Kokoro Connect Light Novel Volume 08

Kokoro Connect (ココロコネクト) is a Japanese light novel series written by Sadanatsu Anda, with illustrations by Shiromizakana. Volume 8 was released on June 30, 2012.

Summary
A collection of side stories that take place between various arcs. The "First Encounter" chapter details how the Student Cultural Society was first formed and each member's initial interactions and thoughts about each other. From the very beginning, each member felt that something about Iori was not normal but could not figure out what. The second side story, "The Friendship of those Two," recounts about how Inaba and Iori befriended one another and the difficulties they had to overcome along the way. It ends with Inaba staying over at Iori's house for a sleepover where she reveals to Inaba her persona problem. The third story, "Date x Date x Date," takes place after Yume Random. Iori and Kurihara help arrange a triple date because Nakayama and Yui have never been on a date before despite now having boyfriends. Being experienced daters, Taichi and Inaba tag along so they can help make things go smoothly. The fourth side story chronicles Fujishima, Shino, and Chihiro trying to find the secret behind the Pentagon's satisfaction with their lives. While this is going on, Fujishima overhears several rumors about someone going around performing an experiment in the school.

Trivia

 * The word "Step" from the title could be a reference to how the characters had to "step up" or make strides to improve themselves.

Reference
Baka-Tsuki Kokoro Connect