Part 2

Alright, next stop—ballet class! This way!

I think I’m finally getting used to how big this school is.

Yeah! And I’m getting the hang of the lessons too.

Yeah.

Every class has been a challenge, but I can tell we’re improving. That sense of growth is rewarding.

(......Now if only—)

(If only I could just get through ballet flexibility training, then I’d have no complaints…...)

.......I know exactly what you’re thinking right now.

Oh? Telepathic now, are we?

Well, we’re both suffering through the same thing, so…....

This really is quite the dilemma. Honestly, at this point I just wish I were a boneless creature......

You mean, like a squid.....?

Or an octopus. A sea slug wouldn’t be bad either.

Jellyfish isn't a bad choice either, right?

Technically, jellyfish aren’t mollusks, they’re cnidarians.

<I was planning to check in on how Tsukasa-kun and Rui-kun were settling into their new training, but…...>

<Just now, did they say they wanna be squids and octopuses?>

<W-What is happening to them?!>

<......Beats me.>

<Judging by their faces, though...… something’s clearly bothering them.>

<!!!>

<Oh no..... Miku wants Tsukasa-kun and Rui-kun to be smiling, not looking all gloomy.....>

<—Oh! Got it ☆>

Hmm...… Looks like Nene and Emu aren’t here yet.

Maybe things are running late in the girls’ division and the management course.

Sounds about right. Let’s get some practice in while we wait.

Good idea. Let’s go over what we learned today—

.......Hm?

What's up, Rui?

TSUKASA-KUN, RUI-KUUUUUN!!!

Whoa!? C-CATCH!!

<Wheee~!☆>

Impressive, Tsukasa. A perfect catch.

You...… If you knew this was coming, you could’ve given me a heads-up...…!

By the way, what’s going on? You two are wearing some...… interesting outfits.

Ehehe, you noticed? I’m a fish today!

And Miku’s a squid~☆

A fish..… and a squid?

Yup ☆ We’re inviting you two to a super special undersea show~!

<The ocean is full of fun and beautiful things! Look, the dance show is just about to begin.>

Whoa...…! This is way more put-together than I expected.

Yeah. The lighting effects are really well done; it’s like we’re actually underwater.

Come on, Tsukasa-kun, Rui-kun! You guys should be octopuses or jellyfish with us too~!

Huh? So this is an audience participation show?

Mmhm! You could be a sea slug too, if you want!

..........

(An octopus, a squid, a jellyfish, and a sea slug..… At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but—)

…...I get it now. Tsukasa-kun, why don’t we dive in?

Yeah! I have no idea what’s going on, but this looks fun!

Witness my magnificent octopus dance!

So, what did you two think of the show?

Did turning into octopuses cheer you up and energize you…..?

It was a truly wonderful performance.

However...… I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding, and we should probably clear that up first.

A misunderstanding?

Yeah.

I have a feeling you guys heard us talking about wanting to be octopuses and squids, basically soft-bodied, boneless creatures, and thought we were serious.

That's why you put this whole show together for us, right?

"Huh?"

Well, actually, that was—

Whaaat?! So we totally got the wrong idea!?

I honestly thought you two had some deep, unspoken troubles you couldn’t tell us about.

So you didn’t actually want to become octopuses or squids for real…...?

Uh…... Sorry about that. Seems like we made you all worry for nothing.

But hey, pretending to be an octopus or a jellyfish was pretty fun!

Really!? Yippee~!

And I feel like my body moved more smoothly than usual.

I felt like I could go completely limp and soft, too! …...Wait, could it be because we were acting like soft-bodied creatures?

Hehe. I’m sure it’s thanks to all the stretching exercises you two have been doing.

Who knew we’d notice the results in such an unexpected way, huh, Tsukasa-kun?

Yeah! Proof that slow and steady training always gives the best results!

Fufufu. If we’re aiming even higher, maybe we should start incorporating more advanced flexibility training into our routine.