——♪ ————♪

Aha, there you are!

Sorry to bother you like this in the middle of guitar practice, KAITO.

Can I help you...?

We were thinking that it's about time you met Ichika and the others.

...

Not ready yet I take it?

I mean, I arrived so late...

Ugh... Dwelling on that's only going to make things worse, you know?

...

But they've even found their true feelings already...

I wasn't here for them during their most important moment, so...

Oh, is that what this is really about?

Quit worrying so much!
Just look at me. I wasn't here for that either.

You may be fine with that, MEIKO, but...

This sounds like...

Didn't they finish and go home already...?

Yes, but that must be Ichika...

She may be staying back to write the lyrics to Saki's song.

Lately, she's been coming here to work on stuff all by herself.

Now's probably not the best time to disturb her. We should give her some space so she can focus.

I see...

...

(This is a very nice song...)

(As if it's meant to cheer up those who listen to it.)

(And she's trying to write lyrics that go along with that...)

I see someone's gained some interest.

Huh...?

You felt it too just now, didn't you, KAITO?

I wish you two would stop trying to read me like that...

(But yes, I am a little interested...)

Don't you want to really hear what they sound like, KAITO?

Yes...

Then why don't you listen to one of their recordings from practice?

The guitarist is the one writing the lyrics.

I see...

(She didn't seem too confident about playing that part... Oh, this part too...)

(Maybe she's worried about the way she's playing...)

(But...)

What do you think?

The bassist is very good...

However, the other three seem too concerned about the way they're playing. As a result, they're not syncing up well.

The guitarist in particular. She's singing just fine...

But the way she's playing...
It's as if she's doing everything she can just to keep up.

What is it...? Why are you grinning like that, MEIKO...?

Because you seem genuinely interested in how they're doing, silly.

Oh...

Seeing is believing, no?
I think it's past time you met them.

Alright, we'll introduce you to them just before the start of practice tomorrow!

...

(Th-There's no escape now...)

(No, it's time...)