Alright, let's give today's rehearsal everything we've got!
Yeah!
Let's do our best, Nene!
Okay...
Sigh...
Why the heavy sigh?
Did something happen?
Um...
Well, it's about Hoshino...
Ichika?
You're friends with her now too, right?
Yeah, I guess we are...
But we didn't exchange contact info or anything...
You didn't?
You'll have to ask her next time you see her.
Ichika's not exactly the most outgoing type either from what I remember.
How terrible would it be if your budding friendship withered before ever having a chance to blossom!
Huh?
Nooo! You can't let that happen!
Nene! She goes to the same school as me!
I can ask her about it tomorrow!
Wait... Emu, I...
Huh?
It's sort of my fault, so I don't want to ask someone else to make things right in my place.
She asked you to help her with her singing, no?
In which case, I'm sure she'll try to contact you at some point, so there's no need to get so anxious.
Y-Yeah... But...
Neneee!
Oh! Nene, it's Rin!
Uh... I'll be back in a bit.
...
Tsukasa, Emu, can I ask you a favor?
About Nene...
I was thinking we could help her a little.
Help her how?
For example, by canceling tomorrow's rehearsal.
Fortunately, we have plenty of time to prepare for the next part of the contest, so skipping one rehearsal won't exactly be detrimental.
Ah, okay. That's fine by me...
But what if Nene doesn't take advantage of this opportunity to get her contact information?
That part will be up to her.
Nonetheless, we can still do our part.
Really?!
Rui! Tsukasa! Let's do this!
Operation Securing Nene & Ichika's Friendship!
Wait, why me too?!
Hehe. Then let's begin by telling Nene that we can't make it to tomorrow's rehearsal.
Who'd have thought Rin would suggest to Nene that she should go ask Ichika for her number without us having to do anything.
Yeah. She just parted the waters for her.
But how do we make sure Nene goes through with obtaining Ichika's information?
We won't see what's going on unless we get close, but if we do, she'll spot us right away and it'll be game over...
Hehe. Don't worry, I've thought of everything.
First, we go towards that bush over there.
Oh, okay.
Hm... This should be the right place...
Psst! Tsukasa! Rui! Over here...!
Emu?! Why were you hiding in there?
This is a secret shortcut into the school's courtyard! I found it while exploring the grounds right after my first day!
This way, we get to walk right up to the gate without being seen.
Now, let's see if Nene can pull through for us.
Looks like it went well...
Indeed.
(Nicely done, Nene. I'm glad it worked out...)
...
Neneee!
E-Emu?! Wait, you guys are here too?!
No, don't tell me you saw everything?!