After the Nijigasaki idols had finished their performances, it was time to wait.
We watched on the backstage monitor, act after act, school after school come and go.
The main stage at the school idol festival is something that all school idols want to perform upon.
Which is why everyone out there is giving everything they've got to make their dreams a reality too.
Soon, the final act for the final school had performed. And the audience casted their votes.
AYUMU: "I wonder if they'll anounce the finalists soon."
SHIZUKU: "I'm so nervous."
KARIN: "I hope I can make it to the finals this time!"
RINA: "Does standing on the finals stage feel different than performing on the preliminaries stage?"
EMMA: "What did you think when you were a finalist, Setsuna?"
SETSUNA: "Well... I thought that it felt quite different. It felt like everyone watching had really high expectations."
AI: "Was the pressure too much?"
SETSUNA: "Nope! Right, Shizuku?"
SHIZUKU: "That's right. It was more like a gentle push."
AI: "Really? I wanna stand on a stage like that too!"
KASUMI: "Me too. My costume is perfectly in place. I'm ready for the finals!"
AKI: "Oh? Hey you guys, they're announcing the finalists now!"
AI: "Really? I'm so fired up!"
HOST: "You all casted your votes for the school idols that stole your hearts! In no particular order here are our ten finalists..."
The first was announced, not one of us.
AKI: "Hey, that's okay. Maybe the other nine are Nijigasaki Idols?"
The second... Not us.
AKI: "Oh..."
EMMA: "So at least one of us won't qualify..."
Three...Nothing.
KARIN: "Make that two."
Four.
Five.
Six.
AKI: "I-It's okay. Better late that never right?"
SEVEN
AKI: "RIGHT?!"
EIGHT!!!
SETSUNA: "Producer, it isn't looking good. We tried our best."
AKI: "No. It's not over yet."
Nine....
We need a miracle, we only need one finalist to make it happen. All we need is a chance to make it happen.
HOST: "And the tenth and last finalist...From Nijigasaki High School..."
AKI: "HUH?!"
SHIZUKU: "One of us qualified?!"
KANATA: "H-Huh? I was sleeping sorry..."
KARIN: "Now is no time for naps."
HOST: "AYUMU UEHARA!"
AYUMU: "Wh-Wh-WHAT?!"
AKI: "Ayu! Congrats! I'm so happy for you! What a turnaround this is from last time. The audience love you!"
RINA: "Congrats! Try your best!"
SHIZUKU: "Congratulations! You worked so hard. I completely understand why you made it to the finals!"
KASUMI: *Whine* "I'm frustrated that it wasn't me, but congratulations!"
AI: "You did it! I can't wait to see your amazing performance!"
SETSUNA: "Congrats! I may have lost today, but I won't lose next time! Please put on a wonderful performance!"
KARIN: "Congratulations. It's all up to you now!"
KANATA: *Sigh* "I'm so disappointed! I'm happy that you won though! Try your best!"
EMMA: "Congrats! Here, drink some water before you go back on stage. Stay calm and try your best!"
AYUMU: "My heart is racing. I'm trembling with excitement. Watch and see what I can do!"
AKI: "Once again... Try your best. We're all so proud of you."