Mari, Kanan, how long have you known each other? Since high school?

About as long as you two have known each other. Mari moved to Uchiura in elementary school. She, Dia, and I have been friends ever since.

Got any pictures from those days to share?

Now? Hmm, I might have some pictures from middle school on my phone. Anything before then would be in my old photo albums.

*Chuckle* I have tons of photos of Kanan! And Dia too, for that matter. The oldest one I have might be…this one?

Aww! Kanan and Dia are so tiny!

How cute! Kanan, you used to have your hair in little buns!

You're both so lean now, but back then you had such chubby cheeks! They're like marshmallows!

H-How do you have such an old picture…and on your phone, no less!

I scanned it from my photo album before I went to study abroad. We were really far apart back then…in more ways than one.

I was crushed that I had to leave you two behind. I took that photo hoping one day, we'd be that close again.

Then you don't need to keep it anymore.

Huh?

We're back together. And we're closer now than we ever were back then.

Oh, Kanan. You're right, we're a lot closer, and the bonds we share are stronger than ever. But I'm never deleting that picture!

Urk! F-Fine! Just don't show it off to everyone, it's embarrassing!

Ah, ha, ha! You were childhood friends and then you ended up going to the same high school. That's so cool.

What about your group at Nijigasaki? Did you all first meet in high school?

Yeah. We were born and raised in different places. Although we weren't all total strangers when we met. I was friends with Rinari before we joined the idol club.

Maybe we don't share the same childhood memories, but instead, we get to tell each other about whole other worlds we never knew existed. It's fun because we're all different!

Talking to you all made me realize how different people's values can be. It's a good feeling. It's like I've leveled up from listening to you.

That's a neat way to put it! Maybe you're right. In the game of life, we gain experience by meeting all kinds of people. Leveling up as much as you can is the key to victory!

Victory? Who are you planning to take on?

I don't know, the whole world?

Hold on, does that mean we're leveling up, too? Making friends with the girls from Aqours and Nijigasaki has taught me so many new things.

Sure you are! We're all helping one another level grind!

I wonder what level I'm at right now. Maybe around 10?

That feels a little low, no?

*Chuckle* I just want to talk with you all more and more! Let's keep chatting, grinding, and evolving!

Yeah!