At last, it’s finally Ai’s and Karin’s turn as they plan an online live performance. They also meet Ai’s neighbor and childhood friend, Misato and spend time with her. However, Ai finds out something that was brothering Misato for a while.
With QU4RTZ finally making their debut last time, it’s obvious that Ai wants to do her own live as well. After all, it’s a good way to promote the festival. It’s obvious where this is heading, more on that later.
While Karin does some window shopping at a clothing store, Ai with her childhood friend runs into her. Ai’s childhood friend is Kawamoto Misato. While not blood related, Ai does treat her like an older sister.
Either way, Ai introduces her to Karin as they do various activities such as bowling, playing games at an arcade, and having lunch. Karin eventually learns that Misato has sickness as she is in and out of the hospital until recently. This will become important later. Karin also mentions to Misato that Ai is a good singer and dancer as well. Either way, Ai mentions the live performance online. This makes it obvious why she decided on an online live so Misato can see it.
As expected, Karin finds out more as she runs into Misato again looking at a book of English phrases. Yep, Karin notices that Misato is forcing herself to smile and seems concerned. Either way, it seems that Misato brushes Karin’s concerns aside as she thinks Ai is doing fine. After all, she believes that Ai found something that she wants to do.
Of course, Ai finds out that Misato is hiding her feelings under that smile. That is after Karin becomes worried about Misato and shares her concerns. Yep, Ai knows about Misato’s sickness that requires hospitalization. She eventually goes to talk with Misato to learn more about her worries.
Despite the treatment being rough, she is still in high hopes, until the hospital discharged her. Yep, Ai talks to her and apparently, Misato seems down since she lost most of her friends from school. Ai was the only one that can cheer her up. When she heard that Ai is going to become a school idol, Misato realizes that she has nothing left.
I can see why Misato feels this way as her illness has robbed her of her friends. With Ai perusing her goals of being a school idol, there is the feeling that she will lose Ai, even if she still wants to support her. Yes, there are some things she can’t control, but she shouldn’t assume that Ai will forget about her despite pursuing her goals.
Of course, after hearing how Misato feels, Ai feels conflicted that perhaps she is hurting her all this time instead of making her happy. She starts to question being a school idol and considering quitting.
As expected, I find it funny how Karin sees Ai quitting as being irrational. I think that if Ai quits over believing that being a school idol is hurting Misato, she would be betraying her fans that support her. That of course includes Misato, who supported her too. I find Karin’s threat of swiping Ai’s fans and possibly winning over Misato as well funny. Yep, Ai quickly changed her mind after that. As they say, giving up over a silly reason is for losers.
After changing her mind, Ai wants Karin to perform with her as a “rival.” She eventually accepted her offer. With that, they formed a new unit, DiverDiva. I guess Karin can’t say no as an answer to Ai.
In the end, everything turned out well. Believe or not, Misato made it to their live venue eventually to see her. It appears that she enjoyed their performance and becomes a fan of Ai. Also, it’s good that Misato after that performance has find a new purpose, becoming like Karin.
Aside from that, Shioriko watched Lanzhu’s performance and was talking to her when she saw Shioriko’s older sister. I wonder what that will be about. With that, this leaves the final unit that needs an introduction. It’s obvious which one it will be next time
Good origin for DiverDiva. Surprised their performance was more cool than sexy but we were already blessed with sexiness by Lanzhu’s so it makes sense.
Misato’s dilemma’s understandable so can’t get too mad at her. Thankfully DD helped set her in the right direction.
Surprised that of the three newcomers I’m more intrigued to learn Shioriko’s story.
Hopefully the promised love triangle shenanigans are delivered next episode in a potential clash between Ayumu and Setsuna.
Agreed. It should be interesting to see more of Shioriko’s older sister as well. But yes, it seems that Yuu might have competition as it seems, but it’s obvious who will win out in the end.