Chapter 16 Shiho's Feedback
Ichika's POV

Our performance was going well, but then…I suddenly heard a thud from behind me.

"Saki", Shiho exclaimed as she suddenly sat up.

I then turned around, and saw Saki lying in the ground!

"Saki", I exclaimed.

I was about to rush to her, when Shiho sped past me and kneeled down beside her.

"Saki, are you okay", she asked.

"Saki", Airi said as she rushed up to us with Ena.

"Is she okay", she asked. "What happened?"

"She's burning up", Shiho revealed after putting her hand on Saki's forehead.

"We need to get her back to her house", I said.

"Right", Shiho agreed. "Ichika, help me get her onto her feet."

"Right", I said, before kneeling besides Saki. "Saki, can you stand?"

"I…I think so", Saki replied.

"Okay", Shiho said. "Ichika, on the count of three."

"Right", I said. "One, two, three!"

With this, Shiho and I pulled Saki onto her feet as we stood on either side of her and held onto her.

"Let's get you home, Saki."

...

We were now all gathered in Saki's room as she lied down in her bed.

"How are you feeling, Saki", Tsukasa asked.

"I'm feeling a bit better now", Saki replied.

Then, Tsukasa kneeled down beside her bed.

"Saki, I told you to be careful not to overdo it", he pointed out.

"What do you mean", Shiho asked.

"Last night, Saki was up late rehearsing for the performance today", Tsukasa revealed. "She knows how strict you are when it comes to music, Shiho, so she wanted to make sure to iron out as many mistakes as she could."

After hearing this, Shiho looked down guiltily.

"So, it's my fault that this happened", she asked.

"No it's not", Saki exclaimed as she suddenly sat up in bed.

"Saki, you should be lying down", Tsukasa stated.

But Saki didn't listen to him. Instead, she jumped out of bed, rushed up to Shiho, and grabbed onto her hands.

"This isn't your fault, Shiho-Chan", she reassured. "It's my fault! I'm the one who wasn't more careful!"

After saying this, Saki started losing her balance! Thankfully, Tsukasa grabbed her from behind before she could fall.

"Saki, you must rest", he said.

Then, he guided Saki back to her bed, and Shiho walked up to her.

"What matters now is you getting some rest, Saki", she said. "We can talk about your performance tomorrow."

Saki's POV

The Next Day

I walked into the kitchen, where I saw my bandmates along with Shiho and Tsukasa.

"What are you guys all doing here", I asked.

"We wanted to check up on you", Ichika revealed.

"How are you feeling, Saki", Shiho asked.

"I'm feeling much better", I replied.

"I'm glad", Tsukasa said. "Now then, since you are all here, I shall make breakfast for you all!"

With this, Tsukasa began his work in the kitchen.

"Shiho-Chan", I started. "While Onii-Chan makes breakfast, can you please give us your feedback on our performance yesterday?"

"Are you feeling up to it, Saki", Shiho asked.

"I am", I replied. "Besides, I wanna know if I ruined our chances at performing at the live house you work at."

"You didn't, Saki", Shiho reassured. "All of my feedback is stuff I thought of before you collapsed."

"Really", I asked in relief. "Thank goodness."

"Well then. What are you waiting for, Shiho", Airi started. "Lay it on us."

"Okay", Shiho said, before clearing her throat. "I'll started with Momoi-Senpai and Ena-Senpai."

"What about us", Ena asked.

"Despite the fact you two only started learning how to play your instruments a few months ago, you have already improved quite a lot", Shiho revealed. "However, the people that usually attend shows at the live house I work at are very passionate about music. They should be able to pick up on your lack of experience easily."

"I see", Airi said.

"Saki", Shiho started as she turned to look at me. "You didn't make that many mistakes durning your performance. However, I assume that this because of how hyper-focused you were. Is it safe to assume that, usually, you get so excited during a performance, you end up getting distracted and messing up a bit?"

"You…know me so well, Shiho-Chan", I replied, my cheeks turning slightly pink in embarrassment.

"Lastly, Ichika", Shiho she started as she turned to look at her. "Your guitar playing is good, however, you seem to lack confidence in your singing."

"I do", Ichika asked.

"I can tell", Shiho replied. "And that's also something the people who attend shows at the live house I work at should be able to pick up on."

"I see", Ichika said.

"Overall, I think you guys have a lot of potential", Shiho started. "However, at the level you are at now, I can't recommend you to the manager of the live house I work at."

"I see", I said as I looked down at my lap sadly.

"That's why I'm going to instead recommend other places I think you guys should perform at."

When I heard Shiho say this, I looked up at her in shock.

"Other places", Ena asked. "What do you mean?"

"For example", Shiho started. "I think you guys should start by doing street performances."

"Street performances", Ichika asked.

"It's a low stakes way for you guys to get some performing experience", Shiho revealed. "Plus, a casual listener on the street may not be able to pick up on the things I mentioned as easily."

"That's actually a good point", Airi stated.

"Another thing I can do is recommended some amateur events you guys can perform in", Shiho added. "Once you guys have gained some performance experience, maybe then I can reconsider recommending you to my manager."

When I heard Shiho say this, my eyes widened in joy. Then, I jumped out of my seat, ran up to her, and pulled her into a hug.

"You're the best, Shiho-Chan", I exclaimed happily.

"Let go, Saki", Shiho commanded, before pulling out of my embrace.

"Shiho, thank you very much for helping us", Ichika said.

"Of course. After all, we're friends."

Hearing Shiho say this made me emotional. Then, I wrapped my arms around her once more.

"I love you so much, Shiho-Chan", I exclaimed.

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too", Shiho said. "Now let go of me!"

With this, Shiho pulled away from me. Then, she picked up her phone after an alert went off.

"Crap! I'm going to be late for rehearsal with Onee-San and the others", she revealed, before suddenly standing up. "Sorry guys, but I have to get going!"

"That's okay, Shiho-Chan", I said.

"Thank you again so much for all your help, Shiho", Ichika said.

"I'm glad to have helped", Shiho said. "See you guys around, and good luck."

With this, Shiho left.

"Alright", Airi started enthusiastically. "Thanks to Shiho, we now know what to do next! I say that we take her advice and start doing some street performances!"

"If you plan on doing street performances, I can assist with that", Tsukasa revealed.

"You can", Ichika asked.

"I can", Tsukasa replied. "You see, the group I'm in mainly does street performances. Because of this, we have been able to take note of what the best places to perform are."

"Is that so", Airi asked. "In that case. Tenma-Kun, can you help us?"

"Of course", Tsukasa replied. "Anything for my sister and her group!"

"Thank you so much, Onii-Chan", I said, before turning to face my group. "Alright, Youthful/Friends, it's time to get to work!"