A few months later
Shoot location
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
TV Producer
Shizuku, excellent work!
Your aura was as brilliant as ever today! I can see why everyone admires you so much!
Your aura was as brilliant as ever today! I can see why everyone admires you so much!
TV Producer
Also, you've been very busy lately!
Your manager said the other day that he's having trouble juggling all the shoots you're being asked to do...
Your manager said the other day that he's having trouble juggling all the shoots you're being asked to do...
TV Producer
That's completely fine since you're the it girl. Fortunately, I was able to book you, so I couldn't be happier.
TV Producer
Yes, likewise!
Again, I know you're busy, so try not to push yourself too hard.
Again, I know you're busy, so try not to push yourself too hard.
Sound Effect: Play
Shizuku
(Not too long ago, I never would've imagined being in this sort of situation. It must also be because of the producer's...)
Practice Space
Sound Effect: Play
Group Members
Hey, Shizuku.
You had that shoot for that show today, right?
You had that shoot for that show today, right?
Group Members
Yeah, Shizuku, your popularity's going through the roof! The producer came up with such a good plan for you!
Arisa
I understand how you feel, Shizuku.
I mean, having to essentially put on an act every time does seem pretty daunting.
I mean, having to essentially put on an act every time does seem pretty daunting.
Group Members
But it's working, right?
I feel like everyone's been talking about the “mysterious but perfect Shizuku” lately.
I feel like everyone's been talking about the “mysterious but perfect Shizuku” lately.
Group Members
Yeah.
Your new persona's also probably why you've been getting so many offers.
Your new persona's also probably why you've been getting so many offers.
Shizuku
But that's all because the producer always prepares a script for me and you're all there to back me up. I always make so many mistakes when I'm on my own...
Group Members
What's wrong with that?
All your fans adore you because of it.
All your fans adore you because of it.
Group Members
Yeah.
It's not uncommon for people to play a character they've come up with.
It's not uncommon for people to play a character they've come up with.
Shizuku
But I'm really not sure how long I can keep this up... I'm afraid that the real me is going to slip out one day...
Arisa
I have to think that the producer's already taken that into consideration. Otherwise, I doubt he would've asked us to help.
Arisa
I'm going to be honest, I also wasn't sure about this plan at first. But, if you becoming more popular means Cheerful * Days gets more attention...then I have no objections.
Arisa
You know what they say. There's no such thing as bad publicity. Your popularity means the rest of the third generation also gets to enjoy the limelight!
Group Members
Yeah, Shizuku, don't worry. We'll be right there to catch you if we see that you're about to fall!
Shizuku
After that, they kept their promise and saved me every time I was about to make a mistake...
Shizuku
I found comfort in knowing that they were there for me and I was very grateful for that... However, at the same time, I felt incredibly bad for them and tried to do what I can to be “perfect”...
Shizuku
But I kept receiving more and more offers, and in time I had been asked to become the new lead...
Shizuku
Not long after that, everyone slowly began to change their attitudes towards me...
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Group Members
How many times is that now...?
I thought you asked the manager to keep this from happening.
I thought you asked the manager to keep this from happening.
Shizuku
We ended up going off-script today and I didn't know what to talk about... Thank you for always being there to help me.
Group Members
You're welcome...? Seriously, when are you gonna learn to do things yourself? We're getting sick of having to play defense for you.
Group Members
Shizuku, is it true that you're not gonna be in our next show...?
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Shizuku
I'm so sorry...
It just happens to conflict with this live broadcast I'll be doing...
It just happens to conflict with this live broadcast I'll be doing...
Shizuku
As much as I want to prioritize our shows, they told me that they couldn't make any casting changes after they set this date.
Group Members
We get that work is work. Still...
Arisa
You have the most fans out of all of us, Shizuku, and many of them were looking forward to seeing you during our next show.
Arisa
How do you think they're going to feel when they find out that you're not going to be there? They can't refund their tickets, you know?
Group Members
Then, do something. Make it so you can actually perform in our show.
Group Members
So, you're not gonna do anything?
What happened to being the lead?
What happened to being the lead?
Group Members
Okay, this has been on my mind for a while now. Is there really any point in you being in Cheerful * Days, Shizuku?
Group Members
You always leave early during practice to go do something else, while we work our butts off to make our fans smile during our shows.
Group Members
We didn't throw you all those lifelines just so you can keep appearing on TV and stuff.
Group Members
I know, right?
Seriously, what kind of lead are you? I've had it up to here with you.
Seriously, what kind of lead are you? I've had it up to here with you.
Shizuku
I'm sorry. I really am. And you're all right. I... I should've asked the staff sooner if there was anything we could do about this.
Shizuku
I've been wondering ever since I was chosen to be the new lead... Am I really cut out for this...?
Arisa
You were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the rest of us would do anything for, but you don't seem to care whatsoever about capitalizing on it.
Arisa
And guess what? You're right. You're not cut out to be the lead. I agree with what everyone else said too.
Arisa
We had to do so much just to protect your precious persona. And only you get to reap the benefits.
Arisa
Despite all that, I took it. We all did because we wanted to keep doing shows for our fans...
Arisa
You walk all over us like it's nothing... And now, even though you know how much it means to us, you're ducking out of our show...
Shizuku
I knew that what I was given could only be maintained with the help of those around me. At least, I thought I did...
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Shizuku
Which is why I wanted to give back to Cheerful * Days in any way that I could by working... I tried...
Sound Effect: Play
Group Members
Oh, is your outfit missing?
Probably because you appear in so few shows.
Probably because you appear in so few shows.
Group Members
Haha. Right?
You might want to remind the stylist that Shizuku Hinomori's actually going to perform today!
You might want to remind the stylist that Shizuku Hinomori's actually going to perform today!
Shizuku
I became so overwhelmed by my own business that I couldn't do anything for the others...
Sound Effect: Play
Arisa
You were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the rest of us would do anything for, but you don't seem to care whatsoever about capitalizing on it.
Shizuku
I had no right being the lead in the first place. Especially since I couldn't do anything for the others and ended up leaving the group...
Shizuku
So, since we've been given an opportunity to appear on TV alongside Cheerful * Days, I'd like to make the most of it.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
MEIKO
Although, I can't condone what they said or the way they took their frustrations out on you.
MEIKO
However, they're idols...
They were probably feeling quite a lot of pressure to succeed.
They were probably feeling quite a lot of pressure to succeed.
MEIKO
I hope this shoot gives everyone from Cheerful * Days a chance to understand how you truly feel.
Airi
Alright, now that we've had a chance to learn more about Shizuku's past, let's start practicing our responses to those questions.
Next Chapter: The Great Idol War!