And here's your usual blend.

Thank you.

Excellent aroma. It's very relaxing...

Hehe, I'm glad you like it.

Hello, MEIKO!

Oh, Toya's here too!

He is!

Welcome!
Sit anywhere you like.

Thanks!
Toya, you're really early.

Yeah, we met Len on the way here too...

We said to him we were definitely going to be the first to turn up here today, but here you are.

Ah, but I didn't plan on showing up this early either...

I had to pick a time to leave my house when I wouldn't be seen.

Be seen? By who?

My dad.

Oh, right...

Here you are. Your usual drinks.

Thank you, MEIKO.

Hehe. It's commendable that you make sure to arrive ahead of time!

Len and Rin are such a handful since they'll show up late or forget about meetups entirely!

But... It's easy to forget the time when you're absorbed in singing.

Oh, wait... I get it now!

Get what?

Why you're always early! It's because you can't wait to sing with everyone, right?

Hmm, maybe?

It's always a good idea to turn up early for gigs, so you can warm up or gauge the mood of the audience...

Yeah, so it's exactly as I said! It's because you can't wait to get started with your show!

And what do you two think about it...?

Haha! If Len's so convinced, he may be right.

I see...

You must feel it, Toya.
The happy anticipation!

Anticipation?

Like when you see the excited audience waiting in front of the live house!

Or when talking with your group backstage!
And when it's almost time to get on stage!

...

Huh? Don't tell me you don't feel that way!

Um, I know what you're talking about, Len.

In my case it's not just anticipation, but also a bit of anxiety.

How did you feel during STAY GOLDEN, Toya?

I mean, it didn't end the way we hoped...

But when we were talking about it at my dad's cafe, you seemed enthusiastic and smiling too.

I remember that...

But it was you two that made me smile.

What? Us?

Yeah. You were so excited for STAY GOLDEN that you could hardly sit still.

So that means...
You were laughing at us being hyper?

Wait, really?!

Haha... But we really were bouncing off the walls that day.

Wow, we were probably acting like little kids. Please tell us if that happens again...

Hm? Sure.

Geez... I bet my dad and Akito were rolling their eyes at us. I'm getting embarrassed just thinking about it now.

Why? I think it's great that you got so excited that you went a little nuts!

Excitement, huh...

(I've never really been aware of my emotions when it came to singing or getting the crowd hyped...)

(Next time we do a gig, I'll try to be more mindful of what I'm feeling.)