Great job, Shizuku! You were so good! This solo event was a huge success!

Thank you…very much.

You seem kinda low on energy. Are you tired? I don't blame you, you just pulled off a seriously impressive performance! This fatigue's proof that you gave it your all!

I prescribe a relaxing bath to loosen up those muscles and an early bedtime.

Oh, no, it's not that I'm tired!

No? Then what's the matter?

Um, what did you think about my solo event today? Was I actually good?

But, umm… Did I manage to show the real me?

Yup. There were some slightly awkward moments, but you were absolutely the Shizuku that I see every day.

Really? That's good to hear! It really is difficult showing your true self in front of others, though. I'm still having trouble doing it as well as everybody else.

Are you having regrets?

Not exactly, but… Hmm. I don't quite know how to put it.

You don't have to be articulate about it. Go on, I'm all ears.

Acting was the only thing I thought about before I became a school idol. I'd brainstorm about how to best embody a role or how to give more convincing performances.

I thought that school idol activities demanded the same skills. I figured I had to give my best performance on stage in front of an audience.

I don't think you're wrong in that regard. You're giving it your all to put on the best performance you can for everyone watching.

I have my own vision of what kind of live show I want to create and how I want to sing.

It's something I've devised in my head after being inspired by watching lots of live shows and plays.

Yeah, I could tell that you were always trying your best to portray something.

Thank you. Still, I've never managed to bring my vision to life in a way that I'm satisfied with. I work hard because I feel I need to be a better actress to make it happen.

But this time, I had trouble because I was trying to show my true self instead of acting like a school idol.

The thing is, I've never done any serious thinking about myself before.

Regardless, I decided to do just as you said because your advice has never been wrong before.

I didn't know what to base the performance on because I've never done a live show without thinking about putting on an act. That's why I think there were some awkward spots.

But in spite of that, the audience got more excited than I've ever seen them before. At that point, I felt completely lost. I didn't know anymore.

Didn't know what?

Why, exactly, have I been doing all this up until now? What does it even mean to be myself?

How does everybody else carry on as school idols?

Wow. I had no idea all that was weighing on you so heavily, Shizuku. I'm sorry I didn't realize what you were going through.

Well, if you want to learn more about the others, you should ask them for their help.

Maybe you'll find your answers if you ask them all about how they approach being school idols.

That's a good point. I'll ask as many people as I can!

Great. I hope you find the answer you're looking for!