*LATER*
*LESSON ROOM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
After Karin got back from her photoshoot, it was time for practice.
As a man of my word, I agreed to let Eli watch today's session to help her write her School Idol Newspaper article.
SHIORIKO: *Huff* *Pant*
AKI: "You've been through a lot of training today, Shioriko. Are you sure you're okay?"
SHIORIKO: "I am fine, I just need a moment to catch my breath."
AKI: "Okay, well... I don't want you overworking yourself and collapsing again."
SHIORIKO: "Do not worry, it is because of that experience I have been working to improve my endurance and stamina."
SETSUNA: "Ooh, what kind of secret training have you been doing, Shioriko?"
SHIORIKO: "It is nothing extravagant, I am merely doing some morning exercises with Hanayo."
RINA: "That sounds like fun, I would love to join you sometime. Rina-chan Board says, 'Smile'."
SETSUNA: "Me too! I've been working hard to improve my endurance since the Rainbow Hearts Tourney."
AKI: "Yeah, by the end of it you were completely burned out."
SETSUNA: "..."
AKI: "Anyway, don't let me distract you. Please continue."
ELI: "Hmm..."
AKI: "It looks like Ayu and Karin are in the middle of practice. Maybe I should take a photo of them."
ELI: "Maybe... But it doesn't seem like it's going too well."
AYUMU: *Huff* *Puff*
KARIN: "Let's take a little break. Things might go better if we freshen ourselves up."
AKI: "Okay, everyone take ten! ...Hey, Ayu! Great work!"
AYUMU: "I didn't know you two were here. Guess I was so caught up in doing my own thing."
ELI: "It looks like you're struggling with your choreography."
AYUMU: "Yeah... For our upcoming live show, we're practicing along with the song for the performance. But I'm still having trouble with the dance moves."
AKI: "I see. Knowing you, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it right away, though."
AYUMU: "Thank you... But I know more than anybody else how much I'm struggling."
AKI: "Ayu..."
ELI: "It's not only the singing and dancing. We need to do everything by ourselves as school idols, and that's tough."
AKI: "Yeah..."
If only CERTAIN school idols would realize that instead of playing big shot for some agency.
AKI: "...I wish I could help everyone more somehow."
ELI: "Come to think of it, you took a photo of Ayumu and Karin practicing just now, didn't you? How did it turn out?"
AKI: "Oh, yeah. It's this one here. What do you think?"
ELI: "I can see how filled with heart and determination they are. It's a beautiful photo."
AKI: "Thanks! I originally thought a glamorous photo of them up onstage would be better for the newspaper."
ELI: "You're right about how different they look onstage compared to during practice. How do you feel watching them practice?"
AKI: "Um... Karin always puts in 200% whenever you're around... Guess she still has something to prove after she lost in that dance contest.
Plus, I thought Ayu looked amazing giving it her all."
ELI: "I completely agree. I'm sure other people would feel the same way if they saw Ayumu too.
School idols don't always have a smile on their faces. And it's not like we're guaranteed to consistently succeed at what we do."
AKI: "True..."
The amount of hardships we've had to endure this past year has been staggering to say the least.
We lost to μ's in the Ten Contests, we didn't even make the Top 10 in the School Idol Showcase...
It's not fun to lose like that, and I guess it's something Kanon and I can relate to.
Hell, my response to my own failure was out of line, too... I hurt a lot of people with the way I acted, and I'm not even a school idol...
*Sigh*
ELI: "Maybe a school idol's charm isn't purely in her glamor.
I'm going to ask Ayumu if I can interview her. I feel like I might discover the charms of a school idol that way!"
AKI: "Interview Ayu? Go right ahead, I'm sure she'll oblige!"
...
*EAST TOWER BUILDING - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
AYUMU: "You want to use...me?"
ELI: "I do. I was thinking of publishing a feature on you in the School Idol Newspaper."
AYUMU: "I'm still not even all that good at dancing... I'm flattered that you'd ask, but are you sure you want to use me as a subject?"
AKI: "I don't see why not. Besides, I can personally guarantee that you're a school idol who's brimming with charm!"
AYUMU: "Aki..."
ELI: *Chuckle* "My thoughts exactly. And we promise not to be a bother, all right?"
AYUMU: "Well... Okay, I guess that won't be a problem.
...Oh, right. You wouldn't mind giving me some advice about dancing while you're at it, would you, Eli?"
ELI: "I could, but I think you would do better to find the answer yourself. After all, I feel as though you're only one step away from figuring it out on your own."
AYUMU: "Oh, okay... Thank you very much."
With that, Ayu walked back to the lesson room, leaving me and Eli alone in the hallway.
AKI: "It's great that Ayu agreed to be featured, isn't it?"
ELI: "Indeed. Still... I can't help but wonder if that was the right reply to her question. What do you think?"
AKI: "I don't think there was anything wrong with your reply. If Ayu can find the answer on her own, then I think that's what she should do."
ELI: "Yes, I think so too. Still... In the end, I'd like to be a source of strength for Ayumu, if only a little."
AKI: "She's relied on Yu a lot as of late during her training sessions. She's busy today with piano lessons, so... It wouldn't hurt to give Ayu a little push in the right direction."
ELI: "Got it."
...
*LESSON ROOM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
We returned to the lesson room to see Ayu fully engaged in her choreography practice.
AYUMU: *Huff* *Huff* "Nope, still not right...
Come on, remember how Karin did it... You've got to figure out what you're missing..."
Hm...
ELI: "...Shall we keep an eye on Ayumu as she practices?"
AKI: "Yeah, let's observe her."
...
*MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS LATER*
The whole time we've been here, Ayu keeps redoing the same section over and over... She's trying really hard.
ELI: "Harasho!"
AKI: "Oh!"
AYUMU: "Yes...! I did it! I managed to pull it off too!"
ELI: "Amazing, Ayumu! That was perfect!"
AYUMU: "H-Huh?! How long have you two been here?!"
AKI: "Long enough. We've been watching you practice. You were so incredibly focused!"
ELI: "You looked so radiant when you broke through that stumbling block. And that smile of yours is just fabulous!"
AYUMU: "Well, that's thanks to you telling me that I could do it.
If you hadn't said that, I might have given up. Thank you so much, Eli!"
ELI: "No... Thank YOU, Ayumu. I really am glad that I asked you to be part of this feature. Your charm and school idol charm are one and the same!"
Yeah, that's the thing with Ayu. When she truly sets her mind on something she never stops until she's accomplished it.
Guess you could say she's about as stubborn as I am, and it's always been that way.
Though she may seem shy to do something at first, if she's given a gentle push in the right direction, she'll shine.
Not just being a school idol... But this goes way back. Like the time she entered the talent show back in elementary school.
She was so nervous... But I calmed her nerves, I performed the piano and she danced.
We won the show.
We were so happy.
And then just like always, I reverted back to my gloomy, narcissistic self...
*Sigh*
She's amazing, Ayu's always been my anchor to keep me in place...
I just...
I don't know.
I hope we can be friends forever?
I guess?