Aira: (Oh man, what do I do… I don’t think I’ll get suspended just because of a failed test.)

Aira: (But when the marks are THIS terrible, it is a big shocker.)

Aira: (It was just a quiz so the damage is still low, but if these were the results of the periodic exam…)

Aira: (AH~ Just imagining it is sending shivers down my spine.)

Aira: (I’ll try harder next time. I’ll study properly and make sure not to fail.)

Aira: (...is what I say whenever we get our answer sheets back. Actually doing it is something that has never happened.)

Aira: (I suck at studying… Yumenosaki is an idol training school so why don’t we have more idol-esque lessons(?))

Aira: (Memorising the names of idols and singing idol songs—If those were our lessons, then I’m confident my results would have been the best…♪)

Hiiro: —You seem quite happy, Aira.

Aira: H-Hiro-kun?!

Hiiro: Did something pleasant happen? If you don’t mind, I would like you to tell me as well… Let me partake in your joy.

Aira: Nothing nice happened… Why are you here though? This is a first year classroom?

Hiiro: Umu, I know. But classes ended a while ago and even after a long time passed, Aira didn’t appear… So I came to pick you up.

Hiiro: I’m grateful that you were in your classroom. Since I’m still unfamiliar with this building.

Aira: Ah… Yeah, didn’t I promise that I’ll show you around school?

Aira: But now’s a bad time so can I show you around tomorrow? I’m feeling down right now so I’m not really in the mood for it…

Hiiro: ? You are feeling down? Did something happen?

Aira: The results of my test were terrible, y’know. Well, it is my fault for doing nothing and just saying that I’m bad at it.

Aira: Ah… I’m glad I get to see idols here but yeah, I do hate school after all…

Hiiro: School is a fun place. It’s sad if you come to hate it just because your test results were bad.

Hiiro: Tests are something like aggregations of data. Isn’t it okay not to worry about numbers like that?

Aira: A mediocrity like me WILL worry.

Hiiro: Really? Then you should study hard in order to get good marks.

Aira: Agh… you’re touching my sore spot…

Aira: Even I know that much. I’m worried because I CAN’T do it!

Aira: …What about Hiro-kun? Second years also had tests, right?

Hiiro: Ah. We just got back our test papers today.

Aira: …WOAH, a perfect score for everything?! What’s this… You sure you didn’t cheat?

Hiiro: I didn’t. I just had to memorise the portions covered in class and enter them accordingly on paper. It was simple ♪

Aira: “Simple”, huh? This is why geniuses are…~

Aira: (But he “memorised”? He approached the tests in a way that’s most like him, huh.)

Aira: (Massively different from me who tried to escape reality by cleaning my room and organising my idol merch right before the tests…)

Aira: (...I keep procrastinating and making things harder for me.)

Aira: (It seems like the same questions from this test will appear for the periodic exam so maybe I should review the questions so that I don’t forget them…?)

Aira: ...So like I said earlier, is it okay if I show you around tomorrow? I wanted to go to the library to study.

Hiiro: Why? Isn’t the library a place where you read books, like the Book Room at Seisoukan?

Aira: Ah, that place is the best when it comes to studying. You can focus since it’s quiet.

Aira: (...I’ve never studied at the library myself, but I have seen people study there sometimes so… It should be fine, right?)

Aira: —And

Aira: Why did Hiro-kun follow me here?

Hiiro: Since the school tour has been cancelled, I have nothing to do.

Hiiro: You told me about the library but I’ve never actually used it. So I thought I’d use this as an opportunity to understand this place.

Aira: Ah, whatever. You’re free to decide how to spend your time, but don’t get in the way of my studies, ‘kay?

Aira: (Let’s forget about Hiro-kun and focus on studying… Focus…)

Aira: ….

Aira: (...I wonder what kind of books Hiro-kun will read? We’ve never talked about it so I can’t really guess.)

Aira: (Hm~ It’s not about them being easy but I feel like picture books would suit him. Oh, and encyclopaedias about edible plants)

Aira: (Are books like that available in this library?)

Aira: (...Wait, I’m getting thrown off track. Focus on studying! Focus!)

[One hour later]

Aira: …

Aira: (...Ah~ The grammar was wrong here.)

Aira: (I feel like I’ve gotten the knack of it. Fufu, with this, victory’s mine…♪)

Aira: (...Hm? I can feel someone’s gaze on me…)

Aira: WOAH, that scared me. When did Hiro-kun sit down opposite me?

Hiiro: …

Aira: Why the silence? No, explaining by waving your hands around won’t help me understand.

Aira: You’re taking my notebook and writing something on it… “Aira is the one who told me not to get in his way.”

Aira: Yeah, but… Talking by writing is a hassle so it’s okay… You can speak.

Hiiro: Thank you, that’s a huge help. I can convey my feelings better by mouth than through writing, you see.

Hiiro: You said you were bad at studying but it’s admirable how you are tackling it so earnestly.

Hiiro: I deeply respect the part of Aira that is such a hard worker.

Aira: Yeah, yeah…Thanks… If it’s just about working hard, anyone can do it.

Aira: But if you can’t get results, then it's meaningless no matter how much time you spend on it. It’s nothing but a waste of time.

Hiiro: The rate of growth is different for every person. If there are trees that grow more than a metre a day, there are also trees that take several years in order to establish their roots.

Hiiro: But if you continue to care for them without giving up, they will grow for sure. People are the same… Hard work will never betray you.

Aira: (I know that it’s impossible for a dropout like me to not take time.)

Aira: (But I can’t wait till the buds start sprouting. Ah~ How I wish I could say “It was simple” like Hiro-kun said…)

Aira: I’m beat so it’s time for a break~ Maybe I should go buy something sweet.

Hiiro: Something sweet?

Aira: Yeah. They say that sweet stuff's good for when you’re tired.

Hiiro: Why?

Aira: Dunno… It’s something like a common belief.

Hiiro: Umu. Let me join you so that I can confirm.

Aira: Huh~? Isn’t Hiro-kun following me around like a baby chick?

Hiiro: Umu. It’s because Aira knows a lot of things that I don’t. I can’t get tired of being together with you.

Aira: Hm~... Well, it’s not like I really mind.

Aira: (Hiro-kun really is strange. He can study but the rest is all yikes… To the point that he can’t do anything without me.)

Aira: (I’m just showing off in front of Hiro-kun’s lack of common sense though.)

Aira: (But sometimes–yeah, ju~st sometimes, he’ll say something nice.)

Aira: (You can’t get tired of being together… I guess even I feel the same…♪)

Natsume: WeLL, now let’s return to our host—SoRA.

Natsume: You can negotiate well with ALKALOID, rigHT?

Sora: Yes! Thanks to Shisho~ and Senpai, the explanation was also handled perfectly ♪

Sora: Once again, we want you to accept this job aboard the Phantom Airship! Won’t you become its passengers?

Aira: I’m all for it! With the new year starting, I’ve been kinda out of it… But if the game can help us get back on track and even earn L$, then say no more~ ♪

Tatsumi: Even I am in favour. I am genuinely interested in these things called VR games.

Tatsumi: And I do not think it is a bad choice for ALKALOID’s first job of the year.

Aira: Ufufu~ I’m glad even Tattsun-senpai gave the okay!

Aira: What about Mayo-san and Hiro-kun? I think it’s great to be able to work while having fun ♪

Hiiro: Umu…

Aira: …Hiro-kun?

Aira: It’s not like you to hesitate. We’ve been indebted to Switch up until now, right?

Hiiro: Yes, you’re right. If Aira and Tatsumi-senpai are optimistic about it, then I too shall try challenging the Phantom Airship.

Aira: …? You kinda don't seem certain…

Aira: Ah, I get it! Hiro-kun is scared since he doesn’t know much about games!

Aira: Fufu, how unexpected~♪ There are things even Hiro-kun is scared of ♪

Tatsumi: How about Mayoi-san? You were brought here by force in the first place, so I do not think there is any harm in refusing if it is too difficult.

Mayoi: I-I would like to decline if possible. Having a large number of people watch while we’re playing a game… It is a little terrifying…

Natsume: ꓄ꃅꍟ ꉣꃅꂦ꓄ꂦ

Mayoi: Eeek?!

Mayoi: I-I-I-I will do it! Please let me do it!

Tsumugi: Ahaha. Looks like Natsume-kun knows how to turn on Ayase-kun’s motivation switch~ What could he have said to him?

Mayoi: N-No, that is an industry secret!

Sora: HaHa~♪ How wonderful~ With this, we have consent from all members!

Sora: Now, put on the VR goggles and try leaping into the world of the Phantom Airship!

[New SSVRS stage—The Phantom Airship]

Aira: OMG! This scenery is so awesome! So this is the Phantom Airship…!

Aira: To be standing on the deck of a ship that’s floating in the air—The fantasy vibes are so intense! I wonder what might happen if it crashes. I’m curious~♪

Hiiro: So this is what you call a VR. There’s really no sense of reality here at all.

Hiiro: But the things in this world do speak to one’s senses. How could it have been constructed?

Tatsumi: Present day technology has advanced this far. I am experiencing this for the first time myself.

Tatsumi: Our clothes also seem to have changed to those appropriate for the game. It feels like we witnessed some kind of magic.

Mayoi: I-It’s scary even when you know it is a game… We are standing in such a high place—it’s like we’re physically present and everything—and yet you all do not feel the uneasiness?

Aira: Hm~ Mayo-san, you don’t have to be that scared though?

Aira: Look, come here. Let’s watch the superb view from a closer distance. You can even bend over the railings—It’s fine since it’s a game ♪

Hiiro: That is dangerous, Aira. You might even die if you fall from the deck.

Aira: Like I said, Hiro-kun is being too cautious. It’s a VR game after all, so let’s have fun without bothering about the minor details?

Sora: HaHa~♪ Exactly!

Sora: Games are wonderful tools that teach you various things about life. Even losing is just another experience!

Sora: The penalty for losing has been set to a lenient one soenjoy yourselves as much as you want~♪

Tatsumi: So you were here as well, Sora-san. You appear to have shrunk down in size… Is this also part of the game?

Sora: HiHi~ Sora is an NPC who shall support your travels in the form of a fairy.

Sora: Other NPC idols will appear so look forward to them!

Tatsumi: “NPC”…?

Sora: Yes. Non-player characters—They exist only within the game’s program. There’s nobody on the inside ♪

Tatsumi: Non-player… I see. So nobody else is operating here besides us?

Tatsumi: Imitations of idols that exist only within the game… Now aren’t they truly “idols”?^[1]

Hiiro: An existence within the game… Hm. I do not get the theory but they are made by combining these so-called programs, right?

Aira: Woah. Hiro-kun can understand games.

Hiiro: Fufu, I learnt about it from Makoto-senpai.

Hiiro: The “pachinko” Nii-san is obsessed with—it is also a type of game, right?

Hiiro: With the exciting lights and sounds, it is only natural that Nii-san’s interest was drawn to it. The technological advancements in the city are indeed so surprising.

Tatsumi: Yes, because that kind of engineering delights the human instincts.

Tatsumi: Personally, I do not think it is wise to develop a hobby in gambling, but games can be a good method to unwind when played within reasonable limits.

Tatsumi: In any case, can we continue the explanation, Sora-san?

Sora: Of course! Then, I shall explain the rules of the Phantom Airship~♪

Sora: There are seven floating islands in the world of the Phantom Airship and each one has a “treasure” enshrined.

Sora: To get hold of the treasures, you need the abilities of an idol! Please clear the trials in the islands by going along with the established theme of each island!

Sora: You can choose the islands as you wish, but heading towards the first island and succeeding the game’s tutorial as a start should make things easier to understand~♪

Hiiro: I see. So we need to display our abilities as idols to advance through this game.

Tatsumi: Our performance and the products of our labour will be judged by the game, and those watching can support us—I see how it is.

Mayoi: I-I do feel reluctant, but that should not be much different from what we usually show. I feel a bit relieved.

Aira: Ahaha. On the other hand, I was worrying what I’ll do if I mess up the performance.

Aira: But like Harukawa-senpai said, if we only mess up in-game, no one’s gonna be too harsh on us. That’s a ton better than screwing up during an actual live performance!

Aira: Alright! I'm all pumped up now! Let’s get this ship going!

Aira: Phantom Airship—Full speed ahead…☆