That goes on the stage right. And we need more lights! We're going all out here!

The stage has to be set up just right so Shioriko can do what she needs to as best as she can!

She turned to me for help, so I won't settle for anything less than perfection. We are aiming for a performance that will blow Kaoruko away, people!

*Giggle* Lanzhu is really fired up.

She seems happy that Shioriko came to her for help. She's been like that this whole time.

Lanzhu may swan around like a queen, but she's really the type to enjoy doing things for others.

You may be right. She can be intimidating at first, so unless you get to know her, you won't see this side of her.

Ohh, is that why she's always telling us to come over to the Association because it has better equipment and facilities?

Yeah, I think that's her other side shining through.

So she wants us to go over to the Association because she genuinely believes it's better for us that way? That's so weird!

The huge yum cha spread she prepared for us during the joint event was really good.

That reminds me of our training camp. You know, when Lanzhu got a stomachache from eating Setsuna's cooking.

She said she'd train her stomach to be stronger once the camp was over, right? That did impress me a little.

Chop, chop! Less chatting, more working!

Okaaay. Yup, we can get this done faster if we work together.

*Giggle* We have to make this live show perfect so Shioriko can shout out all her feelings!

Right! I can't wait to see Shioriko's super passionate performance.

And for that, we need to set the stage for her. Rina-chan Board says, “Serious!”

Yes, that's the spirit. We're all going to do our best for Shioriko!

Hmph! You're acting a little too much like you're the boss of us!

I'm the one who knows Shioriko the best, so of course I'm the boss. Who's gonna run things better than me?

Grrr! I'm not going to stand for that! I'm willing to bet that we know Shioko better than you do! Especially our Prez!

I've been her best friend since we were kids, you know! There's no way that any of you would know her better than I do!

Anyway, as long as you do what I say, it'll all go off without a hitch. We have to make sure that everything is perfect for Shioriko!

[Fade in/out.]

Um, can I talk to you for a second?

Sure, what is it?

It's about my new song. Um… I'd like to ask you to write it.

I'm asking too. Making a song for Shioriko and Shioriko alone falls under your area of expertise, doesn't it?

Got it! Do you already have a concept in mind for what kind of song you want?

Yes. I'd like a song that lays all of my feelings bare, as they are.

To shatter every preconception Kaoruko has of me, I want to take all the feelings that I had given up on telling her and throw them in her face.

I want the people who hear my song to realize that they don't have to hold in whatever it is that they've been forcing themselves to bottle up.

Also, could you take a look at these documents?

What's this?

Satsuki and Uzuki compiled these for me.

Wow, that's a huge stack of paper!

You can tell that these materials were written by someone who knows you very well. This is going to be extremely helpful.

Could you also tell me more about how you feel towards Kaoruko, or any memories involving her? Anything works. Just tell me about her in your own words.

I'll use that as a starting point.

Your songwriting method is so odd. I've never met a songwriter who works the way you do.

Is that how you do things, little baby?

Huh? I don't have a set way of doing things. I just think that this is the best way to pour all of Shioriko's emotions into her song.

Interesting. I'll be watching you too.

[Fade in/out.]

All right, I just have to lock up before I go home.

Hold it right there! I have arrived!

Huh? What can I help you with, Lanzhu?

Hah! Feast your eyes on this!

A notebook? What is it for?

It's Lanzhu's Special Practice Notebook! I heard that you had something similar, so I made my own too!

What do you think? It's a hundred times better than yours, right?

Wow! I can tell that you love Karin and everyone else a lot, just by flipping through this.

But of course. Every word in there came straight from the heart!

Hm? It's not simply a record of what Karin and the others have done…right?

Of course, because I have greater foresight than you! I've written down what the girls have to work on in the future too!

Hmm, I don't think Karin would like this bit very much…

What? You think so? That's okay, I'll simply create an environment that will make her want to give it a try!

Hm? What is this?

You have finally arrived at the most important page of all!

These are all the things that I want to do with my Nijigasaki school idol friends one day!

Joint practice, joint live shows, shopping, karaoke, chatting at a diner, eating monjayaki, going to the zoo, watching plays, playing games, baking bread…

And that won't be the end of it. The list will only get longer and longer!

But you don't have to wait to do these things. You can do some of them right now.

Huh? Really?

No, no! We can only do these things after the Club and the Association are proper friends! Otherwise, everyone will just—

Anyway, that's beside the point. What I wanted to say is that I understand everyone very well, maybe even as well as you do! Got it?!

O-Okay.