On Your Feet - 8: Back Where It Started

Several dozen minutes later

Airport

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

An

There he goes...

2

Kohane

Yeah...

3

Kohane

I'm really glad we came to say goodbye. I feel so much better now that I've gotten everything off my chest...

4

An

Hehe.
The way you stuck it to him was really cool, Kohane!

5

Kohane

Hehe. You think so?

6

Akito

Yeah, all things considered, you did a pretty good job for us.

7

Toya

I agree.
However, we have to make what you said a reality now.

8

An

Right! So, let's do just that!

9

Kohane

Yeah!

10

An

Still, we did end up cutting class...

11

Toya

Right...
Everyone's probably taking that English quiz right about now...

12

An

You seem anxious, Toya...

13

Kohane

I think I know how you feel. I also feel kind of bad about everyone else being at school while I'm not.

14

Akito

Really?
I mean, missing one day isn't a huge problem or anything.

15

Toya

Yes, it is.

16

Toya

Especially you two, Akito, Shiraishi.
How do either of you expect to make up for the time you've lost today?

17

Akito

Uhh... I'll...

18

An

I-It'll all work out in the end, right?!

19

Toya

Oh dear...

20

Kohane

But I'm going to need to explain why I wasn't at school today to my parents...

21

Kohane

I'm not sure what's going to happen after I tell them...

22

Akito

Oh, right... Your parents might not take this lightly...

23

Kohane

Wh-What if they stop letting me practice or do anything with you guys...?!

24

An

I-If they do, we'll go apologize together...!

25

Toya

Yes, I agree.
We'll be there if it comes to that.

26

Toya

At the same time, Azusawa, you came because you felt that you had to be here.

27

Toya

Even if they do punish you...
I'm sure your parents will understand if you explain how you felt, like you did just now.

28

Kohane

R-Right...!
I'll try doing that when I get home...!

29

Toya

Anyway, what should we do now...?

30

Akito

Even if we hurry back to our schools, we probably won't make it in time for any classes. So, we could head over to...

31

An

Then, why don't we head over to Weekend Garage...?

32

Kohane

Oh, are you sure...?

33

An

Yeah. I kinda want to tell my dad what we just told Uncle Taiga.

34

Toya

Now that you mention it, we haven't seen Ken in a little while since we've been meeting in SEKAI recently...

35

Kohane

Yeah...!
So, let's go!

A few hours later

Weekend Garage

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

Sound Effect: Play

36

An

I'm back!

37

An

Wait, huh...?

38

An

This place looks eerily clean...

39

Kohane

Huh?

40

Kohane

Oh, you're right...
It's like...

Sound Effect: Play

41

An

Hey, Dad...!
The sign out front still says, “Open”. What's going on...?

42

An's Father

Hm? Oh, whoops...
I forgot to flip it around.

43

An's Father

Also, you're back already...?
You're not usually back from school this early.

44

An's Father

Or were you...

45

Kohane

Oh, um...

46

Kohane

I'm really sorry...!
I suggested to everyone that we go see Taiga at the airport before he left...!

47

An's Father

You suggested it?

48

An

I-It's not your fault, Kohane!
It's mine for saying that it was a good idea!

49

An

I'm sorry for skipping school...

50

An's Father

*Sigh*
School's where students are supposed to be...

51

An's Father

But there's no use crying over spilled milk.
And I'm sure you all had your reasons...

52

An's Father

Still, you really should've asked first. I wouldn't have said no if you could justify why you were going.

53

An

*Nod*
Got it...

54

An's Father

By the way, that goes for all of you...

55

An

Wait, so, Dad...
Where'd all the chairs and tables go...?

56

An's Father

Oh, I'm doing some cleaning.
I was just putting away all the cups...

57

Kohane

Putting them away...?

58

An's Father

That's right. I'm thinking about closing this place down for a little while.

59

An

Closing down?! What do you mean?!

60

Akito

B-But why...?

61

An's Father

You're going to surpass RAD WEEKEND, right?

62

An's Father

So, I'm going to help you do that.

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

63

Kohane

What...?

64

An's Father

You've all made your decision.
Which is why I'm going to do what I can to honor that.

65

An's Father

It's what I owe you for keeping the truth from you for so long...

66

An

Oh...

67

An's Father

I'm also doing this for myself.

68

An's Father

Just like Nagi placed her faith in the next generation, I want to see what the future has in store for this town...

69

An's Father

Which is why I'll be closing this place down for a while.

70

An's Father

I thought about still running breakfast and lunch services, but...
I'm not one to do things halfway. The shop's going to be closed for a while.

71

An

B-But... What about Mom...?

72

An's Father

I've already spoken to her about this.

73

An's Father

The topic has also been on her mind for some time now. Her words were, “Go. You have a duty to fulfill.”

74

An's Father

We still have some money saved up from when I was making music. We should be able to get by for a little while.

75

An's Father

Plus, I'm more of a player than a coach. I've never been a good teacher, so I need to be prepared to put in as much time as I can.

76

An

You're serious about this, Dad...?

77

An's Father

I'm going to take this opportunity to teach you all everything I can.

78

An's Father

In other words, I'm betting on you using all that I have at my disposal.

79

An

...!

80

An's Father

However, you're going to have to fully commit yourselves to singing and staying in shape. I'll be running you all ragged until you can't stand any longer, every single day.

81

An's Father

Are you prepared for that...?

82

Akito

You're going to teach...

83

Akito

I mean, that's a no-brainer.

84

Toya

Right. There's only one answer to that.

85

Kohane

Yeah!

86

An

You're on, Dad!

87

An's Father

Okay then.

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

88

An's Father

As of today, this establishment is closed.

Sound Effect: Play

89

Kohane

(It's all going to start again...
Here, at Weekend Garage.)

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

90

Kohane

(If An's dad is saying that much, I'm sure practice with him is going to be really demanding.)

91

Kohane

(I might even feel scared and want to give up at times...)

92

Kohane

(But...)

Sound Effect: Play

93

Kohane

(Is it really okay for me to go back in there...?)

94

Kohane

...

95

Kohane

No. I already made up my mind that I'd come listen to that song again!

96

Kohane

So... I've got to open the door!

Sound Effect: Play

97

Kohane

(I've felt scared by more than a few things along the way.)

98

Kohane

(Even so...)

99

Kohane

(I've been able to see and experience so many new things because I worked up the courage to open that next door.)

Kohane

(Some being really happy things.
So, despite being scared, I've always been glad I took the leap.)

Kohane

(Which is why I think I'll be okay...)

Kohane

(I mean, Miku and the others said so.)

Sound Effect: Play

Miku

You've changed so much, Kohane.

Miku

Singing has become part of your identity.

Kohane

(This frustration I'm feeling. It fuels me now...)

Kohane

(It's going to propel me forward!)

Kohane

(As impossibly high as this wall is, we'll find a way over it. Together...!)

An

Kohane...

Kohane

Huh? Yes, An?

An

Nothing.
It's just... You looked really excited just now!

Kohane

That's because I am...!

An

Then, let's do it!
We're gonna surpass RAD WEEKEND together!

Kohane

(Nothing else I do is ever going to be this fun or exciting...)

Kohane

(I'm so glad I decided to open the door to this place that day. So unbelievably glad...)

Kohane

(We're starting over! Right here!
In the place where my heart raced when I heard An sing.)

Kohane

Let's do our best, everyone!