I'm so sorry, you guys...!

I said I'd get Kohane back on track if anything happened, but I failed...

It's my fault we messed up that song...

No, I slipped up too...

I was too focused on working the crowd and missed my chance to back up Azusawa.

Who'd have thought we'd screw up like that...

Sigh... Just gotta make sure everything goes like clockwork next time.

No, you're all wrong...
It was all my fault.

I couldn't keep up and ended up throwing you off all your parts.

No! Don't blame yourself, Kohane! That was your first battle event and I should've done more to help you.

No, you did all you could.
It was going so well... I'm really sorry, everyone.

I, um... I'll get us all something to drink.

Kohane, wait...!

...

It's my fault...
I should've helped her...

I failed as her partner... I couldn't protect her...

Protect her...?

What do you mean by that?

Huh?

I mean, she's my partner... And I wanted to guide her so that she could sing without worrying...

I see.

I knew something was up. Now I get why what you said the other day didn't vibe with me.

You don't think of Kohane as one of the team.

What...? Where's that coming from...?

You feel like you have to protect her...
Look after her.

Akito, wait...

During our rehearsal, you talked about covering for her and getting her back on track, and thought that you were just trying to be helpful.

But what you really meant was that you saw her as someone who can't be one of us without your special help.

You don't see Kohane as a full-fledged member of our squad.

Well...

If you think you need to look after her, it means she's a helpless dependent in your eyes.

Oh...

N-No.... But... That would mean that ever since we started this group, I wasn't being fair to her...

The last group should be done by now.
Let's go back...

Yeah...

...

Was I not treating Kohane as an equal...?

I kept telling her to be confident... That I'd cover for her as if she couldn't have done it without me...

I... I have to apologize to her...

I have to tell her that I realized my mistake...!