A few days later
Stage SEKAI
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MEIKO
I know it's not going to be easy, so we'll understand if you feel a little nervous. However, we're very much looking forward to seeing your beautiful smiles on TV!
Shizuku
Right. They may've provided us with a script, but the producer did mention how surprises are always welcome.
Haruka
We don't know what the Cheerful * Days MCs are going to throw at us, so we need to be prepared to answer some unexpected questions.
Len
What were they like...?
It was your first time seeing them after you left, right, Shizuku?
It was your first time seeing them after you left, right, Shizuku?
Shizuku
We greeted each other like normal and agreed to do everything we can for our shoot...
Airi
I mean, they said some really awful things about you, Shizuku. The least they could do is apologize.
Airi
Still, it seemed like it was more or less all water under the bridge, which is good...
Shizuku
She has a very strong sense of responsibility and has this talent for pulling everybody in the right direction. Which is why when I saw that she had become the new lead, I thought she was the perfect person for the job.
Airi
Is something wrong...?
I'm flabbergasted by how you can praise her after she said all those atrocious things about you.
I'm flabbergasted by how you can praise her after she said all those atrocious things about you.
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Member A
Shizuku got another solo photo shoot for a magazine cover. This is clearly favoritism.
Member B
Yeah, I guess a pretty face is all they care about. We're clearly better at singing and dancing than she is.
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Shizuku
Not only that, but I always needed their help whenever we appeared on TV or did shows and such. I have a hard time saying that I was suited to be the lead.
Shizuku
Actually, why don't I take this opportunity to tell you more about what happened between me and Cheerful * Days?
Shizuku
If anything, I want you all to know. I believe this will help clear the air and allow us to properly prepare for our shoot.
Shizuku
I'm sure you already know this, but I joined Cheerful * Days after auditioning for them...
A few years ago
Talent Agency
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Shizuku
When I first joined this agency, I was billed more often as the “Grand Prix winner” as opposed to the new member of Cheerful * Days.
Shizuku
I remember being so busy too.
I was constantly asked to do interviews on TV and short segments for certain shows...
I was constantly asked to do interviews on TV and short segments for certain shows...
Shizuku
So, I wasn't able to meet the other girls who joined at the same time as me until much later... But it was a very memorable moment for me.
Producer
This is the most recent Grand Prix winner. Shizuku Hinomori.
Producer
She's a member of the third generation just like all of you and will be joining you on stage moving forward. I hope you'll give her a warm welcome.
Shizuku
H-Hello. My name is Shizuku Hinomori... I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.
Shizuku
I, um... Unlike the rest of you, I don't have any experience in the entertainment industry... But I'm hoping to learn what I can as we go along...!
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Group Members
Nice to meet you, Shizuku!
Group Members
This is a little odd since we're members of the same generation, but I've been following you on TV. I actually saw you earlier today! Let's do our best together!
Arisa
Hehe.
We're the same generation and the same age, so there's no need to be so formal.
We're the same generation and the same age, so there's no need to be so formal.
Arisa
You're wondering if we've met before, yes...? I was the runner-up in the Grand Prix just behind you.
Shizuku
Yes, I remember. You're Arisa Higure, yes? You're so cute, and such a good singer and dancer... You definitely left a big impression on me.
Arisa
Again, there's no need to act so formal here. After all, we're members of the same group. Also...
Arisa
I lost the audition, but I'm going to become a select member no matter what. So, I want you to also give it everything you have.
Arisa
Let's do our best to make it so everyone calls the third generation the best ever in the history of Cheerful * Days, Shizuku!
Shizuku
That was the first time I met everyone...
Arisa in particular was a powerful figure that I believe would be leading others someday.
Arisa in particular was a powerful figure that I believe would be leading others someday.
Shizuku
From there on, I began learning more about the entertainment industry while receiving a long list of offers.
Shizuku
Everyone was very nice...
We always had so much fun while waiting backstage or in the green room.
We always had so much fun while waiting backstage or in the green room.
Shizuku
Then, one day... We were told that we'd be releasing a new song. Something different and not in our usual genre...
Shizuku
The dance for it was much more dynamic than usual, which I struggled just to memorize... But the others also had a hard time.
Practice Space
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Group Members
*Sigh*
I'm exhausted!
The dance for this song's way too hard!
I'm exhausted!
The dance for this song's way too hard!
Group Members
Honestly, I'm struggling to just keep up. I don't even have the time to see what everyone else is doing... And this is the opening number for our show? How are we going to get through it?
Shizuku
(I knew this song wasn't going to be easy to learn, but the others are also struggling... And they're by far way better dancers than I am...)
Arisa
Hey, whining won't get us anywhere.
We have to get this completely down before our show.
We have to get this completely down before our show.
Group Members
*Sob*
We know that, but...
We know that, but...
Arisa
Alright, cheer up.
I mean, don't forget that we've overcome a lot as a group already.
I mean, don't forget that we've overcome a lot as a group already.
Arisa
So, why don't we all go out for some barbeque today? We've been practicing nonstop for a while now, so I think we deserve a little break.
Group Members
B-Barbeque?!
Yeah! Let's go!
Yeah! Let's go!
Group Members
Wait, you're still gonna practice?
But it's already getting pretty late.
But it's already getting pretty late.
Shizuku
I know...
But I'm not as good at dancing as the rest of you, so I need to practice more to keep up...
But I'm not as good at dancing as the rest of you, so I need to practice more to keep up...
Group Members
Wait, Arisa, what about barbeque?!
Group Members
We practiced so much today!
And I've got a huge craving for barbeque now!
And I've got a huge craving for barbeque now!
Group Members
But breaks are important too, right?
Shizuku's giving us the green light, so let's go stuff our faces!
Shizuku's giving us the green light, so let's go stuff our faces!
Arisa
Please don't push yourself too hard, Shizuku. We really don't want you to get injured in the process.
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Shizuku
(Since learning the dance routine as a whole has taken up so much of my time, I'm still struggling to master the details.)
Shizuku
(I can somewhat do the dance...
But at this rate, I won't look very good on stage.)
But at this rate, I won't look very good on stage.)
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Shizuku
I'll start again from the top and do what the dance teacher said. Move with grace and elegance...
Shizuku
And I'm not moving my hips very well for this part. I need to flow with the rhythm...
Producer
...
Staff
Huh?
Sir, what are you doing here?
Sir, what are you doing here?
Producer
Hmm...
You've been watching these girls for quite a while now. Tell me. What do you think of Hinomori?
You've been watching these girls for quite a while now. Tell me. What do you think of Hinomori?
Staff
What do I think...? She has this incredible aura. I mean, she outshined all the others during their first show.
Staff
And I love how she has this incredible work ethic. Also, she can also be a little clumsy sometimes, so I think that contrast makes her more appealing...
Staff
In that sense, she may end up garnering the support of the more hardcore fans as opposed to the casual ones.
Producer
Which is a problem...
Producer
Hinomori won the Grand Prix because so many people were compelled by her perfect looks. To them, she's a beautiful but delicate flower that can accomplish anything flawlessly...
Producer
As a result, she's received more media exposure than anyone else from the third generation. So, we can't afford to disappoint everyone.
Staff
But...
Producer
That's why we need to find a new way to bill her. If we don't, her fifteen minutes as the Grand Prix winner will be over before we know it.
Producer
Nobody wants to see Hinomori the clumsy girl...
Next Chapter: As Cheerful * Days