Scramble Crossing
Saki
*Sigh*
I was so nervous!
I was so nervous!
Ichika
But it was also a relief to hear that all our contracts were in order...
Honami
Yes, I'd been feeling anxious about today for so long. We can finally relax a little...
Shiho
Yeah.
Shiho
But signing with a label wasn't our goal. We still have a lot of work ahead of us...
Ichika
Right. We'll need to start thinking about what's going to happen moving forward...
Ichika
But for now, we should just follow Mr. Shindo's advice and keep practicing.
Saki
Yeah...!
Shiho
In any case, we've done what we needed to today, so let's go home...
Honami
Right. And it's already getting dark...
Ichika
Getting dark... Oh...
Shiho
What's up?
Ichika
Oh, um... I was just reminded of something I saw on the news this morning.
Saki
The news?
Ichika
Yeah. Apparently, the Perseid meteor shower is happening soon.
Saki
The Pe-Pe-Pep... Peperoncino meteor shower?
Shiho
Was that supposed to be a joke?
Saki
H-Hey, I couldn't hear what she said clearly!
Honami
Hehe. The Perseid meteor shower, yes?
It's one of the three biggest meteor showers you can see in Japan. And the timing does seem right...
It's one of the three biggest meteor showers you can see in Japan. And the timing does seem right...
Shiho
Really...?
I had no idea.
I had no idea.
Shiho
A meteor shower...
Remember the one we saw when we were little? Good times.
Remember the one we saw when we were little? Good times.
Honami
That one was the Leonid meteor shower...
But yes, it's quite nostalgic.
But yes, it's quite nostalgic.
Ichika
Yeah...! I felt the same way this morning.
Ichika
And I was hoping that we could see another one together.
Saki
Another one...together...?
Saki
Ye...
Saki
Yeah! Absolutely!
We've gotta go see it!!!!!!
We've gotta go see it!!!!!!
Honami
Saki...
Shiho
Yeah, I agree...
Between shows and contract stuff, we haven't been able to take a break recently.
Between shows and contract stuff, we haven't been able to take a break recently.
Honami
Yes, I'd like to see it as well...
I still remember that night sky like I saw it yesterday.
I still remember that night sky like I saw it yesterday.
Honami
Not only that, the wish Saki made...
What we talked about. All of it...
What we talked about. All of it...
Honami
They're all precious memories.
And it'd be wonderful to add more to our album.
And it'd be wonderful to add more to our album.
Ichika
Then, let's go see it.
Like we did all those years ago.
Like we did all those years ago.
Saki
Yeah...!
Ichika
(This is so great...)
Ichika
(We made plans to go see it together without a second thought.)
Ichika
(I can't wait to see this meteor shower.)
A few days later
Miyamasuzaka
Ichika
(*Sigh*
I'm glad I was able to get some new picks and replacement strings.)
I'm glad I was able to get some new picks and replacement strings.)
Ichika
(Since we're pros now, I need to stay stocked up. Next is...)
???
Hoshino?
Ichika
Huh...?
Ichika
Oh...
Ichika
Yoshizaki, it's been so long...!
Also, what a coincidence. I wasn't expecting to run into you in the middle of town like this...
Also, what a coincidence. I wasn't expecting to run into you in the middle of town like this...
Yota
Me neither...!
Sorry, I hope I didn't scare you.
Sorry, I hope I didn't scare you.
Ichika
No, it's great to see you!
How have things been since then?
How have things been since then?
Yota
Oh, I need to thank you again for what you did!
Yota
And... I apologize for not being able to go to your shows lately...
Yota
The thing is, I made a promise with Hanano...
Ichika
A promise? Oh...
Yota
Let's see another show again sometime!
Yota
Once you've settled in at home... Promise, okay?!
Yota
I promised her that we'd go see you guys perform once she's had a chance to settle in with her new family.
Yota
So, I felt I should hold off until she can be there to join me...
Ichika
Yes, I see.
Yota
However, I think that we'll be able to go soon...
Ichika
Wait, does that mean...?
Yota
Yes, Hanano seems to be getting along really well with her new family! They even went on a trip together the other day.
Ichika
Really...?! I'm so glad to hear that...!
Yota
Me too! So, we've been talking about going to see Leo/need's next show together.
Ichika
(I see... Thank goodness...
They get to be together again...)
They get to be together again...)
Yota
And Leo/need made this all possible...!
Ichika
Wait, us...?
Yota
Hanano told me that.
When she first moved in with her new family, there were times when she felt really lonely...
When she first moved in with her new family, there were times when she felt really lonely...
Yota
But whenever that happened, she said she always thought about the last time she saw you guys perform.
Ichika
Oh...
Yota
And I know what she means.
There are times when I find myself wondering if she's okay...
There are times when I find myself wondering if she's okay...
Yota
But whenever I think about the song you played during that show...
Yota
I'm reminded of the time Hanano and I spent together. It fills me with so much joy.
Yota
Also, I've listened to it more times than I can count since you guys uploaded it online. Leo/need has been a huge source of encouragement for both of us...
Yota
So, thank you all very much...
Ichika
That's so touching to hear...
Ichika
But I should be the one thanking you two.
Yota
Huh?
Ichika
You both taught me something incredibly valuable.
Ichika
Before, I just kinda wished that someone would feel moved by our music or understand what we were trying to do...
Ichika
But you two reminded me of what the old me went through...
You two made me want to write a song that you'd both feel a real connection to.
You two made me want to write a song that you'd both feel a real connection to.
Yota
Hoshino...
Ichika
I think I mentioned this during that show, but there was a time when my friends and I began drifting apart.
Ichika
As hard as that was...
I was glad my experience helped me create a song that connected with you two so strongly.
I was glad my experience helped me create a song that connected with you two so strongly.
Ichika
So, I want to keep doing that...
I want to keep playing music that gives people support and encouragement.
I want to keep playing music that gives people support and encouragement.
Ichika
That's what you two taught me.
Which is why I need to thank you...
Which is why I need to thank you...
Yota
No, I...
Still, Hoshino, that does mean a lot coming from you.
Still, Hoshino, that does mean a lot coming from you.
Yota
Oh, before I forget!
Do you know when you'll be performing next?
Do you know when you'll be performing next?
Ichika
Oh, about that...
Ichika
(We need to discuss that with our label...
That's not something we can decide on our own now.)
That's not something we can decide on our own now.)
Ichika
So, we don't have any fixed plans...
But we will be doing one soon!
But we will be doing one soon!
Ichika
We promise to make it an unbelievable show that really resonates with you, so we hope you'll make it!
Yota
Of course! Hanano and I will be looking forward to seeing it!
Yota
Anyway, if you'll excuse me.
Thanks for stopping to chat!
Thanks for stopping to chat!
Yota
And you can always count on us for support!
Ichika
(I'm so glad...)
Ichika
(Hanano and her brother get to be together again.)
Ichika
(Not only that...)
Ichika
(I couldn't be happier that our song helped them through such a tough period of their lives.)
Ichika
(Oh, but...)
Ichika
(The joy of playing a song with someone specific in mind, and of successfully reaching them...)
Ichika
(Those two taught me what that was like.)
Ichika
(However...)
Ichika
(They're not the only ones who've taught me something important...
We were able to make it this far because we had help from a lot of different people.)
We were able to make it this far because we had help from a lot of different people.)
Ichika
(Iori was the reason why we really began thinking about going pro. And she gave us a ton of valuable advice...)
Ichika
(Saku's band pushed us to become better when we battled against them.)
Ichika
(And of course, all of our friends have supported us in our dream...)
Ichika
(Including...)
Ichika
(Miku and them have been watching over us this entire time...)
Ichika
(I don't think we can even begin to thank them enough.)
Ichika
(I wish we could repay everyone somehow. They've all done so much...)
Ichika
(But how can we do that...?)
Next Chapter: Returning To That Place