Haruka, let's go up to practice...

Hm...?

Oh, Minori.

Sorry, be right there.

Okay, see you tomorrow!

Good luck, Minori!

Y-Yeah! Thanks, Saki!

Sorry about interrupting your conversation with Saki just now...

No, it's okay.

I was just talking with her about what we did yesterday.

About yesterday?

Yeah, about how we went to that karaoke place...

Oh, right...

I probably got a little too excited there...

But it was fun having you cheer like that for me. It almost felt like an actual show.

Really?! Thank goodness!

Hehe. We also spoke about the Penguin Cafe. Tenma was actually the one who originally suggested it to me.

Wait, she was?!

She was, and I wanted to thank her for it because we had so much fun there.

That place had so many cute penguins and goods... It was too adorable...!

I agree. It felt therapeutic too. It was so hard to decide what to buy too...

I know, right? I'd like to get them all, but that's not really possible. At the same time, choosing just one felt just as impossible...!

That's so true. I couldn't decide and I ended up getting more than I expected.

Hehe. Yes, you did!

You had such a cute look on your face when you were deciding what to get. Just like a little girl in a candy store.

Huh?

Uh, nothing! I didn't say anything...! Hahaha...

...

(There's no way she didn't hear that... What do I do...?!)

Um, Haruka...

Sorry for letting that just slip out like that...

You really know how to just be yourself, Minori...

Huh? I do...?

I think so. Minori the idol really doesn't seem all that different from the Minori I've gotten to know...

Like you don't have to put on a face for anyone.

Yeah, I guess so. I try to be energetic when I'm on camera, but that's sort of just who I am...

See? I knew it.

So I'd like to ask you this if you don't mind. What do you do when you want to relax or feel refreshed?

Refreshed...?

I'll play with Samo!

Oh? Samo as in your big, white Samoyed?

Yeah! He's so big, white and fluffy!

His slightly droopy eyes are really cute too♪

It's also really cute when Samo rolls around on the floor! He just whisks all my worries away...!

I see. Having a pet like that does sound nice.

Oh, right. You don't have any at home, do you?

No, we don't...

I've had chances to interact with animals through TV shows, but I don't think I really have outside of that.

What?! Y-You're kidding!

Haruka!!

Y-Yes?

Please! Please come over to my house and play with Samo as much as you like!

Wait, hold on... Are you sure...?

Yes, I'm sure! Come to my house after school...

No, wait! I have to clean my room first! I didn't put away the books and DVDs I was looking at yesterday...!

But I really want you to feel Samo's powers first hand!

Hehe. I appreciate the offer, Minori.

But I'd feel bad just barging into your house on such short notice. Still, thank you.

Haruka...

Oh, I know! Today might not work, but why don't you come over during our next day off and walk Samo with me?

Walk Samo?

Yeah! We can meet at a park nearby, walk him and feel his fluffiness together! Would that work for you?

Hehe. I might need to see just how great Samo is if you keep insisting like this.

Of course! You're always welcome!