You deserve it! Break Time! - 4: For So Long, You've...

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1

Members

Shizuku, congratulations on becoming the lead!

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2

Members

I can't believe it...
It hasn't even been six months since she joined Cheerful * Days and she's already the lead.

3

Shizuku

Everybody, thank you.

4

Shizuku

I was very surprised to hear that I'd been chosen for this role too...

5

Shizuku

But I know that I'll have to keep doing my best to make sure our fans are happy with this.

6

Shizuku

There may be some growing pains at first, but I'm hoping that we can work together to get through them.

7

Shizuku

Let's keep making Cheerful * Days as exciting as it can be...!

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8

Program director

Shizuku, we've been looking forward to seeing you again! Our ratings have been booming thanks to you!

9

Shizuku

I'm just happy that everyone is enjoying this so much. Thank you for always having me.

10

Shizuku

...

11

Shizuku

(Today's talking points are about what I want to do as the lead of Cheerful * Days and the toughest parts of being an idol...)

12

Shizuku

(The script even has what I'm supposed to say...)

13

Shizuku

...

14

Shizuku

“I'm Shizuku Hinomori of Cheerful * Days. It's an honor to be chosen as the group's lead.”

15

Shizuku

“I have you, the fans, to thank for allowing me to become the lead. I promise to do everything I can to make this group more fun and exciting.”

16

Shizuku

“We'll be counting on your support.”

17

Shizuku

(This isn't me...)

18

Shizuku

(But I have to tell the fans and everyone else this, don't I...?)

19

Shizuku

(I have to be the person they want me to be...)

20

Shizuku

(As long as I'm the lead for this group...)

21

Shizuku

...

22

Shizuku

Can I really handle this...?

23

Haruka

Hinomori...?

24

Shizuku

Huh?

25

Haruka

Oh, I'm sorry.
Did I startle you?

26

Shizuku

Oh...! K-Kiritani...?!

27

Shizuku

Yes, I'm Hinomori.
It's so nice to meet you...!

28

Haruka

I'm Haruka Kiritani.
It's nice to meet you too.

29

Shizuku

It really is...!

30

Haruka

I never thought that we'd be on the same show together. I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now.

31

Shizuku

With me...?

32

Haruka

Yes, since you became your group's lead just after debuting.

33

Shizuku

Oh...

34

Shizuku

(But the reason why I was given this role isn't because of any particular talents I have...)

35

Shizuku

I'm really nothing special.
I'm just...

36

Haruka

No, you are.

37

Shizuku

Huh...?

38

Haruka

I saw Cheerful * Days perform a little while ago and you were the one that I thought shined the brightest then, Hinomori.

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39

Haruka

It felt pretty clear that you're the one that works the hardest out of everyone.

40

Haruka

Which is why I think you were the obvious choice to become the lead.

41

Shizuku

Kiritani...

42

Shizuku

Thank you...

43

Haruka

H-Hinomori? What's wrong?
Are you okay?

44

Shizuku

I'm sorry, it's just...
I'm a little scared is all...

45

Shizuku

I'm wondering if it's really okay for me to be the lead...

46

Haruka

No, I understand...
Cheerful * Days is a fairly large group, so being the lead does come with just that much responsibility.

47

Shizuku

Yes, I'm just so concerned...

48

Shizuku

Doesn't it ever bother you, Kiritani...?
All these expectations and all this pressure?

49

Haruka

Me? Well...

50

Haruka

I try to stay focused on what I need to do as the leader of my group, and how to meet our fans' expectations. I'm not sure that I feel that pressure though...

51

Shizuku

I see...
You're such a strong girl, Kiritani.

52

Haruka

No, I'm really not. I just genuinely love being an idol is all...

53

Shizuku

You love being an idol?

54

Haruka

I do. I've been enamored by them since I was little.

55

Haruka

I wanted to be just like them. I want to stand up on the stage and give hope to as many people as I can...

56

Haruka

My goal is to keep doing that and I really enjoy all of it.

57

Shizuku

Kiritani...

58

Shizuku

You really are amazing.
The best of the best. It's like you're shining even brighter in person than when I see you on TV...

59

Shizuku

I want to meet my fans' expectations too, but I'm not sure I can get myself to do what you do, Kiritani...

60

Haruka

I'm sure you can, Hinomori.

61

Shizuku

Huh?

62

Haruka

You thinking this hard about what you can do for your groupmates and fans means that you're trying your best.

63

Haruka

Being the lead means there will be added pressure and responsibilities compared to everybody else...

64

Haruka

But I'm sure you'll be just fine, Hinomori.

65

Shizuku

Kiritani...

66

Haruka

And please call me Haruka.
We're both idols after all.

67

Shizuku

Oh...

68

Shizuku

Then... Haruka...

69

Shizuku

Please call me Shizuku...
And let's keep doing everything we can!

70

Shizuku

(Haruka seemed like the perfect idol even back then...)

71

Shizuku

(Even now... She works so hard with us behind the scenes when the cameras aren't rolling, and treats her fans so well too...)

72

Shizuku

(She's the ideal idol that everyone wants...)

73

Shizuku

(But...)

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74

Shizuku

(It must be incredibly difficult to maintain that persona...)

75

Shizuku

Does she really always stay in character like that...?

Next Chapter: How to Enjoy a Day Off