Shioriko, I've finished inputting the data.

And I'm done organizing the files here.

Thank you very much. The two of you are very fast.

We've helped out a few times now—and Setsuna's much more experienced with all this, when you think about it.

I am the former student council president, after all.

Setsuna…

Oh, sorry to bring this up right now, but there's something I want make clear: I'm glad you became the student council president, Shioriko.

I had a lot of feelings about it back then, but all the students here made the best choice.

And as one of those students, I believe that you are capable of making good on everything I couldn't.

I also had quite a few choice words for you back then, for which I am truly sorry.

I will work with utmost diligence to live up to the students' expectations.

But isn't it tough when you have this much work piled up?

That is because there have been several days where I was unable to get any work done, such as during the recent joint event.

Come to think of it, where are Satsuki and Uzuki? I wanted to thank them for their help at the joint event.

I believe they should be back soon.

So… What was it that you came to speak to me about? You came here to discuss something, yet I ended up putting you right to work.

Oh… So, about that…

It's about Karin. We heard from Ai that she's looked pretty strained lately.

She seems to read any messages we send to her, but she won't respond…

We've tried to invite her out to lunch, but we can't seem to get a hold of her. But she turns up to the Association for practice, doesn't she?

Ah, so this is about Karin. I had intended to bring her up as well.

She does come to practice, and works even more seriously than before.

With an almost unearthly passion…which makes it sound positive, but it seems more like she's tormenting herself. It's as if she's retreated into her shell.

She says that she wants to be alone in order to concentrate, so we don't speak much during practice either.

I see…

We're back!

Hmm? Oh, it's the School Idol Club president and former president Nakagawa! What are you two doing here?

They were assisting me with some student council work.

Is that so? Thank you very much.

Oh, um! Um, do you have a moment? There's something I'd like to ask you as the Club president.

Me?

Please offer some advice to our student council president so that she can power herself up even further as a school idol!

Huh? Wh-What is this nonsense?!

I'm aware this may be rude since you're the Association's rival, but could we possibly trouble you?

We want our student council president to become a school idol who surpasses Setsuna Yuki.

A school idol that surpasses m—I mean, Setsuna?

Yes! Of course, I know it won't be an easy task! Setsuna is a monster of legendary proportions, after all!

A l-legendary monster?!

She is absolutely flawless when it comes to singing and dancing, but above all, people are captivated by all of the charisma oozing from her.

Yeah, that's not something you can learn through practice. She's a natural-born monster!

She may have lost to Lanzhu at the joint event the other day, but that doesn't make Lanzhu superior to her in any way in my eyes.

For sure! No matter what the result may have been, the Setsuna I know won! She really is a goddess amongst mere mortals!

A-Ack…

Nana, you're as red as a tomato all the way to your ears.

Please don't tease me…

In any case, while Setsuna may be the veritable embodiment of magnificence, in my opinion President Mifune is a fair match for her in terms of potential.

That's right! Our student council president is a diamond in the rough! She has the potential lurking within her to possibly even surpass Setsuna one day!

Sh-She is not somebody I can be compared to so lightly!

No, I believe in your potential! So please trust me and be confident in yourself!

O-Okay…

Now you're red all the way to your ears as well, Shioriko.

Please don't tease me…

[Fade in/out.]

Hey, Lanzhu? Could I practice with you today? I want to learn from how you train.

*Giggle* I'm perfect, so of course you'd want to learn from me! Okay, sure!

[Fade in/out.]

*Huff* *Huff* *Huff*

Phew… And that's my routine. What do you think?

You get through all of this without losing your breath, huh…

Because I'm Lanzhu!

Lanzhu! Do you have a sec?

Ye-es? My oh my, I'm so popular with everyone I can't even get a minute to myself!

*Sigh* Lanzhu's incredible. But I can keep up with her. I just have to keep at it and I'll reach her level. Then I'll have that as an asset.

Lanzhu's methods are the right ones. I mean, her victory the other day is proof of that…