Side Story: Dangerous Relations

When the Side Story is available, the player will receive the following Topic from Yashiro:

Yashiro: Aoi. Lesson Studio.

If the player stalls too long before taking the Side Story, the player will receive the following Topic from Yashiro:

Yashiro: You haven't arrived yet. Come to the lesson studio now.

Outside Uzume Lesson Studio

Yashiro: It's you, Aoi... You came at a good time. Yumizuru isn't being of any use. I need you to speak with her.

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Yes
• No

If the player chooses "no":

Itsuki: Sorry, I don't have time to do that right now.

Yashiro: I see. Very well. Come back again once you've finished your business.

The conversations ends and the side story is not accepted.

If the player chooses "yes":

The side story has been accepted.

Itsuki: Tell me what's going on first.

The screen transitions to the interior of the lesson studio.

Yashiro: Yumizuru and I will be costarring in an upcoming TV drama. She suggested that we train together, so I agreed to the idea... However, it isn't going well.

Itsuki: Why's that?

Yashiro: It's because Yumizuru is inexperienced.

Eleonora: That may be true from your standpoint... But you're not even trying to match your acting with mine! You keep rushing forward!

Yashiro: Naturally. What reason is there for me to struggle along at another's pace?

Eleonora: There's a big reason! A work of art isn't made by just one person!

Yashiro: I hear those words quite often, yet I cannot understand it. "Harmony" is nothing more than a convenient word to affirm comfortable relationships among the mediocre.

Eleonora: You. Are. SO stubborn!

Yashiro: To each his own. Though many people are involved in a production, an actor stands alone before the camera. If each one performs their best, then the best take should result---that is what I have done until now.

The player is given three options on how to respond:

• Are you doing your best...?
• Is that the only way though...?
• What happened to friendship?

If the player chooses option 1:

Itsuki: Performing one's best... Is that really true though...?

Yashiro: What?

Itsuki: The "best" means it's in comparison to something else, right? But you aren't trying to complement Ellie's skill... Since that's the case, I wonder if you can really say that you've given this your best.

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Is that the only way though...?

Yashiro: What?

Itsuki: Well, I was wondering if what you said was the only possible answer.

If the player chooses option 3:

???

'Regardless of what option the player chose:

Itsuki: I feel like you haven't stepped outside your own idea of perfection. You're deciding for others what is right.

Yashiro: ...

Itsuki: Though I say that, I also think it limits your potential, Yashiro.

Yashiro: ...Very well. Then I will attempt to change how I go about this.

Eleonora: Yashiro...!

Yashiro: However, now that I've made that decision, we will do this seriously, even though it's merely an exercise.

Eleonora: Huh?

Yashiro: Make sure you're prepared. We're heading to the Idolasphere. Aoi, you're coming as well.

The screen transitions to outside the studio where Eleonora is sitting on a bench with Itsuki standing in front.

Eleonora: You were a big help, Itsuki.

Itsuki: I didn't do much. I just said what was on my mind.

Eleonora: But what you said is true. Yashiro joined our company, so he should take the opportunity to try new things.

Itsuki: Yeah.

Eleonora gets up.

Eleonora: Well then, I'll be going too. Looks like we're headed into the Idolasphere, so I better get ready.

Itsuki: Right. See you later.

After Eleonora leaves, the player will receive the following new urgent Topic from Yashiro:

Yashiro: Come to the Idolasphere at Daiba Studio. It's time for a special lesson. Sending the map now. Itsuki: Got it.

Daiba Studio Idolasphere

'>As the group enter the Idolasphere, Yashiro and Eleonora are already inside.

Yashiro: It should be around here.

Eleonora: So what's the big idea? Why choose this place?

Yashiro: Enough with the prattle. You'll find out soon enough. You and I should be able to carry out the ideal training here, Yumizuru.

Itsuki: Still, doesn't coming to the Idolasphere for that seem a bit extreme?

Yashiro: Always be strict on oneself---that was my father's teaching. ...His only one.

Itsuki: Yashiro...

Eleonora: Fine! I'll show you that I can keep up with you!

Yashiro: Hmph. ...Let's continue on.

>The player is to warp to LCD Panels: Door 2 and enter the door with Yashiro and Eleonora in party.

Mirage: Raaaaaaaargh!

Eleonora: Aah!

Yashiro: I committed this monster to memory when I saw it the other day. This one will be more than suitable as our opponent. Now, let's resume our training.

Eleonora: Huh? Wait, training!?

Yashiro: We must synchronize our movement. The fastest way to do so is for you and I to defeat this monster with a Session.

Eleonora: R-Right!

Yashiro: Let's do this, Yumizuru! Aoi, back us up!

Itsuki: Leave it to me!

Eleonora: Here goes!

The battle initiates:

Yashiro: The purpose of this exercise is for the two of us to learn to work in sync. Aoi... stay in the back lines to give us aid when needed.

>Yashiro is now able to use the skill "The clues..." during this battle! Ellie is now able to use the skill "The culprit is..." during this battle!

>After the battle ends:

Eleonora: We did it, Yashiro!

Yashiro: ...

Eleonora: What's wrong?

Yashiro: When our timing came together, it was not the actors but the "stage" itself that shone... This feeling... This sensation... ...So this is the power of harmony. And furthermore... This... must be the power of friendship you spoke of.

A> bright light envelopes Yashiro as an orb forms out of his chest. Yashiro achieves a new Performa: Power of Bonds.

Eleonora: Yesss!

Yashiro: I see. I could never have grasped this feeling with my old method of doing things. You have my gratitude, Yumizuru. And you as well, Aoi. Without your advice, I would not have achieved this result.

Itsuki: You two completely sychronized with each other.

Eleonora & Yashiro: Naturally.

Eleonora: Oh...

Yashiro: Heh... Well then, let us return.

Eleonora: ...

Yashiro: What's the matter, Yumizuru?

Eleonora: Well... I didn't know you could make that kind of face too.

Yashiro: ?

>The screen transitions to a black screen as gameplay is resumed as the player receives a new Topic:

Tiki: H-Hazelnut frappe cappucino with extra whipped cream!? Tiki: Oh. I meant to send that to Tsubasa. Tiki: Tiki: ...I can perform a Unity on Yashiro's new Performa whenever you need, so come to the Bloom Palace!

Bloom Palace

Navarre: ... Itsuki is a curious young man.

Yashiro: Indeed. No one has ever spoken against me like that besides my father.

Navarre: "You haven't stepped outside your own idea of perfection," was it? Those words precisely describe the old you.

Yashiro: But the stone Aoi cast from the outside has saved me from killing my own potential.

Navarre: Heh... Once again, I'm filled with anticipation.

Yashiro: For what?

Navarre: To see what new grounds your potential may break from this point forth.

Yashiro: Yes. And you'll witness it by my side. In other words, the best arena seat at a concert. You should be honored.

Navarre: Arena?

Yashiro: Or do you prefer balcony seating?

Navarre: Balcony?

Yashiro: Well, it doesn't matter where. It's simply best you keep your eyes open.

Navarre: ...Yashiro, it seems we're similar after all. Since we are men of few words, there are times when that makes things difficult.

Yashiro: ?

Navarre: ...Now is exactly one of those times.

> The screen transitions to a cinematic with Yashiro acting in a school uniform on a rooftop and Eleonora in a school uniform coming up from behind and ends with Yashiro's arm behind Eleonora.

>The screen transitions to the Fortuna Office.

Touma: So Kaguya was a detective... AND an alien!? Man, I did not see that coming at all! So that's why it's called "Out of Season UFO"...

Eleonora: So? It's pretty amazing, isn't it?

Touma: I have underestimated you.

Eleonora: Well, I suppose we're in the same boat? I definitely underestimated Yashiro's skills. The background sound fits the scene so well too... You really are multi-talented, Yashiro. Hrgh... I feel like I'm losing my confidence.

Yashiro: There is no need to belittle yourself. Your acting was impressive. It was more than sufficient to handle your part. And I wrote the background song after gaining inspiration from our training session.

Eleonora: Oh, is that so?

Yashiro: I apologize, Yumizuru. It seems I was mistaken. Harmony is not some cozy relationship others cling to for security. It is a necessity for actors.

Eleonora: Y-You know... I'm... um... sorry too. I just assumed that you were much better than me and was frustrated with my inferiority. You're not good at speaking, but you're a surprisingly nice guy. I should've tried talking with you better.

Yashiro: I agree. And that's why I must tell you this, Yumizuru.

Eleonora: What is it?

Yashiro: Your acting still has many flaws to it. One, you move too much. Two, it's a bad habit to exaggerate your role. Fix it.

Eleonora: Augh, I take back what I just said! You really are a terrible man! Can't you read the atmosphere!? You could've chosen a better time to say that, you moron!

>Eleonora walks away from the scene.

Ysahiro: ...Why is she angry?

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Who knows...?
• What's wrong, Mr. True Artist?

If the player chooses option 1:

Itsuki: Who knows...? I don't get her either...

Yashiro: Hm... It seems I must seriously pursue an understanding of women's psychology.

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: What's wrong, Mr. True Artist?

Yashiro: Ngh... It seems there is much more for me to learn.

>The screen transitions to Yashiro appearing on the screen alone.

Yashiro: By the by, Aoi. I am indebted to you about what transpired this time. For some reason, your words struck a chord with me.

Itsuki: Now you're just exaggerating.

Yashiro: I can say the same for what occurred at the studio. You were the first since my late father to be so direct with me.

Itsuki: It was the heat of the moment... I must've sounded pretty disrespectful. Sorry about that.

Yashiro: No. It is thanks to you that I could realize something I never would have by myself. You have my gratitude, Aoi.

Job complete!