I see, so that's what happened. Thank you very much. I believe I should be able to handle it.

With this many people gathered in one place, there's no end to all the problems that arise.

Right. However, maybe this is the worst we'll have to deal with thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers.

Hehe, that's exactly right.

But I shouldn't be making you handle this with me. You don't have to deal with what goes on behind the scenes, you know?

*Chuckle* What can I say? I just can't sit back and do nothing.

You have also been dealing with your on-stage duties as well, so you must be tired. It really is okay. Please rest until it's time for you to go back on stage.

That's the thing, I'm not tired at all. I'm baffled myself as to why I'm so full of energy!

And I also want to see the results of my hard work with my own two eyes. Or am I imposing on you?

Not at all! It helps me to have your advice from your perspective as the former student council president.

If you aren't overworking yourself then I would very much appreciate your company on my patrols.

*Giggle* Thank you so much! I'd love to tag along!

[Fade in/out.]

How does the School Idol Festival appear from your perspective?

I think it's absolutely wonderful. Everyone I pass seems to be enjoying themselves.

And the students of Nijigasaki are at the center of the event, while the volunteers are also doing a great job.

The students are taking the initiative and thinking hard about what they're currently doing and deciding what they should prioritize next.

But each and every student seems to really be having a lot of fun.

Indeed. This event has become the best school festival ever for Nijigasaki High School.

It delights me to see the whole school actively working to breathe life into the event and seeing everyone having fun.

I honestly didn't expect it to go this well. I regret underestimating the power of passion.

I think your level of passion is quite the force in itself…

What? You're talking about me?

Yes. If you weren't passionate, you wouldn't be working this hard for us, regardless of whether you made a promise or your position as the president.

I really do think you're incredible!

Wh-Why the sudden words of praise?

I'm grateful that you told me to step down as student council president.

You saw exactly what the target of my absolute love was.

What you said was both for the sake of the school and for me, wasn't it?

That goes to show just how passionate you are about seriously considering the happiness of others.

I have no doubt that you can lead everyone in a better direction!

Um…

I am grateful to hear you say that, and that is exactly what I strive for, but you are really giving me more praise than I deserve.

That's not true at all!

It might be a problem for me to say this now, but I believe if you continued your role as the student council president, this school would have become a wonderful place.

After all, the running of this event has gone smoothly thanks to the creation of the app you suggested. I never would have come up with something like that.

*Giggle* Thank you. But I still think you're more suited to the job.

Hearing you say that really does make me happy. As your successor, I will do my best to live up to your expectations.

Please do! Oh, but if anything happens, please let us lend you a hand! We'll be right at your doorstep if we need anything from you as well!

*Chuckle* I see you have all bases covered, then.

*Giggle*

Oh, Setsuna? Are you not due for your next appearance on stage?

Ack! I am! Thank you, Shioriko. I'll head over and get the job done!

Please do. I'll also head there to offer my support.

[Fade in/out.]

Ah! There you are. I finally found you. It's been a while, huh, Shioriko?

*Gasp*

What's with that reaction? Don't tell me you've forgotten what your own big sister looks like?

Kaoruko, what are you doing here?

Well, I was one of the founding members of this festival, so I obviously wanted to come check it out and see how my successors are handling it.

And I even sent you a message last night to tell you I was coming to see you. You didn't even reply to your poor old big sister. I was almost in tears.

But I didn't think you'd be involved in the running of the School Idol Festival itself. I thought you hated school idols?

Yes. I did hate them. Very much.

Right? What was it you used to say? “School idols are figures of futility,” or something like that?

Well…

How about I take a stab at what you're thinking? I lost my smooth and secure ride to becoming the Mifune family successor because…

…You became too engrossed in school idols and the School Idol Festival.

Mmhmm. That's what you always thought, right?

I did.

And so I never wanted to see anyone fail like you again.

That's why I've prioritized the aptitude of all students over anything else as the student council president. I just wanted to see everyone smile.

Yeah, I get you.

But you didn't fail. I was the one who arbitrarily decided to see it that way. I know it might be late now, but I understand what you were—

I understand what you're trying to say, Shioriko. I can tell just by looking around. You've got the whole school involved in this School Idol Festival.

It means there was something that shifted your way of thinking. Something incredibly wonderful.

Yes. I wasn't able to bring smiles to the faces of so many people through my own methods.

I genuinely think school idols are amazing to be capable of that.

I'm glad I learned that lesson. Now I am someone who loves school idols and supports them.

You support school idols? *Giggle* Some things about you just never change, huh?

Never change?

You're drawn to the charms of school idols, yet it never occurred to you to actually want to become one?

Well… I'm more suited to working behind the scenes, and I know that's something I can do a good job at.

I'm also not good at singing or dancing. So I don't think it's the right path for me to take.

And that's what never changes about you. You have a habit of trying to approach everything logically.

I'm not saying that thinking logically is a bad thing, but sometimes that makes you lose sight of what's important.

Do school idols only have being good at singing and dancing going for them?

Isn't there something more about them that strikes your heart? Isn't that why they've changed how you think? Isn't there some kind of feeling that's budded within you?

Budded? A feeling?

I'm sure everyone would feel at ease with you working behind the scenes, I can't deny that. And I know you'd be satisfied doing that yourself.

But think about it, Shioriko. Isn't there an opportunity for you to do something that excites you even more?

I know you're trying to get me to admit that I want to become a school idol, but I believe that I am lacking in far too many areas.

Lacking? Are you talking about your singing and dancing abilities?

No, um, how do I say this? Everyone is very serious about being a school idol.

It's not merely that they love them, but they feel some kind of belief towards them.

Ahaha! Oh, Shioriko. You're always so serious! But I like what you said just now. Belief in school idols, huh?

You're right. I think school idols, just like μ's, Aqours, and even the Nijigasaki girls have that certain sense of belief that you're talking about.

And I think you have something like that, too.

Me?! No way…

I'm confident that no one can beat me when it comes to my love for school idols. That's why I can tell straight away when I see someone who feels the same way as me.

If you ask me, someone who talks about having beliefs in school idols isn't merely an admirer of them.

Working on the administrative side of things isn't bad, but there are things you can't obtain unless you're a school idol yourself. That's what you're yearning for.

At least, that's what I think.

Anyway, just give it a little more thought. Think back to what you've learned from school idols.