Made it...!

But why would Akito ask to meet here instead of at the park?

Hey, there you are.

Oh, you're already here!

You must've gotten here pretty early.

Anyway, what's up?

You...

Huh? Me?

Something's been bothering you lately. Enough to make you look sad or worried.

Oh...

You knew, huh...?

About this thing I've been feeling.

It wasn't completely obvious or anything, and my guess is that Toya still doesn't know.

Okay, that's good.

I'd really hate to be the one that brings our team's mood down.

Lately, whenever I start thinking about Kohane, this hazy feeling begins welling up inside my chest.

I see...

And this all started after what she did during the last event...?

I think so...

...

Look, I don't know about you, but lately, every time I've heard her sing, it motivates me to push myself even harder...

I seriously doubt anyone knows just how high her ceiling is. It might even be infinite.

She's having an effect on the rest of us, including me, which means you, her partner, probably have it worse...

You feel like you're getting left behind... Like I did a while ago...

Oh...

Now I see. You were worried about me. Thanks, Akito.

Anyway, what do you think?

Actually, my dad asked me the same thing...

About feeling like I'm getting left behind by Kohane.

I can't deny that fact. I'd be lying if I did...

But this doesn't seem like the whole picture. I feel like there's more to this than just that...

Like what...?

Alright, let's make practice really count today! And please listen more carefully this time!

Okay, okay.

Huh?!

That sounded like...

Len and Miku?

Huh? Hey, Akito, An!

Is it just you two here today? That's pretty rare...

Uh, yeah...

We were just having a discussion about something and...

A discussion...?

What were you two doing?

Were you about to start practicing or something?

Oh, um... Well...

Remember how Rin said that she wanted to partner up with Kohane to sing with her? That seems to have sparked something inside Len.

M-Miku!

Huh? So that means...

You wanted Rin to say your name instead of Kohane's, right...?

Well, um...!

Okay, you're right!

I'm her partner! Imagine how I felt when she said that!

Haha...!

You don't have to worry so much, Len!

What do you mean?! Of course, I'm gonna worry! How would you feel if you were in my shoes, An?

Huh?

What if Kohane said, “I want to sing with someone else”...? How would that make you feel?

It's like you're not going to be partners anymore.

But...

Oh...

An...?

Huh? Is something wrong, An?

You don't look so good...

Sorry, Len...

Mind if we postpone practice until tomorrow?

There's something I'd like to talk to An and Akito about.

Huh...?

Nooo!

You promised to help me out today!

I will, tomorrow.

Also, next time we're at MEIKO's place, you can get whatever you like.

Wait, really?!

O-Okay, if you insist...

Tomorrow for sure! Promise, okay?!

Yes, I promise.

See you tomorrow, Len.

Alright, bye, you guys!

Miku...?

For a little while now, I've noticed that you've been acting a little differently, An.

But it was very subtle, so it took me some time to confirm my suspicions.

How are you, really...?

I...

I think I'm...

I'm worried that one day, Kohane's not going to want to be my partner...

I think that's really what's bothering me...