So, in a nutshell, you've been babying Azusawa...

And after someone pointed out that you haven't been treating her like an equal, you're feeling down?

When you say it like that, Haruka, it makes me feel even worse...

But it's exactly like that.

I always felt that I had to protect Kohane...

I was so narrow-minded that I was convinced myself it would be for the best, for both me and her.

And yes, I'm feeling down...

But more than that, I'm angry with myself.

I see...

But you care about her, right?

And you want her to stay in your group?

Of course...!

Then I think you should have a heart-to-heart with Azusawa.

So you won't experience what I did, when I ended up hurting a friend because I couldn't communicate my feelings clearly.

Huh? What's that mean?

Remember when I left ASRUN...?

There were a lot of rumors floating around, but the real reason I quit was because I failed to help a group member who needed it really badly.

So that's what happened...?

We've patched things up since then and are friends again.

But I keep kicking myself for not being more honest with her from the start, so that we wouldn't have had a falling out in the first place.

It made me realize the importance of being upfront with the people who are close to you.

So I should stop bottling up my thoughts and just let them all out?

That suits you more than me anyway, doesn't it?

Haruka...

Thanks.

I feel a lot better.

I'm glad to hear that.

You take care, okay?

You too, bye!

I've got to be more candid, huh...

I'm back... Oh, Dad's gone out.

The bar won't open for a while, so I could tidy up a little. Maybe practice a little too.

This is where Kohane and I sang together for the first time.

(I invited Kohane to sing with me, and we did our first gig together after that.)

(I was amazed by how talented she was.)

(With her, we'd surpass RAD WEEKEND...

Or so I thought...)

(We had a rough start, but Kohane was enthusiastic about singing with me and determined to make this group work.)

(Only, she never had enough confidence in herself. Her singing was incredible, but she tended to worry a lot.)

(She'd always turn to me and ask me for advice. When a gig went well, she'd be so happy...)

How could I've been so blind...?

I enjoyed having Kohane relying on me...

I used to pursue my dreams alone...

Then Kohane came along and I was so happy to sing with her, and have her rely on me...

I'm such an idiot...

I was so happy to have a sidekick, I became too overbearing and let it affect our performance...

I failed her... I failed my partner...

I should've believed in her and helped her grow...

But I did just the exact opposite...

I won't let Kohane feel that ashamed ever again...

From now on, I'll treat her as my equal.

I have to clear things up with her, so we can finally become a real team.

If I don't...

I don't deserve to sing with her.