You're on a roll today, Ai. I'm looking forward to watching you again this afternoon.

I know you're going to use the skills you refined under my guidance to make the whole venue yours!

Oof, now I'm feeling the pressure.

I didn't even think you knew the concept of pressure! The Ai I know is a performer who has fun under any circumstances.

And her hidden power is that the fun she's having is infectious and she can affect the whole venue with it. So there's nothing to be afraid of, is there?

That's some high praise. I'm a bit taken aback.

I've said it before—you're someone I approve of. You can be confident just knowing that I chose you.

Let me ask you officially. You're going to win, right?

Hmm, I don't want to make promises I can't keep.

Don't tell me you don't feel confident about winning.

To be honest, I came up with this event because I wanted to go up against Setsu.

I prepared as much as I could for today. I've pulled together everything that represents the absolute best that I can do right now.

I can't promise that I'll win, but I can promise that I'll try my hardest to.

With the ultimate stage set up in front of me, I'm more revved up than ever before!

I want to pump up the crowd more than anyone else, have a blast while being true to myself, and get everyone to have a great time too. It's gonna be the best party ever!

I'm gonna try to beat Setsu as the best version of me that's ever been!

*Giggle* I'm looking forward to it. It's time. You should get going.

Watch me from the audience, Lanzhu!

[Fade in/out.]

It's almost time. Are you two ready?

You betcha!

I've been ready ever since this event was set!

You guys sound like you mean business!

*Giggle* It's like I have endless motivation. I feel like it's just overflowing out of me!

After seeing Ai's performance in round one, it's like there's this heat burning me up and I can hardly hold it back.

It was such an incredible performance.

Yes. Her skills have only gotten better, and they were already impressive to begin with. I could really tell how hard she's worked in the Association to get to this point.

She couldn't have achieved that level half-heartedly. She had to dig deep and face her school idol ambitions head-on. I really respect her for all that self-improvement.

And then she said that she wants to win against me.

She wants to challenge me with a performance that's been painstakingly honed with all that time, hard work, and passion.

To say I'm not totally fired up would be a lie! This is the most exciting situation I've ever been in!

I'm happy you feel the same way as me, Setsu.

I've been super excited ever since I watched your performance too. This might be the most fired up I've ever been since the day I was born. I'm about to burst.

You're really special to me as someone who stands on the same stage, so I refuse to lose to you. I'm gonna win this one today.

I'm not planning on losing either. If you're giving 100%, then I'll give 200%. If you're 1000% serious, then I'm 2000% serious!

I love to hear it! This is gonna be the best live show ever! Let's turn up the heat in this venue together, Setsu!

You know it!

[Fade in/out.]

Thank you all very much for waiting! The afternoon session of this event, round two, is about to begin!

The first match of round two will be the winners from round one—Setsuna Yuki and Ai Miyashita!

First up we have Ai Miyashita!

[Fade in/out.]

Whoa… The first round was amazing, but this is even better. Everything is so intense!

Ai's charm has multiplied exponentially thanks to the professional stage producers in the Association. This is so exciting and fun!

She's really, really amazing! How does she instantly make everyone so happy and excited like this?

That's a performance that only Ai could pull off. It's almost magical how it maximizes everything that makes her so unique and amazing.

After seeing that, I don't think I can perform the way I planned!

Um, sorry this is so sudden, but can I please change my performance?

Of course. You should perform the way you want to, Setsuna. What do you want to change?

I'd like to perform my song a cappella.

A cappella?

Okay. I'll just cue you in at the start of the song. Have as much fun as you can out there.

Great, thank you so much!

[Fade in/out.]

Up next is Setsuna Yuki of the School Idol Club!

Setsuna is singing a cappella?

I've never heard her like this. Rina-chan Board says, “Emotional.”

She didn't rehearse it like this, did she? Amazing…

It's the complete opposite of Ai's performance.

Totally. Ai's performance charmed with its special effects and polished presentation, but Setsuna's is completely different. She's barely moving at all.

She doesn't have special effects or dance moves, but her emotions are ringing out clearly.

So this is Setsuna's live show… A performance entirely about expressing who she is.

The audience is completely silent. They're just taking in all of Setsuna.