[On the phone.]

Can you come outside?

[Putting phone away. Fade in/out.]

What's up, Ayumu?

Phew, you're still up. Hello!

Yep. Hi.

Um… Did you finish writing that article for the school idol fansite?

Not yet. I've been kinda zoning out instead.

Then I guess now's as good as ever.

Hey… There isn't something that's been bothering you recently, is there? Something you feel lost about?

Huh?

Sorry to spring that on you out of nowhere. It's just that I feel like you've been acting a little weird lately…

R-Really?

Does it have something to do with our video, by any chance?

What?

Well… I started noticing it after we watched the video that Rina brought in not too long ago.

You haven't really been acting like yourself.

Usually, whenever you watch one of our promo videos, your eyes start sparkling very brightly.

Not just ours, actually. You watch any school idol video like you're having a blast.

But with that recent one, you seemed kind of different from usual…

I want you to talk to me if there's something wrong. I want to know what you're thinking about.

Ayumu…

There's really no getting anything past you.

The thing is…it's hard for me to explain it myself. I might be reading too much into it.

Because the video everyone helped us to make really is amazing. Everyone got so much better and so much more in sync.

But even so, there's something that's bothering you, right?

Right…

Kaoruko announced that this video's theme was one where everyone in Nijigasaki is the star. I wonder…if we haven't missed the bar altogether.

All the members from all the different clubs and the committee agreed on that idea and did their best to do right by it.

Yes, they did. So much so that everyone kept on practicing the dance moves even after they finished filming.

Exactly. We made this video with everyone in Nijigasaki working hard for the sake of the School Idol Club.

But I don't want to make that kind of video. I want to make a video where everyone in Nijigasaki represents themselves as the stars.

I want to bring out even more charms from everyone that's helping us!

I just can't figure out how best to do that…

Do you want to try asking them if they'll do a reshoot…?

I can't ask them right now. Not while I still have no idea what I want.

Anyway, it'd be the peak of selfishness to ask them to film everything again from the top at this point.

But you have a hunch it might lead to a way better video, don't you?

I think you should ask them, in that case. I'll go with you.

I trust your instincts. I always have.

I just hope I won't be a burden to everyone…

It'll be fine, I promise. You aren't saying this to be selfish—you're cheering them on to even greater heights.

And… I can't put my finger on it, but I'm sure they'll want to meet the challenge. I do and so does the School Idol Club. I bet everyone else in the school will as well.

We're all going to answer your rallying cry!

Okay?

Ayumu…

Okay. I'll go ask everyone.

That's right! Let's go ask them so that we can make an even better, more beautiful video that will leave everyone who sees it stunned!