*Sigh*...

(I couldn't even get through one song...)

(How is it that those other people can perform out there the way they do?)

(Shiho's been playing in front of complete strangers for some time now too...)

(I thought that I'd gotten better after working with Kusanagi, but I'm still nowhere near Shiho's level...)

(If I don't find a way to get better, at this rate...)

Hm...?

————♪　——♪

Oh... It's a Miku song.

Such a cute but beautiful voice too...

I wonder who's singing...

——♪　————♪

Huh...?

Wait, is that Azusawa?

(Isn't she in Shiho's class...?

She seems like the shy type but...)

————♪　——♪

(She's singing in a fairly crowded place too...)

(She looks so confident and isn't hesitating at all.)

(Also...)

Whoa, she's an awesome singer!

I've seen her here and there lately.

I think she sings at events and stuff too.

Really? Might be worth checking out!

(All these people passing by are stopping to watch her sing. They all just completely captivated by her voice.)

She's incredible...

Phew...

Oh, right!

Everybody, thank you for listening!

That was great!

Please come sing for us again!

I will!

Bye, for now...

A-Azusawa...!

Huh? Oh, um... Hoshino?

You're Shiho's friend, right?

Yes, I'm sorry for bothering you like this.

Azusawa, I was blown away by the way you sang just now...

Thank you.

Hehe. You're making me blush a little.

But you were so incredible, and looked so confident.

Do you always perform here?

I do. Well, I just started doing this, so I can't say "always" or anything.

Wait, really?

Yeah. I usually sing as part of a group, but I'm also the one with the least experience...

Everyone else either already has musical experience or has been doing this for years, so they're much better than I am.

But I'm doing everything I can to catch up to them, which is why I'm singing in public or joining events by myself.

Wow...

That's so amazing, Azusawa. I can't say enough about your drive and initiative...

Hehe. I have a dream that I want to come true so...

A dream?

Yes. My friend, the one that's in my group, wants to put on a really big event.

An event so big, it gets everyone watching... No, everybody involved happy and excited to be there.

For now, I have to do what I can to catch up to everyone, but we definitely will someday...!

That's great...!

Speaking of which, aren't you in a band with Shiho?

I am, but we're also just starting out. Except Shiho. She's been playing bass since she was in elementary school, so she's very good now.

She's so focused when it comes to music and even wants to become a professional musician.

A pro? That's so cool!

Do you want to be a pro too, Hoshino?

No, there's no way I can ever be that good. There are just so many great musicians out there too.

But I want to help make Shiho's dream come true...

Shiho's?

Yes. Even if it's not entirely possible for me to become one, I can at least help her get close to the level she wants to achieve.

She's always teaching me so much, and I've been taking away from her own practice time...

That's why I want to get better. Then I can help her play to her heart's content.

That's wonderful! Your dream sounds so nice too, Hoshino...!

I'm not sure that I'd call it a dream, but I'd be happy if it came true.

But...

Hoshino? Is something wrong...?

Actually, I haven't been feeling all that confident lately, and even tried to perform in public for the first time...

I wasn't really able to play anything...

Oh...

I was so scared that my voice would sound weird and ended up not being able to sing at all...

I couldn't even make it through one song...

I see...

Then you're just like me.

Huh?

In the beginning, I made a lot of mistakes, had equipment issues and felt like nothing was ever going to go well.

But my teammates all came together and told me that they believe in me.

So to make sure that I don't disappoint them, and to catch up to them, I'm practicing as much as I can.

I'm sure Shiho feels the same way about you, Hoshino. That has to be why she's willing to teach you so much.

Oh...

You're right...

She did say that!

If I'm going to actually help make her dream come true, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and stand back up.

Thank you so much, Azusawa.

I'll keep doing what I can.

Hehe. You're welcome.

I'm glad I could help.