Why must I pretend to be a school idol?

Because according to you, being a school idol is the biggest waste of time ever, right?

Yes.

She didn't even blink!

Grr, what's her problem?

Now, now, let's keep our remarks to ourselves and see what our club president does.

I guess we have no choice.

Ahaha… Then the shortest path to understanding how we feel is experiencing it for yourself.

If you can understand, even a little, why we work so hard as school idols, you might be able to see where the other clubs are coming from as well.

I do not think I will understand your fascination simply by doing it myself.

It's not constructive to decide that before you even start.

I think wasting time is far less constructive. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, so I will reluctantly follow your plan.

Thank you. There's one condition though. Is that all right?

Just go ahead and tell me what it is, already. Although I cannot promise I will go along with it.

In exchange for me helping the student council, I want you to pay close attention to everyone practicing.

If that is all…

We look forward to working with you. So with that said, let's start practicing for our club introduction live show right away!

It might be tough since this is your first time, so don't push yourself too hard, okay?

I have committed to doing this, so I will give it one hundred percent.

Oh, before we start, can I say something?

What is it, Kasumi?

Isn't it weird to keep calling her by her last name if we're going to be practicing together?

Do you want to call her something else?

That might help us get along better.

I came up with the perfect nickname for you!

*Sigh* I am fine with whatever you came up with.

It literally means “salty girl” in Japanese, which is perfect for you since you're always so salty… Shioko!

I'm Rinako and Shizuku is Shizuko, so that matches perfectly.

Call me whatever you please.

We can call you anything? Then I think I'll go with Shio-ti!

Shio-ti? That's certainly a first. I suppose that goes for Shioko as well. Well, whatever.

Okay, okay, let's start practicing! Shioriko, can you watch everyone do the warm-up dance and try to learn it?

Understood.

[Fade in/out.]

*Pant* *Pant* It is difficult to move my body how I want.

No, that was really good for your first time! I'm actually shocked because you danced way better than I expected.

Yes. Your movements were so lovely that my eyes kept drifting back to you. Do you have dance experience, Shioriko?

A bit of traditional Japanese dance.

I see! So that's why you're so graceful. Incredible! I want you to teach me, too.

I don't know enough to teach anyone.

I feel like it wouldn't take much practice before you're ready for a live show.

I don't think so. Someone of my skill level is nowhere near good enough to perform in front of an audience.

Really? I think you're good enough.

I managed to copy the movements, but I wasn't really performing. I could not call myself a school idol.

You're very hard on yourself.

It is presumptuous of me to even compare myself to them, but this is nothing if you consider how strict top tier school idols are.

They never allow themselves to give in and always put forth their best effort.

Oh, do you know a lot about school idols, Shioriko?

My older sister used to be…

Huh? Was your sister a school idol?

No, she wasn't a school idol, she was like you. She was obsessed with supporting school idols.

Really? I'd love to talk to her. Hey, do you think…

E-Excuse me. Um, I can't do this last step correctly. Can someone teach me how to do it?

Leave it to me! You just do this and then do that! Easy-peasy!

Umm…

Come on, Ai, that's not helpful. Um, Shioriko, I think you'll be able to dance that last step smoothly if you think about “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

M-Mary Had a Little Lamb?

That's too abstract. Just play this dance video and take a five-minute nap, and you'll be able to do the dance perfectly by the time you wake up.

Wh-What?

S-So that's how you've all been learning dances. Wow. Shioriko, that last part uses a box step. But on the third step…

[Fade in/out.]

Thank you very much, Ayumu. That was very easy to understand. You are a good teacher.

*Laugh* I couldn't dance at all at first. That girl over there is the one who patiently taught me. I'm just telling you exactly what she told me, so she's the real teacher.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me anytime, okay?

I will. Thank you very much.