Sigh...
Playing in a band as a hobby and doing it professionally are completely different things. You won't make it as a pro unless you absolutely commit to it.
Which is why I don't want bandmates who're only playing for fun and don't have the resolve to really take it seriously.
(They're serious about becoming professionals.
Making a living through music.)
(Going pro, huh...?)
(My dad and his friends were professionals.
I grew up listening to his band's albums...)
(They had so many powerful, stirring songs I couldn't get enough of...)
(Not just them either. That girl band really opened up my eyes to how awesome the bass can be...)
(They're playing professionally now and still making strides with their music.)
...
(I'd be lying if I said I didn't care about becoming a pro. I want to see just how far I can go.)
(But...)
(My idea of getting better is different from everyone else's...)
What am I supposed to do...?
Shii...?
...!
I knew it was you!
I saw you walking all alone,
so I had to run right over!
You're not with your friends today?
Nah. They hang out with their classmates too.
It's not like we have lunch together every day.
Shii...
You've seemed so down lately.
...
What's bugging you? Something to do with your band?
How did you...?
It's like you can read my mind...
Because you're my dearest little sister!
Shii, can I tell you something...?
Um, okay?
Wh-Why are you in my personal space...?
Hehe. We're about to have a heart-to-heart talk.
I think the closer the better for that.
(Ugh... She won't stop clinging to me, no matter what I say...)
So, what did you want to talk about?
Right. It's about seriously deciding to try to make it as an independent idol group with Airi, Haruka and Minori.
And...?
Is that all...?
I already heard about that from Minori...
Oh, of course you did.
I keep forgetting you're classmates.
But anyway, I wanted to tell you about it myself.
...
I was worried that my fans would stop supporting me if I strayed from my Cheerful * Days persona.
But you know what? I want them to get to know me not as the Shizuku Hinomori that my old producers wanted, but as myself.
Okay...
I was scared of how my fans would react, but I decided to follow through with this anyway...
And I wouldn't have had the courage to do so if it wasn't for Minori.
She said that she likes me for who I am now, which gave me that last push I needed to make up my mind.
She made all the difference, huh...?
She did.
It may seem strange coming from me, but I think you should talk it out with Honami and the others if you can.
...!
I'm sure they'll understand if you decide to be honest with them.
Shizuku...
Are you secretly a psychic or something?
Hehe. No, but I know you better than you do yourself!
Wait, that's even scarier...
But, um... Thanks.
Don't worry about it. I'm just doing my job as your big sister!
Hold on, why are you trying to creep in even closer...?
Hehe. I'm just so happy we could talk so much today!
Sigh...
(Sometimes I wonder if she really is the older one...
But I think I'll let that slide for today...)