A Bright Future!!

Ichika's Room
1
Ichika
Go my own way. Say what I feel...
2
Ichika
...
3
Ichika
(I tried to make each phrase sound cool or rhyme well as much as I could until now...)
4
Iori
I think you're putting too much stock into making your lyrics sound cool, novel or whatever, you know?
5
Iori
Honestly, when I'm writing, I could care less about any of those things.
6
Ichika
Oh, really?
7
Iori
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.
8
Iori
I try to find the right words for the best way of expressing my thoughts. That's all.
9
Ichika
(It really just comes down to not having confidence in myself.)
10
Ichika
(But I'm done running now...)
11
Ichika
(I'll be much more direct and write exactly how I feel...)
12
Ichika
...
13
Ichika
Done...
14
Ichika
(This is the message I thought Saki was trying to convey. This is what I felt when I heard her song.)
15
Ichika
(I think I finally got it right.)
16
Ichika
At the same time, it's so embarrassing to think that I actually wrote this...
17
Ichika
It seems so self-absorbed or conceited...
18
Ichika
Wait, I know...
19
Ichika
Miku might be able to help me with this too!
School SEKAI
20
Ichika
Hello...?
21
Ichika
Oh, KAITO!
Is Miku or anyone else here?
22
KAITO
They're in the AV room...
They should be watching that action film that Saki left here the other day...
23
Ichika
I see.
I probably shouldn't interrupt then.
24
Ichika
But what are you doing here, KAITO?
25
KAITO
I was doing some mental rehearsals...
26
Ichika
Oh, okay...
Maybe I should come back later.
27
KAITO
Are you sure...?
28
Ichika
What?
29
KAITO
Isn't there something that you'd like to talk about...?
30
Ichika
Oh...
31
Ichika
Yes, there is. I actually want you to take a look at my lyrics...!
32
Ichika
This is what I have...
33
KAITO
Okay...
34
Ichika
So...
What do you think...?
35
KAITO
...
36
KAITO
Yes, I like it.
37
Ichika
R-Really...?
38
KAITO
It's clear that your friends mean so much to you based on this.
39
KAITO
And these feelings should be amplified quite a bit when sung alongside the actual song.
40
KAITO
At least, that's what I thought...
41
Ichika
Thank goodness...!
42
Ichika
Oh, but... Did I go too far? Were they too plain or simple in any way...?
43
KAITO
They seemed fine.
44
KAITO
How interesting these lyrics sound isn't what's important. How you feel should take priority, Ichika...
45
Ichika
So there's no need to feel embarrassed...
46
Ichika
(Is that what I was trying to tell myself...?)
47
Ichika
(I was wandering in the dark for so long while not knowing what I really wanted to do with myself.)
48
Ichika
(Somewhere along the way, I'd convinced myself that my words wouldn't be able to reach anyone...)
49
Ichika
(But...)
50
Honami
Oh, that's so sweet...!
51
Miku
Yes, it captures the kindness in Ichika's heart so well.
52
Saki
I think I really like this one!
53
Iori
Remember how the three of you wanted to tell Hinomori that you want to make music that can touch people's hearts with her?
54
Iori
And you succeeded with flying colors.
You got through to her, Ichika.
55
Iori
Not only that, you girls managed to reach everyone that was there that day.
56
Ichika
(It's not about my words not reaching anyone. It's about not closing myself off and giving my voice a chance to be heard...)
57
Ichika
(Not just my voice. Our voice.
I want them to hear us as Leo/need...)
58
Ichika
And I have to start by believing in what I say...
The next day
59
Shiho
Oh, Ichika. You're here already?
60
Honami
Does this mean you finished writing your lyrics?
61
Ichika
Yes, I did...!
I'd like it if you all gave them a look.
62
Saki
Oh, I can't wait!
Lemme see♪
63
Ichika
So, what do you think?
I felt much better about these compared to what I had before.
64
Saki
Ichi...
65
Ichika
Y-Yes...?
66
Saki
Out of everything you've written so far, this is my absolute favorite...!
67
Saki
These lyrics are sooo good!
This is exactly what I was trying to convey through my song, Ichi!
68
Ichika
Really?
69
Shiho
Yeah. These get straight to the point and you've made how you feel crystal clear...
70
Honami
Yes, these are really incredible.
71
Honami
I'm happy to see that you feel this way about us, but it's also a little embarrassing...
72
Ichika
Shiho, Honami...
73
Honami
Anyway, since you're done, why don't we do a quick play-through?
74
Honami
I'd love to hear what our song sounds like now that it has words to go along with it.
75
Shiho
Yeah, me too. Ichika, is your guitar all tuned?
76
Ichika
Yes, I'm ready!
77
Saki
Awesome! Lemme go get my synth ready!
78
Ichika
(This was the way to go...)
79
Ichika
I can't wait to sing it.
80
Ichika
Our song... In front of a crowd...!
Next Chapter: The First Step