The director, the choreographer, the trainer… Is that everyone I need to contact? Oh, I need to tell the chef too.

*Sigh* Why is it always like this?

No! Getting depressed isn't like me. I should be used to this kind of thing by now.

[Fade in/out.]

It's always the same. At first, everyone's all over me.

“You're amazing Lanzhu!”

“You can do anything!”

“When we're with you, we get to do all kinds of fun stuff!”

It's the same for me. I always have so much fun with everyone. That's why I always enjoy myself to the fullest.

But then everyone's expressions slowly begin to change.

“You're so amazing that it's impossible for anyone to keep up.”

“You're always the best. It must be so boring being around us.”

“I guess you're too good for us, huh?”

“…Just leave us alone.”

And before long, I'm all alone again.

No… I wasn't alone.

I had Shioriko.

Shioriko was the only one who stayed with me…

But…

[Fade in/out.]

I thought it might be different here.

Because here…

[Fade in/out.]

This is where the School Idol Festival is happening? It's just buzzing with excitement. It's like a fair!

I heard that Shioriko is doing something cool at Mama's school so I came to watch.

But what exactly is a school idol?

Hey, you! We're just about to have a live show on the main stage. Why don't you come check us out? Here, take a flyer!

Huh? What?

Ai! If we don't hurry, we're gonna be late!

Our show won't disappoint, so please come and see us! See ya!

Huh? Wait!

[Fade in/out.]

Umm… This is the place. Looks like the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club is about to go on.

Hmm.

Everyone! Thanks for coming today! Let's have a great time singing together!

Let's all spend a relaxed, carefree, and dreamlike time together.

Let's get as fired up as we want! I want to hear the love in everyone's heart!

I'm going to try my best! I hope you'll watch me!

I'm happy I get to connect with everyone. I want to connect more and more.

I'm going to use my cuteness to make you all fall in love with me!

Enjoy my world of stories everyone!

I'll make sure that all of your eyes are glued to me. Don't even think about looking away!

I want to be friends with every one of you here today! You ready to get really excited?!

[Fade in/out.]

Incredible.

What is this? I've never seen anything like it.

Everyone's having fun doing what they want.

They're all doing something different, and it's almost like they're competing. But they're all friends… The thing I've been looking for is right before my eyes.

This is it… This is it!

This is where I can make my dreams come true!

[Fade in/out.]

I thought that we could understand each other.

I wanted them to understand me. I wanted to become friends. I thought it was possible with them.

What should I have done differently? Am I really that different from other people? Is that why I can't fit in anywhere?

I try to be normal, but I can't seem to get it right. Everyone always says it's because I'm exceptional or whatever…

Well, it's not like I asked to be this way. I hate it. How do I just be normal?

[Fade in/out.]

I don't have the ability to perform on the same level as you.

That's not true! We've been friends forever, so I know what you're capable of!

You're capable of doing just as I say. That's how I know the live show will be a resounding success if you just follow my directions!

No, that's not true. You're special in that you can do anything, but people all have different aptitudes.

So please, let me perform this show my way!

And leave me alone!

Wow. Where did that come from?

Oh…

So even you are going to tell me I'm some special exception.

Um…

…

I just remembered that the preparations for the stage still aren't finished. I'll go do that, and the rest of you can think up a good plan for Shioriko's performance.

Bye-bye.

[Fade in/out.]

The world I've always wanted to be a part of is right in front of me. Everyone's having fun. Everyone's friends.

But I can't seem to be a part of it.

*Sigh* I guess it's my fault for thinking this time would be different.

I don't make many mistakes, but it looks like this time is one of the few exceptions. That's all.

It seriously stinks, but I'm exceptional, so…it's nothing to fret about.