♪————!! ————!!

Akito, you're still too tense!

♪——! ——...!

♪...——!

(How many hours have we been practicing...?)

(My brain's not getting enough oxygen because of all this singing...)

Let's stop here for today...
You're at your limit.

...

Okay...
Got it...

(No... Again, why...?)

(Even though Ken's working with me one-on-one, I can't produce any results...still...)

(I've been trying every trick I know, but those shackles won't come off easily...)

(I guess that's only natural...
After all, this is what brought Akito this far.)

...
Hey, Akito?

Why don't we go for a drive?

Now...?

Let's make a pit stop here.
Want something to drink?

Uh, sure...

(Well, I accepted Ken's invitation, and now we're here...)

(So, he actually just felt like going for a drive...?)

(Or was he trying to give me a breath of fresh air because I was having trouble focusing?)

Here, have a cafe au lait.
It's hot, so be careful.

Thank you.

(How long has it been since the last time I just sat and did nothing like this?)

(Lately, I've been practicing as soon as I wake up, then going to school, a live house after that and singing with Ken at the end... There's been no time in that schedule for me to relax...)

(But...)

(Is it okay for me to be doing this right now?)

(Wouldn't it be better for me to use this time to practice instead...?)

...

This reminds me of the first time I met you.

What?

Do you remember?
The first time we spoke to each other on Vivid Street.

Oh...

You remember how we met, Ken?

Yeah, like it happened yesterday.
The way you looked like you were about to start sobbing is hard to forget.

No, you should definitely forget about that...

You've changed so much since then.

You came this far by following your heart. I couldn't be more impressed.

Thank you very much.

So, tell me.
What was it like sprinting at full speed until now?

What was it like...?

I dunno...

So much has happened. I'm not sure how to put it into words...

Just like that.

Ow...!
Wh-Why'd you flick my forehead...?

So that you don't forget how you felt just now.

Akito. Next time, sing with that feeling in mind.

Wait, you mean...?

Don't worry.
You already have everything you need.

All you have to do now is realize that and sing.

...

Oh, it's getting late.
We should start heading back.

Oh...

Okay.

You're sure you don't want me to take you further than the station?

Yes, since the trains are still running.
Thank you for working with me this late.

No problem.
Just make sure to get some rest. See you later.

I just need to realize it, huh?

(Based on what Ken said, it feels like the answer should be right in front of me.)

(I'm one step away from finding that thing I've been missing...)

(Yeah...)

(I don't have to worry about everything on my own.)

I should head over there.

Oh, Akito, hello!

Welcome!
Were you guys practicing again today?

Yeah, we were.

Then, please take a seat.
I'm sure you're tired, so let me get you something to drink.

Oh, thank you...

MEIKO told me everything!
You've all been going around to different live houses to perform at them, right?

That sounds like so much fun.
I'd love to see the live houses in your world.

Luka, remember what I told you the other day? You shouldn't interrupt them needlessly.

I know.

Still, what has training at these live houses involved? You must have been singing with some really good performers.

Yeah, we have...

They're on a completely different level compared to us. We have to do everything we can just to keep up with them.

We have a planning meeting during the drive over after school, sing at the live house, do a debrief on our way home, then do it all over again...

Fortunately, we've somehow been managing to hold our ground...
...

With that in mind, can I ask you guys something?

Wait, Akito, you've been practicing with An's dad...?!

Yeah.
For a few weeks now.

But I'm having a lot of trouble making any progress...

I understand what Ken's telling me to do, but I can't figure out how to put that into practice.

Yes, based on what you just told us, that does seem very tricky...

Relax and sing from your heart.
Turn your feelings into song.

That's easier said than done.
In terms of actually accomplishing those things...

Hmmm... That's a tough one.
This is all about intuition...

Wait, I know...!

Akito.
Would you mind singing something for us?

Huh? Now...?

Yes!
I think hearing you actually sing will make it easier for us to give you proper advice.

She has a point.
I think we'd all like to hear you sing.

Okay, then...
If you all don't mind listening...

(A lot of time's passed since I last sang here because I've been practicing in our world so much...)

(But this is my chance to hear from Luka and the others about my singing.)

(This might lead me to the answer...!)

(Take your feelings...and turn them into song...)

♪————!!

*Sigh*
How did I do...?

That was incredible.
I think I've got goosebumps...

Yeah...! You sent shivers down my spine!
You've gotten so much better, Akito!!

I mean, I have been practicing basically nonstop.

But tell me more.
What else did you guys notice?

Hmm...

Luka...?

You sounded really amazing just now, Akito...

But I feel like you can do a lot more! Like, pow!

Pow...?

I know what you're trying to say, but you need to be more specific with your advice...

Wh-What?!
But!

I mean, Akito, I'm guessing that you're feeling a lot of different things right now...

You're happy about getting to practice with Ken. You're excited, and you want to make him proud, but you're nervous at the same time...

You should just let that all out. Pow!

Hmm...

In other words, I'm not letting my feelings flow freely...

There's that...
But... How do I put it...? Oh.

Akito!

Why don't we do what you and Ken have been doing? Let's sing together.

What...?