If you say so...!
I guess playing the bass isn't really that interesting, huh?

No, it's not that...

...

I get it. I'm sorry. I'll stop being so pushy...

But can I just ask why you don't wanna play anymore...?

I...

I just don't think it's a good idea...

Why not?

I always do this...
I get so caught up in what I'm doing that I lose track of everything else.

Which ends up upsetting the people around me. I made one of my classmates really sad just the other day...

...

So...

I just don't think it's a good idea for me to play the bass.

I see...

I think I know what you mean about upsetting others, Shiho...

You do?

My family comes from a long line of flower artists. It's actually pretty famous.

When I was little, I told my mom that I was gonna become a great artist just like her. She seemed so proud of me.

But after I saw your dad perform in that show, I started playing music and haven't looked back since...

Oh...

There's this flower exhibition that I always entered pieces into every year since I was a kid...

But I started focusing so much on performing in shows that I stopped making anything for it.

My mom didn't ask me any questions, but she did seem really sad...

She did...?

If I tried to have my dessert and eat it too back then, I don't think either thing would've gone well for me.

Granted, I asked myself a ton whether or not it was okay for me to make my mom feel the way she did.

Then, why?

Why did you decide to keep playing music?

Well, after giving it a lot of thought, I found my answer.

I realized that I couldn't give up my music.

You couldn't give it up...?

Yeah. I think anyone would know what I'm talking about. We all have something we really love that we're gonna pursue no matter what anyone says.

For me, that's music.

Plus, people who just go their own way have this really cool aura to them... Your dad is the one who helped me realize that, Shiho.

My dad...?

Yeah. The first time I saw him play, I thought he was the coolest person in the world.

I asked myself a bunch of times why I felt that way back then...

But I'm pretty sure it's because he stays true to himself and does what he loves.

(He does what he loves...?)

People who do what they love and put everything they have into making their dreams come true have this dazzling aura.

They do...?

I think so. I mean, my mom was the same way.

What...?

My mom as a person is pretty quiet and calm, but she always looks so cool when she's working with flowers.

And I think that's because the art she creates means everything to her. That's the thing she'll never let anyone take away from her...

My mom and I differ on that thing now, but I appreciate the fact that she's really passionate about what she does...

...

So, I...

I don't want to disrespect the people I just mentioned by not trying my hardest.

Your dad, Shiho, and my mom...
I want to be true to my feelings like they are. I want to have that same dazzling aura.

...

(Doing what you love gives you an aura...?)

I know, my words don't paint a good picture...

But Shiho!
You're gonna see our show, right?

Huh...?

I hope you like what you see!
I promise to show you exactly what I meant just now.

Okay...

I think it's time...

Yeah...

What did you and Kuno talk about?

A lot. She taught me how to play her bass, and explained how she ended up being in a band...

Really?
What did she tell you?

She told me...

She told me she's gonna let her performance do the talking.

I see...
Then, we'll need to give it the attention it deserves.

Right.

(Oh...)

Here we go!

♪————!!!