...!

I knew you'd be here...

Huh...?

A-Aunt Nagi...?!

Wh-Why are you here...?

Because I was worried sick about you, An.

B-But... How did you know I was here? I didn't tell anyone...!

After giving it some thought, in these sorts of situations, An, you don't like to rely on others. And when it started to rain, I figured you'd want to go somewhere no one would find you.

Also, remember what you said?
“It'd be kinda fun to go exploring.”

Hehe. What if I told you that I can recall everything you've ever said, An?

Aunt Nagi...!!

You're safe now, An.

I-I-It was so scary, Aunt Nagi...!!

*Sigh*

Hehe. I'm glad to see that you've settled down.

And the rain's starting to let up, so let's go home. I'm sure your father and the others are all very worried...

...!

No!
I'm never ever going home!

Daddy promised that he'd come watch me practice, but he didn't...!

And everyone around town is always hogging Daddy and his team for themselves...!

An...

Th-That's why... I hate Daddy and everyone around here! I'm never ever going home!

...
I understand why you're so angry, An.

Let me start by apologizing to you...
I'm very sorry for not seeing you today and keeping Ken from doing the same...

He actually wanted to be with you very much, An...

...

However, the live house we've been performing at for a very long time ran into some trouble and desperately needed our help...

Ken even kept asking to see if you'd received his message and wondering if he'd made you cry all the way up until we had to take the stage...

Then, his face went completely pale after he heard that you'd run away and dashed off to look for you.

I want you to know that you mean the world to him and he loves you more than anything else.

...

But...
If he cares about me so much, then he wouldn't break his promises, would he...?

He'd choose to be with me, right...?

*Nod*

I guess it just means we care about a lot of things...

What...?

Of course, we care about you the most, An, but...

We also care about this place very much...

...

Why do you, Daddy and Uncle Taiga all care about this city so much...?

Hehe.
That's because...

I've been singing here a lot ever since I was little. Like you, An...

You too, Aunt Nagi?

Yes. Music lovers have been gathering here forever it seems, and they'd always cheer for me, try to give me tips and all sorts of other things... It really bothered me at first...

But I was also able to grow as a singer because of that.

Remember that trick I taught you for singing high notes from your diaphragm? I learned that from someone from this street.

Really?

I had so much trouble with it initially, but I eventually managed to figure it out thanks to everyone's support. They even congratulated me after they learned that I did.

Sometimes different people would try to put me down by saying how bad I was, but I usually did everything I could to prove them wrong like I had a chip on my shoulder.

And I'm standing here today because they were there for me back then.

Oh...

Is that what Daddy meant by what he said...?

Plus, this is where we met Ken. Things weren't easy back then since he and Taiga didn't really get along at first...

Wait, they didn't?

Yes. Strange, right?
They ended up fighting a lot because they had starkly different talents and having contrasting views about artistry.

They used to fight...? Like the rappers we saw the other day?

Haha. Oh, there were definitely times like that.

But everyone around town thought that they were good rivals and helped stop them from fighting. As a result, they began to understand each other better.

Without them, we probably wouldn't be a team right now...

Everyone around town...?

(Daddy and his team decided to join together because of them? That's how they became really cool singers...?)

We care very much about this place because we went through all these things together.

I didn't know...

Not only that, An, you're the apple of everyone's eye around town, no...?

Huh...?

Just think about it. The manager of the live house near your place always cheers you on when you practice, right?

The manager? Oh...

I remember him being so excited about you coming into our world while your mother was still pregnant with you.

He even drove her to the hospital a few times during her pregnancy.

He probably cried the most when you were born too! You should've seen the look on Ken's face!

He did...? I had no idea...

Also, remember when you got lost when you were about three...?

Oh, I don't actually remember...
But I think Mommy and Daddy have mentioned that story to me before...

We looked all over town for you...
Fortunately, this punkish-looking kid with a ton of piercings found and brought you back to us while holding hands with you.

Piercings...? Hang on. Are you talking about the guy from the record store?

Hehe. Correct.
That was your friend from the record store.

And that girl you often see on her way home from work in the morning... She was a real piece of work when she was younger, but one day, you complimented her by saying, “Your nails are so pretty!” After that, she started liking kids.

Now, she's studying and saving up to become a preschool teacher.

She likes her current job, but she says taking care of kids like you, An, is what makes her happy. So, she's working really hard to achieve that goal.

Like me...?

And there's lots and lots more people who really care about you, An.

Which is why, An, we don't want you hating us. At least, that's how I feel...

...

(She's right...
They all go out of their way to talk to me...)

(They show their concern for me and stop by to listen to me sing...)

(They're all really nice to me...)

(Because they're all really nice to me, Daddy and his team want to do the same for them and help them out when they need it...)

(While I...)

An!!

An!!

Huh? Is someone calling my name...?

Hehe. Looks like they're here.

Wait, who's here...?

You'll find out when you get there, so let's go!

Huh...?!

Hey, everyone! Over here!!

What...?!
But it's nighttime! Why are there so many...?!

An...!!

Wah!!

Thank goodness...
I'm so glad you're safe...!

Daddy...

(He's drenched...)

(Was he looking for me in the rain this whole time...?)

I'm sorry for breaking our promise, An. Please, forgive me...

Oh...

(I've never seen this kind of expression on his face before...)

I'm really sorry too, An!
I asked them for their help without knowing that they'd already made plans with you...

I'm sorry as well!
I absolutely regret not finding you sooner...!

Still, thank goodness you're safe!
We were all so worried about you!

Oh, hang on... Where's Taiga?

He went off to get An's mother!
He should be back soon.

Okay, I'm glad they're in the loop...

I need to let my family know as well.
They're probably still out looking for her.

Hi, Mom?
We found An! Yeah, she's safe!

Everyone...

See...?

They all care about you just this much.

(And I...
I ended up saying that I hated them...)

(But they all...)

Everyone...!

I'm really, really sorry for making you all worry so much...!

And...

Thank you for finding me.

I love you all...!

*Sob*
An... Thank you...!

Boss, your face is a mess!
Here, use my handkerchief...

I love you too, An!

Yeah, us too...

Thanks, Nagi...
For finding her... And for everything else. I couldn't be more grateful...

Hehe. You should be thanking An for listening to what I had to say.

Yeah, you're right...

D-Daddy...!

Hm? Yes, An?

Um, so...

I love you and think you're super cool for really caring about everyone around town!

Thank you, An.
Your thoughtful words should keep me going for quite some time.

Hehe. I really worked up an appetite... Oh, Daddy, that curry you always make sounds really good right now!

Then, let's head home.
I hope you're ready for some amazing curry.

Yeah!!