Main Street
1

Ichika

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2

Ichika

Listen

Th-Thank you very much...!

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Ichika

Listen

(*Sigh*
I can't get into a good rhythm...)
4

Ichika

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(My voice just isn't there.
That's probably why so few people are stopping to listen too.)
5

Ichika

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(Trying to sing while something's on my mind really isn't good, is it...?)
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Ichika

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But...

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7

Ichika

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Huh...?
8

Ichika

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I-Iori...?!

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9

Iori

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Long time no see. Ichika, right?
Fancy seeing you here.
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Ichika

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Y-Yes, well...
I didn't realize you were here.
Thank you...
11

Iori

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Yeah, I was sort of in the neighborhood.
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Iori

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But I'm a little disappointed...
13

Ichika

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Huh...?
14

Iori

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Compared to when I saw you the other day, your voice lacked power.
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Iori

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When you opened for our show that time, you did everything you could to make sure everybody knew how you felt through your song.
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Iori

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But your performance just now...
I mean, it's like you were lost or something. As if you're not sure about what to do next, you know...?
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Ichika

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Oh...
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Iori

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Looks like I was right...
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Iori

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Are you free after this?
I'd like to chat a little.
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Ichika

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Huh...?
Cafe

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21

Shop Clerk

Welcome. What can I get you?
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Iori

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Not sure. Any recommendations?
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Shop Clerk

In that case, would you like to try our cold-brewed iced coffee? It has a very fruity aroma to it.
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Iori

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That sounds nice. Then, I'll have one of those.
25

Shop Clerk

Of course. Thank you very much.
And what would you like...?
26

Ichika

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Um, I'll have the same...
27

Shop Clerk

Two cold-brewed iced coffees.
Just give me one moment.

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28

Iori

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Hehe. Strange, isn't it?
Us sitting together at a cafe like this...
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Ichika

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Yes, it is. I'm starting to tense up a little...
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Iori

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Relax, will you?
All that stress is gonna make you clam up.
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Iori

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Anyway, is something going on...?
I'd like to help if I can.
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Ichika

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Oh...
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Ichika

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Thank you.
Actually...
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Ichika

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As a result, I haven't really been able to write lyrics that does her song justice...
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Iori

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I see.
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Iori

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That's a pretty tough one. It really is hard to find the right words, sometimes.
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Ichika

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Huh...?
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Ichika

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You find it hard sometimes too?
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Iori

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Of course.
I have my own system for writing lyrics now, but it was rough when I was just starting out.
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Iori

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I listen to all these songs by so many different artists to learn how they expressed themselves and tried copying them...
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Iori

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But when I realized that I should just go my own way, everything became so much easier.
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Ichika

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Go my own way...?
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Ichika

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Um... Would you mind showing me how you go about writing lyrics, Iori?
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Ichika

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I still don't really know what my way is, which is clearly why I'm having so much trouble right now...
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Iori

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Sure...
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Iori

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This is just me talking, but I try to come up with the best way for me to get my thoughts across through any particular song.
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Iori

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Some people do that in a pretty circuitous manner, but I try to just say what I'm feeling.
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Ichika

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That means you're able to say what you really want through your songs...
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Ichika

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That's so cool...
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Iori

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...?
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Ichika

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I've been listening to STANDOUT songs quite a bit, and I keep thinking that it's so cool how all of your lyrics, even when you throw in some clever twists, fit their respective songs so well.
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Ichika

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I wish I could write lyrics the way you do, but I just can't. I don't know how to express my thoughts.
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Iori

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Hey, can I ask you this...?
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Iori

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You just said that you wish you could write lyrics the way I do... Why's that?
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Ichika

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Wh-Why...?
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Ichika

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Because they sound so cool.
I could listen to them over and over again...
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Iori

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I see...
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Iori

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That might be what's causing all this, Ichika.
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Ichika

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Huh...?

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Iori

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I think you're putting too much stock into making your lyrics sound cool, novel or whatever, you know?
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Iori

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Honestly, when I'm writing, I could care less about any of those things.
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Ichika

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Oh, really?
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Iori

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Yeah, really. I mean, sure, some of the stuff I write comes out a little vague, but they're written that way because that's what I felt was best.
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Iori

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I try to find the right words for the best way of expressing my thoughts. That's all.
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Ichika

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The best way to express my thoughts...
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Iori

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Essentially, I'd rather choose words that get my point across instead of anything that sounds cool.
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Iori

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Because what I absolutely don't want is for people to not understand what I'm trying to say by using some fluffy words.
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Ichika

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...

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69

Shiho

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

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

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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...
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Ichika

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I do actually want to go with lyrics that take a more direct approach...
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Ichika

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But for some reason, it doesn't feel quite right...
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Iori

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Why's that?
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Ichika

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Because it's so plain and simple...
I feel like it won't do my friend's song justice if I go with something like that.
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Iori

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Really? I actually believe otherwise.
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Ichika

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Huh...?
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Iori

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Remember when you girls opened for us?
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Iori

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Remember how the three of you wanted to tell Hinomori that you want to make music that can touch people's hearts with her?
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Iori

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And you succeeded with flying colors.
You got through to her, Ichika.
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Iori

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Not only that, you girls managed to reach everyone that was there that day.
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Iori

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So that direct approach you were talking about might be the best way to go, you know...?
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Ichika

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Oh...

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Iori

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You should have more faith in yourself, Ichika, because I genuinely believe that you girls have the power to really move people.
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Iori

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So try to find the right words, okay? Your words.
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Ichika

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Iori...
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Ichika

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Okay, I will. Thank you so much!
Next Chapter: Don't Be Embarrassed