"Are you holding a live performance at school next week?"
Back in the classroom, Yoshino looked at Kousaka Honoka and the other two chatting in front of her and asked.
This was a very important part of the story, and the most crucial starting point for Muse.
This wasn't an anime anymore; everything was unknown, so Yoshino had to clarify things first.
"Yes! We want to keep the school open, and Honoka thought of the idea of School Idols when she saw A-RISE. We want to give it a try." Minami Kotori answered Yoshino's question, watching Yoshino drawing something at her desk.
"Then have you considered what would happen if no one came to your live performance?"
Shiina said; it didn't want Yoshino to be the bad guy. It would ask this rather cruel question.
"What did you say, Shiina?" Sonoda Umi said with a hint of displeasure; pouring cold water on them at such a time was really not a good thing to do.
"This isn't something that can't be said, Little Umi. You should know that even now, many clubs are recruiting new students. From what I understand, Otonokizaka Academy has never had a School Idol group. Even if you call for a live performance, it's likely that no one will come because it's after school. What will you do then?"
Shiina looked directly at Sonoda Umi. Although this problem would be resolved at that time, the variables were unknown, so it was important to prepare them first.
"We understand all your efforts. I also know about the physical training you do every day. But what if at that time, when you're full of anticipation, no audience appears? Or what if you get scared at that moment?"
Thinking about how Sonoda Umi was so anxious about going on stage at first, it was truly unbearable to watch.
"What exactly do you want to say, Shiina?"
Sonoda Umi, realizing this wasn't just pouring cold water, looked at Shiina. What exactly was it trying to express?
Only Kousaka Honoka had her head down, seemingly deep in thought.
"We are worried about you. Both I and Yoshino are worried that you, 'Muse,' might lose confidence if no one comes to watch your first live performance. You have to know that the first step is the most important; if you succeed, you'll go further and further, but if you fail, you'll fall into an abyss. What if the stage is empty or only has a few people?"
'Will you still say something like making this place full to the brim, Kousaka Honoka?'
'As the leader of a team, a pioneering figure. Can you show me now if you possess a miracle? Can you create a miracle?'
"We will sing!" Kousaka Honoka said loudly at this moment.
"Honoka (Honoka)?" Sonoda Umi and Minami Kotori's gazes focused on Kousaka Honoka.
Just now, Shiina could feel Kousaka Honoka's confusion, but now the feeling... was like the sun.
"Even if no one comes to watch our live performance, that's normal. Not everything in this world is so simple."
Training, choreographing, and practicing songs day and night, all their efforts were for next week's Live. Even if it was only one song, it was all their hard work and dedication during this period.
But sometimes effort doesn't necessarily get rewarded. However, even so... "I will still keep singing, I won't stop, I'll continue to sing like this. After all this time, I've found that I love to sing. Even if there's no one, it can't stop us from continuing to sing. So what if the stage is empty?"
She stood up, a radiant smile on her face.
"Even if this time, the stage is empty, I will make our performance fill the seats. I will let those who thought we would fail see our success. And I want to make our lovely Yoshino the mascot of our Muse!"
When the last sentence was spoken, all three of them looked at Shiina with shining eyes.
'What does that have to do with me?' Yoshino indicated that she was innocent, inexplicably caught in the crossfire.
"Is that so, Honoka?"
'Indeed, you are so dazzling, just like the sun.'
"Didn't you think that doing this would cause trouble for others?"
"I'll try my best to compensate everyone then."
"You're being a bit willful."
"I've always been this willful anyway. And isn't it my style, Kousaka Honoka, to do what I say?"
Seeing Sonoda Umi and Minami Kotori full of fighting spirit, she knew that even if such a situation occurred next week, there would be no problem.
"Yoshino hopes that you can shine like this and become a dazzling presence in everyone's eyes."
Yoshino picked up the drawing she had just made. It depicted the sparkling appearance of the three of them during their first live performance, as she remembered it. It was just like a photograph.
"This is..." Minami Kotori carefully took the drawing Yoshino handed her, looking at herself in it with a hint of intoxication.
Could she really achieve the level shown in this drawing?
"This is how I see you all in my heart. Although we've only known each other for less than a day, I feel that Honoka, you are someone who can create miracles. And I'm truly happy when I'm with you all. If, if you can keep going like this, I'm willing... willing to become Muse's mascot."
Becoming a mascot wasn't a big deal anyway; she wasn't losing anything, right?
"Thank you, Yoshino." * 3
The next moment, Yoshino was hugged by an excited Kousaka Honoka, pressed tightly against Kousaka Honoka's chest, her small face buried in Kousaka Honoka's front, her face turning red again.
"Don't worry, I will definitely keep going. Muse will become the best school idol group, and Yoshino, you will always be our Muse's mascot." Was the last part the most important?
"Ah~ Yoshino, you're so cute! Kotori can't resist, I must hug you tightly right now. I'm going to make you Kotori's food and eat you up!"
"..." Umi, not knowing what to say, just silently hugged Yoshino.
'How fortunate, Yoshino. Being hugged by a beautiful girl. If it weren't for her constitution, she'd probably be out of breath by now.' Shiina watched Yoshino's embarrassed expression, not disturbing them.
This was a good thing; the bond between Yoshino and Muse was slowly deepening.
However... she wondered if this was the right or wrong thing to do?
"What kind of power can this bond bring to Yoshino? I'm really looking forward to it. Especially a goddess's bond? I wonder if Yoshino, as a Spirit, will have another chance to evolve."
"Never mind, there's still plenty of time. Let Yoshino take it slow." And it was there, watching her.