Let's eat!

Nom... Nom...!

Oh, hot! But this takoyaki's so good!

Don't go too fast, Shiraishi, or you're going to burn your mouth. Akiyama told me that it's good to split them in half and give them a second to cool.

What?! Mizuki doesn't get it!

They taste better when you complain about how hot they are!

So, Toya, dig in!

The manager was nice enough to get these for us, and on top of our paychecks too!

Yes, you're right...

It'd be rude of me not to have them while they're hot.

Although, I'm not sure how I feel about eating food while literally on the street. But without further ado...

Hehe. That's what makes them kinda special, right?!

Still, I can't believe how well things went today!

Yes, we had quite a busy day.

I know, right?! Despite all the customers that came to visit, we didn't run into any big problems.

No, we didn't...

...

Hm?

Is something wrong?

No, it's just...

We were so busy that I never really had a chance to digest what was going on.

I'm wondering if I did a good job with the customers...

Haha!

You're so modest, Toya.

Seriously, you were awesome!

All your customers seemed so happy!

Really?

That's good to hear.

But I was only able to do that because you helped me practice, Shiraishi.

No, you did great because you put in the effort!

I thought you did a really amazing job interacting with all of them today.

Not only were you able to immediately give everybody details about each instrument... You had a lot of fun talking about them, right?

I thought it was great how you wanted to show them just how much fun playing music can be!

I see...

<An! Toya! Nice work today!>

Hi, Rin, Len!

<We saw everything!

Seeing that boy play the trumpet the way he wanted was so heartwarming!>

<Yeah!

I got all giddy when he made that first sound!>

<Also, those other two girls.

I felt really glad when I saw them smile!>

Yoisaki and Asahina?

Yes, I really can't thank them enough.

Them bringing that boy over gave me a chance to remember something very important.

<Something very important?>

Yes.

The sensation I felt when I first started playing music.

My admiration for it, and the joy I felt whenever I was able to produce a beautiful sound.

I'll need to cherish these thoughts moving forward...

We're about to take on the world, so I'm surely going to face more challenges... And even greater challenges, in the future.

But I'm sure I'll be able to overcome them as long as I keep those memories in mind.

At least, that's what I believe.

Toya...

Just being reminded of those things made helping with this convention completely worth it.

Thank you again, Shiraishi...

Rin, Len, you two as well.

Thank you for helping me practice.

Hehe. You're welcome!

<Don't hesitate to ask us if you ever need our help again, okay?>

<Yeah!

That's what friends are for, right?!>

(Right...)

(I admire music and know what kind of joy it can bring... But that's not all I have.)

(Now, I have friends who can help me reach new heights.)

(Friends who I can take on the world with.)

Hehe. I couldn't ask for more...

Hm?

A message from the manager?

Oh, Toya, listen!

He said we were a huge help today and wants to thank us by taking us out for barbeque sometime!

What?

No, that seems like too much...

Hey, don't worry about that! He's the one making the offer, after all.

I guess you're right. It would be rude to turn down his kind offer.

Hehe. When we do go, I'm gonna order a bunch of prime galbi!

I'll be looking forward to having some feather steak.

Huh? Feather steak? What part's that?

The part below a cow's shoulder blade down to its forearm. Apparently, it's considered a very premium cut, and...