A few days later
Scramble Crossing
Honami
Nice work, everyone.
Let's keep up this momentum as we prepare for the festival.
Let's keep up this momentum as we prepare for the festival.
Saki
Okay! Get home safe, you guys!
Saki
*Sigh*
Today's practice was really tough, but also really fun!
Today's practice was really tough, but also really fun!
Saki
I can't wait for Jam Fest...
Saki
(It's the biggest venue we've ever played at, so I hope a ton of people come to see us there.)
Saki
(Plus, it's gonna be our first show since going pro, so we gotta do a good job...!)
Saki
(Still, I can't help but feel a little nervous, since this is also gonna be our first big festival...)
Saki
(It's probably gonna feel different from the joint and solo shows we've done until now...)
Saki
(Is it really okay for us to prepare for it just by practicing like we always do?)
???
Okay, see you tomorrow.
???
Alright, bye!
Saki
Huh? That sounded like...
Saki
Iori?!
Iori
Huh...?
Iori
Wait, you're...
Saki
Oh, I'm sorry for calling out your name all of a sudden! I'm Saki Tenma from Leo/need!
Saki
So, I don't know if you remember me, but you've helped us quite a lot and...
Iori
Oh, you're that keyboardist.
The girl who's always having so much fun while she plays.
The girl who's always having so much fun while she plays.
Saki
Wait, you remember who I am?!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
Saki
Also, do I really play like that?
Iori
Yeah, Leo/need always looks like it's having fun, but I feel like you usually have the most fun.
Iori
And I get to have fun watching.
Saki
Hehe...
Iori
Come to think of it, Leo/need's playing at Jam Fest, right? I'm looking forward to seeing you all there.
Saki
Yes, likewise!
Saki
Oh, Iori, while we're on the subject, can I ask you a quick question?
Iori
Hm? Sure.
Saki
Umm... What's it like to play at a big music festival?
Saki
This is gonna be our first one...
So, if possible, can you tell me more about them?
So, if possible, can you tell me more about them?
Iori
Oh, that's right.
Alright, so...
Alright, so...
Iori
For starters, depending on the size of the festival, you'll be dealing with a lot more people than normal. Tens of thousands even.
Saki
Th-That many?!
Iori
However, not everyone in attendance will be there to see us.
Iori
Loads of them will be people who have never heard of us, who are here for other bands.
Iori
There's a chance folks like that, who don't have any interest in us, might leave when we take the stage.
Iori
Especially if there's a famous band also playing during your timeslot, you might not get any people watching at all. That happens.
Saki
Oh...
Iori
That's why you have to put on a performance that'll grab people, and make them think twice before leaving.
Iori
Easier said than done.
Saki
Right... Shiho even said that a lot of people are gonna be focused on the main stage.
Iori
Exactly.
Iori
But getting people to stop and listen after they've already written you off...
Iori
Drawing them in with your music when that's what you're up against? It's the best feeling in the world.
Saki
...!
Saki
(That's what I felt when we played with anemone...)
Saki
(It's impossibly hard to convince people who aren't interested to stay.)
Saki
(But...)
Saki
(When you see your song getting through to them... It really is the best feeling in the world...!)
Saki
Um, Iori!
Can you tell me about how we should prepare?!
Can you tell me about how we should prepare?!
Iori
Huh?
Saki
I want us to succeed no matter what!
Saki
This is going to be Leo/need's first show since going pro, so I wanna reach as many people as we can with our songs!
Iori
Tenma...
Iori
Then, since we're here, why don't we grab a quick bite together?
Saki
What? A-As in a meal?!
Iori
Yeah, I'm sure you worked up an appetite during practice.
Iori
Plus, you released a new song recently.
I'd like to hear more about it, so it'll be my treat.
I'd like to hear more about it, so it'll be my treat.
Saki
No, you don't have to...!
Iori
It's fine. You want to hear what I have to say, right? So, let's go.
Saki
Uhh... R-Right!
Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
Next Chapter: What Defines Us