Okay, it's done...
We can start practicing this new part tomorrow.

(Working out how to accommodate everyone's individual athletic abilities and experiences in this plan took longer than I expected.)

(However, this is the most effective way of making our performance the best it can possibly be.)

(And I won't have to feel the regret of not trying it.)

(Still...
I'm surprised that they were willing to agree to this.)

Hmm... I really should get in some rest ahead of tomorrow's practice... Hehe. But I feel wide awake now.

(Oh, I know...)

Hm? It's night here too?

(I was hoping to thank Luka for helping me and giving me advice...)

Rui, it's you. I was wondering who came to visit so late. What brings you here?

Oh, KAITO!

I see. You wish to thank Luka...

Yes...
But I'm guessing she's asleep right now.

Rin and Len may be, but I'm not sure about Luka... She slept throughout most of the day, so she may actually be awake.

Also, Rui, you have school tomorrow, no? I'll help you look for her to speed things up.

Thank you, KAITO. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome.
Alright, shall we?

That reminds me.
MEIKO said that you were hoping to discuss something with me the other time.

Oh...

I'm sorry that I wasn't there to help.
One of the plushies that was supposed to be in our show got lost and I had to go look for them with the others.

Luckily, we managed to find them, which was a huge relief.

That's good to hear.

But I'm actually okay now.
Luka and the others were there to listen to what I was hoping to discuss.

Yes, I heard.
By the way, what did you talk about with them?

Well... I came up with an idea that's bound to make our performance for the cheering competition significantly better.

However, I wasn't sure if I should bring it up since we don't have much time left until the Sports Festival on top of it being rather challenging...

...

But Luka made me realize something.

I was subconsciously scared of being shunned by everyone on the cheer squad.

Rui...

I thought Tsukasa and the others had helped me get over that already.

But a part of me was clearly still afraid.

But based on what you just said, I take it that you were able to bring your idea up with the cheer squad...?

Yes.

So... I'm hoping that everything is fine now...

I hope so too...

However, Rui, being timid or scared isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Huh?

Hehe. You've said so yourself.
It's best to take it slow when making important decisions, no?

Of course, it's natural to believe that moving forward is the quickest way towards growth.

But I think you should just move at your own pace, Rui.

At my own pace?

You need to muster up some courage when facing a big obstacle. Not only that, you may require the help of your friends.

That's why I believe you should move at your own pace and act when you think you have all the pieces you need.

Conversely, when you think the time isn't right, I'd like it if you kept in mind that you don't have to immediately act.

That also takes some amount of courage, no?

KAITO...

(When I think I have all the pieces I need...)

(I see. In that sense, this was definitely the right time for me to act.)

What you told me just now makes me want to thank Luka just that much more...

Hehe.
Oh...

We want to... Cheer too... Mhm...

It'll be... Great... Zzz...

You can... Do it... Rui...
Zzz... Zzz...

Sounds like they're all cheering for you in their dreams, Rui...

Yes, it does.

(Thank you all very much...
I promise to follow through with this until the end.)