───── at the agency ─────
───── at the agency ─────
Takao
Futami-san called us here right after practice… Must be something important.
Haruma
I hope she's not going to tell us the debut is off because someone doesn't know how to dance.
Norita
Norita
By the way, where's Kanae? He took off somewhere again early this morning… Work?
Emi
Good morning! It’s great to see you all, I have some good news!
Haruma
Emi
That's right! Your debut date finally got announced on social media! Also, everyone except Kanae has been set up with personal accounts as needed.
Norita
Whoa~ I gotta see this—lemme take a look...
Still can't believe I'll be debuting with Kanae soon…
Emi
And that means you absolutely can't slack off for the next two weeks, got it? Training continues right after the meeting, so let's give it our all! I believe in you!
The guys are still getting used to the schedule, but as they train, you can see some small progress. I think they'll be good enough by debut; the main thing is that they don’t lose their motivation.
Emi
Even if Hayashi-san isn't happy about it, I was right — simplifying the choreography was the move. Now they can focus not just on dancing, but on the other parts of the performance too.
Recording the song was the least of our problems. Haruma-kun still needs more practice, but it won’t be noticeable after production. Overall, we don’t need to worry about the vocals for now...
However, there's still one unpredictable variable... Kanae’s manager. If we look at everything he pulled last time, then soon—
Norita
Emi
Norita
Emi-san! This is insane!!! Did you know??? Kanae's dropping a new single!!!
Emi
Takao
Haruma
Norita
This is hella cool, of course, but won't this clash with our group's promo? Do you know something? You sure this isn't a mistake?
Emi
Ishida... Damn you. You didn't release this song so early last time.
Last time, Kanae releasing a single right after the group's debut totally overshadowed them in the rankings, especially with how sloppy the performance was.
I'm making sure the performance's as good as it can be this time but the fact that both releases are now scheduled for the same day...
Emi
I don't think this is a mistake. I'll talk to him a bit later. For now, the plan stays the same and today's rehearsal's still on, so let's get to work!
Well, of course it couldn't be that simple...
Emi
The main thing is, let's not panic.
God, this is a nightmare.
───── at the agency ─────
───── at the agency ─────
Norita
No way, no way, no waaaay!!!
Haruma
Hey, what are you so happy about? Hayashi-san is going to be busy with his solo career, and he won't have any time for rehearsals with us.
Norita
I know, I know! But just look at the promo photos on his socials!!!
Haruma
Takao
I hate to admit it, but it really feels like this was done on purpose...
Haruma
Agreed. Why announce his solo project right before our debut? Even the release date is the same! This was definitely done on purpose. Hayashi-san clearly doesn't want to work with us.
Norita
Hey, we don't know if this is even Kanae's fault! Maybe it's all because of his personal contract? It's probably a management decision.
Haruma
I don't care who's behind this. He's dropping his song the same day as we debut. You realize it’s pointless for us to compete with him on the charts, right?
Norita
Takao
Can't they just reschedule in situations like this?
Haruma
Well, there's no point in guessing, especially since practice is still on. For now, we'll just have to run through the choreography again without him.
Takao
Norita
Norita
The simplified choreo's definitely easier, and I'm trying my best, but what's the point if Kanae's not even training with us?
He wasn't at the morning run either... That sucks.
Not exactly thrilled about being stuck in a group with two kids.
Norita
Norita
Whoa, finally nailed that part without a hitch! It will be easier from now on.
Haruma
Phew, that's the first time we've landed the whole routine. Even Bakabane managed to keep up.
Norita
Takao
Yeah, that went much better this time~ Maybe Hayashi-san's brutal training actually paid off?
Haruma
I still have nightmares about that morning jog, Taka-chan, but maybe you're right.
Takao
Hmm, should we run through the song one more time?
Kanae
Norita
Takao
Haruma
Haruma
Hayashi-san, why did you skip our practice?
Kanae
My apologies, some urgent matters regarding my solo work came up.
Haruma
Takao
Hayashi-san… Why didn't you tell us about your solo announcement?… Isn't it a bit much to be promoting two releases at the same time?
Kanae
Due to my contract obligations, I am not permitted to disclose anything regarding my solo activities.
If you have time to worry about me, you’d be better off spending it on practice.
Takao
Haruma
Kanae-san… With all due respect, why are you being so rude to Taka-chan?!…
Norita
So he can't talk about it before the official release, even though we're in the same group?
Kanae
Let's run through the choreography one more time.
Norita
Kanae-san is right, we’re still a long way from his lev-
Haruma
Hayashi-san… That move isn't part of our routine.
Kanae
Norita
Wow, he danced so confidently that I didn't even realize something was wrong at first.
But for KANAE himself to make a mistake?....
Kanae
Takao
Alright… Shall we start from the beginning again?
Haruma
───── after practice ─────
───── after practice ─────
Norita
Yeah, that was really weird. First Kanae’s sudden absence, and now a solo release right alongside our debut… Something's definitely up.
I don't wanna believe Haruma, but maybe Kanae really doesn't care that much about the group thing?… Then why's he even doing all this? It's just so disheartening.
Emi
Norita, you're still here! Great work today, you were really on point. Brought some cold water, here you go.
Norita
Emi-san, thanks… I've been thinking… Kanae mentioned something about contract obligations during practice. Why is it so strict that he has to neglect the group?
Emi
To be honest, I don’t know all the details, and it’s unlikely I’m even supposed to. But Kanae’s contract for Ecliptic was signed on the terms that group activities wouldn’t interfere with his solo career.
Emi
Anyway, Akabane-san, this issue is just between me and Kanae. Don't let it get to you too much. I'll figure something out.
Norita
Emi-san, we've only known each other a month, and you've said that so many times already. Is that just 'cause you're the manager?
Emi
That too. But mainly because I want you guys to become a group people actually respect. I'd like to believe Kanae's not exactly thrilled about his solo work either, now that it's working against the group.
Norita
I see. Hope that's the case.
I'd like to believe that too, but even for me — his roommate — it's hard to tell what's going on in his head…
──── after practice, dormitory ────
───── after practice, dormitory ─────
Norita
After all this, I'm not as confident about us pulling it off, but Emi-chan believes in us, and I wouldn't want to let her down. It's just that Kanae hasn't talked to anyone since he did mistake with his moves and left without a word.
But he doesn't have any solo work tonight, so maybe I can talk to him and clear the air?
Norita
Takao
Haruma-kun, stop it, he's right to some extent.
Haruma
What? Takao, you know, you don't have to agree with him just because he's more experienced or older than us.
Takao
Kanae
If even your friend is telling you that it's a bit much, maybe you should stop and think instead of acting like a spoiled child.
Haruma
Or maybe you stop acting like such a buzzkill???
Kanae
It's called discipline and responsibility. But I don't think you're familiar with those concepts.
Must be nice being the child of a famous actress, having everything handed to you on a silver platter without having to lift a finger.
Haruma
Kanae
But keep in mind, if this were a real audition, you wouldn't have made it into the group.
Haruma
Hey! My mother has nothing to do with why I'm here! What does that even have to do with anything? I'm trying my best too! Though how would you know, you've been skipping half our rehearsals lately.
Norita
Yeah, the one about the mom was uncalled for.
Haruma
Sorry I can't be the perfect idol in my very first month!
Norita
I've no idea what could've happened here, but we need to do something about it.
Norita
Hayashi-san! Emi-san asked me to check something in the schedule with you, can we chat aside for a second?
Kanae
Haruma
Takao
Haruma
…I can’t believe he started lecturing me about my diet the very first minute we got back from practice.
So that beanpole gets to keep pudding in the fridge, but I’m the one getting lectured??
Takao
Sorry, Haruma-kun… I know you don’t gain weight easily, but I thought… maybe it would be for the better.
Even though sweets are basically your main source of energy.
Otherwise, you walk around in the mornings like a ghost.
Haruma
Haruma
Takao, you know me so well — I was worried you'd take that bore's side just because he's our leader.
It's sweet that you're so polite to your elders, but hey, even adults aren't always right. You've gotta stand up for your own opinion sometimes!
Takao
Yeah, you're right… It's just, it's harder to do so when something like this comes up.
I want everyone in the group to get along, but so far, nothing's really going as planned.
Haruma
Don’t worry, we’re doing our best, even that ginger mutt-
Takao
Come on, don’t call Akabane-san that!
Haruma
Takao
Haruma
Even he is trying in his own way.
Though I was worried that with Hayashi-san not around, he’d just start slacking off.
Haruma
What about that grump? If he's as good as he claims, he should be able to handle it.
And we’ll manage just fine without him! Trust me, Taka-chan~
Takao
Uh-huh, Haruma-kun, then we’ll do our best even harder too~
Haruma
Ugh~ I’m completely wiped out after all that training and arguing.
Takao
Hmm… Let me see if I’ve got anything sweet stashed away in my pockets…
Haruma
Wait, actually, I think I'll cut back on the sweets after all, since Taka-chan's worried about me~ Hmm…
Haruma
I heard about a nice place that serves low-calorie desserts.
Hmm, what was it called again… Miyabi Sweets? I think it's not far from our school. They had a signature kiwi mitsumame dish.
Wanna go try it together?~
Takao
Haruma
Takao
Oh, sorry, I was just lost in thought. Sure, let's go tomorrow after school?
Haruma
Haruma
All those painful memories of the places you've been to with him… I'll rewrite them into something better.
