I don't feel like doing anything.

I've spent all this time working towards the School Idol Festival, so now I just feel like a deflated balloon.

What goal should I work towards starting tomorrow?

No wait, it's not over yet… We might not be able to hold the event at Nijigasaki, but it could still go ahead if I find another venue.

But even if I do find a new venue, the problem with the volunteers still remains…

Ugh, enough! I can't think about anything right now. Maybe my head will be a little clearer if I get some good sleep.

In any case, I gotta tell everyone in μ's and Aqours.

That can wait 'til tomorrow, right? I've had it for today.

Huh? A call from Honoka?

[Taking out phone.]

Hi, Honoka. What's up?

What's up?! Aren't you watching right now?! Ayumu's live stream is going viral!

Huh? Ayumu? On a live stream? Wh-What's happening?!

Whoa, whoa! Calm down! Come on now, take some deep breaths…

*Inhale* *Exhale* *Inhale* *Exhale*

Feel better?

Yeah. So what are you talking about? Ayumu on a live stream? Right now?

She's live streaming a video right now so you should tune in to watch her.

I'm kinda scared. Could you tell me what she's talking about?

You need to see for yourself.

Okay.

You two sure are lucky to have each other as childhood friends. Anyway, catch you later.

[Putting phone away.]

A video live stream? Oh, it must be on this site.

She's right. It really is Ayumu. How many days has it been since I last saw her?

[Fade in/out.]

I never had any dreams or passions of my own.

Every day I just had fun hanging out with my friends, knitting, and baking. It's not like I felt like something was missing from my life.

But ever since I became a school idol and found friends to share that with, my life got really, really fun. Now every day is exciting and important to me.

My high school life up until that point was fun in its own way, but nothing I could really brag about. I wasn't fulfilled.

But now that I'm a school idol, I can proudly say that I am absolutely fulfilled.

It was my childhood friend who invited me to join the world of school idols.

This very dear friend of mine loves school idols more than anybody else and is always right by our members' sides cheering us on.

When I first joined, I really wasn't serious about it at all. In fact, I don't think I had the passion that the other members of the club did.

But my friend always seemed so happy to watch me practice every day. She has the best smile. I felt motivated to work hard because I wanted to see her smile.

I was so happy about mastering dance moves I couldn't do at the start and being able to project my voice further. Before I knew it, I was absolutely loving practice.

The more I practiced, the better I got, and she was thrilled with my improvements. And best of all, I was so happy when people who came to see our shows told me they had fun.

It felt good to spread that happiness to everyone, including myself, by working hard. What started off as a casual hobby became a passion of mine.

I never had dreams of my own, but as I kept practicing and performing, I found a dream I wanted to pursue.

I wanted to make it real with everyone. Working hard towards a common goal with your friends is more fun than I can even express.

I have that friend of mine to thank for everything. For inviting me to become a school idol, for encouraging and supporting me every day. I couldn't be more grateful to her.

However, I got into an argument with her. We still haven't patched things over yet.

My feelings exploded, and I got emotional… Before I knew it, I had said something I really didn't mean.

I said I didn't like being a school idol and that I wasn't doing it because I wanted to.

Ever since that day, I've been ignoring messages from everyone, skipping practice, and feeling ready to quit being a school idol.

I thought I could quit and pick up my old life, but something wasn't right. Even knitting or baking left me feeling like something was missing—like I had a hole in my heart.

I'd gotten exposed to something really, really fun. I finally realized that the only things that could fill that hole were being a school idol and seeing her smile.

After everything that's happened, I finally realized something. I really, really love school idols.

And I most definitely want to see through this big, amazing dream I have with my friend and my club members. I want the School Idol Festival to go ahead.

Everyone is working so, so hard to bring the School Idol Festival back.

We read through lots of info, negotiated with many people, and bounced ideas off all the participants to come up with an event that everyone would love.

We reworked and fine-tuned so much that when we left to finally go home every day, it would already be nighttime. Sometimes I'd be so tired that I'd fall asleep right there.

Yet it never once felt like work.

More than anything, it was just so much fun to see our dreams come together with our club president and all of our amazing members.

Our president might not be a school idol herself, but she loves school idols more than anybody else. She's always right by our side to support us.

She's lost so much sleep working on the School Idol Festival, which is supposed to be about bringing fun and joy to everyone who loves school idols.

It's going to put a smile on the face of everyone who joins up with us.

I want to be a part of the School Idol Festival with everyone. With Nijigasaki, μ's, Aqours, and all the people around the world who love school idols.

This is a festival that brings together everyone who loves school idols. It's guaranteed to be fun!

The School Idol Festival is my dream!

So won't you all join me in helping me make my dream come true? And let me make yours come true too! I'm asking you from the bottom of my heart!

[Fade in/out.]

Ayumu…

*Gasp*

(I shouldn't just be sitting around here watching her, I need to go see her. I need to see her and apologize to her, and…)