NO! This can't be happening… The School Idol Club can't have lost!

It felt like all the other times Lanzhu stole the show… Her performance was so powerful that the sheer strength of her charm just mesmerized everyone watching.

Setsuna can usually do that too. But she seemed a bit different this time. Rina-chan Board says, “Slump.”

Yeah, something about her performance felt like she wasn't focused… Maybe—

[Fade in/out.]

*Groan* I lost, you guys!

You did well, Setsuna.

It was a match I absolutely couldn't lose… And you all pinned your hopes and dreams on me… I'm so, so sorry that I failed you!

I don't know how I can ever make it up to you… I'm so ashamed, I just can't forgive myself.

Don't apologize. Listen, I'm only guessing, but I think that maybe you weren't able to truly be yourself on stage because of us.

You were too preoccupied with winning on behalf of all of us in the School Idol Club, weren't you? Did that make you unable to enjoy performing like usual?

What?

I think so too, Setsuna. You weren't your usual self out there.

We put too much pressure on you.

That's what happened?! Nooo, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault because I told you that you had to win!

I should've just believed in you, Setsuna! I'm really sorry!

Please don't apologize! Even if that might've been the case, I still should've focused on my performance… I'm too inexperienced. I'm sorry!

[Fade in/out.]

What's going on in here? We could hear you apologizing to each other from the hallway.

Did someone spill a drink or something?

No, that's not it. We were all apologizing because it's our fault that Setsuna wasn't able to give her usual performance.

That's not true, Shizuku! You guys entrusted me with all your passionate hopes, and it's my fault that I couldn't channel that passion into my performance!

I'm saying you didn't do anything wrong, Setsuna!

This is all because we lost in the first place. We're the ones who failed you.

Umm… I'm not sure, but I think I'm getting the picture.

Kasumi's apologizing to Setsuna for putting pressure on her, and Setsuna's apologizing for losing to that pressure. Do I have that right?

In that case, we should apologize too because we didn't even participate in the event.

Yeah, that's true.

No, it was up to each of us to decide if we were participating or not. You have no reason to apologize.

I think that's enough, you guys.

[Fade in/out.]

*Sigh* I'm just so disappointed. I wanted to win.

But maybe it was wrong to think that way… To want to win on the Club's behalf, or to avenge your losses, or to beat Lanzhu…

I'd never gone up on stage thinking about so much at once before.

What do you usually think about?

Usually it's just one thing—I want everyone to accept what I love!

*Giggle* That's your most charming quality, Setsuna.

But now we have to come up with a new plan. We were supposed to kick the Association's butts and make everyone realize that the School Idol Club is the best after all!

Huh? They already think that.

They do?!

More accurately, they're saying, “Nijigasaki's school idols are the best!” So it's more like they've now started to like both the Club AND the Association.

Is that so?

Yeah. The audience's response was incredible!

They were saying that both the Club and the Association are amazing, that they want to see more live shows, and that school idols are simply the best.

They stayed behind in the venue even after the event was over, chatting about what they thought of the show. It made me kind of emotional.

I'm so glad I participated in the event. Rina-chan Board says, “All smiles.”

Our feelings reached the audience after all.

But still! We're definitely gonna win next time!

Is there even going to be a “next time”?

There will be if we plan one! We agreed to their proposal this time around, so it's only fair that they go along with one we suggest.

Yes. I don't want to keep losing. I want another chance!

[Fade in/out.]

What an incredible response from the audience. The event was a phenomenal success.

I would never personally allow it to fail, but I'm glad that the event got everyone more excited than expected.

For sure! It was really fun!

I learned a lot too.

Quite a few people also requested that we do another collaboration event with the School Idol Club. Perhaps we can look into doing another project.

I asked them to join the Association but they wouldn't listen, but maybe we can show them how amazing I am through those kinds of events.

Okay, let's at least look into the idea. But nothing's set in stone yet.

[Fade in/out.]

I worked really hard too… I put more care into my lifestyle than ever before, and I did everything I possibly could.

The Association's atmosphere and support are perfect, and even in today's performance, I thought I squeezed out every last drop of effort…

Then why? Why did Kasumi get so many more votes than me? What is it that I lack, exactly?

I don't want to lose. I never want to lose like this ever again. But I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

Someone, anyone, please tell me… What am I supposed to do?