?

Or rather, what specific steps can we take to make that a reality?

Yeah, right...

It's not just about having the skills to do it. We need to form strong connections not just between us, but also with the crowd. I thought I already understood that, but...

It was her swan song.

Yes, Nagi's swan song... She was so loved by the people of this city.

I still have no idea how we're gonna top that...

But I finally understand why that event was as mind-blowing as it was...

And we're standing here today because that night happened. That's as true as it's ever been.

Yeah...

I guess we just gotta start checking off each box.

Because right now, we don't have the skills or the friends we'll need.

We'll have to face those shortcomings... And think about what steps we can take, like Toya just said.

Right. We can't stop now.

We need to keep trying things as we go...

Starting with...

Bringing everyone back together.

Tono, Mita and all of EVER...

I really don't know if what we'll have to say is gonna convince them to try again...

But I do know for sure that we need to tell them. About Nagi, about us and about our future.

Agreed...

If they hear about why RAD WEEKEND happened, then they might just be willing to come back around again.

I don't think our chances of success are zero.

Yeah, I agree!

Plus...

We were able to make it this far because we all pushed each other to do better.

I also believe that we should try talking to them.

However, that may be easier said than done...

Why?

I don't mean to spoil the moment...

But it's very difficult to regain lost confidence.

It was under fairly different circumstances, but I've been down that path. I sort of understand how they feel...

And why it caused them to give up.

Toya...

It's tough to find the will to stand back up and fight after you've convinced yourself there's no point...

I also know how that feels...

And the way he sang. He was a monster...

(He's right. The way Taiga sang... It scared me...)

(We couldn't hold our own against that...

And even if we'd managed to, RAD WEEKEND is something even further ahead...)

(I understand why someone would feel totally helpless after that.)

(At the same time...)

...

(I really regret what happened...)

(If only I could sing better...

If only we could've convinced the others to stay...)

(No, stop...

There's no use crying over spilled milk.)

(Right now, we need to think about what we can do moving forward.)

I agree that it'll be hard for them to come back.

And... I don't think there's any guarantee that us talking to them will make that happen.

But at the very least, I wanna tell them about what happened to Aunt Nagi...

No, after coming this far together, we owe it to them. They have a right to know.

Yes, I agree completely...

And there is a chance of them coming back, no matter how small.

Alright, I'll try seeing if they'd be willing to sit down and talk with us somewhere.

Okay.

Thanks, Akito.

That just leaves our giant skill gap.

To be honest, I doubt we're going to find the solution to this problem anytime soon either...

Yeah...

It's not something we can fix here and now, anyway. This is gonna take us a while to figure out.

We wouldn't be wondering if we already knew the answer...

Right...

If no method is presenting itself, we'll just need to also be thinking about this issue while we continue our practices.

In that case...

Our first step should probably be to secure more time together. Would that be a problem for anyone?

That time can be used both for longer practices and for us to brainstorm our plans going forward.

Yeah, let's do that...!

(I also need to do what I can...)

(I'm going to find the time and devote it all to singing!)

Oh, Kohane, over here!

Thanks for waiting, everyone!

I'm really sorry.

I was asking my teacher about committee business and it ended up taking longer than expected.

No, that's totally fine!

But what committee business were you asking about...?

Oh, so...

I asked to see if there's some way for me to take care of my duties during lunch in order to give myself more time to practice.

Interesting...

Seems we're all on the same wavelength.

Huh?

Shiraishi and I also had discussions along similar lines today.

The other hall monitors were happy to hear me out. Same goes for Toya and the library committee. I didn't think it would be this easy.

Really...?!

That's great, you two!

As for me, I quit my job.

What?!

Just like that...? I didn't realize you could leave on such short notice.

Normally, I'd have to put in my two weeks... But my manager's always been rooting for us. He even heard through the grapevine how we lost to Taiga...

So, after I told him that I wanted to focus on music more, he said, “Go get 'em! I believe in you!”

Wow...

He sounds like such a nice person.

Oh, speaking of work...

I won't be helping out at the cafe for the foreseeable future.

Wait, and your dad's okay with that...?

Yup.

He said, “That's fine. Don't mind us.”

I honestly felt a little relieved...

I mean, whenever I see him or any of the locals, all these emotions begin stirring up inside of me...

Oh...

No, wait! I'm sorry...!

I don't hate them or anything for what they did!

My dad and I had a talk afterwards...

That really happened...?

(Thank goodness...

An and her dad had a chance to talk things out.)

Well, in any case...

We have more time to sing now.

Let's do everything we can to make the most of every extra minute.

Right!

Oh, actually, Shinonome...

Hm? What's up?

You contacted Tono and everyone the other day, right? Can you tell us what happened after that...?

Yeah, I tried contacting them...

But I only heard back from Okazaki.

And he replied, “We need time to settle down and think about what just happened.”

I see...

Then, we'll just have to keep trying with Arata and the others as we go! For now, let's focus on practicing!

We're gonna warm up a little and then head over to MEIKO's place, right?

Yes. I know everyone there's already done quite a bit for us lately, but we should go ask to see if we can borrow her cafe again...