*Huff* *Puff*

Huh? You're still here, Shioriko?

Ah. Yes, I am. I wanted to practice the Crow Pose.

Ohhh. Yeah, that pose does seem pretty tricky.

But it's pretty late now, you know? Let's return the keys to this place and head home.

Okay.

Um… Could we have a little talk about what you mentioned the other day?

Of course. What's up?

I did some thinking about revisiting the roots of our individual charms and strengths to reevaluate them.

However, I hit a fundamental hurdle. These so-called roots or strengths… I can't come up with anything of the sort.

The reason I became a school idol was that I was moved by the feelings and conviction everyone put into the School Idol Festival.

And now, although I may not be worthy, I hope that I can be of use or help to bring happiness to someone.

Yet I still don't know what exactly I should do to achieve that.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I still lack experience as a school idol.

Someone as lowly as me—

Don't say that.

What?

Your desire to want to support others is loud and clear to me. I'm sure there are people around who've received strength from you and those intentions of yours.

As for me, I also see you as a school idol who I want to support from the bottom of my heart.

You do?

Absolutely! That's why you really should have a little more faith in yourself!

[Fade in/out.]

Do you not have to go to club today, President Shioriko?

You need to film the video for the school idol fansite column, don't you?

I don't have to go today. We have plans to film the video on our next day off, so I was intending to do some work for the student council today. However…

It looks like that's all been taken care of.

Hmm… It looks like there aren't any meetings with club or council members either. Well then, I'll just work on tomorrow's tasks.

Um. President Shiorikooo? Would you mind at all if I gave you a skincare treatment?

Hm? Skincare?

Well, actually, Satsuki and I got our licenses in cosmetics.

You did?

Yes. Only the most basic one, though.

Please be patient with us, President Shioriko!

We shall strive to get our licenses in makeup techniques, qualifications as beauty nutritionists, and anything else that would allow us to be of assistance to you!

Of assistance? To me? Um, are you doing all of that for my sake?

But of course! We would like to assist you in your efforts to become a school idol who can surpass Setsuna Yuki!

I mean, that was our intention at the beginning. *Giggle* To be completely honest, we got hooked when we started researching all things related to beauty.

Indeed. We have even gone beyond yoga and have turned our sights to Pilates.

It's the first time that the two of us have ever gotten so obsessed with something and we just kind of ended up enjoying ourselves.

So much so that we have even started considering that this could be a viable pathway for the future. Isn't that right, Satsuki?

Yup, yup!

That's wonderful to hear. Both of you have a keen eye for the finest of details, so I think that's a perfect fit for you.

If those are your intentions, perhaps you should consider getting your personal color and bone structure analysis certifications as well.

Oh, yes. You're right. We could pick our colors for makeup more accurately if we can give color analyses to determine suitable palettes!

Thank you very much, President Shioriko!

Not at all. Please do give it your all. I'm cheering you on from the bottom of my heart.

Gahhh! That's it! All of that just now! That's what gives us strength, President Shioriko!

I share Satsuki's sentiment. The reason we were initially able to develop an interest in all of this was through watching you, after all.

Watching me?

Watching you perform as a school idol makes me want to take on a challenge of my own as well, for some reason.

Your performances also give me a sense of security at the same time. It's as if we're being supported or cheered on by you.

It's extremely motivating.

Yes. We will hone our beauty skills further and further for you, so we'll give it everything we've got!

Uzuki… Satsuki…

P-P-P-President Shioriko?! What's the matter?! Did we say something odd?!

No, not at all! My apologies, I'm reacting like this because…

…I'm happy.

President Shioriko…

The two of you have my thanks. I have more confidence in myself now.