Two years ago
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy JHS - Classroom
Shiho's Classmates
Alright, let's have lunch!
Shiho's Classmates
Okay!
Oh, wait... Should we invite Hinomori?
Oh, wait... Should we invite Hinomori?
Shiho's Classmates
No, don't bother.
You never know when she's gonna snap.
You never know when she's gonna snap.
Shiho's Classmates
True. I remember telling her a little joke about some other girls this one time and she told me not to talk about them behind their backs.
Shiho's Classmates
Yeah, totally.
You're talking about Mochizuki and Hoshino, right...?
You're talking about Mochizuki and Hoshino, right...?
Shiho
...
Shiho's Classmates
Wh-What is it...?
Shiho
I wouldn't have lunch with any of you even if you asked...
Shiho's Classmates
What was that?! Who does she think she is...?!
Shiho's Classmates
Ugh! I know, right?!
Shiho
(Just being in that classroom makes my nerves fray...)
Shiho
(People who don't conform are considered outsiders and tossed aside...)
Shiho
(I know I can handle those kinds of situations better, but it's just...)
Shiho's Classmate A
What's the name of that girl who always comes to talk to Hinomori? Hoshino or something? How's she able to put up with Hinomori like that?
Shiho's Classmate B
No idea. However, I heard that they've known each other since they were little... They're alike in a way, you know?
Shiho's Classmate A
Oh, I think I know what you're talking about. They're both pretty blunt and don't care about what happens around them.
Shiho's Classmate B
And they think they're so cool too.
It's like they believe they're too good for any of us...
It's like they believe they're too good for any of us...
Shiho
(No, I can't just ignore them...
They have no right talking about Ichika or anyone else like that...)
They have no right talking about Ichika or anyone else like that...)
Honami's Voice
You want my advice...?
Shiho
(Honami...?!)
Junior
Yes...
There's something that I've been meaning to ask you, Mochizuki. Are you free right now?
There's something that I've been meaning to ask you, Mochizuki. Are you free right now?
Honami
Yes, I am.
Why don't we have lunch together down by the courtyard while we talk?
Why don't we have lunch together down by the courtyard while we talk?
Junior
Th-Thank you so much...!
Shiho
(Another girl from the brass band's asking her for advice. I guess it makes sense. Honami's nice and really reliable...)
Shiho
...
Honami
Alright, let's... Huh?
Shiho?
Shiho?
Shiho
(B-Busted...)
Honami
Ichika told me that you've been acting strange lately. Did something happen? You can always ask me if there's anything that's bothering you...
Shiho
...
Shiho
Leave me alone...
Honami
What...?
Shiho
There's something I need to do...
Bye...
Bye...
Honami
Shiho!
Wait...
Wait...
Shiho
*Sigh*
Shiho
(Honami seemed completely stunned...)
Shiho
(But this is how things need to be...
This way, Honami and Ichika won't have to...)
This way, Honami and Ichika won't have to...)
Ichika
There she is! Shiho!
Shiho
I-Ichika...?!
Ichika
Why did you tell me to leave you alone the other day?
Ichika
You haven't been reading my messages either. Have you been talking to Saki at all?
Shiho
(Saki...)
Shiho
...
Shiho
You know exactly what I meant by what I said...
Shiho
I don't have time to hang out with you or anyone else anymore.
Ichika
What are you talking about...?
Can't you just explain what's going on?
Can't you just explain what's going on?
Shiho
There's nothing to explain, so quit following me.
Shiho
If you do keep doing this, we'll never talk again...
Ichika
Sh-Shiho...!
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy JHS - Rooftop
Shiho
(This is fine...
This is how things need to be...)
This is how things need to be...)
Shiho
(Ichika and Honami are both incredibly nice people. So nice that they don't care how cold I am towards them...)
Shiho
(But that's also why I don't want to cause them any trouble...)
Shiho
(I don't want either of them to suffer because of what I do.)
Shiho
(Because Saki...)
Shiho
(She'll be fine as long as she has them.)
Shiho
(Saki will smile as long as those two are smiling alongside her...)
Shiho
That's what matters most...
Shiho
(I should be practicing playing my bass instead...)
Shiho
(The more time I have to myself, the more time I can spend practicing and playing.)
Shiho
(I have to practice as much as humanly possible if I really am going to become a professional bassist...)
The next day - Lunch break
Shiho
Phew...
Shiho
(It feels so muggy on the rooftop now.)
Shiho
(I wish I could practice in an open classroom, but that's not gonna happen anytime soon.)
Shiho
(I guess I'll just have to move to the shade.)
Shiho
(Here should work.)
Shiho
(Okay, one more time.
This song's pretty hard, but I should be able to play it if I take it one step at a time.)
This song's pretty hard, but I should be able to play it if I take it one step at a time.)
Shiho
(Good...
Just keep it up through the end and...)
Just keep it up through the end and...)
???
Is someone playing an instrument...?
Next Chapter: Meeting Through Music