───── dance studio ─────
───── Dance Studio ─────
Norita
Time has flown by so fast. Our debut is in just three days—I can’t believe it.
I’ve definitely been hitting the extra training sessions, but I need to push even harder until the very end.
Knowing Kanae and his high standards, even if I train until I drop, he’ll still find something to nitpick.
Norita
But I’ll have to make him praise me.
Norita
Hmm, for this move, the arm should be higher… Like this?
Mmm, yeah, that’s better.
Takao
Norita
Whoa, Takao and Beetle, what are you two doing here? I thought you went off to rest or do your homework?
Haruma
We’ve already finished everything; it wasn't that hard.
What kind of nickname is that…
Takao
Akabane-san, you’ve been staying in the dance studio long after our rehearsals lately...
We were just thinking, if you don't mind, maybe we could practice together?
Haruma
We could use a few more run-throughs ourselves. After all, the debut is just around the corner.
Norita
Heh~ Getting a little worried, kid? You’ve got experience in front of the cameras, don't you?
Haruma
Those are two completely different things. And no, I'm not nervous; Takao and I just decided to kindly keep you company.
Takao
But I am feeling just a little bit nervous, I suppose.
Norita
What do you have to be nervous about? You even performed on the same stage as Kanae during the audition show.
Takao
That's true, but back then I had nothing to lose, and I never expected to make it this far…
Norita
Hmm, but the fact that you were both selected by the participants for this group means that out of the three of us, you're the closest to his level.
Even if you didn't plan on it, there's no turning back now.
Takao
Well, I had no intention of backing down. And besides… someone would probably be happy if I kept going, so I need to give it my all~
Norita
Ooh~ Takao, turns out you're quite the rizzler. Is she your girlfriend?~
Takao
Takao
…Hahaha… Of course not, what are you talking about?
Haruma
Tch. Lohobane-san-senpai, let’s just dance already, we don’t have much time left!
Norita
Do you even respect your elders, or are you doing this on purpose?! I’m not talking to you.
Haruma
Hmm, respect has to be earned.
Norita
Takao
Alright, that’s enough... You two, I’m starting the music, get ready...
Norita
Tch, you got lucky, you jerk.
Haruma
Takao
───── in the hallway, by the dance studio ─────
── in the hallway, by the dance studio ──
Kanae
Ishida-san dragged out the shoot forever with his nitpicking again.
The others must have already returned to the dorm and are getting ready for bed.
I should probably head out too, I have work early tomorrow, but I need to run through the choreography or I’ll mess up the moves again. And that’s unacceptable.
Kanae
The debut is in just three days, and we barely see each other, let alone practice together.
Besides, we still aren't talking, which doesn't help. If we don't resolve this issue as soon as possible, the atmosphere in the group will remain terrible.
And that could negatively affect our debut and our group work as a whole.
Kanae
I’m so lucky to be in a group with such stubborn people. I just spoke my mind, and now I’m the one who has to fix everything.
Yeah, solo work is much easier in that regard…
Kanae
Is someone in the studio again at this hour? Is it Akabane again?
Haruma
Loser-bane, how come your legs are longer, but you’re still lagging behind at this part?
Norita
I’m perfectly on beat, maybe you’re the one rushing?
Takao
Alright, you two, let’s run through it one more time.
Haruma, you really are rushing just a little bit.
Norita
Takao
Akabane-san, you too. It’s really important to nail the right angle for your steps in this move. Pay attention to that next time.
Haruma
Well, who got served now?~
Takao
Come on, guys, aren't you tired yet?… I'm turning on the music, don't forget what I said.
Norita
Haruma
Kanae
Not just Akabane, but the others too…
Kanae
…They’re acting like five-year-olds.
Kanae
Futami-san wrote that they should have finished a while ago…
Kanae
I need to talk to them, but… I have no idea what to say.
No, I can't go unprepared. It would be too embarrassing.
Haa… But sooner or later, I’ll have to do it.
Kanae
Ugh, I'm not ready for this…
I'll go practice in the park again today.
───── later, Norita and Kanae's room ─────
─── later, Norita and Kanae's room ───
Norita
A-aa-aa-a~ I'm completely wiped out. All I've been doing these past few days is training until late.
Even the younger ones decided to join in today. I hate to admit it, but training together is way more fun than doing it alone.
Even if it is more emotionally draining thanks to some people! That pest, Haruma, is always looking for a chance to throw in a snide comment. As if he doesn't have plenty of his own mistakes!
Norita
Heh, but I have a feeling I've started dancing better.
Of course, the nerves about the debut haven't gone away. But now I'm even... looking forward... to it...
I still need to get Kanae to... praise me...
Norita
*quiet creak of the door*
Kanae
The hall was dark when I got back. No surprise, it's past midnight already.
Oh, right, I should talk to Akabane first. Since he's still awake, as usual.
I just don't get how he still has the energy to stare at his phone before bed after all that training.
Kanae
What, turning to the wall and not even looking at me? Is this some new ignoring strategy?
Fine, that actually makes it easier. I won't have to say something like that right to his face.
Kanae
Akabane-kun, listen... I've been thinking, and I realized that maybe I said a bit too much earlier...
Of course, most of what I said was true, but I was just trying to explain what the problem was to help the group.
Anyway, even though there's still a lot of work to do, I have to admit that you've at least started putting in a real effort.
Kanae
So... I guess I should give you a chance...
Kanae
Ugh… I completely forgot everything I wanted to say, and some pathetic nonsense just came out instead.
Alright, my point is still clear, but… Why isn’t he reacting at all?
Is he really that offended that he doesn’t want to talk at all?
Kanae
Akabane-kun… Say something, please…
Norita
Kanae
Kanae
And look who I was pouring my heart out to! I just want the ground to swallow me up…
Kanae
Do I really have to go through this humiliation again? Ha-aah…
No way. That’s enough for today. I’m going to sleep.
───── the next morning, dormitory kitchen ─────
── the next morning, dormitory kitchen ──
Takao
Come on, Haruma, wake up already. The sooner we finish our run, the sooner we can get back to training. Even Akabane-san has already left.
Haruma
Ngh… Even Taka-chan doesn’t love me anymore…
Takao
N-no, that’s not true. It just wouldn’t hurt to practice a bit more, I’m a little nervous.
Haruma
Taka-chan, you dance and sing better than Akabane and me combined. Don’t worry, we’ll be on stage together~
Takao
You’re exaggerating; we’re all still a long way from Hayashi-san’s level.
Haruma
Ugh… Let’s not talk about him. I’ve completely lost my appetite.
Takao
Don't be like that, Haruma, he is our leader after all.
Kanae
Takao
Ah! H-Hayashi-san, good mor-
Haruma
OH, LOOK AT THE TIME! Taka-chan, we have to hurry to our run, or Loserbane will start training without us!!
Takao
Haruma
Come on, come on, Taka-chan! We have so much to do, we need to hurry!!!
Kanae
And… they’re gone. I didn't even have a chance to open my mouth before Iwaki took off, dragging Takao along with him.
Kanae
It’s not like I meant to eavesdrop. But, as expected, he’s still unhappy.
Fine, I’ll see them later.
───── later at the studio ─────
───── later at the studio ─────
Kanae
It’s lucky that my solo work and the Ecliptic photoshoot are in the same studio. I’ll definitely talk to them after the shoot.
Iwaki seems to have realized I wanted to say something this morning, and he keeps glancing my way.
Kanae
Akabane is acting much calmer than usual, though we haven't spoken beyond a brief greeting. Still, he isn't actively trying to avoid me.
Ugh… If he hadn't fallen asleep yesterday, I wouldn't have had to spend the whole day thinking about what to say and how to say it.
Photographer
Great job, Ecliptic!! You’re really starting to look like true idols! Good luck with your debut!~
Ecliptic
Kanae
Kanae
?? Where did he go? And I don't see Iwai anywhere either.
Norita
They took off the moment the photographer finished talking.
Kanae
Norita
Hmm, yeah, it’s a tough case. That kid is especially stubborn.
So, Hayashi-san, is our joint practice still on for today?
Kanae
Is he trying to prove to me that he won't make any more mistakes after extra practice? I certainly hope so.
Of course. I’m looking forward to it.
Norita
I’m looking forward to it, too.
───── evening at the dorm ─────
───── evening at the dorm ─────
Haruma
I can't take this anymore, Taka-chan…
If he starts lecturing me during practice again, I’m going to…
Takao
Haruma, I think he just wants what's best for the group…
Haruma
Yeeeah… I guess so. Ugh, just thinking about it kills my appetite.
Kanae
So, I just need to keep reminding you about your bad habits to keep you in shape?
Haruma
Takao
H-Hayashi-san! How long have you been standing there?…
Haruma
Speak of the devil. Hmph!
Takao, let's go warm up before practice.
Kanae
Trying to sneak off again?
Haruma
Takao
Oh no, Hayashi-san has him cornered, Haruma can't escape!…
Kanae
Oh no, you don't. You aren't going anywhere until we talk face-to-face.
Haruma
W-what now?! I haven't even been eating that many sweets since you started complaining!
Kanae
"Not that much"? You shouldn't be having any at all. Do you have any idea how sugar affects your skin, not to mention your weight? I can give you all the details.
Haruma
What the hell has gotten into you!... You’ve been following me around all day just to lecture me again?!
Kanae
Following you?? I just wanted to talk, but you kept running away the moment I appeared on the horizon. Were you planning to keep that up until the debut?!
Takao
I feel bad for Haruma, but it’s hard not to agree with Hayashi-san on some points — we can’t just leave things as they are.
Haruma
Oh, really?! I just wanted to avoid unnecessary stress! Listening to the same old talk isn't going to change my mind!
You’ve completely lost your mind, it seems. That’s exactly why I’ve been avoiding you.
Kanae
Why does this keep happening? I wanted to clear the air, but one thing led to another, and here we are arguing again.
What was I even going to say to him? Everything is just a blur in my head…
Kanae
Haruma
What? I didn't catch that.
Kanae
I’m saying… S-sorry, I think I went a bit too far last time.
Takao
Haruma
Why the sudden apology? That’s the last thing I expected to hear from you after that whole lecture.
Kanae
For your information, I’ve been trying to catch you all day for that very reason.
Haruma
Kanae
Something like that. After our practice a week ago… I... I think I said a bit too much.
Haruma
Kanae
I shouldn't have assumed you were only here because of your mother's influence as an actress.
Haruma
Actually, that’s partly why I managed to get into the group so quickly and without any issues… But no one here needs to know that. Especially Kanae Hayashi.
Haruma
If it makes you feel any better, I've heard the same thing about myself more times than I can count throughout my life. I'm used to it by now.
No matter how hard I try or what I achieve, people just expect it because I'm the son of a celebrity.
Takao
Kanae
A lot of people enter this industry through unconventional paths in pursuit of quick fame. And many fail, never realizing that fame is a reward for hard work.
I saw the three of you practicing when I got back to the dorm late at night, so I want to take back what I said about you not trying hard enough. I’d like to believe that everyone in Ecliptic will prove themselves soon.
Kanae
So, let's give it our all for our debut and the future of the group. I'm counting on you.
Iwai, you should apologize too.
Takao
No, really! It's perfectly fine.
Haruma
Hmm, fine~ I'll accept your apology this time.
Kanae
Takao
It's so good that we managed to talk and clear up the misunderstandings~ I was starting to get nervous that the atmosphere between us would remain tense right up to the debut.
Haruma
Well, you just had to be a little less demanding of your charming juniors, didn't you, Hayashi-san?
Kanae
Haruma
Kanae
I only regret making unfounded assumptions. But I had no intention of apologizing for the facts.
Iwaki, you still need to rethink your diet and switch to healthy eating. I'll have to discuss this with Futami-san and oversee it myself, since we're living under the same roof.
Kanae
I suppose I'll have to help my charming, inexperienced juniors.
Haruma
Stop talking nonsense! Did you apologize just to ruin everything all over again?!
Kanae
Haruma
That sounds like a prison.
Kanae
You are so difficult to deal with...
Haruma
Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall.
Takao
I was just starting to be glad that everything was working out...
Takao
I think you two should revisit this conversation later. For now, let's focus on the debut!
We have today and tomorrow left to practice together as much as possible.
Hayashi-san, you don't have any solo work tomorrow, do you?
Kanae
Unfortunately, I have to be at the studio in the morning, but I'll join you after lunch. In any case, we have the whole evening ahead of us, so let's make the most of it.
