Hey, Ai? Shioriko? Have you seen Mia lately?

No…

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen her. I wonder what's up. Maybe she's absorbed in songwriting or something?

That's even more concerning, then. She's been writing songs super fast up until now, yet she hasn't finished a single song lately.

She's been TOO impressive up until now. Everyone goes through these periods, right?

She's 14 years old. What if she's collapsed with a fever? Or maybe she went to sleep with her tummy sticking out and caught a cold?

Does she even eat properly to begin with? With the way she gets so focused on things, she might forget…

Oh, carin' Karin. You're starting to sound like Emma-chi now, Mama Karin.

What?! Hey, quit making fun of me!

Heh! Sorry. If you're so worried about her, why don't we go and check up on her? Let's grab some cash and PAY her a visit! Geddit?

Um, about Mia. There are signs that she has been eating properly, so I do believe she's okay.

Really?

Yes. There was a lunch plate left outside of the songwriting room a little earlier. It did appear as though she had left a lot of it uneaten, though.

I had no idea. Hmm, maybe Karin's right. Something might be going on with her. Is she homesick? I mean, she is only 14, after all.

Come to think of it, she lives in the dorms, right? Have you seen her around, Karin?

That's the thing—I don't see her around the dorms, either. I used to see her in the lounge before, which is why I'm so worried. I hope it's not writer's block or something.

Leaving me out of the conversation again, huh? Let me in on this!

Whoa! You scared me!

You don't need to attend to your meeting with the stage producers anymore, Lanzhu?

Nope, no problem! More importantly, it seems like you're worried about Mia, but of all people, she would be the last person to ever get writer's block.

A regular genius might get writer's block, but Mia's a super genius hand-picked by me. She's a member of the Taylor family, so she's on a different level to the average joe.

The Taylor family? Are they famous?

Are you kidding?! Don't tell me you've never heard of them! Anyone who calls themselves a music-lover knows their name!

I'm not exactly an expert on music, though.

Mia comes from a super-elite musical family.

*Chuckle* Let me tell you all about them!

Mia's dad is a tenor vocalist with adoring fans worldwide, her mom is a top Broadway musical star, and her big sister is a pop sensation with record-breaking sales in the US.

Whoa! That's incredible!

I see what you mean by “super-elite” now…

She was born into a different world than the average person. Mia polished up her skills in an environment filled with talent. There's no way she would ever get writer's block.

I see. Geez, Mia really is incredible. I wanna see more of what her world is like!

Why don't we invite her out for tea and snacks sometime?

I can go with you for tea now, though? I'll tell you all about me!

*Laugh* Then we'll spend today getting to know Lanzhu.

I'd like to learn more about you as well.

Oh gosh! Ask me anything!

First and foremost is today's practice, you three. It's almost time for it to start now.

Okay!

[Fade in/out.]

Guys! Did you see all the buzz on social media? The guerrilla gig we had the other day is getting rave reviews!

Yeah, there's a lot being said about it. A lot of people really loved your performance, Shizuku.

Really? I'm so happy to hear that.

And now we've got more people coming to our guerrilla gigs. I'm feeling motivated!

I can't wait to see everyone's faces at our next live show.

Same! I want to be able to interact with everyone even more to share what we all love.

Everyone, look at what else is being said.

What is it? “I think I really do like the School Idol Club as well.” *Giggle* That's something I like to see.

What's with that “as well” part?! The CORRECT way to say it would be, “I like the School Idol Club better!”

Look at what else they're saying. “I'm looking forward to the next guerrilla gig.” “I've promised my friends that we'd all go cheer them on next time.”

Hearing everyone say these things is blasting all of my sleepiness away!

But there are also comparisons being made to the School Idol Association.

“The Association's live shows are way better, quality-wise. The Club's live shows are so amateur,” apparently. Rina-chan Board says, “Sad-faaace.”

I'm sure this comment was written by a School Idol Association plant, Rinako! You don't have to get all sad-faced!

But they're right about the difference in quality. The Association really is impressive. I'm taken aback when I watch them…

No sad-face from you either, Ayumu! Doesn't it rile you up seeing these comments?! I know I'm riled up! I don't think we're second-best to the Association at all!

Neither do I. Especially since I know more than anybody else how exciting all of your performances are.

If our quality is lower, then all we need to do is improve it. Depending on how you read that comment, it's like they're saying we have room to improve.

Shizuku's exactly right. They're words we should be grateful for if we just think of them as pieces of advice.

*Giggle* No matter what they write, let's be grateful that the people who came to watch us left some comments for us.

…Something seems different about you, Shizuko.

I'll be left behind in your dust if I don't continue to change, Kasumi.