...

Oh, Shiho...

Morning, Ichika.

Good morning.

Um... Can you come to practice today? We were thinking about trying out a new song...

Sorry, I have to work again today...

Oh, okay...

We'll keep practicing and make sure that we'll be ready for when you can make it.

...

...

Um, Shiho...

Let's go. We're gonna be late.

Oh, right...

...

(Ichika's been trying so hard lately too, and gotten so much better...)

(Everyone else too. They put up with everything I made them do...)

(But...)

(I think I made Saki cry too...)

(If I let her finish, she might've actually said that she wants to go pro too...)

(But thoughts alone won't be enough. She'll absolutely end up regretting that decision...)

...

(I don't want her to feel that way ever again...)

There doesn't seem to be anything special going on with today's show so...

Um, Hinomori...

Hm? You're...

Yes, my name is Mio. I'm the bassist for STANDOUT...

I'd like to apologize about the other day. I feel terrible about making you play in my place like that...

I was a little startled, but at least everything ended up going smoothly.

More to the point, is there something going on between you and Iori...?

...

After it became clear that we'd be making our big debut, I became scared and started avoiding everyone...

Scared?

Iori said that after we turn pro, we'll have to invest much more time and really commit to our music...

...

For the longest time, I just wanted to have fun while playing in a band...

We all came up with songs together, played in shows and really seemed to be enjoying it...

I see...

(She's almost the same as Ichika.

Having fun with everyone...)

But...

Iori told me that having fun or just liking music won't be enough when we go pro.

She said that we'd have to put our music and fans first above anything else. She said that we'd be responsible for how they feel.

Okay...

I just couldn't understand what she meant by that. Is there something wrong with just playing whatever music we like...?

...

This responsibility she's talking about may be about playing your best whenever you're on stage. At least, that's what I think...

Playing your best...?

It doesn't matter if you don't feel well or become sick, your audience will be waiting for you.

There's also the staff that help make your shows happen. You'd be putting all their hard work to waste as well.

Oh...

I... I didn't realize I was being so selfish...

I was so scared that everything would change. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to play music with Iori and everyone else like we have been...

...!

(She really is the same. This is probably what'll end up happening to everyone else too...)

(Going from playing in a band for fun to playing professionally would be too big a leap of faith for most people...)

But...

Huh...?

I still want to be in a band with them. I want to keep walking the same path as Iori...!

I kept running away and ended up disappointing Iori but...

Oh...

(I see a part of me within her too...)

(The part that still wants to be in a band with my friends...)

I'd like to give this back to you...

Huh? My sheet music...?

I'm sure you'll need these if you want to keep playing for STANDOUT.

I... I'm so sorry. After she spent so much time recruiting you...

Please, don't worry about that.

It was never mine to keep anyway.

But I do agree with Iori about rethinking what you want to do moving forward.

Right. About our responsibility as professionals...

Exactly. As long as you're willing to invest a little more time into your music, I think you'll be just fine.

Oh...

If you don't think you can keep up with Iori or feel like you'll end up disappointing her even further, you may want to find something else to do.

But you came this far and even got a record deal. That mean's you're at least that good.

Hinomori...

Thank you so much...

Break a leg.

(I hope things turn out well...)

Now, it's my turn...