A few hours later
Hanamioka Town Hall
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Crew Member
MORE MORE JUMP! is now on the set!
Airi
Honestly, I thought you'd be used to this by now. We're gonna be working on this for a pretty long time, so pull yourself together already.
???
Oh, you must be MORE MORE JUMP!
Sound Effect: Play
Chairman
It's a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Tamura. I'm the chairman of the operations committee, and very much looking forward to working with all of you.
My name is Tamura. I'm the chairman of the operations committee, and very much looking forward to working with all of you.
Haruka
We promise to do our absolute best.
Oh, my name is Haruka Kiritani from MORE MORE JUMP!
Oh, my name is Haruka Kiritani from MORE MORE JUMP!
Chairman
Yes, I'm familiar with you ladies.
I'm actually the one who sent in the request to this program.
I'm actually the one who sent in the request to this program.
Chairman
I'm sure that you've all heard by now that our town has been in a downturn these past few years. With fewer young people around, our once bustling community has become so diminished...
Chairman
It's honestly quite a sad sight.
Chairman
But it really is a wonderful place...
The food is delicious and you're surrounded by nature.
The food is delicious and you're surrounded by nature.
Chairman
The view from the observation deck is truly spectacular. Not only can you see the mountains and entire town, but they transform with each season.
Chairman
That's why we began holding the town marathon.
Showing people just how beautiful this place is should help bring in more tourists and new residents...
Showing people just how beautiful this place is should help bring in more tourists and new residents...
Chairman
But things haven't quite been going as we planned. If matters continue like this, this town won't be able to spare the budget for the marathon much longer.
Chairman
That was when I learned about this program. And through them, we've decided to bet on you young ladies.
Haruka
For the sake of this town you all love so much, we promise to do our best to make others feel the same way through this event.
Sound Effect: Play
Airi
Oh, more people are starting to come in. They must be the rest of the operations committee.
Sound Effect: Play
Operations Committee Members
...!
Operations Committee Members
U-Uhh... Thank you for coming.
Chairman
Ah, that makes everyone from the operations committee. Alright, please gather up so that we can all introduce ourselves.
A few hours later
Town of Hanamioka - Observation Deck
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Haruka
(Something felt off even when we were introducing ourselves. We didn't seem entirely welcome...)
Haruka
(At the same time, I sort of understand why they'd be so hesitant. I mean, I'd feel uncomfortable too if a group of outsiders came out of nowhere and said they'd like to help with my town's marquee event...)
Haruka
More importantly, we need to start coming up with ideas to make sure the marathon succeeds.
Airi
Right. First, we need to get ourselves familiar with Hanamioka by taking a stroll around town.
Minori
I know, right?! And the food's delicious!
The meats and veggies at the little eatery we just visited were so amazing! I couldn't put my utensils down!
The meats and veggies at the little eatery we just visited were so amazing! I couldn't put my utensils down!
Haruka
Yeah, their dishes really brought the ingredients' flavors to life. We'll need to be careful not to overeat.
Airi
Yeah, and check out all the different flowers. You really only get to see stuff like this in places where nature's been allowed to just be.
Minori
No, wait... The marathon's not for a long time, so these flowers might be gone by then...
???
Are they sure about this?
I mean, they're idols, right?
I mean, they're idols, right?
Local B
And so young, too. You have to wonder if they'll be any use at all.
Local C
Not likely.
I doubt they know the first thing about this place, so don't get your hopes up.
I doubt they know the first thing about this place, so don't get your hopes up.
Local A
Honestly, what is the chairman thinking, calling in that television crew?
Can't he see that we're doing our best here? Does he think this is just for fun?
Can't he see that we're doing our best here? Does he think this is just for fun?
Haruka
It's normal for them to be wary of outsiders and those they think they can't rely on. Their town is just that precious to them.
Shizuku
We have to take this marathon and our interactions with the locals very seriously. We need to show them that we're going to do our absolute best.
Minori
We're gonna do everything we can to help and make it so everyone's smiling in the end!
A few days later
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Crew Member
Rolling in five, four, three...
Chairman
Alright, let's start discussing ideas regarding how to improve our marathon. Who would like to begin?
Sound Effect: Play
Chairman
Yes, of course.
The floor is yours.
The floor is yours.
Haruka
We experienced Hanamioka's natural beauty and delicious food, and learned what a wonderful place it is.
Local A
...
Airi
So, we thought it might be good to start telling people online through social media. Would it be possible to start some official accounts?
Airi
We have a feeling that a lot are going to say, “Imagine running while enjoying all this gorgeous scenery,” or, “The food here looks amazing,” and want to learn more about your town.
Airi
Naturally, we'll be taking the lead in terms of doing interviews, posting new content and keeping the updates going.
Local A
Yes, we were also thinking about doing more through social media, so your help would be much appreciated.
Minori
We were told that besides drinks, you offered candy and chocolate to help people recharge up through last year...
Minori
But we thought that you could start offering things that used local Hanamioka ingredients.
Local B
Yes, it could be an opportunity to spread the word about all the delicious foods our town has to offer...
Local C
But we can just buy snacks and the like. Making something would take more budget, and more hands.
Shizuku
We'll also be available to help with any extra work that needs doing, so we hope you'll give this some thought.
Local C
Hmm...
Local A
Pressed flowers?
Haruka
We were hoping that the runners would also get to see it, but then we realized that certain flowers won't be in bloom when the marathon actually happens.
Haruka
We'd be able to share with them what we saw, and they might want to come visit again when the fields are back in full bloom.
Local A
Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
Local B
I agree. The flower fields are one of our most treasured assets, so let's take it into consideration.
Haruka
We should be able to make them as long as we're given some backing paper, so we're hoping you'll take this idea into consideration.
Show Director
...
Shizuku
Here we...aah!
No, this daikon refuses to come out of the ground. It must be very big...
No, this daikon refuses to come out of the ground. It must be very big...
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Local Elderly Lady
I'm so sorry, putting you to work pulling veggies. My back has just been so sore lately...
Sound Effect: Play
Minori
I just finished painting the outward-facing sections! Our stage should be ready in time for the marathon now!
Airi
Yeah, and we have the local carpenter to thank for teaching us everything. Left to our own devices, we could've worked for a year and not gotten this done.
Airi
We're gonna sing and dance on this stage so that all the runners participating will be able to get through the mountainous course!
Sound Effect: Play
Local Carpenter
...
Coming along?
Coming along?
Local Carpenter
Thought it might be about time we start putting screws in, so I came to see how you two were doing...
Local Carpenter
You've cut some beautiful cross sections here. And you've done a good job of putting on even coats of paint for these.
Local Carpenter
Yeah. It'll do.
Crew Member
MMJ's working so hard.
They've really been getting to know the community.
They've really been getting to know the community.
Show Director
Yes, you're right.
I honestly didn't think they'd be willing to go this far for this town.
I honestly didn't think they'd be willing to go this far for this town.
Show Director
If things keep going the way they have been and the marathon succeeds, then we should be able to get all the footage we need...
The day before the marathon
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Minori
Yeah! Thanks to that, it sounds like this year's marathon is getting a lot more applications than last year...
Sound Effect: Play
Next Chapter: All Together