But what kind of song would resonate the most with the crowd at that live house...?

Hmm...

Everyone there seemed totally different from what we're used to...

(And Shiho said how they were all really calm before the show started instead of being all amped up or excited.)

What if I tried a quick search on PicShare? Maybe that'll give me a clue as to what they're like...

Let's see... I'll try typing the name of that live house into the search bar...

Hey, I got a ton of hits!

And everyone's posted comments on their profile page about the shows they've seen and songs they've heard.

<I felt really lonely for a few months after moving to Tokyo since I didn't know anybody here, but this venue helped cheer me. All the bands here that play music that really hits home with me.>

<I was so bored spending another day home alone, but I felt much better after seeing a show here.>

Wait, they're all sort of saying the same thing. Is this a place for people to go if they're feeling lonely...?

If that's the case, it's no wonder my song didn't really work for them...

I mean, if I was feeling down and out, I wouldn't want someone blasting something that's upbeat and really in my face.

So, I should try writing something that someone in their shoes would want to hear...?

How should I reach out to them?

By saying, “You're not alone”...?

Or getting a better understanding of their loneliness...

Hmm...

Understanding their loneliness...

That reminds me of when...

Yeah, we engaged with their situation when we wrote that song for them.

Them having to part ways was sad, but we wanted them to know that they'd be smiling again down the road.

I mean, that's what we genuinely believed. It was our way of showing them our support. We wanted to let them know that we'd be there watching over them...

Oh...

That's the only song that Saku seemed sort of okay with...

What if that wasn't because we wrote it for someone specific...

What if it's because we really made an effort to understand their loneliness...?

That might be it...

Saku's songs also had the same feel.

Like when you're all alone on a cold day but feel this warmth after holding hands with someone...

Yeah. That must be why everyone was so moved by Saku's songs...

Which means...

I should try to write a song that says, “I know you're lonely”...!

Okay, I think I have a clear picture now! Let's give it a try!

The song we wrote for Hanano and her brother was about their loneliness after having to go their separate ways...

So, I'll try expressing that in a different way this time. I can try exploring what it's like when someone's all alone...

All alone...

Yeah... Things weren't easy then...

As much as I wanted to be with everyone else, I couldn't...

Alright, I'll try to reach out to them by expressing how I felt back then...!

So, here we go!

The first verse can be about feeling lonely... I can try giving the chorus an uplifting sound, and the third verse will be like...

...

Hm...?

I thought I had a clear idea as to what to do... But at this rate, the finished product might not be very good...

It feels... Superficial?

Why is that?

I'll keep trying a little more...!

(*Sigh*

I came up with a bunch of ideas, but none of them really made me go, “Eureka!”)

Is everything okay, Saki...?

You seem awfully tired. Did you not get enough sleep last night...?

Huh? Y-Yeah!

I'm totally fine, Hona!

Sorry! Thanks for waiting!

Hey, Ichi!

Hope your class rep meeting went okay♪

Alright, now that we're all here, let's do our debrief for yesterday's show.

Okay!

As I mentioned yesterday, we need to work on both our music and how we perform on stage.

Which is why I'd like for us to focus on both heading into our next show.

Right...

I thought a lot about what to do in terms of our music...

If we want to reach the people at that live house, I think we need to come up with a song that really shows that we understand why they're feeling lonely...

Understanding why they feel lonely...

I get what you're trying to say, but what exactly led you to this...?

So, I tried remembering what everyone there looked like and even did a quick search on PicShare. Based on the results I saw, I discovered that a lot of people who go there are ones who feel pretty lonely.

And I asked myself, “What kind of song would hit home with them?” That's how I arrived at really trying to understand what they're feeling.

I see...

You started with getting a feel for their mood.

Yeah, Saki might be right.

The reason they all liked anemone so much may've been because of that.

You think so too, Shiho?!

That's why I wanna try writing a song that has the same sort of effect!

But I'm having trouble actually doing that...

Hehe. To be fair, Saki, you don't usually write somber songs.

Hehe. That's because writing bright and cheerful songs makes me feel really happy!

But the song you wrote for Hanano and her brother sort of had a somber tone, so I'm sure you'll figure this out.

...!

Thanks, Hona!

I also thought a lot about how or why we were able to write that song for Hanano and her brother.

This is just my hunch...

But I think it's because their situation reminded me of what I went through way back when and wanted to show them my support somehow.

What you went through way back when?

Yeah...

When I couldn't see any of you and felt really lonely...

I wanted to cheer past me up by saying, “It's gonna be okay!”

Saki...

...

H-Huh?

What's wrong?

I'm sorry...

For not visiting you more back then.

It must've been so hard being all alone...

(Oh no...!)

Th-That's okay because you're all here now! We're in a band together and I couldn't be happier!

That may be true, but...

You don't need to apologize!

I'm okay now, really!

Okay...

If you say so...

Hey, turn those frowns upside down!

Again, I'm totally fine because you're all literally right here with me! We can chat whenever and I can hug you all like this!

Hehe. You're so warm, Saki.

Y-You're squeezing too tight.

Hehe!

You too, Ichi! C'mere!

(They're all smiling again. Thank goodness...)

(And I'm so glad that we're able to be together like this...)

Oh no!

Wh-What's wrong?

“It's okay because we're together now”...

What if I tried working something like that into my song?!

Oh, I see...

Yeah, I like it.

It's very you, Saki.

I agree, and I have a feeling that we'll put on a much better performance if we know we're doing it for your past self.

Yeah...!

I should be able to write a really good song now...!

Thanks for talking things out with me! I'm gonna start working on it right away after I get home!

Talking things out?

To be honest, you did most of the talking just now.

But I'm glad we could help.

Hehe. We're very much looking forward to hearing your new song, Saki!

*Nod*

Thanks, everyone!