Welcome, everyone...!

*Nod*

Pardon the...

Y-You're in your pajamas?

Oh no! I completely forgot!

This is so embarrassing!

I stayed up to work on my song and...

You kept working even after I sent you that message...?

Does that mean you pulled another all-nighter? Are you sure you're feeling okay...?

I'm fine!

Not even a bit tired! See?

Oh, speaking of which, Ichi, Shiho, you sent me messages at the same time! I couldn't believe it!

And those delicious sandwiches you brought over really put a smile on my face, Hona! Thank you so much!

I'm glad to hear that.

Were they to your liking...?

Absolutely!

They were so good that I kinda want you to keep making midnight snacks for me!

Hehe. That's nice to hear.

But you were all pretty worried about me, huh? I'm really sorry...

Saki...

However!

Because you were all willing to place your faith in me...

I finished writing our new song!

You did?!

Nice work, Saki.

You really delivered.

Heh heh heh.

You can praise me after you've had a chance to listen to it.

I'm sure you'll all be really surprised by it!

Are you sure you want to raise the bar so high for it?

Yeah, totally!

I'm just that confident!

So, let's head up to my room!

Follow me!

Saki?!

Are you sure you're okay?!

Hehe. Sorry...

Moving so suddenly made me feel a little light-headed...

You really need to be more careful. Collapsing just after finishing a new song would sort of negate your efforts, right?

We know you did your very best, so please get in some well-deserved rest once we're done here.

Okay...

Thanks!

But I won't be able to sleep until I hear what you all think about this song! I need you to listen to it ASAP!

Okay, here it goes...!

Okay...!

(What kind of song did she come up with...?)

(A song about Saki trying to better understand loneliness...)

...!

(Right out of the gates...

This is nothing like what we've played before...)

(This is incredible...

Saki really came up with all this...?)

(How do I put it into words...?

It's so sad and painful...)

(But at the same time, it's so warm...)

(I had no idea Saki was capable of creating this kind of music...)

This is amazing...

It's like Saki's trying to cheer us up.

Yeah, I can almost hear her voice...

Like she's saying, “You're not alone. We're right here.”

Whew...

That about wraps it up...

H-How was it?

...

I thought it was amazing.

R-Really...?!

You said that you wanted to write a song about “understanding loneliness”, but I really wasn't expecting this...

And it definitely feels different from anemone's songs. This is something only you can write, Saki, and I think it suits Leo/need really well.

Shiho...

Thank you for going the extra mile for us, Saki...

No, you were willing to give me this chance, so I should be the one thanking you. That made me really happy.

And through writing this song, I think I got a better idea of why Saku didn't think much of our music...

It was probably because I wasn't giving our songs as much thought as they deserve.

Not enough thought...?

Yeah. I think I'm supposed to really dig deep and get more in touch with my feelings when I'm writing music...

Remember how Saku seemed to kinda like our second song?

Oh, the one you wrote for Hanano and her brother...?

Yeah.

For that song, I thought a lot about them and when I couldn't be with any of you...

I also thought about the happiness of being together and how to turn those feelings into music.

Which is why it probably sounded more complete.

I see...

But outside of that, I was missing something...

Initially, I focused on what it means to feel “lonely” and believed that I found the answer after remembering what I went through in the past...

But that wasn't enough. I was only scratching the surface...

I sort of understand what you mean...

I mean, it's pretty clear that you put a ton of thought into this song...

Hehe. I couldn't be happier to hear that from you...!

All the pain and sadness I felt. All the things I really hated... I'm so glad I decided to take a hard look at all of that!

Saki...

But I still like the songs you wrote for us before...

Since you really put everything you had into them.

Shiho...

So, moving forward...

I promise to cherish the songs you've written for us and the ones you will write for us.

Thanks, Shiho!

That means so much!

This experience really taught me that you really gotta dig deep and think about what you're feeling when writing songs.

That's why I'm gonna do more of that in the future.

By doing that... Just maybe...

No, we're definitely gonna write a song that moves people's hearts!

...

You're so incredible, Saki...

No matter how hard things get, you keep thinking and doing what you can...

It's really cool and I stand to learn a lot from you.

Me too. You're an incredible person, Saki.

Hehe. You think so?

I can't help but blush after hearing this kind of praise.

Let's feature Saki's song during our next show...

Wait, you mean it?!

Yes. I'm absolutely certain that this song will really hit home with everyone at that live house.

Whoa...

This is so cool! I can't wait!

Then, we'll need to start practicing it right away...

Oh, hold on!

We still have to hammer out the details...

We'll take care of that, Saki.

You should take today to rest.

What?! But...

You've done your part for us.

Now, it's our turn.

Shiho...

Okay, got it!

Good luck!

I'll leave the rest to all of you, so I'm gonna..

*Yawn*

Good night...

Alright, you just need to fill in these parts.

Okay.

Thanks to Saki, we have a great song in our repertoire now. I'm really looking forward to our next show.

Yeah, and we can't let her efforts go to waste. We have to make this show a good one.

On second thought, I'd rather not.

Wait, that voice...

Is there any way to change your mind?

Based on what you just told me, you want to sell us as a band made up of high school girls, no? We're not really interested in that.

Is that an agency scout...?

Looks like it.

You're getting the wrong idea!

We know that anemone's sound and style are things that no one else can copy.

However, it's always better to have an eye-catching trademark or two when it comes to marketing your brand...

If that's the case, please talk to someone else...

I know. How about that other band?

They're called... I forgot their name, but they mentioned that they want to debut with a big label...

What...?

You should be able to see them perform if you really wish. Their music has that cute, mainstream pop sound you're after and they even look the part. A band made up of high school girls through and through.

Honestly, you'll probably have better luck with them than us.

Oh, now I remember.

They're called Leo/need.

They'll likely be much more interested in such an offer.

...!

Wait, Shiho...!

Hey, what did you mean by that just now...?

Hm? Oh, perfect.

This is who I was just...

Answer my question!

Why are you so angry...?

I was just about to introduce you all.

You want to debut with a label, right?

In that case...

Yes, we want to go pro, but that doesn't mean we'll take whatever we're given...!

I... We want to do that by getting recognized for our own music. We're no different from you guys!

Hm? Your music...?

Is that so?

Don't you know how many other girl bands have that same, cutesy sound as yours?

I mean, it just seems like the right way to go, no?

...!

You have no right to make that sort of judgment about us... And...

I'm through talking with you.

...

We'll be performing here again in a month.

If you think that little of our music, we'll just have to let it do the talking for us.

We'll prove you wrong and make you eat those words.

Oh...?

Let's go, Ichika.

Huh? O-Okay...!

Hmm...

Not bad...

Hehe. I'm guessing they have a good song prepared if she's willing to say that much.

I'm looking forward to hearing it.