Sob...

(I just can't catch up to the others...
I still feel so awful about yesterday too...)

(Maybe more practice might help...?)

(But what exactly should I be working on? I don't think I can make progress with just singing practice.)

Sigh... I don't know what to do...

Kohane, let's have lunch together!

Oh no, is something wrong?! You don't look so good... Should we go see the nurse?

Uh, no. I'm fine. I was just thinking about something, and forgot it was lunchtime.

Kohane, if there's something on your mind, you can tell me. I can't promise I'll be of much help but...

If there's anything I can do, I will! I want to help you, Kohane!

Thanks, Minori...

Maybe I should get it off my chest.
You see, yesterday...

I keep thinking that if I wasn't so inexperienced, we would've done well at this event.

I see...

I have thoughts like that too from time to time, Kohane...

You do?

Well, you know that I'm in an idol group, right?

I'm the only one with no experience in the business.

I kept failing auditions, and I'm not all that good at singing or dancing. I feel like a fifth wheel sometimes.

That must be very difficult for you...

So I get anxious, thinking I have to do better.
Just like you, Kohane.

But I try to stay optimistic and no matter how many times I fail, I believe that tomorrow will be a better day.

That's something Haruka told you, isn't it?

Yes, and I've taken her words to heart!

They motivate me to keep working on my singing and dancing, to believe that I'll see a difference tomorrow!

That today's efforts will pave the way to a better future!

Today's efforts will pave the way to a better future...

Yeah! I have Haruka, Airi and Shizuku giving me pointers for my practice.

It's more fun and I think I'm also making better progress with the more experienced members tutoring me, instead of trying to get better on my own.

Right... It makes sense that people who've been doing this for a long time know the best ways to practice.

Exactly. We're still rookies, but we have other group members that we can rely on.

So let's keep asking them for advice!
We just have to keep trying our best!

Haha, I don't know if that sounded really cool or really cheesy!

It wasn't cheesy at all! Thank you, Minori!
I see the light at the end of the tunnel now!

Hehehe, I'm happy to hear that!
Oh, wait...!

I have some fried chicken in my lunch box today. I'll give you a piece!

Wait, why?

My mom's fried chicken has the power to cheer people up! I also have some eggs and potato salad if you'd like.

We both need to eat so we can keep trying more!

You don't have to give me so much!
You won't have any left to eat yourself!

But thank you, Minori...

(Should I ask my group members what I need to work on? But I've been such a bother to them so much already...)

...

Hey, Toya.

...

HEY!

Huh...? What is it, Akito?

It's lunchtime. You're getting anything to eat?

Oh, sorry... I was lost in my thoughts.

Is it about Shiraishi and Azusawa?

Yes. I was wondering how I could help.

Shiraishi seemed really shaken the other day.

Shaken?
That girl is not that fragile.

If she couldn't deal with a bit of reality, she wouldn't have created this group.

...

What's that look supposed to mean?

Nothing. You really believe in her, huh?

Would I team up with someone I didn't believe in?

You can't work as a team if you don't believe in one another. Even more so if you're partners.

She'll get over this and figure out what she has to do.

I suppose you're right...