I'll be going now.

Ah, Shinonome, see you next time.

Thank you. See you then.

I did okay during today's event, but I'm still nowhere near the level of RAD WEEKEND...

(I've learned to sing high notes better and how to get the crowd going.)

(Still, I need to keep practicing...)

(I have to run more to make sure I have stamina for the second half, and...)

Hey, look! It's him...!

I told you about him before. He's Akito Shinonome.

(Geez, they're all here...)

Yeah, I remember. You said you're gonna surpass RAD WEEKEND or whatever, right?

Talk about a pipe dream.
There's no way someone like you is ever going to do that.

I don't care who says what to me, and I know that it's not gonna be easy.

Just watch. I'll overtake wimps like you who put down everyone around them because they don't want to aim higher.

Oh? You being serious...?

Huh? Of course I am.

If you're willing to say that much, then come perform at the event at Crawl Green next week.

Crawl Green...?
Isn't that where RADder debuted...?!

Yeah, and we've got some serious players lined up. We decided to invite you since you've been showing some signs of improvement lately.

You're gonna surpass RAD WEEKEND, right? If so, this event should be a piece of cake for you. Don't tell us that you're gonna turn tail and run?

...!
I...

(I know better than anyone what I'm capable of...)

(So, I know full well that I'm not ready to perform there yet. But...)

Alright, I accept.

(I'm sick of running...)

(I've made my decision. I'm devoting my life to music!)

♪——————! ————!

(No, what am I doing?
I need to sing louder!)

♪——————!! ——~~~!

(No, my voice is so shaky...
This is the best part of the chorus. I have to nail it...!)

(I don't have much time left until the show next week... At the place where RADder began...)

(I've been wanting to play there forever! I have to put on the best performance I possibly can!)

(I don't care if it takes up all of my time. I'm going to do everything I can for it...!)

♪——————!!

♪————, ——!

Huff... Huff... *Cough*
No, I'm starting to lose my voice... What am I doing? This won't be enough...!

(Seriously...)

(Who do they think they are saying all these things about me... Argh...!)

♪————!! ————!!

*Sigh*
No! Why can't I get it right?!

(Isn't that KEN's daughter...?)

♪——! ——! ————!!

Okay, that was better than before...
But I need to find a way to sing with more power.

(It's getting pretty late, but she's still practicing...)

(No, it's not just her...
A lot of other people are still singing, and they all look really serious...)

It's not just me...

(They're all struggling and doing everything they can to get better.)

Which means I need to keep trying...

You really came.
We honestly thought you'd bail.

I'm not running from this...

Then, you're up at 4:00 p.m.

Since you're here, you should see the others' performances. It should give you a taste of what you're up against.

I still have a lot of time until it's my turn...

I'll probably go stir-crazy if I stay backstage, so maybe I should see some of their performances...

Whoa, they've got the crowd going totally wild...

♪——, ——!! ————!!

Those guys have been performing everywhere lately. Didn't they headline a different event just the other day?

But they're nothing special in the eyes of this place. If only some real talent could show up.

(You've gotta be kidding me. They're not good enough...?!)

(So this is Crawl Green...
The venue where RADder began...)

♪————! ——! ——!!

They're all on a totally different level...

It'll be my turn in fifteen minutes...

(In fifteen minutes...)

(Come on. I don't have time to feel scared. I practiced a ton for this, didn't I...?!)

(And I get that it's way too soon for me to be performing here.)

(But none of that matters now.
I just have to give it everything I have...)

Next is... Akito Shinonome. Is that you?

Y-Yes...

You're still in junior high?
That's incredible. And you're already performing here?

I only heard this just a second ago, but you filled in for someone who couldn't make it today?

(Oh, so that's what happened...)

This is your mic.
We'll be looking forward to your performance.

Thank you...

(I can't get a good grip. My fingers are shaking too much... But... I've gotta do this...!)

(This is where I've been wanting to perform! I've been practicing every day just for this! This crowd won't know what hit them...!)

I've never seen him before. This should be good...

He looks like he's still in junior high. He must be pretty good if he's been asked to perform here.

What if he's like RADder? How awesome would it be to see another legendary performer make their debut here?

Hm? Who's that...?

...

(Geez, my voice... I'm getting really nervous... I might not be able to sing at this rate...)

(No, I'll be fine. I practiced as much as I did just for this moment.)

(I worked as hard as I could in this city to get here...!)

(I don't want to regret doing this! I want to do something worthy of this legendary place! So... I have to give it everything I've got!)

Here we go!

♪——————!!

...

Hmm... He's sorta nothing special...

(They're starting to lose interest...
No, I've gotta turn this around...!)

♪————!! ——!! ——!!

I'm getting bored.

Don't believe the hype, I guess...?
He's just a kid. Who invited him here?

(I'm not running...
The show has to go on until the very end.)

Thank you very much...

Finally, he's done.
The others are waiting outside. We should let them know.

Yeah, since those guys are up next!

The wait's over, everyone! Where'd all that energy from before go?! Actually, I can't really blame you after what you guys just saw.

We're gonna wipe that from your memories by going all out with our first song! Get ready to make some noise!

♪——————!!

...

(The crowd warmed up the second they started singing...)

Wow...

What am I doing here...?

...

(How much longer...?)

(How much more do I have to practice to be able to sing like them...?)

...

(I saw so many other people perform here today, and they're all better than me...)

(Why am I not able to sing like them?)

(After going on and on about taking this seriously and devoting my life to music too... But I couldn't do anything in the end. If anything, I...)

(I dragged the name of a legendary venue through the mud...)

...

Argh. Why...?

(Huh...? Who's there...?)

What's wrong, kid?