Lead With Courage and Kindness - 1: What I Aspire To

School SEKAI

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1

Honami

Phew...

2

Honami

(I should be plenty warm now.
My arms feel ready to play.)

3

Honami

(And the others should be arriving soon. Until they do, I can...)

4

Honami

(Oh...)

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5

Shindo

First, I'd like to start by asking you all a question. What aspirations do you hold for your music...?

6

Honami

(I still don't know...)

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7

Honami

(Mr. Shindo asked me to think more about that...)

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8

Saki

I want our music to be uplifting...
I want it to cheer people up.

9

Ichika

I want our music and my singing to help bring people together.

10

Shiho

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

11

Honami

(The others already know...
So I need to hurry up and figure out what I want.)

12

Honami

(They said that I don't have to rush, but I can't keep them waiting forever...)

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13

Saki

Hona, you're here already?!

14

Honami

Oh, yes...! I came early to do some warm-ups.

15

Shiho

Okay.
Then, we should hurry up and get ready.

16

Ichika

Sounds good.

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17

Ichika

♪————!!!

18

Miku

Wow...

19

Len

This is awesome...!
It feels like they have more momentum than usual for some reason...

20

MEIKO

They've gained a few levels since last time.

21

Honami

(They're right about that.)

22

Honami

(The others are playing with much more confidence than usual.)

23

Honami

(But why...?)

24

Honami

(Wait...)

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25

Honami

(Is it because they know what they want to aspire to?)

26

Honami

(Are they channeling their feelings through this performance? That'd certainly explain why I feel so much momentum...)

27

Honami

(Then, I also need to...)

28

Shiho

Honami, keep up!

29

Honami

*Gasp*

30

Honami

I-I'm sorry...

31

Honami

(Stop thinking. Focus on playing right now...)

32

Miku

Nice job, girls.
That was a great performance.

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33

Saki

Thanks, Miku!
I had a lot of fun playing!

34

Shiho

But we're still falling out of sync in some parts. Let's try it again after our break.

35

Honami

Okay, let's do that...

36

Ichika

Is everything okay, Honami...?

37

Honami

Huh?

38

Ichika

You seem a little more tired than usual...
You even lost focus for a second back there while we were playing.

39

Saki

Yeah, she's right...
Did something happen?

40

Honami

No, I'm fine...
I just had something on my mind.

41

Honami

That reminds me! I almost forgot about the honeyed lemons I made. I'll go get them now, so let's have some together.

42

Saki

Oh, Hona, thanks...!
I can't wait to try them!

43

Honami

Hehe. Okay, wait right here.

44

Ichika

...

Solis Records

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45

Shindo

Phew... Look at the time.
I didn't even get to have lunch...

46

Shindo

Oh well...
Getting this proposal ready takes priority.

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47

President of Solis Records

Working hard, Shindo?

48

Shindo

Oh. Hey, Boss.
Just getting back from lunch?

49

President of Solis Records

Yes, but I think I had too much to eat.
The older I get, the less my stomach's able to handle oily foods...

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50

President of Solis Records

But you... Did you skip lunch?
I know you're busy, but don't push yourself too hard, okay?

51

Shindo

Thank you. I'll be careful.

52

President of Solis Records

Anyway, what are you working on? Something for Leo/need?

53

Shindo

Yes, that's right...
It's a proposal I'm going to present during our next meeting.

54

President of Solis Records

I see.
I'll be looking forward to a good presentation.

55

Shindo

Please don't put so much pressure on me.
It's no different from usual. I'm coming up with a plan, putting a schedule together...

56

Shindo

I mean, things are always busy when we're getting a band ready for their debut. Even lunch takes a back seat.

57

President of Solis Records

Really? You say that...
But you seem to be enjoying yourself.

58

Shindo

Huh? You think so...?

59

President of Solis Records

It may be hard for you to tell, but it almost feels like you're back with your old band.

60

Shindo

Stop it. That's ancient history...

61

President of Solis Records

Hahaha!
Anyway, how's Leo/need coming along?

62

Shindo

Well...

63

Shindo

They're definitely a good band, and their performances are going to keep getting better... Most importantly, they've got heart.

64

President of Solis Records

Heart, huh...?

65

Shindo

They still have a lot to learn...
But they don't shy away from their feelings when it comes to deciding what they want to accomplish with their music.

66

Shindo

That strength is why I believe they'll be able to overcome any hurdles that come their way...

67

President of Solis Records

...

68

President of Solis Records

I see...

69

President of Solis Records

That is very important.
It wouldn't matter how good their performances are if those kinds of problems got the best of them.

70

Shindo

Exactly. However, their success also depends on us holding up our end of the bargain.

71

President of Solis Records

Right.
Okay, I think I have a good understanding of them now...

72

Shindo

Great...
But is that all you came here to talk about?

73

President of Solis Records

Yes, that reminds me...
A big offer came across my desk this morning.

74

Shindo

A big offer...?

75

Shindo

Can you give me more details?

Next Chapter: What Makes You Happy