Thanks for agreeing to this, Haruka. I know you must be tired from practice.

Don't mind me. I'm sure you're tired too, right?

Also, I've been wanting to look at the digital album Kohane made for us with you.

Haruka...!

Hehe. Anyway, shall we take a look?

Yeah! Let's see. Where'd I put my phone?

I knew that Kohane liked photography, but I didn't realize how good she was at editing photos and putting together albums like this.

Oh, she said that she asked her dad to teach her how to make digital albums.

She learned all that just for us?

I'll have to thank her when I see her at school tomorrow.

The first picture is...

Oh, it's us having dessert at the diner.

You're right! Those were so yummy too!

Oh, that reminds me. Kohane was really regretting not taking pictures of you trying on clothes at that street fashion place.

But she had to make sure not to because it's usually against store policy.

I see. I'm glad she thought I looked good in that outfit.

Of course you looked good!

Conversely, is there anything you don't look good in?!

What? I really don't think that's the case.

Are you sure? I would've taken as many pictures of you as I could have if I was allowed to.

But I'll never forget what I saw that day!

Hehe. Oh, Minori.

Hm...? Are these stickers in the background?

Oh wow! They're stars and hearts! That's so cute!

That's so cool! I didn't know you could edit photos like this!

Me neither. These do a really nice job of showing how fun that was too.

Oh, I think these are the ones from Phoenix Wonderland.

Yeah! Oh, look! This is when we went on the merry-go-round together, Haruka!

Also... I think she took these in continuous mode. Look, it's like we're moving frame by frame.

Hehe. It's like Kohane's a professional photographer!

She just might be. She captured all these great expressions too.

She must have a talent for picturing people in the best light possible.

Oh, Haruka, look at this one!

It's the cutout where you can be Phenny!

Haha... Oh geez...

I look like I'm in my own little world...

Hehe. But you're making such a cute face.

Great choice, Kohane!

(Does this mean I was able to relax a little?)

(The face I'm making here's really embarrassing, but it looks like I was genuinely enjoying myself...)

(Come to think of it, our stream or anything of the sort came up much during conversations when I was with them.)

(Whenever I'm by myself, I seem to naturally gravitate towards my idol persona...)

(But I feel like I can just be myself when I'm around An.)

(I guess it's because she knows the real me.)

(No, it isn't just that...)

Hm? Haruka, is something wrong...?

Hehe. I was just thinking that I must've been able to really relax based on the face I'm making here.

And I have you and the others to thank for giving me that opportunity, Minori.

Hehe. Thanks...

But I'm really happy that I got to hear more from An about Haruka Kiritani before she became an idol.

It's something I'll never ever forget both as your fan and as your friend!

I see.

I suppose that means you're the reason I was able to have so much fun...

Huh?

Because you're my dear friend too, Minori.

...

On our way home that day, you mentioned how you didn't know anything about me before I became an idol.

But if you think about it, An doesn't really know much about me after I'd become one.

Instead, someone right under my nose was doing her best to learn as much as she could about me...

That person's you, Minori.

*Gasp*...

Oh...

And you want to know more about me than anybody else, right?

H-Haruka...!!

Y-Yes, I'm gonna do everything I can! I'll follow you wherever and learn absolutely everything about you!

Oh...

(Every time she says that...

It makes my heart tickle...)

(And I couldn't be happier...)

I can't thank you enough, Minori.