Kohane was doing a solo performance at Weekend Garage.
As she was singing, I looked over at An.
She was looking at Kohane, and…she seemed sad?
"An", I started, getting her attention. "Are you okay?"
"Of course", An replied.
She said this with a smile on her face; a smile I could tell I was fake.
…
I was on my way to Crase Café, but when I got there…I spotted something.
An was outside the café, and she was looking at something on her phone.
A moment later, she put the phone on one of the outside tables.
I took a closer look…and saw that it was the footage of RAD WEEKEND. Specifically…it was footage of Nagi's performance.
The video began playing, and An began performing. It looked like she was trying to copy the performance.
However, a moment later…she became frustrated.
"No no no", she exclaimed angrily. "What am I doing wrong?!"
As An said this, Meiko walked up to her.
"Maybe you should take a break, An", she suggested. "After all, you've been at this for a while now."
"No way", An exclaimed. "I've gotta figure this out!"
"Okay", Meiko said in defeat. "But please don't overwork yourself."
With that, Meiko walked back into the café. That's when I decided to make my presence known.
"An", I said as I walked up to her.
"Akito", An asked in shock.
"What's going on", I asked.
"What are you talking about", An asked.
"I saw what just happened between you and Meiko", I revealed. "Plus, the other day when Kohane was performing at Weekend Garage, you looked sad as you watched her perform."
"I did not", An lied.
"Yes, you did", I stated. "Now, tell me what's going on."
"I don't have to tell you anything", An stated angrily.
Then…she tried to walk away, but I wasn't going to let her go that easily.
"Tell me, or I'll tell Kohane."
This got An to stop in her tracks, and turn around to face me.
"No", she exclaimed. "Please don't tell her!"
She doesn't want Kohane to know? Then this is really bad.
"Then tell me what's going on", I commanded.
"You're…", An started. "You're so mean, Akito!"
With that…An burst out crying!
Maybe I was too harsh?
After I thought this…I walked up to An, and put my hands on her shoulders.
"I'm sorry for being harsh, An", I apologised. "It's just…something is clearly bothering you, and I don't like it. So, could you please tell me what's going on?"
After I asked this…An looked down sadly.
"It's just…", she started. "When Kohane did her performance at Crawl Green…she reminded me so much of Nagi-San."
"Okay", I started. "And that's a bad thing because…"
"That's why I'm so conflicted", An revealed. "I should be happy for Kohane, and while I am, seeing her like that also made me feel…jealous."
"Jealous", I asked.
"I know that it's terrible for me to feel that way", An stated. "It's just…I've been trying to be like Nagi-San for years. Many people, even my dad, said I was like her. But now…I wonder if I'll ever be like her."
Feeling like your partner is better than you? I know how that feels.
After I thought this to myself, I put my hand on An's shoulder.
"Don't feel bad about feeling this way", I stated. "I know how you feel."
"You do", An asked.
"If I'm being honest", I started. "I kinda get jealous of Toya too."
"Even though he's your partner", An asked.
"Especially because he's my partner", I replied. "It makes it easier for me to compare myself to him."
"But…", An started. "I've been trying to be like Nagi-San since I was little. Kohane hasn't been performing for that long, and she's already like her. It's not fair!"
"So", I started. "Are you angry at Kohane?"
"No", An replied. "Yes. I don't know!"
With that, An began crying again.
I thought about what to say next, before thinking about something.
"An", I started. "Tell me something, why is it such a big deal that whether or not you're like Nagi-San."
"Because she's amazing", An stated.
"Well", I started. "If you ask me, you're pretty amazing too. Just the way you are."
"You…you really think so", An asked.
"I do", I replied. "You may be upset that Kohane has become more like Nagi-San, but remember that it was you who inspired her to become a musician in the first place. And, if I'm being honest…you were the one who first inspired me too."
"What are you talking about", An asked. "It was RAD WEEKEND that inspired you to become a musician."
"Yes", I agreed. "But it was you talking about surpassing RAD WEEKEND that inspired me to do the same."
"Really", An asked.
"When I first saw you perform, the person that was with me told me that you were talking about someday surpassing RAD WEEKEND", I revealed. "At first, I thought that it was impossible, but when I saw how determined to were to do it, it made me want to do the same."
"Really", An asked.
"Yep", I replied. "Plus, I probably would've never asked Toya to be my partner if it wasn't for the fact that I wanted to surpass RAD WEEKEND. So when you think about it, Vivid BAD SQUAD wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for you, An."
With that…An started getting emotional again.
Then…she ran straight into my chest!
I froze up in shock, but then…I wrapped my arms around her.
"Thank you, Akito", she said, with tears in her eyes.
"Of course", I replied, before pulling An away so she could look at me. "After all, you and I are teammates."