(Don't worry...

Just calm yourself and focus...)

(Focus only on this shot...!)

It hit...!

Yeah!

Nice shot, Hinomori!

Yeah, nice one! You've improved so much!

(I'm so glad that I practiced so much. I finally feel like a member of this club now...)

(And I have Asahina to thank.)

Oh, Asahina's up next!

You can do it, Asahina...!

*Gasp*

She hit the bullseye...!

She's so focused, and her accuracy is remarkable... She might be in the running to win it all.

What? She has a chance to win...?!

(I believe in you, Asahina...!)

That concludes the award ceremony.

Man, Asahina, you were so close!

Fourth place is more than respectable!

It's hard to believe that you were just a novice not too long ago.

Does this mean Asahina's in line to become the next captain?

Whoa, slow down. I'm standing right here...

Hehe...

(Still, Asahina was so cool today.)

(Despite this being her very first tournament, she produced incredible results...)

(She says that she isn't perfect, but...)

Wait a second. I haven't seen Asahina at all since the award ceremony ended...

She said she needed to use the restroom, but it's been quite some time now. We need to start heading out soon...

Oh, then...

I'll try finding her.

You will?

Thanks, Hinomori!

(I was hoping to find her here since she didn't seem to be in the restroom...)

(But I'm not seeing anyone.

I suppose it's because the award ceremony just ended.)

Oh, Asahina...

(Huh...?)

Oh, Hinomori, what are you doing here?

I, um... We need to head out soon, so I came to let you know.

Oh, it's already time...? I'm sorry. I felt somewhat tired, so I decided to take a quick break.

Yes, I understand.

The final round must've been very tense since it got so close...

Yes, it was.

My heart raced the entire time since I was competing against experienced archers.

But I feel much better now.

Let's return to where the others are, shall we?

Yes, let's...

(She must've been more tired than I realized...)

Alright, let's wrap up practice here today!

It's chilly out, so try to stay warm, everyone!

Thank you! We will!

*Sigh*

I need to get ready...

Oh, Hinomori, do you have work after this?

Yes, I do.

I apologize for not being able to help clean up...

That's okay.

You always do more than enough when you are available, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Oh, the weather forecast said that it might snow today, so please be careful, Hinomori.

Yes, I will.

Thank you, Asahina.

It took longer than expected to change. I need to hurry...

My manager's calling?

Hello, this is Hinomori.

Oh, the interviewer came down with a cold...? That's terrible...

So, today's interview is going to be postponed? Understood. Thank you for letting me know.

That means I don't have work today...

Hm...?

Oh, it's snowing... It's so beautiful.

Achoo...

And so cold.

(Oh, that's right.

I asked Asahina to clean up in my place. If I go back now, I might still be able to lend her a hand.)

(I wouldn't want her to catch a cold since the archery range is exposed to the open air.)

So, I should go help.

(Oh, it's so quiet...)

(Did everyone already go home...?

But the door was unlocked...)

Wait, that sound...

Asahina...

(Asahina...?)

(That's all four...!

And no misses...!)

(That's incredible...

But at the same time...)

(It's a bit scary...)

(And she seems to be mumbling something to herself...)

I have to...

I have to hurry and...

(I can't quite make out what she's saying...)

(It's as if she's an entirely different person...)

(By calming yourself...)

(But she's already very good at that...

And yet, it's almost as if...)

(Oh...)

(Does this mean something's bothering her?)

(Something so significant that not even her calming technique will help...)

...!

Who's there?

*Gasp*

Um, it's...

It's me, Asahina...

My appointment for today got canceled, so I was wondering if I could help clean up...

Oh, I see...

Thank you for coming back.

Unfortunately, I've already finished cleaning everything up, which is why I was practicing on my own.

Yes, I see...

Um, Asahina...

Hm? Yes?

Oh...

Did something happen at work...?

Are you not feeling well by chance...?

N-No, I feel fine!

It's just...

(She's back to being her usual self...)

(Did I imagine what I saw just now...?)

<So, what happened after that...?>

Nothing of particular note...

Asahina did take a few days off here and there after that, but she seemed like her usual self...

So I began to believe I had imagined what I saw that day...

Then, I became so busy with work that I didn't have much time to think about it...

However, what I saw today...

That expression was so similar to the one she had back then. It really seemed like something was bothering her...

<Hmm... What could be bothering her so much...?>

I can't say...

But...

If something really is bothering her right now...

I'd like to help.

<Why not tell her that...?>

What?

<If you do wish to help her, it might be good to actually say that.>

B-But... What if saying that makes her feel uncomfortable...?

<I don't think she will.>

<It should be no different from what you've been doing until now.>

What I've been doing until now...?

<Yes. You've been telling others that you're there for them.>

<There's no way for idols to know exactly what their fans are feeling or going through, but you can tell them that they have your support...>

<That sort of kindness can do wonders for a person in need.>

My kindness can help them...?

<Hehe. You always seem to know exactly what to say, KAITO!>

<Hm? I do?

I was just stating what came to mind...>

Thank you very much, KAITO...

I'll do my best to tell Asahina that I want to help and that I'm there for her.