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The Way Home

Taki...

SoyoTaki-chan, are you still mad?

TakiOf course I am. I told Anon to practice properly before showing up, but she couldn't play at all.

SoyoShe did pretty well, didn't she? I'd say that was more than enough.

TakiNot even close. I don't think she's been taking practice seriously at all.

SoyoNobody gets it perfect right away. That's literally what practice is for.

TakiAnd that stray cat... still keeps throwing in random improv out of nowhere.

SoyoTaki-chan, you've always been like that, haven't you?

TakiWhat?

SoyoYou're always so hard on everyone. Even back when we first met, you were the same way with Tomori-chan—

TakiNo, that was...

Taki(I think I was angry at everything back then.)

During Middle School

Taki...

MakiTaki-chan, are you there?

TakiI am, what's up?

MakiIs it true that you're applying to Hanasakigawa for high school?

Taki(Mom... why would you tell her that...)

TakiThat has nothing to do with you, Sister.

MakiIs there a reason? You don't have to go into detail, but if you could just tell me—

TakiIt's nothing.

Taki(After "that incident"... my whole middle school life was awful. I was always being compared to my sister...)

Taki(If I stayed at Haneoka, I already know exactly how things would go. So...)

TakiAre we done...?

MakiActually... someone reached out to me. There's a girl from Tsukinomori who says she'd like to talk to you, Taki-chan...

TakiHuh...?

Taki("I want you to join the band I'm putting together as our drummer"... What does that mean...?)

Taki(Sakiko Togawa... We don't even go to the same school. What could she possibly want with me...?)

Taki(A band... huh. I once went to see a live show by a band called Afterglow.)

Taki(It looked fun... I guess. Like they were free from something. Like nothing was weighing them down...)

Taki(And if I join a band, maybe I won't be compared to my sister anymore...)

SakikoI have some ideas for the other members as well! I would very much like for us all to meet. Is there a day that works for you?

Sakiko

...

I remember how I felt... half "Why me...?" and half "If I play in a band, maybe..."

After that... so many things happened.

TakiThey were all such weirdos.

TakiI'd never been in a band before, so there was a lot I didn't know.

TakiBut everyone saw me as "Taki Shiina"...

TakiAnd I got to meet Tomori...

SoyoTaki-chan...? Why are you spacing out?

TakiIt's nothing.

SoyoI see... Anyway, maybe you should ease up a little. You're going to wear yourself out if you stay that angry, Taki-chan.

TakiI'm not angry...

TakiI'm just saying what needs to be said so MyGO!!!!! can become what it's supposed to be.

Soyo*Sigh*... I see. Have it your way.

Taki...

Taki(CRYCHIC is already over, but...)

Taki(Now, I'm playing in a band again...)

Taki(This time, I'll do it properly.)

Taki(No more comparisons. Not with my sister. Not with anyone...)

Taki(A band of my own...)