AKI: "Sorry to bother you, Emma. But I really wanted to talk about your next song."

EMMA: "No problem. I wanted to talk to you about that, too."

AKI: "Perfect. So, what are we going to do?"

EMMA: "Um, could I throw some of my ideas at you?"

AKI: "Hmm, I don't know. Should I let you?"

EMMA: *Giggle* "You can't scare me when you have that smile plastered on your face, you know?"

AKI: "You got me. Anyway, go ahead! Let me hear your ideas!"

EMMA: "Well, I was thinking we could all sing something together, like how we sang Do-Re-Mi the other day. I think everyone would really like it and it would bring us all together.
I want a song that's fun for everyone to sing. One that can even get that boy who was hiding the other day to come out and join us!"

AKI: "That's so like you, Emma. I think it's a great idea! Let's get writing!"

EMMA: "Okay. Thanks for listening to me. Let's do the best we can."

AKI: "It's what I'm here for. I'll listen to any problems any of you have."

EMMA: "I actually wanted to ask you if you wanted to join me after school today."

AKI: "Hm? Sure, I'm free."

EMMA: "Great! We can volunteer again."

AKI: "They run the program on Wednesdays now?"

EMMA: "Well, Wednesdays and Sundays. The numbers for volunteering got way too high so they needed to expand to two days."

AKI: "I see. I wasn't prepared for this today, but sure. I'm game."

*LATER*

EMMA: "I wonder if they'll remember us."

AKI: "Of course they will. And even if they don't, we can still become friends all over again. Either way, it'll be a lot of fun."

EMMA: "Yeah. *Giggle* You know, when I'm with you my worries just melt away."

AKI: "They do?"

I find something like that hard to believe...

EMMA: "Ah! It's that boy!"

Alrighty then, time to rethink my approach. Maybe this will work?

AKI: "Hey, you there! They're all going to sing together soon. Want to join in?"

EMMA: "I really want to sing with you today. We prepared a lot of songs we can all sing together, so..."

BOY: "Leave me alone! Get a haircut scary man."

AKI: "Th-This again?!"

This kid is really pushing his luck.

EMMA: "Ah."

AKI: "Ah, he ran away again. Sorry."

EMMA: "He doesn't seem as shy today, though. Look, he didn't run off as far as last time. Maybe he wants to sing but can't find a way to reach out."

AKI: "What should you do? Just stand next to him and sing?"

EMMA: "No. If we do that, he'll just become more distant. He has to join the group of his own accord."

AKI: "I see, then I have a plan."

EMMA: "Huh? What is it?"

AKI: "This is a good one. Everyone! We're going to sing a bunch of songs together! Come on, let's sing as loud as we can so it'll reach far and wide!"

EMMA: "As loud as we can... Yeah... Yeah! Everyone, over here!"

AKI: "Ahaha! No need to rush, you guys. Alright, get your singing voices ready!"

EMMA: "Today we're going to sing a song from my country. I'd be so happy if everyone gave it a try.
Let's start by singing Do-Re-Mi like last time. Ready?"

I hope Emma can reach that kid's heart. I want him to know that we want everyone to sing and smile together.

Well...without me singing of course. I don't sing.

There are many things guaranteed in life... Like death, taxes and expensive paywalls in gacha games.

But me singing?

That's not a guarantee.