Just ten more seconds.

Keep going, everyone! You can do it!

Hnng...! Fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven...!

Planking's so hard!

My abs feel...like they're gonna...!

Sixty...!

Okay, that's it.

*Sigh*

I thought I was done for!

Hehe. Nicely done.

Everyone, that was very impressive.

You've all grown so much since you first joined this club, and this is proof of that.

I know it's not for a while, but I believe you'll all do wonderfully during our next tournament. So, please keep up the good work.

*Gasp*

Yes, Hinomori...!

Now that we're finished doing strength drills, let's get the targets ready...

Oh, we'll put them up!

Please take a break, Hinomori.

This is so great! Hinomori praised us!

And she seemed totally fine while planking just now! I guess idols need to keep their cool like that, huh?

Hello, Hinomori.

Oh, Asahina, hello.

Thank you for running strength drills with the first years today.

I noticed that they were beginning to lose their focus a little after competing in the newcomer tournament, so I appreciate you stopping by today.

I didn't do anything special, really.

I mean, I haven't been able to show up for practice much lately because of MORE MORE JUMP! activities...

Hehe. You're so modest, Hinomori.

Hinomori!

They're all set up!

Ah, looks like you're needed.

Yes, I'll head over now.

Good luck with practicing for the individuals match, Asahina!

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Thank you very much! If you'll excuse us!

Yes, good work today.

Is that everyone...?

There was no one left in the changing room.

Okay. Then, let's start closing up.

Oh, it's my turn today, so I'll return the key to the teachers.

Thank you, but I'll go with you...

There's something I need to ask them.

You will?

Hehe. Then, shall we?

The first years have become much better archers since I last saw them.

Yes, I believe the newcomer tournament played a big role.

I suppose it's only natural to take official matches more seriously.

I see...

(When I was a first year, I received quite a lot of advice from others around this time of year, which helped me have more confidence in myself...)

(So much was going on back then...)

Oh, it's the third years.

Huh?

Look, they're all in the studying room together.

Oh, you're right.

They all seem to be working very hard...

They've all retired from club activities and have entrance exams coming up. And when I go down the third years' corridor, there's a sort of tension in the air.

When we become third years, the time will also come for us to retire and study...

Yes, you're right...

I know it's inevitable, but that time will eventually come...

I feel a little sad about that actually.

Me too. Especially since we've been doing this since we were first years.

However, we have our futures to think about, and that's going to be our time to decide what we want to do in life...

Oh, Asahina, speaking of which...

You're trying to get into medical school, yes?

Huh? How did you know...?

Hehe. The first years told me.

Some of them saw you buying study guides for it.

I see.

I feel a little embarrassed now.

No, don't.

You'd make a wonderful doctor since you're such a kind person.

So, please do your best, Asahina.

...

Yes, you're right...

I need to do my best.

What...?

...?

Is something wrong, Hinomori?

Oh, um...

It looked like you were thinking about something else just now.

Hehe. I must've been thinking about entrance exams again and how much I have to study for them.

Oh, I see...

(But she seemed different compared to normal for some reason...)

(That expression she made...)

(I've seen it before somewhere...)

(Oh, it was that time...)

That reminds me, Hinomori. When you were a first year, you decided to join the archery club as a way to improve your posture, yes?

Huh? Yes, that's right...

I vaguely remember mentioning that when we first visited the club.

Yes, and it left an impression on me because your posture was already very good. I suppose I should expect no less from an idol.

No, it's just...

I was still trying to get started as an idol back then.

Also, Asahina, just now...

Oh, what are you two still doing here? It's time to head home for the day.

Oh, hello.

We were just about to return the key to the archery range...

Ah, I was just about to head back. Why don't I deliver that for you?

You will?

Thank you very much.

Oh...

(That expression Asahina made...)

Shizuku...

Eep!

Huh?!

I-Is everything okay?

Oh, Shii, it's you...

I'm sorry. You startled me a little. Is there something you need...?

You seemed more than a little startled. Well, anyway... I came to let you know that it's your turn to take a bath.

Oh, right...

Thank you, Shii.

But there's something on my mind right now, so I think I'll wait until later to take a bath.

...

Are you sure everything's okay?

Yes, but I appreciate your concern.

Something is bothering me a little is all.

Something's bothering you?

Yes, but I'm not sure how to put it into words...

So, I'd like some time to think on it more.

To get a better idea...

Okay, I understand.

In that case, I'll let Mom know that she can go before you.

Good luck, Shizuku.

Thank you, Shii!

I really appreciate it!

(That expression Asahina made today...)

(It's just like what I saw that other time...)

(She seemed to have something on her mind that time as well.)

(Does that mean there's something bothering her...?)

But I could be jumping to the wrong conclusion...

What should I do...?

<...zuku!>

Hm? I thought I heard someone calling my...

<Shizuku! Good evening!>

<Good evening!

Sorry, we know it's late!>

KAITO? Miku?

It's awfully late for you to be visiting me.

<We came here hoping that we could ask you for some advice, Shizuku.>

Advice?

<Yes! We were thinking about altering some of our costumes for our next show.>

<They're ones that have been sitting in the dressing room and we want to change things up a little.>

<Remember how you all came up with your own costume designs? We decided to think up ideas for alterations in the same way...>

<Unfortunately, this isn't exactly my forte.>

<Yes, me too.

I've also been having trouble coming up with ideas.>

<So, Shizuku, since you're really good at coming up with design ideas, we thought we should ask you.>

Yes, I see...

I'm not as good as you say I am, but I'll be more than happy to help.

<Thank you, Shizuku!>

<If possible, we'd like to have something warm that goes with the season...>

Something warm...

In that case, why not try using a fluffy material that insulates well for the sleeves?

Also, something that looks like ice crystals. Not only will they look pretty, they'll give your costumes a nice, wintery feel.

<Yes...!

Those sound perfect!>

You could even have imitation snow fall from above to go along with your costumes.

(Oh... Snow...)

<Shizuku...?>

I-I'm sorry!

Our conversation reminded me of something else...

<Something else?

Oh, is there something bothering you...?>

Well, um...

It has a bit to do with something I remembered about my friend from club...

But it's more of a personal matter...

<If talking to someone else about it will make you feel better, I'll be more than happy to listen.>

KAITO... Hehe. Thank you very much.

Then, if you don't mind...