*Sigh*
(How did I let Saki and others find out about Iori wanting me to join her band...?)
(Even after they said that they want to keep playing together...)
(But...)
Again, I appreciate the thought, but that's just not enough...
You have to be willing to put everything on the line to become a pro.
Can you say for sure that you'd be able to do that?
(They all had to stop and think about it...)
(But I shouldn't be surprised either. I'm the only one that's been wanting to go pro...)
(They don't want the same thing that I do...)
(I knew that and I still...)
(This is gonna be harder than I thought it would be...)
(They still mean that much to me...)
*Sigh*
(How many times have I gone through this in my mind? I'm never able to come up with an answer...)
Shiho, is something wrong...?
Minori? What is it...?
Um, you seem a little different than usual so...
I do? I was just thinking about something.
Oh, okay... But...
Shizuku's been pretty worried about you too.
M-My sister?
What are you talking about...?
...
...?!
Hinomori's been standing there for so long now. What's going on?
You're right. But even when she looks worried, she's really cute.
D-Do I have to...?
Yes. Please go and talk to her.
*Sigh*
(I don't have a choice, do I? The entire class is getting restless, and people are starting to gather outside too...)
Shizuku...
Shii! You finally saw me!
Yeah, right. Let's go somewhere else with fewer prying eyes.
So what brought you all the way down to my class...?
It's that...
Shii, you haven't looked well at all lately and I was wondering if you've been getting enough sleep...
...
I'd rather sit down and talk about this with you at home, but I have practice in the morning and you're always out rehearsing until late so...
Is this about your band...?
Well, yes...
...
Just to be clear, it's not like we're fighting right now or anything...
I know. That's not what concerns me.
It's just that, whenever something happens between you and your friends, you always start avoiding me, right?
...!
The same thing happened before Saki came back to school. I mean, we happen to be talking right now...
And I understand that you want to say that there's nothing going on and everything is fine.
...
Just, do you remember what we talked about that other time here?
Oh...
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.
Yeah, I remember...
The timing might not have worked out quite right, but I think I was able to say what I needed to say...
(But that also probably hurt a little too...)
Shii...
I'm sure everything will work out.
Huh?
I'm sure you'll find an answer that Honami and the others will be satisfied with...
Yeah...
I hope so...