Retsuko walks out of the building with her head down, tears forming in her eyes. Gori and Washimi stand in front of the entrance of the karaoki building, talking about the concert.
"That was really good!" Gori exclaims with glittery eyes.
"Agreed," Washimi replies,"But I wonder who the first singer was."
"Do you think it was..." They say at the same time as Retsuko passes by with her head low and a blank, sad expression on her face. They see Retsuko and exclaim,"Retsuko?!"
"Hey, are you ok?" Washimi asks Retsuko.
"I know what will cheer her up!" Glory says happily and points at the karaoki sign.
"Good idea!" Washimi says with excitement. They grab Retsuko by the arms and she just goes limp. She looks down at the floor and thinks, now everyone will know my secret and I won't be able to run away from it. I don't have the money to fly out of Japan or take a boat. People will look down on me and call me names. I just know it!
Retsuko sees a tear fall onto the floor and wonders if she's crying. She hadn't cried in a very long while. Her eyes are red and her nose is runny.
"Hold on Retsuko," Glori says,"We're here to help!"
Washimi thinks heavily and then says,"Maybe we should tell her about the karaoke boss' secret?"
Glori stops dead in her tracks, and Retsuko can't get her mind around what was just said.