(I borrowed something amazing from Yoshiko! I've gotta show everyone!)

(All these game magazines are sure to be informative.)

Wh-Whoa!

[Fade in/out.]

S-Sorry! Are you okay?!

Yes, I'm fine. And you?

I'm all good.

All that stuff you're carrying looks heavy. Would you like some help?

…………

Um…

Ohh, I remember now! You're that girl I saw before at the live show!

Ah…

I'm sorry I was so rude back then. You were so kind to invite me, and that's how I act…

No, I'm sorry. You must have been shocked by me suddenly calling out to you.

I just thought that everyone would be happy to see even just one more person cheering for them.

I wonder… I don't feel like there's any point in me cheering for them.

What? Um, can I ask you something? I'm really curious about why you said cheering is pointless.

[Fade in/out.]

I don't think I'm capable of genuinely cheering anyone on.

I think there's something egotistical about cheering, even if you don't notice it yourself.

The longer you cheer people on, the more your ego grows, until it's nothing but ego.

In the end, cheering becomes about imposing your own ego on other people.

There's no genuine feeling toward the people you cheer on. So cheering is pointless. That's what I think, anyway.

…I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

That thought has never occurred to me, so I just learned something new right now.

But I don't think there's anyone out there who wouldn't be happy about being cheered on. It makes you happy and gives you the strength to do your best.

That's how we've always…

So you're saying your support is always completely genuine?

Or perhaps you just never noticed that it isn't.

You can't transcend the nature of cheering, can you?

The nature of cheering…

Sorry. I shouldn't force my way of thinking on you. But that's how I see things.

[Fade in/out.]

…aby! Hello, Little Baby!

Ah, sorry, what was that?

What're you staring off into space for? You wanted to study the magazines Yoshiko loaned you, right?

Y-Yeah! The contest is tomorrow, after all! Today's our last chance to iron things out.

It's great that she gave us so many. I'll have to call her to thank her later.

Oh, I already sent her a message. Apparently, Yoshiko and the others have all been watching our stream. I feel really motivated now!

You won't be able to keep that energy up for the next 48 hours, Setsuna.

Don't worry! I have total confidence in my stamina!

Besides, other people are going all out just like us right now. So I've gotta give it my all too!

Oh, today was Karin's photoshoot, wasn't it?

And Emma went out to record a video, right?

And Ayumu and the others are stocking up on ingredients and making food to bring us!

Oh, boy… Feeling everyone's motivation makes me energized too! Okay, let's do our best with these final preparations!

[Fade in/out.]

Kanata, about what you asked me before… I can't go with you after all.

I-I see…

I'm so sorry for having to turn you down.

No, I'm just glad you thought about it. Thank you.

I'm sure you can win all by yourself, Kanata. The sweets you make are super delicious, after all.

Oh, I can't make them as well as you do, Tsumugi. I wish I could though.

Believe in yourself. I know you'll be fine, Kanata.

Okay, I'll do my best!

*Sigh*

Aw, she turned me down…