Okay, I'm staying behind to practice with Miku some more.

Great job, everyone!

Yeah!
Thanks, Ichi, Miku!

Don't work too hard, okay?

See you at school.

Right, see you.

Sorry for making you stay, Miku.

No, don't worry about that. There's something you want to talk about, right?

Yes...

Is something wrong? You can talk to me.

...

Um, Miku...
How can I become more confident?

More confident?

Yes.
I've definitely gotten much better at singing lately thanks to all the help I've been getting.

Yes, you have improved quite a bit.

Thank you.
But it still feels like I'm missing something...

Someone else told me that it could be a matter of having confidence in myself, but I don't know how to feel more confident...

Which is why I'm asking you, Miku...

My mind is telling me to just keep practicing, but I feel like there's more to it than just that...

Yes, I see...
You've been doing very well in practice too, Ichika.

If you still feel like something is missing, it may help to actually sing in front of people.

Like in public...?

Yes.

Some people practice their hearts out and even sound great, but can't quite produce the same results when it matters most.

By singing and playing in front of people, you'll naturally become more and more confident in your abilities.

You may be right. We haven't actually played in front of anyone yet, have we...?

But where or when can we do that...?
The School Festival is too far off and...

Then how about a street performance?

Huh?

You're bound to receive a confidence boost by learning to sing in front of complete strangers, no?

Right, there's usually someone performing on Main Street too...

But can I do what they do...?

I'm sure you can.

Miku...

Okay. I'm a little nervous, but I'd like to give it a try...

Thank you, Miku.
I'm glad I asked you.

Hehe. You're welcome.
I'll be rooting for you.

Is this a good spot...?

There's no one performing here today for a change...

(I'm starting to get nervous. What should I do...?)

(No, I'll be fine...
Just sing the way you do during practice and remember what Kusanagi taught you.)

(Miku's cheering me on too.)

(Okay, be brave...)

...

♪……、…………

Huh?

(W-Wait...
Something's wrong. One more time. Just breathe...)

♪——……

♪……

(My voice... I can't sing...!)

(I'm usually much louder than this.
What's happening...?!)

Wait, seriously? That's amazing...!

Hahaha. And my teacher got so mad...

...!

(Right, they're all within earshot of my voice...)

(But what if I start getting weird looks? What if they start laughing...?)

♪…………

(No, I almost feel too scared of playing my guitar too...)

♪……

(I need to get better. I need to keep singing...)

(But...)

♪…………

Hey, remember that place we had lunch at the other day?

Yeah, totally! That place was so good! We have to go again sometime!

♪…………

Ah, thank you so much for calling me back! Oh, yes! It's about that...!

R-Really?! Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to doing more business with you!

♪……

(They're not even laughing, let alone listening...)

(No one cares about my music...)

...

I should stop for today...