I don't wanna talk to you outsiders, and I don't even wanna see your faces either! Hmph, I said!

Outsiders? I mean, I guess we are.

Don't be like that. C'mon, show me that adorable face of yours.

Huh? My adorable face?

I mean! You can't trick me! I have nothing to do with people who've quit this club and joined the Association! Hmph and double hmph!

Kasukasu, don't be like that!

H-Hey! Don't latch onto me! And it's Kasumin!

Calm down, Kasumi. *Pat* *Pat*

Grrr.

By the looks of things, you've already heard about everything that went down?

Yeah, for the most part. So does that mean you and Ai joined the Association? I saw you two performing at the live show earlier. Could I hear your side of the story, too?

*Giggle* I love that side of you. Why don't we go on a date later since we've got a lot to catch up on?

Cut that out! Stop enticing her!

We've still got the ultimate weapon here—Ayumu! Go on! Speak your mind, Ayumu!

Wait, huh?! Wh-What should I say?

UGH! You know, everything you're always saying to me!

[Fade in/out.]

Okay, let's go back to the start and listen to Karin and Ai's side of the story as well. What would you like to ask them first, Prez?

Karin, Ai, are you having fun doing what you do over at the Association?

Prez! That just sounds like you're chatting with them normally!

What?! R-Really? Umm, okay. How about, uh… Why did you join the Association?

Isn't it obvious?! Both Karin and Ai have lost their pride as school idols!

That's not true! I do have pride in being a school idol!

It's absolutely my top choice to be a school idol as part of our club. But that's not something we can do anymore, so I want to at least be able to practice.

And, honestly, I was interested in how the Association did things. I didn't want to oppose them without knowing anything. I wanna be friends with all lovers of school idols.

But I wanted everyone to make a unified decision.

I didn't join the club to make friends. Of course, everyone in the club is great and I love you all. I'm grateful to all of you and no one could ever replace you.

But I don't think always doing everything together is necessarily correct. We're both allies and rivals. I want us to constantly push each other to improve.

So I wish you'd acknowledge the way that Ai and I have chosen to do things. In fact, you all got inspired by our performance, didn't you?

I-I guess so. Your dancing skills have gone up a level compared to just a little while ago.

True, it does fill me with motivation to try harder so I don't lose out to you.

The Association is at an elite level in a range of aspects. It really does feel like what you'd expect from a group of professionals.

Professionals? What kind of professionals, exactly?

The lyricist, composer, choreographer, and stage producer—everyone in a creative role is an elite industry professional brought in by Lanzhu.

I see. So that's why it was possible to create such an impressive performance.

But you don't get a chance to sing right now, do you, Karin?

Emma…

I don't want to see you as Lanzhu's backup dancer. I want to see your own performance, Karin.

That's not something we have control over there. The Association creates performances centered around the most perfect person in the group. Right now, that's Lanzhu.

I can tell just by watching her from behind. Her performances are just out of this world. There's no comparison.

But I'm not going to always be a backup dancer. I'll be the main performer one day.

It's not about being the main performer or a backup dancer. I think you're way more amazing than Lanzhu.

Emma's right. Lanzhu's not all that.

Well, actually, maybe she is pretty impressive. Even I know she's good at what she does. But… But I'm not that impressed by her as a school idol!

Kasumi, calm down.

Prez!

Look, why don't you all come to check out the Association? As you'd expect from professionals helping out, what we're doing is top-class. There's a lot you can learn.

She's right. Lanzhu would happily welcome you all.

I won't ever go.

Me neither.

I want to be free to do whatever I want.

Sorry, but I would also like to do what I love.

Actually, today isn't the first time we've had this conversation. We've gone over this multiple times and our opinions always clash.

We can't come to a conclusion on our own, so we decided to wait for you to come back to see what your thoughts would be.

What do you think?

Sorry, but I still haven't managed to organize the thoughts in my head just yet. Can I just give you my impression based on what you've all just said?

Go ahead.

Lanzhu came here after watching the School Idol Festival and seeing everyone perform. I think that means that she loves school idols, just like the rest of you.

As Ai said, if you love the same thing then it'd be great if you all became friends. The best outcome would be for everyone to perform together. However…

Thinking back on today's live show, I'm not sure. The whole audience seemed to really enjoy themselves, the atmosphere was pumped, and the performance was incredible. But…

It felt a little different from the μ's and Aqours live show I saw on one of the big screens in Akihabara.

Prez! I knew you were on my side! I just knew it!

Yeah. It'd be great if we could all perform together, but I just don't see it as possible.

W-Wait! I don't want to give my final answer yet. I still want everyone to perform together if we're on the same page after talking to her, since we all love school idols.

Besides, first and foremost, what's most important right now is to get the clubroom back so that everyone can keep up with being a school idol, right?

That means I need to talk to her. Ai, Karin, is it possible to talk to Lanzhu?

Of course! Let's go and see her right now, then. Karin, do you think Lanzhu's in the clubroom right now?

She said she'd be reviewing the live show footage, so I think so. Let's go.

U-Um. Are you going to be okay on your own? Do you want me to go with you?

Thanks, Ayumu. I'll be fine. Catch you later.