A few days later
Shibuya Park

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Sound Effect: Play

1

Nene

Listen

Sorry for running late, Hoshino.
2

Ichika

Listen

It's okay. I just got here too.
Thank you for always taking time out of your busy schedule to practice with me.
3

Nene

Listen

No, don't mind me. I didn't have much going on today. All I really did was make a list of stage props.
4

Nene

Listen

Anyway, wanna get started...?
5

Ichika

Listen

Oh, before we do...!
There's something I need to give you.
6

Nene

Listen

What?

Sound Effect: Play

7

Ichika

Listen

Here, it's a ticket for our next show.
8

Ichika

Listen

I know you saw our solo show, but I'm really hoping that you'll also come to this one.
9

Ichika

Listen

Oh, but...! You don't have to if you already have plans!
10

Nene

Listen

No, I really appreciate it.
11

Nene

Listen

I've been looking forward to going to your next show since your solo show was so much fun. Thank you.
12

Ichika

Listen

I'm really glad to hear that...!
Thank you, Kusanagi.
13

Nene

Listen

But wow, you're doing another show already.
Your band must be doing pretty well...
14

Ichika

Listen

Yes, because of our supporters...
15

Ichika

Listen

Our next show is going to be our way of thanking everyone who's been there for us until now...
16

Ichika

Listen

Which is why, Kusanagi, I'd like for you to come...
17

Nene

Listen

Me...?
18

Ichika

Listen

Yes, since you've been teaching me how to sing. And...
19

Ichika

Listen

Because you've been supporting my dream. As my friend.
20

Nene

Listen

Hoshino...
21

Nene

Listen

Thank you. I really appreciate what you're saying, but... I need to thank you as well.
22

Ichika

Listen

What?
23

Nene

Listen

Well, um... I'm pretty shy around others and all...
Which is why I'm happy that I've gotten to know you so well.
24

Nene

Listen

And seeing you really go after your dream has motivated me to do the same, Hoshino...
25

Nene

Listen

So you've been supporting my dream a lot as well.
26

Ichika

Listen

Kusanagi...
27

Nene

Listen

I'm not missing your show.
28

Ichika

Listen

Okay, thanks!
29

Nene

Listen

I'm so glad I never stopped singing...
30

Ichika

Listen

What?
31

Nene

Listen

Oh, um...
Singing's sort of the reason we became friends.
32

Nene

Listen

We go to different schools, so we probably never would've met under normal circumstances...
33

Nene

Listen

But that time...

Sound Effect: Play

34

Ichika

Listen

When I heard you sing, I was really touched!
I want to be able to sing like you too!
35

Nene

Listen

L-Like me...?
36

Ichika

Listen

Yes...!
37

Ichika

Listen

So if you don't mind... Can you please teach me how to sing?
38

Nene

Listen

We were able to become friends because you were willing to ask me to teach you how to sing.
39

Ichika

Listen

Yeah, now that you mention it...
40

Ichika

Listen

(She's right...
Singing is what brought us together...)
41

Ichika

Listen

*Nod*
I'm really glad that I started taking singing more seriously after getting our band back together...
42

Ichika

Listen

Kusanagi.
Thank you so much for everything you've taught me.
43

Nene

Listen

Y-You're welcome...
But it's a little embarrassing when you put it that way...
44

Nene

Listen

Anyway, wanna start practicing...?
A few days later
Yoisaki Household - Kitchen

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45

Ichika

Listen

So...
46

Ichika

Listen

Would it be possible for you to come see our show?
47

Kanade

Listen

A show for us...?
48

Kanade

Listen

Yes, I'll be more than happy to go since you've invited me.
49

Ichika

Listen

Th-Thank you very much...!
50

Kanade

Listen

But have I really done anything worthy of being thanked?
51

Ichika

Listen

No, Kanade, don't say that...!
You've taught me so much about writing songs.
52

Ichika

Listen

You made me realize some very important things that time...
53

Kanade

Listen

Important things...?
54

Ichika

Listen

Yes. How to bring what I'm feeling into shape... And the importance of having the courage to believe in my choices.
55

Ichika

Listen

That didn't just help me finish that song... What I learned that day will stick with me as I keep thinking about our music.
56

Kanade

Listen

I see...
57

Kanade

Listen

I didn't think I did anything particularly profound.
58

Kanade

Listen

But I'm glad I could help you, Hoshino.
59

Kanade

Listen

I'll be looking forward to the show.
60

Honami

Listen

Hehe. Thank you.
I promise to do my very best to make sure you enjoy it.
61

Kanade

Listen

Okay.
62

Ichika

Listen

(Thank goodness...)
63

Ichika

Listen

(I also need to do my best to put on a good show for her.)
64

Ichika

Listen

(Still...)
65

Ichika

Listen

(Kusanagi was right.
I'm so glad I never stopped singing or playing music...)
66

Ichika

Listen

(It's not just her.
Music is what led me to Kanade, too.)
67

Honami

Listen

Did something happen, Ichika?
You seem awfully happy.
68

Ichika

Listen

Oh, um...
69

Ichika

Listen

I was just thinking about how music gave me the opportunity to meet you, Kanade...
70

Kanade

Listen

What?
71

Ichika

Listen

So, Kusanagi and I sort of ended up talking about that when I went to invite her the other day...
72

Ichika

Listen

How singing... How music helped expand our circle of friends.
73

Ichika

Listen

That made me realize how music has the power to bring people together and create new connections.
74

Kanade

Listen

Yes, I suppose you're right.
After all, that Miku CD was what led to us meeting in the first place.
75

Ichika

Listen

Oh... Yes, I remember.
76

Ichika

Listen

That CD is what led to us talking like this, and then you taught me how to create my own Miku songs...
77

Honami

Listen

Hehe. Miku's certainly had quite an impact.
78

Ichika

Listen

Yeah, she has...
I mean, Kanade and I do talk about her a lot.
79

Honami

Listen

I see. Then, in other words...
80

Honami

Listen

Miku is in essence the one who brought you two together, no?
81

Ichika

Listen

Oh...
82

Ichika

Listen

(She might be right...
Miku's the reason why Kanade and I are friends at all...)
83

Ichika

Listen

(No, not just her...)

Sound Effect: Play

84

Ichika

Listen

(Meeting Miku in SEKAI brought us back together...)

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85

Ichika

Listen

(After the four of us reformed our band, we started meeting so many different people.)
86

Ichika

Listen

(Oh, that reminds me...
When we were little, we decided to start a band because I'd listened to all those Miku songs and wanted to play them.)
87

Ichika

Listen

You're absolutely right, Honami...
88

Ichika

Listen

Music has given me a chance to meet all these people.
89

Ichika

Listen

But Miku stands at the center of all that. She brought us all together.
90

Kanade

Listen

In that case, Hoshino, it sounds like Miku's had the biggest impact on your life...
91

Ichika

Listen

Oh...

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92

Miku

♪————————!

Sound Effect: Play

93

Little Ichika's Voice

Listen

...! Wow! She's so amazing...!
94

Ichika

Listen

Yes, I think you're right...!
Next Chapter: More Than Admiration