<That really happened...?>

<So you decided to start playing the bass right after you saw that show?>

Yeah. When I saw Sumire perform, I thought...

I wanna be like her.
I wanna keep doing what I love.

I wanna put on shows that can move people's hearts like her band did.

<Right...>

<Then, Shih, that really is the thing that matters to you most!>

Huh?

<You wanting to become just like your hero by learning to put on cool performances...>

<It sounds like that's the root of your music!>

...!

(Yeah...
She's the reason I started playing the bass and got serious about music...)

(Which means I want my music to be about...)

Thanks, Rin.

Huh?

I've got my answer.
I know what I want my music to be about now.

Looks like Ichika and the others are here.

Sorry, Shiho. I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.

That's okay. I mean, I'm the one who asked everyone to gather early on short notice.

You said there's something you wanted to talk about, Shiho. Can you tell us what?

It's about what Mr. Shindo asked us the other day. I thought it through and found my answer, so I want you all to hear it.

Okay...
I'd love to hear what you've come up with.

Yeah, me too.

Thanks. So, that same day, I ended up telling Rin about something that happened when I was in elementary school.

In elementary school?

Yeah, she told me about why she decided to start playing the bass! After seeing a show by a band called Iolite!

Oh, Shiho, isn't that the girl band you really look up to?!

I remember that as well.
You started playing the bass in the hopes that you'd be able to touch people's hearts with your music just like them, yes?

Yeah.
And after looking back on what happened...

My feelings haven't changed. I still wanna put on performances that move people's hearts.

Because that's what matters to me most.

Shiho...

Also, I think that moving someone's heart can be a way to give them encouragement...

Encouragement?

There was a time in elementary school when I wondered if it was okay for me to do what I wanted at the risk of upsetting everyone else.

But what I saw that band do...
I thought it was the coolest thing in the world the way they pursued what they really loved.

Which is why I wanna put on shows like that...

I wanna move people's hearts while holding onto what I care about most...

And if somebody going through the same thing I did back then hears me play...

Maybe they'll realize that it's okay to be yourself and do what your heart says. I wanna put on those kinds of performances for them...

That's what I want my music to be about.

I see...
That makes a lot of sense coming from you, Shiho.

Yeah...
Especially with how much encouragement your performances have given us!

Yeah!
Wait, that means...

You've been putting on all those shows and performances while keeping in mind what that band did for you, Shih!

Oh...

Yeah. I guess so.

That's so amazing, Shiho...
Your feelings from back then haven't changed at all.

As for me...

I want to keep performing with all of you. Our music is something only the four of us can create, and my hope is that we get to keep sharing it with our audience...

But I can't say right now what I want our music to be about or how I'm going to help make that happen...

Honami...

This is really important, so I don't want to give Mr. Shindo a half-baked response.

I'm sorry.
I promise to find the answer. I just need a little more time...

Yeah, of course!

There's no rush...
And I'm sure you'll find the answer you're looking for, Honami.

Thank you all so much.

Now, then... Shiho!

Huh? What is it...?

You have to tell us all about this show you saw during elementary school! It isn't fair if only Rin gets to hear your story.

Hehe☆ Lucky me, right?!

Yeah, I'm also curious...
It might be good for us to all hear what actually happened.

I agree.
I'd like to know more about your hero as well, Shiho...

See?! We all wanna hear what happened!

I mean, sure...
But we need to practice first since it's a pretty long story.

Woohoo!
Then, let's do our best during practice! It'll make her story just that much better!

Okay!

(It took me a little while, but I'm glad I found the answer I was looking for.)

(And I feel so relieved after clearly figuring out what matters most to me.)

(I'm so glad I did before our careers as pros got underway. I know what I need to do moving forward.)

(Am I any closer to her now?)

(I dunno, but...)

(I'm gonna keep going step by step.
And in order to do that...)

(We need to keep putting on performances that really move the hearts of everyone listening...)

(And then, maybe I can be like her someday...)

Phew...

(There's so much left to do...
The release of their debut single, putting together all those marketing events, planning shows, concerts and other performances...)

What else is there...?

Oh, they'll need to choose who their leader's going to be soon.

Someone who can support their band through thick and thin. A sort of unyielding pillar of strength...

I suppose she's the only option...