So, you've already had your meeting...?!

Then, all that's left is the actual shoot... This is so exciting!

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!

Thanks!
We're gonna prep as much as we can leading up to it!

Which means...
We have to start brainstorming what could come our way.

Right. They may've provided us with a script, but the producer did mention how surprises are always welcome.

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.

Speaking of which...
You met with Cheerful * Days at the TV station, yes?

What were they like...?
It was your first time seeing them after you left, right, Shizuku?

Yes.
I was a little nervous at first, but I managed.

We greeted each other like normal and agreed to do everything we can for our shoot...

If I'm gonna be honest, that left a pretty bad taste in my mouth...

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...

Yes...

Also, about Higure... She became the lead after you left, right, Shizuku?

Yes, Arisa...

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.

Is something wrong?

Is something wrong...?
I'm flabbergasted by how you can praise her after she said all those atrocious things about you.

But I guess that's just who you are... I'd never be able to do that.

I'm saying this because she really is a hard-working person.

Also, I don't think they were wrong about what they said about me back then...

What...?

It always took me more time than the others to master new songs and dances...

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...

Oh, I'm sorry...
I didn't mean for you to all feel so worried.

No, it's just...
That must've been such an ordeal...

It was nothing, really...
I don't think it was me who had it tough, but rather...

Actually, why don't I take this opportunity to tell you more about what happened between me and Cheerful * Days?

What...?

B-But... Are you sure...?
Doesn't that mean you have to reopen some old wounds...?

It's okay...

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...

Alright...
If you're okay with this, we're listening.

Thank you...

I'm sure you already know this, but I joined Cheerful * Days after auditioning for them...

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.

I remember being so busy too.
I was constantly asked to do interviews on TV and short segments for certain shows...

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.

This is the most recent Grand Prix winner. Shizuku Hinomori.

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.

H-Hello. My name is Shizuku Hinomori... I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.

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...!

Nice to meet you, Shizuku!

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!

Yes, of course...!
Thank you very much!

Hehe.
We're the same generation and the same age, so there's no need to be so formal.

(Oh, that girl...)

You're wondering if we've met before, yes...? I was the runner-up in the Grand Prix just behind you.

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.

Really?
But that's coming from the girl with the most brilliant aura of all time.

Oh...
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

Haha. Sorry, I was just pulling your leg!

Huh? Um...

Again, there's no need to act so formal here. After all, we're members of the same group. Also...

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.

Let's do our best to make it so everyone calls the third generation the best ever in the history of Cheerful * Days, Shizuku!

Oh...

Yes, let's...!

That was the first time I met everyone...
Arisa in particular was a powerful figure that I believe would be leading others someday.

From there on, I began learning more about the entertainment industry while receiving a long list of offers.

Everyone was very nice...
We always had so much fun while waiting backstage or in the green room.

Then, one day... We were told that we'd be releasing a new song. Something different and not in our usual genre...

The dance for it was much more dynamic than usual, which I struggled just to memorize... But the others also had a hard time.

Huff... Huff...

*Sigh*
I'm exhausted!
The dance for this song's way too hard!

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?

(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...)

(Am I actually keeping up with them...?)

Hey, whining won't get us anywhere.
We have to get this completely down before our show.

*Sob*
We know that, but...

Alright, cheer up.
I mean, don't forget that we've overcome a lot as a group already.

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.

B-Barbeque?!
Yeah! Let's go!

Alright, let's go!
How about you, Shizuku...?!

Oh, I...

I'd like to go, but...
I really need to practice this routine a little more.

Wait, you're still gonna practice?
But it's already getting pretty late.

I know...
But I'm not as good at dancing as the rest of you, so I need to practice more to keep up...

Then, I'll join you!
I can't go knowing that you're going to be practicing!

Wait, Arisa, what about barbeque?!

We practiced so much today!
And I've got a huge craving for barbeque now!

Yes, but...

Don't mind me. Please go ahead.

I'd rather not keep you behind since you've already mastered it, Arisa.

No, I really haven't...
Some parts still definitely need work...

But breaks are important too, right?
Shizuku's giving us the green light, so let's go stuff our faces!

Alright, fine. Let's go...

Please don't push yourself too hard, Shizuku. We really don't want you to get injured in the process.

Thank you. I promise to be careful, so please go have fun.

*Sigh*
As unfortunate as it is that I can't join them, I need to keep practicing.

(Since learning the dance routine as a whole has taken up so much of my time, I'm still struggling to master the details.)

(I can somewhat do the dance...
But at this rate, I won't look very good on stage.)

So...

Let's keep trying!

I'll start again from the top and do what the dance teacher said. Move with grace and elegance...

And I'm not moving my hips very well for this part. I need to flow with the rhythm...

...

Huh?
Sir, what are you doing here?

Hmm...
You've been watching these girls for quite a while now. Tell me. What do you think of Hinomori?

What do I think...? She has this incredible aura. I mean, she outshined all the others during their first show.

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...

In that sense, she may end up garnering the support of the more hardcore fans as opposed to the casual ones.

Which is a problem...

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...

As a result, she's received more media exposure than anyone else from the third generation. So, we can't afford to disappoint everyone.

But...

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.

Nobody wants to see Hinomori the clumsy girl...