Kaho:
I… I went too hard…

Kaho:
I shouldn’t have… run that much along with those two… I played at the beach all morning… and then we did so much practice… my HP is pretty much zero now...

Kaho:
The beach is terrifying… The temptation to play too much is too strong…

Sayaka:
Rurino-san, I know it isn’t much, but I wanted to help in whatever way I could, so I tried looking it up. Even if a physical injury is healed, the mental trauma left behind can prevent someone from returning to performing. This occasionally happens to figure skaters as well.

Rurino:
I see… That can still be healed… right?

Sayaka:
Yes, of course. However, the way that happens varies from person to person, so…

Rurino:
Okay, I see, I see…

Sayaka:
One thing I will say, Rurino-san, is that your plan to bring back her drive to perform… is something that has already been shown to be effective.

Rurino:
Oh, really! Thanks, Sayaka-chan!

Sayaka:
But…

Rurino:
…But?

Sayaka:
Well, the thing is… While it is true that a fun performance can help her overcome her trauma, the reverse is also possible… That is to say, if your performance were to end in failure… It is very probable that it would only exacerbate the problem.

Rurino:
…

Sayaka:
It’s also very likely Kozue-senpai falling from the stage a few months ago also made Megumi-senpai’s trauma resurface. And although nothing serious came of the incident, I’m sure that you mean a lot to Megumi-senpai… so…

Rurino:
If I… were to fail…

Rurino:
Don’t worry, Sayaka-chan! There’s no way I could fail.

Sayaka:
I… see…

Rurino:
This is for Megu-chan, after all!

Rurino:
I’m sure you can see just how pretty she is, and how good her fashion sense is, and how nice her voice is, and how amazing her smile is, right?

Sayaka:
H-Huh? Um…

Rurino:
Not only that, but she has the smarts and incredible moves. And her conversations are always so interesting that she always draws a crowd with them! And she even used to be a TV personality, too! She’s shown up on a bunch of TV shows!

Sayaka:
O-Oh, I see…

Rurino:
Yeah! She can do anything, and she’s always been amazing! That’s why everything will turn out okay!

Rurino:
I’m sure that she’ll be able to overcome this, too! I… I believe in her.

Sayaka:
…You share a strong bond, hm?

Rurino:
Of course, we’ve been together since grade school!

Rurino:
Alright! The training camp isn’t over yet, so why don’t we get to bed! Or maybe you guys wanna do something else? Like a classic pillow fight?

Sayaka:
Hehe… I’m pretty good at those, you know.

Rurino:
Oh, so you think you can handle it, huh!?

Sayaka:
I’m sure. Back when I was following in my sister’s footsteps, I used to go to figure skating training camps fairly often. It was a regular occurrence with the other kids my age when we would stay in a big room together.

Rurino:
Alright, in that case! Kaho-chan, let’s go!

Kaho:
H-Huh…? B-But my body’s still so sore, and–

Sayaka:
Here goes!

Rurino:
Yeet!

Kaho:
Wha–!?

Sayaka:
…Kaho-san…?

Rurino:
…Yikes, did we kill her!?

Kaho:
Fine!

Sayaka & Rurino:
!

Kaho:
If that’s how you wanna do this, then I’ll use up all my energy for tomorrow, right here, right now! I’m gonna make you blossom! Bring it on!

Sayaka:
Aah!

Rurino:
Ahaha!

Kaho, Sayaka & Rurino:
Ahahaha!

Megumi:
…haa… haa…

Megumi:
Yeah. And then we can have fun together again!

Rurino:
Yeah! Let’s have fun together again, Megu-chan! I’ll definitely catch up to you!

Megumi:
…Seriously, what am I doing? Why am I still like this...?