Episode 3: Festival of Enthusiasm and Determination

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It was the day of both the festival and the meetup. Akari went off to the shop where the meetup was to take place, while Yori was together with Yuuki at the meeting spot for the festival.

Yori (as Akari)
Ooh... I'm so nervous -- this is the first time I've ever been to a festival... I'm sure she was joking about the supermodel, but still, just thinking about being with all these people I've never met before makes me feel faint.

Begin animated cutscene.

Suzuna
Thanks for waiting! Sorry, I got caught up by that promoter over there... Um, you're that friend of Smarty's -- Akari, right?

Suzuna
I'm Suzuna! Good to see ya!

Yori (as Akari)
(It's actually Suzuna! You're kidding, right? I totally thought she was just joking!)

Yori (as Akari)
Um, I'm Yori -- I mean, Akari! I'm happy to see you too...!

Suzuna
Ehehe! We're gonna have lots of fun together today, Akari!

Suzuna
Oh, but that reminds me, there was supposed to be one more...

Suzuna
Ah, there she is! Yo, Yuki!

Yori (as Akari)
(Another incredible-looking girl just showed up! You mean Akari wasn't just friends with Suzuna, but this person, too!?)

Yuki
My apologies, I got a little caught up. By that store around the corner...

Suzuna
Ahaha, did you get sidetracked by that promoter, too?

Yuki
No, I just caught a glance of my reflection in the front window, and I was simply dazzled by my beauty...

Yori (as Akari)
(Ah, but she's kind of a weirdo...)

Elsewhere.

Akari (as Yori)
So, she said there would be a really unique-looking girl wearing glasses...

Nanaka
Ah, Yori, Yori! Over here, over here!

Akari (as Yori)
Found her!

Akari (as Yori)
Nanaka, right? Hello!

Nanaka
Huh? Uh, yeah, it's me, Nanaka! Nya ha ha! Glad you came!

Nanaka
You haven't met the rest of our members before, so you think you can introduce yourself?

Akari (as Yori)
(In reality, it's also my first time meeting Nanaka, right?)

Akari (as Yori)
Yeah! I'm Akari -- I mean, I'm Yori! I'm happy to meet you all today!

Nanaka
Huh? Her character seems to have changed since the other day... Could this mean!?

Nanaka
I see, so you're the type to really try to leave a good first impression... I totally get that feeling.

Akari (as Yori)
Y-Yeah, yeah, that's totally it!

Man
Well, well, it's all good. Let's just get started!

Nanaka
Oh, yeah, that's right! Then, allow me, the humble coordinator of our group, to call this meeting into order!

Nanaka
Everyone! How're you all doing!?

Akari (as Yori)
Hee hee...

Nanaka
What is it?

Akari (as Yori)
You're just a really interesting person, Nanaka!

Nanaka
Man, getting compliments like those always makes me blush!

Akari (as Yori)
And everyone here seems so kind that I'm sure we'll have a wonderfully fun time!

Woman
S-So dazzling! I can feel her extroverted aura radiating from the bottom of her heart!

Man
She's specced for communication! This is gonna be a ton of fun!

Akari (as Yori)
(Hee hee... I'm glad they're all nice people! I wish Yuuki could've joined us, too!)

End of cutscene.

Suzuna
Ah, Smarty, you're here too! Yo, yo!

Yuuki
1. "Sorry for being late."

Suzuna
It's totally good -- you took the time to invite such an adorable girl, after all. Super funny, though, I never expected it to be an angel!

Suzuna
Like, isn't that awesome? Your outfit's super adorable, too! Hey, where'd you buy that? I wanna try it on, too!

Yori (as Akari)
U-Um... T-This was a gift... It was handmade, so, um...

Suzuna
For real!? You've really got such awesome friends? That's amazing! Hey, Yuki, wouldn't you want something like that, too?

Yuki
A pointless question -- for all clothes would look brilliant upon my beautiful form. Even a pile of newspapers fallen by the roadside would become a beautiful dress if worn by me.

Yuki
By the way, though we've been speaking just as good friends would, this is our first meeting, is it not? Well, that's just the power of my beauty.

Suzuna
Ahaha! You're funny, Yuki! Super funny!

Yuuki
1. "I'd like to try it on, too."

Suzuna
You as an angel would be super hilarious, Smarty! But it might just work!

Yori (as Akari)
(A-Amazing... They're chattering away, even though they've just met. So this is what it means to be a normie, or even a supermodel...)

Yori (as Akari)
(No, this has to be Suzuna's real personality. She's not only cute, but also just a bright and sociable person.)

Yori (as Akari)
(I'm sure that Akari would get along really well with them, so I feel bad for being the one here...)

Yori (as Akari)
(Not to mention, Yuuki's also amazing in his own way for being friends with these two. And he's a really friendly person, too. Ooh, I'm the only non-amazing person here...)

Suzuna
Hey, Akari! Are there any artists you'd like to see?

Yori (as Akari)
Ah, u-um... I'm fine with whatever you'd like to see, Suzuna.

Suzuna
Whoa! That's super nice of you, Akari! Okay, then let's go to the concert hall!

Suzuna
Whew! This is awesome!

Yori (as Akari)
Y-Yay...!

Yori (as Akari)
(This is the first time I've ever been to a live concert, so I'm just trying to act like all the people around us... T-There's such a crowd... It's hot... Is it really going to stay like this until the end?)

Yori (as Akari)
(Suzuna seems really used to this. And Yuki...)

Yuki
Ah... Even in such a wild situation as this, not an ounce of my beauty has been lost!

Yori (as Akari)
(Huh!? How did she get that far away so quickly!? She's amazing in a different way from Suzuna. She's still a weirdo, though.)

Yori (as Akari)
(F-Festivals are so hard... I'm not sure that I'll be able to make it through...)

Yori (as Akari)
H-Hey, am I doing this wrong?

Yuuki
1. "You should do whatever you feel like."

Yori (as Akari)
D-Don't say that as if it's some kind of deep advice...

Yori (as Akari)
(But, looking more closely, while there are lots of people headbanging or dancing around, there are also people in the back who are just listening calmly.)

Yori (as Akari)
(I see, so it's not like you need to do any of this stuff at a concert. You really can just enjoy it the way you like. That does make me feel a bit more relaxed.)

Yuuki
1. Shout loudly.

Yori (as Akari)
H-Hey, that was really loud!

Suzuna
Ah, Smarty, you're all fired up!

Yori (as Akari)
(Ah, this might just work. If I just follow his lead, I might be able to manage.)

Yori (as Akari)
Y-Yay!

Suzuna
Ahaha! Akari, you're really feeling the vibes, too!

Yori (as Akari)
(Yeah, this is getting kind of fun. I might just be able to get used to being Akari like this!)

Suzuna
Ah, that was awesome! Akari, your vibes were super great!

Yori (as Akari)
R-Really? Ehehe...

Suzuna
Then, next up... Hmm, there's still some time until the next artist I wanna see. Okay then, let's go for lunch! I always love eating at the food trucks at festivals!

Later.

Yori (as Akari)
(Whoa, she's right. There are lots of delicious-looking food trucks outside the hall. Ah, that pizza looks good. Oh, but that kebab sandwich does, too! And I want to check out the goods over there, too!)

Suzuna
Akari! Over here, over here! Ta-daaa! I got the official festival-branded Grand Curry! It'll be my treat. We've gotta eat lots, and enjoy it lots!

Yori (as Akari)
(Whoa, it looks tasty, but this portion size is... Still, Suzuna got this for me as a treat.)

Yori (as Akari)
T-Thank you... Let's eat.

Later.

Suzuna
Ahhh, I'm super full! Wanna check out the smaller stage over there next? We've gotta check out the artists that are likely to sell out of tickets!

Yori (as Akari)
S-Sure, sounds good...

Yori (as Akari)
(Ooh, unfamiliar events, new people, excessive excitement, and tons of food. It's all fun, but I'm tired... I feel like I need a break.)

Yori (as Akari)
(But everyone looks like they're all looking fun. If I say that I need a break, then I might ruin the mood...)

Yuuki
1. "Are you tired?"

Yori (as Akari)
H-Huh? Y-Yuuki, what are you talking about? I'm totally fine. Hey, wait, w-where are you taking me!?

Suzuna
Smarty? Where are you and Akari going?

Later.

Yori (as Akari)
Whew, I feel a little calmer now that we're farther away from the crowds... Thanks for giving me a quick break.

Suzuna
Ah, there you two are! Akari, are you okay? Did I push you too much? I'm sorry if I did -- I didn't pick up on your mood...

Yori (as Akari)
Suzuna...

Yori (as Akari)
(Ah, she really was concerned for me. But I just felt like I had to act normal, even if it was beyond my limits.)

Yuki
... Hmm? What is it, Yuuki? You've been staring at me.

Yuuki
1. "Yuki, can I borrow your mirror?"

Yuki
My mirror? If you need it, then of course. Just be sure not to break it.

Yuuki
1. Show Yori the mirror.

Yori (as Akari)
W-What? Yuuki, what are you showing me that mirror for?

Yori (as Akari)
You want me to fix my hair or something? Ah, fine. Let me have a look.

Yori (as Akari)
... What? There's nothing wrong... Ah.

Yori (as Akari)
(The person in the mirror is Akari. That's right, I'm... Akari right now.)

Yori (as Akari)
(But despite that, I'm been anxious all this time about what people might think of me, myself... When instead, I should be showing off Akari's friendliness...!)

Yori (as Akari)
(I have to think... What would she do in this situation? I've known her for longer than anyone else, so if anyone knows the answer, it should be me.)

Yori (as Akari)
(Akari is a well-meaning, honest, and easy-going girl, someone who everyone loves. That's the Akari I've always loved, and always longed to be like.)

Yori (as Akari)
(A moment like this wouldn't be difficult for Akari at all. I need to be more honest and open, just like her!)

Yori (as Akari)
(It'd be difficult for me normally, but if I'm in Akari's body, then I feel like I can do it! And then... That'll help me become more honest like Akari on my own, and everyone will have more fun around me, too!)

Suzuna
Akari?

Yori (as Akari)
Sorry for worrying you, Suzuna. I was just having so much fun that I got a little tired out. I think I wanna have something cold to drink before the next concert.

Suzuna
Oh, that's what it was! I was super worried that you might not've liked me any more for some reason!

Suzuna
But if that's all, then we're good! Just tell me whenever you wanna do something, Akari!

Yori (as Akari)
Ah, thank you! Okay, then, since we're at a festival, I wanted to check out some of the merch. Yuki, you should come along too!

Yuki
Certainly. I wonder if there are any goods that can match my beauty?

Later.

Yori (as Akari)
Hey, Yuuki. I think I'll be all right from here on out, so you should go check on how Akari is doing.

Yori (as Akari)
Unlike me, she's good with meeting new people, but she might not know how to handle herself in a situation like that. Not to mention, no matter the situation, it's difficult to act like a different person. I know that well now.

Yuuki
1. "I'm on it."

Yori (as Akari)
Okay... Also, um...

Yori (as Akari)
Thanks for all your help today, big brother Yuuki!

Yori (as Akari)
W-What are you looking so shocked for!? I just thought that, because Akari calls you that sometimes, I'd just give it a try, too! Anyway, I'm going to rejoin Suzuna and Yuki now!

Yori (as Akari)
(I said it... I really said it...! I had to borrow Akari's body to do it, but I said it!)

With that, Yori felt in her heart that she was one step closer to being able to do the same in her own body.