There we are...
The stage is nice and clean now.
Hehe. Everyone also seems to be doing well practicing for our show.
If we keep this up, we should be able to do a full rehearsal of...
Hm...?
Hello, KAITO.
Ah, you two. Welcome.
How can I help you today?
Hehe. Airi has something to report. Right?
I do!
It sounds like you have some good news! But are you sure about telling me first?
Of course!
If anything, KAITO, I want you to be the first to hear this.
Me?
The thing is, after you gave me that advice the other day, I went to talk with Ayumi...
...!
S-So, how'd it go...?
You and Shizuku were right...
Remember how you took a break from being an idol? I was so worried for you then.
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.
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...?
Neither of us really wanted to drift apart...
Our feelings toward each other never changed.
I'm so glad for you, Airi...
You guys are the ones who gave me to courage to go talk to her.
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.
The bonds forged between friends don't break so easily...
That gave me the push I needed.
So, KAITO, thank you very much.
Hehe. You're very welcome!
I'll be wishing you and Ayumi the best as you catch back up.
Thanks! That's gonna start with us having lunch together again!
Oh, Airi... If it's okay with the both of you, would you mind introducing me to her?
Huh? Sure, I don't mind...
Wait, are you worried about how things are gonna go with us?
No, I was just hoping to become friends with her.
A friend of a friend is also my friend, no?
Hehe. True.
Then, I'll ask her.
Thank you!
Oh, KAITO, sorry...
We didn't mean to exclude you.
That's okay. Don't mind me.
(It's wonderful to see their circles of friends growing right before my eyes...)
Oh, Airi...
Would it be alright if I asked you for a favor?
Yeah, I'm all yours!
Then...
If it's not too much trouble...
I'd like it if you could tell me how your lunch with Ayumi goes.
Oh, that's all?
Of course!
Really? Thank you!
I'll be looking forward to hearing all about it.
Again, KAITO...
Thank you so much for what you did!
Hehe. I'm just glad that I could help.
I'll keep watching over all of you from SEKAI moving forward, so please feel free to ask me for advice again.
Thank you!