I'm feeling a little more positive now after she and I got to hang out.

But nothing's been solved in terms of creating a performance unique to me…or with Emma, for that matter.

Hmm? What could it be?

Wait. WHAT?!

[Fade in/out.]

Kariiiiiiin! I'm over here!

*Huff* *Huff* *Huff*

You didn't have to race over like that.

Well…you said…there was…big trouble…

Oh, it's big trouble all right! I'll be in big trouble if I miss out on Haruka's live show today!

Whaaat?!

That look on your face kinda suggests to me that you don't think it's a big deal.

I know it'd be great to see it, but I don't have time to play around right now. I've got things I need to think about.

Don't worry about all of that! Trust me. This big event is super important and was definitely worth racing over here for. Come on, let's go!

[Fade in/out.]

Karin! Karin! We're the first ones here. We managed to grab front-row seats! I was worried we wouldn't get them!

Here you go, Karin.

A light stick?

Yup. You'll need it to cheer Haruka on.

You're awfully enthusiastic, Kanata.

You'll get into it soon too! I guarantee it! Aww, I wish it'd hurry up and start already!

Thanks to all of you for coming today! I'm super, duper, uuuuuber happy!

I'll put my heart and soul into singing today. We're gonna pour our hearts out to all of you! I hope everyone has a great time 'til the very end!

WOOOO! Haruka! Harukaaaaaaa!

Lovely Haruka! Lovely Haruka! Haruka! You're the cutest in the entire universe!

Come on, Karin! Pipe up! School idols shine because we cheer for them with all our might!

Y-You're right.

Lovely Haruka! Lovely Haruka! Say it with me!

L-Lovely Haruka! Lovely Haruka!

OH MY GOSH! I made eye contact with Harukaaaaaaa!

[Fade in/out.]

Phewww… I'm spent… Nothing beats this amazing feeling of…exhaustion and satisfaction…

Knowing how you usually are, I never would have imagined seeing you so excited. I didn't know you were capable of yelling so loud.

It wasn't just me, you know? The other people around us in the audience and even you were screaming your lungs out.

That was pretty amazing. There were probably only around 50 people here, but we made it sound like a huge crowd was going wild. *Giggle*

Yeah. The intense heat from up on stage covered my body in an almost numbing sweat… Before I knew it, all I could see was Haruka and the other school idols.

Haruka seemed to be having fun and her performance just got better and better. Gosh, I got all emotional because I could tell our cheers were reaching her!

Right… I could feel it too—Haruka's presence, as though she was standing right in front of me… And the strong sense of unity with everyone here…

Was this your first time watching a live show as part of the audience?

Yeah, I think this might be my first time watching it like this.

You're totally missing out! This is another great way to enjoy school idols! It's so much fun!

You're right. This was a lot of fun. I didn't know just how fun this was.

……

I wonder if I've been able to perform live shows like this… Do the people who come to watch my live shows feel the way I do right now?

Kanataaaaa!

Haruka! Great job! That was so, so, SO good!

*Giggle* Thanks for coming to see me. And thank you too, Karin!

My pleasure. Thank you for that awesome live show. Time just flew by because I was having so much fun. I'm totally a fan of yours now.

Wh-What?! Wow! Thank you so much! I'm really happy to hear that! That fills me with confidence! I'm a fan of yours as well, Karin!

Whoa, hey now! Don't you captivate my little Haruka, Karin!

K-Kanata! You're embarrassing me!

This isn't embarrassing at all! I won't have any of that!

Geez… Anyway, I gotta go now since I have to get changed.

[Fade in/out.]

Karin, what's with that troubled look on your face?

There's something I've realized after watching Haruka's group perform.

Tell me what's on your mind.

I had a fight with Emma. She accurately called me out on some stuff and I got upset.

But I figured that I wasn't wrong and that I'd chosen the right path.

Now I think that maybe Emma was right. Maybe I couldn't see the people cheering me on.

Performances aren't merely created by the school idols themselves. They're created together with everyone.

Yet I here I was, trying to control everything and everyone in the venue all on my own… Who did I think I was?

Anyone would be fed up by that, not just Emma. How pathetic of me.

Sorry. I know I'm putting you in an awkward position by suddenly bringing this up. I'll just leave now…

Wait, wait. Karin. You probably want some time to yourself, but now's not the time. I won't let you leave.

You shouldn't be all by yourself when you're feeling down. All you'll do is sink deeper into the blues. That won't solve anything.

Karin, tag along with me just a little longer!