Phew. The choir recital is finally over.

Now we can all focus on band practice.

We'll need to have a discussion once everyone gets here...

...

(MEIKO reassured me that Honami understood what I was trying to say but...)

Sigh... I probably should at least apologize to her.

Shiho...

Huh?

Honami... Sorry, I didn't notice you there at all.

It's okay, I just arrived.

May I sit with you?

Oh, of course...

(I hope she didn't hear me talking to myself just now...)

Shiho, you know...

Y-Yes...?

I think you're really cool.

Huh?

So you don't have to apologize for anything.

Honami...

(She did hear me...

But...)

I don't want things to end like this, so I have to say it...

I'm sorry, Honami...

For not being able to tell you in a nicer way.

Shiho...

It's okay. Don't worry about it.

Thanks... But I really want to be careful with what I say from now on.

Hehe. See? You're so cool.

You didn't have to apologize at all, you know.

It was your words that ultimately spurred me on to try harder in the end.

Really...?

I also know you tend to sound harsh because you're usually the one who courageously speaks up about things that others have a hard time saying.

...

You always seem unconcerned, but you always point out the things we need to pay attention to when it matters...

People find it hard to accept sometimes and I'm sure that causes a lot of pain for you as well.

But you wouldn't have said anything at all if you truly didn't care.

Thanks to your words, I was able to overcome my weakness.

Then I'm glad it turned out well...

I've realized something because of all this.

Really? What?

You really need a lot of courage to express your opinion and stand by it.

Of course, you'll still wonder if what you're saying is correct or that the other person may not understand what you're trying to say.

And there's also a real possibility that people may end up hating you because of that.

...

Um... I know it's strange for me to be saying all this now.

But you've always been so clear about what you wanted ever since we were little.

And that's why I think you're so cool!

I see...

However, I don't think it's appropriate for me to just blurt out whatever comes to mind.

So, um... I may still end up sounding a little harsh, but I'm gonna try to tone it down for sure.

Hehe. I really love that part of you, Shiho.

Hah. Who are you, Saki?

Also, Saki and Ichika are late. Shall we start eating without them?

Yeah. I'm famished...!

Alright...

Let's eat!