Wow! This is great! Hey, Zuramaru, try this on for a sec!

What?! I-I don't think something that sparkly will look good on me!

Of course it will! This isn't even as extra as what we usually wear on stage. I promise it'll look good, so try it on!

Ai, Hanamaru, there are accessories over there! Let's check them out!

Seriously?! I'll be right over! I'll pick out some accessories to perfectly match this, Zuramaru!

Zuraaaaaa!

Hanamaru has completely become their dress-up doll.

I totally get how they feel. You just can't help but dote on your underclassmen.

On that note, I found this adorable bow. You wanna try it on, Shizuku?

What? M-Me?

Everyone, why are you acting like we're out on a fun shopping trip?! Let me remind you! We are here today! To buy everything necessary! For our next live show!

You're right, of course. But it's not often we all get together like this. We gotta enjoy our time while we can!

It's such an amazing coincidence that μ's, Aqours, and Nijigasaki are all having live shows around the same time!

It really is wonderful. And thanks to that coincidence, we can all spend a lovely time wandering around shopping together.

Then isn't that even more reason to focus our energy on these upcoming shows? Although we're participating in different events, this is a great chance to exchange ideas between peers and—

We still have several days until the show, so we have time to just hang out for a bit. Besides, aren't ideas for songs and costumes born from great memories?

Well… That may be true.

Oh yeah, I'm pretty sure there's a school idol shop on the other side of the mall. The merch Ruby said she wanted before might be at that store.

What?! Then I s-suppose we have enough time to take just a quick peek.

Then let's go.

Nozomi, you're amazing, zura. You gracefully side-stepped Dia's argument, then casually convinced her to enjoy shopping. All without missing a beat, zura!

*Chuckle* Nozomi is super reliable. She's helped me escape Umi's scoldings so many times.

You know, I'm pretty sure that's not something to be proud of.

Hmm?

Is something the matter?

Take a look at those employees over there.

They're running around in a panic, zura. I wonder if something happened.

[Fade in/out.]

So… We went to the arts and crafts store and the sporting goods store. We also made it to the drugstore. That means we're done, right?

That's correct. All the shopping we had planned is done. Is there anything else you all wanted to buy?

We're all done on our end.

So are we. We have everything we were asked to pick up.

Right, Ai? Hey… Ai? Huh? She's gone.

Heeey, everybody!

Ai! Where were you, zura?

Sorry, guys! I know this is sudden, but I'm going to be in a fashion show!

…………

WHAAAAAAT?!