Trio Trials![]
µ's splits into three groups. We'll make it through!
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Story 1 |
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| Honoka: You think that's enough practicing for today?
Kotori: Yes. We don't want to overexert ourselves and get burned out. Hanayo: The next performance is right around the corner... Kotori: I'm excited but a little nervous at the same time. Honoka: I'm just happy we get to perform again! Kotori: This is a very unique event, too. Everyone's performing in teams of three. Honoka: Yup, and with you and Hanayo by my side, I'm super confident! Hanayo: Do... Do you really mean that!? Honoka: Huh? Hanayo: It's only going to be the three of us up there... The thought of it makes me feel so... so helpless. Kotori: All our performances so far have been with all nine of us. Honoka: Err... That's true. Kotori: You think everyone else is practicing, too? I'm starting to get really anxious. Hanayo: S-Stop! We can't lose before it's even begun! Kotori: Hanayo, are you all right? You seem really on edge. Hanayo: I-I-I-I'm FINE! You just have to know your enemy inside and out before you take them on! Kotori: Enemy!? Honoka: Hanayo, who do you think we're fighting? Hanayo: We're about to find out. I bought the latest issue of School Idol Review. Hanayo: I'll bet the other groups participating in the event will be in here. Kotori: Ooh, good thinking, Hanayo! Honoka: Lemme see... Ooh, they're beautiful! Kotori: They have interviews, too... Neat! Hanayo: ....................... Honoka: Who do you want to check out, Hanayo? Hanayo: We're doomed... Honoka: Huh? Hanayo: I can't compete with these seasoned veterans... Hanayo: All my confidence just went out the window. Kotori: Oh, Hanayo, don't be so hasty. Honoka: Yeah! Nothing's even started yet. Hanayo: I-I suppose... As soon as I start thinking we don't stand a chance, it's like I can't get the thought out of my head. Honoka: No one can deny the girls in this magazine are gorgeous, and they give fascinating interviews, too. Honoka: But, Hanayo, you're every bit as pretty and interesting as the best of them! Hanayo: Bwuh!? Kotori: My favorite things about you are how squishy your cheeks are, and how worked up you get when you talk about rice balls. Honoka: When you've got a happy look on your face, it perks me right up! Hanayo: Thank you... But these other girls are... Honoka: Hanayo! Hanayo: S-Sorry! Honoka: I realize the other school idol groups have a lot of talent, but you can't spend all your time being worried about the competition! Hanayo: Are... you sure? I start freaking out at the drop of a hat. Honoka: When the nine of us are onstage performing, all I care about is having fun and making sure the audience is enjoying the show. Honoka: Maybe it's just because I'm more selfish than you. Honoka: Either way, try to focus on our group! Being ourselves and acting like it's a normal µ's event is important. Hanayo: Yeah... You're right. You're absolutely right, Honoka. Kotori: That pep talk got me motivated, too. Honoka: Remember, it'll only be the three of us onstage. We really need to focus all our energies on each other! Hanayo: Yeah! The only thing I should be worried about is what the three of us will be doing. Kotori: And when it's all over, the nine of us will get to perform together again. Honoka: Okay! Let's push a little more and get in one more round of dance practice. Hanayo: All right! |
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Story 2 |
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| Umi: One, two, three, four... One, two, three, four...
Rin: M-Mew... Umi: One, two, three, four... One, two, three, four... Rin: I'm gonna collapse... Nozomi: Aah! Rin, what's wrong? Umi: Rin!? Rin: Owww... I just fell over... Nozomi: Can you stand? Do you need help getting up? Rin: I-I'm finished... You two will have to carry on... without me... Nozomi: Ugh, why did you have to collapse right on top of me? Umi: Judging by the way you're still goofing around, I'd say you're both fine. Nozomi: Maybe we're pushing a little too hard because the event's so close? Rin: No, no, I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy, that's all. Umi: Well, we can't have you getting sick just before the event. That's enough for today. Nozomi: Rin, make sure to go to bed early tonight. Rin: Hang on a second! I'm not gonna make myself sick. Let's practice a little more! Umi: I understand that you want to keep going, but... Rin: Not happening? Umi: I'm afraid not. Nozomi: Here, what if we try a different kind of training? Something we don't normally do. Rin: S-Something we don't normally do? Like what? Nozomi: We'll train our minds instead of our bodies. Rin: Say what? Is this one of those spiritual thingies? Umi: Are you talking about image training? Nozomi: Bingo, Umi! We'll sit here and picture the state we'll be in when we're standing onstage. Rin: State... You mean, like, how we're posing and stuff? Nozomi: Nah, it's more like... visualizing the feelings. The rush of excitement and energy when the curtain rises and the music hits. Rin: Hmm... Hrmmm... I see us all standing in a huddle. Nozomi: If we're in a huddle, it means we're close, right? What're you gonna say to us at that moment? Rin: Umm... Something like... "Everyone give it their best effort. I'll do my best, too!" Nozomi: Very nice. And after that? Rin: Hmm, after that... I'll try to keep things onstage fun. Let's all enjoy ourselves! Umi: That's wonderful. You're most certainly doing the image training properly. Rin: Really? If this is the right way, then I guess I'm pretty good at it after all. Nozomi: You sure are! Keep it up. Let's go a little further. Rin: Yeah! What do I do next, Nozomi? Nozomi: Next... Think about how you're gonna convey your feelings to the audience. Rin: Convey my feelings to the audience... Rin: I know. Sometimes when I make eye contact with someone and give them a smile, they smile back! Nozomi: Beautiful! We definitely want the audience to see that we're enjoying ourselves so that they have fun, too. You think they can tell? Umi: I think the most important aspect is to give the performance our full effort and make sure the stage looks like a fun place to be. Nozomi: Right. There's only gonna be three of us up there this time, but we need to go out there with the power and vigor of nine! Rin: Yeah! What if we spread our arms real wide like this? You think that'll show the audience how thankful we are that they came? Nozomi: I like it! We'll cross our arms first, then spread them wide and blast our gratitude into the crowd! Rin: Ooh, I can see it. Umi: Let's rearrange our choreography a bit, then. Rin: Yeah. If we're gonna do this, we gotta do it right. Let's make sure we tell the audience exactly how we feel. You help too, Umi. Umi: Of course. Nozomi: Umi's a pro at firing emotion into the audience. Umi: Huh? What is that supposed to mean? Nozomi: When we're performing, you aim right at the audience almost like you're sniping them. It's like, PCHOOOOO! Rin: Whoa, really? Umi, teach me how to be a sniper! Umi: Heek! Rin, Nozomi, please! Enough! Nozomi: Huh? Umi: Why does it always degenerate into teasing me? Rin: I'm not teasing! Although I have to admit you're super adorable when you get all flushed like that. Umi: Th-That sounds like teasing to me... Nozomi: It's only because we love you, Umi. Rin: Seriously. Umi: Sheesh... Moving on, I think image training like this is great preparation for when we are actually on stage. Rin: I always feel like there's a lot of pressure when we take the stage. I think doing image training beforehand will really help. Umi: We'll rework our choreography and get back to practicing tomorrow! Rin: Yeah! Nozomi: I'd say our image training was a rousing success. Let's keep up the momentum tomorrow! |
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Story 3 |
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| Eli: Whew... Shall we call it a day?
Nico: The event's just around the corner. Pretty soon the audience will have their chance to bask in the loving glow of the Nico-Ni! Maki: Seriously...? Eli: We're almost at the end of our lesson. Anything else we can do at this point? Nico: We have to do everything we possibly can, no matter how small. Let's do a little more singing practice. Maki: ....................... Eli: What do you think, Maki? ...Maki? Nico: You okay? You're kinda spacing out. Maki: Just marvelling at how motivated you two are. Nico: Huh? Of course we're motivated. Right, Eli? Eli: Yes! There's no point to going onstage unless we give the best performance we possibly can. Maki: But... this event is only for groups of three. Eli: So what? Maki: So we might end up competing against the other trios from µ's. Nico: And? That just means we can't let Honoka and the others outshine us. Maki: But... Nico: I won't stand for any talk about taking it easy because our friends are participating too. Maki: I-I wasn't suggesting we take it easy. Eli: Maki... Perhaps you're worried about how to approach the performance because the other six won't be with us? Maki: No! ...Well, maybe a little. Eli: I don't blame you. This will be the first time any of us have performed without the full team of nine. Nico: I guarantee you that neither Honoka or Umi's team is going to hold anything back just because we're competing against each other. Nico: Because, if they did, they know I'd never forgive them! Maki: Nico... Nico: Wouldn't it make you mad if someone asked you not to give it your all so your friends will look better when it's their turn to perform? Maki: Yes... Nico: Then we need to put on the best show ever! Eli: I don't think any of us would want someone else in µ's sabotaging themselves for our own sake. That's why we need to focus 100 percent on our performance. Maki: I guess... you're right. We've gotta make them proud and put on a great show. Eli: That's the spirit. Now that that's settled, why don't we practice a little more? Nico: You know, I've been thinking... Eli: About what, Nico? Nico: To be perfectly frank, I think our team of me, Eli, and Maki is the ultimate combination. Eli: O-Oh... Nico: We're like... the cool beauty trio. Eli: Hmm... I suppose if you had to pick a title for us, that would be the most appropriate. Maki: Maybe for you and me, Eli. I don't know if I'd call Nico a cool beauty. Nico: And I think once we add a little more of a certain something, our cool beauty trio will be flawless. Maki: A certain something? Well don't keep us in suspense, what is it? Nico: It is... the ultra-cuteness factor that only I can provide! Maki: Ultra-cute... Eli: Nico... are you implying that Maki and I aren't cute enough? Nico: oops! I'm sorry for putting it so bluntly! Maki: Grr... Nico: But have no fear, I'm going to share the ultimate cuteness secret with you guys. Eli: I'll bite. How will you impart your ultra-cuteness to us? Nico: You must closely observe me, the living paradise cutie. Eli: P-Paradise cutie? Maki: Forget it. I'm not interested. Nico: Huh!? See, this is why you're not cute enough. Not even close! Eli: Is that so? You really think I need the same brand of so-called cuteness as you!? Maki: Easy, Eli. Don't take what Nico says at face value. Eli: Th-Then again, if this WILL make me cuter... maybe I should give it a shot. Nico: With my training you'll become two of the cutest, most beloved school idols out there. Nico: Okay, now girls, follow my lead. Nico-Nico-Ni! Maki: We're doing this again!? Eli: Nico-Nico-Ni! Maki: E-Eli, are you serious? Nico: You, with the blank stare! Shake out the cobwebs and practice! Nico-Nico-Ni! Maki: ...Nico-Nico-Ni. Eli: Nico-Nico-Ni! You think this is making me cuter? |
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Story 4 |
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| Rin: Hehehe...
Hanayo: Haha... Honoka: Heheh... Nico: Can you all please stop grinning like idiots? Eli: Oh, leave them alone. It's been a while since all nine of us got together. Umi: We've been practicing in groups of three for so many days now. Nozomi: I didn't think we were all gonna practice together right before the event. Kotori: Honoka, it was your idea for us to have a full team practice before the event, right? Honoka: Yup! I know we're competing in groups of three, but we're not µ's unless al nine of us are together. Maki: Not that I was worried, but everyone seems to be in good spirits. Hanayo: Yes! It's so nice to get together with everyone like we normally would. Nico: I bet you all really missed me, huh? Rin: I definitely missed Hanayo. Nico: Rin, are you even listening to me!? Rin: Huh? You say something? Nico: I was saying that I bet you really missed ME. Rin: Oh. Nico: D-Don't look so disinterested... Hanayo: I missed all of you so much, but I made it through. Eli: I'm glad to hear that. You and Kotori seemed very nervous before we left to start practicing. I've been worried about you two. Kotori: I just decided I wouldn't let any negative feelings prevent me from working my hardest. Hanayo: Same here. Kotori, Honoka, and I swore to put on the greatest show we possibly can. Umi: That's great. I'm happy you all were able to have such a positive attitude during your practices. Eli: I think you two have really grown. Nozomi: Even though we were apart, no one lost sight of the other members' feelings. Eli: Honoka, would you give us a little pep talk for the event tomorrow? Honoka: Huh? Just me? Umi: That's fine with me. I'd like to hear what Honoka thinks about tomorrow. Rin: Me too! Honoka: We may be competing in groups of three, but the feelings that bind us together, and make µ's what it is, will be as strong as ever. Kotori: Yes. Honoka: I hope everyone puts on a great show! I hope we all find an inner strength that makes us even better than usual! Honoka: We're gonna have the best performance ever! Let's bring the house down! Honoka: Whoo! Hanayo: Aah! Honoka, you're on fire! Nozomi: Hehe... No one can match Honoka's enthusiasm. Maki: You're gonna wear yourself out before we even start. Honoka: Whoo... Oh yeah. We're supposed to practice now. Nico: Would you all quit your yakking and get ready to practice? I'm getting sick of waiting. Kotori: *Giggle* Nico: Kotori, are you listening to me? What're you laughing about? Kotori: Just thinking about how I missed seeing you get frustrated with us. Nico: Huh? Whatever! Wipe that smirk off your face and get ready. Kotori: Hehehe... As you wish! Umi: One, two, three, four. One, two three, four... Eli: Hanayo, get those legs up! Hanayo: Right! Maki: Honoka, can you hold that last note a little longer? Honoka: You got it! Nozomi: Maybe it's because we haven't all gotten together for a while. but everyone's really fired up today. Kotori: You said it... We mustn't fall behind. Let's get started, Nozomi! Nozomi: Yeah! Honoka: This is great... Practicing all together is so much better! Nico: Remember, Honoka, failure is not an option at this performance! Rin: That goes double for you, Nico! Nico: Yes, yes, I know. Now come on, it's time to practice! Eli: Let's make tomorrow's performances our best ones yet! |