G-Good morning.

Is An here?

Yeah.

An, your friend's here!

Coming!

Kohane, you're already here?

Is it that late?

No, um... Before we start practice in SEKAI...

Oh! You want to do some warm-ups?

In that case, I'll...

N-No, it's not that...

I have a favor to ask, An.

A favor...?

Yeah. I'd like to try singing with you. Um, without you holding back.

Huh?

You're always doing what you can to help me keep up, but if we keep doing that, I feel like I'll never actually grow...

I've been practicing a lot lately. I even started doing solo performances on the street and I think I've improved a little.

Which is why I want to test myself.

By singing with you as best I can.

Kohane...

Okay.

Let's do it!

Thanks!

Okay, here we go!

One, two, three!

♪――! ――! ――!

♪——!

♪――! ――! ...!

(Kohane's struggling to keep up...)

(I'm not gonna go easy on her!)

(She needs to know I recognize her as a singer that's on the same level as me!)

Huff... Huff...

An, you're so amazing. I couldn't keep up at all. I guess I still have a long way to go.

But you're gonna be just as amazing too, right?

Yeah! I'll definitely catch up to you!

I know you will...!

Ugh, I can't believe I was so narcissistic and thought you needed my protection!

What?

I told you earlier that I kept thinking I had to look after you until Akito pointed out to me that it was unfair, right?

It was because it felt good having you rely on me...

But you keep proving to me, like just now, that you don't need any of that.

You're strong enough to get back up and try again without my help after you stumble or even fall.

I believe in you, so I'm going to sing as best I can too.

An...

It took me way too long to notice that.

I was so blind.

From now on, I'll just be leading you.

Not some selfish mentor, okay?

Yeah... Thanks, An.

Let's give it our best, partner.

Of course!

We're in this together!

Hey, An...

Huh? What's up, Dad?

Not to interrupt your lovely chat, but weren't you going somewhere today?

Gasp! Wait, no!

We're gonna be late!

W-We've gotta hurry or the guys will get mad over making them wait!

Let me just grab this and we're good to go!

By the way, Kohane!

I've got a suggestion.

What is it, An?

Why don't we sing that song again in SEKAI?

With everything we've got!

Sure! I'm up for that!

Alright then!

Let's go, partner!