I see! I'm glad Mia's feeling better now. Also, I think an online live show sounds incredible! I'd love to see it.

Yeah! You'd be able to watch it if it's online. Rinari's teaching me how to do it right now, so look forward to it!

That's Rina, right? *Giggle* You really are surrounded by such dependable friends.

Uh-huh! Oh, and, and! Everyone in the Club is totally amazing!

They've blown through everything in their way like not being able to use their clubroom or perform the way they want anymore, and have powered up instead!

Their online live show was amazing as well. I'm an even bigger fan of theirs now.

Hey, Ai? I don't know if it's okay for me to ask you this, but…

Why did you leave everyone when you love them so much? Wouldn't it be better for you to perform together with them?

I've got lots of reasons. I didn't want to reject the Association without any knowledge about them, and I wanted Lanzhu and the others to get to know the Club better.

I figured they would treat the Club better if they got to know them.

But my main reason is that I wanted to take on the challenge.

The challenge?

Maybe “challenge” isn't the right word. It's hard to explain.

You know what, though? I really want to put myself up against everyone. I want to battle against them and win.

There was something the Prez said to me when she asked me to become a school idol.

“Being a school idol will definitely give you experiences you haven't had before. Great experiences, even. It'll show you a whole new world.”

I understood what she meant after I became a school idol, and now I want to see what lies beyond that.

Ai…

But they've totally got me beat! If you look at my win rate, or whatever it's called, I lose way more often than Setsu and Kana do! And look at this!

A fan site for the Club? I didn't know something like this even existed.

It sure does. Look. This is what I want you to see.

The popularity poll?

They do this every month. Kasukasu and the others are so ridiculously strong in it that I can't ever hit #1.

At the beginning, I thought it was because I was just starting out as a school idol, but I still can't win, even now.

Oh, but don't get me wrong. I obviously respect and love everyone in the Club, so I'm happy if any of them win and I'm genuinely happy for them.

But now, it's kinda different. I wanna win. I want to take them on in a serious battle and win.

Especially Setsu. I wanna go toe-to-toe with her and win. Setsu's really incredible!

That's why I wanna power myself up in a different environment! At least, that's what I thought. Is it weird of me to think that way?

So that's what was motivating you.

You've always been one to put others ahead of you if it meant bringing more joy to a situation, so I think it's really great that you can think that way now.

The friends you've made really are wonderful.

[Fade in/out.]

The Club just keeps picking up momentum these days.

It looks like the school monitors' actions are having the opposite effect, and there's nothing we can do if they perform online live shows like the other day.

You say that, but you looked like you enjoyed watching the show.

That's because I love the performances of everyone in the Club. Is there a problem with me enjoying myself?

Shioriko, you can disband the school monitors now. We must think of other methods.

Very well. I'll do just that.

They're capable of such spectacular performances, so why won't they join the Association? They'd shine even brighter if they did.

We've got the best facilities and staff to support them. I've trawled the world to create all of this. I really don't understand why.

What else do I need to bring them over to the Association? When will they realize that the Association is far better than the Club?

Argh! C'mon! What's so great about the Club?!

The Club has worked hard to build up what they have right now.

I know. That's why I want to work harder to build them up even higher!

Ugh. If this is how it is, then I've got an idea.

You mustn't be too extreme in your methods, Lanzhu.

I'm not being extreme. I'm just going to play with them to my heart's content!

Play?

But how?

I doubt you'd suggest performing a live show together with them, so…

That's for me to think about right now! Girls! Give me some new ideas!

Ideas that'll make everyone realize just how amazing I am, in an instant! If we do that, then—

Lanzhu?

Silence, Shioriko.

I'm serious this time. I've even seriously gotten some serious preparations done. That's why I didn't expect to have so much trouble.

But I can see that it wasn't enough. That's why I need to try harder for everyone to see how incredible I am.

We'll show them just how much they can gain by working together with me!