<How does it look, Amia? Does it work with what we talked about...?>

<Yeah, I think so! Have K see it later too. Yuki's got club activities so we can try sending it to her tonight.>

<Okay, that works.>

(Mizuki seems fine as far as I can tell. Was I just seeing things before? But...)

<Um, Amia... Can I ask you something...?>

<Hm? What's up?>

<It's about the mystery tour you took us on the other day...>

<Yeah, that was so much fun! It was so cute how you just completely passed out once you got on the train too, Enanan♪>

<Do you know how tired we all were after that?! Don't think that's how I usually sleep either... Anyways, that's not what I want to ask you about...>

<After we saw those cherry blossoms together, did something happen? You seem a little different, you know...?>

<Huh? Really?

I feel fine.>

<But...>

<Sorry I'm late. I've been working but just forgot to log in.>

<Hey, K! We were just talking about the illustrations and stuff we're gonna use for the video, right, Enanan?>

<Oh, um... Y-Yeah. Let me send them over...>

*Sigh*...

(I couldn't get anything out of Mizuki. Something feels off, but at the same time, everything seems fine...)

(No, making that kind of face means something has to be up...)

(Mizuki's the one that always says that we should go out and celebrate after we finish making a song, but that hasn't been the case lately...)

(What if it's something that isn't easy to talk about...? But Mizuki doesn't seem like the type to hide anything from anyone...)

(Even when I do ask, I never get any answers so... What am I supposed to do?)

Ugh! This is so frustrating!!

(Hm? My phone's ringing...

Airi...?)

<Hi, Airi.

What's up?>

<Sorry to call you like this all the sudden. My lesson for this weekend got cancelled, so I thought that maybe we could go out and do something together. What do you think?>

<There's also someone I want to introduce you to. Her name's Shizuku Hinomori and we're in the same idol group...>

<What?! Shizuku Hinomori as in the girl you're always talking about...? The one from that video you were in the other day...?>

<Yeah, her! I mentioned you to her today and she's sort of looking forward to meeting you now.>

<She is...? But sorry, I might not be up for that just yet....>

<Huh? What's wrong? Did something happen? Another fight with your dad...?>

<No, there's just something that's been bothering me a little...>

<Really? Like what...?

Well, I guess we all have days like that...>

<Also, you'll start gaining weight if you stay inside too long. It's important to go outside and get a breath of fresh air every so often, you know?>

<...!>

<But I won't force you into doing anything. When you feel like chatting or meeting up, just let me know, okay?>

<Maybe I should go...>

<You're right about me not going out much lately, Airi. This thing will probably just keep bothering me unless I actually do something about it.>

<Hehe. Then it's settled!>

<But no more insinuations regarding my weight, okay?>

<Yeah, yeah, I'll stop. Anyways, we'll talk again after I hash out the details, like when to meet and stuff.>

<Okay. Bye.>

Airi called at the perfect time. Alright, I'm gonna shop 'til I drop this weekend...!

Ena, over here!

I was worried about meeting up this early, but I'm glad you woke up on time.

Hehehe. I told Akito yesterday to wake me up this morning!

You're still using your little brother as a human alarm clock? I can't help but feel sorry for him...

By the way, is Hinomori not here yet?

No, not yet. She usually wakes up on time, but she gets lost pretty easily...

Lost? She's not a little kid, so I can't imagine...

I'm sorry for being so late, you two...!

Shizuku! We were just talking about you. Did something happen?

Actually, the bus I was on was stuck in traffic. I tried to send you a message, but I couldn't since the screen on my phone just kept spinning around...

Spinning around...?

Oh...! Are you Shinonome?

My name's Shizuku Hinomori. It's so nice to finally meet you. Airi's been telling me all about you.

Y-Yes, I'm Ena Shinonome.

It's nice to meet you too, Hinomori.

(Sh-She's so pretty... She really is like someone you see in a magazine but... Hm?)

Wait, are you not wearing any make-up...?

Hm? Oh, no I'm not. But I put on some lip gloss and sunscreen since Airi said it might be a good idea to.

What?! Just that?!

H-How can anyone naturally look this good...?!

Yeah, a lot of people have the same reaction...

Is something the matter?

Oh, is there something on my face?

N-N-No! It's nothing!

(Airi said that there's a part of her that's a bit of an airhead and I sort of noticed that in their video too...)

(But is she more of an airhead than I realize...?)

Anyways, Shizuku's finally here, so let's get down to some shopping!

That was so much fun!

I even got some cute clothes thanks to you, Ena♪

Yes, you even helped me pick out some cosmetics as well. I usually have such a difficult time finding anything that suits me...

Don't worry about it. It was nothing, really.

I got my hands on some things I wanted too. I'll take some pics of them later♪

I'm glad that you seem to feel a little better too.

Yeah, I'm glad I came today.

Oh, was there something wrong?

No, not really wrong...

It's just that there was something bothering me lately and I thought I should go out instead of staying cooped up inside all day.

I see...

Would it be alright if I asked what was bothering you, Shinonome...?

You were such a big help to me today, so I'd like to return the favor somehow.

Huh? But we've been having so much fun. I'd hate to ruin the mood with something like this...

No, don't worry about that. We were the ones that sort of dragged you out of your house.

And don't you think you'll feel better by talking about it with someone♪

Yeah, you're probably right...

This isn't actually about me but...

I see...

So you're wondering why this Akiyama's been acting so different lately...

Yeah. Everything seems normal when we talk, including the upbeat attitude...

Usually, I'm being the one invited out, but we haven't been hanging out much together lately. We're definitely still friends, but I feel like Mizuki's avoiding me...

I see. That is concerning...

It is...

Every time I ask, Mizuki just laughs it off or dodges the question altogether...

And that's what's so frustrating about this...!

Mizuki always asks everyone about how they feel, and I was hoping that I could help if something really is wrong...

Let me just ask this. Did you say anything that would offend your friend? I sort of can't rule that out with you...

What? No way!

But if that's so, it could be something that's difficult to talk to you about, Shinonome...

Yeah, Shizuku might be right. You two being close could be why it's so hard to talk about it.

Because we're close...?

Wait, does that mean I can't do anything about this?

Shinonome...

(She went through the trouble of telling us this and I'd like to be able to help her...)

(But I did the same thing when something was bothering me, so that it wouldn't affect the others around me. Oh, what if...?)

What if your friend talked to someone less personally involved, Shinonome? Would that make things easier?

Less involved?

For example, Airi and myself.

What if the four of us, Akiyama included, went on a little outing together? It could help make things easier for the two of you.

I appreciate the idea, but would it really work...?

I'm not sure either. It may not solve everything on its own, but it could give you a better idea of what's going on. A change of pace might also do Akiyama some good too, you know?

That may be true but...

Okay, I guess we won't know unless we try...

But where do we go? We went shopping together just the other day so...

How about here?

I just got a flyer advertising it...

"A Day Hike in the Highlands"...?

(*Sigh*... Supplementary classes are taking forever today. Our lunch break's almost over too...)

(I guess I'll eat in the classroom. But everyone's still there, so maybe... The rooftop...?)

Mizuki...?

Huh?! Rui?!

My apologies. I didn't mean to surprise you like that. You seemed a little down so I decided to ask...

Haha. Can you tell...?

They ran out of the melon bread I was after and I feel a little bummed out. Bad luck, right?

I see. If you say so...

Oh, Rui.

Can we talk for a minute...?

Looks like you got a visitor!

Later, Rui!

Wait, Mizuki...

Sorry, did I interrupt your conversation with Akiyama...?

I can't honestly say no, but you wanted to talk...?

It's about rehearsing for our next show.

Can we discuss a few things?

Yes, of course.

...