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Kaho:
Um, Sayaka-chan wasn’t in her room!

Kozue:
I see. I can’t seem to find Tsuzuri, either. I wonder where either member of DOLLCHESTRA could be?

Sayaka:
Good afternoon.

Kaho:
A-Afternoon~!

Kozue:
…

Kaho:
Man, I’m really worried about Sayaka-chan… What if she’s crying all by herself…?

Kozue:
…But that was her just now, wasn’t it?

Kaho:
Huh? Ah! Sayaka-chan!?

Sayaka:
Huh?

Sayaka:
Is something wrong?

Kaho:
We should be asking you that! Why aren’t you moping around!?

Sayaka:
Huh!?

Sayaka:
Ah, I, um, understand that we don’t have a club meeting scheduled today, but I still have my figure skating practice. I thought I’d warm myself up a little before I leave, and…

Kaho:
Really!? Huh, you’re amazing!

Sayaka:
Yesterday was dedicated to just the competition, so I didn’t think I would be overworking myself… Though it seems like that’s not what you’re here for…?

Kozue:
I-It’s alright… My apologies, we were just a little surprised. Earlier we met up with Rurino-san and Megumi. Both of them were having difficulty bearing losing Love Live!, so we were also worried about you.

Sayaka:
Ah, so that’s what you mean.

Sayaka:
Of course, I’m also dealing with the loss in my own way. Especially considering we competed in this once-a-year event together.

Sayaka:
But in a competition, your performance comes from all your accumulated experience. It’s not as if we’re starting over from scratch. Therefore, I’ve elected to return to my regular daily practice.

Kaho:
It looks like I’ve completely misunderstood you this whole time, Sayaka-chan… Actually, maybe “Murano-san” might be better…

Sayaka:
Huh!? Why does it feel like we’ve suddenly grown really far apart!?

Kozue:
I’m sure it’s because she’s amazed at how positive your outlook is… Very impressive, Sayaka-san.

Sayaka:
Amazed, huh…?

Sayaka:
Ah! Aha, I see. I think I finally understand now!

Kaho:
Do you, Murano-san?

Sayaka:
Please stop that!

Sayaka:
Actually, I wouldn’t say I’m positive or amazing.

Sayaka:
From a young age, I became a figure skater to follow in my sister’s footsteps. But unlike her… I didn’t really have much talent.

Sayaka:
I placed third in my first competition. Sis always placed first. That frustrated me, so I practiced a lot. I thought that that loss came because I hadn’t practiced enough. That was the first time I really put in a lot of effort into something.

Sayaka:
Now, how do you think I performed in my next competition?

Kaho:
…How?

Sayaka:
Unfortunately, I didn’t even do well enough for a podium finish. Following that came a cycle of wins and losses… actually, I’m flattering myself. To be honest, I mostly lost.

Kaho:
Sayaka-chan…! Sorry, I… I wasn’t trying to make fun of you…!

Sayaka:
Heh… it’s alright. I’ve become fully used to this.

Kozue:
Despite that, you still haven’t given up on making an effort to achieve your goals.

Sayaka:
Right.

Sayaka:
Not achieving those desired results was always difficult. When I’m feeling especially vulnerable, those times can be very painful. There are days where I think I should just take it easy.

Sayaka:
But even so.

Sayaka:
If I achieved the results I wanted without any effort, I most certainly would not be satisfied. The me I want others to see never sits back.

Sayaka:
Being the person who works the hardest for the club, I think you probably understand how I feel… so what do you think, Kozue-senpai?

Kozue:
…I think you really are amazing, Sayaka-san.

Sayaka:
Huh? Really?

Kaho:
Amazing! That was amazing, Sayaka-chan! So cool! I think I’ve fallen for you even more!

Sayaka:
R-Really!? But being complimented on the way I accept defeat gives me mixed feelings, you know!

Kozue:
In any case, we’re sorry for interrupting your practice. We’re planning on checking up on Tsuzuri next.

Sayaka:
Um, Kozue-senpai. Could I ask for a favor? It’s about Tsuzuri-senpai…

Sayaka:
It seems like Tsuzuri-senpai’s in much more dismay than I am.

Kozue:
…She is?

Sayaka:
Yes. But she hasn’t said anything to me… And I couldn’t figure out what to tell her…

Sayaka:
Since you’ve spent the longest time with her out of anyone at this school, Kozue-senpai… could you please help her?

Kozue:
…That’s a… rather grandiose way to put it.

Kozue:
Understood. We’ll make sure to return Tsuzuri to her usual self, then ship her back to you.

Sayaka:
I’ll leave her in your care!

Kaho:
I wonder if she needs to move her body to calm down…

Kozue:
Maybe she does.

Kaho:
I kinda get that… I mean, I also feel...

Kaho:
…Huh? Also…?

Kozue:
Alright then, let’s look for Tsuzuri next.

Kaho:
Oh, okay! Let’s go!

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