(This took longer than I expected...)

(But I don't have cram school today and my homework assignments didn't seem too bad, so I should be able to start working right when I get home...)

Um, Asahina...!

Oh, Hoshino, are you also about to head out?

Yes. I just happened to see you walking by...

Hehe. So you came over to greet me.

Shall we head out together?

*Gasp*...!

Yes, please!

Oh, that reminds me.

About that class representative business we were working on just now...

I'm sorry about the first years running behind schedule and having to ask you for help. Right as you were heading to the archery club no less...

You don't have to apologize. I'm a class representative just like you, so I felt compelled to see this through to the end.

Also, last year, I witnessed some seniors going out of their way to help others, so I thought I should do the same starting this year...

Asahina...

(She's such an incredible person.

She's smart, a great athlete, and unbelievably kind on top of all that...)

Oh, Hoshino, are you okay in terms of time? I remember you mentioning that you have band practice today.

Y-Yes, but I already let my friends know that I may not be able to make it today.

I see. That's good.

By the way... Have you always been interested in music and being in a band?

Well, my parents both like music quite a bit, and my father owns some instruments, including guitars, so I was exposed to it at an early age.

But I really became interested in music because of Hatsune Miku.

Huh? Miku...?

Yes! A Miku song can differ so much in terms of style and genre just based on who produced it!

A song can be very cute, it can sound really cool or even a little scary.

Hehe. I know what you mean.

At first, I was in awe over just how amazing Miku is...

But when I was in junior high school, a lot had happened and I had a hard time dealing with it.

I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself or what I should do moving forward...

I see...

But Miku songs helped me get through that.

The producers of these songs are all trying to convey some sort of message or what they feel through Miku's voice...

I started wanting to become just like her in order to tell my childhood friends what I was feeling...

Yes, I see...

Telling them how you feel like how Miku does... Were you able to do that in the end?

Yes!

It wasn't easy, but I somehow managed...

I'm glad you did.

So you're a step closer to being just like Miku, your hero.

Well... Um...

Not quite...?

It's just... So much goes through my mind whenever I'm trying to write lyrics for my band's songs...

But it seems like I just wanted to be open and honest about how I feel...

How you feel...?

Yes...

Instead of feeling embarrassed about how I feel or talking about it in a roundabout way, I should be more direct...

Hehe. That's so wonderful.

I-It is?

I mean, I have a better idea of what I want to do, but still don't really know exactly how I feel or what the right answer is...

Honestly, I have only Miku to thank for being able to get this far.

...

Without her, I wouldn't be in a band or even the person you're talking to right now...

Miku...

Oh, I'm over that way.

Also, I apologize for going on so much about Miku...

No, I had fun listening to what you had to say.

So... Would you mind if I asked you one last question?

Yes, of course.

What does Miku mean to you, Hoshino?

What does she mean to me?

Well...

She's someone that can become anything.

Almost like freedom itself...

Freedom...

Oh, also...

She's my band's role model and my savior!

Hehe. I see.

Thank you, Hoshino.

Please, get home safe.

Thank you! If you'll excuse me.

...

A role model and a savior, huh...?

Conversely, what does Miku mean to me...?