AYUMU: "I HATE YOU!!!"
AKI: *Sigh*
What have I been doing these past few months? I wanted to support my school idols, but I've been completely useless.
Ryu was right this whole time, I am nothing. All that I've done is ruin everyone's dreams...
I didn't listen to anyone and acted recklessly on my own. I even made Ayu cry...
She was so quick to hop on board when I suggested she become a school idol. She's the one who brought us to the main stage, who pulled off an amazing performance at the School Tour and made us all proud.
Yet I was so blind... I only focused on the negatives. I said such horrible things to her, blinded by jealousy and rage.
If I was so jealous of her hanging out with her fan club over me, then I can't imagine how she felt when I've spent days hanging out with other girls.
She's no hypocrite, I'm the biggest hypocrite piece of shit in the world.
I never deserved a friend as great as her. Even if she never forgives me, I just hope that she can come around to the members of this club. I also hope that she can still be friends with Yu and Shiro, I was so worried about being replaced that I didn't realize that they were true friends to her.
Something I've lost the meaning of.
Anyway, I made a promise to the girls that I would take notes on their practice session today.
Just perfect...JUST PERFECT! I only have one page left, that's not enough! Nothing is going my way...
AKI: "..."
AYUMU: "This gift represents the love that everyone has for you, there's even a little surprise on the front page that shows that."
Wait a second... The present Ayu tried to give me. I haven't brought myself to open it yet.
The present that she put so much thought into for me. The same present that I grabbed our of her hands and threw to the ground.
It was like I was taking everyone's love, and throwing it to the ground. Like it meant nothing to me...
I really am the worst human being alive, aren't I?
*OPEN*
Wh-What...?!
It's a notebook. It's beautiful... She really customized this for me? It's white, my favorite color. Is this rainbow foil and everyone's symbols, too?!
It's...it's so thoughtful, so wonderful... And I threw it to the ground.
I had said that I'd almost filled up my old notebook. She remembered...
'Let Our Rainbow Bloom'...
She also mentioned some kind of surprise. I wonder what she was talking about?
AKI: "?!"
Thank you for being my wonderful Senpai, Kasumin love you so much! <3 - Kasumin
Because of you, everyday is so much fun! I'm living my dream every day because of you! - Emma
Every play needs a director. You are the director of the play that is my dream. I hope that we can devise many more scenes together in the future, my Senpai. - Shizuku
You're the reason why I can be myself, why I don't have to hide anymore. You helped me in the election and helped shelter me when I tried to run away. Always stay by my side Chief, you're irreplaceable. - Setsuna
I felt so lost when Haruka didn't depend on me anymore. But you were there to listen to my selfish problems and fulfill my selfish requests. If I can be selfish one more time, I want you to never leave us. Thank y....Whoops, I fell asleep writing that last part. - Kanata
Yo Prez! You were right all along, this school idol thing really has opened my eyes to a whole new world! Not just me, but now Misato has something to follow! It's all because of you, thank you so much! I'd say this is a coupon for one of my monjayaki specials. But I don't want you to tear this page up, it would tear me apart and make me tear up! Haha, get it? - Ai
Gotta admit I hate being wrong, Boss. But I was wrong about school idols to begin with. I never did like that cutesy stuff, but you accepted me for who I was. I realize that I don't have to act cool or mature around you, because you see me for who I really am. Thank you. - Karin
Before I met you, the only friend I had was Ai. But you looked at someone like me and saw a school idol. I was scared of you at first, but you have always listened to my problems and even protected me from that mean guy. You saw my face and didn't judge me, you give me so much courage to connect with people, Aki-Senpai. Rina-chan Board says, 'Thank You'. -Rina
There are messages from everyone written here. Kasumi, Emma, Shizuku... Everyone's written such nice things for me.
Huh, I don't see anything written by Ayu though. Maybe if I try the next pa-
Oh my god... This is like, a whole page's worth. And she even included drawings?! And a photo of us too...
Teehee. Were you surprised by everyone's messages? Uh-huh, I bet you were. I think we came up with a pretty sweet present for you thanks to Shioriko's great idea.
AKI: "Shioriko's...idea?"
Okay, I'll start writing my message here.
First up, thanks for inviting me to join the School Idol Club.
I was a little surprised at first, but I remember the mysterious feeling of reassurance the moment I saw the sparkle in your eyes. Just like that time in kindergarten, remember?
I started practicing to be a school idol, met everyone, and shared the same dream with them... No words can describe the happiness I felt over finding such amazing companions.
From the moment I wake up every day, I'm just so excited to go to school because I wonder what wonderful things are waiting for me.
You always have your gaze focused straight ahead, and sometimes I worry that you're trying too hard, but I can really give it my all because I have you with me.
I hope you'll continue to support me, and everyone else, from right by our side.
Thank you for always being my Aki. - From your Ayu.
AKI: "Ayu... Ayu... Ayu..."*Sob*
I felt the weight of the world fall upon me. I fell to my knees and hammered my fists against the ground repeatedly...
AKI: "AYUMUUUUUUUU!!!!!"
I cried, not tears of joy, but tears of sorrow, tears of grief, tears of loss.
Then I looked up, and saw hanging above me on the wall, a poster of the School Idol Festival. Like it was...mocking me...
AKI: "This...This is all because of you! You're the one who turned me into this! YOU PIECE OF SHIT FESTIVAL! I LOST MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD BECAUSE OF YOU! A FESTIVAL THAT SHOULD HAVE DIED WHEN IT GOT CANCELLED!
But no... I bring you back from the fucking dirt and this is how you repay me?! DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!
YOU DON'T DESERVE A PLACE IN THIS CLUBROOM!"
I tore the poster from the wall and ripped it to shreds. And there I sat, broken and alone, amongst the pieces of poster. Ruminating about what I've become.
If only I had some word of warning as to what would happen.
AKI: "..."
Wait, I did! Nozomi's tarot reading! I usually find all of that stuff to be some big hoax, but maybe it could shed some light on what has happened.
NOZOMI: "The Chariot, upright. Often representing control, willpower and determination."
Huh, that's probably referring to my willpower and determination of taking control of the volunteer recruitment. How I went to so many people the first time around. How I was so confident that everything was working out.
NOZOMI: "Second. The Wheel of Fortune, reversed. Representing bad luck."
Bad luck...? The volunteer info session! How we thought we were getting 1500 people in attendance, but only the front row was filled.
That's nothing but bad luck for us.
NOZOMI: "The Fool, reversed. Representing holding back.
But it could also represent recklessness and risk taking."
Okay, this is freaking me out... I felt like I was holding back my true efforts after the volunteer info session was a disaster. Leading to me making a reckless decision and taking a big risk.
NOZOMI: "The Hermit, reversed. Loneliness, isolation and withdrawal."
*GASP*
The reckless decision I took was casting everyone aside. I isolated myself from everyone, leading them to have withdrawal of leadership. Leading to loneliness...just like what Ayu told me.
NOZOMI: "Strength, reversed. Self-doubt, low energy, raw emotion. But it can also represent inner strength."
I continuously doubted myself in my reckless efforts, but my inner strength wouldn't let me give up. My energy levels were low and I was running on raw emotion...
B-But the final card was...
NOZOMI: "Death, upright."
Representing endings, change and transformations. As well as transitioning into something new.
...No.
The whole situation changed me, I transformed into the very thing I fought against. And the ending was.....my friendship with Ayu. Transitioning into a life without her...
No...NO! WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS!!!
AKI: "Who am I kidding...? This is all my fault. I did everything wrong, I don't deserve such wonderful things to be said about me. I don't deserve a place in a club as wonderful as this."
I left the notebook on my desk and placed the pen that Ayu gave me upon it. Alongside it, I left my presidential pin.
AKI: "I'm sorry everyone. But I only end up hurting the ones I love. You will be a lot safer without me in your lives."