I guess she might be right when it comes to how supporting people is a tricky thing…

I mean, I'm sure there were many cases where I pushed what I wanted onto the girls.

I wonder how they felt about it…

[Fade in/out.]

Morning.

Morning. What's up with you? You're looking all gloomy.

You headed home as soon as the live show was over too. Don't you want to give me your take on my performance? I'm still all ears, you know.

I want to know what you thought as well! How did I do yesterday?

Are you feeling unwell? I could take you to the nurse's office…

No, I'm fine. I'm sorry, everyone.

There's, uh…something I wanted to ask you all, if that's all right?

[Fade in/out.]

So, you and Tsumugi knew each other…

I wouldn't say we really know each other. I was just a bit curious about her, that's all.

While I was chatting with her, I realized that she was the person you told me about.

…And what she said really resonated with me. I felt like I'd done the same thing as her.

I realized that I've been wanting all of you to be seen and heard by more and more people, and that I said things to impose those feelings onto you.

And that my support has become a burden, so I thought I might end up hurting some of you…or all of you.

Your support has never hurt me, not even once! And I know that it never will!

The same goes for me! Not having your support would be much worse!

It goes without saying that I feel the same way, but when you think of what happened with Tsumugi, I guess there are also some tricky aspects to supporting people.

Support is the result of expectations. I can't deny that if expectations are too high, they can become a burden.

A burden? It never felt like one to me.

The expectations of others can be a positive thing as well.

I love it when my parents have expectations for me, and I also love their delight when I go out and meet those expectations.

The expectations people have for Setsuna Yuki the school idol or for Nana Nakagawa don't really feel like burdens to me.

So that's why you've divided your time between being Nana and Setsuna.

I feel the same way. The expectations of those around me give me courage.

You girls…

We can't carry on without your support.

Right. I appreciate that you always try to be by our side to cheer us on.

There are paths I would have never taken if it hadn't been for your words of encouragement.

I imagine that the school idol Tsumugi supported also gained confidence from it just like us.

I guess so…

She should've been a fan of mine. I'll take all the support I can get, no matter what form it takes.

Lanzhu, if this Tsumugi girl had even a fraction of your audacity, things probably would've worked out.

Yeah. I mean, I can even share it. It's not like I don't have enough to go around.

See, I just gave you a backhanded compliment and you didn't even flinch. I honestly find that side of you amazing.

Don't act surprised. I'm Nijigasaki's most super, extra-special member!

Ahaha.

Finally, a smile.

Look, I know support might be a complex topic, but people need it.

There might be times when it goes a bit too far, but that doesn't mean that it's all bad.

That's it. I'm sure that Tsumugi's support helped that school idol.

She had some of Tsumugi's amazing macarons, so Tsumugi's feelings must have gotten through to her.

I want to show her how great it feels to be supported and how much strength it can give you…

So, how about it? Would you girls help me show her?

[Fade in/out.]

We have the venue for the live show, so we'll have to think up a production that we can do there.

I've got this. Shizuku and I are already talking with the girls in the Theater Club about it.

Do you have a list of what equipment they've got at the venue?

If you can get it, I think Mia and I could do the sound.

Oh, there you are! Hey, I made arrangements for the live stream equipment!

That's great to hear! Thanks, Emma!

This way, even if Tsumugi can't actually come, she can still watch it online.

Oh, and one more thing. There's, um, something else I think we should do. Want to hear it?

What is it?

Why don't we try and find the school idol that Tsumugi used to support?

I spent so long trying to find a school idol who I admired, and when I finally got to meet Mai, it made me feel confident in the path I'd chosen.

So I think that if Tsumugi also met the school idol she looked up to, it might change things for her.

Nice idea, Emma! You're right, we should try to get together with her if we can.

I'll help too. Let's find her!

Let's do it!