I apologize for having you come out here.

Sorry, I had to contact volunteers, so I couldn't get here right away… What's going on?

It's not me who would like to speak to you. It's Uehara.

Ayumu?

Yes, she's waiting inside.

[Fade in/out.]

It feels like it's been a while… How have you been?

Oh, uh, yeah, it has… Ayumu, what's the matter?

Lately, I haven't seen you in the mornings or after school or at the club, so I had Shioriko arrange some time for us to talk.

I'm really sorry I don't have time to spend with everyone… There's just something I have to prioritize above all else right now.

Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard? It won't be worth it if you get sick. Everyone in the club is worried about you.

I'm fine. I promise I won't get sick until after the School Idol Festival is over, so there's no need to worry.

But I can't help but worry. I wish you'd rest just a little… Well, actually, I wish you'd rely on us more.

I can't do that. I want you guys to practice. Like I said in my message, you're going to get to perform with μ's and Aqours. I want you to use all your time to prepare.

Of course we're getting our practicing in. I mean, we're going to get to perform with μ's and Aqours! We can't do anything that would embarrass them.

But for now, the most important thing is getting volunteers, right? We don't want it to all fall on your shoulders. We want to help too.

We're all clubmates, right? Let's work together on this.

Thanks. But it's my fault that getting volunteers turned into this mess, so I want to handle it myself. This is my job and something that I have to do.

That might cause some trouble for everyone in the club, but it's what I need to do for all of you.

For all of us?

Yeah.

If you're really thinking that it's for all of us… Then we'd rather you came to club practice.

I want to, of course. But I can't right now. If I don't do what I need to, the School Idol Festival will be a bust. I have to prevent that at all costs.

Will it really be the end of the world if it's a bust? Is it truly THAT crucial that it's a success? Giving up would–

I can't give up! I absolutely refuse to. If I'm that weak-hearted about it, I won't be able to do anything!

That's true, but is the School Idol Festival really that important?!

When we made the club official, you said, “I promise to always be on your side, no matter what happens. I'll cheer you on with everything I've got.” I don't feel that now.

I-I mean… But school idols all over Japan are really looking forward to this event, you know!

They're all saying they want to perform with us and that this event will make their dreams come true. We have our dream, but we have to think about everyone else's dreams too!

μ's and Aqours are working really hard to help us achieve that, too. That's why this event HAS to succeed, no matter what.

It's everyone's dream… So I have to do this. You understand that too, don't you Ayumu?

Yeah… I do.

Well, if you understand, then–

I understand… But it just doesn't feel right!

What?

This might be me being selfish. No, I know it is. Everything you've said is right. We've come so far, and we can't call it off now. I'm just as aware that we have to do it.

But right now, I feel so lonely I can't stand it.

Ayumu…

And it's not just me. Everyone else said they feel the same way. They said there's something missing without you, that they can work hard because you're there.

Oh, a potential volunteer is calling! They called me back… Hold on a second, I have to take this. Ayumu, let's finish our talk later.

What?! W-Wait, I have to give you this!

What?

Um, this is a present for you. Shioriko and I picked it out together. We want to thank you for everything you do. There's a little surprise from everyone on the first page.

Oh, I guess it's not a surprise if I tell you in advance. Umm, even if it's after your phone call, please come to club practice today. Then we can all be together for the–

Sorry, please let me focus on this alone right now.

But…

Oh… Sorry. They hung up.

I have to hurry and call them back!

Wait! At least take the present! It has all of our messages for you in it!

I told you, there's something I have to do right now! We're childhood friends, so why can't you understand how I feel?!

Oops…

You're right, I don't understand…

Um, I'm sorry…

I don't understand anything about you anymore! And you won't try to understand how I feel, either!

I don't actually care about everyone's dream! I just wanted… I just wanted to practice with you. I became a school idol because you invited me to!

You promised to cheer us on and be on our side, but you're not even paying attention to us right now!

It's like you have no idea what's going on with the club! It's not fun at all!

And if it's not fun… Then I don't care about being a school idol anymore.

I don't like being a school idol… And you're being stupid!

A-Ayumu?!

Why? Why won't she understand?! Does Ayumu really care so little about everyone's dreams, and about school idols?

I didn't think she was the type of person to say something like that.

This may not be my place, but allow me to say one thing. You are the one who pushed her to the point to make her say those things.

What?

Please try to think back and remember what sort of expression she had on her face.

…