♪——...
Phew...
Hehe. You've really improved, Miku.
Thanks. I've been practicing quite a bit.
So your "secret training" with Ichika's been paying off?
Hm? I'm not sure I understand...
Haha. I'm sorry, Saki's under the impression that you and Ichika have been practicing in secret.
Oh, is that why Ichika's singing voice has changed so much?
Her songs have much more power behind them, and her voice sounds more elegant now.
That would never happen under normal circumstances. So what did you two do, Miku?
Oh, nothing. All she did was ask me for some advice.
She must've arrived at the answer to whatever was bothering her all by herself.
I see...
Hehe. You've become such an important mentor to her.
Huh? I-I have?!
Yes. You worked so hard on learning how to help the girls...
Oh? Is that true, Miku?
L-Luka...! No one needs to hear that!
Hehe. I'm sorry.
But I do think that you've become a good mentor. Especially compared to when you just met Ichika.
R-Really...?
...
I'm sorry too, Miku. I didn't mean to tease or anything.
No, it's okay. I just never took a step back to think about it is all...
I always thought that words like mentor, senior and such suited you two more.
Us?
Yeah! Luka's so mature but also really nice, and MEIKO's so helpful...
I'm wondering if I can actually fill your shoes... What do you think?
You don't have to fill our shoes, Miku.
Huh?
You can help others in so many different ways.
Someone may find MEIKO to be the most helpful, while others might be more compatible with someone else. In Ichika's case, you're her ideal mentor.
There's no real right answer. You should do what you feel is right, Miku.
Yes, I agree. Being concerned about someone and doing everything you can to help them...
That's what it's all about.
Luka, MEIKO...
You've really grown, Miku.
Yeah, keep up the good work.
Right. Thanks, you two...!
Oh, speaking of which, I believe she's just arrived...
Huh?
Oh, um... Miku, do you have a minute?
Hehe. Sounds urgent.
We should let them talk.
Oh, I can wait until you're finished...
Actually, your timing couldn't be better.
Right. We were just about to go tune our instruments, so don't mind us.
(Ah, I see what they're doing...)
(It's very thoughtful of them to do so...)
Um...
Welcome, Ichika.
Are you alone today?
Yes.
There's something that I'd like to talk to you about.
Me?
Yes.
Thank you for lending me an ear the other day.
Hehe. You're welcome.
I'm guessing that things went well after that?
They did, and I couldn't have done it without you, Miku. Which is why I want you to hear the difference...
Oh, okay.
I'll get ready to play too...
Actually, Miku...
If it's alright with you, I'd like you to come to my world this time...
Your world?
I don't see why not...
Thank you.
There's something I'd like you to see.