Then, we'll go with this schedule.
I know it's still a bit early, but good luck with your solo show.

Thank you very much.

Alright, that concludes every meeting we needed to do before our actual show.

I'm sure we'll have to discuss things some more once we start rehearsing, but we should be able to focus on practicing for now.

Whoa!
Our solo show's really happening...
This is so exciting!

I'm excited too... I hope people will come to see us.

Hehe. That shouldn't be a problem. Take a look.

Wait, is that...?

The reservation list for tickets.
Despite not having sold any ourselves yet, we already have this many people waiting.

This many?!
So, the account you set up and the website Rui put together are really working?

I'm seeing quite a few newcomers here. That has to be pretty big.

However, we still haven't reached our goal... So, let's do our best and sell as many tickets as we can.

Yeah, let's do it!
This place is gonna be super packed!

Hehe.

Okay, break a leg.

Thank you!

Huh...?
That voice...

Hm?
Oh, it's you guys. What a coincidence.

Oh, Mr. Shindo!
Hello!

Hello.
You're not playing today, right?

Right. We just had a meeting regarding our solo show.

Ah, that's good to hear.
I saw on your account that you've all been hard at work. I take it things are going well?

Yes, they are. We were honestly pretty overwhelmed at first by everything we had to get done...

But we figured out a way and have been able to focus on practicing, so things have improved!

By the way, Mr. Shindo, are you here for work?

Yes.
I came to see one of our bands play today.

Huh?

You might be familiar with them.
They're called “Gimme!!”. They just debuted as indie artists with our label.

Wait... That Gimme!!...?

You know them, Shiho?

Yeah, though just that they mostly play around Yokohama and are pretty popular... I didn't realize they were signed to your company, Mr. Shindo.

Yes, they signed with us right around the time I met with your band. Today, they'll be playing here for the second time as we try to have them play more and more venues...

Would you like to stay and watch the show?

Oh, is that allowed...?

Yes.
They might just become your agency seniors at some point.

Th-Thank you very much!

They might become our seniors!
Hehe... This is so cool!

Slow down, Saki.
Let's watch and learn for today...

Yeah, you're right...!

(A band that's already made their debut...
I've had a chance to see STANDOUT play, but I haven't really seen any other professional bands live.)

(I wonder what they're like...)

They should be starting soon.

...!

♪————!!
♪————!!

Whoa...!

(Wow...!
So much power! It's like their music's sucking me in...!)

(This is who's signed to them...!)

(Their vocalist's voice...
It goes so well with their unique style...)

(This is incredible... It's like only her voice can make the sad parts come to life...)

(They're playing at a high level too...
So high that they'd put up a good fight against Iori and her band.)

(How long would it take for us to be able to put on this kind of performance...?)

Such presence...

(This is who they're looking for...
Bands like them are the ones they want to sign...)

...

Thanks for coming today, you guys!
And don't forget to join us for our next show!

Is something the matter?
None of you look all that excited...

Oh... Um, it's just...
They're really good is all.

Ah, yes they are...
And they've become pretty popular.

By the way... What struck you most about them?

I'll start by mentioning their high skill level. I thought they were very sound technically...

I thought they were very unique...
I liked how their style and the vocalist's voice meshed so well together.

Every professional band has those sorts of weapons in their arsenal.

For instance, Gimme!! possesses the qualities you just mentioned. They're a technically sound band with a distinctive style.

So...

Do you think your band currently has something that they don't?

...!
We...

Haha. I suppose I went a little too far.

Obviously, I don't think you're bad performers or anything. You in particular are an astounding bassist, Hinomori.

Thank you very much...

However, I'm sorry to say that you'll need more than that to have a chance at success.

And we won't be able to sign bands that we don't believe will become successful. After all, business is business.

...

So, if you're serious about going pro, I'd like for you to all think about how you can become successful and make full use of the weapons that you have.

Make full use...?

Wait, you're saying that we already possess those kinds of weapons...?

Yes, that's right.

First, the songs and lyrics you write. Both are well-liked by people your age.

Plus, you're able to produce both songs that revolve around darker themes and happy and fun ones.

...!

In time, you should be able to wield it to great effect. However, you'll need more than just that to really succeed as a band...

Right...

Then, what's our secret weapon...?

There's one more.
Which is...

Your youth...

Huh...?

Everyone in Gimme!! is on average about twenty-four years old. You have quite an advantage over them in that department.

Our youth...? Hang on...

Do you plan on billing us as a band made up of high school girls...?

Yes, I'd heard rumors that you preferred not to be billed as one...

...!
Then, why did you...?!

Like I just said...

You all have potential.
You produce good songs and keep improving as performers.

However...
It takes a lot to succeed in showbiz.

So you want us to take advantage of our “youth”?

Your age may not seem all that important from your point of view.

But it is to the public.

Take sports for instance.
Quite a few people out there prefer to watch high school or college baseball instead of the pros.

Getting to see youngsters do their best and make the most of their adolescence acts as a big hook for them.

So, why not take advantage of that?

There are countless bands out there striving to go pro. In order to climb the ladder and survive, you need to have some weapons up your sleeve, no?

...

Yes, we don't deny that fact...
But...

B-But that seems wrong, you know...?

Wrong? What do you mean?

I... I mean...

You should rid yourself of that kind of pride. If you wish to make your dream come true, you have to make a few sacrifices.

...!

(Wh-What do we do...?
This is all happening way too fast...!)

(We need to make use of whatever we can if we actually want to go pro... I get that...)

(I don't entirely disagree with what Mr. Shindo is saying...)

(He's not wrong, but...)

(Is that the right way to go...?)

...

(Right...)

We can't forget about what's most important to us...

You sound dissatisfied...

I understand how you all feel, but there's nothing wrong with using the weapons you have at your disposal...

If you need time to think...

No, we won't.

I have a feeling that we'll regret it if we do...

Hm...?