Hmmm… Is this any good?

This flows pretty well, right? I must've read a million books, and I did everything they said to… I think.

Then again… *Groan*

[Fade in/out.]

Ai! How are your lyrics coming along? Getting anywhere?

Whoa! Y-You scared me. Geez, do you have me bugged or something?

Huh? Why do you say that?

Because your timing was WAY too good. But hey, that's fate, I guess. Anyways, as far as the lyrics go, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

What?!

I wasn't expecting much from my first attempt, but I gave it my best shot. But now I've gone over it so many times, I can't even tell if it's good or bad anymore.

So, I need your discerning eye to take a look at it for me!

Hmm… Ai, have you been reading about how to write song lyrics?

Well, yeah, of course. I've never written lyrics before, so I hit the library and read a bunch of books.

I had a feeling. My first impression is that it's not very you.

It's not me?

Nope. I mean, as lyrics go, they're excellent. They flow well, and they get the message across. But despite all that, they don't really feel like your words.

Y-You think? I mean, I tried my best. I did my homework like I said, and listened to a lot of songs beforehand, too.

You don't have to be overzealous, Ai. I'm sure all your Ai Pals want to feel things the way YOU feel them.

I-I did that. For my first draft, I just wrote down exactly what I felt inside. But it felt childish, like a diary or something.

It wasn't a real song like the ones the other school idols sing. That's why I thought it was no good.

I'm not saying your approach was wrong, but I think what your fans truly want is to see the real you.

The real me? So, all I have to do is be myself?

I think that's the most important thing. Take your feelings and write them down in your own words. No filters, no alterations.

I didn't want to let the Ai Pals down… Was it a mistake to be worried about them?

Absolutely not! You were just going overboard trying to make it perfect, that's all.

I get you. I guess I was being kind of a try-hard there.

But that was blocking my real self from coming through, right? I've just gotta be blunt and upfront about my feelings like I usually am!

Yeah. I'm sure that'll make the Ai Pals happy, too!

Got it! I'll go write some new lyrics. And this time, I'll do it my way!