───── Emi's apartment ─────
───── квартира Эми ─────
Emi
Ugh... Is it morning already?
Emi
All this must have been just a weird dream, ha-ha.
I’ll open my eyes now and be back in reality... Right? Right?
Display clock: 06:12 [01/15/2052]
Emi
She covers her face with her hand, looking exhausted already.
Emi
Still can't believe all this is for real...
It feels like some divine power just decided to mess with me by making me go through all of this again.
Emi
Whether it was the second group back then or Ecliptic now... Nothing has gone the way I hoped. At least Ecliptic members aren't going to clubs behind my back... I hope...
How many times have I wondered what would've happened if I’d done things differently... And now I’ve actually been given a chance to fix what I messed up? How embarrassing, What am I, the protagonist of some cheap novel?
Emi
Although, usually those kinds of stories just have their protagonists spend their time fixing past mistakes or changing the ending of the whole story entirely…
Emi
As absurd as it sounds, since I’ve been given this chance, I absolutely have to fix everything I couldn't last time! I have nothing left to lose!
Emi
Yeah… Easier said than done, of course. Too many things happened when I wasn't around. I’ll have to nudge them toward the right decisions wherever I can.
Come to think of it, I didn't really get to know those guys that well, which is why I couldn't understand or figure out what happened back then, or how it all spiraled into the group disbanding.
Emi
Oh… I don't even want to think about it… Do I really have to go through all of this again?...
Emi
No way. I have to do something about this.
If I remember correctly… their training is supposed to start today... Can't waste my time! Even a small detail could have an impact.
But something has already changed a little since last time. That means something else could've changed too, right?
Display clock: 06:25 [01/15/2052]
Emi
Damn it, I’m gonna be late!
───── dormitory living room ─────
───── гостиная общежития ─────
Norita
Ugh… Ugh… It’s morning already.
I couldn't sleep all night... It’s all because of Kanae’s intense aura, being just a few steps away... Speaking of Kanae, WHERE IS HE?
Norita
Woah, it's this late already???? Gotta hurry!
Oh, the kids are downstairs having breakfast, so I’m not late yet. Great, great. Though it's kinda weird that Kanae isn't with them.
Norita
Morning, runts. Seen Kanae anywhere?
Haruma
We actually have names, you know. And no, haven't seen him — just started breakfast ourselves.
Takao
Maybe he left early? I think Futami-san mentioned something about Kanae having an individual schedule...
Norita
Well, of course a top idol like him's got his own schedule. Still, it's upsetting!
Hmm, I see, I see, right!! So our schedule starts a little later then?
Takao
Norita
Anyway, gives me a sec to get my head straight. Can't exactly be irresistible on an empty stomach, so guess I should grab some breakfast too.
Haruma
What a weird guy, one minute he's rude, the next he's being all friendly...
Oh right, Futami-san posted in the group chat that our first training session in an hour. Maybe Kanae-san's already at the studio practicing?
Norita
Takao
Akabane-san, don't choke on your sandwich… We won't get there any earlier anyway.
Norita
That must be Emi-chan here to pick us up~ I’ll go open the door.
Haruma
Norita
Takao
Oh! That’s why the room felt like it was missing something. Haruma, this is yours.
Haruma
Oh, right! That’s my collection of framed butterflies. There aren't many, but they’re all different and very beautiful.
Akabane-san, what you afraid of butterflies too?
Norita
Whaaat? Not at all! Come on, show me one.
Norita
Of course I'm not afraid of them! But why kill it and put it under glass?! That's weird!!
Haruma
Are you stupid? I don't kill them. But collecting them is my hobby. Butterflies don't live long, and I really love being able to preserve their beauty in a frame at home for much longer.
It's basically a photo of one of nature's many beauties, just way more precious. You like taking pics too, don't you, Akabane-san?
Norita
Yeah, but that's totally different.
Kanae
Wow, quite lively for so early in the morning.
Norita
H-HAYASHI-SAN?! We thought you’d already left…
Kanae
What? No, I just showered after my morning run. You’ll have to start doing the same soon if you want to stay in shape.
Norita
Morning runs sound like a total pain, but if we're doing 'em with Kanae...
Kanae
Since we have a trial session at the studio today, try to give it your all. You need to make daily practice a habit so you have enough stamina for the actual performances.
Dancing and singing at the same time for several hours isn't as easy as you might think.
Haruma
Hmm~ I can imagine. It can't be helped, we'll do our best to live up to your expectations, right, Takao?
Takao
Of course. It might look tough from the outside, but regular practice will help keep fatigue to a minimum.
Kanae
Exactly. That’s why consistency is key. We’re starting training together today.
───── dance studio ─────
───── танцевальная студия ─────
Kanae
Before we start learning the choreo, you should warm up and master the basic dance moves so you don't run into any trouble later on.
Since this is our debut song, I doubt the dance will be overly complicated, but we still need to prepare beforehand.
Let’s start with a simple warm-up: some light jumping.
Takao
This is familiar; we’ve done this kind of thing before.~
Norita
Kanae
Next up: side bends and squats.
Haruma
Ugh, my legs are starting to ache a little…
Kanae
Now: core exercises, planks, and push-ups.
Norita
Takao
Haruma
Takao
Haruma-kun, are you okay? Can stand?
Haruma
Uh-huh. Takao, you’re doing great, though~
Kanae
That won't do. Iwaki, take a short break and continue after that.
Norita
Serves that little guy right. Although, this warm-up is actually pretty exhausting, and we haven't even started the dancing yet.
Kanae
You need to master the basics before we start learning the choreography, and that’s going to be pretty soon, you don’t have much time.
Emi
There you guys are! Already practicing, well done!
Norita
Hey, Emi-san~ Whats up? We're just warming up.
Though some people are already wiped out by it.
Haruma
If you have something to say, say it louder!
Emi
Those two are still a long way from being friends.
Takao
Futami-san, what's with all those folders in your hands? Something about work?
Emi
That's right, Iwai-kun. I've brought you the schedule for the next two weeks, take a look.
Kanae
Perfect timing, Futami-san, thank you.
Norita
Wh- Every single day is already packed with trainings and lessons?! Insane.
Takao
Looks pretty hectic right from the start, but that was to be expected.
At the end of the day, we have to adapt to the industry's pace, not the other way around.
Haruma
Hmm, dance classes, singing lessons, acting, camera work, media training... Everything is scheduled down to the hour.
Norita
Well, at least we aren't starting at the crack of dawn, and we have a little free time in the evening.
Kanae
We'll use this time to improve your physical fitness. There will be a mandatory morning run and warm-up, much like today's, but more advanced. Same for the evening.
Haruma
Norita
Well, of course! That's literally what I was about to say!~ There's no such thing as too much training!
Emi
It looks tough, but once you get the hang of it, it'll get better. The more ready you are now, the easier it will be for you during and after your debut.
An idol's life isn't just about singing and dancing on stage; there are many things you will have to face on your journey, sooner or later...
Emi
Unfortunately, I can't just reveal the future to them for an easy path to their debut; they'd just think I've lost my mind.
Although all you really need to do is get along, avoid arguments, and stay out of trouble! Simple, right?
Emi
But a healthy mind and a strong body are the foundation that will help you get through even the toughest times!
Takao
I've never seen Futami-san look so serious before...
Haruma
Futami-san, you shouldn't scare your newbies like that. What if we run away?~
Norita
Sweet! But hurry up and decide on it already, you little runts, 'cause I'm staying~
Haruma
In your dreams, of course we're staying too.
Norita
Takao
Come on, guys, we've signed the contract, so no running away~ We'll give it our all, Futami-san!~
Emi
Glad to hear your fighting spirit is still high! Let's all do our best for your successful debut!
Emi
For the sake of a successful debut and everything that awaits us after.
It's okay, Emi, you'll do everything right this time.
Kanae
Great, now that the schedule is clear, let's get back to training. Same thing, second round. Let's start.
Everyone
