♪————

<*Nod*
This really is a wonderful song...>

<All that's left is to hear what the others have to say after they listen to it today.>

R-Right...

<Are you nervous, Ichika?>

O-Of course I am.
This is the first actual song I've written.

Also, Saki always writes these amazing songs for us, so I'm worried that it's going to pale in comparison...

<I don't think you have anything to worry about. Music isn't about comparing yourself to others.>

<Listening to your song, Ichika, I got a clear sense of what sort of message you were trying to send. So, I think it's fine the way it is...>

Miku...

Thank goodness. I'm so glad I asked you to join me today, Miku. It's like the first time I showed everyone my lyrics. I'm so nervous...

Whoa! It's already this late?!
Sorry for making you help me with that stuff!

Oh...

<Sounds like they're here.
Good luck, Ichika...>

Ichi! Sorry for being so late!
The teacher asked me to do some stuff and...!

H-Hello, everyone.

Hm?
Miku's here too?

<We were having a little chat.>

You were? About what?

Oh... U-Uhh...

S-So... There's something I need to ask all of you...

*Gasp*
Does this mean...?

Huh?! What's going on?!
Oh, is this about the new pancake place that just opened up near school?! I've been thinking we should check it out, too!

I seriously doubt it, Saki, so please be quiet for a bit.

H-Haha... The thing is... Um...

I wrote my own song, and I want you all to listen to it.

Your own song...?

You wrote one, Ichika?

Yeah...

What?!
Ichi, you wrote a song?!

That's so awesome!
I had no idea that you were working on one! I really wanna hear it!

I see. It's finally done...
I'm so happy for you, Ichika!

Wait, Hona, you knew...?

Oh, um... Yes...
I happened to walk in on Ichika working on it...

What?!
Why didn't you tell us?!

Please don't blame her.
I wanted to have you all listen to it when it was complete, so I asked her to keep it a secret until then.

<Hehe...>

Wait a sec... That giggle...
Miku, you knew too, didn't you?

<Yes, I did. However, I only heard about it yesterday.>

No fair! No fair!
Lemme listen to it!

I'd like to hear your song as well, Ichika.

O-Of course. That's why I brought it up. I am a little nervous... But I want to hear your honest opinions.

So... I'll play it now.

Oh wow...

This song's super duper amazingly good! How do I put it...?

It's so you, Ichi!
There's so much warmth... And so much kindness in the lyrics. It's like you're saying you'll be there when I really need you.

Yeah, it's like I'm being wrapped in a warm blanket... And I really like how it captures you so well, Ichika.

Thanks, you two...!

<I didn't realize that's how you saw her, Shiho.>

H-Hey, I was just trying to give my impression, that's all.

Miku's voice is also really beautiful.
It goes so well with the song... Actually, Ichika, this Miku kind of reminds me of you.

Wait, Miku...reminds you of me...?

Yes, it's like...
Your feelings and her feelings have become one, you know?

Just through Miku's voice, you make it clear that you care about her very much.

R-Right...

Thank you...

Hey, but you sorta just made this for fun, right, Ichi...?

I was thinking I kinda wanna play it as Leo/need.
How would you feel about that?

...!

I'd like to play it as well.
I was really wondering how it'd sound if we did.

You had that in mind when you wrote it, didn't you Ichika? I mean, it uses the same instruments we do, and your message... It all feels like Leo/need.

Yes, Shiho. That's right...

That means...!

If you're all okay with it...
I'd like for us to play this song as Leo/need.

Of course we're okay with it!
I mean, Ichi, it's your debut as a songwriter♪

Oh, I have a suggestion regarding that...

For this song, why don't we have a video of us playing it and a separate one using this Miku version?

The way she sings it is so beautiful that I feel like it'd be a waste to not include her somehow.

So, two videos...?
One of us performing and another of Miku singing?

I think that'd be great!
I personally really love Miku videos. I watch them all the time!

Yeah, also...

Plenty of other people like Miku, so we may be able to reach more people by making a video with her in it.

Miku's voice is going to help my song reach all those people...?

(Miku...)

Right...

I want it to reach as many people as possible too.

Our song... With Miku!

*Sigh*
I come all the way out to a live house when I'm supposed to have the day off, and... Another swing and a miss.

To be fair, it's not exactly easy to find a diamond in the rough. In terms of that...

That show was something else.

But there's no information out there about that band. I figured that high school kids would be posting videos and stuff online, but...

When I checked after the show, they didn't even seem to have any channels set up... Hm?

Wait, this is...!

Four subscribers... So, the four of them? Did they just set up this channel?

Hey, they even posted a Miku song...

Leo/need...
Seems I'll need to keep an eye on them.