Yeah, our song's coming along nicely...

That felt so good!

Yes, that was so exciting...!

We're still not quite at your guys' level, Miku, but that did sound pretty good.

Yeah. We're improving so fast probably because we have such a vested interest in it as well.

Especially considering how much editing went into it. As tough as that was, it was totally worth the effort.

Hehe. It's all thanks to Shiho's incredible attention to detail.

I mean, it's sort of like Saki's baby, so I wanted to take good care of it.

Shiho...!

Anyway, we should be ready to play this during our show as long as we keep it up.

But that also leaves...

Right, the lyrics. I'm so sorry...
I'll keep trying as much as I can.

Don't worry, we still have time...

Is it giving you that much trouble, Ichika?

Yes, it kind of is...

I hope it's not because of how I wrote our song. I'd feel awful if that's what's causing your writer's block...!

No, it's nothing like that.

Your song sends a clear message that even if things aren't going great for us right now that it'll get better if we just keep trying.

I want my lyrics to match what you're trying to convey.

But...

Um, Ichika?
How much have you actually written?

Well...
I have a full outline, but I'm still not happy with what I've come up with.

Would you mind if we had a look?

B-But...

Yes, I see.
It may be better to share the load instead of carrying this weight all on your own.

Yeah!
When I was writing that song, I got lots of advice from everyone else!

I really don't know anything about writing lyrics, so my advice might not be that great... But I want to help you, Ichi!

Saki...

I'd like to help as well, Ichika.

Me too.

Okay, I understand...

Um, here it is...

Lost. So lost in total sadness,
but being with you is true happiness.
Someday, we'll find that rainbow...

Oh, you wrote this the other day!

Wow... I didn't know you could write anything like this, Ichika.

Hehe. They're very current.

It's hard to understand what you're trying to say, but I get what you're trying to do...

I knew it...
That's the problem.

It never felt quite right.
These lyrics just don't do Saki's song justice and I don't know how to express her message...

How to express her message, huh...?

Oh, there's more on the previous page...

Yeah, look at that! Hm?

Wait, that's...!

How lost I may be doesn't matter,
I know everything will be all right
as long as we're together...

Oh, that's so sweet...!

Yes, it captures the kindness in Ichika's heart so well.

I think I really like this one!

N-No, we can't use that...!

Why not?

Because it's so direct...
It also makes it seem like I put far too much of my own feelings into these lyrics...

Okay...?
What's wrong with that?

You're the one writing these, so I don't see any problems with you doing that.

Sure, that may be true but...

Yeah, I think I like these lyrics more, you know?

Me too. However, if you're still not satisfied with what you have, you may yet find a better way to express what you're trying to say.

Yeah...

Again, I'm so sorry...
I'll keep trying.

...

Oh, Honami?

(Her eyes are completely locked in on her phone... What could she be doing?)

Hi, Honami.

Eep! H-Hi, Shiho...!

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
I was just wondering what you were doing.

Oh, this...?
I was just listening to a STANDOUT song.

STANDOUT? Why?

Remember how we discussed Ichika's lyrics yesterday?

I was ready to help her by giving whatever advice I could, but in the end, I couldn't since I just don't know enough about writing lyrics...

But I still want to help Ichika. That's why I'm trying to learn as much as I can right now by listening to some music.

I see...

However, it hasn't gotten any easier...

The lyrics Ichika first showed us were nice and all...

But I still like the ones where she just wore her heart on her sleeve much more...

Yet STANDOUT's lyrics are so modern and work with their music so well.

It's so strange how similar lyrics can be presented so differently. I just can't seem to grasp how that happens...

Because there's no right answer when it comes to music...

Some people don't mince words while others can take a much more scenic route.

The main problem is... What does Ichika want to say and how does she want to express that?

But I have no experience writing lyrics, so I doubt that I'll be able to give her any good advice...

That's the worst part...

I couldn't help Saki at all either...
Songwriting's the cornerstone of any band, but I can't contribute to that in any way.

Shiho...

Isn't there anything we can do for her...?