Live House

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1

Shiho

Listen

I've finished cleaning up the counter. I'll be heading out after I've mopped down the floor.
2

Manager

Ah, good. Thank you.
Nice work.
3

Shiho

Listen

Thank you.
4

Shiho

Listen

(I managed to get a hold of that bassist who's usually here and they even said that they'll see who'd be interested, so that should be a few more tickets...)
5

Shiho

Listen

(But who's left...?
Ideally, we can get people who'd enjoy seeing us perform...)
6

Manager

By the way, Hinomori, how are ticket sales going? It's your first time, so it can't be easy.
7

Shiho

Listen

Oh, um...
I've been selling them by myself because the others in my band are a little busy right now.
8

Manager

What? All by yourself?
9

Shiho

Listen

Yes. It seemed like what's best for our band.
10

Manager

I see...
11

Manager

But I'm sure you've come to realize that it's harder than it looks. Selling all thirty won't be easy.
12

Shiho

Listen

I know...
13

Shiho

Listen

But we've decided to have a new song ready for our next show, so I want them to have time to practice playing it.
14

Shiho

Listen

Which is how I arrived at selling these tickets on my own. I believe it's what is best for my band.
15

Manager

If you say so, Hinomori.
I can't stop you...
16

Manager

But I'd like for you to at least keep this in mind...
17

Shiho

Listen

Yes...?
18

Manager

Bands that make one person carry most of the load usually don't last very long.

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19

Manager

I understand that you have a lot on your plate right now, but if this keeps happening, nothing good is going to come out of it.
20

Manager

It'll probably also start affecting your music.
21

Shiho

Listen

...
22

Manager

I like Leo/need. I like your band's music. I want to keep supporting you and seeing your band grow.
23

Manager

I know that it's none of my business, but I sincerely believe that you should talk to your friends about this. One person shouldn't have to do all this on their own.
24

Shiho

Listen

I understand...
A few days later
School SEKAI

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25

Saki

Listen

Yay! It's done!
26

Rin

Listen

Oh, your second song?! It's finished?!
27

Honami

Listen

Yes, it took much longer than expected, but I think it's become something really special...
28

MEIKO

Listen

That's great! Congratulations, girls!
29

Ichika

Listen

Thank you.
But we still have a lot left to do.
30

Shiho

Listen

Yeah, we're gonna have to play things by ear while we make any adjustments we think are going to be necessary.
31

Saki

Listen

Oh, me next!
32

Saki

Listen

Wanna try playing through it once?
I can't wait much longer...!
33

Shiho

Listen

Sure. Let's get tuned up and do a quick sound check before we start.
34

Ichika, Saki & Honami

Listen

Okay!
Scramble Crossing

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35

Saki

Listen

This is so amazing! I don't know what to do with myself!
36

Honami

Listen

You've had that smile on your face all day, Saki...
37

Ichika

Listen

Hehe. I understand how she feels. I had a lot of fun playing that song together with everyone too.
38

Shiho

Listen

Yeah, me too.
39

Shiho

Listen

...
40

Shiho

Listen

Hey...
41

Ichika

Listen

But some things did give me a bit of trouble, so I'll need to keep an eye on those parts...
42

Saki

Listen

Oh, me too!
I'll make sure to practice my parts so that I'm ready for next time...
43

Shiho

Listen

Oh...
44

Shiho

Listen

Then, why don't we focus on that for next time and try going through it together afterward...?
45

Saki

Listen

Yeah! Thanks, Miss Shiho! You're the best!
46

Ichika

Listen

I'll be sure to keep practicing my parts too.
47

Shiho

Listen

Okay, good.
48

Honami

Listen

...?
49

Honami

Listen

Shiho, are you...?
50

Shiho

Listen

I'm fine, really.
It's nothing.
51

Shiho

Listen

Anyway, I should get going. Bye.
52

Saki

Listen

Bye bye!

Sound Effect: Play

53

Honami

Listen

(Shiho...?)
Honami's Room

Sound Effect: Play

54

Honami

Listen

Okay, I can play this section just fine...
55

Honami

Listen

(Which leaves the leadup to the chorus...
The last time we played this, it really felt like my and Saki's sounds weren't meshing well.)

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56

Honami

Listen

(Maybe I should tone down my drumming to let the synth shine through more since this is such a happy song.)
57

Honami

Listen

I can play that part like this and...

Sound Effect: Play

58

Honami

Listen

Oh, I wonder what was on Shiho's mind today. I could've sworn that she was trying to tell us something...
59

Honami

Listen

I think I'll ask her tomorrow when we discuss our schedule...
The next day
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Courtyard

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60

Honami

Listen

(I couldn't find Shiho at her class or the cafeteria. It looks like she hasn't even read my messages. Where could she be having lunch?)
61

Honami

Listen

(Huh? Is that Shiho over there...?)
62

Shiho

Listen

Yes... Okay...
I see. You have plans that day...
63

Shiho

Listen

No, it's not an issue.
I should be the one apologizing to you.
64

Shiho

Listen

But thank you. I hope things will work out next time...

Sound Effect: Play

65

Shiho

Listen

Another no...
66

Shiho

Listen

What do I do? I still have so many to sell...
67

Honami

Listen

Shiho...?
68

Shiho

Listen

H-Honami...!
69

Honami

Listen

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
Were you on the phone just now?

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70

Shiho

Listen

Yeah, just a quick call...
71

Shiho

Listen

Anyway, what are you doing here?
Were you looking for me?
72

Honami

Listen

Y-Yes...!
I was hoping to check in with you about what we'll be doing for practice next week...
73

Shiho

Listen

Oh, next week?
74

Shiho

Listen

We'll be going through our new song on Sunday, so we're all gonna need to brush up on any parts that were giving us trouble until then.
75

Honami

Listen

Okay, I understand.
76

Honami

Listen

Also, Shiho...?
77

Shiho

Listen

Yeah?
78

Honami

Listen

About that call you just made...
Is everything really okay?
79

Shiho

Listen

Yes, I'm fine...
80

Honami

Listen

Are you sure? You can tell us about anything that's bothering you, okay?
81

Shiho

Listen

Oh...
82

Shiho

Listen

...
83

Honami

Listen

Shiho?
84

Shiho

Listen

Thanks...
But I'm fine, really.
85

Honami

Listen

Huh? But...

Sound Effect: Play

86

Shiho

Listen

Break's almost over...
I'm gonna head back.

Sound Effect: Play

87

Honami

Listen

Wait, Shiho!
88

Honami

Listen

...
89

Honami

Listen

(Shiho... Is everything really okay...?)
Next Chapter: Torn Apart