...

I'm sorry, Akito...

Why are you apologizing...?

I just wasn't good enough. If only I sang a little better, you wouldn't have had to hear that.

What are you talking about...?

I'm the one that's holding us back.

No, that's not true.
Akito, you've...

It is true. I know better than anyone else...

Akito...

Even then, it's no reason to mope around like this...

Akito, please stand up.

We always get back up after we're knocked down. It's just what we do.

...

*Sigh*...

Yeah. You're right, Toya.

We kept clawing our way back after every setback and finally made it this far.

There. Feel better?

I never thought that I'd be the one that needed cheering up, especially from you.

We still need to think about what to do during practice tomorrow too. I need to call An and...

(But...)

(Is that really gonna be enough?)

...

Hm?
What's wrong, Akito?

Nothing. I was just thinking...

Let's go. We still got practice tomorrow.

Bye, Akito. See you tomorrow.

Later.

The least interesting, huh...?

(We went through the same thing then and I kept finding ways to get better...)

And I'm not stopping now...

You want to enter an event by yourself?

Akito...

Yeah, this'll be separate from what we do as a team.

We'll keep practicing as a team like always, but I'll duck out when I have to go do a solo event.

Kohane's been doing the same thing, so I thought I could too...

That's true, but...

I don't really mind. Doing solo events can also give you valuable experience.

But if we're not changing how much we practice as a team, when do you plan on doing solo practices?

After team practices. I've already asked for fewer shifts at work, so I can practice at night.

Really? Are you sure about that...?

What do you mean? I can handle it. I should be doing at least this much anyways.

I-If you say so...

Akito, I can help when you do solo practices too...

Having someone see how you're doing might...

No, I'll do that on my own...

Is what you heard yesterday bothering you that much?

This has nothing to do with that. I just need to start practicing even more is all...

But...

What's going on here? Something feels really wrong!

I agree...
Did something happen to you two?

Well...

Last night, we ran into that Tono guy...

We did a battle and lost...

Wait, what?!
Are you serious?!

Like I said, we battled and lost.

We couldn't even come close to his level and...

And...?

Forget it. I just need to do something about this.

I have to keep getting better, so please, I need some time alone...

I promise not to be a bother to any of you.

Akito...

*Sigh*...
Fine, do whatever you like.
I won't stop you.

Yeah, thanks.

For now, I'm gonna head off...

But...
An, are you sure about this?

No, but what else was I supposed to say? I doubt anything I said would've stopped him...

Yes, I don't disagree with you there. Akito can be unbelievably stubborn when he's like this...

But will he be alright...?

We'll just have to wait and see for now. As anxious and restless as he may be right now, he might calm down a little after a while...

Right...

Alright! I'm good to go!

Those other guys have been getting all the attention lately, but that's not gonna stop me... Hm?

A-Akito?!

Oh, it's you...

W-Why are you here?!
Vivid BAD SQUAD isn't supposed to be performing today...

Some stuff happened and it's just me today.

Also, An told me that you went and apologized to her and Kohane, but you still haven't said anything to us...

I, uh... Well...

I feel like I shouldn't say anything until I sort of get back on my feet...

*Sigh*...
Just don't ever do that again, okay?

Anyways, there's something I need to do so...

...?

(It's been a while since I last did a solo event...)

(I've been doing performances with Toya since we joined together, and then came the other two...)

(All in order to surpass RAD WEEKEND...)

I'm not stopping until I do...

We're gonna make it happen...!

♪ ————!　————!

Okay, that should be enough for today!

Alright, I need to get going.
I have to do an event later.

Another one today?
Didn't you just do one?

The more the merrier, right? I can get a ton of experience this way.

...

Seriously, are you okay?
Your legs wobbled just now.

You look really tired, Shinonome.
Are you sure you're okay?

This is nothing...

Oh...

This is bad. Akito's pushing himself too hard. He hasn't been resting at all, has he?

Excuse me.
I need to go...

A-Aoyagi...?!

Hey, where are you going?!
Ugh... Kohane, we gotta go!

R-Right!