*CLICK*

KARIN: "Got it?"

AKI: "Y-Y..."

SETSUNA: "Karin, you're crushing the Cheif!"

KARIN: "I am? Oh, sorry Boss."

AKI: *Cough* "Phew, thanks Setsuna. I got the photo, Karin."

KARIN: "Great, I'll change my wallpaper now. Say, what brings you here, Setsuna?"

SETSUNA: "I'm up next!"

KARIN: "Oh? Is that so?"

SETSUNA: "You did great out there, Karin. It's like you can pull off any style!"

KARIN: "Thanks."

SETSUNA: "Chief, are you ready?"

AKI: "Okay, let's go."

KARIN: "Of course Setsuna Yuki is the one to perform right after me. *Sigh* Just my luck..."

AKI: "Hm? Did you say something?"

KARIN: "Nothing. Just saying good luck to Setsuna is all."

...

Setsuna's performance is the last before the halfway interval. To follow everyone so far in one sitting is a huge task. But I know if anyone can show their passion to an audience in this state, it's Setsuna.

AKI: "You're shaking. I've never seen you like this before a show before."

SETSUNA: "This isn't just any performance. My parents are out there, if I mess up... I'll have to quit being a school idol."

I almost forgot that there was so much riding on this performance for Setsuna. I should try to calm her nerves.

AKI: "First impressions are something you're the best at Setsuna."

SETSUNA: "What?"

AKI: "Whether it was meeting you in the Student Council office, you revealing yourself as Setsuna in the clubroom, or the first time I saw you perform.
You have been so consistent with great first impressions, Setsuna. I know you'll do fine."

SETSUNA: "But my parents...huh?!"

I placed both my hands on Setsuna's shoulders.

AKI: "They've only been so hard on you because they've only seen you as Nana Nakagawa.
I think it's long overdue for you to introduce them to Setsuna Yuki!"

SETSUNA: "But both sides of me are so different."

AKI: "Yet you're both the exact same wonderful person."

SETSUNA: "Chief..."

AKI: "I'll be watching you out there. Go make your parents proud, Nana."

SETSUNA: "Right!"

...

...

AI: "Everyone sang their hearts out! I feel so fired up! School idols have such big performances!"

KASUMI: "I think I've given my cutest performance ever today! I heard my name being called out loud and clear!"

SHIZUKU: "I felt a different atmosphere today, too! The sense of unity felt great!"

KANATA: "Zzz..."

EMMA: "Kanata! You can't sleep yet, you're up soon!"

AKI: "Shizuku, Emma, Kasumi, Karin, Setsuna. Great job! So far this has been an amazing live show! I just know that Ai, Rina, Kanata and Ayu are gonna do great too!"

AYUMU: "You'll keep your eyes on us, right?"

AKI: "Of course!"

KARIN: "He will, I could feel his passionate gaze on me."

RINA: "I felt the same way yesterday, I can't wait for you all to see me. Rina-chan Board says 'Excited!'"

AKI: *Laugh* "How was it for you, Setsuna? I could really feel your love out there!"

SETSUNA: "Yes, I believe those feelings reached my parents, too."

AKI: "I'm sure they did."

SETSUNA: "I know they did.
Because... I could see my parents cheering for me and getting in the groove from up on stage! They're normally so strict and serious, but they were smiling!"

AKI: "I'm so happy for you, Setsuna!"

SETSUNA: "Thank you so much!"

AI: "Yeah, that's great! If they were dancing and cheering for you, that means they'll approve of your school idol activities!"

SETSUNA: "I pray that is true. I intend to formally tell them how I feel when I get home tonight."

KARIN: "If, on the off chance, they disapprove. I'll help to persuade them."

KASUMI: "I'll help, too!"

AKI: "I'll be there at the forefront, to try and persuade them too."

SETSUNA: "Thank you very much! In any case, the live show felt really great! I feel like all of the gloominess inside me has been completely released!"

*RIIING*

SETSUNA: "A text? Oh, it's from Mom!"

EMMA: "What?! Wh-What does it say?"

SETSUNA: "Um... 'Your live performance today was exceptional, Nana. I saw what you wanted to protect. I do not know how long it has been since I last saw you look so lively. What we thought was best for you ended up taking the smile away from your face. From here on, please follow what your heart wants. You have our full support. However, you can't let your grades drop by getting too obsessed with practice, okay? Thank you for inviting us to such a lovely live show today. P.S. Send mine and your father's praise to the other young women. They're all so talented! We can't wait to see the rest of the show!'"

AYUMU: "Setsuna... This means they approve of your school idol activities, doesn't it?"

KARIN: "That's the only way I see it."

AKI: "That's great, Setsuna! You got your message across to them! Congrats!"

SETSUNA: "Th-Thank you very much! I really have you to thank for this. If it weren't for you, right now I'd be..."

AI: "Now, now! Everything worked out in the end, so no crying! Now you don't have to practice in secret anymore!"

SETSUNA: "Right! I'll work harder than I ever have before as a school idol! I hope you will all continue to work with me, too!"

AKI: "Yup, of course we will! Let's give it our all!"

EVERYONE: "Yeah!"

SETSUNA: "There's something else I want you to do, Chief."

AKI: "Hm? Yeah, I told you I'd always support you. What do you need?"

SETSUNA: "This isn't about me. This is about you."

AKI: "Me...?"

SETSUNA: "You've helped me to show my parents my love for school idols.
I think you should do the same thing."

AKI: "Meet your parents and show them my love for school idols."

SETSUNA: "Don't be dense. I'm talking about you. I want you to be honest to your parents about this."

AKI: "You can't be serious."

SETSUNA: "You said you lied to your mom. You've been telling her that you're doing political things. But the truth is you're covering up your managerial duties."

AKI: "That's... But I have no choice. I am Akihiko Suzuki! The key word there being SUZUKI!
I'm relieved to hear that your parents can love fun. But mine, they lost the ability to do that years ago."

SETSUNA: "I'm sure they will accept you for who you are. Look at this event, look at the School Idol Festival too! Look at how far our club has come... None of this would have been possible without you!"

AKI: "Any guy could have taken my place."

SETSUNA: "Anyone. But nobody is the same as you."

AKI: "..."

SETSUNA: "When I met your mom, she was so nice. I'm sure she'll understand."

AKI: "She might... But my Dad is going to lose his mind."

SETSUNA: "Then start with telling your mom first. You're her son, after all."

AKI: "Maybe you're right, Setsuna. I shouldn't keep things in the dark like this, but... If it backfires, then it's the end of me. They'll be really hard on me...Huh?!"

Setsuna placed her hands on my shoulders.

SETSUNA: "The only reason you think that is because they've only met Akihiko Suzuki.
But it's time for you to introduce them to our Chief!"

AKI: "Setsuna..."

My own words and actions paraphrased and used against me.

AKI: "Okay, I'll...hm?"

SETSUNA: "Wait, why is there a limo here?"

AI: "Ooh? Someone famous? Let me get their autograph!"

KASUMI: "Not until I get it first!"

There's no mistake, that limo is here because we're here. There isn't another car in sight and this isn't even the venue's parking lot.

Who is here?
Why are they here?
And...
What do they want?