That really happened...?

So, how are things between you, Ayumi and the others now...?

We're still friends.

We still greet each other when we pass by in the corridor and stuff.

But I don't really get messages from her anymore. We haven't spoken in so long...

I see...

I don't think there's anything I could've done about all that. At the same time, it still hurts to think about it...

Airi...

It's why I'm afraid that Minori's also going to start drifting away from her friends...

Of course, I'm not saying that's the only possible outcome. I mean, I still hang out with some of my friends from junior high...

It's just... I can't help but feel worried...

...

I'm actually not so sure...

What?

Yes, I agree that being a busy idol means not being able to spend as much time with your friends...

However, I doubt the bonds you forged with them would disappear because of that...

Oh... You think so...?

I believe that the bonds friends establish are no different from one's feelings.

Our feelings...?

Yes. When people form relationships, they always do so by developing some manner of feelings for one another...

What those feelings are depends on their situation... For example, two friends may want to be kind to each other...

Once those feelings have been firmly established, it seems unlikely that they'll fade easily, even if you were to wish to get rid of them.

Just like your own feelings...

They don't fade...?

Hehe. I take it you two know what I mean?

Yes...

The desire to spread hope to others as idols. That feeling never left us.

You're right. Even though I once thought it faded away completely.

See? That's why I believe the bonds you forged with your friends are just as stubborn.

Just as you still possess feelings for them, Airi, I'm sure they also still feel the same way about you.

I have a hard time believing that such bonds would break so easily.

...

Airi, I agree with what he's saying.

What?

Because how wonderful would it be if you found a way to rekindle the friendships with the people you've become estranged from after all these years...?

Also, even if something were to happen that meant you and I ended up drifting apart...

I'm sure that the warm kindness I sense in you would never really go away.

Even if I were to forget all about it, I know I'd remember in time. So, I think things are going to turn out just fine...

Shizuku...

Just like our feelings, the bonds we've forged never really fade or break...

Yeah, I wanna believe that too...

Airi...!

KAITO, everyone, thanks for listening to my story.

I'll take what I just learned and try thinking about this some more.

You're welcome.

And good luck, Airi.

...

(Yeah, I'm sure he's right.

Those kinds of feelings don't just disappear...)

(I mean, just look at me...

I still feel awful about what happened with Ayumi.)

(There's no way I'd be filled with so much regret if those feelings were gone from within me.)

Still, if that's the case...

Is it okay for me to see for sure...?

(If there is a way for me to check...

Would that change things?)

Would it be like old times...?

Then, I'll be waiting in the courtyard! Don't take too long with whatever the teacher asked you to do, okay?

Huh...?

Isn't that Ayumi...?

(Here? Now? But why...? What are the odds...?)

(No, we go to the same school...

It's completely normal for us to spot each other from time to time.)

*Wince*

A-Ayumi...!

Huh...?

A-Airi...?

Umm... Long time no see. How have you been?

Oh, um... Yeah, it's been a while...

But... What's gotten into you all of a sudden?

So, um... I, well...

(I called her name without really thinking... What am I supposed to talk about with her...?)

Airi...?

I... I was just wondering how you've been doing lately...

How I've been doing...?

You know, the same old, same old...?

Oh, okay... Sorry for asking you out of the blue...

No, that's okay.

...

(What do I do...?

I don't know what to say next...)

(Does this mean things are never gonna be like old times...?)

...

Um, so... Airi, how have you been?

I know you've been really busy lately. Are you holding up okay?

What...?

I watch your streams from time to time. Everyone's been talking about MORE MORE JUMP!

You've been watching...?

Yeah, my friends told me about them.

You always look like you're having so much fun, Airi, and it really puts a smile on my face...

R-Really...?

Thanks. I'm so happy to hear that.

Of course! Also, I'm really glad for you...

Huh?

Remember how you took a break from being an idol? I was so worried for you then.

But I guess that's too little, too late...

I really couldn't do anything for you back then.

No, that's not true... But...

You were that worried...?

Yeah. I mean, we're friends, aren't we?

But that also sounds like just words... Before I knew it, we sort of stopped talking to each other...

Yeah... A gap began to slowly form between us after that field trip...

*Nod*

I didn't want to feel like a bother to you...

But that led to talking to you less and less, which only caused us to drift apart more and more... Eventually, I felt awkward even just trying to start a conversation with you.

Oh...

I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of that to happen...

You were never a bother...

I was afraid of disappointing you by making promises I couldn't keep. It's my fault for not being more honest...

Even back then, I kept wishing that I could hang out with you and the others more...

You did...?

Yeah. All the messages you sent me gave me a lot of encouragement too.

But I never told you just how much that meant to me.

I'm really sorry, Ayumi...

No, please... You don't need to apologize.

I mean, Airi, you're here talking to me again, aren't you?

Because you decided to come over, we're having a real conversation now.

You worked up the courage to do what I was too scared to...

Ayumi...

I've been wanting to talk with you forever too, Airi.

We don't have to eat lunch or hang out together like we used to. I just want to stay friends with you.

I feel the same way...

Really? Thank goodness...

Um...

Would it be okay if I started messaging you again?

I know we won't be able to hang out much and that I might be interfering with your work...

But I want to go back to having a real friendship with you, Airi...

Oh...

Of course! Message me all you want!

It might take me a while to respond, but I promise to always get back to you...

And let's hang out again sometime.

Like old times...

Yeah...!

(What happened? This feels so weird.)

(Just a second ago, I thought none of this would be possible...)

(I didn't think it'd be this easy to see if there was anything left of our old friendship. But all I had to do was talk to her...)

(How would I respond now if Minori were to ask me the same question...?)

(Yes, there's going to be some distance or awkwardness between you and your friends if you go credit-based...)

(But that doesn't mean all your relationships are gonna unravel or fall apart.)

(Just don't give up... Believe in the bonds that you and your friends forged...)

(All you need to do is work up a little courage and tell them how you really feel...)

(Then, you'll get to keep being friends...)