I'm Shizuku Osaka and I'll be in your care from here on! Thank you for having me!

You finally made it, Shizuku! We're happy to have you!

Eek!

*Laugh* Isn't Lanzhu super enthusiastic? She did the same to us when we joined!

*Chuckle* It sure was a passionate hug.

D-Did she really?

You don't have to be so tense! Since you're with me, then you'll definitely improve as a school idol. Don't worry about a thing.

A-All right!

Shizuku, it's nice to be together again!

I'm so happy that you came to join us. Let's do our best together.

Of course! I'm glad to be together with you again as well. Thank you again for having me!

Shizuku, how is the Club? What did you-know-who have to say about you moving over here?

She said that she'd support me in my decision.

Is that so?

Shioriko, are you unable to welcome me into the Association?

Of course I am! That isn't what I meant at all!

I would like to take another long, hard look at my personal style while I'm here.

Hm? Your personal style?

Yes. It hit me when I watched Kasumi perform. It's hard to admit, but as I am now, I cannot reach her level.

I'm still trying to think about how to go about doing that, but for the time being, I know that I need to change. So that's why I wanted to change my environment.

Learning from someone as impressive as Lanzhu is another thing that I think will help me grow.

True. Taking your natural aptitude under consideration, I think I can say that the style here will suit you more than anyone else.

What?

Ah, no, it's nothing.

Shioriko probably meant that you're destined to fall completely for all of my charms.

Lanzhu, please don't put words in my mouth.

What's this? Could you be jealous, Shioriko?

Not at all. You and I have been friends for far too long for me to ever be jealous of you, for any reason.

My apologies, Shizuku. I understand how you must feel, and I'm sorry if what I said made you uncomfortable. I am as delighted as anyone to be working with you again.

Thank you once again for joining us.

Thank you for having me!

Then why don't we get started on practice? Or are you calling it quits for today?

I'll take part in practice. That's the whole reason I came here.

Got it. Just don't be too taken aback, okay?

[Fade in/out.]

*Huff* *Puff* I never imagined it would be this hard…

*Giggle* You're totally out of breath.

This place is different from the club in just about every possible way.

*Laugh* Karin, Shio-ti, and I were all just like you at the start too. We were doing nothin' but huffin' and puffin'.

Hey now, don't tell her that.

The training regimens professionals put together are intense.

Are they? Isn't this normal?

Don't fret! You've all been hand-picked by me, so I'm certain you'll pick it up in no time.

Shizuku, here's something to drink.

Th-Thank you.

Lanzhu has never stopped pushing herself once since we were children. Keeping up with her is a challenge.

But now this is our new normal, right?

It sure is. Give it a week and you'll get used to it.

Karin, Ai, and Shioriko too, the quality of your performances is completely different from before. Do you think I'll be able to improve as much as you all have?

I hardly spent my time until now slacking, but now it's taking everything I have just to keep up.

Hey! Are you the one that came from the School Idol Club?

Yes, I'm Shizuku Osaka. You're Mia Taylor, right? It's a pleasure to meet you.

No need for intros. You were pretty loud saying all that earlier, I heard you fine.

O-Okay.

You've got good volume, and a decent voice too. How many octaves can you sing?

Octaves? I'm sorry, I'm not especially sure.

What? Do you seriously not know your own singing range? Dammit! This is ridiculous.

I'm terribly sorry.

*Sigh* Well, whatever. We'll figure it out later.

It's rare for you to come out of your songwriting room, Mia.

I only came here to see the newbie. I needed to check whether her singing is on par with my songs.

And? Did she meet your expectations?

She's met the bare minimum, I guess. Though she's still got a ways to go before she can sing my songs.

I will devote myself to improving.

Good luck. Well, I said my piece. Later.

That's a relief. Looks like you've passed for now. Not that I doubted you, since I saw your potential for myself.

So, what do you think of my School Idol Association?

In a word, incredible. Everything is well thought out and efficient. I think it's a perfect club.

Of course it is, I'm the one who made it. I do like how honest you are.

So now, I'll put on a performance for your benefit.

I'd like that very much.

Here I go.

[Fade in/out.]

Phew! How was that? Don't hold back on the praise, now.

It was perfect. Your performance really moved me with how incredible it was.

*Chuckle* This is my true power.

I want you to put in some hard work too. You might just get a solo of your own.

Do you mean it?

It all depends on the song. Our performances are based on who can best realize the song's potential in the most fitting manner.

This could be the style that I've been searching for all along. Please, let me learn from you from now on, at your side!

I really like you, Shizuku. I'll give you everything I can, so long as you stay with me. This makes us besties.