C'mon, Prez! Your face looks so glum!

Please cheer up. While the whole School Idol Festival situation is disappointing, I'm glad to have you back, you know?

Totally! You've been working a little too hard!

I'm so happy you're around to watch us practice again!

I agree with Shizuku. We didn't feel complete without you at practice.

Mm-hmm, and I've been working super hard even though you weren't around… So I want some more attention from you, okay?

Do you hear what everyone's saying? Now it's time for you to pick yourself up too.

Honoka, Chika, and the others have all told you not to take the full burden on your own. So, please…

Thanks, guys. I'm sorry for making you all look out for me. You really don't have to say such nice things after how everything's turned out…

Don't look down. We have 600 people offering to volunteer thanks to you leading the way with your concerted efforts.

We started off with only the front seats of the auditorium filled and now we've got 600 people! I think that's pretty impressive!

But even with everyone's help, we haven't reached the number we told Shioriko we'd get. There's also the situation with Ayumu…

Ah…

I wonder what's up with Ayumu…

K-Kasumi, shush!

Ayumu hasn't come to practice at all since that day.

Sometimes you just need some time to yourself. Let's have faith in Ayumu.

Yeah. I mean, she always seemed like she had so much fun during practice.

R-Right. I'll believe in her.

Oh, look at the time! I should be heading off for the day soon.

Ack! I've got plans today too!

I was asked to man the restaurant today!

You guys can all head off first. I'm gonna stick around for a little longer.

Oh, but…

We're worried about leaving you here all on your own.

Well, I've been neglecting my practice notebooks so I have a lot of notes to write down. But it's embarrassing to have you guys watch me do it, you know?

Yay! You're gonna write notes about us again?!

*Chuckle* If that's the case then we should head off. Make sure you put your head down and fill up those pages, okay?

For sure! Great job, everyone!

[Fade in/out.]

*Sigh* …

(What have I been doing? I wanted to support my school idols, but I've been completely useless. I've ruined everyone's dreams…)

(I didn't listen to anyone and acted recklessly on my own. I even hurt Ayumu really badly.)

(She was so quick to hop on board when I suggested she become a school idol. She pulled off an amazing performance at the school tour and made us all proud.)

(Yet after all of that, I still said such terrible things to her.)

I want Ayumu to at least go back to loving the club. Anyway, I gotta write up my practice notes.

Huh? Oh, this is the present Ayumu tried to give me the other day.

(I didn't mean to, but I batted away this present that she put so much thought into for me. Seriously, what was up with me?)

It's a notebook. Oh, that's right. I did mention to Ayumu that I'd almost filled up my last one. She remembered…

[Fade in/out.]

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–

[Fade in/out.]

She mentioned some kind of surprise. I wonder what she was talking about?

Oh, there are messages from everyone written here! Ai, Karin, Shizuku… Everyone's written such nice things for me.

Teehee. Were you surprised by everyone's messages? Uh-huh, I bet you were. I think we came up with a pretty sweet present for you thanks to Shioriko's great idea.

Okay, I'll start writing my message here.

First up, thanks for inviting me to join the School Idol Club.

I was a little surprised at first, but I remember the mysterious feeling of reassurance the moment I saw the sparkle in your eyes.

I started practicing to be a school idol, met everyone, and shared the same dream with them… No words can describe the happiness I feel over finding such amazing companions.

From the moment I wake up every day, I'm just so excited to go to school because I wonder what wonderful things are waiting for me.

You always have your gaze focused straight ahead, and sometimes I worry that you're trying too hard, but I can really give it my all because I have you with me.

I hope you'll continue to support me, and everyone else, from right by our side.

From Ayumu

[Fade in/out.]

Ayumu…

Urk… *Sob*

[Fade in/out.]

I didn't understand how Ayumu felt at all. I don't have the faintest idea about how to apologize to her.