Wow… What an amazing live show! Lanzhu's out of this world!

Both Shioriko and Mia are incredible too. All three of them look like they're having so much fun!

Hey, let's go see them. I wanna talk to them right now!

Yeah, we should all go together!

[Fade in/out.]

Shioriko! Mia!

My heart won't stop pounding! That was SO much fun! We're the best unit EVER!

*Giggle* I had a lot of fun myself.

*Huff* *Puff*

Oh, c'mon! You've still got a ways to go if this is enough to render you breathless, Mia.

But never fear! I'll come up with a physical training regimen for you!

I don't know how you can talk so much after just finishing a live show. *Sigh*

But I suppose I could allow you to put together some kind of fitness routine for me.

Look at you being all coy. You should be more honest about your feelings!

[Fade in/out.]

Lanzhu! Shioriko! Mia!

Gah! Gosh, what?!

You were so good! I'm really glad that you returned and that you're a school idol!

I want to see you guys perform even more live shows!

A-All right, all right already! You're suffocating me, geez.

Oh, sorry. I just couldn't contain my joy.

*Giggle* Who can blame you after seeing a live show of that caliber?

Now, now, Prez. Come and hug out those big feelings with me to calm yourself down.

H-Hey! That's not fair! I want her hugs too!

Why don't we compromise and have you hug me instead?

Ahahaha!

I see that you all watched our performance.

Of course we did! We've been looking forward to seeing you perform on stage ever since the song was finished!

The three of you were amazing. I was blown away.

There's a rivalry among you, but you get along so well… It looked like a lot of fun.

Now all of us are itching to perform a live show!

Uh-huh! I hear you! Keep those compliments coming!

You know that we deserve them because we really were out of this world!

You're always so quick to toot your own horn…

I suppose I've gotten used to this usual back-and-forth.

You could even say that it's cute once you become accustomed to it.

I think that's taking it a bit too far!

[Fade in/out.]

Are you ready? Time to get a move on! Ayumu and the others are organizing a post-live show celebration for us!

Hold up.

What is it?

Before we head over there, there's something that I need to talk to you about.

That look on your face is kinda scaring me, Ai.

I look like this because this is how I felt!

Wait, what?! Why?!

Because you tried to disappear without saying a word!

She's right. You always announce what you're going to do and then go ahead with it without our input, so why did you neglect to do that at such an important moment?!

Stop right there. I already got an earful at the airport. Wasn't that the end of it?!

We haven't gotten to the important part of this conversation yet. Do you remember what you said back then?

Ummm…

[Fade in/out.]

I'm… I'm your friend? Can we really work together?

[Fade in/out.]

We've always considered you our friend, Lanzhu.

What?

I may have had some gut-wrenching times competing with everyone since joining the Association, but I was having fun. I thought we were just spurring each other on as rivals.

Karin…

Karin's right. I've had fun with you too, Lanzhu. You've inspired me so much and fill me with excitement. I thought that we were friends through and through.

But for you to not feel the same way means that we're also to blame for what we've projected. We know that now.

Sorry, Lanzhu.

We were angry at the start because we thought that you were being selfish.

We seriously couldn't accept that you gave up and made up your mind to quit all on your own. You didn't even give us a chance to say bye.

However, we were lacking in communication ourselves. We had also given up on trying to understand each other.

I'm sorry, Lanzhu. Let's be friends again. Let's share many stories and arguments together from now on.

Y-You guys…

Leave it to me! You're all my amazingly special friends!

Phew, so you guys aren't mad at me after all. I was getting a little worried.

Didn't we JUST tell you not to see us that way?!

Gah! Gosh, what's the big deal?! Having friends is so complicated!