Turning Pain Into Drive - 9: Someday With My Song

Weekend Garage

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I'm back.

Ken

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Hey, welcome back.
How'd your event go today?

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Hmm... It was fun, but it could've gone better.

Ken

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I see...

Ken

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You seem to be struggling a bit.

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...

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Every time I sing, I feel like I'm missing something.

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Like I'm not going all out, you know...?
I'm not singing with everything I have.

Ken

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Is she still on your mind?

Ken

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It's only natural for you to think about her.

Ken

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After all, she was the partner you'd been looking for for so long.

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...

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I know I have to keep moving forward.

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I know that I have to move on from Kohane.

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But...

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I think I'm never going to find a partner who's as good as her.

Ken

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...

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Which means... I have to keep singing by myself.

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I have to surpass RAD WEEKEND on my own...

Ken

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An...

Ken

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You still have your whole life ahead of you. It's too soon for you to be giving up.

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You're right.

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And I want to believe that, but—

???

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<...hear me?>

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Did you hear a voice just now, Dad?

Ken

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...?
No, I didn't hear anything.

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Okay...

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(Why do I feel so anxious all of a sudden?)

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(I feel like I've forgotten something really important...)

Ken

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Anyway, where was I?

Ken

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When I say you're too young to be giving up, I'm not just talking about finding a new partner.

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What?

Ken

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Kohane's feelings are her own.

Ken

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Which means you can't force her to perform with you again. Even if you could, it wouldn't be right.

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...

Ken

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However...

Ken

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As long as she hasn't started to hate singing, there's still a chance of her coming back.

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...!

Ken

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That's what I was referring to when I said it's too soon to give up.

Ken

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But given that... There's no telling what's going to happen even if you wait for her to return.

Ken

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That may end up being more painful than giving up on her for good.

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No...

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I've been running circles in my head thinking about how I forced Kohane to help make my dream come true.

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But that day... When I heard her sing...

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I got the feeling that singing also meant a lot to her.

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Which is why I think she hasn't started hating it...

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So, I guess there still is a chance of her coming back, right?

Ken

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It's a “no comment” from me.
I mean, you know your partner the best.

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Thanks, Dad.

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I feel like I know what I need to do now.

The next day

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I'm heading out now, Dad!

Ken

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Alright, stay safe out there.

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I'll be fine! I mean, I'm just going to my usual spot!

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Ken

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She still isn't fully back on her feet, but she seems resolved at least.

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(I know this is a long shot.)

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(By clinging to this, I might end up feeling really disappointed.)

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(I might wait and wait...and come out of this completely empty-handed.)

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(But...)

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(I've made the decision to keep singing here.)

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(In the hopes that I'll get Kohane's attention again!)

♪——————!!

Next Chapter: Back in Harmony