One, two, three, four… Good stretch!

Hanamaru and the others are late. I wonder what happened.

Oh my… I guess I'll go see.

S-Sorry we're late, zura!

Sorry!

You are very late! Our dance lesson was set for two in the afternoon on the roof today.

S-Sorry…

We got caught up writing the script for the tourist info piece, and when we noticed it was already so late.

I know everyone is busy every day with preparations but keeping to a schedule is the basis of everyday life. You're not only inconveniencing yourself if you don't.

Now, now. That's enough, Dia. Ruby and Hanamaru, stretch please. I'm sure you're warmed up, but just in case.

Okay.

(*Sigh* Late this morning, late again now.)

Are you okay? You're totally out of breath.

Chika! Oh, I'm okay. Sorry about this morning! I know you waited for me that whole time.

Don't sweat it. Sorry I left without you. You didn't get lost at school, did you?

Not at all.

*Chuckle* Great. I was a little worried.

Do you think I can watch you guys practice?

Sure! Actually, why don't you join us?

What? I couldn't do that. I'll just be watching quietly in the corner.

Okay everyone! Let's check our dance formation. Everyone in position!

[Fade in/out.]

Okay, that's enough. Let's take ten.

Whew, I'm beat.

Good work everyone! Here are some towels and drinks!

Thanks. Ahhh, this towel is so nice and soft!

Thank you. It seems like you're turning into our servant or something.

Don't worry about it. I just want to do what I can to help.

(Seeing Aqours' dancing up close makes me realize just how high level it is.)

(They haven't even perfected it yet and it's this good. I wonder how much they've practiced.)

Our timing at the start is improving but our timing at the end is off more than before.

(Dia is writing something in her notebook.)

Umm… May I ask what you're up to, Dia?

You don't need to be so formal with me.

O-Oh, okay! I just feel like I need to behave more properly when I talk to you for some reason.

Do I seem that uptight? I was a little harsh when you were late, though. *Sigh*

Don't feel bad about it! You were a bit scary, though.

But groups need someone to tell them like it is, just like you do!

Thank you. That makes me feel better.

What's that notebook by the way? You were writing in it just now.

It's a record of our lessons. Would you like to see?

Can I? That'd be great.

Whoa! Everything about that day's lesson, everyone's condition, and even the festival prep work is outlined in this.

It's so detailed!

Keeping a log allows us to assess the time we need to create each part of our performance. We also have an estimate of our capabilities and our next schedule.

I have everyone take care of their own health, but sometimes other people notice what you don't. One can't be too careful.

That's amazing. I do something similar for our club, but it's more like a diary. Like we did this on this day and blah blah.

I need to start recording things in more detail for everyone's sake.

Have you…

What?

Have you never considered standing on the stage?

Me? On stage?

Please don't get the wrong idea. I'm not doubting how much you want to support your friends.

I just thought that being involved in the school idol world, you'd want to bathe in the limelight a little.

Hmm… Strangely I don't feel that way.

Is that so?

Yeah. It's not like I hate being on stage though. I just want to be their biggest supporter.

I want to be the one who understands them the most.

I think it's a lot more luxurious to do that than to try to make it as a school idol.

That's why I'm fine not going on stage. Instead, I want to watch everyone from closer than anyone else can be.

I see. Nijigasaki is lucky to have someone like you.

[Fade in/out.]

*Sigh* So much happened today.

Yoshiko and You's cooking, Ruby and Hanamaru's tourist guide…

(The prep for the festival is progressing well. They're almost done with the dance, too. I can't wait to see their show.)

And now for the weather. A typhoon has developed in the ocean south of Japan.

(Oh no, a typhoon. The projected course doesn't look like it'll hit us though.)

(I hope the skies will be clear on the day of the festival.)