*Sigh*

I'm wiped out!

I know, right? I'm aching all over. Why do they have to make the chairs at school so hard?

Do you think so? They've never really bothered me, I guess.

What?! It can't be good for the body to sit like that for hours on end.

Personally, I don't understand how everyone can bear to be in a classroom for that long like it's normal.

I guess you don't come to school that often, do you Mizuki? And even when you do, you skip a whole bunch of classes.

So I'm even more grateful that you came in to help us today. You made everything really clear, and I made some good progress!

Don't mention it!

It was more fun than I expected♪

Oh, more importantly, look over there! It's that apple pie place I told you about!

Wow. I can already smell them from here.

It has great reviews online. But, whoa... The place is rammed inside.

Hm...

If it's that crowded, I'll go and buy them myself. You wait out here.

Oh, are you sure? Thanks, Mizuki!

I wonder when Mizuki will be back...

Oh yeah. I can use spare moments like this for study. I should have time to do some vocabulary.

I studied so hard today that my head kinda hurts... But the others are putting in so much effort for our sakes that we have to pull our weight.

Um, where's that vocab list...

Oh, hi An!

Oh... What are you two doing here?

We're headed home from club!

It was pretty intense today since the second-years made us run a ton...

Oh yeah, we heard about you taking supplementary classes. Apparently you might get held back a year?

Wait, what?! How do you know that?

Through the grapevine. I knew your grades weren't the best, but...oof.

But, I heard that they do these classes every year to help people out. I bet it'll all be fine as long as you take it seriously.

*Grimace*

I hope so.

I have some friends with good grades who are helping me study, so I guess it'll be alright...

Oh, really?

I guess you won't be needing us then.

Huh?

Earlier, we were all talking about helping you study if you needed it.

We're not exactly straight A students ourselves, but how does the saying go? Strength in numbers?

A bunch of people said they'd pitch in, so we'd be unstoppable if we combined forces.

You guys...

Well, anyway. If there's anything we can do to help, let us know. We'll be there for you.

Yeah, just like friends should!

Got it! Thanks, you two!

See you later, An!

Bye!

Hehe.

(I'm kinda happy. Not just Mizuki and the others, but everyone is jumping to help me out...)

Sorry, An! I got out as quick as I could. That place was so crowded.

No problem at all!

I was just talking to my friends.

Your friends?

Yeah. Two of my classmates were passing by and said hello. They already know about the supplementary classes.

It was kinda embarrassing...

But they let me know they've got my back, which made me feel better.

Really...? That's great!

Come to think of it, you really have a lot of friends, An. I always see you talking with people in other classes and years.

Do you think so? I'd say I have an average amount of friends.

No way! It's not even just students, you chat with the teachers and the custodian too. There's nothing average about getting on with so many different people so easily.

I'm the outgoing type myself, but you're on a different level.

Hm... Maybe?

I never thought about it much...

Oh, maybe it's because I've been singing on Vivid Street for years?

Huh?

I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone loves music. And I've been singing there since I was little.

Whenever I did, all sorts of people would come and say hi, and I just naturally get to know them, I guess?

And, even if we got into fights, we'd always be closer by the end.

Really?

Wait, fights...?!

Singing on the street can lead to arguments sometimes.

Vivid Street attracts a lot of young, intense types, and over time you start to have a history with them.

Wow...

It sounds like a pretty wild place...

Hahaha. To be clear, they're not bad people. Everyone's just really passionate about music. And even when we do butt heads, it usually gets resolved with singing battles.

And after battling the same person a few times, you start to understand the passion and pride behind their singing...

Even if they grated on you at first, you start to recognize that you share that commitment to singing.

Oh, really?

Really. So, I guess that's why I'm this way. I've learned to just be genuine and direct with everyone I meet. That way, sooner or later we'll get to know each other and accept all the different parts of each other.

And I think that's why I don't have any trouble socializing and getting to know people.

Wow.

That's pretty cool. I had no idea you thought about it that way, An.

It's not like I think about this stuff all the time. That's just what came to mind when I gave it some thought just now.

If anything, I don't think about much at all usually.

Hahaha, is that so?

(Still...)

(An's amazing...

I can't imagine being so confident about getting close to people and accepting each other.)

(That must be why, that time...)

(It was right after we started high school, and everyone was giving me a wide berth... But An just came and talked to me like normal.)

(And she could do that because...)

(She believes it's possible to find common ground with everyone... And that's why she's friendly and direct with everyone she meets.)

Mizuki? Is something wrong?

Oh... Nope, I'm all good!

Wanna get going?

It's getting a little chilly out.

Sure!

More importantly, the pies! They're gonna get cold after we waited so long for them!

Here, An, eat up!

Oh, you're right! Here I go!

Mmm! What the heck, this is so good!

Nothing beats sugar for a tired brain!

You got that right!

Thanks for buying these, Mizuki!

You're welcome!

That reminds me!

They had a whole bunch of other flavors, like maple syrup and cinnamon!

We should totally go back sometime and try them!

Yeah, let's do that!

When's good for you?