No, I did it again!

I'm so sorry!

Haha. That part's so hard too.

Oh, that reminds me. I found this great shop the other day...

...

I'm gonna go get something to drink...

(We're not getting anything done.

All they do is talk and talk and talk...)

(Do they really think we're gonna be ready in time for the School Festival...?)

Oh, I forgot to bring my wallet.

I'll just go back and...

Hm...?

As good as Hinomori is, she's a pain to deal with, don't you think...?

Yeah, she takes everything way too seriously, like a teacher coaching one of the sports clubs.

To her credit, she wants to go pro, but the rest of us just want to have fun playing at the School Festival.

Haha. I guess opposites don't really attract, huh?

Anyway, the School Festival's coming up, so let's just make sure we're decent enough for that.

Yeah...

Was that your plan this whole time...?

Huh...?!

I was under the impression that you all at least had some desire to play “decent”...

But that's not really the case, is it...?

No, um... My tongue just slipped and...

C-Can't you see that we're trying really hard? We might not be taking this as seriously as you, Hinomori, but...

Whether or not you're taking this seriously isn't the issue here! At the very least, you're supposed to work on fixing your mistakes...!

Otherwise, there's no way we'll ever be able to put on a good performance!

Who made you queen...?

You might be good, but that doesn't give you the right to berate us like that.

!

H-Hold on, that was a little uncalled for, don't you think?

No, we're the ones who invited her to play with us, and she thanks us by ordering us around like this? Honestly, who does she think she is?

Sure, but...

...

I had no problem with you wanting to get in your last hurrah, but I'd like it if we could actually get things done during practice.

...

Ugh...

We shouldn't have invited you...

Yeah, we're done talking...

...!

All we really wanted was someone to play bass for us, not someone who's going to cause us this much trouble.

Y-Yeah...

I agree...

I mean, Hinomori, this can't be easy for you either...

(Why does it always have to end this way...?)

(My day-to-day life's one thing, but a part of me held out hope that it wouldn't have to be like that when it came to music...)

Understood...

Thanks.

It was fun while it lasted.

Huh...?

Long time no see, Hinomori.

The School Festival's coming up too.

Is your band gonna be ready in time?

I quit...

What?

Actually, no...

They kicked me out.

They kicked you out? Why...?

Our goals in terms of music were too different and we could never get on the same page...

To be fair, I'm not sure I'd be able to get along with anyone else...

I guess it just means that I'm not cut out for playing in a band...

...

Honami!

Oh...

Did you have a committee meeting today, Ichika?

Yeah.

How'd club activities go for you today, Honami?

Oh, the first years are coming along really nicely. They've been saying it's because I took the time to help them.

They have? Good for you, Honami.

Yes, that's great and all...

But you're still worried about Shiho.

...

(There's no hope for me there either...)

(My unwillingness to bend is just gonna lead to more conflict.)

That's why...

It's best for me to just be alone.

...

Hmm... Are you sure about that?

What?

You always seem so lonely when you're by yourself, Hinomori.

...! That's because...

It's written all over your face...

They're your friends, right...?

...

The truth is, I really didn't know why I've been coming up here each day to play my guitar...

When I first met you up here, Hinomori, my goal was just to kill time...

Part of it was because you looked so cool playing your bass. It was like nothing else mattered to you.

You made me believe that I wouldn't have to feel the way I did if I started playing music...

And playing my guitar did just that.

It put me at ease even when you weren't here.

But I still find myself coming up here...

I guess that means I don't actually want to be alone...

You feel the same way, right, Hinomori?

You want someone by your side... You want your friends to be there with you.

But...

That's not possible...

Maybe...

But you're really gonna give up just like that...?

What?

You're really just gonna toss that band and your friends aside...?

I mean...

It's just...

I believe that we both have to find a way to move forward. We have to work to get out of whatever “ruts” we're in right now...

Just as I started playing my guitar, you tried your hand at joining a band.

We have to keep making these changes one step at a time.

...

With that in mind, I have to change schools again next month...

What...?

It's okay. I'm used to it now.

Plus...

I can play music now.

So I'll be fine.

...

I plan on trying a little more at my next school.

Things might go well, but they might not. Whenever I feel sad or dejected, I'll just play my guitar...

But I don't plan on giving up. I'm gonna keep trying...

So please, Hinomori...

Do the same.

I'll see you later...

Wait...

...

Wait!

Huh? What is it...?

Thanks...

No...

I should be thanking you.

I want someone to be there...

I want them to be there...

(But that's impossible...)

(Still...)

...

I wish I could...

(Time to play my bass...)

(I can't go back now, and I have no way to move forward...)

(This is all I can really do for the time being...)