Beach
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Airi
That's the thing.
At first, it was just business as usual, but they started coming in so fast partway through that we were having trouble keeping up.
At first, it was just business as usual, but they started coming in so fast partway through that we were having trouble keeping up.
MEIKO
<Yes, you're right.
This person said, “Airi sort of vanished from the airwaves after she left QT. I had no idea she was doing stuff online now.”>
This person said, “Airi sort of vanished from the airwaves after she left QT. I had no idea she was doing stuff online now.”>
MEIKO
<“Shizuku! Haruka! It's been so long!
This takes me back to when I was still an active fan. I'm subscribing to your channel right now!”>
This takes me back to when I was still an active fan. I'm subscribing to your channel right now!”>
Haruka
You received a lot of comments too, Minori.
This person said, “An A for effort!” And this one said, “This is my first time seeing this girl, but her dedication's really admirable.”
This person said, “An A for effort!” And this one said, “This is my first time seeing this girl, but her dedication's really admirable.”
Luka
<Also, look... Even though you've paused the stream, plenty of people are still commenting while waiting for it to resume.>
Haruka
Wow. Despite this being an incredibly long stream, some want to see everything we do during our “nearly 24-hour livestream” in real time.
Haruka
I know we're here to train, but we should also do everything we can to give our viewers the content they deserve.
Airi
We can only practice the dance routine for our new song when our viewers aren't watching, right?
Haruka
Then, why don't we try taking a video? That might make it easier for us to objectively analyze everything.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Airi
Shizuku, you're just slightly out of position! Try to keep that in mind when we shuffle around!
Minori
(This part's been giving me so much trouble... I've got to tense my supporting leg to keep steady and then...)
Haruka
(After this, Shizuku and I are supposed to swap positions. We almost ran right into each other the last time we practiced together in SEKAI, but...)
Shizuku
(Oh, she's making eye contact with me...!
Just like during the watermelon smashing activity...!)
Just like during the watermelon smashing activity...!)
Minori
(Wow! It's crystal clear that our training's already paying off! This is incredible...)
Minori
(I wanna learn how to do that too.
That means I have to keep doing everything I can for our solo show...!)
That means I have to keep doing everything I can for our solo show...!)
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Luka
<Yes, it really was!
What you showed us in SEKAI the other day was nice, but this was spectacular♪>
What you showed us in SEKAI the other day was nice, but this was spectacular♪>
Airi
However, there's probably still room for improvement, so let's see what the video can tell us.
Haruka
Right.
I'm curious as to how I looked just now, so let's all sit close and watch it together...
I'm curious as to how I looked just now, so let's all sit close and watch it together...
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Minori
It's so obvious when you watch it on video. And the part when you gracefully move your arm, Haruka, mine looks so heavy and clunky...
Haruka
Oh, for that part, I try to imagine myself gently reaching up towards the sun to pluck it out of the sky.
Haruka
Yeah. There are some tricks involved with doing that, such as engaging your core, but I'm sure you'll figure it out in time for our show as long as you keep practicing.
MEIKO
<I agree. You've improved so much since we met the other day. Even that big turn went really smoothly for you.>
Minori
But I know I still need to practice more and more, and how mistakes like these can't happen during our very first solo show!
Airi
That includes all of us, not just Minori. There's stuff for each of us to work on, so we'll need to do our best to make those fixes.
Haruka
So, what's our next step?
We could try breaking the routine into parts to examine things closer. How does that sound?
We could try breaking the routine into parts to examine things closer. How does that sound?
Shizuku
Oh, before we do, mind if I get something to drink? I sorta already ran through what I brought.
Shizuku
I was thinking about checking out that cafe nearby. Actually, why don't we all go there together...?
Minori
Oh, the place that was selling tropical juice? I've been wondering about it as well after seeing the sign they had out front!
Airi
If you're thinking about practicing by yourself, we'll be splitting up for individual work later, so there's really no need for you to push yourself right now.
Minori
Still...
I feel like I'm gonna lose my concentration if I don't work on it now. So, I'll go get some later!
I feel like I'm gonna lose my concentration if I don't work on it now. So, I'll go get some later!
Haruka
We can't force you to take a break, but you really should take a quick breather at some point. Also, we can go buy some juice for you...
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Luka
<Yes, it's nice to stop for a moment to actually do that. If I were over there with all of you, I'd probably have dived into the water already to celebrate how summery it is.>
Haruka
I definitely understand how you feel.
Yes, we got to ride on that banana boat, but we haven't really gone swimming yet.
Yes, we got to ride on that banana boat, but we haven't really gone swimming yet.
Haruka
Right. And now, she's probably working on everything we just mentioned about our dance routine.
Airi
Yeah, I get how you feel.
I mean, it's her very first solo show and it's just around the corner.
I mean, it's her very first solo show and it's just around the corner.
Len
<Oh, right. Out of all of you girls, Minori's the only one who hasn't done a show like that before...>
Airi
Exactly. And it's going to be a very special moment for her since your first time only happens once during your life...
Airi
On top of that, Minori's lifelong wish has been to become an idol, so this is her dream stage.
MEIKO
<Right...
And performing in a solo show is one of the most significant milestones for a new idol.>
And performing in a solo show is one of the most significant milestones for a new idol.>
MEIKO
<As such, I suppose it's only natural for her to want all the hard work she's put in up to this point to bear fruit.>
Shizuku
That reminds me of my first solo show. I remember how my heart began pounding so hard when I stood on stage that I was worried others would hear it...
Haruka
However, I also remember having a strong desire to sing and dance in a way that made it so everyone in the audience enjoyed the show.
Airi
Yeah, totally!
It's really hard to put that feeling into words, but it's completely unforgettable.
It's really hard to put that feeling into words, but it's completely unforgettable.
Airi
(Talk about a blast from the past...
I remember being so focused on making sure our show succeeded that I'd stay late to practice every single day.)
I remember being so focused on making sure our show succeeded that I'd stay late to practice every single day.)
Airi
(After we were done practicing as a group, I kept working on stuff, checking how I looked in the mirror and making fine adjustments because I'd convinced myself that absolutely no mistakes would be allowed.)
Sound Effect: Play
Airi
Sorry, guys...
On second thought, I'm gonna go check up on Minori! I'm sorta worried about her!
On second thought, I'm gonna go check up on Minori! I'm sorta worried about her!
Sound Effect: Play
Next Chapter: Peas In A Pod