What was that dance step just now? I'll play it back in slow motion…

What? Wow, what kind of core muscles does she have going on in that body of hers?

Lanzhu really is in another league. The more I watch her, the more I realize this. There's no textbook around that's as good as this.

Karin? It's me, Emma. Could I talk to you now?

Emma?! I'll open the door!

Oh…

Good evening, Karin. How've you been?

F-Fine. What about you?

Of course! I'm always doing great. Have you been able to get yourself out of bed in the morning?

Well, kinda not really.

*Chuckle* What do you mean by that? You oddball.

Oh, that is kinda odd, huh? *Giggle*

Karin… Your room's a mess.

Ack… I-I'm just leaving these clothes here so that they're easy for me to put on right away. I can tidy them up anytime I want, you know? Really, I mean it!

Reeeeeally?

Really! So just… Just sit down. I'll make some tea for you.

[Fade in/out.]

I brought some cookies. These have been a favorite of mine lately. Go on, eat up!

…These are delicious. They have a subtle taste.

Right? Apparently they have vegetables and soy pulp in them. They're low in calories so it's okay to eat a bunch of them!

*Giggle* Could you stop luring me onto the evil path of temptation like that?

But we eat a bunch and practice a bunch. So really, we're eating a bunch so that we can practice a bunch!

Oh, Emma… *Giggle*

What were you doing just now? I'm sorry if I interrupted you during your stretches.

Huh? Oh, that's okay. I was just watching some videos.

What videos? Can I watch them with you?

Oh… They're videos of Lanzhu dancing. She's pretty much perfect quality, so it helps me to learn…

Lanzhu's videos?

Do you want to be like Lanzhu?

It's not that I want to be like her, but she's close to what I'm aiming for. I'm using her as a reference.

I see… You are a little like Lanzhu these days.

You…don't really like seeing me like that, do you?

I don't.

You're so blunt…

I can't lie to you, Karin.

Your performances ever since you went to the Association don't excite me like they used to.

I think you've really improved. You must be working really hard in the Association. But…I prefer your performances from back when you were in the Club.

…Are you saying you prefer me when I was rough and imperfect?

That's not what I mean! It's just that…

You might not mean it that way, but that's how it sounds to me.

I know that everyone in the Club would prefer to avoid the Association. Especially you.

Karin…

But think about it. The Association has a top-class environment. We're taught directly by pros. Their guidance is precise, and even I'm amazed by my own progress.

Is it really that important to be taught by professionals?

Of course it is. I want to aim even higher. I want to win against both μ's and Aqours as well.

Emma, didn't you feel anything when you watched μ's and Aqours perform at the School Idol Festival?

I thought they were incredible. There was a dream-like fun about the performances, which was so wonderful. I fell further in love with school idols.

That's it? You didn't feel the urge to win against them or surpass them?

It did make me want to put on wonderful performances that would rival theirs, but I don't really get the whole winning or losing thing.

Because all I want to be is the school idol I'm aiming to be.

The same goes for me. I want to be the school idol I aim to be. That's why I chose to join the Association.

I want to go to the top. I don't want to lose against anyone. I want to win!

But Kasumi's performance at the live show the other day captured everyone's hearts, didn't it?

W-Well… She just got lucky.

Lanzhu was the one who ended up winning the whole thing. That's proof that the Association's way is the right way.

Lanzhu's way is right for her. But I'm not sure if that's what being a school idol is all about.

That said, there's a lot about her that I find amazing. It's just that… Karin, you're… You're…

Sorry, I can't really articulate it very well…

That's enough.

You guys can have fun over there doing your own thing. I'm different!

K-Karin?!

Just leave!

*Huff* *Pant*

Now I've done it. All she did was come see me because she was worried… I'm really just way too on edge lately.