*Sigh* I think I'm getting bored with knitting too. I used to be able to get so engrossed in knitting that I'd forget about the time. What's up with me now?

And it's not just knitting. Baking, making accessories… None of that seems like fun.

I was all hyped about getting back all the lost time I didn't get to spend on my hobbies… Now what? I've got nothing to do now.

I don't feel like going outside, but it'd be a waste to just laze around here…

Oh, I know. Maybe I'll hop online to browse for a bit.

Let's see…

Oh, my homepage is still the school idol forums… I should change it since I'm done with that stuff now.

I should change it, but…

Y-Yeah, it's not like I care about school idols anymore… But since I'm here, I might as well give it a little look.

Hang on? “Will the School Idol Festival Be Held? The Outlook is Grim”? What?!

“Apparently, it's not going well since they can't seem to round up enough volunteers.” No way…

They really are having a tough time then. The situation must be pretty dire if our supporters are posting stuff like that.

Wait, this has nothing to do with me anymore! I shouldn't be looking at sites like this, it'll just make me more and more invested again.

This isn't something I should be worrying about anymore.

That's a shame. I was looking forward to it.

But I don't really wanna be a volunteer.

They should all lend a hand if they're looking forward to it. Why don't they want to? Is it really because they think it'd be too much trouble?

I was asked to be a volunteer, but it didn't really feel like something for me.

Yeah, I totally get you.

They don't understand a thing…

All they said was that they wanted my help. It didn't feel like I would be helping to create a fun event together with them or anything.

I'm a school idol myself, so I did want to help out, but it just seemed like they wanted so much from me for nothing in return.

The person running the whole thing isn't even a school idol herself, so she has no idea what it feels like to be a school idol.

What?!

Maybe she's only focused on making the event a success.

It's an event for school idols, so school idols need to be the focus of it.

Maybe the event had problems from the very beginning.

No, that's not true!

I bet things wouldn't have turned out this way if μ's or Aqours were the focus of the event.

Why is Nijigasaki running the whole thing? I've never even heard of them.

Can't μ's or Aqours take over from them now?

I'd totally join in if they did.

Yeah, me too!

…

Why are they saying things like that?

They're so mean. They don't know anything about her… They haven't even seen how much work she's put into all of this.

She was looking forward to the event more than any of the people posting on this forum!

[Fade in/out.]

I want to sing with all the other school idols and everyone who comes to support us. I want the whole world to know just how fun school idols are!

*Chuckle* Man, I'm getting excited just thinking about it!

Yeah! This sounds like so much fun, zura!

I'd love to have a live show with everyone there!

*Chuckle* This is much more lively than our earlier conversation.

Is this what you meant by saying fun is infectious?

Exactly. We just have to enjoy what we're doing, first and foremost.

I wonder what kind of event we'd end up with if we managed to actually do all of our suggestions?

That's it! That's what we'll do! We'll do all of it!

What? I don't know if we can manage all of that…

No, I agree with her. I'm not gonna let up on this. I'm gonna make sure you all get to do what excites you most! I want to make all your dreams come true! That's why I'm here!

Well, if that's what you want, then that's what I want too. I want to hold a School Idol Festival that only we could pull off!

[Fade in/out.]

She might not be a school idol, but she loves school idols more than anybody else and I'm sure she thinks about them more as well.

She's earnest and always works so hard for others. There's no way an event she's trying to pull off wouldn't be a blast!

It'll be a fun event that everyone creates together… Where everyone's dreams will come true. I wanna be a part of it… I wanna be there as a school idol too.

Now isn't the time for me to quit being a school idol.

Knitting and baking are boring. There's something I find way more fun. That's what she taught me.

I wonder if she'll forgive me and suggest that we strive for the same dream again from here on if I apologize to her?

No, that's not what I want. I'm gonna ask her if we can share the same dream again! First, I need to apologize to everyone!

[Taking out phone.]

Ayumu, how have you been? I've missed seeing you around. Let's practice together again!

Ayumu! The stuff inside your locker might get all messed up if you don't start coming again! Come and have a look!

Ayumu, I made a new Rina-chan Board, so come and have a look at it. I want your advice, too.

Ayumuuuuuu! I miss yooooooou! Come baaaaaaack!

I've brought a novel that'll lift your spirits! I'd love for you to read it. I'm sure it'll cheer you up!

Everyone here needs a little time sometimes… Did that sound cool? I hope so, but honestly, I just really want to see you. With a huge smile on your face, that is!

I agree with Karin. I really wanna see your smile too. I'm going through Ayumu withdrawal!

So that's why we'll wait for you for as long as it takes, Ayumu. Don't take too long though, or I might… Zzz… You know?

[Putting phone away.]

Oh wow, guys!

I can't go on like this. I've gotta get back to the club and…

Make the School Idol Festival a success!