The Festival Begins![]
Everything's ready. The school idols are here!
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Story 1 |
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| Rin: Where is everyone?
Hanayo: Seems like Eli and Nozomi are working on student council duties. Hanayo: Stare... Nico: Honoka and Umi are helping Kotori make costumes. Rin: But... You'd think that Maki at least... Nico: She said she needed to put the finishing touches to the song for the festival. Hanayo: The School Idol Festival's almost here, huh? It seems everyone's busy getting ready. Rin: Ugh... It's no fun when everyone's busy! Nico: Yeah, it looks like just the three of us are coming to practice today. Hanayo: What kind of practice can we do with three people? Should we sing? Or dance? Rin: It doesn't matter! How about we dance for now? Hanayo: Yeah! All right. Let's start our warm-ups. Nico: No good. You two are no good! If I had to give you a score for your attitude, it'd be zero! Hanayo: Zero? Rin: Bu-but why? We're trying to practice, so why would you give us a zero? Nico: When you say "I guess we should practice," then there's no sense of purpose. There's no feeling in it. Hanayo: No sense of purpose... Nico: That's right! Every school idol in the country is preparing for the festival. They're constantly improving their technique. We need to step up our game! Rin: Improving every technique... You mean they're working hard on their singing and dancing? Nico: Of course singing and dancing are important, but they're not everything. There's still one area where we're lacking. Hanayo: An area where we're lacking? What is it? Rin: I've got it. I think it's funny faces! Nico: Whether or not we make funny faces has nothing to do with being a school idol! Hanayo: Should we make scary faces, then? Nico: That's not it, either! Rin: Oh! I've got it. We need to make strange faces, right? I'm the master of strange faces, you know. Watch. Hanayo: Ah... Oh! Rin, you really shouldn't make that face in front of other people... Nico: Hey, stop it! Knock it off! Rin, if the public saw that strange face, it would ruin our image! Rin: But isn't it good to have one member of the group be a little unpredictable? Nico: Rin, you're totally predictable! Rin: No, I'm not. Hanayo: If it's not funny faces, or scary faces, or strange faces at all, then... Rin: Angry faces! Nico: Like I said, you're wrong! Get off the subject of faces already! What I'm trying to say is, it's our posing! Rin: When you say "posing," you mean striking a pose, right? Don't we already do enough of that during dance practice? Hanayo: I wonder if we should pose like models. Nico: Got it? The live atmosphere is very important to school idols! Rin, Hanayo: Live atmosphere? Nico: That's right! We school idols don't appear on TV, so when people come to our shows, they meet us for real. Nico: That's why when you're in a Live Show where anything can happen, you have to be able to react quickly and cutely. Hanayo: That's right... Of course, you know just about everything about school idols, Nico! Nico: Make sure you write this down. Hanayo: OK! React quickly and cutely... Rin: It's OK to make strange faces and poses in front of the other members of µ's, but you don't really want to be strange in front of fans. Nico: You've got it. During the School Idol Festival, I'm sure we'll be asked for many interviews, so now is the time for special training. Hanayo: Special training? I'll do my best! Nico: Today's mission is posing. Pose prettily at all times! Let's learn some school idol poses! Together: Yeah! |
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Story 2 |
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Rin: Speaking of posing, what kind of pose is good? 
Nico: First, you should think about the situation you're in. If you do that, you should find it easy to move. Rin: Huh? I don't really understand... Can you show me what you mean, Nico? Nico: The roar of the waves... The smell of the sea... I've been walking on the beach. Nico: Walking barefoot on the sand... It's just a little prickly on the bottom of your feet... But that gentle stimulation feels lovely... Hee hee. Nico: Just then, on the other side of the beach... I see an outline of you. Is this what they call "fate"? Rin: Oh, I get it! Hey, I've got one. Hanayo, pose like you just dripped broth from some soup on your clothes! Nico: Hey! I'm not finished yet! Hanayo: Um... A pose like I've just dripped soup broth on my clothes... All right! Hanayo: Oh... The soup broth dripped... Rin: Hanayo, you're so cute! The way you grabbed the hem of your skirt is just adorable! Nico: The pose itself isn't bad, but we need to prepare some situations that are more appropriate for school idols. Rin: I thought that was a more school-like situation than walking on the beach... Hanayo: You're up next, Rin. Um, how about trying to drink water after practice? Rin: Huh? But, wouldn't I just look like I was drinking water? Rin: G-glug, glug? Nico: That just looks forced. Rin: Fine, you try it then, Nico! Nico: Oh, you're done practicing? Surprisingly, I just finished too... I think I need a drink of water or something... Nico: If you'd like... You could join me... at the faucet... Hanayo: Nico, that's... Rin: That looks unnatural in a different kind of way... Nico: Th-that's not true! Hanayo: Oh, what if we use a camera to take pictures of these poses? Rin: That's a great idea! Then we can study the pictures to improve. Nico, you go first. Nico: Sure! Make sure you watch and use me as an example. Hanayo: OK, I'm taking pictures! Nico: Nico-Nico-Ni! I'm your eternal idol, Nico Yazawa. Nico: Having so many people taking my picture. I'm a little nervous. But if it makes you all happy, then I'll do my best. Hanayo: All right! Great job, Nico! Rin: Hee hee... I bet that Nico looked very cute. Nico: Hee hee... I bet you're right. Rin: Show us the photos, Hanayo! Hanayo: Sure, just a moment... OK... Oh! I'm sorry... I don't think I'm very good at taking photos... Rin: Oh... They're all blurry... Nico: Wh... Ah... It's fine. It may not stay on the camera, but at least my cuteness will stay in your memories. Nico: Thinking of the photographer's skills, maybe I should move just a little slower during the festival. Hanayo: You were really cute, Nico! Hmm... Rin, you should go next! Rin: Um... OK, be myself... Jump! Rin: Let's work hard together at practice today! Yeah! Hanayo: That was great! Very refreshing! Rin: Heh heh... I'm blushing... Nico: It was all right. You need to project cute, right down to your fingertips. Put some effort into it, and get cuter and cuter. Rin: Get cuter and cuter? Um... Is it even possible to become that cute? Nico: Don't ask "is it possible?" Just be cuter! Have some confidence in yourself, already. Rin: OK, got it! Next time, I'll try harder! Nico: Last one left is Hanayo. Hanayo: Pl-please be nice. Nico: It's not just standing up straight; you also need to twist your back more! Hanayo: Like this...? Rin: Hanayo, that pose is really cute! Hanayo: Wow... Thanks! I'm really happy, but I'm also a little embarrassed. Rin: You're even cute when you're embarrassed, Hanayo. Nico: This isn't really a situation where you can be embarrassed. At the School Idol Festival, we'll have a bigger crowd than we've ever had before. Hanayo: Oh... Um, I'm sorry... Nico: ...It's fine. You can take that shyness and turn it into a weapon, Hanayo. Have some self-confidence. Hanayo: Yeah... Nico.. Thank you. Hanayo: I wasn't aware just how important a pose can be. Practicing posing is important, huh? Nico: You can change an impression with just one pose, you know. I want us all to be a little cuter, and we'll take another round of photos. Rin: All right! Next, let's try a bigger variety of poses! Hanayo: Yeah! I'm going to try lots of poses and do my best! |
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Story 3 |
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| Hanayo: Is everyone busy again today? It's almost time for practice...
Rin: I'm already sick of posing with Nico... Nico: You're sick of it? Looks like I'll have to be a bit more strict in teaching you, then. Rin: Hey... I don't want to be the only one working overtime! Honoka: Phew, I'm beat! Rin: Hi, Honoka! Hi, Umi! Hanayo: Are you done helping Kotori with the costumes? Umi: Well, we're done with our part, but... Hanayo: But? Umi: Kotori's still working hard. She said there's some unfinished business she has to take care of herself. Nico: Unfinished business? I bet she's raising the hemlines again. Umi: I don't know... There's a lot we don't really know about making costumes. Rin: We always leave most of the costume creation to Kotori. Honoka: Kotori's amazing! She can do such detailed work. I still can't even thread a needle... Rin: Hey, you should practice with us! Umi: Haven't you already started practice? Nico: We did some posing lessons. Honoka: Posing? Hanayo: Like this pose... Rin: And this pose... It was a lesson on poses. Honoka: Oh... Hanayo and Rin, you two are adorable. So cute! Umi: But, Hanayo... Why do you look so troubled in that pose? Hanayo: Oh, this? This is my "I dripped soup broth" pose... Umi: Why would you... Honoka: Of course, in a school idol Live Show, and in photos, everyone will be able to get into a perfectly cute pose. Hanayo: Well, Nico said we should work on expanding our repertoire for the School Idol Festival. Rin: You can't be unprepared. You have to be perfect, right down to your fingertips. Hanayo: School idols should always be able to get into a cute pose at any time. Nico: Sounds like you two have learned the secrets of posing. Honoka: I get it, I get it! So we should practice this too... Oh, but I think Umi's already set. Umi: Why do you say that? Honoka: Because you're always looking in the mirror and secretly practicing your poses by yourself. Umi: Y-you saw that, Honoka? Rin: Umi practices idol poses in secret? I want to see that! Umi: Not a chance. Honoka: But your poses are always so cute, Umi! You should show them off. Especially the one that's like, "ka-bam!" Umi: Honoka! Honoka: Eep! Umi: You can't say anything more about it. Got that? Honoka: A-all right! All right... Please, just stop making that scary face at me, Umi! Umi: Well... It's because you keep talking... Nico: You may be embarrassed now, Umi, but you're in high spirits during a Live Show, so I don't think you'll be so worried about posing. Hanayo: That's right! I'm sure that during our Live Shows, your poses and facial expression are perfect, Umi! Umi: That's... But... I'm a school idol... It's only natural... Honoka: Yeah, that's it! We're school idols! Rin: ...Hmm? ...Huh? I hear footsteps. I think someone's coming. Eli: Sorry to keep you waiting! Rin: It's Eli and Nozomi! Nozomi: Sorry we're late. Our student council work is finally done. Eli: All right, let's get this practice started! Nozomi: Wait... Maki and Kotori aren't here yet? Maki: I'm sorry, did I keep you waiting? Umi: Maki! Nico: Are you done with the finishing touches for the festival song? Maki: Yeah. The song's complete. Now all that's left is for everyone to song and memorize it. Rin: I want to hear it now! Maki: I really want you to hear it now, too. Is everyone here? Eli: Um... Kotori's not here yet. It's past our start time, so maybe she's not coming? Kotori: Pant... pant... Honoka: Kotori! Kotori: S-sorry to keep you waiting... |
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Story 4 |
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| Eli: Great. You're just in time, Kotori. We were just about to start practice.
Nozomi: What's in the paper bag, Kotori? Let me guess, is it our School Idol Festival costumes? Kotori: Yeah. Thanks to Honoka and Umi's help, I've finished all of our costumes. Here. Rin: Whoa! Hanayo: S-so cute! Maki: These costumes fit the song perfectly! Umi: Kotori, are all the finishing touches complete, too? Kotori: Well... Honestly, not quite yet. But they're almost done. I thought I could just be the official cheerleader for today's practice. Honoka: So, you're not going to practice in practice today? Kotori: Right. I thought I'd put on the finishing touches while cheering everyone on. Eli: Kotori... That's unacceptable. Kotori: I'm sorry, Eli. I really thought I'd have these completely done for today's practice... Maki: ...That's not it. That's not what Eli's talking about. Kotori: ...Huh? Eli: I wasn't saying it's unacceptable that the costumes aren't done yet, I was saying that you not practicing with us is unacceptable. Eli: It's not an issue of practice running late, it's an issue with the overall mood. Shouldn't we start a new song with every member together? Maki: That's right. It's the song that I just finished. Won't you please sing it with us? Kotori: Yes... Definitely! Nozomi: Besides, if Kotori isn't here, then µ's is down one cuteness supervisor, isn't it? Nico: Huh? But... I think I have more than enough cute to make up the difference. When it comes to cuteness supervisors, I should be more than enough. Hanayo: Nico... Nico: I'm just kidding! Kotori and I are different kinds of cute, after all. Without Kotori, we'd be in trouble. Kotori: Everyone... I think everyone's much cuter, but hearing you say that makes me happy. Hee hee... Kotori: Thank you. I'll jin everyone from the start of practice. Umi: That's great. I'm relieved. Honoka: Hey, Kotori, you said that the costumes were finished, so what part of them isn't finished yet? Kotori: Well... On the backs of the costumes, this part right here... I haven't finished it on everyone's costume yet. Honoka: The backs of the costumes... Maki: Is that... everyone's... names? Kotori: Yes. In order for the festival to be a success, I thought I'd embroider everyone's names here as a sort of good luck charm. But it's taking longer than I thought it would. Nozomi: That's wonderful! Of course, the embroidery is great, but it's the thought there that makes me the happiest. Kotori: And above the names, I was going to add "µ's." I think I could have it finished in another hour. Eli: All right, how about we all work on embroidery before practice, then? Kotori: What? ...Really? Eli: If we all work on it, then it shouldn't take an hour, right? That would be more efficient. Nozomi: That's right. Then we can sing our new song in our new song in our new costumes. Maki: I agree. I can help with embroidery. Rin: I really want to help... But I want Hanayo to help me. It looks difficult. Hanayo: Hee hee, that's fine. We'll work on it together, Rin. Nozomi: Eli, be careful not to hurt yourself with the needle like you did last time. Eli: I-it's fine! Nico: If you're having trouble, I can help you out.I'm always sewing little things, I like hems. Nozomi: Hee hee. I wouldn't have expected that to be one of your skills, Nico-cchi. Umi: Let's get started. Honoka: Yep! Honoka: Now they're all finished! Kotori: Thank you, everyone! It was just a random idea, but in the end, everyone helped. Kotori: But I think that everyone helping with the embroidery will help strengthen the good luck charms. Eli: Being a school idol isn't something that's done alone, after all. Nozomi: I think these costumes should also be blessed as good luck charms. Nico: Nozomi's always carrying things like that. Nozomi: It has a divine blessing. Maki: That's right. If Nozomi says it, then I'm sure it has to have a divine blessing. Eli: Maki... has gotten quite honest lately. Maki: I-I was just saying what I was thinking. It doesn't mean that I've changed at all. Umi: Hee hee. That's so you, Maki. Honoka: Song is ready, costumes are ready... The only thing left is for us to practice! Right? Nozomi: Just a little longer until the School Idol Festival. I'm nervous, but I'm also excited. Hanayo: We have to work hard on our singing and dancing... Eli: I agree. Let's practice hard and finish this up. Eli: ...All nine of us, of course. Kotori: Yes! |