───── a few days later, Norita and Kanae's room ─────
── a few days later, Norita and Kanae's room ──
Norita
Hmm… Kanae skipped practice again today.
Isn't the point of a group to train together?
Hmm... His personal account's still posting promos for the new single, though. I'm hyped, of course, but it feels kinda unfair.
Norita
Woah! Hayashi-san, welcome back!
Kanae
Training with Ishida is far more exhausting. Ecliptic feels like child's play by comparison. I didn't even notice it had gotten dark...
I have to make sure both the solo and group stuff stays at the highest level. Futami-san says they train regularly, but I've still got a lot of doubts about Ecliptic.
Kanae
Norita
Kanae
Yes, yes, good evening, Akabane-san.
Kanae
Last time I practiced with them, that guy finally got through the choreo without stumbling, but on the very next run-through, tripped over his own feet again.
The others have their own weak spots, too. Sure, Futami-san keeps saying how well they're doing, and maybe some mistakes won't stand out to the audience, but…
Norita
Hayashi-saa-an… You haven't been to group practice at all lately, and the last one didn't go… so great. You sure everything's okay?
Kanae
Since you're asking, I'll be honest—it's not great. Especially your current level of skills. You haven't been slacking off while I've been gone, have you?
Norita
Wh-! Of course not! It just feels wrong practicing without the whole group. We've got some group moves in a choreo, and it's hard to do them with only three of us.
Kanae
Hate to say it, but that sounds like a skill issue. You need to perform your parts the same way as if I were there.
That's exactly what I mean when I say you're not ready. Usually, by the time a song is released, the choreo should be so polished that your body starts dancing on autopilot the second the music starts.
Which is not happening at the moment.
Norita
W-why are you so sure we’re slacking off?
We've been training without you for days. Maybe we've gotten better.
Kanae
"Maybe"? Doesn't sound very convincing.
Norita
Emi-san says we're almost ready, too!
Kanae
Almost' is the keyword there. Akabane-san, I don't think you get it. The pre-debut period exists for a reason: to get your skills ready. Once you debut, you won't have time for that anymore.
Kanae
If the debut goes well and we get enough attention, the group's going to get hit with a lot more work and way less time to hone the basics: staying in shape, learning choreo — sometimes for several songs at once — going back over old ones so they don't get forgotten, plus photo shoots, video shoots, studio recordings, TV shows, projects...
There are so many things you've yet to face.
Kanae
Once we debut, a weak performance isn't an option. All the viewers who become our fans, everyone who supports us and puts their hopes on us, we've got no right to let them down. We have to improve every single time, or the audience loses interest fast. For an idol, that's the end.
The sooner you get that, the better. Right now you act like you were dragged here against your will. Why did you all even decide to become idols with such a half-hearted attitude?
Norita
That’s… going a bit too far, Hayashi-san.
I get all that, but you made a mistake last time too! What if it happens again 'cause we're not training together?
Sure, you've got way more experience, but that doesn't mean you can't mess up!
Kanae
Ha—?? Akabane-san, you don't get to lecture me about my mistakes. And don't worry, it won't happen again.
But what about you? Can you be so sure you won't trip up?
Norita
You'll see, next group practice, I'll dance it clean, not a single mistake!
Kanae
Wow. That's quite the bold statement.
If you can prove you're good for more than just flashing that pretty face of yours, maybe I'll take back what I said.
Norita
Did he just... call my face pretty??
Kanae
But so far, it's been underwhelming.
My faith in this group fades a little more every day. And I actually hoped to find more success here than I did as a soloist.
Norita
Damn it. I wanted to get mad at him for everything he said. But now I can't even…
Norita
Tch! And I actually fell for his words and promised I wouldn't make any more mistakes!
After all this, there's no way I can fail!
I'll make him not only take it back, but actually praise me!
───── next day, in the dance studio ─────
──── the next day, in the dance studio ────
Norita
Kanae's a no-show again today, but maybe that's for the best. Not sure how I'd even talk to him after what happened.
And I'm still not sure I won't make mistakes. Which means I need to train even harder.
Looks like Kanae is free for a group practice tomorrow morning, so I've got hardly any time left...
Norita
The kiddos are doing alright, but Kanae already had a word with them earlier.
Norita
Morning, sleepyhead Haru, rise and shine! Takao, was he staring at his bugs all night again?
Haruma
Aaaaaah!! Shut up, Bakabane! Do you have to be so loud this early in the morning?!
Takao
Haha, he just hasn't had his sugar fix yet because we overslept.
Haruma, come on, don't fall asleep on me. I made you some sweet tea.
Haruma
Mmmph-hng-gh-eeeee~ Taka-cha-a-an is the best as alwa-a-ays~
Takao
Shouldn't have let you sleep in those extra 15 minutes...
Norita
Sometimes they look more like a married couple than just friends and classmates.
─── evening after practice, dance studio ───
───── вечером после тренировки, танцевальный зал ─────
Takao
Akabane-san, you not coming back?
Haruma
Idiots don't get tired that easily.
Takao
Haruma, come on, what did I tell you?
Norita
Mm, you guys go ahead, I want to practice a few more moves. Food's in the fridge, just heat it up yourselves.
Haruma
Oh man, I'm starving after all that. Let's go, Takao!
Takao
Don't overdo it, Akabane-san.
Norita
Norita
Alright, let's run through the whole thing from the top.
I need to drill those steps until I can do them without thinking, just like Kanae said.
───── a few hours later, in the hallway ─────
── a few hours later, in the hallway ──
Kanae
I'm wiped, but I really should run through the choreo a couple more times.
Futami-san said the others keep training regularly, but I have no idea how much I can trust her. Her idea of 'good' and mine are on completely different levels...
Kanae
All I can do now is, ugh, believe in them and hope for the best. I don't have time to help them anyway. Manager Ishida made sure of that...
Alright, one more run-through and then to bed-
Kanae
Hmm? Why are the lights on in the studio? Did someone forget to turn them off?
No, there's music playing, too. Is someone still training?
*peeks through the crack in the door*
Kanae
Akabane? Training at this hour? And all by himself.
Kanae
It seems my words resonated with him more than I expected.
He's moving with more confidence than before.
Kanae
Did he really need to hear the hard truth to finally get motivated?
Think I'll just go for a run in the park and practice the dance there.
───── next day, dance studio ─────
───── the next day, dance studio ─────
Emi
Good morning, everyone! It’s great to see you all here together!
Takao
Haruma
Good morning, Futami-san~
Norita
Emi
Akabane-san? Did you not sleep well?
Norita
Huh? What? No, no, I'm fine. Just forgot my coffee, that's all.
Kanae
Takao
Futami-san, he stayed in the dance studio longer yesterday after we left.
Haruma
Hmm, and still hadn't come back when we went to bed. I guess he suddenly got serious.
Takao
Even so, skipping sleep isn't a great idea, especially right before your debut.
Emi
Alright guys, I'll talk to him, thank you.
Emi
This is something new. Last time, they all ended up fighting because Kanae wasn't around, and Norita was the first to lose interest in training. Has something changed even without me getting involved?
If he really did put in extra practice yesterday after everyone else left, something must've sparked his motivation.
Emi
Except for that someone standing on the side, not saying even a hello. They used to at least exchange a few words before.
Emi
Okay, you guys are finally all together today, so let's lock in and get some good work done!
Takao
Haruma
Norita
Kanae
Emi
I'm glad the trio's morale is unexpectedly high, but something feels off. It's like the trio and Kanae are totally ignoring each other!
Though, they're dancing together with no issues.
Emi
Aaaaaah!!! What did I miss this time?! If something goes wrong, I'll be the last to know and won't be able to fix anything!!
I need to talk to Norita. He's the only one I can get any info out of.
Emi
Alright, y'all ready? I'm starting the music.
Norita
Even though I barely got any sleep, it feels like moving's gotten easier! I don't even have to think so hard about my next steps anymore.
Just gotta not stumble in front of Kanae now that things are finally going well.
Kanae
It seems those late-night practice sessions really paid off for him.
I have to admit, I underestimated him. His stubbornness, to be precise.
The others are still doing consistently well.
Kanae
Now I even feel a bit awkward for saying they weren't trying at all.
Plus, not talking at all makes things feel pretty awkward. Usually, I wouldn't care, but since this is a group, it’s different. The audience will notice right away if the vibe between the members is sour.
We can't keep going on like this, and it seems like they’ve finally started taking things seriously.
Norita
Heh, not a single mistake. So, Kanae, did we do well?~
Though, of course, it’s hard to imagine him ever admitting that out loud.
Emi
Great job, boys! You’re moving much more confidently and in sync today!
Akabane-san, could I have a word with you?
Norita
Hmm? Emi-san, something private? That’s unexpected. But I’m always game~
───── in the hallway ─────
───── in the hallway ─────
Emi
I won't beat around the bush... I noticed the atmosphere between you two was a bit strange today. Don't tell me you and Hayashi-kun had a falling out? He’s not talking to the others, either...
Norita
Well... yeah, to an extent, but I don't mind. Turns out Kanae is amazing even when he's angry. I couldn't even bring myself to be upset.
Though, to be fair, the little ones got a bit of it yesterday, too.
Emi
Emi
Wait, wait, what does "you don't mind" mean?
And what does "Beautiful even when..." mean? Anyway, never mind.
Norita
We had a bit of a spat, if you can call it that, but I'm sure I can handle it.
You were the one who said we needed to try our best and maybe Kanae would praise us.
Emi
Damn it, yeah, but I never actually asked Kanae about that. Aaaah, what do I do, what do I do?!
Norita
So I realized that it’s going to take a bit more effort. We might not reach Kanae's level by the debut, but we'll do our best to make sure everything goes perfectly.
I'm speaking for everyone now, but I think the little ones share this sentiment too.
Emi
Huh? Since when did Norita get so inspired? Especially considering they just had a fight.
You're holding something back, Akabane-kun.
Norita
I have noooo idea what you're talking about, Futami-san~
Emi
That jerk is definitely hiding something!! But it's hard to tell anything from his calm face. Am I really going to have to trust them?
Please tell me you'll make up by the debut. I can't send you out on stage with this kind of atmosphere in the group.
Norita
Don't worry so much, Futami-san, you saw us today yourself, we're doing just fine.
And besides, don't you know I'm a master negotiator? Of course I'll make up with Kanae if it makes you happy too.
Emi
He says that as if he didn't really intend to make up with him at all.
Emi
And the others, what happened with the others?
Norita
Oh, it's nothing much. Kanae caught a sweet tooth having their scheduled sugar snack right after practice the other day, and it just spiraled from there.
One word led to another, they said all sorts of things to each other, and now they aren't speaking. But there's not much I can do to help them there. You know how Kanae feels about diets.
Emi
Oh no. It's always something…
Norita
I think you've noticed yourself that both of them are quite stubborn, and everyone is on edge before the debut. We just need to perform well, and then, I think they'll make up.
Emi
I really want to believe that will be the case. But you! Sort things out with Kanae and no more fighting.
Norita
I wouldn't want to deny myself such a pleasure, but oh well~
Emi
God, what is even going on in his head?!
Actually, no, wait, I don’t even want to know.
Emi
Oh, and one more thing, Akabane-kun.
Good work, your dance skills seemed much better to me today.
I’d even pat him on the head if it weren’t for my contagious bad luck.
Emi
I’d like to say keep it up, but more importantly, don’t skimp on sleep. You’re going to need plenty of energy for your debut period.
Anyway, you… did a good job.
Alright, I’ve got to go! I’ll come back later to talk to Haruma and Takao, make sure to tell them!
Norita
Did Emi-chan actually praise me? Or did I imagine it, and was she just flustered?
Norita
