Beach
Airi
(Okay, let's see how Minori's...)
Minori
Huff... Huff...
Minori
Careful of what your fingertips do... Stretch out your arm like you're about to pluck the sun out of the sky...
Minori
Hmm... I'm still not getting it right...
Is it because of how I'm moving my arm?
Is it because of how I'm moving my arm?
Minori
Haruka made it look so pretty, but it feels so clunky whenever I try to do what she did...
Airi
(Oh, she's still worried about the part during the chorus...)
Airi
(Out of all of us, she really has the best work ethic...)
Minori
Okay, one more time...
Airi
Hey, Minori. Working hard?
Minori
Huh?! Airi?!
You're back already?!
You're back already?!
Airi
I got a bit worried, came back to check and saw that you were practicing...
Minori
Y-Yeah...
It's our very first solo show, so I really don't want to disappoint everyone who's coming to see us.
It's our very first solo show, so I really don't want to disappoint everyone who's coming to see us.
Minori
So, I thought that I should do everything I can to prevent that!
Airi
I see...
Minori
Oh, I know!
Would you mind taking a look at this part, Airi? It's been giving me a lot of trouble.
Would you mind taking a look at this part, Airi? It's been giving me a lot of trouble.
Minori
Also, if you could tell me about anything else you think seems off...
Airi
Sure, but...
You know I can be pretty tough, right?
You know I can be pretty tough, right?
Minori
Y-Yes, I know! I'm prepared for anything!
Airi
Hehe. In that case...
Show me!
Show me!
Minori
Okay!
Minori
And lock my arm into place...!
Airi
(Yeah, not bad...
Her arm's in a nice, visible position. Must be because she worked on it so much on her own.)
Her arm's in a nice, visible position. Must be because she worked on it so much on her own.)
Minori
Next, move like water flowing along...
Airi
(This is the part she's worried about the most. When we're supposed to stretch our arms up towards the sky during the chorus...)
Airi
(Huh? What she just did. It looked like...)
Minori
Like this?
I'm trying to stretch my arm out more and more...
I'm trying to stretch my arm out more and more...
Airi
...
Minori
So, that's where I'm at...
How'd it look?! Did I do okay?!
How'd it look?! Did I do okay?!
Airi
Well, you have everything down in terms of the actual dance routine...
Minori
I do?!
Airi
But your presentation leaves a lot to be desired.
Minori
What?!
Minori
But...
I thought I had it right...
I thought I had it right...
Airi
I'll give you that you've been working really hard, Minori. You've been trying to figure out what you're doing different as your dance and make changes accordingly, which is admirable.
Airi
However, just copying what we do isn't always the right answer.
Minori
Huh...? Copying what you do...?
Airi
Ah, you must've been doing it subconsciously.
Airi
Regardless, you seem to be heavily influenced by the way Haruka dances...
Minori
Oh...
Minori
J-Just now, I thought about how pretty Haruka looks when she does that part...
Airi
Oh, you...
Airi
You're just like me when I was just starting out.
Minori
Huh? Like you, Airi...?
Minori
Does that mean you've also tried copying others?
Airi
Yeah, but in my case, I did it deliberately.
Minori
Really...?!
That must mean you were trying to copy someone who was really good.
That must mean you were trying to copy someone who was really good.
Airi
Actually...
I'm not so sure about that.
I'm not so sure about that.
Airi
If anything, I might've been the better one at singing and dancing.
Minori
Huh?
Then, why did you...?
Then, why did you...?
Airi
Probably because she possessed something that I didn't...
Minori
Something that you didn't possess...?
Airi
Yeah, for the longest time...
I always wanted to be an idol who shined on stage.
I always wanted to be an idol who shined on stage.
Airi
But that was when I'd just become a trainee...
Airi
I thought I'd punched my ticket...
I got an audition to become an idol trainee and believed I was on my way towards achieving my dream.
I got an audition to become an idol trainee and believed I was on my way towards achieving my dream.
Airi
I ultimately passed and began thinking, “Just watch! I'm gonna become the best idol!” Then, everyone started paying attention to this other girl.
Photographer
Okay, that should do it.
This one looks really nice.
This one looks really nice.
Airi
Thank you very much.
I'll be looking forward to working with you again!
I'll be looking forward to working with you again!
Airi
(I had no idea that you took promo pics like this...!)
Airi
(I practiced in front of the mirror a ton last night, so I sure hope it did turn out okay. As much as I'd like to ask, a rookie like me probably isn't in any position to...)
Young Staff Member
Did you hear about the girl that won the Grand Prix for the Cheerful * Days audition? The one for their third generation.
Mid-level Staff Member
Heard and saw.
She's absolutely gorgeous and has this amazing aura about her. I have a feeling that she's going to get to do some modeling or acting work on top of being an idol.
She's absolutely gorgeous and has this amazing aura about her. I have a feeling that she's going to get to do some modeling or acting work on top of being an idol.
Young Staff Member
You think so too?!
She's doing a shoot here tomorrow, right? I can't wait to meet her.
She's doing a shoot here tomorrow, right? I can't wait to meet her.
Airi
(Oh, I knew that they were auditioning, but didn't realize someone like her had won...)
Airi
(Cheerful * Days is this agency's flagship group, so winning the Grand Prix has to mean that she's out of this world...)
Female Staff Member
Hey, did you see that girl from Cheerful * Days? Grand Prix winners just have this thing, you know? I mean, she was head and shoulders above all the other trainees!
Airi
...
Airi
(Today's shoot was supposed to be about the trainees... And yet, all this commotion about...)
New Staff Member
Shizuku Hinomori, right?
I made sure to immediately memorize her name after I heard the news! I'd also love to meet her, but do you think she's still here...?
I made sure to immediately memorize her name after I heard the news! I'd also love to meet her, but do you think she's still here...?
Female Staff Member
She's still practicing at the theater, so you should still be able to see her. I'm sure you'll know who she is just by her incredible aura!
Airi
(Oh, the theater's just right there...)
Airi
(If we're both aiming for the top, we'll probably end up becoming rivals. Also, if she's garnering this much attention already, I should try seeing her at least once.)
Airi
(Alright, in that case...!)
Cheerful * Days Theater
Airi
(Here I am...)
Airi
(Are they taking a break right now?
I ended up deciding to sneak in for a quick look, but where is this Hinomori girl...?)
I ended up deciding to sneak in for a quick look, but where is this Hinomori girl...?)
Airi
...!
Airi
Is that the girl who won...?
Airi
(Whoa... It's hard to believe someone like her even exists...)
Airi
(It's like she's radiating with beauty...
She really is nothing like the others...)
She really is nothing like the others...)
Airi
(Can I really make it...?)
Airi
(Is it possible for me to survive in a world with people like her in it...?)
Airi
(No, this is day one. Why am I being so negative?)
Airi
(This isn't about if I can or can't make it...)
Airi
(Being an idol is all about having heart!)
Airi
There you are! You must be Shizuku Hinomori! The winner of the Grand Prix for that audition, right?
Next Chapter: Do It Like You Would