AKI: "One, two, three, four. Kasumi! You're falling behind!"

KASUMI: "R-Right!"

AKI: "One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four."

KASUMI: "I-I'm getting a cramp in my leg..."

AKI: "One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!"

KASUMI: *Whine*

AKI: "Five! And that's a wrap! Take five, everyone. Make sure you stay hydrated."

KASUMI: "W-We finally get a break. Is it just me, or is practice way harder than usual today?"

AYUMU: "Yeah, it's pretty tough. Phew... I'm sure that he's just fired up because the Festival is starting to take shape. We need to pick up the pace and keep up with practice."

KASUMI: "W-Well, it might be tough for you, but not for me! What kind of top school idol would give up after a harder training regimen? I'll be fine after a break!"

EMMA: "I never should have doubted you! You're such a beefcake, Kasumi!"

KASUMI: "Emma, I don't think there are many girls who would appreciate being called a beefcake..."

AI: "Hey, we might not be beefy, but we've got a lot more endurance now than we did before. And how do you think we got there?
By raising the steaks, of course!"

RINA: "But we have to keep that momentum going every single day. I'm gonna work even harder. Rina-chan Board says, 'Powering up!'"

KARIN: "That's the spirit. Putting in the effort is the first step towards realizing your goals."

KANATA: "You think if we keep it up, we'll be more like μ's or Aqours?"

AKI: "C'mon, what are you talking about, Kanata? We're going to be competing against them on a national stage! We HAVE to be better than both of them!
Everyone here has their own unique charm that can't be matched by ANYONE."

SETSUNA: "Our own unique charm... I see. You are absolutely right!"

KASUMI: "We've already got the charm, so all we've gotta do is build from there!"

SHIZUKU: "You're so right, Kasumi! We'll never make our dreams come true unless we believe in ourselves!"

EMMA: *Giggle* "You're so dependable, Shizuku!"

SHIZUKU: "This isn't just for us. It's for our dreams! We have to work even harder!"

KASUMI: "Oh, speaking of dreams... I heard our new Student Council President, Shioriko Mifune isn't doing so great with her council duties lately."

AKI: "...?"

AI: "Ah, yeah. I heard that too."

AKI: "Is that so?"

SETSUNA: "Is she running into some problems or something?"

KASUMI: "Apparently, all those students who changed clubs or switched from being players to managers wound up changing their minds 'cause they wanted to chase their dreams instead."

KARIN: "Well, of course they did. The whole reason people join clubs is because they want to. I doubt most people would quit just because someone said they weren't any good at it."

KANATA: "Exactly. You can't give up on the things you love. I wouldn't listen to anyone saying I had to throw away my body pillow just because it's all lumpy!"

SHIZUKU: "I'm not quite sure that is the best example, Kanata..."

AI: "Anyway, I totally agree with you guys, but apparently, she's going around trying to convince everyone to switch back 'cause it's what's best for their future."

SETSUNA: "And that's the cause of the backlash?"

AI: "You got it. A friend of mine was like, I totally appreciate the input, but she's being super pushy about it."

KASUMI: "One of my classmates was sayin' she was kinda creeped out. Because it felt like Mifune was watching them to make sure they were doing what she wanted."

AI: "So basically, Mifune Inc. ain't lookin' so hot."

RINA: "That explains why she hasn't been showing up around here lately."

AYUMU: "I thought she might have something to say to us again, but it seems she's in no position to do so right now..."

AKI: "Exactly as I predicted..."

SETSUNA: "What?"

AKI: "I told it to her myself. She may have convinced everyone mentally that they should pursue other paths. But I just knew that sooner or later, these people were going to realize that they weren't satisfied. That they couldn't be satisfied with pursuing a path that someone else made for them.
And when these people realized that they can't give up on their dreams... She's the one who they will brand a dictator.
And when that happens, the vote of 'No Confidence' will be passed, resulting in her resignation."

SETSUNA: "Isn't that a little too harsh?"

AKI: "That's nothing compared to her treatment of us and our club.
I even showed faith in her, that she should change her ways.
But it looks like she's failed to do that. She would rather continue a flawed ideology and be branded a dictator.
Those who follow history are doomed to repeat it, and just like my grandfather and his fellow soldiers vanquished the evil within this great nation, soon will the people vanquish the dictatorship that has shrouded their school.
TICK...TOCK..."

SETSUNA: "...Mifune is trying her very best, though."

AKI: "...Pardon?"

KANATA: "Huh? Wait, are you sympathizing with her, Setsuna?"

KARIN: "After all she did to us. After all she said to you and our Boss. How could you possibly find it in you to feel bad for her?"

AKI: "There are people and situations to show sympathy for. But this isn't one of them. This is a dictator falling because of her own incompetence.".

SETSUNA: "It's not sympathy! I just understand her all too well as her opponent during the election. Mifune has so much talent and passion. I want that to be recognized."

KARIN: "She might be passionate, but she stole your presidency from you, Setsuna."

AKI: "Cutting every corner to pave the shortest path to success. Yeah, truly admirable... Bravo..."
*Clap* *Clap*

KARIN: "Just because she works hard doesn't mean she's going to reap the rewards, you know."

AKI: "I believe that hard work does lead to success. But if what she's doing is out of touch, then of course she's going to fail. And that will be nobody's fault but her own."

SETSUNA: "I know that, but..."

AKI: *Sigh* "Are you really worried about her?"

SETSUNA: "Yes. I am concerned."

SHIZUKU: "You're so kind, Setsuna."

AKI: "Shioriko is a Mifune. And Mifune's believe that things like sentiment and compassion are wastes of time. Trust me, I know."

SETSUNA: "That's not what it is... I just know what it's like to work hard and have nothing come of it."

AKI: "Because of Mifune?"

SETSUNA: "It's like I'm repeating myself with you... But I really do think that Mifune has the makings of an excellent Student Council President."

AKI: "HAD the makings. But she threw it all away by refusing to change. It's Darwin's evolution, those who fail to adapt are doomed to be left behind. The Survival Of The Fittest."

EMMA: "But doesn't it really show how difficult it must be being the Student Council President if Mifune of all people is struggling with it?"

KASUMI: "It's just proof that no matter how capable you might be, you can't control people's hearts!"

AKI: "Exactly! See? Kasumi gets it. Mifune can't throw her iron fist around barking orders at people, erasing their dreams, threatening to abolish their clubs.
Though that last part appears to only be us. And coincidentally our club's president is ME, a Suzuki!
Wow, I wonder why she would ever want to target us? It's not like her family hates mine or anything..."

SETSUNA: "I...really believe that Mifune has their best interests in mind when she offers people advice. She is not merely forcing her ideas upon them for no reason."

AKI: "So forcing things upon people is okay?"

SETSUNA: "While she may work in a completely different way to us, Mifune is trying to help others realize their dreams in her own way."

AKI: "In her own forceful way."

SETSUNA: "Maybe she's just trying to create the perfect environment to make that happen?"

AKI: "What's so perfect about a dystopian school where the people aren't allowed to choose for themselves?"

SETSUNA: "But Shioriko is just as insightful as you are! I'm sure she's doing this with good intentions!"

AKI: "Good intentions or not, it's still totalitarianism, Setsuna. Shioriko can't control the way people think!"

SETSUNA: "Isn't that what you're trying to do?"

AKI: "...What?"

SETSUNA: "Saying to others how they should write their own story.
What about the people who want guidance for that? Who are you to deny them that?"

AKI: "Th-That's..."

SETSUNA: "Shioriko's entire ideology revolves around her finding the strengths of people and allowing them to expand on that.
Isn't the job of an idol producer to scout talent and expand those skills?"

AKI: "?!"

SETSUNA: "It's exactly what you're doing. You are looking for our unique charms and trying to expand upon them."

AKI: "..."

SETSUNA: "I thought that you of all people, wanted to support people who strive to do their best. That you'd want their efforts to be recognized!"

AKI: "..."

AYUMU: "Yeah, I want to support Mifune's efforts too."

KANATA: "Now I kinda feel that way as well."

RINA: "Me too."

KARIN: "You're all so nice. Well, I suppose I also want people's hard work to be recognized. Otherwise, there's no point in having hopes or dreams."

KASUMI: "I don't really like Shioriko Mifune...
But it's the duty of a school idol to support anyone who does their best!"

AI: "Maybe it'd be a good idea to have Mifune listen to the song that Riko's writing."

SETSUNA: "Is there anything we can do? I want to help Mifune out somehow."

KARIN: "I mean, sure, but I'm still having a hard time dealing with how she only treats us school idols poorly."

AKI: "You can all do whatever you want. Support Shioriko.
But I want no part of it."

SETSUNA: "I understand. With the history between you two, I can see why you won't change your mind.
But... Those who follow history are doomed to repeat it."

AKI: "...?!"

SETSUNA: "Those who fail to adapt will be left behind. Survival Of The Fittest."

AKI: "...Training is finished for today. Emma and I are volunteering at the playground today. The rest of you can get some rest, the Committee agreed to begin shooting our School Idol Festival P.V. in Numazu tomorrow."

SETSUNA: "Isn't that the same playground and program that Shioriko volunteers for?
You know...the 'Ruthless Dictator'?"

AKI: "..."

What is her problem today?!