[Taking out phone.]

Hello, Ruby? Would it be okay if I go to meet you tomorrow? I thought about how you can improve those dance steps you said were difficult, so do you want to give it a shot?

S-Sorry, but I have plans to go out with Hanamaru tomorrow. Can I take a rain check?

[Fade in/out.]

Hello, Ruby? Your live show is coming up soon, isn't it? I haven't watched you practice in a while, are you doing all right? I can go check on you.

It's coming along fine. Kanan and Dia have been keeping an eye on me, so I can finally do all the choreography now. Thanks for thinking of me.

[Fade in/out.]

Can I come see you this weekend? And… Sent.

Oh, she replied. “I'm sorry, but I already have plans, so I can't hang out.” *Sigh*

Is Ruby giving you the cold shoulder again?

*Sigh* I don't know how long it's been since we last saw each other. Could she really be avoiding me?

I'm sure that's not the case. I think Ruby likes you a whole lot. She sounds so happy whenever she talks on the phone with you.

That being said, it still feels weird that no matter how many times you contact her, she's always got something else going on.

You have a point. Okay, this just means…

[Fade in/out.]

Well, here I am.

(I have to apologize if I've done something to hurt Ruby's feelings. I need to check and see how she's doing.)

[Fade in/out.]

One, two, three, whoa! …I messed up again.

I think you moved a bit too early. And you didn't look confident when you lifted your arms over your head.

Eeek?! …Huh, wh-why are you here?

When I spoke to Chika, she said there was no practice today. But I thought you might be here practicing alone. Did you say you were busy so you could get in some solo time?

I'm sorry.

You don't have to apologize. I just want to know what you're really feeling.

Is the reason we couldn't meet for so long really because our schedules didn't line up? Or…did I do something that made you not want to see me?

Y-You haven't done anything like that!

Then why? Why didn't you want me to come see you? I missed you. I wanted to help you get better at singing and dancing.

No way!

What?!

You should be doing other things besides helping me. You can just leave me alone.

You and I are different. I'm part of Aqours and you're part of Nijigasaki, so I can't keep getting help from you!

…

I guess you're right. We are rivals, after all. It must have been a real bother that a student from a rival school kept butting in, huh?

Wait? H-Hold on, that's not… I think you are—

I understand. I won't come to see you anymore. And I won't meddle, either. I'm so sorry for everything, Ruby.