...

(Maybe I should've gone instead...)

(But if I had, I wouldn't have finished my assignment...)

Shiho, is that you?

Oh, Dad...

Are you coming back from work?

Yeah. I was just having a meeting with this band I've been looking after. They have a show coming up.

Are you on your way home from school, Shiho? It's pretty late...

I was busy doing calligraphy today.

Calligraphy?

Yeah, we were assigned to draw characters for class. The due date was today, so I had to stay back and finish mine.

I see...

So, did yours turn out the way you wanted?

Well...

What I turned in was probably the best one I've ever drawn...

That's good.

But you don't seem all that happy...

Huh...? I'm, uhh...

It's okay. You can tell me what's wrong...

I'm sure you'll feel a lot better after you get it off your chest.

Okay...

I was actually supposed to go to a classmate's birthday party today... But I decided not to go because I wanted to keep working on my calligraphy...

And my decision ended up hurting them.

...

I know I would've regretted turning in something I wasn't happy with.

But I also never meant to upset everyone...

Which is why I'm wondering if I should've gone to that party after all...

I see. That's a tough pickle...

Still, after deciding to stay back, you ended up producing your best piece of calligraphy today, right?

I think you should be proud of that.

You think so...?

Yes.

However, I also understand your predicament...

Getting to do what you want is important, but so is understanding how others feel.

Yeah...

(Did I make the right decision?)

(Ideally, I would've been able to work faster and still make it to the birthday party, but...)

...

Shiho, why don't we go see another show together sometime?

A show?

Sure, but where'd that come from...?

There's a group of ladies that I want you to meet.

Hearing their music might give you a hint as to how you should make those kinds of decisions going forward.

A hint...?

Yeah. So, how about it...?

Yeah...

Okay.

(I'm at a live house again...

But it's never not exciting to be at one.)

(It being kinda dark is a part of it... But there's more to it than just that...)

(The sounds you sometimes hear when they're tuning and testing the instruments. The way you can sorta barely see what's going on. All of that...)

(I dunno why, but it always gets me really excited...)

Over here, Shiho.

Huh? Wait, we're going backstage...?

Am I allowed?

Yeah, I already got permission.

It's okay as long as you don't get in the way of the staff...

Okay...

(This is what it looks like backstage...?

I had no idea...)

Oh, Mr. Hinomori, you made it!

...!

I thought this was my chance to say hi. You don't go on for a little while, right?

Wow, thank you so much!

Sumire's gonna be so stoked!

Huh? That girl...

Oh...

Is she your daughter...?!

Yeah, her name's Shiho.

Shiho, this is the leader of Iolite.

They're the band I said I've been looking after, remember...?

Nice to meet you...

Whoa...! Y-Y-Y-Y-You're...

Me...?

You're soooo cute!

Everyone, listen! Big news!

Mr. Hinomori brought over this really adorable girl to meet us! Apparently she's his daughter, Shiho!

Oh, hey, look at that.

How old are you, sweetie?

Um... I'm ten.

Ten?! Wow, you're so calm and collected though.

Come to think of it, Mr. Hinomori, she looks just like you. I dunno if it's her eyes, but she looks like she means business just like her daddy. I bet she'll grow up to have a really cool look.

You think so? But she's so soft and cuddly. Just feel her cheeks. She's gonna turn out such a cutie.

Either way, she's a gorgeous girl!

I can't get enough of her.

W-Wait...

Hey, quit it...!

Oh, geez. What are you guys up to now?

Huh?

Give her some space, will you?

Imagine having a bunch of strangers gang up on you like that. Wouldn't you feel terrified?

Sorry about that.

They don't mean you any harm...

No, I...

Oh, I'm Sumire Kuno.

It's great to meet you. I'm the bassist for this band.