*Sigh*

I'm beat...

It felt like they made me do a year's worth of studying today...

I could stop by a cafe for a sweet reward...

——♪ ——♪

Huh? That voice... Toya?

——! ——!

Oh, I guess he's in the middle of singing practice...

But he just practiced this morning. He's back at it again?

He's so serious about it too. I guess he just really loves to sing, huh...?

I probably shouldn't bother him right now. Plus, I'm exhausted from school, so let's get home...!

Huh?!

A-Akiyama...?

H-Hey, Li'l Bro!

(He came out of nowhere! What is it with me running into people today?!)

(Or maybe I should've expected this since he's probably here to practice with Toya at the park!)

You're in your uniform. Were you at school today?

Uh, yeah. Supplementary classes, you know?

Are you here to meet up with Toya?

Yeah, how'd you know? Did you see him?

I saw him on my way to school after you guys just finished your morning practice. I even saw him in the park just now.

I see...

Are you guys here to meet up and do another practice together, Li'l Bro?

Yeah. We're meeting as a team and heading over to an event right after.

Oh, okay. Wait, does that mean An and Kohane are coming too?!

Yeah, they are... Hold on, you know about Kohane?

Heh heh heh.

An's told me all about her.

I even got to meet her during the School Festival.

Ah, alright.

But it's kinda weird to think that you're singing with them, Li'l Bro...

Well, this all sort of just happened, you know...?

We found ourselves singing all together this one time, and something just clicked.

Us all having the same dream helped too, probably.

Oh, An told me about that too!

Something about putting on an event that's better than the one An's dad put on, right?

Yeah.

That's so cool.

You guys really are all working towards the same goal.

But you've been making music with Ena and some others, right?

Haha... Sure, but that's just something we're doing for ourselves...

What's wrong with that? I see no problem with what you're doing.

Huh?

A little while ago, Ena looked like she was headed for a dark place. To be fair, it was sort of our dad's fault...

But before I knew it, she was completely over it and drawing again.

You guys did something to help her get through that, right?

...

She's bothered by the dumbest things and always sounds like she's picking a fight, so she's never really had a lot of friends.

Because of that, she directs most of her anger toward me.

So I'm glad that she met someone like Momoi and formed a group with you.

I never knew...

Oh, Ena...

Sometimes I think you're the older sibling, Li'l Bro.

Right?

But hasn't she been making you do a lot of stuff for her too, lately?

I mean, you two have been going out shopping or to cafes a lot, it seems.

I-It does?

(No, that has to be because I've been making her worry about me...)

Ena hardly ever returns favors...

So you might want to find a way to make her return some favors somehow while you still have a chance.

Haha...

(Huh? Wait...

This feels like déjà vu...)

(Oh, right. That time...)

Akiyama? You there?

Yeah, don't worry. I was listening.

But the Ena I know isn't as bad you say she is, Li'l Bro...

The Ena I know does actually care about others and can't leave anyone she thinks needs help alone.

Seriously?

Seriously♪

And aren't you gonna be late for practice?

Huh? Oh, yeah.

Okay, I'll be going then!

Bye bye♪

Oh, Ena messaged me...

<I'm heading out to get this new lipstick I found. Wanna come with...?>

...

She really can't leave me alone, can she?