That day, the Sky was Far Away

One week later after school
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy JHS - Corridor

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1

Shiho

Listen

(I'm glad it's sunny again today.
Rain would've kept me from going up to the rooftop.)

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2

Shiho

Listen

(Hm...?
It sounds like someone's already up there...)
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy JHS - Rooftop

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3

Shiho

Listen

Is that your acoustic guitar...?
4

???

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Um...
I bought it last week.
5

Shiho

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Last week?
Why all of a sudden?
6

???

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That talk we had the other day...
7

???

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It made me believe that I might not have to feel so alone if I learned to play music.
8

Shiho

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You're lonely...?
9

???

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I'm not sure...
Maybe that's not the right word.
10

???

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The thing is, I've had to switch schools so many times already. I have a hard time getting myself to make new friends since I don't know how long I'll be here...
11

???

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At the same time, it felt like I was spending too much time on my own, so I decided to buy this.
12

Shiho

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I see...
13

???

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Oh, would I be making too much of a racket...?
14

Shiho

Listen

Um...

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15

Shiho

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No, I won't mind...
Feel free to practice as you like.
16

???

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Really?
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
17

Miu

Listen

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself to you...
My name's Miu Takagi, a second-year.
18

Shiho

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I'm Shiho Hinomori.
Also a second-year...
19

Miu

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Nice to meet you, Hinomori.
20

Shiho

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Likewise...
21

Student's Voice

Ichika! Are you heading home now...?
22

Shiho

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...!
23

Ichika

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Uh, yes.
How did club activities go for you today?
24

Student

The seniors are all hyped up for regionals, so they're making us practice extra hard! You should stop by for a change!
25

Ichika

Listen

Me...?!
I-I'd really rather not...
26

Student

Haha! I was kidding!
27

Ichika

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Hehe. You had me going there for a second.
28

Shiho

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...
29

Miu

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Is she your friend...?
30

Shiho

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Not really...
31

Shiho

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Or rather...
We used to be friends.
32

Shiho

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But things are different now.

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33

Miu

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I see...
34

Miu

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Aren't you gonna play your bass...?
35

Shiho

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Huh?
36

Miu

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It's just, you don't seem as lonely whenever you are...
37

Shiho

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That's because...
38

Shiho

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No, you're right.
39

Shiho

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I'll start practicing...

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40

Miu

Listen

Ow, my fingers...
41

Shiho

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You should try using your fingertips more when fretting, especially for chords...
42

Miu

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Oh, you're right. That makes things so much easier. Thanks.
43

Shiho

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Sure thing.

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One month later
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy JHS - Classroom

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44

Student

Class is adjourned!
45

Shiho

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(I think I'll go up again today...)
46

???

Hey! You're Hinomori, right?
The second year?
47

Shiho

Listen

Huh?
And you are...?
48

Light Music Club Member A

We're third-years from the Light Music Club!
49

Shiho

Listen

Light Music Club?
I didn't realize our school had one of those...
50

Light Music Club Member B

We literally just started it.
Our goal's to play during the School Festival.
51

Light Music Club Member C

But our bassist has some conflicts to deal with, so we're looking for someone experienced to replace her...
52

Light Music Club Member A

That's when we heard about you, Hinomori. Wanna try playing bass for us?

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53

Miu

Listen

Oh...
It's already this late. We should head home soon.

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54

Shiho

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...
55

Shiho

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Um...
56

Miu

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Hm?
What's up?
57

Shiho

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Some third-years invited me to play for their band, so you might start seeing less of me up here starting tomorrow.
58

Miu

Listen

Wait, really...?
59

Miu

Listen

That's great. You found a band.
60

Shiho

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I hope it goes well...
61

Miu

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Huh? Did you say something just now?
62

Shiho

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It's nothing...
Bye.

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63

Miu

Listen

Wait, Hinomori...!
64

Shiho

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Yeah...?
65

Miu

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Good luck...
66

Shiho

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Right. Thanks...

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67

Miu

Listen

...

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68

Miu

Listen

I can hear my guitar so clearly when it's just me playing...
69

Miu

Listen

At the same time, everything's so quiet...
The next day

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70

Light Music Club Member A

I can't wait to get started, Hinomori!
71

Shiho

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Same.
I've been looking forward to this.
72

Shiho

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Alright, why don't we jump right in?
We only have three months until the School Festival.
73

Light Music Club Member B

Yeah, you're right.
Let's give it a quick run!
74

Light Music Club Member A

Okay.

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75

Shiho

Listen

(They're pretty good. They might be more experienced than I realized...)
76

Shiho

Listen

(If we really work at it starting now, we should be able to put on a great show for the School Festival...)
77

Light Music Club Member A

Yeah!
You're doing great, Hinomori!
78

Light Music Club Member B

Totally! I can't believe you figured everything out in one go!
79

Shiho

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Th-Thanks.
I'm just glad I didn't disappoint any of you.
80

Light Music Club Member C

I mean, we're pretty much all set now, right? There's not much else to work on...
81

Light Music Club Member A

I know!
What if we started working on another song?
82

Light Music Club Member B

Yeah! Let's do that!
83

Shiho

Listen

Um, I'm sorry but...
84

Light Music Club Member A

Hm?
What's up?
85

Shiho

Listen

I think there's still some room for improvement.
86

Shiho

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I feel like you can make the snare sound a little more dynamic. Also, we might be able to sing and use the keyboard in a way to build up to the chorus better.
87

Shiho

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Would it be alright if we gave that a try?
88

Light Music Club Member A

Yeah, I guess you're right...
89

Light Music Club Member B

Okay, let's give it another shot.
90

Shiho

Listen

Great.
Thanks.
One week later
91

Light Music Club Member A

Sorry! My bad!

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92

Light Music Club Member B

Haha. All good.
Just do better next time!
93

Shiho

Listen

...

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94

Light Music Club Member C

Oh, we should head home soon.
Let's start putting everything away.
95

Light Music Club Member A

Hey, wanna stop by a cafe on our way back? There's this new one that just opened by the station!
96

Light Music Club Member B

Yeah, let's go!
97

Shiho

Listen

Um, can't we practice a little more since we have the time...?
98

Light Music Club Member B

Where? We don't have anywhere to practice.
99

Shiho

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We'll have to walk a little way, but I know this good studio that lets you rent for really cheap...
100

Light Music Club Member A

Yeah... I get what you're trying to say, but breaks are important too, you know?
101

Light Music Club Member C

She's right.
Practicing's important, but all work and no play, am I right?
102

Shiho

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What...?
103

Light Music Club Member A

You should come with us, Hinomori!
What do you say?
104

Shiho

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No thanks...
I'll pass.
105

Light Music Club Member B

You sure?
Alright, I guess we'll see you tomorrow!
106

Light Music Club Member C

Later!
107

Shiho

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...
108

Shiho

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(The only good practice we've had so far was during our first day.)
109

Shiho

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(Even asking them to practice on their own at home got tabled...)
110

Shiho

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(What am I supposed to do in this situation...?)
Next Chapter: A Wish Hidden at Twilight