*Sigh*
(I got home way later than I was hoping to... I still have to keep editing the music video from where I left off yesterday too...)

(Hm? Ena's calling me...?)

Heya! What's up?

<Um, Mizuki, there's something I'd like to ask you...>

<If you're free next Saturday, how would you feel about going on a picnic?>

<A picnic?
That's rare coming from someone who hates going outside as much as you do. What's going on?>

<I was invited to go, and I thought a change of pace might be nice.>

<My idol friends are the ones that asked me to go. You know, the ones I talked about before?>

<Yeah! Airi Momoi, right?!
It's pretty cool that you're really friends with actual idols.>

<I just happened to meet her in junior high and we've been friends since. Oh, this other girl from Airi's group, Shizuku Hinomori, is also coming.>

<What?! Shizuku Hinomori as in THE Shizuku Hinomori?!>

<Wait, Mafuyu mentioned before that they go to the same school. Talk about a small world...!>

<I met her for the first time the other day too. She seemed nice and pretty laid-back, but I doubt she's ever crossed paths with Mafuyu...>

<I mentioned you to them too and they said they'd like to meet you. How about it?>

<Seriously?! I totally want to meet them...!>

<Actually, nevermind...
I think I'll pass, sorry...>

<I just remembered that I might have to work around that time next week.>

<"Might?" That means you're not actually scheduled to yet, right...?>

<Yeah, but...
It'd be their first time meeting me, and we might not have anything in common or a lot to talk about so...>

<We're talking about idols here. It's their job to make people they meet for the first time feel welcome.>

<And you're the one that's always talking about getting different perspectives on things. Seeing a pretty landscape might even give you some ideas for the video, you know?>

<Hmm... You might be right...
But why do you want me to go so much? Did something happen?>

<Hey, stay on topic. I'm the one that's asking you if you want to come on this picnic.>

<Well...>

(She's really coming after me today. She'll probably start asking more questions if I'm not careful...)

<Okay, if you're gonna be that insistent, I'll go...>

<Yes, finally...!>

<The plan's to take a tour on a bus. We have to register as a group and stuff, so I'll send you more info about it later.>

<Got it. I can't wait!>

<Good. We'll talk again later.>

<Alright, later!!>

(A picnic with Hinomori and Momoi does sound like fun, but...)

...

You've improved so much, Shizuku. Your last turn there looked perfect too.

Thank you! It's all because you taught me so well, Luka. Oh, these footsteps must be...

Hey, you two!

Airi!

Welcome, Airi. I heard from Shizuku that you wouldn't be able to make it today because of club activities.

We ended earlier than expected.
Looks like I made it just in time too.

By the way, Shizuku, I just heard back from Ena. She said Akiyama's gonna come with us!

Really? That's wonderful.
I hope our little trip can help Akiyama feel a little better...

Yeah.
It's pretty rare for Ena to worry about someone this much, so I want to help her out too.

Oh, are you going somewhere together?

We are. Airi, a couple of her friends and I are going to the highlands to have a little picnic.

A picnic in the highlands? That sounds lovely!
I'm sure it's going to be very beautiful...

I hope so too. I went quite some time ago as part of a shoot for an educational TV program, so I can't wait to go again.

Oh, that show?
Whoever edited that deserves an award. I was on the edge of my seat because you were being so clumsy that time...

I never knew it was so hard to tie knots and start campfires... Still, I had quite a bit of fun.

But that was then. I just hope we all get to have as much fun as possible...!

Hehe. I'm sure it'll be a wonderful picnic♪

Oh, Luka...!
Would you like to come as well?

Yeah, you actually could if you jump onto one of our phones and have us carry you around!

Oh, you would do that for me?

Yes, of course!
The hiking course is supposed to take quite a bit of time, so you should be able to take a look around as well.

Thanks, you two.
If you don't mind, I'd like to join you.

I'm glad you are.
You being there will make our picnic just that much more fun, Luka.

Then I'll have to whip up and bring a special lunch for us to share too!

Whoa, it's the real deal!
Airi Momoi and Shizuku Hinomori in the flesh!

Hehe. Thank you for joining us today, Akiyama.

Yeah, sorry for just dropping this on you, but we're glad you came.

No, I should be the one thanking you two. Hehe. I even ended up wearing my favorite outfit today♪

Ena, they're really here! People you see on TV or in magazines! They're sooo cute too!

Okay, Mizuki, calm down.
Also, keep it down...!

Hehe. We should be fine with this many people around. I'm glad we're doing this, Shizuku.

Me too! I'm happy that Shinonome's friend is already enjoying everything so much.

Oh, also... Calling only you by your last name seems a bit strange, so mind if we call you "Mizuki" instead?

Yes, I'd like that too. Please, feel free to call us by our first names as well.

Wait, really? I can't say no to that♪
Thanks for having me today, Airi, Shizuku!

You too, Shinonome...

Me? Oh, right... We have been calling each other by our last names. In that case, thank you for having me too, Shizuku.

You're very welcome!
Let's have ourselves a fun picnic today, Ena!

Yeah! Thank you so much for doing this, Ena!

Yes, yes, you're very welcome.

Airi, shouldn't the bus already be here?
Maybe we should get going.

Yeah. We're still a little early, but that might be a good idea.

Um, Airi...
Is it just me or does Mizuki seem better than Ena let on?

Maybe. Mizuki does seem nice and might not be as bothered by whatever Ena was talking about...

Hey, I brought some snacks too! We can all have some while we're on the bus!

That's great but don't make a mess, okay?

You got it!!

Hm...?

He's late...

(Rui said, "Wait by the station," but now I feel like it would've been better to go to his house to pick him up first...)

(Oh, that tour bus over there's going to the same place we are...)

(We decided to take an express train, but a bus might've been easier since we wouldn't have to change trains...)

(No, today's not about doing things the easy way. Today's all about...)

Hello, Nene. Sorry for making you wait.

Rui, there you are. You're late and... What's with the luggage?

Oh, I brought quite a few things just for today!

I was happy to hear that you wanted to build up some stamina for our shows.

But at the same time, I was a little surprised that you'd want to do something like this, Nene.

W-Well...

If we want to make it so Phoenix Wonderland doesn't just change in front of our eyes, Rui, we have to keep thinking up new kinds of shows, right?

I'm hoping that this will help achieve that goal.

Emu and Tsukasa are way more athletic than I am too. I really don't how I'm the one that's always out of breath in the end.

Hehe. I understand.
We should be doing everything in our power right now.

I hope you're ready for some high-speed, high-altitude training!!

High-speed? Even though you're running this late? And why are we going all the way to the highlands to train?

Because it'll be more fun than just running around here, no? You get to see some beautiful landscapes under a great big sky...!

And above all else, you won't have to worry about any prying eyes!

Oh...!

Don't tell me that you're lugging around some props that you can't test at the Wonder Stage...! Is this why we're going so far out of our way today...?!

My, would you look at the time! We need to hurry if we're going to catch our train, Nene...!

Hey, wait...!
You don't get to treat me like Tsukasa! I'm not gonna be a guinea pig for your props!!