The next day
Crase Cafe
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Toya
Yes, they are... As much as I'd like to help, we may just end up getting in the way because of all these things. We may want to do something else and wait until things settle down...
KAITO
I was! They said that I could sit back and relax after I got all of my DJ equipment set up!
An
Yeah, about that...
Things haven't been going like we imagined and wanted to ask you guys for some advice.
Things haven't been going like we imagined and wanted to ask you guys for some advice.
Kohane
Everyone we got on board's really good, so we should be ready to go forward with our event...
Akito
Yeah.
I know we're not gonna recreate it right off the bat, but we're so far from it... No hints as to what to do either...
I know we're not gonna recreate it right off the bat, but we're so far from it... No hints as to what to do either...
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Toya
Yes. I noticed you looking his way a few times, so I began to wonder if something was on your mind.
Akito
He takes our practices seriously, but he's suddenly left a few times already and it always seems like there's something bothering him...
Toya
Compared to before, the current Tono seems less focused... Almost like he's always looking somewhere else...
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KAITO
All of you, especially Akito, seem to have a lot on your minds, so I thought I'd make you some pancakes a la mode to help you relax a little! They say your brain needs sugar to keep going, right?
KAITO
Of course I can!
I'm actually pretty good at it too. I'm even right behind MEIKO in terms of brewing coffee!
I'm actually pretty good at it too. I'm even right behind MEIKO in terms of brewing coffee!
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KAITO
Haha. All good!
It probably doesn't help that I was caught red-handed once eating Rin and everyone else's ice cream...
It probably doesn't help that I was caught red-handed once eating Rin and everyone else's ice cream...
KAITO
Oh...
This situation could also apply to that Tono person you were talking about earlier.
This situation could also apply to that Tono person you were talking about earlier.
KAITO
How you may be getting the wrong idea. Based on what I heard just now, their resolve seems fairly strong on top of being very talented...
KAITO
All the while they may have a lot on their mind, like you guys. What if something's really bothering them?
Toya
Yes, that could be the case.
As talented as Tono is, he's not exactly a perfect human being.
As talented as Tono is, he's not exactly a perfect human being.
Kohane
Do you think this has anything to do with why he hasn't been in many events lately?
KAITO
Once you reach an understanding... Yes, you'll all surely become a delicious batch of pancakes!
KAITO
That's right!
You aren't guaranteed to end up with delicious pancakes just because you gathered up some good ingredients!
You aren't guaranteed to end up with delicious pancakes just because you gathered up some good ingredients!
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KAITO
You have to mix the batter well and cook them right to get them to be nice and fluffy.
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KAITO
I believe events are no different. It can only become good after you've all mixed together and reach an understanding with one another.
Toya
We were convinced that we'd have to essentially compete against each other. It never crossed our minds to try and reach any sort of understanding.
An
Now that you mention it, understanding one another would make it easier for us to all work together. That's the same for basketball or any other team sport!
KAITO
Exactly!
That's why I think it'd be good for all of you to get to know this Tono person and the other performers better.
That's why I think it'd be good for all of you to get to know this Tono person and the other performers better.
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KAITO
They were actually supposed to look much fluffier, but I just couldn't get them to rise more...
KAITO
Oh, that reminds me. MEIKO said how mixing the batter overzealously will prevent them from becoming nice and fluffy.
Scramble Crossing
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Akito
Yeah... Anyway, we really gotta get moving starting tomorrow. We need to find a way to get on the same page as Tono, as well as Mita, Okazaki and the others.
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KAITO
I believe events are no different. It can only become good after you've all mixed together and reach an understanding with one another.
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Arata
The truth is, I was about to go visit my partner at the hospital just over that way.
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Akito
In a different city? So you're not performing together? Don't they want to surpass RAD WEEKEND too?
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Arata
Well, they lived, but some parts of their body became paralyzed. Singing was no longer really possible.
Akito
Wait, the hospital just over there...?
What happened to them being somewhere far away?
What happened to them being somewhere far away?
Arata
Originally, he was.
But he was desperate to come back and started feeling a little better recently, so he got permission to transfer.
But he was desperate to come back and started feeling a little better recently, so he got permission to transfer.
Arata
Yes. After discussing the matter at length and realizing that his parents would be too busy with work, I decided to help him with the transfer process.
Arata
He loves listening to music by everyone from Vivid Street. He's starting to get bored of me going on about myself, so I'd like it if you could tell him some fun stories.
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Next Chapter: Arata and His Partner