Thank you for today.

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

Oh...

(They admire me...?)

Thank you very much...

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...

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

That's completely fine since you're the it girl. Fortunately, I was able to book you, so I couldn't be happier.

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

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

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

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

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

I'm sorry for being so late!

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

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

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

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

Oh...

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

What...?

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

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...

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

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.

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!

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

Everyone...

Thank you so much.

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

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”...

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

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

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

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

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

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.

You're welcome...? Seriously, when are you gonna learn to do things yourself? We're getting sick of having to play defense for you.

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

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

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

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.

We get that work is work. Still...

And you're okay with all this, Shizuku?

What?

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.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

...

Okay, this has been on my mind for a while now. Is there really any point in you being in Cheerful * Days, Shizuku?

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.

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

Oh...

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

But... I...

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.

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

I wish someone else were chosen instead of...

Oh, just stop.

...

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

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.

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

Yes, I understand...

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

...

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

But you...!

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...

I'm never going to forgive you for this.

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

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

But after that...

Things only got worse from there...

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

Not only that...

Shizuku?

It's okay...

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes, I agree with you there...

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

MEIKO...

Yes, I would like that very much.

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

Yeah!
I'll play the MC!

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

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

Maybe you should try answering some questions first, Minori.

What?!
But I'm really sure that we're gonna be asked that!