I'm baaack!

Welcome back, Mari! You were incredible out there!

Really? I'm so happy to hear that!

Mari, your voice is so beautiful, and the song was so amazing, it just all made heart beat so fast… *Sniffle*

Why thank you, Emma-chi! But why are your eyes so red? Is something wrong?

Emma got so emotional over your song, she started crying about halfway through.

Oh really? Here I thought that sniffly sound was feedback from the speakers. I guess it was from Emma after all.

Emma-chi! You were listening to me sing that intently? Let me give you a thank-you hug!

Oh, Mari!

*Laugh* But wow, everyone was super hyped up, weren't they? The second you showed up, there was just a wave of energy from the audience!

I agree! Even those of us backstage were getting into it!

I'm so glad. That means I got to entertain everyone in the whole venue! From the audience to everyone backstage too!

Yeah, you weren't too bad, I guess. It's good you didn't feel too awkward about being on someone else's stage.

Oh, come on, Kasumi! I saw you dancing to the beat while she was singing!

And you were singing along under your breath too.

Ack! You didn't need to tell her that!

Oh, really now? I love to hear that, Kasumi! That's so sweet of you to sing with me.

Urgh, I was not singing along! Shizuko and Rinako are both just making things up!

All the attendees seemed to know who Mari is, too.

Yeah, they were shouting her name. Not surprising, given how popular Aqours is.

I know, right?! Aqours is so incredible, the crowd went wild just seeing Mari on her own! You could totally go solo!

She probably could. She's got the singing ability and the dance skills, not to mention how beautiful and expressive she is.

I bet if she started a solo career, her popularity would skyrocket! She could upend the school idol popularity charts overnight!

Oh, come onnnnn! You guys are making me blush. Could I offer you a tropical island as thanks for all this?

An island?! Coming from you, that doesn't sound like a joke! But what do you think? Would you be interested in a solo career? We'd love to help if you were.

We've got a lot more experience than you when it comes to solo stuff, after all.

Don't be so condescending.

Grazie mille, everyone! But I think I'm good for now.

Well, if you're sure… I just think you'd be a shoo-in.

I very much appreciate that sentiment. It was fun to perform alone, I want to cherish the time I can sing with the other eight members of Aqours more than anything.