Shioriko!

Oh, what are you all doing here?

You're looking for Lanzhu, right? We want to help.

And we want you to tell us more about her.

What? You want to know about Lanzhu?

We thought that maybe you might have an idea of where she could be, or why she wants to disband the Association.

You've been friends with her since you were kids, right? We assumed you'd know her better than anyone.

So can you tell us more about her while we look?

Understood. Do you mind if we walk and talk? I was about to go look around outside.

[Fade in/out.]

What was Lanzhu like when she was a kid?

We know what she's like right now, but we want to know what she was like when she was younger.

Well, she was a very…lively child. She was so assertive from the moment we met, and we were friends before we knew it.

She's like that with everyone. Our two families traveled together before, and even there she became fast friends with whoever she met.

She was so quick at thinking up fun games to play and was always the center of attention.

But that was only at first. After a while, everyone would leave her.

Why is that?

To put it simply, she was too talented.

When she played games, she'd always win. If she drew pictures, her drawings would always be the best. The children around her just couldn't keep up.

But that isn't to say that Lanzhu was okay with being the only one doing well.

She always taught everyone how to win at the games, or how to draw better.

Oh, I know that about her. During Association practice, whenever I was having trouble she always showed me examples of how to do things better.

But I just couldn't do it as well as she could.

She's very kind. But her methods of being kind don't necessarily work for everyone.

What do you mean?

I guess you could say she's not good at corresponding to the situation or the person's feelings.

So she always ends up being pushy and forcing her way into everything.

We're very similar in that way. I did things in a very coercive way as well.

But there's no way that being pushy like that can end well.

You all helped me to realize that.

That's why I can talk about it this way now… I couldn't recognize what was so wrong with my methods either.

Lanzhu is likely the same. This is the only way she knows how to do things.

I wish…we had tried to talk it out with her.

She doesn't ever mean to hurt anyone, but people misunderstand her.

It's really hard when you want to communicate but can't. But communicating the wrong thing hurts just as much.

I completely understand how that feels.

Lanzhu… What happened after people left her?

She would always laugh it off and say the same thing.

“That's just how it is. I'm exceptional. Exceptional means being different from everyone.”

She can laugh it off all she wants, there's no way that's how she actually feels!

That's why I decided to stay by her side… If she had her heart set on the School Idol Association, then I was going to be with her.

As long as it meant that she could smile with all her heart.

But it looks like I messed up again.

I just kept going back and forth between Lanzhu and the School Idol Club. And now she's gone… It's just…

We still haven't spoken with Lanzhu just yet, Shioriko. No talking like you're giving up.

O-Okay.

So basically, Lanzhu was probably just hoping to be friends with everyone, huh? I feel like I finally get it.

This is just how she does things, right?

It was the same thing with the Association, then? That was just the only way she knew how to do things?

It seems like it. It was like she was a child again, challenging everything, but while having fun with it. It had been a long time since I'd seen her like that.

Urgh… I said such mean things to her, too. And after she called me cute so many times.

Nah, there's no way you could have known that she was just trying to have fun.

I always felt how much Lanzhu cherished the Association. I could tell it was very important to her.

Is she really going to disband something that precious to her?

Maybe she just gave up?

I can't let her do that! I won't have it!

Lanzhu is definitely exceptional, but just 'cause she's different doesn't mean we don't like her. She was someone I aimed to be like! And more importantly, she was my friend!

I thought we had at least become friends. But how could she disband the Association without a single word? Did she ever feel the same way about us?

I won't be able to calm down until we've talked this over. We're going to find her, Shioriko!

Girls…