You're confusing intent with results.
Intent: She wants to make up for quitting the club in her 2nd year
Result: She's putting extra pressure on a good part of the club
If she truly wants to help, the best thing to do is just to let the matter drop. You know what's her real reason for wanting to go back? Because she realized, after Kitauji won the qualifiers, to everyone's surprise, that she missed her chance at being in a real competitive band, and now she wants to attach herself to the band to feed off their leftover glory like a remora.
I think S1 made it clear Asuka's the "leader" in all but name and Taki cares less about student drama than even Asuka does.
No, I think she's always had this "problem" so to speak. Her arc this season is probably overcoming her shyness or whatever the fuck.
I do too but I think Nozomi's motivations are mostly selfish. I'm reminded distinctly of that phenomenon during natural disasters or crises where people will go to volunteer to assuage their white/privilege guilt and wind up making more trouble for everyone involved because of their lack of training or experience. Not that Nozomi isn't a competent player but, when the club needed her perseverance she ran away (for perfectly justifiable reasons, mind you), but now that the club has found success without her she feels like she's missing out. Notice, she never tried to rejoin at any point before Kitauji's success.
I think the specific term here is "fair weather friend". At least with people like the previous third years, you know where you stand. A "friend" you can't trust is far more dangerous, emotionally.
She is probably doing it out of some selfish intent but I don't see that in her actions, there is noticeable sincerity and a love for music that is driving her. Hell, Kumiko explicitly asks if she loves playing. I can understand how bitter she is over her decision(part of which was Natsuki's fault).
Maybe it is better for her to let it go but I can't see her doing that without a more concrete reason. The only "pressure" I can see the band is feeling due to her request is curiosity and debate, don't see it affecting their performance yet. Didn't Kumiko and Asuka's get selected for a special part in the performance right this episode. If it was implicit or explicit that they are being affected by her I wouldn't refute. Do correct me if I'm missing something. If anything I can just see Mizore doing less than impressive but who knows if that will resolve if Nozomi gives up.
Asuka is a leader just not in name but that's the thing she is aware of that and working towards it, if she directly approached the president or more capable people, again I wouldn't refute. Capable in the sense that they would let her in officially and formally. Asuka herself said that it's not in her hands but 'personally' she is against it.
Mizore should step forward but that of course is easier said than done and probably what the show will tackle eventually. I just wanted to make clear that she has to make her move as well.
Fair weather friend is a bit extreme for Nozomi I think and you've stated enough reasons to think so.
(On mobile so quoted the whole thing)