Love Live!: TAKEOVER [PART 8]

THE SUPER BIG SIDE-STEP STAMINA TEST!:

*PRACTICE ROOM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*

Ugh, my clothes... It took so many towels to get dry. It's a good thing my notebook has a metal cover, or this would have turned ugly.

Poor Shizuku...

She's been through so much.

I know what it's like to be on both sides of bullying, both victim and oppressor.

Neither were fun, both were painful, both I didn't have a choice for...

When I snapped and lashed out at her back on Valentine's Day, I wish I could take those words back.

They cut deeper than I thought they would. But then again, I wasn't thinking at all that day.

Everything was shitty, so I called it out. The price I paid wasn't worth it. It's set us back so far now even I'm starting to think that the School Idol Festival is becoming a fleeting dream to us.

Everyone has to step up their game tenfold, and I'm no different. Luckily, I have Yu to help me with things I can delegate.

It's why I have time to listen to Kasumi's new practice pitch.

She looks eager to tell me, I bet it's some super cute strategy to help her claim that Hometown Idol crown!

AKI: "Kasumi, you said you thought up some new training?"

KASUMI: "Yes! If I'm aiming to win the contest, then the way I am now just won't do!"

AKI: "What kind of training do you have in mind?"

KASUMI: "How lovely of you to ask... I've thought of the perfect practice."

AKI: "Interesting."