Turning Pain Into Drive - 3: Something Important

The next day

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1

Toya

“Good morning.”

2

Male Student A

“No!! I'm done for...!!”

3

Male Student B

“Give up already, will you...?”

4

Toya

“Morning. Did something happen?”

5

Male Student A

“You're not gonna believe this, Toya!
I got a horrible score on that test for music class...”

6

Male Student B

“He's been asked to sing in front of the entire class, and he has to improve his music skills before then.”

7

Male Student A

“How am I supposed to do that?! I'm totally tone deaf!”

8

Male Student B

“But you have to do this... Oh, wait.”

9

Male Student B

“Why don't you ask Toya for some tips?
If I recall, he always gets amazing grades in music.”

10

Toya

“What...?”

11

Male Student A

“Hey, that's right!
You got any good advice for me, Toya?!”

12

Toya

“Well...
First, if you wish to improve your pitch...”

13

Toya

“...but those are the only remedies that come to mind.
I only hope that some of that was helpful.”

14

Male Students

“...”

15

Male Student A

“That's amazing, Toya! You're a total pro!”

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16

Male Student B

“Yeah. I'd heard that you used to be a pretty serious musician, but you're more knowledgeable than I even imagined.”

17

Toya

“I'm really nothing special.
And I've quit playing music.”

18

Male Student A

“Really? Seems like a waste.”

19

Male Student B

“I know, right? Now I really wanna hear you sing, Toya.”

20

Male Student B

“Do you have any plans to give it another go?”

21

Toya

“No... I don't think I will.”

22

Male Student A

“Really...? Oh, did something bad happen?”

23

Male Student B

“Hey, you're being way too nosy.”

24

Toya

“No, it's okay.”

25

Toya

“Nothing bad happened per se.
It just wasn't for me. That's all.”

26

Toya

“Yes, things were hard at times, but...”

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27

Toya

“My memories of that time all feel like a dream now.”

28

Toya

“They have a brilliance to them.”

29

Toya

“They're precious and unforgettable.”

30

Male Student A

“We had no idea...
Also, you seem to really enjoy talking about all that.”

31

Male Student A

“I feel like you should give it another try.”

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32

Toya

(A message?
From who...? Oh, it's some of my old classmates from Kamiyama High.)

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33

Toya

(Let's see what it says...)

34

Toya

...!

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35

Toya

(I wasn't expecting a message like that.)

36

Toya

(They invited me to a get-together for old time's sake.)

37

Toya

(Meeting them does sound like fun...)

38

Toya

(But what do I do...?
I came all the way back without sending a reply.)

39

Toya

(I can't let this drag on forever...)

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40

Natsuomi

I see you're home, Toya.

41

Toya

...!
Natsuomi... I didn't realize you were home...

42

Natsuomi

Yes, I'm back. Did anything happen while I was gone?

43

Toya

Nothing to report. And congratulations on your concert. I'll get dinner ready now.

44

Natsuomi

No, I'll cook tonight. It's been a while since I last did.

45

Toya

Oh, then... I'll set the table.

46

Natsuomi

Okay, thank you.

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47

Toya

This is good.
You really are a much better cook than me.

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48

Natsuomi

To be fair, I can't make anything all that fancy.

49

Natsuomi

How has school been lately?

50

Toya

Fun.
But I can't let my guard down because of all the tests they've been giving us.

51

Natsuomi

As long as you pay attention during class each day, you should be able to achieve good results. But it's also important to read ahead and review what you've already covered.

52

Toya

Yes, I'll do that...

53

Toya

...

54

Natsuomi

...

55

Natsuomi

You seem rather despondent. Did something happen?

56

Toya

Oh...

57

Natsuomi

If there's something on your mind, then I'll be more than happy to listen.

58

Toya

My friends from Japan contacted me.

59

Toya

We were classmates when we were first-years, and they invited me to gather with them for old time's sake. It'd be nice to go, but...

60

Natsuomi

Then, you should go. What's holding you back?

61

Toya

I know. But the thing is...

62

Toya

I'm not sure if I should.

63

Natsuomi

What do you mean?

64

Toya

...

65

Toya

I'm worried that my old street-music teammate is also going to be there.

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66

Toya

I didn't fully commit the way he needed me to, which ended up hurting him...

67

Toya

Which is why...

68

Toya

I doubt he'll want to see my face.

69

Natsuomi

I see...

70

Natsuomi

Do you dislike him now, Toya?

71

Toya

Huh...?

72

Natsuomi

You just said that he probably wouldn't want to see you.

73

Natsuomi

So, do you feel the same way about him?

74

Toya

...!
No, I don't.

75

Toya

But I feel too ashamed to show my face.

76

Toya

At the same time, I...

77

Toya

I'm...very grateful for him.

78

Toya

Because he taught me just how much fun singing can be.

79

Natsuomi

...

80

Natsuomi

Then, you should go.

81

Toya

What...?

82

Natsuomi

I understand why you feel conflicted.

83

Natsuomi

However, you both love music and were working towards the same goal. So, I believe you'll be able to find some common ground.

84

Toya

But...

85

Natsuomi

Also, the look on your face just now is all the more reason why you should tell him how you feel.

86

Natsuomi

That was the look of someone who cares deeply about something.

87

Toya

...

88

Natsuomi

This is all the advice I can give you.
My hope is that you don't regret any decisions you make...

89

Toya

(I...)

Next Chapter: Even Alone