Here on Our Dream Stage - 3: Allies Gather

A few days later

Scramble Crossing

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1

Nene

(Thank goodness...
The others really helped get my script together.)

2

Nene

(But I still have a mountain of work left.)

3

Nene

(For now, I need to focus on recruiting. I need a cast, songwriters, people to play in the band... I'm also gonna need costume and set designers...)

4

???

Kusanagi?

5

Nene

Huh...?

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6

Nene

M-Momoi?!

7

Airi

I thought it was you!
Fancy seeing you here!

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8

Airi

Also, sorry if I startled you.
You didn't move after the walk light turned green, so I was wondering if everything was okay.

9

Nene

Huh? Oh, you're right...

10

Nene

Sorry, I didn't notice at all. I have a lot on my mind right now...

11

Airi

A lot on your mind? Is something bothering you?

12

Nene

No, nothing's bothering me...
I just have a big laundry list of things to do at the moment.

13

Nene

And I'm trying to figure out how to get through it.

14

Airi

Then, can you tell me more about what you're doing?

15

Nene

Huh?

16

Airi

Because it's easy to get stuck while trying to solve everything on your own, right?

17

Airi

Talking to someone else can help clear things up. So, Kusanagi, tell me what's on your mind!

18

Nene

Momoi...

19

Nene

Thank you.
So, the thing is...

20

Airi

I see...
And you're trying to find people to join you right now.

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21

Nene

Yes. The other planning committee members helped me make posters to put up, but I'm still having a hard time recruiting...

22

Airi

Yeah, being in a musical doesn't exactly sound like the easiest thing...

23

Airi

But I'm sure people will be interested after you tell them what you're doing.

24

Airi

I just happen to have a few targets in mind!

25

Nene

R-Really...?!

26

Nene

Umm... Would it be possible for you to introduce them to me?!

27

Airi

Sure thing! I'll try asking my friends who play music or are in arts clubs!

28

Nene

...!
I really appreciate it!

29

Airi

Then, let's exchange contact info!
I'll tell anyone who agrees to help how to get a hold of you...

30

Nene

Oh...

31

Airi

Hm? Is something wrong?

32

Nene

Oh, no... It's just...
You don't have to if you don't want to.

33

Nene

But is there any way I could have you join this show's cast...?

34

Airi

Wait, me?

35

Nene

So... Do you remember the show we did on top of that mountain for New Year's? You seemed to have a lot of fun while dancing, and your ad-libbing was perfect...

36

Nene

Oh, but I know you're really busy as an idol, so you don't have to if you can't...!

37

Airi

You know, since you're offering, why not? I'm in!

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38

Nene

What? A-Are you sure?

39

Airi

Yeah. I'll have to check with Haruka, the others and our manager, but I should be able to pencil it into my schedule. We're actually a little free right now.

40

Airi

Also...

41

Airi

I really like the idea behind your musical. I think it's going to be wonderful.

42

Airi

The story of a girl who's encouraged by her musician friends to take steps towards making her dream come true.

43

Airi

My goal as an idol is to spread hope to others, so that really strikes a chord with me!

44

Nene

...!

45

Nene

I appreciate you saying that. My friends and I worked really hard on this story...

46

Airi

Oh, but I don't have any formal acting experience, so you'll need to show me the ropes.

47

Nene

Of course!

48

Airi

Then, I'll run it by our manager and the others. We'll talk again later! See you!

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49

Nene

(Thank goodness... Momoi agreed to help.)

50

Nene

(But I can't rely on her for everything.
I need to look for more people on my own, too.)

51

Nene

(So, for now...
I should try asking some of my classmates.)

52

Nene

(Who else might be interested?)

The next day

Kamiyama High School - Class 2-A

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53

Nene

...which is why I'd like you two to join the cast of our show. What do you two think, Shiraishi, Shinonome?

54

An

Are you talking the show from the poster that's up at the entrance? I'm in! I really wanna join!

55

An

I'd been thinking about it already, actually. Singing with kids from the other schools sounds super fun!

56

Akito

Yeah...
I appreciate you inviting me to sing with you guys...

57

Akito

But I'm not sure how I feel about doing a musical. Really not my wheelhouse.

58

An

Yeah, good point.
I really can't see you belting an “I Am” song on stage, Akito.

59

Akito

Quiet, you.

60

Akito

Anyway, I'm gonna have to pass.
But let me know if there's anything else I can do to help. These kinds of things always involve some kind of manual labor, right?

61

Nene

Oh, in that case, would you mind helping us move stuff the day of? We're still a bit shorthanded there...

62

Akito

Yeah, no problem.
It should make for a good workout.

63

Nene

Thanks, you two.

64

Nene

(Some of my classmates have already agreed to help design costumes and the set, which just leaves...)

65

Nene

Hey, do you guys know anyone who can write songs?

66

Akito

Write songs?

67

Nene

*Nod*
If possible, I'd like to have some original songs to go with our original script.

68

An

Oh, then, what about Toya?
He's really good at writing and arranging songs!

69

Akito

Yeah, he might be interested in writing songs for your show.

70

Nene

I see...

71

Nene

Thanks for telling me.
I'll try asking him later.

72

Toya

I see. Writing songs for a musical...

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73

Toya

Okay.
If you think I'm the right person, then I'll help.

74

Nene

R-Really?

75

Toya

It's going to be my first time writing songs for a musical, but it'll be good experience for me to broaden my skillset.

76

Nene

Thank goodness... I really appreciate it, Aoyagi.

77

Mizuki

Heh heh heh.
I couldn't help but overhear your guys' conversation.

78

Nene

Huh?!
A-Akiyama?

79

Mizuki

So, do you plan on making your own costumes for this musical?

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80

Nene

Y-Yeah, that's the plan...

81

Mizuki

Then, can I also join the team?!

82

Nene

Huh? That'd be huge, but are you sure?

83

Mizuki

Absolutely!
These kinds of costumes always include a bunch of frills and lace, so designing them should be a blast!

84

Nene

I see. Then, welcome aboard.

85

Mizuki

Yay!
Toya, I know we won't be working on the same stuff, but let's do our best!

86

Toya

Yes, let's.

87

Nene

(I didn't think this many people would agree to help...)

88

Nene

(Now I'm really glad that I went out of my way to talk to them.)

89

Nene

(But there's still a ton left to do.)

90

Nene

(For the sake of everyone who agreed to help, I have to keep on working hard!)

Next Chapter: Our Strengths Combined