Mind if I come in?

Not at all. Sorry for calling you over on your day off. Sit wherever you'd like.

Can I have a quick word first? You said you had a favor to ask me, but I'm not sure I'm the right person.

Of course you are. I want to ask you because of who you are.

Yeah, but I'm not familiar with third-year studies… Wouldn't it be better to ask Emma or Kanata?

Huh? What are you talking about?

There's a test coming up, so you want me to help you study, right?

No, no. That's not it at all!

Oh? It's not?

If anything, I'd completely forgotten that I even have a test coming up until you said that.

You'd forgotten… But it's coming up soon. Are you confident you'll pass this one or something?

You're funny. Do you think I'm confident in my study skills?

No, not even if you said it confidently.

I've made a rule just now. While we're in this room, talk of studying is forbidden, okay?

Ahaha… Okay.

So, what did you want to ask me?

Actually, I've been asked to do a photoshoot feature for a magazine I model for.

WHAT?! Th-That's amazing! A feature all for yourself? It's just fantastic!

Oh, you flatter me. But I've never gotten this much of a push before.

That just shows how much attention you're garnering.

This is also thanks to that promo video. Readers of the magazine who saw it apparently wrote emails to the editorial department.

The video was just the starting point. I think it's just that people are finally noticing your charm, Karin.

You always say such nice things.

So about the feature, the editorial staff has asked me to decide what I want to do.

But I can't decide what will make the readers happy by myself… That's when you popped into my head.

So that means…I also get to think about what will go into your feature?! Wow, what an honor!

So um, I think the people who wrote to the magazine only know one facet of your charm.

So we need to show them all of your charms! Let's come up with a plan that does just that!

C-Calm it down a bit. I would also like them to see all of me, now that they've gone to the trouble of making their voices heard.

But I'm not sure how I can show them who I am as an amateur model and not a school idol…

I see… Yeah, you have a point. But they saw you as a school idol and sent emails, so…

I want to start from there… Ah, here. How about something like this?

What do you think about a concept that starts with you as a school idol and progressively becomes the real you?

School idol me to real me…

*Giggle* Yeah, I think that sounds interesting.

When I think of you, I think of passion. I hope we can incorporate that into your costumes and such.

Hey, don't you think “spicy” when you think of me?

I only noticed it recently… Of course you've got that spice, but it's your passion that makes you appealing.

I mean, you have a great look to begin with, but you also work hard every day and have the guts to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals.

You never hide the fact that you hate to lose, and you go all in, and that's what makes you so appealing, Karin!

S-Stop it. It's too embarrassing… I just want to be calm and collected.

Hmmm, I think everyone knows you're not really calm and collected.

What?! Th-That's so embarrassing!

That's all part of your charm, Karin! Now's the time to show your confidence!

You're kind of cheeky, you know that?!

[Fade in/out.]

All right. I've sent an email outlining the plan to the editorial staff. Let's hope it goes through.

It'll be absolutely fine!

*Giggle* Yeah, you're right. We did think of it together, after all.

You've always been like this, huh.

Huh? Like what? What do you mean?

Whether you're a school idol or an amateur model, you always have your sights set so high.

It's not really something I do consciously.

But it might be just as you pointed out. Above all else, I do seem to be the passionate type.

Ahaha! You finally admitted it!

Hey, Karin? Are you aiming to be a professional model in the future?

I'm still not sure what I want for the future.

But, yeah, I suppose I am. I do have a desire to stand before people and do work that people can see. And I'm continuing to work hard for that.

Maybe that became clear to me after becoming a school idol.

I see… I think it's really wonderful that you are improving yourself while keeping an eye on the future.

We're only one school year apart, but I somehow feel like you're an adult.