Scramble Crossing

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Ichika

Listen

*Sigh*...
2

Ichika

Listen

(I couldn't even get through one song...)
3

Ichika

Listen

(How is it that those other people can perform out there the way they do?)
4

Ichika

Listen

(Shiho's been playing in front of complete strangers for some time now too...)
5

Ichika

Listen

(I thought that I'd gotten better after working with Kusanagi, but I'm still nowhere near Shiho's level...)
6

Ichika

Listen

(If I don't find a way to get better, at this rate...)
7

Ichika

Listen

Hm...?
8

???

————♪ ——♪
9

Ichika

Listen

Oh... It's a Miku song.
10

Ichika

Listen

Such a cute but beautiful voice too...
I wonder who's singing...
11

Kohane

——♪ ————♪

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

12

Ichika

Listen

Huh...?
Wait, is that Azusawa?
13

Ichika

Listen

(Isn't she in Shiho's class...?
She seems like the shy type but...)
14

Kohane

————♪ ——♪
15

Ichika

Listen

(She's singing in a fairly crowded place too...)
16

Ichika

Listen

(She looks so confident and isn't hesitating at all.)
17

Ichika

Listen

(Also...)
18

Passerby A

Whoa, she's an awesome singer!
19

Passerby B

I've seen her here and there lately.
I think she sings at events and stuff too.
20

Passerby A

Really? Might be worth checking out!
21

Ichika

Listen

(All these people passing by are stopping to watch her sing. They all just completely captivated by her voice.)
22

Ichika

Listen

She's incredible...
23

Kohane

Listen

Phew...
24

Kohane

Listen

Oh, right!
Everybody, thank you for listening!

Sound Effect: Play

25

Passerby A

That was great!
Please come sing for us again!
26

Kohane

Listen

I will!
Bye, for now...
27

Ichika

Listen

A-Azusawa...!
28

Kohane

Listen

Huh? Oh, um... Hoshino?
You're Shiho's friend, right?
29

Ichika

Listen

Yes, I'm sorry for bothering you like this.

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

30

Ichika

Listen

Azusawa, I was blown away by the way you sang just now...
31

Kohane

Listen

Thank you.
Hehe. You're making me blush a little.
32

Ichika

Listen

But you were so incredible, and looked so confident.
Do you always perform here?
33

Kohane

Listen

I do. Well, I just started doing this, so I can't say "always" or anything.
34

Ichika

Listen

Wait, really?
35

Kohane

Listen

Yeah. I usually sing as part of a group, but I'm also the one with the least experience...
36

Kohane

Listen

Everyone else either already has musical experience or has been doing this for years, so they're much better than I am.
37

Kohane

Listen

But I'm doing everything I can to catch up to them, which is why I'm singing in public or joining events by myself.
38

Ichika

Listen

Wow...
39

Ichika

Listen

That's so amazing, Azusawa. I can't say enough about your drive and initiative...
40

Kohane

Listen

Hehe. I have a dream that I want to come true so...
41

Ichika

Listen

A dream?
42

Kohane

Listen

Yes. My friend, the one that's in my group, wants to put on a really big event.
43

Kohane

Listen

An event so big, it gets everyone watching... No, everybody involved happy and excited to be there.
44

Kohane

Listen

For now, I have to do what I can to catch up to everyone, but we definitely will someday...!
45

Ichika

Listen

That's great...!
46

Kohane

Listen

Speaking of which, aren't you in a band with Shiho?
47

Ichika

Listen

I am, but we're also just starting out. Except Shiho. She's been playing bass since she was in elementary school, so she's very good now.
48

Ichika

Listen

She's so focused when it comes to music and even wants to become a professional musician.
49

Kohane

Listen

A pro? That's so cool!
Do you want to be a pro too, Hoshino?
50

Ichika

Listen

No, there's no way I can ever be that good. There are just so many great musicians out there too.
51

Ichika

Listen

But I want to help make Shiho's dream come true...
52

Kohane

Listen

Shiho's?
53

Ichika

Listen

Yes. Even if it's not entirely possible for me to become one, I can at least help her get close to the level she wants to achieve.
54

Ichika

Listen

She's always teaching me so much, and I've been taking away from her own practice time...
55

Ichika

Listen

That's why I want to get better. Then I can help her play to her heart's content.
56

Kohane

Listen

That's wonderful! Your dream sounds so nice too, Hoshino...!
57

Ichika

Listen

I'm not sure that I'd call it a dream, but I'd be happy if it came true.
58

Ichika

Listen

But...
59

Kohane

Listen

Hoshino? Is something wrong...?
60

Ichika

Listen

Actually, I haven't been feeling all that confident lately, and even tried to perform in public for the first time...
61

Ichika

Listen

I wasn't really able to play anything...
62

Kohane

Listen

Oh...
63

Ichika

Listen

I was so scared that my voice would sound weird and ended up not being able to sing at all...
64

Ichika

Listen

I couldn't even make it through one song...
65

Kohane

Listen

I see...
66

Kohane

Listen

Then you're just like me.
67

Ichika

Listen

Huh?
68

Kohane

Listen

In the beginning, I made a lot of mistakes, had equipment issues and felt like nothing was ever going to go well.
69

Kohane

Listen

But my teammates all came together and told me that they believe in me.
70

Kohane

Listen

So to make sure that I don't disappoint them, and to catch up to them, I'm practicing as much as I can.
71

Kohane

Listen

I'm sure Shiho feels the same way about you, Hoshino. That has to be why she's willing to teach you so much.
72

Ichika

Listen

Oh...

Sound Effect: Play

73

Shiho

Listen

Quit apologizing and let's practice.
74

Shiho

Listen

I do want to get better, but together... With all of you.
75

Ichika

Listen

You're right...
She did say that!
76

Ichika

Listen

If I'm going to actually help make her dream come true, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and stand back up.
77

Ichika

Listen

Thank you so much, Azusawa.
I'll keep doing what I can.
78

Kohane

Listen

Hehe. You're welcome.
I'm glad I could help.
Next Chapter: Very First Applause