*MEANWHILE*
*MARI'S ROOM - HOTEL OHARA - AWASHIMA - SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE*
MARI: "Oof... I'm pretty exhausted."
DIA: "That does make sense considering the practice regimen is more intense."
KANAN: "It's tough even for me!"
MARI: "Thank goodness. If you find it tough then it only makes sense that I'm exhausted."
KANAN: "Well, I'm thinking of aiming a level higher next week, then higher again the week after, so..."
DIA: "Kanan. Don't you think you're increasing the intensity too much, too soon?"
KANAN: "Whaaat? You think so? I feel like everyone still has more to give."
DIA: "I, for one, don't want to see the sight of Ruby unable to get up from bed."
MARI: "What?! Are you saying that's what happened to Ruby today?!"
DIA: "Thankfully, no. She was fine."
KANAN: "Th-Thank goodness! That's a relief. Do you think it'd be best to keep practicing at this level, then? It'd be terrible if she couldn't get out of bed."
DIA: "No. It's important to raise the bar. I suggest we gradually increase the intensity upon observation of everyone's progress.
Everyone, including Ruby, is in the process of making big improvements, so I believe we should be fine as long as we adhere to an appropriate pace.
In fact, it's essential to Chika's- No, everyone's challenge as Aqours."
MARI: "Speaking of challenges, I heard that Hanamaru went to see Rin for some dedicated training."
KANAN: "Oh yeah, I heard about that. She looks up to Rin, so she said she was going to get some intensive dance and physical training from her."
DIA: "I find it difficult to imagine our little Hanamaru journeying to Tokyo on her own for training..."
MARI: *Giggle* "Especially since she hasn't really been the type of person to do something of her own accord 'til now. You could say she's a bit of a worrywart."
KANAN: "I guess that means she's growing on a mental level as well."
DIA: "Even so, the big city all alone... The dangers..."
MARI: "Don't worry, she's staying with Tokyo's resident Rainbow Student. And I know he's too innocent to make a move on her."
DIA: "Wh-What are you saying?!"
MARI: "It's joke!"
DIA: "Ugh, we should at least try our best. So that she doesn't leave us all behind."
MARI: "We gotta do our best to keep up with her! I'm getting fired up now! Shinyyy!"
KANAN: "For sure. We need to power ourselves up enough to blow everyone away, so we can contribute to Chika's challenge."
MARI: *Chuckle* "There's something I want to do."
DIA: "Hm?"
KANAN: "Seriously?!"
MARI: "Wait. What's with that look on your faces, you two?"
DIA: "Well, you often go beyond our imaginations when you have ideas, so..."
MARI: "It'll be fiiiiiine, relax! I'm talking about re-doing a previous challenge of ours!"
KANAN: "Re-doing a previous challenge? Will that even help us power up our skills?"
DIA: "Are you referring to...?"
MARI: "Yes, I am!
For the current Aqours to move forward, the past Aqours must correct our mistakes! I want the three of us to march to Tokyo Opera City and win at an event there!"
KANAN: "What?"
MARI: "I've always wanted to re-write that part of our past someday. It's sad having even just one bitter school idol contest memory.
That's why I want the three of us to enter a contest together.
Dia, Kanan. Let's do it properly this time and sing as a trio!"
DIA: "I am in favor of this suggestion. Indeed, this would be the ultimate challenge for our friendship.
What do you say, Kanan?"
KANAN: "A shot at redemption. To fix the darkest time in our friendship...
Those dreams we left behind on that stage, it's about time we go and recapture them!
I'm in!"
MARI: "YEEEEEEESS! I figured you two would agree to my idea now! Those hopes of the old Aqours, our first-year selves, have waited two years for us to come back for them!"
DIA: "Yes, indeed they are."
KANAN: "If that's what we've settled on then we'll need to do some extra practice. Can you keep up with me?"
MARI: "Of course! That's a given!"
DIA: "It is only expected that the three of us should be given a special practice schedule."
KANAN: "Then that settles it!"
MARI: "It's been two years..."
DIA: "...let's get our dreams back..."
KANAN: "...because our challenge begins NOW!"