The next day.

Let me start with μ's second-year students. Honoka, Umi, Kotori, can you introduce yourselves again?

Okay!

I'm Honoka Kosaka, a second-year student at Otonokizaka High. The first time I saw a school idol, I wanted to be one, too. I love school idols!

I'm Umi Sonoda, also a second-year student at Otonokizaka High. Honoka said she was going to be a school idol, so I ended up one, too.

You “ended up” one, too? You didn't want to?

*Giggle* I only thought that at first. Now I have just as much passion for it as Honoka.

We love Honoka, so we want to do what she wants to, right?

Kotori! Well, I guess I can't deny that.

*Chuckle* I'm Kotori Minami, a second-year student at Otonokizaka High. Honoka and Umi have been my close friends since we were little, so I decided to join, too.

Umi writes the lyrics to our songs and Kotori makes our costumes.

So you were friends before becoming idols. It must be fun doing this with friends!

It is! Every day is super fun. It's the best.

*Giggle* That's just like you, Honoka. Um, after the introductions…

Hey, what about you?

M-Me?!

Yeah! You're interested in school idols, right?

Of course! I'm actually doing–

What?! You're a school idol, too?!

N-Not exactly! I help the idols at a school called Nijigasaki High.

I write lyrics and music and try to support everyone.

I see! So that makes us the same, huh?

Writing lyrics and music? That's amazing! I bet you'd have a lot to talk about with Maki and Umi.

The same? I don't think I'm anywhere near the level of μ's.

(But someday…)

I want to do my best and catch up to you guys!

Catch up to us? You're already have! You're involved with school idols, aren't you?

Um, yeah but…

I know you're here to interview us, but I feel like we're both on the same path.

Honoka…

(I only came here for an interview, but Honoka is kind and is reaching out to me. I'm so happy.)

I'm glad it's you that came. I bet we can be great friends.

However, we need to do a proper interview.

Right!

We're actually meeting with someone about our next performance today, so it seems you came at a good time for an interview.

Really? I'm pretty lucky, aren't I?

(I wonder what a group so far ahead of us like μ's does to get ready for a concert.)

We won't be talking about the new song until Maki gets here, so what should we talk about until then?

Honoka. Is there anything you'd like to try?

Umm… Hmm… Oh! Umi, make the lyrics totally awesome, okay!

Totally awesome… (That's a pretty broad request.)

Totally awesome doesn't tell me anything! I've told you a million times, you need to be more specific.

But whenever I tell you to write totally awesome lyrics, that's exactly what you do!

*Giggle* I bet that's because Umi thinks so hard about her lyrics.

Kotori is right. I don't write good lyrics just because you tell me to write something “totally awesome!”

Whaaat?! I didn't know that.

It takes a while to think up lyrics. Just how it is. Honoka, have you done anything fun lately?

Fun… Oh! Yesterday when I ate ramen with Rin, instead of getting extra noodles when she was done, she got a whole different ramen.

Uh, hm?! (Ramen? Extra noodles?)

Sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about. Could you explain again?

She didn't order more noodles after eating, but ordered a whole other ramen! It was so fun for some reason.

Honoka. I don't think many other people would understand why that's fun.

Oh… Sorry.

(Does she get ideas from lyrics from a second helping of ramen?)

Come to think of it, I found a new bakery recently. It doubled as a café. It was so fancy!

That sounds great! We should stop by on our way home today.

I'm sorry. I said we were going to talk about our next performance, but they ended up talking about other things.

That's okay. I just thought you were going to decide on a theme beforehand.

Oh, thank you for taking this seriously! There aren't many as serious as you in μ's.

Choosing a theme and talking things over is important, but…

But what?

I think it's more important to face what you like first.

[Fade in/out.]

What you like?

(I had fun talking with them after that. The way they planned their performance was different from what I expected.)

(How do they make their shows the way they do? I'm so curious!)