...

Confront him head-on...

So this really is about your dad?

Yes. I appreciate Ken's advice, but I really don't feel like I can confront my dad about this any further...

He's always been this wall looming over me.
Something I could never overcome or break down...

Personally, I don't think there's any point in talking to someone who's determined to shoot down everything you say from the start.

I wish it was that easy...

But if this continues, my problems will affect the whole group.

So I've decided that I'm going to talk to him today...

Alright...

(Isn't there anything I can do?)

(No...
Toya needs to do this by himself.)

(If he's already made up his mind, then all I can do is watch from the sidelines.)

I'm home...

(Dad is in the living room...
Okay then...)

Finally back, huh?
What is the meaning of this flyer, Toya?

Huh?

That's the flyer for our next event...
How did you...?

I found it in your room. I can't believe you put something so uncouth on top of your sheet music.

Uncouth...?

I know our music doesn't give people the best impression. One of my teammate's father had the same misunderstanding as well...

But it's not what you think.
Just come and see for yourself and I'm sure...

Get your head out of the clouds!

You know very well how much value and meaning classical music brings to peoples' lives. I thought I taught you that myself!

And yet you choose to get wrapped up in this...noise! Don't you realize your life is going to become empty because of it?

My life is...empty?

You're wrong. My life was empty when I was still doing classical music.

I was just your slave!
I mindlessly did as you told me to...!

Why won't you understand?!
Why won't you even try to understand...?!

Ugh...!

Toya!

*Huff*... *Huff*...

Why dad...? Why...?

♪————!

Toya, hold up!
You're supposed to step over there.

Oh. Sorry...

Hey, are you getting tired?
Maybe we should take a break?

No, I'm fine...

Hm?

(He probably fought with his dad again. He's hiding it pretty well, but his singing tells a different story.)

(Damn it... What should I do?)

Alright, let's wrap up practice for today!
Great job, everyone!

...

Is it just me or is Aoyagi not feeling very well today, An? He doesn't seem like his usual self...

Yeah...

Toya! You know, you seemed a little out of sorts today. Anything we can help you with?

A-An?!

We're a team, aren't we? If something's bothering you, maybe it'd be good to try and handle it together?

That's...
Well...

If you don't want to tell us right now, that's fine too. But it would be nice if you could tell us... If you want to, of course...

Look...

If it's that obvious, then I think they deserve to know about it too.

Akito...

Since it's affecting your singing, this isn't just your problem anymore.

Come on...let us help.

I'm sorry...

Yeah! Don't forget about us!
We'll resolve it faster by doing it together, right?
Go on, tell us what's up!

Two heads are better than one, right?
Sometimes, a bunch of dimwits can outsmart a genius.

Who are you calling a dimwit?
You know our grades are pretty much the same, right?

Quiet, you. No one asked about that.

I-I'll try to think of something too!
You helped me before, so I want to return the favor!

Hehe...

Thank you. I'd appreciate it...

This isn't going to be a pleasant discussion, but I would appreciate your input. Are you sure you're for it?

Yeah!

So you fought with your father...

He refuses to listen to what I have to say.
He even insists our music is just kids stuff.

Maybe I should just accept the fact that he'll never budge or even meet me halfway...

You're not good at that sort of stuff either...

But seriously, why's your dad so stubborn? It's like you're trying to get through to a hunk of rock. Why's he trying to force you back into classical music, anyway?

Wait... Your father's a pretty amazing musician or something, right?

He's Harumichi Aoyagi, right? I've seen him on TV before. I was so surprised when I found out he was your father.

He performs overseas as a professional pianist as well, right?

Yes. He started his professional career after graduating from a music school in Vienna. In Japan, he's more well-known as a composer.

Whoa... He's really a legit musician, huh?

Yes. Dad has only ever cared about classical music as far as I know...

He taught my two older brothers to pursue the same path. One is also a professional now and the other is currently attending a music school in New York.

He probably wanted me to follow in my brothers' footsteps too.

But... I wasn't quite able to do that.

There's no rule saying you have to become what your parents want. We're not here so they can live vicariously through us.

Yes, you're right...

But the more you talk about your father, the less it seems like we'll be able to convince him...

How about asking your brothers to talk to him for you?

I did bring it up with them once. Unfortunately, they both respect my dad too much and told me that I was just being naive.

Oh, what about your mother?

She's also been involved in classical music for a long time and wants me to go back to playing just that.

Hmm... What if I went to talk to him myself?!

You'd just make things worse...

But... Isn't there anything we can do...?