*Sigh* I skipped school. Am I causing trouble for everyone? I'm too scared to check my phone!

Wh-Who is it?!

It's me, Mifune.

Sh-Shioriko?! Wh-Why have you come all the way to my house?!

May I come in?

Oh, um, sure.

Thank you.

So, uh… What made you drop by all of a sudden?

I have come to pay you a visit as I hear you were absent from school.

So that's why you came all this way?

How are you feeling? Is it okay for you to be up and about like this?

Ack, sorry for making you worry about me. Um, I actually skipped school today. I just didn't feel like going.

I see. As long as you're okay, then that's fine.

Y-You're not gonna get mad at me? What I'm doing is definitely something that I deserve to be lectured about.

Do you want to be lectured?

Well, no…

Then I won't. I am sure there are days when you just don't feel like going to school. I don't quite understand that myself, however.

I don't feel like going to school, and I've skipped practice without telling anyone. I really am pathetic.

Hey, Shioriko? I really don't know what to do right now.

Um, do you mind if I ask you something? What do you think I'm best suited to–

Uehara.

Yeah?

Might I suggest we step outside for a change of pace? You will feel even more depressed if you stay cooped up in your room.

[Fade in/out.]

It's been a while since I last came here as well. I used to come to hang out, even if I didn't have anything to buy. I haven't been doing that lately, though…

Because I've been busy with school idol stuff every day…

Oh, I know. Maybe I'll get back into some knitting. Can we go look at this store?

Sure.

[Fade in/out.]

Oh my gosh, I bought so much! I pretty much used up all my allowance.

*Chuckle* Seeing that shopping spree of yours was quite exhilarating.

*Giggle* There was just so much I wanted to buy since I haven't been here in a while.

Not only do you knit, but you also cook and make accessories. You have quite the array of hobbies.

Yeah, I think you're right about that. I've been completely consumed by my school idol activities lately, but it looks like I had a lot of hobbies to begin with.

I gotta get back all of the time I couldn't spend on my hobbies. There's so much to do starting tomorrow. Looks like I'm not gonna be bored for a while, ahaha.

Are you really okay with that?

Am I okay with what?

Not being a school idol. Are you going to quit?

…Yeah.

I think I've had enough. I mean, it's not like I actually liked school idols to begin with, and it's not something I wanted to do either.

I'm sure this is the right choice. All I'm doing is going back to who I originally was.

I see. To me, you appeared to be having a lot of fun as a school idol.

Did I?

On the day before the school tour, you kept practicing even when I told you to stop, didn't you?

O-Oh, well… That was…

I know! Because I was representing everyone! I just felt like I had to carry those feelings with me!

Yes, you do care a great deal for the club.

I personally have mixed feelings towards school idols. However, even I understand how irreplaceable that environment is after temporarily joining the club myself.

Everyone in the club seemed to have a sparkle to them. Including you.

What?

You shined brightly when you were practicing and performing.

A-Ahaha… Thanks, Shioriko.

But, you know what? I've had enough. I don't have any reason to be a school idol anymore.

Is that so?

May I ask you something? Do you regret becoming a school idol?

No. I was really happy and had a lot of fun knowing that there were people cheering even someone like me on.

But now… Um, I couldn't care less anymore.

If you're all right with that, then so be it. I will not say otherwise. However, if there is something you perhaps need me to do…

Thanks, Shioriko. Maybe I'll drag you along to go shopping with me again. *Chuckle*