Shibuya Okuyama Building - Basement Hall
Stage
Saito
Slowly... Be gentle with it and... Stop! Okay, we'll lift it onto the stage from here!
Minori
Th-This Christmas tree box is so heavy...!
Stage Staff A
Ow, my arms...!
Stage Staff B
It's too heavy...!
Airi
I'll prop this side up, so let's just keep trying! Ready? One, two... Three!
Saito
We did it! Great work!
Once the lights get delivered, we'll put them together on the stage...
Once the lights get delivered, we'll put them together on the stage...
Saito
Ah, perfect timing! That must be them with our lights! Let's go pick up our delivery...!
Minori
O-Okay!
But this stage already has lights. Why do we need to borrow more from someone else...?
But this stage already has lights. Why do we need to borrow more from someone else...?
Airi
This is just the bare minimum.
We need more on the rafters and some extra spotlights if we want to make it feel like a real show.
We need more on the rafters and some extra spotlights if we want to make it feel like a real show.
Minori
Oh, that makes sense...!
Wow, look at all the lights over there...!
Wow, look at all the lights over there...!
Saito
These can really hurt someone if they were to fall on them, so please be careful! Don't carry too many at once if it feels too heavy!
Minori
Whoa, I've never seen a spotlight up so close... It kinda looks like a big bazooka...
Airi
Wake up, Minori! I need you to help me carry this!
Minori
Uh... O-Okay!
One, two...!
One, two...!
Reception
Haruka
Let's move that table here.
Two put together should be enough.
Two put together should be enough.
Reception Staff
Haruka! Shizuku!
P-Please, help...
P-Please, help...
Reception Staff
I was putting up this poster for the event and was just told by someone from the venue staff that we're not supposed to use this kind of tape...
Shizuku
Oh, you didn't try to use regular tape, did you...?
Haruka
That actually leaves behind some residue, so we should be using whatever tape they've allowed us to use. I'm pretty sure that was written in the agreement...
Reception Staff
I... I didn't know...!
I'm so sorry. I've put up so many already...
I'm so sorry. I've put up so many already...
Haruka
No, it's okay.
This is your first time and there's just so much to get used to.
This is your first time and there's just so much to get used to.
Haruka
Shizuku, I'm going to go help fix those posters. Can I leave you to set everything else up for the reception area?
Shizuku
Yes, I can do that!
I did this quite a lot when I was still in training, so you can count on me.
I did this quite a lot when I was still in training, so you can count on me.
Haruka
Thanks. I'll see you in a bit.
Venue entrance
Haruka
Okay, the posters should be all set...!
Reception Staff
Thank you so much, Haruka!
Haruka
You're welcome.
Anyway, we should hurry back since we don't have much time left.
Anyway, we should hurry back since we don't have much time left.
Haruka
(I had a feeling that we'd be running behind schedule...)
Haruka
(I thought we'd be okay since we didn't have any merchandise to worry about, but our staff's lack of experience is slowing us down more than I realized.)
Haruka
Shizuku, I'm back.
How are things over here?
How are things over here?
Shizuku
We're all done. It took a little longer than I was hoping, but we all pulled together and managed to make a nice reception area.
Stage Staff
Haruka! Shizuku!
If we don't start rehearsing for our show soon, we won't be able to stay on schedule...
If we don't start rehearsing for our show soon, we won't be able to stay on schedule...
Shizuku
Oh, is it that time already?
Haruka
Let's go, Shizuku.
We still need to talk things over with the lighting and sound techs.
We still need to talk things over with the lighting and sound techs.
Minori
Hnng... This light's so heavy...!
I didn't realize how hard it is to get these set up...
I didn't realize how hard it is to get these set up...
Airi
You're not tired already, are you?
We still have to rehearse after this.
We still have to rehearse after this.
Airi
Speaking of which, Shizuku and Haruka are here... Alright, let's start rehearsing!
Minori
O-Okay!
Minori, Haruka, Shizuku & Airi
MORE MORE JUMP!
Minori
“Hello, everyone...!
This is Minori Hanasato from MORE MORE JUMP!...”
This is Minori Hanasato from MORE MORE JUMP!...”
Minori
H-Huh? It went all quiet...
Saito
Stop!
Pause there please!
Pause there please!
Sound Technician
I-I'm sorry!
I faded out there by accident...!
I faded out there by accident...!
Saito
That's okay! Let's just settle down and try it again!
Sound Technician
But we're supposed to be rehearsing...
I should know what to do by now...
I should know what to do by now...
Lighting Technician
I apologize for switching lights at the wrong time too...
Shizuku
Please, don't say that.
We should be the ones apologizing for not giving you a chance to rehearse sooner.
We should be the ones apologizing for not giving you a chance to rehearse sooner.
Airi
She's right...
It's our fault for booking this place and making you guys rehearse like this on such short notice.
It's our fault for booking this place and making you guys rehearse like this on such short notice.
Haruka
Exactly. None of you are to blame.
So let's regroup and check everything from the top again.
So let's regroup and check everything from the top again.
Staff
Okay...
Minori
(Oh no...
They seem so disappointed...)
They seem so disappointed...)
Minori
(We've finished rehearsing but...)
Crowd Controller
If we let the line go this way, they'll spill out into the street so it might be better to break them into smaller lines...
Sound Technician
C-Can we go over that part once more?
Minori
(The staff seem so worried...)
Shizuku
Um, Airi, I have a feeling that everyone's a little tired right now... How about we all take a little break...?
Airi
Yeah, especially since we've been at it nonstop since this morning.
Airi
Sorry for the delay, everyone! I think it's high time we all took a break, so please take an hour to get yourselves some lunch and rest up!
Haruka
They seem really concerned...
Airi
Yeah, this isn't looking good.
Shizuku
Should we all sit down and discuss what's going on? Nothing good will come out of us fretting like this.
Minori
Yeah...
Haruka
I'm sure you're tired too, Minori.
Sit tight. I'll get us something to drink.
Sit tight. I'll get us something to drink.
Airi
Yeah, the ones we brought are all gone now, so I'll head up to the vending machines with you.
Minori
(What do we do...?
Isn't there anything I can do to help...?)
Isn't there anything I can do to help...?)
Staff A
I never realized preparing for an event was this hard...
Minori
(Oh, they were the ones helping us put stuff together...!)
Staff B
Yeah, hearing about how Haruka and the others were in trouble made me want to volunteer...
Staff B
But it feels like I'm not really doing much... Almost like I'm hurting more than helping...
Minori
Oh no...!
Staff A
I'm gonna go use the restroom. I'm guessing we're going to be really busy once our break is over...
Staff B
Yeah, I'll go too...
Minori
...
Minori
(They were tearing up too...)
Minori
(They're here to help us, but we made them feel this way...)
Haruka
And they have to work incredibly hard. They're the ones who move all the heavy equipment, set everything up and move around thousands of people at a time.
Haruka
By agreeing to have this person help us, we'd be making them “work” instead of having fun, no...?
Minori
(This is what Haruka was talking about...)
Minori
...
???
Sorry I'm late!
Morning club activities went on longer than I expected...
Morning club activities went on longer than I expected...
Minori
Huh?
???
Oh! Hi, Minori!
Minori
It's you...
Minori's Fan
Y-You're Minori, right?!
I can't believe it!
I can't believe it!
Minori's Fan
I am sure! I'm your fan, Minori!
Would it be okay if we shake hands...?
Would it be okay if we shake hands...?
Minori
You're the one who asked to shake hands with me, right?!
Minori's Fan
Y-Yes!
I can't believe that you remember me!
I can't believe that you remember me!
Yuina
Um, my name is Yuina Uchiyama!
I'm really looking forward to working with you today!
I'm really looking forward to working with you today!
Minori
Yuina? It's nice to finally know your name! But wait... You're working with me today...?
Yuina
Yes, I applied at the last minute to participate as staff for this event.
Minori
What? R-Really?!
Yuina
Really! I was busy with club activities this morning, but rushed over to help with what I could this afternoon!
Minori
Oh, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule like this...!
Minori
B-But are you sure about doing this?! Being staff for an event like this is probably a lot harder than you expect!
Yuina
Is it really that hard?
Minori
Yes... Even now, we're behind schedule and scrambling to figure things out...
Yuina
Then, I'll just have to try my best...!
Minori
Huh?
Yuina
The way you shouted out to me during your last show stream gave me the courage to try harder for club.
Yuina
That's why I want to return the favor, Minori. You helped me so I want to help you!
Yuina
I don't mind if it ends up being really hard! I'm happy as long as I know I'm helping you!
Minori
Yuina...!
Minori
(That's right...)
Minori
(They're willing to endure all this if it means supporting us...)
Minori
(That means I...!)
Minori
Yuina, thanks again for coming out today! I'm gonna head off for a little bit, so please wait for me in the hall!
Yuina
What?! Where are you going, Minori...?!
Haruka
So I'm thinking about gathering everybody in the hall after we've all had something to eat...
Haruka
I feel like we should talk to them and get them to relax since they seem to be worried right now.
Shizuku
Yes, that sounds good.
It'll also be good to look everything over with the lighting and sound technicians again.
It'll also be good to look everything over with the lighting and sound technicians again.
Airi
Alright, we can also try talking to them individually during the break... Hm?
Airi
What's going on? They're all moving toward the hall for some reason.
Shizuku
Look! Isn't that Minori on stage with a mic?
Haruka
What...?!
Minori
(I'm going to spread and inspire hope in everyone with this event. That includes all the staff here too...!)
Minori
(So...!)
Minori
“Everyone! Please allow me to thank you again for joining us here today!”
Minori
“Being able to put together an event with you like this is so incredible!”
Minori
“But I also know that things haven't been going as planned. It's probably more work than some of you expected...”
Minori
“And I'm sorry for making you guys worry so much...”
Minori
“Unlike Haruka, Shizuku or Airi, I've never done an event like this before, so I'm not really sure how to ease this tension...”
Minori
“But that's not gonna stop me from trying...!”
Minori
“I'm still positive that we'll be able to put on an amazing and unforgettable event as long as we work together!”
Minori
“You all made your way out here today just for us...”
Minori
“And that gave us an enormous boost of power!”
Minori
“So as long as you're there to lend us your strength, we're going to try more and more and more! We're not stopping until it's over!”
Yuina
Minori...
Minori
“I know it won't be easy, but I'm sure we can do it! We'll be fine as long as we work together!”
Minori
“No matter how high a hurdle we face is, we're going to clear it! That's MORE MORE JUMP!”
Staff
Yeah, I think I was fretting over not being able to help out as much as I thought...
Staff
Me too...
I got so anxious about having to get all this done...
I got so anxious about having to get all this done...
Staff
We don't have much time until the curtains go up. Let's refocus and see this through...!
Airi
Looks like Minori beat us to it...
Shizuku
Yes, she's always there to push us in the right direction when we need it.
Haruka
But we're not letting her take all the credit.
Haruka
Let's get back to work and finish this!
Next Chapter: My First Meet & Greet