Okay...

<Hello? Shindo here.>

Oh, I'm sorry. I know it's late, but there's something I'd like to ask you... Are you free to talk right now?

<I can talk.

So, what is it that you wish to ask me?>

...

So, I'd like to practice singing at a recording studio.

<At a recording studio...?>

<I see. You'd like to practice in the same environment as when you recorded your debut song, yes...?>

Yes.

I did everything I could to sing well that time, and I managed to get your approval in the end...

But I want to get better.

All four of us can work together on the instrumentals, but improving as a singer is something I need to do on my own...

<...>

<Recreating the real thing is going to take a lot of time and preparation. Not to mention money...>

I know...

<With that in mind, do you still wish to do this?>

Yes.

I know I'm asking a lot.

But please...

I feel so frustrated right now.

<...>

It won't matter how well the others play if my singing doesn't cut it. And no one will understand our song's message.

We won't be able to accomplish our goal. We won't be able to move people's hearts.

I don't want that to happen.

So please...

I know this is going to involve a lot of preparation, but I'll figure something out for the studio's rental fee...

<I understand how you feel...>

<It's not good to feel uncomfortable with recording, so we should nip this in the bud.>

Then...!

<I'll try booking the same studio as before.>

Thank you very much!

<Just think of it as a special measure. Also, I'll be there to watch as you practice...>

Huh...?

<I wouldn't want you to push yourself too hard. Not only that...>

<Me being there should make it feel more like the real thing, right?>

Yes, thank you very much!

————♪ ————♪

(Hearing my voice through these headphones still feels really weird...)

(Wait, I know...

I should just imagine that I'm performing live.)

(Be it because of the instrumentals or the way the audience cheered for us, I remember plenty of times when I struggled to hear my own voice.)

(But at times like those, I believed in myself and everything I practiced, played my guitar...)

(And sang like I knew I could reach everyone's hearts.)

Please! Can we try that again?!

Thank you very much for today, Mr. Shindo.

You're welcome.

And you seem to be feeling much better now...

I really need to apologize.

If only I'd been able to sing like this on the day of the recording...

The past is the past.

There's no point in worrying about what happened.

Not many people in this world can succeed 100% at something they've never done before.

Which is why I think you deserve a lot of credit for not giving up and hanging in there the way you did.

...

Thank you very much.

How much you practiced, a song's difficulty level, how you feel that day, how well you gel with the staff and the studio environment...

Because of all those different factors, it's incredibly difficult to constantly perform in a way that you like.

However, your job is to keep putting on the best performances you possibly can.

That's what it means to be a pro.

You're undoubtedly going to find yourself in uncomfortable or completely new situations in the future, but I'll be there to give you all the support I can.

So, let's do our best together.

Right!

I look forward to taking on those challenges with you!