One, two, three, four...

And pose!

How do I look?!

<Oh, really cute!>

<But you lost balance there for a split second, so try to stay on axis when you go to pose...!>

Yeah, you're right!

Airi even told me just the other day that my core still needs a lot of work...

So, Miku, let me try that again!

<Okay!

I don't mind watching...>

<But you've been at it for close to an hour and a half now. Why don't you take a quick break first...?>

Whoa, you're right!

I completely lost track of time!

Hmm... I was hoping that you'd watch me practice interacting with an audience afterwards...

<Did something happen recently, Minori...?>

Huh?

<You have a really good work ethic, but it seems odd for you to be trying this hard...>

Oh...

So... It has to do with something that happened during our last TV shoot...

<TV shoot...?

Oh, do you mean for Mr. Arimura's show?>

Yeah. You watched it, right, Miku?

After I overheard what those audience members were saying, even though I knew that we couldn't make up for not being LiLia, I decided that I was going to make sure they got to have fun.

But I also feel that I could've done more for them during the first half of our shoot. If only I'd realized sooner...

<Minori...>

Which is why, even though I still have a lot to learn, I want to become a fully-fledged idol as fast as I can.

<I see...

That's really admirable, Minori.>

<So, I'll be more than happy to help you!>

Wait, really?!

<Yes!

While we're at it, why don't we train together in SEKAI once we're done taking our break?>

<I'm sure it would be better if you practiced imagining talking to an audience while on a real stage.>

Oh, you're right!

That'd definitely feel more like the real thing!

Then, I'll head over now!

Phew! I made it through!

That was a good practice...!

Plenty of dancing and interacting with an audience! I feel a lot more confident now! Thanks, Miku!

Hehe. You feel more confident because you put in the work, Minori!

You even came up with some nice ideas for making things fun. I hope you get a chance to use them during your next shoot...!

Me too!

I can't wait for our next one♪

Still, I have to ask...

Don't things seem a little too quiet around here today?

Oh, come to think of it, I haven't seen anyone else here since we began practicing. We were at it for quite a while too.

Where do you think everyone's gone?

Hmm... MEIKO and KAITO said they were going over to see Haruka, but they should be back by now...

Huh?

What's wrong?

That path over there...

I don't think I've ever seen it before...

What path?

H-Hey, you're right...

I've never seen this before either.

Do you think the others are wherever this path leads to?

What...?

Then, let's see where it takes us.

O-Okay. I'm a little scared...

But, I also kinda want to know where it goes...

For now, let's go take a quick look!

Th-Th-Th...

There's a new area?!

Wow...!

Oh, that looks like a stage way over on the other side, doesn't it?

Also, this vast field of flowers is so beautiful.

Minori?

Is something wrong?

I thought I just saw a shadowy figure just now. Of a little girl...

What...?!

B-But I don't see anything...

Maybe it was something else?

M-Maybe.

But given where we are, what else could it have been...?

I think she ran this way...

Hmm... What do I do...?

Huh...

Alright... Again...!

One, two...

That voice...

Is it coming from this flower...?

I think so.

But why...?

No, I still can't get it right...

If only...I could...be more like...

Hmm... I'm having trouble making out what it's saying...

I'll try moving a little closer and...

Huh...?!

Wah!!

S-So bright!!!

M-Minori?!