Yes, I would much appreciate it if you could kindly consider volunteering. We need your help, please!

*Sigh* Are we really going to be able to gather enough volunteers by the deadline at this rate?

Nope, this isn't the time to lose confidence, I gotta focus in all of my energy right now. If I don't, I risk crushing everyone's dreams. That's the last thing I want to do.

After what I said to Ayumu, I need to come up with some results now or I won't be able to show my face around her.

I don't think I said anything wrong, but I could've worded it better. I didn't catch a look at her reaction… Is she going to practice as usual?

Maybe I should go and see how she's doing… Yeah, I'm gonna do just that.

[Fade in/out.]

Hey everyone!

Oh my gosh! You finally came to see us!

Heya! You been holding up all right? Wait, you don't look too hot!

She's right. You look like a shadow of your former self. Have you been eating and sleeping properly?

*Laugh* I'm fine.

You don't look fine. Knowing you, I bet you've been pushing yourself too hard, huh? It's great you're giving it your all, but it'll all be pointless if you run yourself flat.

It's important to give yourself some rest every so often. Isn't that what you're always saying to us?

Guess I've got no choice but to cook you up an energy-boosting, nutrient-packed, stick-to-your-ribs meal next time!

Thanks, everyone.

Um, you have come to watch us practice today, right? All of us have so much we would like to discuss with you.

Oh, I'm sorry. I still have a whole lot of people I need to get in contact with; I'm just dropping by for a bit today. Um, is Ayumu around?

She's not here today.

What? Have you heard from her?

No. She has not been responding to any calls or messages.

We tried going to her classroom, but she apparently left right after homeroom finished up.

We thought she might've been feeling under the weather so we checked out the nurse's office, but she wasn't there.

Today's nice and warm, so I wouldn't have any room to talk if I caught her napping somewhere. *Yawn* Now I'm starting to get all sleepy myself.

It's hard to even imagine it, but do you think she might just be skipping out on us?

We're not talking about Kasumi here. Ayumu wouldn't ever skip practice.

Yeah, you're right.

Whoa, hey! I don't skip practice either!

We're worried about her too. Do you know what's going on?

Um… Well…

Looks like you do. All right, 'fess up.

The truth is…

[Fade in/out.]

I see. So that's what happened.

Now is the time when I really have to give it my all, especially to make the School Idol Festival a reality, so I might have been a bit too blunt…

Hmm, it sounds like she did take what you said badly then.

But I don't think what you said was wrong, though!

I understand how Ayumu feels…

I think I do, too.

But you're also right about not being able to do anything if you're half-hearted and allow yourself the option of giving up.

Yeah, I think it's important to keep your eyes on your vision. If you feel even the tiniest bit swayed towards giving in, then that will end up pulling you in unintentionally.

There are times when you have to give it everything you've got, and I think now is one of those times. That's when you have to try your best, no matter how sleepy you are.

You guys…

This is a really difficult problem. I can see both sides here. However, I personally have not felt very excited for practice lately.

Yeah, I've been distracted.

I think I can relate to that. It's like I've got doubts about whether it's okay to practice without someone watching over us.

I've also felt worried at times. I wanted to ask for your advice, but I also didn't want to get in your way.

I'm so sorry, everyone! I haven't been paying any of you any attention and I've been putting it down to being busy. So that's how you all felt? I'm so, so sorry.

We all completely understand that you're only acting in our best interests. However, I believe that we need you by our side.

I'm sure Ayumu feels the same way, too.

I told myself and everyone that I was doing this for all of you, but I just made you worry… I really feel so stupid.

You don't have to apologize.

She's right. Right now, I think it's more important to have a constructive conversation about what we'll do from here on out.

From here on out, huh? Yeah, you're right.

Come to think of it, I met up with Honoka and Chika the other day.

They wanted Nijigasaki's school idols to be the opening act for the School Idol Festival.

What?! You mean on the main stage? That's a pretty big deal, isn't it?!

Leave μ's and Aqours out and have us open the festival? That's huge…

But I guess it's just proof of our amazing talent! After all, my cuteness just can't be beat!

Sounds good to me. I'm getting chills thinking about it.

I can feel some kind of power brewing inside of me!

In order for us to be the opening act, we must first turn our attention back to gathering volunteers!

Yep, let's all work together on this!

We should go and tell Ayumu right away!

I'm sure she'll perk up as well after hearing this.

Absolutely! Maybe she couldn't show up today because she felt too awkward about things, but let's go and see her tomorrow!

All right, so starting today, let's split up ALL of the things you've been doing and we can each take a share. That'll help put Ayumu's mind at ease as well.

But you guys need to practice if you're gonna be the opening act.

It's not good for you to carry the burden of everything all on your own. You need to rely on us every now and then.

She's right. We're all members of the same group, after all!

Trying times should be overcome by working as one. Let's all combine our efforts to get the volunteers we need!

Thanks, you guys.