An
Yay! Shigure-sama, thank you!
Riko
I never imagined I would be able to swim 25 metres!
Koharu
As expected of Shigure-sama! The teacher said our class has more swimmers than other classes now!
Shigure
Well, that's natural, isn't it? Since Shigure gave you advice!
Shigure
(Though I said that... Most of what I taught was just repeating what Nikako-senpai told me...)
Shigure
(Maybe I should thank her or something...)
Shigure
(Thank her...?)
Shigure
(At this late stage?)
Nikako
Haha, haah, phew!
Shigure
...! ...!
Hatsumi
Focus on your acting! You are now jerboas living in Africa! Use your entire bodies to express the burning life force in the scorching desert!
Nikako
Ch-cheep!
Shigure
Cheep!
Hatsumi
Normally, you would rest in your burrows during the hot daytime. But for some reason, your sanctuary has been destroyed!
Hatsumi
Make the audience hold their breath with your portrayal of two living creatures! Don't give them room for extraneous thoughts!
Nikako
CHEEP!!!!
Iruru
When Hatsumi suddenly told them to act like animals in an etude, I wondered what would happen. But they're both doing well.
Iruru
Nikako in particular, her concentration is amazing. She's really into it.
Daikoku
It must be thanks to my Lord's guidance, but she really looks like she's fleeing through the desert...
Daikoku
Compared to her, that brat is...not bad, but is she trying to look cool by acting calm? She should match Nikkachi more-
Daikoku
Wait, what!?
Hatsumi
That's it, sharpen your senses to survive! You never know what troubles might arise-
Shigure
-Excuse me. Could we stop for a moment?
Nikako
Haah, haah, haah...?
Daikoku
Who do you think you are, stopping rehearsal on your own...!? Don't tell me you have complaints about my Lord's guidance...!!!
Iruru
That's unusual, Shigure stopping like that.
Hatsumi
What is it, Shigure?
Shigure
This floor is slippery with sweat. Did the person before us properly wipe it?
Iruru
What, really!? Sorry! I didn't realise it was so drenched!
Shigure
Look, the floor around Nikako-senpai's feet is soaking wet. It's dangerous, so I'll go get a mop.
Nikako
Haah, haah...w-wait, Shigure-chan. I'll help too.
Shigure
We don't need two or three people. You look exhausted, why don't you rest?
Nikako
S-sorry...
Shigure
I-it's not like Nikako-senpai did anything wrong. There's no need to apologise.
Hatsumi
Oh?
Daikoku
What a cheeky brat...
Iruru
...Is that so?
Daikoku
...?
Shigure
Phew, that's done.
Nikako
Thank you, Shigure-chan!
Hatsumi
Good. Now, let's continue-
Shigure
Ah, I'm thirsty. I'll go get something to drink.
Iruru
...Oh, I see.
Daikoku
I can't take it anymore...! That brat intends to mess up the rehearsal!
Iruru
Now, now, now, Daikoku. Try looking at it from a different perspective. Though I've only just realised it myself.
Daikoku
Eh...? Perspective...
Nikako
...Um.
Hatsumi
Hmm, will yo take a break too, Nikako?
Nikako
No! I want to keep going! I'm in a good rhythm! Cheep!
Hatsumi
I see.
Shigure
Nikako-senpai, here!
Nikako
Fueh!? Wah!?
Nikako
...A sports drink?
Shigure
This sports drink is a limited edition. I accidentally bought two bottles, so I'll give you one.
Nikako
Eh, eh? Isn't that something rare!? I can't accept that!
Shigure
J-just take it, please. It'd be troublesome if you gave it back now!
Nikako
O-okay. I'll gratefully accept it...
Nikako
Ah! I'm sorry I didn't notice! Shigure-chan, you were tired...
Hatsumi
Pft.
Shigure
I-I'm not tired at all! Please don't apologise for no reason!?
Nikako
Eh, but, the break...
Shigure
I said I was just thirsty, didn't I!
Iruru
Ahahaha, Shigure isn't honest either.
Daikoku
Ah, so that's it...
Iruru
Hatsumi seems to be enjoying this too. Maybe I should try to settle things.
Shigure
Anyway, please drink that sports drink! It's good to drink after exercise!
Nikako
Then at least let me pay for it.
Shigure
No way!
Iruru
Hatsumi. It's a good time to take a break, don't you think?
Hatsumi
Yeah, you're right. Let's resume in 10 minutes.
Iruru
So there we have it. Nikako. Let's take a break together.
Nikako
Eh? Ah? B-but the cost of the drink!
Daikoku
...Brat. Can't you just say thank you more honestly...?
Shigure
Wh-what!? I don't know what you're talking about!?
Daikoku
Haaaaah...
Shigure
What's with that big sigh! It's annoying!!!
Hatsumi
(Now, how are things over there?)
Iruru
Shigure was concerned about yyou just now. It might have been hard to notice.
Nikako
...Ah, so that was it after all?
Iruru
Oh, you noticed?
Nikako
Partway through. I thought, maybe?
Nikako
I noticed the sweat after Shigure-chan pointed it out. But I didn't fully understand then.
Nikako
And this drink too, I only realised how thirsty I was after receiving it. She was trying to make me drink it, so around then, I thought, ah...
Nikako
Mm mm mm... gulp. Delicious!
Nikako
If Shigure-chan hadn't been there, I might have slipped on the sweat and got injured. Or I might have collapsed from dehydration.
Nikako
I bet she was trying to thank me for the pool lessons...wasn't she?
Iruru
Probably. That's the only explanation I can think of. Even so, to think Shigure could be so considerate of others.
Iruru
(As her senior, I should have noticed...I completely let my guard down because Hatsumi seemed normal. I need to reflect on this.)
Nikako
I think Shigure-chan was the one who was truly focused in the way Ren-san meant.
Nikako
While I was so preoccupied with becoming a jerboa, Shigure-chan was acting but still properly aware of her surroundings.
Nikako
Shigure-chan is amazing.
Iruru
Yeah. We should learn from her. Though I do wish she'd be a bit more straightforward.
Nikako
But that's part of her charm!
Iruru
Yes, yes, I get it.
Hatsumi
Heh...
Iruru
We're back. Sorry, sorry, has it been more than 10 minutes?
Shigure
You're late! Because of that, Daikoku-senpai has been criticising Shigure's jerboa performance terribly!
Daikoku
...Brat.
Nikako/Iruru
Fufu. Ahahaha.
Shigure
What did you say!?
Hatsumi
Shigure is cute. Fufu.
Shigure
H-hey? Don't pat my head like that?
Hatsumi
Treasure that personality of yours. Fufufu.
Shigure
What is it with you all!?
Shigure
Jeez!!!