You seem busy lately. Are you writing a song?

Hmmm. I'm just gathering references for songwriting right now.

What references?

I've been asking people who love school idols as much as I do for their thoughts.

Why do they support school idols? What is it about school idols that draws them in? I wanted to know more about stuff like that.

I see. Were you able to gather anything interesting?

Yeah. It was the best! Misato, Satsuki, and Uzuki all told me very interesting stories.

I've also been collecting letters by e-mail from everyone at Nijigasaki.

Collecting letters?

Yeah! I want them to tell me all about their love for school idols!

Ooh, sounds fun!

All the letters I've received have been amazing. They're all filled with so much love. I feel really fired up reading them.

*Giggle* Looks like your songwriting's going well.

I'm worried about whether or not I'll be able to summarize everyone's feelings after hearing them out, though.

Speaking of which, I'm going to go see Mai soon.

Mai? The school idol who entrusted Emma with Aion no Uta?

That's right. She quit being a school idol and is now preparing to inherit her family business. Her family's photo studio is quite busy now, but she said she can make some time.

Wow, her family owns a photo studio? That sounds amazing! I want to visit her too!

[Fade in/out.]

Hey, did you say that you were going to see Mai soon?

Yeah. There's a lot I want to ask her.

If it's not too much trouble, why don't you go with the whole club to see her? Mai said she wanted to practice her photography. Maybe we could ask her to take a group shot of us.

A commemorative photo?! Of me with everyone else?

Yeah! I figured since we have more people now, why not?

At last… I've been waiting so long for this…

Let's do it! I'm going to put it in the biggest frame ever and hang it in here!

Hmm… I'd like something big enough to hang on this whole wall in the clubroom here. Let's get rid of the stuff over there!

You won't be able to fit something that big into the clubroom, Lanzhu. Request denied.

Whaaat? Okay, I know! Then can we at least make it as big as a poster?

Hey, Emma! Can you ask that girl if she'd do that?

*Giggle* Sure!

[Fade in/out.]

Mai! Thanks for having us today.

Emma! You guys! Welcome!

Thanks for making time for us today.

No, thank YOU for coming to see me today. I couldn't ask for better subjects to practice with!

Make me look cute in your photos, please!

Of course! But don't get mad at me if you end up looking cuter than in real life.

[Fade in/out.]

Wow… This photo studio has so much personality.

It feels so old-timey!

How should we all line up?

By year? By school courses? By units? In alphabetical order?

Everyone gather around with me at the center!

What are you talking about? The Prez and I should be the ones at the center!

Um, I want to be next to her!

Whaaat? Then I want a photo of me hugging her!

We should go by height. I won't even be in the picture if I'm put in the back…

I'm fine being anywhere, but balance is very important for things like this.

Oh! It's okay, I've already got everyone's positions figured out. I'll need a bit of time to prepare, so could you please wait for a little while for me?

I thought of a pose that we could do today. I think the photo would look great if we all did it, but what do you think?

Sounds fun. What kind of pose is it?

Like this! How is it? Don't you think it looks all cool like a superhero?!

Hey, if we're talking about superheroes, we have to go with the Hollywood stuff. That's what's leading the pack.

No way! Even Hollywood films pay homage to Japanese tokusatsu-style special effects. Japanese superheroes are standing their ground against American ones!

Ahaha… Could we use this time to get ready? Everyone seems engrossed in their conversations.

*Giggle* I love how lively the Nijigasaki girls are! Come on, let's get this set up quickly.

Oh, I'll help you out if you like.

Really? Thanks! Then could you please put this on the spot marked with tape?

Oh yeah, you wanted to talk to me about something, right? We could talk now if you want.

Okay! Um, I'd like you to tell me about how you feel towards school idols. Anything is fine.

How do I feel towards school idols? Hmm… To an ex-school idol like me, I guess you might say I have the best memories ever.

I was entrusted with a song I loved with my entire being, and then I entrusted it to Emma…

Something that people love with all their hearts is passed down to others and treasured all the same. It's kind of like a relay of emotions, and I think it's fantastic.

And there's also something I'm starting to realize again now that I'm back on the supporting side. The deeper you get into school idols, the more power you get from them.

It's almost like the more I know about them, the more they also know about me, I guess?

I feel like when I'm watching a live show and cheering for them to do their best, they accept the rush of my feelings and return the sentiment back to me.

The more you know about them, the more they also know about you…

I felt like I was being cool by swearing to take over the photo studio, but the truth is that I still have a long way to go.

There's a lot I have to study up on and it's not like customers are going to suddenly come pouring in, so I have my low days as well.

When I'm down, I listen to everyone's songs to draw strength from them. Oh, but Emma's my top idol right now!

Her voice is so gentle. It's like she's willing to accept you fully and unconditionally. I've been saved by her voice so many times.

I know how you feel…and I totally agree!

You do?! I could always tell that you were a kindred spirit! All right, preparations are complete. Let's get this shoot done!

[Fade in/out.]

Thanks for today, everyone! I'll send you the photos once they're done!

We should be thanking you! Come visit us sometime as well.

I will! I'd love to see what you all get up to. I'm almost tempted to ask if you'd take me as your personal photographer.

Wow, imagine if we had our very own professional photographer!

Naw, I'm still far from being a pro. But if there's anything I can help with, give me a shout. I'm a huge fan of yours, after all!