Sonoda Umi looked at Sato, and the goat himself, as if sensing something, looked back at her.
Their eyes met.
Sato was puzzled. Why is she looking at me?
Seeing Sato's somewhat bewildered gaze, Sonoda Umi naturally realized that she had definitely overreacted.
But... this was really embarrassing!
She tugged at the hem of her skirt again, as if trying to cover up her exposed thighs.
After all, there were quite a few visitors here. Aside from the people present, visitors in the distance were also looking over curiously.
Ritsu suddenly chuckled beside Mio and said, "Sonoda-san looks really similar to the way Mio looked when she first went on stage!"
Hearing this, Mio glanced at Sonoda Umi. For a moment, she seemed to see her former self.
"I don't think they're the same."
Sato thoughtfully spoke from the side.
Ritsu and Mio looked at him. Ritsu asked, "How are they different?"
After thinking for a moment, Sato calmly explained, "Mio has always had a rather shy personality. Even when greeting strangers, she'd feel embarrassed and bashful. But from the interactions I've had with Sonoda-san, she doesn't seem to have any problems with normal communication."
"Her shyness right now should be because she comes from a traditional family. The education she's received is relatively conservative, so she's not very accustomed to this style of clothing. But as far as her personality itself goes, she's actually quite cheerful."
"I see!"
Ritsu suddenly understood. A mischievous smile appeared on her face as she nudged Sato with her elbow.
"Hehe, Sato, how do you know her so well? Could it be..."
Sato rolled his eyes at her.
"What's so strange about knowing a friend's personality?"
Ritsu stuck out her tongue with a grin.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting!"
Kosaka Honoka greeted everyone.
Sato pointed toward the unopened cans of drinks on the bench and said, "I bought drinks for everyone just now."
"Thank you!"
The three members of the Otonokizaka trio came over.
Kosaka Honoka was wearing a pink stage costume, while Minami Kotori and Sonoda Umi were wearing mint green and azure blue respectively.
The stage costumes on the three girls were all bright and vibrant, making them look quite lively and beautiful.
Sato took a look and said with some surprise, "I don't know why, but the colors of these stage costumes feel surprisingly well suited to you."
"Really?"
Kosaka Honoka curiously lowered her head to look at her own clothes, then looked at Sonoda Umi and Minami Kotori.
"They really do! Kotori!"
She turned toward Minami Kotori.
Minami Kotori tilted her head slightly and smiled brightly.
"I spent a long time choosing the materials!"
"Hm? So these clothes..."
Mio looked at Minami Kotori in surprise.
Minami Kotori nodded, looking a little embarrassed.
"Yes, I made them all myself. Since it's my first time making clothes for someone else, they might be a little..."
"Wow! They're already amazing!"
The enthusiastic Ritsu exclaimed, walking over and touching the girl's body... Ahem, the clothes.
"They're all really well made!"
"Really?"
Minami Kotori's eyes lit up, and she looked slightly delighted.
"Mm! Minami-san, do you want to become a fashion designer in the future?"
"Mm!"
"Subarashii! I haven't even decided what I want to do in the future."
Ritsu wore a troubled expression.
"Why don't we form a group and debut together?"
Yui excitedly chimed in from the side.
Ritsu's eyes lit up, but before she could say anything, Sato interrupted them.
"Form a group? Are you two going to do manzai together?"
"Manzai..."
To his surprise, the two of them actually rubbed their chins and seriously thought about it. After exchanging a glance, they murmured, "That actually sounds pretty good."
Sato: "..."
You really want to do manzai?!
Manzai in Japan is roughly equivalent to Chinese crosstalk. There is also another form called rakugo, which is roughly equivalent to solo crosstalk. Both are quite popular professions in Japan.
Come to think of it, the two of them really did have a talent for crosstalk, especially Ritsu.
Sato glanced at the two of them before finally looking toward Kosaka Honoka and the others. His gaze lingered on Sonoda Umi for a moment before he asked hesitantly, "Sonoda-san, are you all right?"
Sonoda Umi pursed her lips, then quickly became resolute and looked at Sato.
"I'm fine. This... I'll leave it to Nohara-san."
She handed a small recorder to Sato.
Sato glanced at it and nodded before smiling at her.
"Then let's begin!"
The trio exchanged glances, each harboring some nervousness as they walked to an open space not far from the members of the Light Music Club and stood there.
The members of the Light Music Club watched expectantly.
Beneath the azure sky, two cherry blossom trees covered in pale pink blossoms were in full bloom in front of the shrine with its blue-gray brickwork and red walls.
Cherry blossoms drifted down, landing atop the girls' heads.
The three girls stood in the square, facing the sparse audience, and slowly closed their eyes as they waited for the music...
Sato glanced at the three girls and slowly pressed the button in his hand.
Whoosh...
A sudden gust of wind carried the falling cherry blossoms, and melodious music began to play in response.
The three girls slowly opened their eyes and began to sing.
"Isay..."
"Hey, hey, hey, Start: Dash!!"
"Even if we are newly hatched chicks..."
"Someday we'll be able to spread our wings..."
"With those broad and sturdy wings, we'll fly high..."
"We must never give up easily..."
"..."
The girls' clear and hopeful voices rang out, blending together with the cherry blossoms filling the sky.
Every line of the song contained their efforts and hopes.
They were like swallows flying against the wind, weaving through the air. There were hardships along the road, but there were also flowers, and the bright sunlight shone upon them.
Although they were traveling against the wind, the gazes accompanying them had never ceased.
The energetic girls danced in front of the shrine, like girls who had crossed paths with and shone alongside the gods who governed the mountains, rivers, and seas.
Sato watched the scene with a faint smile.
The visitors in the distance gradually stopped and turned their gazes toward them.
The purple-haired shrine maiden quietly stood beneath the cherry blossom tree in the distance...