So, we'd like for you to all appear on iHaz as part of our “Feature the Future” mini segment...

Feature the Future...?

Based on its name, I assume it's the segment dedicated to introducing up-and-coming idols.

Yes, that's right.
We have idols who are currently trending to appear as guests and ask them about their personal lives.

And the one asking the questions will be, well... Cheerful * Days.

Yes, we heard...

Here's the script for that day.
It includes a list of questions that you can expect to be asked, so please try to have your responses ready by then.

Understood.

What...? Those questions are already in the script?! I was under the impression that everyone thought of those on the spot...!

Haha. I understand why you're surprised since some shows in fact don't have scripts... However, in general, we ask people to prepare their responses in advance.

By doing so, shoots go much more smoothly and our idols can talk freely without feeling too pressed.

W-Wow! I had no idea...!

I mean, I was always amazed by how everyone had all these interesting stories to tell. Now it all makes sense...

Hehe. I used to feel the same way about variety shows way back when.

We're all pretty used to this now, but I was just as surprised in the beginning, Minori.

However, please keep in mind that these questions are the ones you can “expect” to hear.

iHaz has earned its reputation for featuring raw and uncut conversations between idols. Surprise stories are always welcome.

So we're actually looking forward to seeing how you and the MCs interact.

Come to think of it, these sorts of segments don't always end up following the script...

Yeah. We should be ready to answer any questions that are thrown our way.

Then, we really do need to practice!

Hahaha. There's no need to feel so alarmed. You'll be talking to girls around the same age as you, so as long as we get to see you all having a fun conversation, our viewers will...

Hm?
Someone's at the door.

That must be our staff.
Would you mind giving me a minute...?

Yes, of course.

Sorry for the interruption.
There's plenty of snacks to go around, so please feel free to have more.

The producer seems like a really busy person...

Yes, and he's apparently in charge of a few other programs... Despite that, he took the time to meet with us.

I thought so when I read his email, but he seems like a really nice person. It's also reassuring that he's great at explaining things.

Me too. If our actual appearance also goes this well...

Excuse me, MORE MORE JUMP!
Do you have a minute?

Yes, of course... How can we help you?

So, they're shooting a variety show called “Princess's Brunch” in the studio just above us. They're taking a break right now and some folks from there came to say hello to us...

They're the MCs for the next iHaz... Cheerful * Days.

...!

Then, when we mentioned that MORE MORE JUMP! is here to meet with us, they said that they'd also like to say hi to all of you.

Say hi to us...?

Shizuku...

I'm aware that there's some history between you and Cheerful * Days, Hinomori. We heard some rumors through the grapevine not too long ago...

Which is why we were worried that you wouldn't accept our offer to appear on this program.

What...?

And yet, you accepted.
Which tells me that you've prepared yourselves for this.

...

Even if you don't speak with them today, you will when we shoot. So...

If possible, I'd like for you to all meet now instead of later. What do you say?

Um...

I agree...

I was actually hoping to see them as well, so if you don't mind...

Shizuku...

Is that okay with all of you...?

Oh, um... Y-Yeah...

Okay...

Then, I don't want to pull them away from the studio, so let's go to them.

They should be back upstairs now, so I'll show you all the way.

Wonderful. Thank you very much.

How's this? Is it good where it is?

Can someone fix that lapel mic?

Wow! This studio's so big...!
With a staff to match...!

Now that you mention it, we don't exactly belong here. Are we really allowed to enter?

I've already asked and received permission to show you around. Now, where did Cheerful * Days go...

Oh, hello. Are you here to see us?

Oh...

We know you're very busy, so the others and I decided to wait until later to speak with you again... Thank you very much for taking the time out of your schedule to do this.

(Arisa...)

...

Ah, hello.
I'd rather not force you to make the same trip twice. Especially since we asked you to sub in as the MCs on such short notice...

Please, don't mind us!
We're really happy about getting to appear on iHaz! We've been wanting to for a while now!

Yes, we have. Also...

We get to see a familiar face.

Yes...
It's nice to see all of you again. I'm glad to see that you're all doing well.

Likewise, Shizuku.
We watched some of your streams. You seem to be having way more fun than when you were with Cheerful * Days.

Um, well...

We can discuss that another time. For now, we're simply here to greet each other.

We're meeting as two different groups today, but I'm looking forward to appearing alongside all of you.

I know a lot happened between us...

But iHaz is pretty well known throughout the idol-fan community and has a very passionate staff onboard. So, I want to make the most of this opportunity.

So, Shizuku...
As short as the MORE MORE JUMP! segment is going to be, I want to do it right.

I'm going to give it everything I have, so I hope you will as well.

Oh!
U-Uhh...

Yes, we will.
We may be a bit rough around the edges since it's going to be our first appearance on TV as MORE MORE JUMP!

But we also plan to give it everything we have. We'll be looking forward to the conversation we're going to have during our shoot.

*Nod*

Then, for now, thank you all very much. We'll see you again during the actual shoot.

You as well, sir. See you then.
Now, if you'll excuse us.

Whoa...!
That... That really made my hairs stand up!

You can tell something fierce is hiding behind that smile of hers.

However, she was probably telling the truth...

I agree.
She seems to genuinely want the show to go well.

Which makes sense since she's in a group that's maintained its popularity for so long...

Which means we can't let our guard down. Let's prepare as much as we can leading up to the shoot.

Yeah...!

(The others seem determined to make sure our shoot goes well.)

(That means I also need to do what I can...)