The platform in front of Kanda Myojin Shrine was a spacious plaza. The bluestone paving on the ground fit together seamlessly, looking neat and level. Around the edges of the plaza, there was a long bench placed at regular intervals.
Everyone walked over to one of the benches.
The girls from the Light Music Club sat in a row, laughing and fooling around, while the three girls from Otonokizaka stood in front of everyone. They looked somewhat nervous and shy, their eyes constantly sweeping over their surroundings.
"Are we really going to perform here?"
Sonoda Umi quietly glanced around. Her face was slightly flushed, and at some point, her lowered right hand had already clenched the hem of her clothes.
Although there were not many visitors in the plaza in front of Kanda Myojin Shrine, there were still quite a few people coming and going.
It was one thing to perform here in front of Sato and the others, but she still felt rather embarrassed about being seen by other strangers.
She had been born into a traditional kyudo family, and her family even operated a kyudo dojo. Although she possessed the boldness and spirit of a warrior's daughter, she also had the conservatism of a traditional family.
Kosaka Honoka and Minami Kotori were not as flustered as Sonoda Umi, but they were nervous as well. They secretly glanced around guiltily, looking like children who had just done something wrong and were afraid someone would discover it.
It seemed they still lacked experience performing on stage!
Just as Sato was pondering this, Ritsu jumped out and said in a very familiar manner, "Everyone, just relax a little. We were really nervous when we performed on stage back then too, but once you get used to it, you'll be fine!"
"Did you girls perform on stage before, Tainaka-san?"
Minami Kotori looked at Tainaka Ritsu curiously.
Ritsu folded her arms and proudly raised her head with a hum. "Hmph, don't underestimate us! Our Light Music Club even won the gold prize at the school festival back then!"
"That's amazing!"
A light flashed in Kosaka Honoka's eyes as she looked at Ritsu with admiration.
"So I believe you can definitely do it too!"
Ritsu flashed her brilliant white teeth and gave the three girls from Otonokizaka a thumbs-up.
"Yes!"
"Wait!"
Nakano Azusa suddenly cried out, interrupting their conversation. Her face was filled with shock.
"Senpais actually performed on stage at the school festival?!"
"Eh? Azunyan, you didn't know?"
"Azusa hasn't seen it before?"
"We're really amazing!!"
The members of the Light Music Club responded one after another to Nakano Azusa.
Nakano Azusa suddenly shrank her neck and looked at everyone with lively, catlike eyes, saying timidly, "But... ever since I joined the Light Music Club, I've never seen you senpais practice!"
"Hmph, hmph!"
Yui imitated Ritsu and folded her arms with a smug hum. Although she looked not only less cool than Ritsu but even somewhat goofy, she herself was completely unaware of it.
She deliberately lowered her head slightly, calmly closed her eyes, and seemed to be trying to create a solemn atmosphere. Then, at a certain moment, she suddenly raised her head and lifted her eyelids sharply, saying flatly, "Geniuses don't need practice!"
Although she seemed to be trying a little too hard, to the point that her eyes almost bulged out like a goldfish.
After saying this, Yui did not forget to sweep the long hair from her forehead. Unfortunately, she accidentally caught the hair clip holding her bangs, and the clip fell to the ground with a snap.
"..."
The surroundings suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of the wind remaining.
Yui stared blankly at the hair clip on the ground.
Everyone stared blankly at her.
Just as you stand on a bridge looking at the scenery, while someone else is looking at you as you look at the scenery.
Suddenly, Yui slowly crouched down. Her entire body trembled like an old woman nearing the end of her days as she shakily reached out toward the hair clip.
She picked up the hair clip and stared blankly at the few strands of hair caught on it. After remaining silent for a long time, her lips suddenly turned downward. With tears welling in her eyes, she turned toward everyone and squeezed out several large tears.
"My... hair... it hurts..."
The three girls from Otonokizaka stared wide-eyed at the scene, while the other members of the Light Music Club were already accustomed to it.
"Ahem! Please don't mind her!"
Sato stepped forward somewhat awkwardly to smooth things over, while also giving the members of the Light Music Club a look.
Hurry up and get this goofball out of here. She's almost thrown away all the dignity of our Light Music Club!
Everyone responded with a knowing look.
Kotobuki Tsumugi and Mio stepped forward and blocked Yui from view, gently comforting her.
"Uuuuu... it hurts!"
Ritsu then jumped out, clearing her throat twice to draw everyone's attention before saying enthusiastically, "First of all, you have to believe in yourselves. For example, start by setting a goal for yourselves or something!"
"How does that saying go again..."
Ritsu suddenly paused and racked her brains trying to remember. After a while, she looked somewhat bewildered, realizing that she had forgotten the words and gotten stuck.
She cast a pleading look toward Sato.
Sato immediately felt like he was about to fall apart. At this moment, he felt as though he had two heads on one neck.
How am I supposed to know what you're trying to say?!
His thoughts raced, and suddenly inspiration struck him.
"Set a great ambition and you'll achieve a medium ambition. Set a medium ambition and you'll achieve a small ambition. Set a small ambition and you'll achieve nothing."
Ritsu stared blankly at him. What was that supposed to be?
Sato helplessly returned her gaze.
I don't know what you were trying to say either!
The corner of Ritsu's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Then she suddenly clapped her hands together and said excitedly, "Yes, that's exactly it!"
"For example, first set a big goal for yourselves. Don't limit yourselves to simply solving the problem of your school being closed down. Otherwise, your efforts will be greatly diminished. Think more about what you'll be striving toward after becoming idols, such as performing at Budokan or Tokyo Dome!"
"Think about the audience you'll have to face at that time, and then think about the audience you have to face right now. Doesn't it suddenly feel much easier?"
"Huh?"
The girls from Otonokizaka stood there with their mouths open, unable to react for a moment.
But after thinking about it according to Ritsu's reasoning, they found that it seemed... probably... maybe... they did feel a little more relaxed?
Meanwhile.
Sato and Ritsu were silently exchanging glances. Sato first raised his eyebrows at Ritsu.
Not bad!
The corner of Ritsu's mouth curved up slightly as she raised her eyebrows at him in return.
Likewise!