Tap, tap, tap—
Her footsteps landed on the sensors with exceptional steadiness and precision, while the screen kept flashing the word "Excellent" for her combo streak.
Honoka Kosaka smiled, but not because of her score. The light shining in her eyes outshone the glow reflected from the screen.
The scene before her had already unfolded in full.
She had discovered the passionate idol activities at UTX, then learned to dance like them herself. She had not forgotten how many times she had fallen during her first dance practice.
Later, Umi Sonoda and Minami Kotori had also accepted Honoka's invitation, forming a group called μ's.
Then they had brought in Senba Gari, who served as their advisor while always supporting them from behind the scenes.
After that, to build up their stamina, the three of them trained every morning on the stairs in front of the shrine.
Later, Rin Hoshizora, Hanayo Koizumi, and Maki Nishikino joined μ's, as did the third-years Yazawa Nico, Eli Ayase, and Nozomi Tojo. Of course, the day before Eli Ayase and Nozomi Tojo joined, Eli Ayase had put them through a hellish training session they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
The nine-member group had officially been formed, and their most formal training had begun. But most importantly, Honoka Kosaka had not forgotten the sweat they had shed on the rooftop for the sake of the school.
Finally, Honoka Kosaka finished the last two beats with the ending pose of the dance she knew best.
"Ah, that feels much better." Honoka Kosaka wiped the sweat from her face in satisfaction.
"...That's amazing—" Mika and Hideko exclaimed, staring at the score displayed on the screen in front of Honoka Kosaka.
"Have you practiced this before?" Fumika asked in surprise.
"No, not at all."
"If