AKI: "Progress report on new member recruitment. How is everyone doing?"
SHIZUKU: "Not good, everyone I've asked in the theater club didn't want to."
KASUMI: "Nobody, I'm asking people but they look at me like I'm some lunatic."
AYUMU: "I don't have good results either... Everyone rejected me."
AKI: "And that makes four of us, any news on Emma and Kanata?"
SHIZUKU: "No, they seem to have disappeared somehow. I can't find them anywhere."
AKI: "Damn, looks like we're really struggling here. We have the club needs seven more members."
We have Ayumu, Kasumi and Shizuku but three members isn't enough... We need seven more and fast!
AYUMU: "Say Aki, I've actually got someone in mind. But I haven't asked them yet."
AKI: "Wait, you mean someone who'll join the club, Ayu?"
AYUMU: "Yeah, I think you'll know when I say her name: Ai Miyashita."
AKI: "Our classmate? But she's so popular, which is why... That's a brilliant idea!"
KASUMI: "Who's Ai Miyashita?"
AKI: "She's in our class. I'd say she's the second-year girl that stands out the most. And not in a bad way."
AYUMU: "She's really cheerful and gets along with everyone."
AKI: "When I think about it, everyone around her seems to enjoy being there, so I'd really love to see her as a school idol!"
SHIZUKU: "Well, how about instead of looking for Emma and Kanata, we go recruit Ai today?"
AKI: "Yeah, it's best to act fast on these things. Are we all in agreement?"
EVERYONE: "Yeah!"
We all walked to me and Ayu's clasaroom.
KASUMI: "Is she there?"
AKI: "Yeah, that's her over there."
AYUMU: "She's surrounded by people, that's nothing new. Everyone seems to flock around her."
AKI: "Just like a school idol. Now team, we cannot mess this up! We go together, and we also be convincing. But not too convincing. And there will be no waiting outside while the others enter."
KASUMI: "Why are you looking at me?!"
SHIZUKU: "Oh, looks like we're lucky, the crowd is gone."
AKI: "Which makes this our perfect opportunity to strike."
AYUMU: "Strike?!"
AKI: "Not literally, just metaphorically."
AYUMU: "Oh...*giggle*"
Everyone (including Kasumi...) entered the room and we approached Ai.
AKI: "Ai Miyashita...?"
AI: "Oh hey, you're Akihiko, right? And you're Ayumu, right? And you two must be underclassmen. What's up?"
AKI: "We're here on behalf of the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. Ai, we're here to recruit you to become a school idol."
AI: "Huh? Me, a school idol?!"
AKI: "Yes."
AI: "Ahahaha, no way, no way. I'm just not that type!"
Another rejection? No... I'm not going to let it end like this. We need Ai to join us.
AKI: "A-Are you sure?"
AI: "Sorry. I've decided not to tie myself down in any one club."
That's understandable... She is very popular.
KASUMI: "But, why?"
AI: "Well... Because I want to experience a bunch of stuff, I guess? Like, I just wanna have a lot of fun. And when I think about what I want to do next, I realize that I just don't have enough time to do it all. So..."
No, I'm not letting this opportunity slip past us.
AKI: "Then you should definitely be a school idol! School idols make things a ton of fun for everyone watching them!"
AI: "R-Really? You're pushing pretty hard."
KASUMI: "I thought you said not to be too convincing..."
SHIZUKU: "Experience being a school idol once and you can't stop, even if you want to."
AI: "H-Hmmm..."
KASUMI: "Y-Yeah! And just try to think of the scene you'll see from the stage!"
AYUMU: "And I just know you can draw everyone into keeping up with your pace. It'll be just like what you're always doing during break times!"
AKI: "Being a school idol will definitely give you experiences you haven't had before. Great experiences, even. It'll show you a whole new world."
AI: "A whole new world?"
AKI: "It won't all be sunshine and roses, and there'll be some challenges, but...isn't the fun waiting for you after overcoming all that just really special?"
AYUMU: "Ai, we're actually total newcomers to being school idols, but it's really amazing!"
AKI: "Yeah! Everyone's got their own charm, and they're all so exciting to watch!"
AI: "Are you a school idol Akihiko?"
AKI: "Not exactly, for obvious reasons... But I couldn't hold back my excitement, and that's why I'm here asking you to join us. Isn't the power to move people amazing?"
AI: "To move people...?"
AKI: "Yes! And I really want to see you become a school idol, Ai. I'm sure you'll be one like no other! I can just imagine it now."
AI: "Ahh, all right, you've got me."
YES! A BREAKTHROUGH!
AI: "If you believe in this so much, then I'll believe in it too. However, I can't guarantee how long I'll stick around though, is that alright?"
AKI: "That's fine. If it's not for you then it's not for you. We can't force you to become a school idol. But I definitely think that you'll love being one though."
AI: "Right, right. You're really good at getting me to do things, you know that? So guys, when're we startin' this thing?"
SHIZUKU: "Well... About that. Um... The club is actually on death's door at the moment."
AYUMU: "If we don't get ten members to join, it's going to be disbanded."
AI: "Seriously?! But don't you only need five members?"
AKI: "It's a long story..."
KASUMI: "Ai, sorry we kind of tricked you. But we're definitely going to get ten people and keep this club alive!"
AI: "Let's DO this!"
KASUMI: "Huh?"
AI: "Ai, am not the type to run away from a challenge. Ai, won't be bowled over! Ai'll just be bold!"
KASUMU: "Uh...?"
AI: "Oh, bowled like bowling and bold like brave. Puns are kinda my thing, Ai think you'll see."
AKI: "Pfft... Ahahaha! Ai, that was great! You're amazing. At puns."
KASUMI: "G-Great? A-Amazing? That kind of made me raise an eyebrow."
AYUMU: "Shh...Kasumi, she's always had baby-level jokes, but that's a really cute part of her."
AI: *giggle* "I'm glad you get my jokes! Anyway... Ai'll introduce you to someone you'll really want to invite to the club!"
KASUMI: "Y-You really mean it? Another member?!"
AKI: "Yes! Now we have Ai on board, recruiting should be a breeze. Thank you for your idea Ayu."
AYUMU: "N-No problem."
SHIZUKU: "Who do you have in mind Ai?"
AI: "She's this first year named Rina Tennoji. Hang on a sec, I'll go call her!"
Ai made a phone call and we waited for the arrival of Rina.
Who is this first year that was so praised by Ai? Is she as popular and outstanding as Ai is?
The answer we got was... Different than expected.
A student with a first year ribbon entered our classroom, her face covered by a pad of paper with a face drawn on with pink marker.
...CUTE!
AKI: "Ai, she's perfect!"
RINA: "U-Um..."
AKI: "Ai told us all about you, you're Rina Tennoji right? It's so nice to meet you!"
RINA: "W-Wah!"
AYUMU: "Aki, you're scaring her."
AKI: "O-Oh was I too forceful? Sorry Rina."
RINA: "Ai, he's scary..."
AI: "It's okay Rinari, he won't bite. He's with me, we've got a question to ask you."
AKI: "I don't think I should be the one to ask it Ai... Can you do it instead?"
AI: "Sure! Rinari, I'm joining their School Idol Club. We think that you'd be an amazing addition too!"
RINA: "M-Me?! A school idol?"
AI: "Yeah! Rinari, you're super unique, and I think that's really great! Let's do this together, Rinari! Let's be idol sisters!"
AKI: "You're sisters too? Amazing!"
AYUMU: "I think she means it metaphorically, not literally."
AKI: "Gah... My own words twisted and used against me. Delightfully devilish Ayu."
RINA: "W-Well... I want to try it with you, but...I don't think I could pull it off."
KASUMI: "Hey Rina? Don't you think you'd be super cute if you took off this, uh...mask?"
RINA: "Hands off. I can barely communicate without it."
AKI: "Uh...What?"
AI: "Rinari and me made this Rina-chan Board ourselves! Rinari's really shy, but this board lets you know how she's feeling really easy, y'know?"
SHIZUKU: "Masquerades are often used in acting. A school idol with a mask sounds really unique, I think."
AYUMU: "But if she's onstage, then how can she change the board's expressions quickly, though?"
KASUMI: "W-Wait! You guys are already talking like she's already agreed to join!"
AKI: "Ai's right, Rina. You're amazing! At being unique. That Rina-chan Board's going to be your biggest weapon!"
RINA: "Weapon?! Rina-chan Board says 'Scary'..."
AKI: "I mean it meta- Oh nevermind I'm not saying it again. But you can use it to share your emotions with the world, and... Oh, I can just see it now!"
KASUMI: "Hearing you say that Senpai... Now I think this'll really work out, too!"
AI: "Well, you heard 'em. Let's give it our all, Rinari!"
RINA: "S-Sure! Rina-chan Board says 'Woo-hoo!'."
KASUMI: "Rina, we're both first years, so you can call me Kasumin. And I'll call you Rinako!"
AKI: "Nicknames...again?"
RINA: "Rinako?"
SHIZUKU: "She calls me Shizuko, so we match."
RINA: "We...match? I like that. Call me Rinako. So you're...Kasuko, then?"
KASUMI: "Stoooop! D-Don't call me Kasu!"
AKI: "I knew that was coming..."
Today was really a good day for recruitment. We got two new members! Ai Miyashita and Rina Tennoji.
However, we still have some unfinished business to settle for Kasumi and Shizuku.
Where are Emma Verde and Kanata Konoe?