You say some pretty weird things. Hard work doesn't affect the quality of a song. Isn't it obvious that songs written by professionals are better than those by amateurs?

[Fade in/out.]

(She's right. There's no way my songs are in the same league as ones written by professionals.)

(Is it possible that she really might be right and it'd be better in terms of leveling everyone up for them to get fostered in the Association's environment?)

(Maybe my approach to everything up until now has only been limiting everyone's potential.)

Umm…

Gah! O-Oh, geez. It's just you, Shioriko.

S-Sorry for piping up so suddenly!

It's just that seeing you around here made me feel worried about you.

Huh?

[Fade in/out.]

Let me officially welcome you back. I have been looking forward to your return.

Thanks. I'm glad to be back safe and sound.

You went to the Association, didn't you? I can imagine the things Lanzhu must have said to you. You have my apologies. I'm sorry she said such horrible things to you.

Why are you apologizing?

Lanzhu and I…are actually childhood friends. I'm apologizing because I wasn't able to stop the formation of the Association, nor the banning of the club's activities.

Really? But even so, there's nothing you need to apologize for. I'll make sure to resolve everything. You have nothing to worry about, Shioriko.

I'm worried because I know how Lanzhu can be. She's always been…how should I put this? A little socially awkward, or perhaps self-willed is a better word for it.

Wait, but that also applies to me. I ignored other students' independence and forced my beliefs onto them. I guess it takes one to know one.

But you did what you did because you had the good of others in mind, right?

Yes, but from their perspective my actions were no different from Lanzhu's.

Lanzhu has gorgeous looks, is highly talented, and comes from a rich family—all enough to make anyone jealous. But she has her faults too. She just doesn't realize it herself.

She's self-centered, overbearing, and exceptional at rubbing people the wrong way, so I can't tell you how many people she's hurt along the way, including me.

*Laugh* You sure have been through a lot.

I just want you to know something. She doesn't have any bad intentions. At the root of her actions, she genuinely thinks what she does will make everyone happy.

It may not seem that way to you at all, but it's Lanzhu's way of showing her good intentions. Even so, that doesn't exactly excuse her selfish ways.

That's what she's always like, so her intentions generally don't get through to others and they end up disliking her. The fact that she doesn't realize this is also troubling.

You sure do know her well.

We're cut from the same cloth and are childhood friends. In fact, when I heard about you and Ayumu, I was surprised at how different childhood friends could be.

For Lanzhu to have someone as understanding as you as her childhood friend is proof that she really is a good person.

It seems like you might have gotten the wrong idea, but she hasn't said anything offensive to me. If anything, I feel like she told the truth that I couldn't see myself.

I wasn't able to object to anything she said because I couldn't help but think that she might be right.

No, that's not…

I'm sure everyone could improve faster than ever if they utilize the environment she's created. They're very fortunate to have access to such a place.

And I couldn't in a hundred years write such amazing songs in quick succession like Mia does. I'm sure anyone who sings her songs will pull off a wonderful performance.

I can only write songs when I'm all fired up after having lots of conversations with everyone. All I'm able to do is write completely customized songs for each person.

I bet everyone in the club could get more songs if I weren't their songwriter. Then they'd be able to perform more, level themselves up, and gain popularity.

Am I holding them back?

If everyone in the club has the potential to shine even brighter as school idols, then I want to support them to do so as their number one fan.

Maybe the club doesn't need me.

Please don't say things like that! Do you have any idea how many things wouldn't have been possible without you?!

Take, for example… That time I tried to abolish the club. Do you remember that? What I did was absolutely childish.

And now I'm a school idol myself. While I have everyone in the club to thank for welcoming and accepting me, the biggest factor was you inviting me to join.

I was so stubborn and theory-obsessed, and you changed me into the person I am now. Have a little more confidence in yourself.

*Laugh* I remember that. Hearing you say that makes me happy. Thank you.

Lanzhu and Mia are extremely talented indeed. They definitely received so many blessings when they were born.

But I love the club you created.

Shioriko…

The efforts of the Association are of very high quality as a result of the congregation of great talents. But I'm much more taken by everyone's school idol efforts with you.

While I'm currently a school idol as a member of the Association, I will help as much as I can so that you can all keep performing as a club, so please cheer up.

And then once again, someday, I'll also…

Thanks, Shioriko. I'll talk about this with everyone. I want to make the best decision for them.

[Fade in/out.]

Argh! That selfish princess said such rude things to you?! How dare she? She doesn't know you at all!

But she's just so talented and offers so much that it's almost a given for her to say things like that to me.

You're just as talented as her! We wouldn't have been able to hold the School Idol Festival without you, and the songs you write are the best in the world!

At least, that's what I think!

I also love the songs you write.

Me too. Every song you write is warm and filled with emotions. I just wish I could hold them close to me.

Y-You're complimenting me way too much!

That's not true! If anything, we're not complimenting you enough! No matter what others might say, you're a one-of-a-kind special person to me!

There has been so much we've only been able to work hard towards because you're our president!

As well as hardships we've only been able to overcome because you've been there for us!

We want you to understand how we feel. Rina-chan Board says, “Staaare.”

Thank you so much, guys. I'm so happy to hear all of that. But I still don't think that every single thing Lanzhu said was wrong.

No matter what you all might think, I'm the one that's been holding back your potential.

How could you even say that?

I learned a lot on my short-term study abroad trip. I realized that the world within you expands when you're in a new environment and experience new things.

And that's something really fun and wonderful.

Which is why I want you all to try imagining what it would be like to be school idols in the Association, like Karin and Ai.

Are you going to quit the club?! You don't care about us at all?!

That's not true. I want you all to try and give it a good long think precisely because I care for you and am your biggest fan.

I want you to be honest with your feelings and really consider what you need right now to become the school idols you all want to be.

My answer's not going to change no matter how hard I think. I want to do this with you, because you brought me into all this. So I'll stick with you. That's me being honest.

Same goes for me, because no one is better than you at bringing out the best in me.

I want to stay here, too. I can only become the school idol I want to be by staying in the club.

You're the only one who listens to everything I say. I won't be separated from you.

You'll stay with us, won't you?

Are you really sure it's me you want around?

It has to be you and nobody else.

She's right!

Thank you…

You may not be able to practice and perform out in the open, but I'll support you all as much as I can and try to think of ways for you to continue your activities.

Shizuko, Setsuna, Rinako? You guys feel the same way, right?

Could I have a night to think it through?

Huh?! What do you mean by that?! Are you gonna betray us?!

That's not it! It's just that the Prez asked us to think things through properly, so I want to give it some time to think it over!

I agree with Shizuku. I want to give it some good thought on my own.

Me too.

All three of them? But they're gonna stay, right?