SETSUNA: "Are you really sure it's okay for me to stay here?"

AKI: "It's fine, really. I don't think my mom will care since she's out of town for a week."

SETSUNA: "I'm really grateful for this. Thank you."

AKI: "It's no problem, really. Please make yourself at home."

AIKO: "You're back, Akihiko. I tried calling you, but-"

AKI: "Mom?!"

AIKO: "Oh? Who's this?"

AKI: "I thought you were away on business?"

AIKO: "The seminar in Kyoto got canceled, I tried to call you."

AKI: "I see..."

AIKO: "But answer my question, who is this?"

AKI: "Th-This is my friend, N-"

It's not a good idea to use her name. I don't know if my mom knows who the Nakagawas are or not.

AKI: "Setsuna Yuki."

SETSUNA: "I-It's a pleasure to meet you."

AIKO: "Is she here to visit? Or maybe... She's your girlfriend. What things have you been doing while I'm not here Akihiko?"

SETSUNA: "WHAT?!"

AKI: "N-No it's not like that at all!"

AIKO: "Don't worry Akihiko, I'm just surprised is all. I always thought you and Ayumu were dating."

AKI: "Don't be ridiculous! Me and Setsuna are not dating, she's just a friend of mine."

AIKO: "Oh how am I supposed to know that? You never tell me anything about what happens at school, or the political meetings you have in Numazu."

SETSUNA: "Political meetings...?"

AKI: "Y-Yeah... It's pretty fun going to those meetings. But Mom, we need to ask a favor of you."

AIKO: "A favor?"

AKI: "You see, my friend Setsuna here has had a severe argument with her parents. They've thrown her out of home and I just found out she has been sleeping beneath an underpass."

SETSUNA: "...?"

AKI: "She has nowhere else to go, and since you were going to Kyoto, I thought she could stay here until you got back.
I'm sorry for keeping this secret from you."

SETSUNA: "..."

AIKO: "Oh... You poor thing. Please, stay as long as you need to!"

SETSUNA: "Th-Thank you."

AKI: "Thanks Mom, you're the best!"

AIKO: "I was wondering why you've looked so happy recently. First your grades improve and then you've made some new friends!"

SETSUNA: "Yes, the Chi- Akihiko is a very good friend of mine. He always helps me and his other friends out in times of need."

AIKO: "Other friends? Looks like someone's popular!"

AKI: "Mom, stop it. You're embarrassing me."

AIKO: "My little Akihiko has always been a strong helper. I expected nothing less from a Suzuki."

AKI: "Mom, seriously, stop it!"

AIKO: "If your father heard about all the political activities you're doing, your improved grades and your increased popularity, he would be so proud!"

AKI: "I bet..."

AIKO: "Especially since I've heard the Mifune's second daughter Shioriko has become Student Council President in her first year. It's outstanding to me, I don't know why your father and Daisuke ended their partnership..."

SETSUNA: "..."

AKI: "Yes, Shioriko is Student Council President."

AIKO: "Personally, I want you to continue pursuing your piano practices.
Your father however would probably ask you why you let the Mifune's gain a position like that.
*Sigh* Sometimes I wish that he would just end that silly feud."

AKI: "..."

AIKO: "Anyways, don't mind me. I'm about to discuss strategies with my advisor. Please, make yourself at home Miss. Setsuna."

SETSUNA: "You're very kind Mrs. Suzuki."

AIKO: "And you're very polite. Oh, and please feel free to call me Aiko. *Sigh* My son always befriends the kind and polite ones. I'm so happy that he has a group of friends!"

AKI: "Don't you have a discussion to go to?"

AIKO: "O-Of course! I'll let you get settled in. Akihiko don't let this lovely young lady sleep on the floor."

AKI: "I wasn't planning on making her..."

...

AKI: "As you know, my room's a little small. But make yourself at home."

SETSUNA: "Thank you. I'll never forget your family's kindness."

AKI: *Laugh* "It's no big deal. It feels kind of weird to have you here, but it's fun. Oh, I guess I shouldn't say running away from home is fun."

SETSUNA: "No, it's alright. I actually do think this situation is fun."

AKI: "It's almost like a sleepover or something."

SETSUNA: "Yeah. I'm happy you think it's fun too."

AKI: "Now we'll get to talk about school idols as much as we want."

When my mom's not around that is. Though I doubt she would care if we were just 'talking'.

SETSUNA: "Yeah! I'm happy that we can just chat. I feel really at ease talking to you."

AKI: "You do?"

SETSUNA: "Of course! Although... There is something bugging me."

AKI: "What's up?"

SETSUNA: "You're lying to your mom, aren't you?"

AKI: "..."

SETSUNA: "You say that you're going to political meetings in Numazu, but you're actually going there to visit Aqours."

AKI: "I don't have a choice... If I said I was doing something else, I wouldn't be allowed to go."

SETSUNA: "I see, it's just like what I did when I was Student Council President... I said I was staying after school for my duties, but I was actually doing club activities."

AKI: "I think my mom wouldn't care it I maintain my grades. But she would probably tell my father, and... I feel like he would disown me."

SETSUNA: "There's a lot of pressure put on you isn't there?"

AKI: "More than you could ever imagine."

SETSUNA: "I thought my situation was bad... I wish it was just easier for parents to understand school idols."

AKI: "But they don't. Just like Shioriko doesn't understand school idols."

SETSUNA: "I can see the tensions between your families. Your mom praises Shioriko whilst your father always compares you to her."

AKI: "Now you see why I can't stand the girl."

SETSUNA: "But that isn't her fault."

AKI: "True, but she's the one trying to abolish our club."

SETSUNA: "Doesn't she have a sister? Why aren't you compared to her?"

AKI: "She's older than me. I can't remember her name... But since Shioriko's younger than me, it's like she's accomplishing more at her age than I did."

SETSUNA: "I see... So it's like a constant rivalry between you two."

AKI: "Always has been."

SETSUNA: "Though I doubt that Shioriko has to lie to her parents."

AKI: "But we have to. Or else we can't do the things we love."

SETSUNA: "Your mom is much nicer than you said she was. I don't see why you had to lie about what happened to me."

AKI: "Because I didn't know if she would take you in or not. I needed to make it sound convincing."

SETSUNA: "I'm sure if you told the truth, she would understand."

AKI: "Maybe so, but now we're stuck with a story that we have to stick to."

SETSUNA: "I'll do my best."

AKI: "Hey, Setsuna? Can I ask you about what actually happened? With your parents, I mean."

SETSUNA: "Sure. I guess you deserve a proper explanation."

AKI: "After the election, you were saying you wanted to talk to your parents. I take that it didn't go well."

SETSUNA: "Yes, you're right. It didn't go well at all. We argued on the morning I snapped as well."

AKI: "Ah, I see."

SETSUNA: "My parents think the reason I'm not Student Council President anymore is because of being a school idol.
But that's not so. I didn't have the strength everyone was looking for. Mifune's way of doing things just got more support.
I explained that over and over, but they just wouldn't understand. They kept telling me to quit being a school idol, go to cram school, and learn something useful.
...But I only feel like myself when I'm a school idol.
How many more times am I supposed to talk to them? I'm just...exhausted."

AKI: "I don't want you to quit again, Setsuna."

SETSUNA: "I don't want to quit being a school idol. I need to convince them somehow."

AKI: "That's a relief."

SETSUNA: "Can you help me think of a logical explanation that might help them understand?"

AKI: "I can't even think of an explanation for myself. But to paraphrase your own words, 'I'm sure if you told the truth they would understand'."

SETSUNA: "If I told the truth?"

AKI: "Rather than trying to justify being a school idol. Why don't you try telling them how much you like being a school idol?"

SETSUNA: "Huh?"

AKI: "Justification doesn't always result in an honest, logical explanation. You want to give them one, right?"

SETSUNA: "Yeah..."

AKI: "Expressing your true feelings to them is enough of an honest and logical explanation.
Trying to justify it won't get your feelings across to them."

SETSUNA: "I'm not sure they will understand my feelings..."

AKI: "That's wrong! You know what I think is great about you? You're able to convey your feelings to others.
You boldly state what you like. You have this passion that comes from your heart and through your words, and we get to experience it. I think it's amazing.
I really admire your strength. You should show that side of yourself to your parents. Maybe then they'll understand you."

SETSUNA: "I've never thought about it like that... I never talk to them about what I like. Even my favorite anime, books and manga are a secret."

AKI: "Why?"

SETSUNA: "Like I said, my parents are really strict. So I feel like I have to defend everything I like with a logical explanation.
But that hasn't worked at all so far, so I guess I need to try a different approach."

AKI: "Exactly. The Setsuna I know faces things head-on with the power of positivity."

SETSUNA: "Thank you. I feel a lot better after talking to you. I've realized I never told my parents how I feel."

AKI: "Then let's show them who you really are."

SETSUNA: "Okay! I'll do it!"

AKI: "Now then, you can have the bed to sleep in. I'll camp out on the floor."

SETSUNA: "N-No, I can't let you do that!"

AKI: "I insist, you're my guest. You can have the bed."

SETSUNA: "Then we'll just have to share the bed!"

AKI: "...HUH?!"

SETSUNA: "WHAT?!"

AKI: "Th-That won't be necessary... You can have the bed."

SETSUNA: "R-Right, thank you."