...

The biggest difference between complete novices and seasoned veterans...

...hane!
Hey, Kohane!

Huh?! A-An?
What's wrong?

I should be asking you that.
What's up? You totally zoned out.

Oh, sorry...

You can talk to me if there's something on your mind.

Hehehe. Thanks, An.

Well, it's about the other day... It keeps nagging at me that I'm so inexperienced compared to the rest of you guys.

...

So I was wondering if I could sing here at Weekend Garage sometime, you know, in front of the customers...

That's a great idea! And I'd get to listen to your singing while waiting tables! You're absolutely welcome to!

Phew, I'm glad you're for this...

Okay, you just wait here while I go talk to my dad...

Um... Wait, An!

I'd like to do this myself.
It really should come from me.

I can't let you take care of everything for me, or I'll never learn.

Besides... This is going to be my solo performance.

Kohane...
Yeah, you're right!

Thanks, An.

An, are you working or what?

Oops! Sorry, Dad!

I've got stuff to do. Talk to you later, Kohane!

Here's your milk tea.
Careful, it's hot.

Um, Mr. Shiraishi!

Yes?
Did you want to order something else?

N-No, I...
I wanted to ask you a favor...

A favor?

It's... It's just that I...
I'm the least experienced member of my group.

And I don't think it's fair that I'm holding everyone back because I'm new to this.

I'd like to... Get more experience singing in public.

Please...! Would it be okay if I sang at your cafe, even if it's just one day a week?

...

Is... Is that a no?

I'm not saying no, but I wanted to warn you first that since you teamed up with An, Akito and Toya, people have started paying attention to you too.

The first time you sang here, they had low expectations since you were a rookie. But that's no longer the case.

...

They may expect more from you.
Are you prepared for that?

Yes...!
I want to do it!

I don't know how everyone will react to me, but I know I have to do this.

This is the only way forward if I'm going to stay in this group.

And that's really important to me...
So please, let me sing here!

Well then...
It seems like your mind is made up.

Yes!

But you know, it's not just successful performances that count towards “experience”. Failing is just as important.

Failing too?

You see, everyone's afraid of failure.
Afraid of losing their fame or their team's trust.

But the worst is when you're too scared to face it and just run away.

...

If you run away from failure, that damage can't be undone and it's all over...

Oh, but you're strong enough to confront it. Sure there's still stuff you can't do yet, but you're not all green either.

So when you sing,
do it with confidence and pride.

I will...! Thank you so much, Mr. Shiraishi!

Make some space.
I've got cookies for you.

Huh?
Did I order cookies?

It's on me!
Looks like the talk went well?

Yup...!

(It's a small step, but it's a step forward...)

(An, thank you for believing in me.)