It's very windy today...
It is, but it shouldn't affect practice too much.
Hey, I'm here!
Hey. Alright, let's start warming up.
Okay.
Huh?! Oh no...!!
Oh...
(The wind blew her cap away...!)
Akito!
Got it...!
Whoa, nice catch!!
That was impressive. I couldn't react at all just now. We have soccer to thank for your good reflexes.
Sure, but I would've been called for a handball there.
Anyway, here.
Thank you so much, Shinonome!
What are you, a little kid? I've never seen that happen to anyone our age.
Hey, that's not fair. You should be blaming the wind instead of her! Just ignore him, Kohane!
No, I knew that it'd be windy today and I still decided to wear my cap.
I'll make sure to put it on more tightly so it won't blow away again.
...
(Things finally seem like they're getting back to normal...)
Is something wrong, Toya?
No, don't mind me. Let's start warming up.
Okay!
Sure.
I'm home...
Hm? You guys done with practice already?
Yes. Oh, can I get my usual?
Sure thing.
Hold on, no Akito or Kohane today?
Akito's got work, and Kohane's doing something with her mom this afternoon.
That means you're not doing an event today and are free to help out all day, right?
Urgh...
Gotcha! Don't worry, I'm far from shorthanded today, so enjoy your day off.
Yay!
Oh, can you make me a latte?
Fine, fine.
Also, practice went really well again today. I can't wait for our next event!
Same. We have a new set list too, so it'll be nice to see what the crowd thinks of it.
Yeah, totally!
Oh, that reminds me...
Yes?
Were you and Akito talking about something before practice today?
You seemed relieved or something, you know...?
Oh...
I had this feeling that something was going on.
I see. However, you have nothing to worry about.
For a little while now, I've also been wondering if something was bothering Akito.
But he hasn't seemed concerned or worried for a few days now, so I figured that he reached a resolution.
Really...? So, you know what was bothering him?
I don't actually know.
Wait, what?!
You said you were concerned, right?
Yes.
But I also suspect that it's something he won't tell me or can't talk about yet, so I decided not to poke or prod.
Okay...
Um... Sorry...
For what?
Well... I was so focused on what I needed to do during practice that I didn't try and see how you guys were doing.
Again, you have nothing to worry about. I only came to realize just recently.
By the way, how long has Akito been acting this way...?
I can't say for certain, but likely since STAY GOLDEN...
S-Since STAY GOLDEN?!
(I had no idea! Does that mean Kohane's performance has been on Akito's mind this whole time?)
So, does that mean...?
I was under the impression that something about Kohane's performance was bothering him, but I was wrong.
(Huh? It wasn't that...?)
He even said that he'd ask for my help if he ever ended up needing it.
That sort of told me that it wasn't about him, but someone else.
Someone else...?
*Gasp*
Oh geez...
(It's me. It's my fault...)
Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing...
But for now, sorry!
...?
Anyway, I don't think we have anything to worry about when it comes to Akito.
Although, he isn't always inclined to tell anyone about whatever it is that's going on.
But you saw right through all of that, right, Toya? That's what partners are for! I have a lot to learn from you in that department.
But okay...
I've had so much just on my own plate lately.
(Could something be bothering Shiraishi too...?)
Thanks, Toya.
You're welcome?
*Nod*