Oh, Rina. Are you off to the cafeteria now?

Yeah.

I'm going to have lunch with Ayumu and the others. You should join us as well.

Thanks. I'd like that.

(Huh? Isn't that…)

[Fade in/out.]

Why did you break the door? You're so irrational.

You left me with no choice, since you were all cooped up in there.

Indeed. While Lanzhu's methods may have left a lot to be desired, she is quite worried about you, as are we.

I didn't ask for anyone's concern.

And I don't remember being asked, either. I was just doing what I wanted to do, that's all.

Ugh, more importantly, when will you let me hear your new song? Karin and the others have been joking that you might have writer's block because you're taking so long.

The song…? It's done.

Oh? Then let me listen to it later, okay?

I'm gonna eat in the clubroom since there's a live stream I wanna watch.

A live stream? Oh, you mean a baseball one? I guess that's okay, but wouldn't it be more fun to have lunch with Shioriko and me?

Baseball's more fun.

I insist that the three of us have lunch together today!

You oppressive tyrant.

Now, now. Our lunches will get cold, so let's eat up in a civilized fashion.

Geez. It must be tough growing up friends with a selfish princess, Shioriko.

That's not true! Shioriko, Kaoruko, and I have been the bestest friends foreeeeeever!

So you say.

I just can't leave her be, problems and everything included.

You're an oddball yourself, Shioriko. I guess that's what makes you the perfect match for Lanzhu, then.

Anyway, the lunches at this school cafeteria are lacking in substantial meat. Maybe I'll tell Mom and have them add some spare ribs or something to the menu.

You won't have any strength or energy if you only eat hamburgers, Mia.

I like hamburgers.

You won't grow up big and strong eating that kind of stuff! You need meat, I'm telling you! Meat! Eat some proper, chunky meat!

[Fade in/out.]

They sure do stand out, even from far away.

It looks like Shioriko and the others are having cafeteria food today.

Mia's eating a hamburger, just like me. Does she like them as well?

I'm going to go talk to Shioriko. Do you mind?

I'll go too.

Then let's all go, together.

[Fade in/out.]

Shioriko!

Ayumu!

Oh GOSH! Ayumu! Rina!

And…you too, huh?

*Chuckle* Hi! Having lunch in the school cafeteria today?

Uh-huh! I figured I'd meet the likes of Ayumu and the others if we were here!

S-Sorry. She might not have worded it in the nicest way, but she means well.

Yeah, it's okay. We know how genuine she is.

Ayumu, Rina! You should join us for lunch, now that you're here! Oh, meat! It'd be better if we had some meat! I'll go tell the chef and have them bring some for us!

[Fade in/out.]

What you heard just now will be the next song.

It kinda sounds different from your usual songs.

Nope! This song's no good. It doesn't surpass your previous song, Mia.

I don't think you should word things like that, Lanzhu.

Performers who can't say when something is bad are being disrespectful to their performances, Karin. I'm being serious about this.

What's bad is bad, and what's good is good. The conversation starts from there.

Now I know why you were cooped up that whole time. It's because you couldn't write a song to blow us all away.

Dammit.

I should be the one in the bad mood, here. I brought you over because I thought you'd be the best addition to our group. It's your duty to make songs that satisfy me.

That's obviously something to be expected of a Taylor-family member, right?

…

Lanzhu, that's enough. Mia's been writing amazing songs at an incredible speed up until now. There's no reason to question her abilities.

Let's have a constructive discussion. Karin and Ai, please tell us your honest opinions about the song you just heard.

So, I intuitively felt little flickers of the Club's president's songs in there somehow.

Say WHAT?! Are you saying that infant of a songwriter is better than me?!

That's not what Ai meant. You are you, and she is herself. She's the only person who can write her songs, just like you're the only one who can write yours.

So…aren't you just saying that I'm losing out to her?

It's not about who's better or worse. You both have different approaches. I love the songs she writes for the School Idol Club, but I also love yours as well, Mia.

Whatever. I'll write a song that'll blow you all away, so just leave me alone!