Time for a big, huge, giant review of our live show…

Almost everyone in our audience went off to watch the Association's live show. It pains me to say this, but their popularity is the real deal.

Yeah. The quality of their performances really is incredible. But I'm glad there were still people who had fun with us. Their support is really encouraging.

Yup! Everyone had fun with us, right?

Right! We managed to perform a live show for the people who support us.

And that's exactly why we need to work even harder!

It was such a great live show! I got all emotional watching it! It really was just so good and so moving that I cried a few times during it!

While some disappointing things happened, watching that live show confirmed to me how amazing you all are! These feelings of mine are sincere! I love all of you!

Right? I feel the same way, too! The School Idol Association has nothing on us!

So, Kasumi asked me if I was feeling down after talking to Lanzhu.

When she first asked, I didn't think so at the time, but maybe I actually was depressed.

That live show I watched right after getting back was just as amazing as what I saw when I was abroad. Then there was their clubroom's facilities, and Mia's songs. Everything surprised me.

I just kept picturing how much you'd all improve and what kind of performances you'd show me if you all trained as school idols in that environment.

Prez…

But you know what? The guerrilla gig swept all of those feelings away. We can't match their facilities, budget, or staff numbers, but that's not what makes a school idol.

None of that matters when it comes to your unique charms.

That's why I really do want to keep going with everyone! It's maybe just me being selfish, but I want to write songs for everyone and I want you all to sing them.

And so I want to be as close as I can to everyone. I want to be right there next to you to support all of you!

M-Me too! I want you there next to me as well!

Same here. I need you with me.

Who knows when I might go wild again if you're not around for me!

Ahahaha!

You're finally back to your normal self.

You promised to be our strongest ally on that fateful day, so please stay by our sides forever and ever!

We can give being school idols our all because you're there thinking about how we can do what we want to, and striving for our goals alongside us. Let's do our best together.

Thanks. I'm going to write even better songs and try harder to support all of you.

All right then! Time to turn this into a strategy meeting. What are we gonna do from here on out?

First off, we need to assume that we won't be granted permission to do any sort of school idol activities.

Then let's keep doing guerrilla gigs! We'll show everyone what makes the club so great through our own methods!

If we build as much hype as the Association, then I'm sure that everyone supporting us will speak up about it.

Yep. They'll say that they want to see more and more of our live shows, right?

Right. Let's start by creating lots of allies!

For sure! Time to give it all we've got to increase the number of people watching us!

U-Um…

Let's think of even more ways to spread our rumors!

How should we do it?

Um! Everyone!

What's up, Shizuku?

Um…

I'm…going to join the School Idol Association.

WHAAAT?! What's gotten into you, Shizuko?!

Shizuku, you're not being serious, are you?

I am serious.

Why?! No! I don't want you to!

I'm sorry, Kasumi, but…

I've already made up my mind.

Shizuko, you're the worst. For you to defect to the Association at this very moment just shows that you only want to be a school idol over in the spotlight!

N-No! That's not it. I've been thinking this through the whole time, ever since the Prez asked us to!

I don't like what I'm hearing! Whatever! I don't care about you anymore, Shizuko.

Kasumi… Look, I was the one who asked everyone to think about their futures. I want to respect her decision.

While it doesn't change the fact that it's disappointing to hear, if that's the decision you've come to after thinking it through, then…

Same here. It makes me sad, but I want to respect her wishes.

Setsuna… Rina…

We were all motivated about giving it our all together and now you've gone and wrecked the mood! I'm going home!

Oh…

I'm not gonna go home with you anymore, Shizuko! You big dummy!

[Fade in/out.]

Shizuku, can I talk to you for a moment?

Are you disappointed in me too?

Definitely not! Besides, I'm the one who asked you to think it over, so don't let it get to you. I want you to be confident in your decision and I wholeheartedly support you.

Prez…

There's just something about the Association's performances that are so overwhelming. I can understand why you'd want to try that out with them after seeing it.

Um, that's not it. I want to see for myself what the difference is between the Association and this club.

Huh? What do you mean?

The Association's performances really are amazing. You could even say they're masterfully done.

I'm drawn in by their irresistible atmosphere, but then an image of our club performing flashes across my mind. It's like I just get reminded of it out of the blue.

If you asked a hundred people who has the higher-quality performance, I think every single person would choose the Association.

But I just can't agree with that for some reason. I don't think Kasumi's performance today was inferior to Lanzhu's at all.

Shizuku…

What exactly is the difference? I know something's different, but it bugs me that I don't know exactly what it is.

That's why I'm going to see what the Association is about.

Once I find the answer to that mystery, then I…

That's enough, Shizuku. You must've really mulled over this.

Honestly, I'm embarrassed about this, but a little bit of what I said came out in the spur of the moment.

I thought that Kasumi was amazing.

The Association might be better at singing and dancing, and I might still have a long way to go, but I can stand proud against them long as everyone continues to support me!

It occurred to me that, with how I am right now, I could never say things like that. It also really saddened me that I would think things like that.

So I was determined not to be outshone by her. I want to grow and have the confidence to say that I'm more appealing myself. That's what I thought.

Will you support me, despite how I am?

No matter what happens, I'll always be your ally, so give it your all until you're happy with yourself. I'll always support you, even if you join the Association.

Thank you! Please wait for me! I WILL improve and return to this club!