Hello! We have a reservation under the name “Tenma”♪
Hehe. We've been waiting for you.
Your table is right this way.
Thanks!
I didn't realize you'd gone through the trouble of making a reservation, Saki.
I had a shift yesterday, so I just asked then.
Your order will be right out.
Please let me know if you need anything else.
Okay♪ We'll be right here!
You seem to be in an awfully good mood today, Saki.
Hehe. That's because it's been forever since the three of us last went out together!
Also, I've really been looking forward to hearing about what happened during Shibuya Instrument Day.
Right. I've been wondering as well, after Saki told me about how you'd been asked to help with customers.
Then, why don't we jump right in with that?
Okay♪
First, my customer service skills. After I agreed to lend a hand, Shiraishi helped me practice interacting with customers. I wouldn't have been able to get through that day without her.
The first actual customers I helped were an elderly couple hoping to learn to play a new instrument together...
And that's when a boy came over to try playing the trumpet.
He dreamt of playing the trumpet, but struggled to produce a steady tone. So much so that he was ready to give up.
I see...
(His dream...)
But that boy came over to the demo area to overcome said issue, yes?
Yes, that's also what I initially suspected.
As luck would have it, two other friends of ours were the ones who'd brought him over. We actually ended up practicing together as a form of encouragement.
I still can't play, despite all the help you guys are giving me...
I don't think I'm cut out for this, after all.
...!
I felt just as frustrated as you are at the moment. Every time I failed, I felt like crying, because it was a reminder of my lack of skill and talent.
I don't remember how many times I wanted to give up.
However, after a year or two of practicing, my sound began improving.
But that made me so happy...
Even though I still had to endure some very hard practices, I couldn't stop playing.
And each time I put in an honest effort, my music changed for the better.
Before I knew it, I could play even more beautifully than I had imagined.
So...
If any part of you still wishes to produce beautiful music, then I implore you to not give up here.
(Oh...)
Hey, let's go shopping already!
I've got my eye on some cute clothes.
Sure, but what about your homework?
Don't come crying to me when the teacher scolds you for not doing it.
Haha.
...
No fair...
(When am I gonna get to have fun...?)
I have a letter addressed to one Ms. Tenma.
Th-Thank you...
(Who sent this? Ichi...?)
Huh...?
Happy Everyday ♡ Airi Momoi
H-Happy Everyday...?
Is this a reply to my fan letter?
Dear Saki Tenma,
Thanks for sending me that letter♪ I thought your handwriting was so cute that I'm sort of trying to copy it now!
W-Wow.
A reply from THE Airi Momoi...!
Wait, that line she says as Happy Everyday was originally just her ad-libbing?! That's amazing!
(Oh, there's a second page.)
I can't imagine just how hard it must be for you to be stuck in the hospital the way you said.
Not being able to go to school, see your friends, go shopping or hang out...
But,
I don't want you to give up.
To make sure that you don't, I'm gonna do my absolute best to bring as much courage, cheer and hope to you as I can.
Oh...
Airi...
...and the boy was able to figure out how to play the trumpet the way he always wanted.
Oh, that's incredible! The boy himself deserves praise, but you got him to the finish line, Toya! With an unfamiliar instrument no less!
No, I just didn't want him to give up, that's all.
But that probably played a super duper extra huge role.
Because it's so easy to only think negative thoughts when things aren't going well.
But you kept his hopes alive.
You were able to get him to play the way he wanted!
She's right! In the eyes of that boy, you're a superhero!
I am...?
And when he becomes a super famous professional musician, he's gonna say, “I'm standing here today because of that young man.” I'm sure of it!
It'd be quite an honor if that were to happen.