Shiho, what was that about...?

...

So these are your bandmates?

Huh? We're, uh...

We're Leo/need, the band Shiho currently plays in...!

Okay, now I see.

I'm Iori of STANDOUT. Nice to meet you.

N-Nice to meet you...

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you or anything.

No, um... It's just that...

Yeah, about what you just heard...

I've been trying to get Hinomori to play for STANDOUT.

What...?!

We're all set for our big debut, but then our bassist sort of just fell through.

Then I found Hinomori. She's sounds amazing and even wants to go pro...

I hate to do this to you, but I've taken the liberty of doing some recruiting.

But...

But she's already in Leo/need.

You can't just take her away from us...

Yeah, I get that she means a lot to you guys. You wouldn't be here right now if she wasn't...

However...

Hinomori wants to go pro, so this is probably too good an opportunity for her to pass up.

Huh...?

If she joins us, her dream will come true. We already know just how good she is and I'm confident that she'll just keep growing alongside us.

That's why I want her in STANDOUT.

W-Wait! If we get good enough, we can show everybody just how good Shiho is too!

I know she has fun playing in a band with us...!

Right, Shiho?

I, um...

Shiho...?

I understand that you want to keep playing with your friends. I can tell that you've been through a lot together...

But it's not like they're focused on becoming professionals too, right? Your band right now is something they're doing for fun.

If you come with me, we can chase after the same dream. We can walk the same path...

I-Iori...!

Huh? You're...?

I'm sorry about what happened today...

Mio? What are you doing here?

The show's already over.

I know...

STANDOUT needs people that actually want to go pro.

We need people that can give each show everything they have and put on the best performance possible, not cowards that turn their tails and run.

But...

Next week, we're gonna announce that we'll be debuting with a major label at Shibuya Park's outdoor stage.

Debuting...

If you're that serious about becoming a pro, Hinomori, we'll be waiting for you.

With open arms.

Iori...

*Sob*...

But...

...

I'm sorry about not telling you guys...

This actually isn't the first time she tried to get me to join her...

Is this why you seemed a little down compared to normal...?

B-But you're not going, right?

You're staying with us gonna keep our band together, right...?

I know...

Shiho...?

I have a dream...

I want to go pro and play music that can touch people's hearts.

That's what I want to do...

But...

That's never really changed for you, has it, Shiho...?

There's a part of me that was hoping we'd all be able to pursue that dream together...

But not all of you want to become professional musicians...

But...!

I'm finally starting to understand what you mean by music that touches people's hearts!

I want to practice more and learn how to be as good as you, Shiho...!

I appreciate that...

But do you think that means you want to go pro too...?

You'll have to spend even more time practicing, rehearsing and fine tuning your sound to actually make it.

Going shopping after school or visiting PXL together won't be possible anymore...

And even if you manage to go pro, your life will end up revolving around music. School, friends, everything will change...

Is that what you want?

I know...

See? There's other stuff you all want to do...

I'm not about to force you into doing something you don't want to do.

Force...

Don't say that...

Yeah! We want to play with you!

We want to be in a band with you!

Forever and ever...!

...

Again, I appreciate the thought, but that's just not enough...

You have to be willing to put everything on the line to become a pro.

Can you say for sure that you'd be able to do that?

Put everything on the line...?

I...

I, uh...

...

Sorry for causing such a fuss...

S-Shiho, wait...!

Shiho...

I couldn't tell her...

I couldn't say that I'd be willing to do that for her...

*Sob*...

Please don't cry, Saki...

I couldn't tell her either...

H-Hona...

(What are we supposed to do...?)

I...