I'm Kohane's friend, Minori Hanasato! I've really been looking forward to meeting all of you today!

Thank you for having us!

You're more than welcome! Kohane told me all about you guys, so I've been looking forward to this day too!

Let's give today's practice everything we've got!

FYI, I'm not teaching you guys anything. We're just gonna have practice today like normal.

U-Understood...!

(Oh, it's the split-personality guy. But I guess we don't get Mr. Nice Guy today...)

What are you looking at...?

N-Nothing.

Hey, don't be so mean to them...

Don't worry.
Shinonome looks scary, but he's really a nice guy underneath.

Hey, what are you running your mouth off like that for?

B-But...

I agree with Azusawa. Akito says these things, but is really a nice person deep down.

So there's no need for any of you to feel scared.

O-Okay...

Geez...

Still, this is quite a surprise.
I didn't realize that you'd be bringing Hoshino here today, Azusawa.

Yes, we met when I was doing a street performance. After that, we started having lunch and even practicing singing together.

Wait, you two already know each other?

Yes, she's friends with Tsukasa's younger sister and is even in a band with her now.

Oh, him...

It's like we already all know each other!

By complete coincidence.

But is it true that you're an idol, Minori? What kind of stuff do you usually do?

Yes, I am! I'm in a group called MORE MORE JUMP! and we're currently focused on making videos and doing livestreams online!

We even got to help put on an event at an elementary school the other day. We played with all the students and put on a show for them!

Oh, that sounds really fun!

Wait, MORE MORE JUMP!
As in Haruka Kiritani's group...?

Yes, that's right...

I knew it!

You know Kiritani?

Yeah, I've known her forever. We've been friends, and rivals, for as long as I can remember.

Really?!
Does that mean you've known her since she was little?!

I'm so jealous...

Haha. It's no big deal, really.

But now I see...
You're the one she keeps talking about...

Me?

No, nevermind!

Anyway, I can tell you more about Haruka when she was little later.

When Haruka was little?!
Yes, please, absolutely!

Hehe. Oh, Minori...

Hey, let's get started already.

Oh, right!
You guys good to go?

Y-Yes...!

I'll try my best!

First, we'll have you watch us to get a sense of what our performances are like. After that, we're hoping that you'll be able to jump in with us for a few parts. How does that sound?

Okay, understood.

Alright, let's get started.

Yeah!

——！ ————！

————! ——! ————!!

...!

(Oh wow... I'm getting goosebumps just listening to them sing...!)

Whoa...!

She was really good when we went to the Seaside School, but Kohane's such an amazing singer...

(No, it's not just her.
They're all amazing...!)

♪——...

Okay, so that's about our usual.

Th-That was incredible...

I thought so too...!
It felt so powerful.

Haha. Thanks.
But some parts of it are still bugging me.

How?!
You guys sounded amazing just now...!

We can't be happy with just this.
There's still room for improvement.

Yes, I agree.

Shiraishi, you have a habit of rushing into the chorus, which is causing Azusawa to fall out of rhythm.

Sorry, my bad!
I promise to be more careful!

And it's good that you helped Azusawa out back there, but it also caused you to fall behind during the next part. Just keep that in mind.

Yup. Got it.

You're doing great for the most part, Toya, but your voice is sort of getting drowned out during the parts where we all sing together.

Yes, I've been noticing that too.
I'll make sure to work on my volume more.

You guys really don't mince words with each other, huh? We never talk like this in my troupe.

This feels like such a new experience!

Okay, wanna try singing all together now? No, wait, making you guys sing a song you don't know wouldn't exactly be fair...

Then why don't you try singing the song you'll be performing for the Fan Festival?

Oh, right!

Okay, I'll start us off.

————♪

Hey, we can't hear you.
You'll never reach the people in the back if you're this quiet.

You don't have to hold back here!

O-Okay! Like this...?

♪————! ♪————!!

Yeah, there you go! Much better!

(Shinonome is honestly a little scary, but he listens so closely and is willing to say what needs to be said.)

(He reminds me of Shiho in a way...)

♪~~~~...!

Oh wow, your singing voice is beautiful...!

Your pitch and tone are excellent too. If you raise your volume just a little bit more, I believe you'll have no trouble reaching everyone in the back.

That just leaves you, Hanasato...

——♪ ... ——♪ —— ——...♪

Stop.
You were late there just now.

That sort of mistake is gonna cause a domino effect that ripples across the whole song. You have to stop it during the next part.

You were slightly out of rhythm as well. Try to stay calm and listen for what the others are doing.

But I like how your voice is full of so much energy! If you can learn to sing from your gut instead of your throat, it'll probably sound much better!

O-Okay!

(This is incredible. They're giving me such good advice after singing for just a little bit. This is what Kohane's been doing all this time...?!)

(But I want to get better...!
I can't let their advice go to waste!)

Minori, how do you feel?
If it feels like too much, you can tell us.

Thanks, but I think I can do it!
Let me try that one more time!

Okay, how about we call it a day?
Great work today, everyone!

Thank you very much!

I learned so much!
It feels like I'm already a better singer after today!

You're kidding, right?

But I understand how you feel, Minori. We were all able to see and hear things that we normally wouldn't have been able to.

Y-Yeah. Thanks, you guys...

I'm glad we could help.
We'll be looking forward to the Fan Festival.

Yeah, we promise to be there to support you!

Hang on, does that include me?

Well, duh...
Did you forget that Kohane's gonna be performing?

So good luck, you guys!

Yeah!