Episode 3: The Passion Stirred by an Event
Suzuna left on her own. Left behind in the guild house, Yuuki and Io tried to calm down the frustrated Misaki.
Misaki
Ughhhh!
Io
Misaki, you mustn't pout like that. It doesn't agree with your cute face.
Misaki
Ugh! Don't treat me like a kid, Io! Suzuna was treating me like a naive child earlier, too, and I can't stand it!
Misaki
Who's the more childish one here, seriously... She could have just toned her words down.
Misaki
Grrr...
Io
It wouldn't be acceptable for a teacher like me to pin the blame on anyone.
Misaki
You're on Suzuna's side too, Io?
Io
Both of you said a few hurtful things, didn't you?
Io
Of course, Yuuki and I both know that you didn't do it on purpose, so it's all right for you to relax.
Io
I'm on both of your sides. I'm your teacher, after all.
Io
So, why not try in earnest to understand Suzuna's feelings?
Misaki
I guess... Suzuna's feelings...
Misaki
O-Ooh... She really got mad at me...
Misaki
I didn't mean to get her like that -- all I wanted to do was cheer her up...
Misaki
What do I do... I wonder if she hates me... What'll I do if she says she doesn't want to be friends anymore...?
Yuuki
1. "Don't cry."
2. "I'll pat your head."
Option 1.
Misaki
I-It's not like I was going to cry! You don't need to tell me not to...
Misaki
A-And quit treating me like a kid! You don't know the proper way to cheer up a lady at all!
Option 2.
Misaki
Eep! What do you think you're doing!? That's awful of you, taking advantage of me in my moment of weakness!
Misaki
A grown-up lady like me won't fall for such tricks! Keep that in mind!
End of branches.
Misaki
Ugh, I'm fed up! I can't concentrate at all thanks to you! I'm supposed to be thinking about Suzuna!
Io
Ha ha. It looks like she's in a slightly better mood because of you, Yuuki. Thanks.
Misaki
Anyway, I wonder why she invited us to this event to begin with. It feels like she went through a lot of trouble just to set up this vacation for us.
Misaki
So then, for her to get so upset... I guess that wasn't very ladylike of me...
Io
I don't think it was your fault that Suzuna said the things she said, Misaki.
Misaki
Y-You don't...?
Io
That's right. At least, that's what I believe. Because she really did seem excited about inviting us to this island, didn't she?
Io
I'm sure there must have been other concerns on her mind. So, don't let it weigh so heavily on you, Misaki.
Misaki
If you think so, then sure... But what other concerns do you mean?
Io
I don't know much about the job of a model, but could there have been some reason why this event in particular was irreplaceable...?
Io
Hmm... I have an idea! Let's go ask those fans of hers from earlier. They might know something more about this event.
Misaki
Yeah, you're right, they might know something!
Io
Then, let's head out right away! ... Wait, huh!?
???
Whoa!?
Village Woman
E-Excuse me! I just really wanted to talk with Suzuna some more, so I came by!
Io
Oh, my, are you one of Suzuna's fans...?
Village Woman
Yes. ... Huh, where's Suzuna?
Io
Your timing is perfect! There's something I'd like to ask you about Suzuna.
Later.
Io
... So that's what happened. Do you have any ideas?
Village Woman
I see. So you found out about the island's weather... We don't know why things ended up this way, either... I know you came a long way just for this, so I'm sorry.
Misaki
Honestly. I thought this was going to be a great start to the summer...
Io
I'd really like to be able to cheer for Suzuna as she takes the stage...
Village Woman
I know, right!?
Village Woman
For us girls who live on this island, glamorous models from Landsol like her are basically the people of our dreams.
Village Woman
The mayor said he wanted us to suggest a famous guest for this event, and we voted for Suzuna!
Village Woman
We wrote tons of fanmail about how much we adored Suzuna...
A flashback.
Suzuna
Huh!? Yeah, I'll go! Of course I'll go!
Suzuna
This island is super far from Landsol, isn't it! I'm super happy to hear that I've got fans there, too!
Suzuna
I'll do my best for all your sakes! I'll make this the best event ever!
Suzuna
Oh, I know! Why don't I bring some of my friends along, too? We'll all get even more hyped together! All right, see you there!
End of flashback.
Village Woman
... That was how she responded! Once the girls on the island saw that, our excitement shot through the roof. She really treasures each and every one of us fans like that.
Village Woman
Suzuna's not just good-looking -- she's got a godly personality, too!
Misaki
So those were Suzuna's thoughts about this event... She should have just said so...
Misaki
I shouldn't have just dismissed it so easily as something that could come again next year...
Io
Most likely, she was embarrassed about it, don't you think?
Misaki
How come?
Io
Misaki, you are her friend, but you're also one of the guests who will be seeing her on stage.
Io
She came to this island for work first and foremost, and I'm sure that she also wanted you to be able to enjoy the event to the fullest. That's why it would make sense for her not to say too much about it, right?
Misaki
T-That Suzuna! Why would she keep me at such a distance? It's not like there's anything about her that I'm not already used to.
Misaki
... But her behavior is definitely befitting of a lady.
Misaki
As a lady myself, I need to do something for her, too.
Village Woman
Ahaha, Misaki, you really are close friends with Suzuna.
Misaki
C-Close friends...
Misaki
Even though we're in the same class at the same school, I think it's amazing that she's worked hard enough and grown famous enough as a model to be invited to an island like this.
Misaki
But don't tell Suzuna I said that, okay? I don't want her to know those kinds of thoughts of mine.
Misaki
I just wish that there was some way I could help her...
Village Woman
Then, I know just the thing!
Misaki
Eh, you do?
Village Woman
The truth is, I was planning to give Suzuna something as a present tomorrow, but I think she might be happier to get it from you, Misaki.
Misaki
What, what? If it's for Suzuna, I'll do anything!
Village Woman
... So, how about it?
Misaki
That's a great idea! Let's get started right away!
Misaki
First off, Yuuki, can you get Suzuna to come back? I've got to prepare things here!
Misaki
Io, you help me, too!
Io
Okay. I'm glad you've returned to your usual self, Misaki.
Io
Now then, Yuuki, it's up to you. Go out and see Suzuna.
Outside.
Suzuna
Ahh...
Suzuna
Maybe I got a little carried away...
Suzuna
I never wanted us to fight -- I just wanted us all to make some nice summer memories together...
Suzuna
Wahh...
Suzuna
It's raining again... It's seriously coming down, too... Will tomorrow's event really be cancelled?
???
Sniff, hic...
Suzuna
...? Is something crying? I'm the one who feels like crying here!
Suzuna
Wait, could Misaki have chased me here in tears!?
Suzuna
Misaki, I'm sorry about --
Suzuna
Huh!?
???
......
On the rainy beach, Suzuna encountered a being the likes of which she had never seen before.