Whispering You a Love Song ch21: Unrest, Regret, and What Comes Next.

p1
>>Those piercing words...

>I know
>all too well...
>that you love Asanagi-san, Aki.

p2-3
>>Looking towards
>>the next stage...

p4
>W-...

>Well...
>of course I love her.
>As a friend.

p5
>Hmm...

>You don't have to play dumb.
>You're not making any sense.

>I knew it.
>It's just like you to dodge the question like that.

>Shiho...
>What are you...
>There's just one thing I want you to admit, Aki.

p6
>You could tell from today's performance, right?

>Asanagi-san
>has absolutely no skill as a singer when compared to me.

>What SS Girls needed wasn't that girl.
>It was me.

p7
>You've really got it out for Yori, huh?

>I love Yori's singing.
>That opinion will never change.

>It's because of that
>that you guys will always be a low-level band.

p8
>SS is the ultimate band, though?

>Heh~
>On what basis?

>I think we did a pretty good performance.

>I'm sure we'll secure a spot on the stage...

>Aki.

p9
>You're just at the point where you're wondering whether or not you'll secure a spot.
>I'm nothing like you!

>Forget it.

p10
>Well, be sure to pray that you get a spot.

>Hey...

>I seriously...
>don't get her.

>Akki~...

p11
>What were you talking to Izumi Shiho about?

>Eh~
>Oh geez~ Were you stealing a glance?
>It didn't seem like the right time to cut in~

>Well, y'know. She was just making snide remarks like she always does~

>Akki...
>Are you okay?

p12
>Who me?

>There's no point in being worried about what Shiho has to say at this point, is there?

>That's not the face of someone who isn't worried...

>You say something?
>No? Not at all.
>~~~~

p13
>If she said something mean to you, I'll give her a right telling off...!
>Geez~
>I said I'm fine!

>Really...

>Hey...
>What is it~?

p14
>Am I
>that obvious?

>?
>?

>In what way?
>All kinds of ways.

>It's hard to tell what you mean when you phrase it like that.
>Haha.
>True.

p15
>Shiho.

>Were you
>trying to pick another fight?
>How rude.

>Honestly...

>Why do you have to be so obsessed...?
>I'm not obsessed!!
>Liar.

>...
>Hey,
>Haji...

p16
>Am I
>still unparalleled?

>Don't make me go out of my way to say it.

p17
>I think your singing is the best, Shiho.

>...
>I see...

>So don't cry, okay?
>I-
>I wasn't crying...!

p18
>I never thought
>that Shiho would say something like that to me.

>To be honest,
>that really shook me up...

p19
>Even when she found someone she liked, even when she got herself a lover,
>my feelings for Yori never changed.

>I don't wish for anything special.
>I just want to be with her.
>That kind of "love".

>There were times when I wanted to take that extra step,
>but I decided long ago,
>that I would never tell her about these feelings.
>That I was fine with remaining as her friend so long as I could always be by her side.

p20
>That's exactly why
>Shiho's words scare me.

>Have my feelings,
>my voice,
>my gaze,
>my actions,
>been leaking out without me realizing it?

>I have to act normal so I can stay by her side as a friend.

p21
>A friend...
>A friend, huh...

>I've already lost one friend.

>What did I do wrong?

>I just...
>don't get it...