“It's okay because we're together now”...

“Things might seem hard now, but things will be much better since you have a fun future ahead of you”... Yeah, this is what I was looking for...!

It's so much better than what I had yesterday! Alright...!

Huh...?

This still isn't what I was hoping for... Why is that...?

Even after I worked in how lonely I felt back then and how I'm trying to say, “It's gonna be okay,” to my old self...

What should I do? At this rate...

*Sigh*
Maybe I just don't have what it takes to write a song that resonates with that crowd...

No, I can't give up...
I can't stop here!

I have to keep going. I have to keep trying. I have to write a song that really hits home with them...

Alright, one more time...!

...

(This isn't right either...)

(I've written so many now...
But it's obvious that no one will think much of them.)

(I mean, I don't even think they're good...)

(They feel so superficial...
Like I'm just tracing over something.)

(Why is that?
I have a clear picture in my head...)

What am I supposed to do...?

Man, milk after practicing really is the best!

I agree. The rolls Saki brought over for us are delicious as well...

Oh, I might try some next time.
She even said that she'd bring something different over.

That reminds me. It's been a while since Saki and the girls did that show. How do you think it went...?

I haven't heard anything, so I can't say...

Maybe there's nothing to talk about because it went well? I also wanna hear more about Saki's new song, so maybe we can ask them later about all that.

That sounds good...

Anyway, break time's over!
We gotta keep practicing so we don't get left behind!

W-Wait, I'm still eating...

Oh, it's you two...

Hm?

Oh, hey, Saki!

I didn't notice at all.

Oh, sorry... Did I interrupt your meal?

It's okay...
We're just about finished.

Actually, we were wondering how that show you were talking about went.

Oh, okay...

Hm...?
Is it just me, or do you seem kinda tired, Saki?

Yeah...
A lot happened and...

Hmm... I see...

You have a good idea of what you want to do but can't seem to turn it into music...

Yeah...
I don't understand why I can't make my ideas a reality even though I know exactly what I want to do...

Yes, that's a tough one.
I'm not sure what to say either...

Hmm...

Can I ask you a question?
What sort of image do you have in your head right now, Saki?

So, I'm trying to write a song that tells people who are feeling lonely that things will be okay... I'm also trying to write it in a way that reaches the old me.

Which is why I've been thinking a lot about what I felt back then...

What you felt back then...?

So, I...

Oh...

You don't have to tell us if you feel uncomfortable. It's not like we're here to interrogate you or anything.

No, it's not that I feel uncomfortable...!
It's just... It's not exactly a happy story, you know?

It's about when I was in the hospital and felt really lonely because I couldn't see anyone...

When you were in the hospital...?

If you have such a clear picture in your mind, I figure you'd be able to let your feelings flow forth and write a really good song...

Since we're on the topic, Saki, mind letting us hear your song? Maybe we can pick up some clues from it...

Yeah, good idea...!
I'll try playing it for you guys.

S-So, how was it...?

Your song definitely seems to cover what you mentioned just now, Saki.

Yes, I thought the same...

But how do I put this...?
We weren't getting the full scope of your feelings.

The full scope...?

Your story about when you were in the hospital was full of all these details, but your song seemed to be missing something...

This is just my guess...
But you might want to open up more about what you felt, maybe?

Like... How you really felt back then?

How I really felt...?

Yeah. I'm wondering if you're not able to really express yourself because you haven't quite found the right answer yet.

For example, there could be something you're not remembering.

Something I'm not remembering...?

Hmm... Am I forgetting something...?

I hated getting tested because it always hurt so much, and I felt really jealous when I saw those girls around my age having fun talking...

Also...

(Wait...
What else happened?)

(That's so weird...
More definitely happened...)

Did that remind you of anything?

I can't remember exactly...
My memory's kinda cloudy...

But you might be right, Len.
There could be something that I'm not remembering.

Then, you might want to keep digging.

By doing so, you might be able to figure out a way to write a song that really resonates with the people you were talking about.

Yeah...

You're right.
I'll try giving this some more thought!

I hope you figure it out.

Same!
And thank you too, KAITO!

I'll see you two later!

Okay, good luck!

...