Singing Among the Cherry Blossoms

The next day
Main Street

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1

Ichika

Listen

And... There...
2

Ichika

Listen

(Let's give it one more try...)

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3

Ichika

Listen

(But the crowd's as big as ever.
I can't help but feel a little nervous...)
4

Ichika

♪…………
5

Ichika

Listen

(I still feel like I can't sing...
Is today going to end the same way...?)
6

Ichika

Listen

(With me not getting any closer to Shiho's level...)

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7

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.
8

Kohane

Listen

I'm sure Shiho feels the same way about you. That has to be why she's willing to teach you so much.
9

Ichika

Listen

...!
10

Ichika

Listen

(I have to change.
They won't hear me at this rate...!)
11

Ichika

Listen

(Shiho's already taught me so much, so I need to keep getting better and better!)
12

Ichika

Listen

(I need...!)

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13

Ichika

♪————!　————!!
14

Ichika

Listen

(I need my song to be heard!)
15

Passerby A

Hm? Is someone doing a show?
16

Passerby B

Whoa, listen!
She has an awesome voice!
17

Ichika

Listen

...!
18

Ichika

Listen

(They're all watching...
They're listening to my song.)
19

Ichika

Listen

(Oh no, my hands are starting to shake...)
20

Ichika

Listen

(But I have to...!)
21

Ichika

♪————!　————!　————!!
22

Ichika

Listen

(I want them to hear my song!)
23

Ichika

Listen

(I want everyone passing by to hear my music!)
24

Ichika

♪————!!　————!!
25

Ichika

Listen

(Put everything into the last chorus and verse...!)
26

Ichika

Listen

(Stay focused through the outro and...!)
27

Ichika

♪——...
28

Ichika

Listen

*Huff*... *Huff*...
29

Ichika

Listen

I did it...
30

Ichika

Listen

(My hands are shaking and my legs are so wobbly. I can feel my heart pounding throughout my entire body too. It's so loud...)
31

Ichika

Listen

(But that was fun...)
32

Ichika

Listen

(I never knew it felt so good to sing like this in front of other people...)

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33

Ichika

Listen

Oh...
34

Ichika

Listen

Uh, everyone! Thank you for listening!
35

Passerby

That was a great song!
We should be thanking you!
36

Passerby

So awesome!
Come back soon!
37

Ichika

Listen

*Gasp*... I will!
38

Ichika

Listen

Thank goodness...
39

Ichika

Listen

I'd like to do that again...
A few days later
School SEKAI

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40

Ichika

Listen

Alright, I think we're all ready.
Honami, count us in.
41

Honami

Listen

Okay.
One, two, three, four...
42

Ichika

Listen

...

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43

Ichika

♪————!!　——!!
44

Honami & Saki

Listen

...!
45

Shiho

Listen

Hm...?
46

Ichika

♪——!!　——!!
47

Ichika

♪——...
48

Saki

Listen

Whooaaaa...!
49

Saki

Listen

Ichi, that was amazing!
Like, more amazing than before!

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50

Honami

Listen

She's right! Your voice was so powerful but also beautiful. It felt like I was being immersed in it...!
51

Shiho

Listen

I can't believe you improved this much in so little time.
52

Ichika

Listen

Hehe. Thanks...
53

Miku

Listen

Hehe. Looks like all your hard work is paying off, Ichika.
54

Ichika

Listen

It is.
I have you to thank, Miku.
55

Shiho

Listen

Hard work?
56

Saki

Listen

Were you doing extra sessions with Miku or something? Please, tell us!
57

Miku

Listen

What do you think, Ichika?
Shall we tell them?
58

Ichika

Listen

Hehe. I'll let you decide, Miku.
59

Miku

Listen

Then it'll be our little secret.
60

Saki

Listen

Aww, come on! Ichi's not allowed to hide anything from me...!
61

Shiho

Listen

Settle down, Saki...
62

Honami

Listen

But she really has been getting better and better. I need to do the same and keep practicing.
63

Ichika

Listen

Thank you, Honami.
64

Miku

Listen

It was worth it, huh...?
65

Shiho

Listen

Yeah, I think so. I was about to say that you might even be stage ready.
66

Ichika

Listen

...!
67

Ichika

Listen

Thanks, Shiho. That means so much coming from you...!
68

Shiho

Listen

It does?
69

Ichika

Listen

Yes. My dream is to reach the same level that you want to.
70

Ichika

Listen

I want you to be able to play to your heart's content, so I'll keep trying my best...!
71

Shiho

Listen

Ichika...
72

Shiho

Listen

Thank you...
Next Chapter: What We Took Back