A few months later
Shoot location

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1

Shizuku

Listen

Thank you for today.
2

TV Producer

Shizuku, excellent work!
Your aura was as brilliant as ever today! I can see why everyone admires you so much!
3

Shizuku

Listen

Oh...
4

Shizuku

Listen

(They admire me...?)
5

Shizuku

Listen

Thank you very much...
6

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...
7

Shizuku

Listen

Oh, I'm sorry...
If I can help it, I'm trying to not refuse any offers...
8

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.
9

Shizuku

Listen

I see...
Then, I'll be looking forward to our next shoot.
10

TV Producer

Yes, likewise!
Again, I know you're busy, so try not to push yourself too hard.

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11

Shizuku

Listen

(My schedule really has been very full lately that it's dizzying...)
12

Shizuku

Listen

(Not too long ago, I never would've imagined being in this sort of situation. It must also be because of the producer's...)
13

Shizuku

Listen

Oh no! Look at the time!
I need to get to my lesson!
Practice Space

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14

Shizuku

Listen

I'm sorry for being so late!
15

Group Members

Hey, Shizuku.
You had that shoot for that show today, right?
16

Arisa

Listen

And you have to do that interview after practice, no? Talk about a tight schedule.
17

Shizuku

Listen

Yes, but...
I'm also glad that I'm being kept busy.
18

Group Members

Yeah, Shizuku, your popularity's going through the roof! The producer came up with such a good plan for you!
19

Shizuku

Listen

Oh...
20

Shizuku

Listen

But that's not who I really am...
21

Arisa

Listen

I understand how you feel, Shizuku.
I mean, having to essentially put on an act every time does seem pretty daunting.
22

Group Members

But it's working, right?
I feel like everyone's been talking about the “mysterious but perfect Shizuku” lately.
23

Group Members

Yeah.
Your new persona's also probably why you've been getting so many offers.
24

Shizuku

Listen

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...
25

Shizuku

Listen

Which is why I'm concerned...
Is this really the right way to go...?
26

Group Members

What's wrong with that?
All your fans adore you because of it.
27

Shizuku

Listen

What...?
28

Group Members

Yeah.
It's not uncommon for people to play a character they've come up with.
29

Shizuku

Listen

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...
30

Arisa

Listen

I have to think that the producer's already taken that into consideration. Otherwise, I doubt he would've asked us to help.
31

Arisa

Listen

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.
32

Arisa

Listen

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!
33

Group Members

Yeah, Shizuku, don't worry. We'll be right there to catch you if we see that you're about to fall!
34

Shizuku

Listen

Everyone...
35

Shizuku

Listen

Thank you so much.
36

Shizuku

Listen

After that, they kept their promise and saved me every time I was about to make a mistake...
37

Shizuku

Listen

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”...
38

Shizuku

Listen

Unfortunately, that didn't go well, and those around me became my crutch...
39

Shizuku

Listen

But I kept receiving more and more offers, and in time I had been asked to become the new lead...
40

Shizuku

Listen

Not long after that, everyone slowly began to change their attitudes towards me...

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41

Shizuku

Listen

I'm sorry for being late!
My other shoot went on longer than I was expecting.

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42

Group Members

How many times is that now...?
I thought you asked the manager to keep this from happening.
43

Shizuku

Listen

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.
44

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.
45

Shizuku

Listen

Then, the final nail in the coffin was...
46

Group Members

Shizuku, is it true that you're not gonna be in our next show...?

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47

Shizuku

Listen

I'm so sorry...
It just happens to conflict with this live broadcast I'll be doing...
48

Shizuku

Listen

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.
49

Group Members

We get that work is work. Still...
50

Arisa

Listen

And you're okay with all this, Shizuku?
51

Shizuku

Listen

What?
52

Arisa

Listen

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.
53

Arisa

Listen

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?
54

Arisa

Listen

What happens when they find out that you've put some TV offer before them?
55

Shizuku

Listen

I-I know this isn't good.
But...
56

Group Members

Then, do something. Make it so you can actually perform in our show.
57

Shizuku

Listen

But...
That other show airs very soon...
58

Group Members

So, you're not gonna do anything?
What happened to being the lead?
59

Shizuku

Listen

...
60

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?
61

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.
62

Group Members

We didn't throw you all those lifelines just so you can keep appearing on TV and stuff.
63

Shizuku

Listen

Oh...
64

Group Members

I know, right?
Seriously, what kind of lead are you? I've had it up to here with you.
65

Shizuku

Listen

But... I...
66

Shizuku

Listen

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.
67

Shizuku

Listen

I've been wondering ever since I was chosen to be the new lead... Am I really cut out for this...?
68

Shizuku

Listen

I wish someone else were chosen instead of...
69

Arisa

Listen

Oh, just stop.
70

Shizuku

Listen

...
71

Arisa

Listen

You always do this.
You never think for yourself and just do as you're told.
72

Arisa

Listen

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.
73

Shizuku

Listen

Arisa...
74

Arisa

Listen

And guess what? You're right. You're not cut out to be the lead. I agree with what everyone else said too.
75

Arisa

Listen

We had to do so much just to protect your precious persona. And only you get to reap the benefits.
76

Shizuku

Listen

Yes, I understand...
77

Arisa

Listen

No, you don't!
You have no idea what it's like for us to play second fiddle to you!
78

Shizuku

Listen

...
79

Arisa

Listen

Despite all that, I took it. We all did because we wanted to keep doing shows for our fans...
80

Arisa

Listen

But you...!
81

Arisa

Listen

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...
82

Arisa

Listen

I'm never going to forgive you for this.
83

Shizuku

Listen

I knew that what I was given could only be maintained with the help of those around me. At least, I thought I did...

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84

Shizuku

Listen

Which is why I wanted to give back to Cheerful * Days in any way that I could by working... I tried...
85

Shizuku

Listen

But after that...

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86

Shizuku

Listen

W-Wait... Where's my stage outfit...?
87

Group Members

Oh, is your outfit missing?
Probably because you appear in so few shows.
88

Group Members

Haha. Right?
You might want to remind the stylist that Shizuku Hinomori's actually going to perform today!
89

Shizuku

Listen

...
90

Shizuku

Listen

Things only got worse from there...
91

Shizuku

Listen

I became so overwhelmed by my own business that I couldn't do anything for the others...
92

Shizuku

Listen

Not only that...

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93

Arisa

Listen

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.
94

Miku

Listen

Shizuku?
95

Shizuku

Listen

It's okay...
96

Shizuku

Listen

Anyway, that's why I agree with what Arisa and the others said.
97

Shizuku

Listen

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...
98

Shizuku

Listen

So, since we've been given an opportunity to appear on TV alongside Cheerful * Days, I'd like to make the most of it.

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99

Shizuku

Listen

I have to make up for what happened back then...
100

Luka

Listen

I know it won't be easy, but I hope this clears the air between all of you...
101

MEIKO

Listen

Yes, I don't think either party was wrong in this case.
102

MEIKO

Listen

Although, I can't condone what they said or the way they took their frustrations out on you.
103

MEIKO

Listen

However, they're idols...
They were probably feeling quite a lot of pressure to succeed.
104

Shizuku

Listen

Yes, I agree with you there...
105

MEIKO

Listen

I hope this shoot gives everyone from Cheerful * Days a chance to understand how you truly feel.
106

Shizuku

Listen

MEIKO...
107

Shizuku

Listen

Yes, I would like that very much.
108

Airi

Listen

Alright, now that we've had a chance to learn more about Shizuku's past, let's start practicing our responses to those questions.
109

Minori

Listen

Yeah!
I'll play the MC!
110

Minori

Listen

U-Umm, so...!
What are your favorite foods?!
111

Airi

Listen

That's the first question you landed on after hearing Shizuku's story...?
112

Haruka

Listen

Maybe you should try answering some questions first, Minori.
113

Minori

Listen

What?!
But I'm really sure that we're gonna be asked that!
Next Chapter: The Great Idol War!