Several dozen minutes later
Miyamasuzaka

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Airi

Listen

It's been a while since I've been able to go to school lately...
2

Airi

Listen

But I'm really glad I did because we get to walk home together like this, Ayumi!
3

Ayumi

Hehe. Me too!
I'm glad we bumped into each other just as club activities were ending! Talk about perfect timing!
4

Ayumi

I've been aching to talk to you about your appearance on Arimura's show the other day!
5

Ayumi

I really loved it!
6

Airi

Listen

You did?!
That means a lot coming from you.
7

Ayumi

A lot of people I know have also been talking about it! Especially the fashion check segment!
8

Ayumi

That show sometimes brings professional athletes and famous authors in as guests, which caters to a fairly wide demographic. So a lot of people who don't know much about idols watch.
9

Airi

Listen

Seems that way. Recently, some people have even been saying that they've started tuning into our streams after seeing that show.
10

Airi

Listen

And they really didn't seem like the type of people who follow idols based on their profiles.
11

Airi

Listen

To think that so many different people have learned about who we are and gained an interest in us...
It kinda reminded me of how powerful TV is...
12

Ayumi

Yeah...
TV has helped a lot of celebrities turn into household names overnight.
13

Ayumi

But I think they all gained an interest in your group because you've been working so hard.
14

Ayumi

Including me! You were on fire during that fashion check segment! It made me want to see you do more of those kinds of things now!
15

Airi

Listen

Ayumi...
16

Airi

Listen

Hehe. Thanks...!
Variety shows like that are sorta my strong suit.
17

Airi

Listen

I can't say for sure if we'll get to be on another one anytime soon, but if that's what people want...

Sound Effect: Play

18

Ayumi

Huh? Is someone calling you?
19

Airi

Listen

Oh, it's our manager.
Mind if I take this?
20

Ayumi

Yeah, sure.
21

Airi

Listen

Sorry...
Hey, what's up?!

Sound Effect: Play

22

Saito

Listen

<Hi, good news!
I just received an offer asking for you, Airi.>
23

Airi

Listen

Hey, that's great!
Can you tell me more?
24

Saito

Listen

<You're being asked to appear on a variety show. It's only available for viewing online, but it's actually very popular...>
25

Saito

Listen

<Most of the people who appear on it are comedians since it usually involves a lot of pranks and unexpected occurrences.>
26

Saito

Listen

<I know you were on a lot of these kinds of shows when you were still with QT, but this would be your first time as a member of MORE MORE JUMP!, right?>
27

Saito

Listen

<This show sort of hearkens back to that time, which likely means doing some over-the-top stuff, but...>
28

Saito

Listen

<What do you think?
You do appear to be free when they need you, but the final call is yours.>
29

Airi

Listen

I see...
30

Airi

Listen

Of course, I accept!
31

Airi

Listen

I know they want me to that sort of variety-show spectacle, but my goal will still be to spread hope to as many people as I can.
32

Airi

Listen

Plus, there's no reason for me to refuse this offer if it can help increase our group's name recognition!
33

Airi

Listen

So, please tell them that I happily accept and promise to do my best!
34

Saito

Listen

<Understood.
Then, I'll let them know right away!>
35

Saito

Listen

<I'll let you know during our meeting tomorrow after I receive more details regarding the show.>
36

Airi

Listen

Okay, thank you!

Sound Effect: Play

37

Ayumi

Did you just get a new offer...?
38

Airi

Listen

Yeah, I did.
39

Ayumi

Wow, really...?!
That's great...!
40

Ayumi

But you said something about being a variety-show spectacle...? Does that mean you're going to be on another...?
41

Airi

Listen

I can't give you any details, but that appears to be the case.
42

Ayumi

Cool...!
I always loved seeing you on variety shows because of the energy you brought to the table, so I'll be looking forward to this one!
43

Airi

Listen

Hehe. Unlike the others, I'm not really a pure idol, so I've gotta make contributions where I can.
44

Ayumi

What?
45

Airi

Listen

I promise to make my next appearance another good one, so stay tuned!
46

Ayumi

Oh, uh... O-Okay.
Again, I'll be looking forward to it...
47

Ayumi

But what you just said about not being a pure idol...
48

Airi

Listen

Huh?
49

Airi

Listen

What did you just...?

Sound Effect: Play

50

Airi

Listen

Whoa, that was close!

Sound Effect: Play

51

Airi

Listen

What's that driver thinking...?!
Why are they going so fast on such a narrow street?
52

Ayumi

I know, right?
Especially considering how a lot of students use this street.
53

Airi

Listen

Wait, we've already come this far.
You keep going straight here, right, Ayumi?
54

Ayumi

Oh, yeah...
And you're that way, so I guess this is where we'll part for today.
55

Airi

Listen

Yeah, but I'm glad we had a chance to talk. It's been too long.
56

Airi

Listen

Let's do this again the next chance we get!
57

Ayumi

Okay!
Today was sort of a coincidence, but let's actually plan for it next time!
58

Ayumi

Let me know when you think we'll be able to!
59

Airi

Listen

Yeah, for sure!

Sound Effect: Play

60

Airi

Listen

(Oh, wait...
I forgot to ask Ayumi what she was trying to say just now.)
61

Airi

Listen

(I guess I can do that the next time I see her...)
Several dozen minutes later
Airi's Room

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

62

Airi

Listen

*Sigh*
Today turned out pretty well, especially since I got to talk to Ayumi!
63

Airi

Listen

I know school's about studying and stuff, but seeing my friends always puts a smile on my face...
64

Airi

Listen

Wait, I don't have time to get all sentimental right now. I've gotta start coming up with stream ideas for tomorrow's meeting.
65

Airi

Listen

Something that our new and existing viewers will both enjoy, huh?
66

Airi

Listen

Hmm...
This is a lot harder than usual.
67

Airi

Listen

What if we split it into two parts?
The first half would be for our newcomers, and the latter half for everyone else...
68

Airi

Listen

No, that might not be such a good idea.
We'd essentially be forcing them to choose between one or the other.
69

Airi

Listen

What else can we do...?

Sound Effect: Play

70

Airi

Listen

Come to think of it, every VIRTUAL SINGER show I've seen so far has been really good...
71

Airi

Listen

Is there some secret behind their success...?
72

Airi

Listen

Wait, why am I asking myself that?
I should just go over to SEKAI and ask them myself!
A few minutes later
Stage SEKAI

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

73

Airi

Listen

Hmm...?
Something's wrong. I'm not seeing any of them.
74

Airi

Listen

Normally, I'd run into at least one of them. Maybe they're practicing backstage or something...
75

Airi

Listen

Huh...?
Has this path always been here?
76

Airi

Listen

No, I don't think so...
It's right out in the open, so we'd have noticed. Where does it lead to...?

Sound Effect: Play

77

Airi

Listen

Huh? Wait a second...

Sound Effect: Play

78

Airi

Listen

Wh...
79

Airi

Listen

Wh-What is this place...?
Next Chapter: SEKAI's New Area