The song I want to write this time will be different from all the others I've written. It'll be one expressing my feelings…no, the feelings of everyone who supports school idols.

But now that I've figured that out, how should I go about writing it? I can't ask everyone about it like I've always done…

I want to make it a song filled to the brim with the sentiments of every school idol fan.

Then what if I asked them myself? I could get them to send in letters or emails…

There's no point in mulling over it alone. I should go somewhere I can ask them in person first!

[Fade in/out.]

Sorry for coming to talk out of the blue, but I really wanted to ask you for your thoughts on something.

*Giggle* We're both fellow school idol fans, right? No need to be so formal with me. What is it you wanted to talk to me about, though?

Oh no. Did something happen with Ai?

No, Ai hasn't gotten into trouble or anything! You don't have to worry about that! She's bursting with motivation right now.

So much that I'm almost tempted to ask her to tone it down… I'm worried that she might end up practicing too much, you know?

I understand. I'll give her a subtle reminder about it.

Yes, please. That's not what I wanted to talk to you about today, however.

Um… Basically, I just want to hear your thoughts.

About your love for school idols, or Ai, or anything really. Sorry for being so vague.

Hmm… Let's see…

I don't know how coherent I can make this, but…

[Fade in/out.]

Ai and I were raised together in this town.

Ai's grandma tends to stay at home more these days, but she used to work in the shop a lot more in the past.

So Ai often came to my place when she was little.

She hasn't changed since she was young. She was always full of energy and loved to play outside.

But I was pretty frail so I couldn't go along with her much. I often got heatstroke while catching bugs, or caught colds when we went out playing on the frost on the ground.

[Fade in/out.]

That's why we ended up playing indoors a lot whenever she was with me, and I don't think that was enough to satisfy her.

Huh? But Ai would always talk about the times she spent playing with you.

That's the kind of girl she is, always trying to meet people halfway. Maybe that's why she never thought badly of the compromises she had to make.

She's the type to prioritize doing something everyone around would enjoy because she'd have more fun that way too.

She never puts herself first…

…………

Maybe it's because I never gave her the chance to.

But she was always very dependable. Maybe even a little too dependable.

She never demanded anything for herself, never cried, or got angry… I was worried she might be suppressing her emotions.

Misato…

[Fade in/out.]

But she's changed since becoming a school idol. She gets frustrated, she cries, she gets angry, she gets sad… Her emotions have their hands full.

From Ai's point of view, it might be a bad thing because she's compromised her sense of stability, but I personally felt a little relieved.

It's good knowing that Ai is capable of blowing up with strong emotions too.

She was really in two minds when she decided to test her abilities at the Association.

She said she wanted to take on the challenge but was worried she would hurt everyone in the process. She wasn't sure what to do.

When she lost to Setsuna during the Association versus Club tournament, she bawled her eyes out.

If you go at your opponent with all you've got, they'll come at you full strength too. She said that's part of the fun, but she was devastated that she couldn't beat Setsuna.

I never knew that.

I do remember Ai crying when she lost to Setsuna, but she was back to normal the next day.

Maybe she still feels too shy to show you that side of her.

But I think her close confidant will change from me to you in the not-too-distant future.

[Fade in/out.]

That's why I want you to understand.

Ai was granted freedom by becoming a school idol. The freedom to express herself and to be accepted for who she is.

She's going to keep chasing after what she likes and make more joyous moments from now on. And then she's going to share that joy with us.

Joy is Ai's greatest weapon. Her charm is what keeps sweeping us into all these fun things. That's what I think.

Yes, I think so too! She's able to do that because she's such an amazing school idol.

Hey, Misato, get this—huh? What are you doing here?

Ai! I, uh, was just asking Misato about something…

Ooh, about what? Lemme join the conversation!

Actually, wanna have some monjayaki at my place? I'll treat you to my special recipe! You too, Misato!

Um…

Yes please!

Um, I guess I'll have some too then.

Yaaay! I have so much I want to tell you! C'mon, let's go!