1
Character icon
Akito

You're having trouble achieving that same energy...?

2
Character icon
Toya

Yes.

3
Character icon
Toya

Through trial and error, I tried to find the best way to work in our feelings while trying to achieve that energy. But nothing has worked so far...

4
Character icon
An

Hmm...

I think it's a really good song...

5
Character icon
Toya

You do? Thank you...

6
Character icon
Toya

Still, I feel like it's missing quite a lot.

7
Character icon
Toya

I want this song to be an expression of our resolve, so it needs to feel powerful...

8
Character icon
An

Then, what if you built things up more before the chorus by adding another part or something.

9
Character icon
Toya

I see. That could work...

10
Character icon
Akito

Raising the tempo during the first verse could also help give the beginning of the song more momentum.

11
Character icon
KAITO

...

12
Character icon
KAITO

Your song has gotten better each time, so the listener should be able to understand what you're trying to achieve...

13
Character icon
KAITO

But you may be right about it not having the same energy as what you heard during RAD WEEKEND.

14
Character icon
Toya

You think so too, KAITO...?

15
Character icon
Toya

Which means... It may be necessary to further analyze the songs that were played during RAD WEEKEND...

16
Character icon
Toya

If I can break them down and learn why Ken and his team's songs are so compelling, then I might be able to find the key to making my song better.

17
Character icon
KAITO

Then, I'll help you with that!

18
Character icon
Toya

Huh? You will...?

I really appreciate it.

19
Character icon
Toya

(Starting over and going with a different sort of sound didn't help either...)

20
Character icon
Toya

(I've tried everything I could think of...

But...)

21
Character icon
Akito

Hey, Toya, you there?

22
Character icon
Toya

Oh, sorry...

What were you just saying?

23
Character icon
Akito

Nothing. We were just shooting the breeze, but you didn't seem very engaged in our conversation.

24
Character icon
Toya

Oh, okay...

I apologize for not paying attention.

25
Character icon
Akito

That's fine.

We all have a lot on our plate right now.

26
Character icon
Akito

I mean, I'm also pretty stuck...

I don't know what I'm supposed to do next.

27
Character icon
Toya

I see...

28
Character icon
Akito

But we've gotta find a way to succeed...

29
Character icon
Akito

We have to keep moving forward.

Am I right...?

30
Character icon
Toya

Yes...

You're absolutely right.

One month later
31
Character icon
Toya

...

32
Character icon
Toya

(I've tried looking at why my song isn't able to achieve that energy from multiple different angles...)

33
Character icon
Toya

(I've changed the tempo and adjusted the notes many times. I've tried using different sound sources because I thought it was a quality issue. I even began learning about how non-classical music is composed.)

34
Character icon
Toya

(Wait.. Was I too hasty trying to apply that knowledge...? But KAITO didn't think I was doing anything wrong technically...)

35
Character icon
Toya

(I'm responsible for expressing how we all feel...)

36
Character icon
Toya

(But I'm failing to do so.

Why is that?)

37
Character icon
Toya

(I feel like I'm wandering around in the dark while grasping at straws...)

38
Character icon
Toya

(At this rate...)

39
Character icon
Toya

(I'm going to fail them...)

40
Character icon
Toya

(I'm going to fail at my task of writing this team's songs.)

41
Character icon
Toya

(If that were to happen...)

42
Character icon
Junior High School Toya

I can't...

43
Character icon
Junior High School Toya

I can't do it...!

44
Character icon
Junior High School Toya

I can't live up to you and everyone's expectations, Dad...!

45
Character icon
Toya

...

46
Character icon
Toya

No, I can't let that happen...

47
Character icon
Toya

I'm done running...!

48
Character icon
Toya

I'm not going to let them down!

I'm going to succeed...!

49
Character icon
Toya

(I still don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I just have to keep trying.)

50
Character icon
Toya

(Anything I can think of...!

Anything that I haven't tried yet...!!)

One month later
Morning
51
Character icon
Toya's Father

Can I get a refill...?

52
Character icon
Toya's Mother

For your coffee? Sure.

Just give me one second.

53
Character icon
Toya's Father

...

Is Toya still asleep?

54
Character icon
Toya's Mother

Toya...?

He got up very early and took his breakfast into his room...

55
Character icon
Toya's Father

He's having breakfast in his room? Where are his manners?

56
Character icon
Toya's Mother

I understand how you feel...

But he's been working very hard on this song of his lately. I'm actually a little worried.

57
Character icon
Toya's Mother

I asked him if he'd like to sit and relax while having some breakfast with us, but he said he doesn't have time...

58
Character icon
Toya

...

Good morning, Dad.

59
Character icon
Toya's Father

Toya, don't tell me you haven't slept...

60
Character icon
Toya

No, I did...

I won't be able to perform very well if I don't...

61
Character icon
Toya

Mom, do we have any bottles of mineral water left? I'd rather not waste time coming down for a drink each time.

62
Character icon
Toya's Mother

Yes, we do...

But are you sure about all this?

63
Character icon
Toya

Yes.

I apologize for making you worry so much...

64
Character icon
Toya

But I have to do this... I have to...

65
Character icon
Toya's Mother

Just don't push yourself too hard, okay...?

66
Character icon
Toya

I'll be careful...

67
Character icon
Toya's Mother

Is he really going to be okay...?

68
Character icon
Toya's Father

...