Worried About Maki?![]
Maki has a recital coming up. Let's all cheer her on!
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Story 1 |
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| Umi: Hold still while I get this fit, Maki.
Maki: Okay... How does it look, Kotori? Kotori: Hmm... It might look better if I shorten it up a bit. How's it feel? It's not too tight, is it? Maki: Nope. It fits perfectly. Kotori: Wonderful! Umi: You're so talented, Kotori. You make dresses like it's nothing! Maki: One moment it's just a roll of fabric, then the next thing you know it's a beautiful dress that fits perfectly. It's like magic! Kotori: Thank you, Maki. Maki: I-I'm just thinking out loud, that's all. Kotori: Well, I'm honored that you trusted me to make your dress. Maki: And I'm honored you agreed. Kotori: The best part is that for once, money's no object. I get to use all the fancy fabric and lace I want! Muahaha! Maki: Kotori's grinning from ear to ear. Umi: Well, she's always forced to make costumes with a shoestring budget. Kotori: Hehehe... Trying to stretch a tight budget can be fun too, though. Kotori: But for this dress, I'm going to do everything I can to take Maki's cute factor to the next level! Umi: I can't wait to see the finished product. And I hear Eli's going to make accessories, too! Kotori: A new dress with matching accessories? That's so exciting! I'll have to coordinate closely with Eli. Umi: This is going to be great. Maki: I'll say. I really don't deserve all this and yet everyone's doing so much for me. Kotori: I'm giving it extra effort since it's your special dress. Maki. Now leave the rest to me and hurry over to Nozomi! Maki: Right! Nozomi: Haah! Maki: ...... Nozomi: Nuuuooooah! Maki: ...Nozomi. Nozomi: What? I'm trying to concentrate. Maki: I've been wondering for a while now... Can you really inject spiritual power into another person? Nozomi: If I couldn't, I wouldn't be trying to do it right now! Now stop fidgeting and stand still, Maki! Maki: A-All right, all right. Hanayo: Maki, do you want sandwiches or rice balls for lunch on the big day? Maki: I... I don't mind. Whatever you want. Hanayo: Don't say that! This is your lunch for an important day, it should be suited to the occasion! Maki: Huh? U-Umm... Perhaps, but I still don't... Eli: You should have your favorite foods, don't you think? Maki: I suppose so. Okay then, a sandwich with tomatoes. Hanayo: Got it! Leave it to me, Maki! I'll find the juiciest tomatoes you've ever eaten! Eli: Haha. Hanayo's detail-oriented as always. Nozomi: People, please! I can't have you all messing up the spiritual power injection! Hanayo: Oh no, Maki's spiritual power! I'm sorry, Nozomi! Maki: Everyone is getting way too worked up. Can we bring down the noise level, please? Honoka: Nico, go get more potato chips! Nico: Hrmph... Rin: It feels like something's missing. Honoka: Hey, Rin! Is that manga any good? Rin: It's good... but it feels like something's missing. Rin: Aaah! Honoka: Huh? What is it, Rin? Rin: I just had an epiphany. Nico: What, what? Rin: Lately... Rin: The three of us are the only ones who are ever in this room! Honoka: Huh... Now that you mention it... |
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Story 2 |
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| Nico: Everyone else is fussing over Maki.
Honoka: Fussing over Maki? Why? Nico: No idea. All I know is that everyone's running around like crazy and I'm totally bored. Rin: If everyone else is fussing over Maki, how come we're not pitching in too? Honoka: Maki's the kind of girl who can do anything and everything. What do you think they're helping with? Rin: I'm jealous. I wanna fuss over Maki and help her with stuff too! Honoka: Let's do it! Let's go help Maki! Rin: Woohoo! Nico: What exactly are you two going to help with? Honoka: Eep! It would be a lot easier if we had some idea. Rin: Hmm... Honoka, you're older than her. Maybe you could help her study. Honoka: I don't think I have any business trying to help Maki of all people with schoolwork. Rin: is there nothing we're qualified to help her with? Maki: Oh great, all three of you are still here. Honoka: Maki! Rin: Did you come to get fussed over? Maki: E-Excuse me? Maki: Anyway, I wanted to ask you three something. Honoka: Y-You need something from us!? Nico: Well, as long as you bow your head and ask respectfully, I'll consider it. Maki: Huh? I will NOT bow my head. Rin: Ordering someone to bow their head is going too far. You can't boss people around like that just because you're a senior! Nico: Sh-Shut up! Anyway, hurry up and ask for whatever it is you want. Maki: Well, actually... Honoka: Oh! You're playing in a piano recital! Rin: Holy smokes! Maki: It's no big deal. Everyone who plays piano participates in recitals regularly. Maki: I was hoping you all would come. If you can make it, of course. Honoka: You bet! I wouldn't miss it for the world! Rin: Ditto! Honoka: So the reason everyone's been fussing over you was to help you get ready for your recital. Maki: I never asked anyone to do a thing. Everybody just started helping of their own accord! Nico: The look on your face says that you aren't as annoyed as you want them to think. Maki: I-It does not! Rin: You're the best piano player ever. I bet you win first prize! Nico: It's not a competition. Honoka: Even if there's no prize, I bet you'll still be the best. Rin: Your family's gonna be so proud of you! Maki: Actually, my family's been very worried about me. Nico: How come? Because you've been busy? Maki: No... I think they're worried I haven't had the time to practice piano or study because of all the time I spend doing school idol activities. Maki: And it's true, I haven't been able to study or practice as much. My piano skills may have degraded a little. Rin: Aww, but Maki, you always do well at school and your piano is as great as ever. Honoka: Yeah! Yeah! Maki: Thank you... I think if everyone comes to the recital, I'll feel a little more confident in myself. Maki: Okay then, I'm off to the music room. I need to take a break from the club until the recital's over. I'm sorry! Rin: Poor Maki's got so much going on. Nico: Was it just me or did she look a little frail? Rin: If she thinks her family's worried, it's probably just adding to the pressure. Honoka: That makes sense... I wish there was something I could do for Maki to put her in a good mood when she plays. |
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Story 3 |
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| Hanayo: Maki's been playing piano all day again today.
Kotori: I know. I didn't even get to talk to her once. Right now her recital's more important, though. Hanayo: I've never been in her situation, but there was one time where my test scores were going down. Kotori: I'll bet your family was worried, right? Hanayo: Yeah. They told me that if school idol practice was getting to be too much, I should back off a little. Kotori: Huh!? I can't imagine any of us wanting to quit because practice was too difficult. Hanayo: Exactly! I mean, I appreciated the concern, but quitting wasn't the answer. Kotori: Maki's the best pianist and the best student out of all of us, I'm sure her recital will go just fine. Hanayo: Yeah. All we can do right now is support her. Maki: ♪♪ Maki: Something's wrong... I should be able to play better than this. Maki: This stinks. Maybe I just haven't practiced enough. Maki: Harder... I have to try harder. Eli: Maki. Umi: You've been practicing day in and day out. Nozomi: You're not just talented, you're a hard worker too! Maki: Oh... I didn't notice you were here. That piece probably didn't sound very good. Umi: Not at all. It was wonderful. Maki: Really? You're not just humoring me? Umi: I'm being completely sincere. Nozomi: Umi's the straightest straight-talker there is. She'd never say that if she didn't mean it! Maki: I-I know, Nozomi. You don't need to spell it out. Nozomi: Hehehe. You're still stubborn, even at a tough time like this. Eli: That was beautiful music you were playing. Maki: Thanks... I'm just afraid if my family hears me playing like this, they'll be even more worried. Umi: You're being mush too hard on yourself. Perhaps you're overthinking things? Maki: I can't help but think about it! What if I mess up and I have to quit being a school idol? Nozomi: Maki... Maki: Sorry. I'm going out to get some fresh air. Eli: She's getting more freaked out as the recital gets closer. Umi: I know just how she feels. I've found myself obsessing over my performance whenever I have an archery competition. Nozomi: How do you cope with the pressure, Umi? Umi: In the end, there's not much you can do except have faith that your hard work and practice will pay off, steel yourself, and face the music. Eli: F-Face the music? Nozomi: Hahaha! Spoken like a true warrior! I just hope Maki can play like she normally does when the recital starts. Umi: Yes. Still, it would be nice if we could help her find a way to stop feeling anxious. Maki: Ugh... Honoka: Maki sighted at 12 o'clock! Rin: Honoka, Nico! Hide under the desk! Nico: Why do we have to cram ourselves in here? Maki: What're you three whispering about down there? Honoka: Aww, Nico! You gave us away! Nico: Don't try to pin this on me! Rin: Oh well, time for plan B. On three, everyone. Maki: Huh? Honoka: One, two, three! Together: Hooray, hooray, hooray for Maki! Maki: Wh-Whaa? Honoka: Hooray for Otonokizaka's most talented woman! Maki: You all... Rin: We all love your piano playing. You're gonna have an awesome recital! Maki: But I keep messing up- Nico: Silence! Maki: Eek! Nico: All this moaning about messing up and not having any confidence isn't a good look for you. It's beyond lame! Maki: Wha- Honoka: We've seen you succeed time and time again, at the piano and in class! Nico: So drop the self-deprecation. It's going to reflect poorly on µ's and I won't stand for that! Rin: Yeah, you said it! Maki: Everyone... Nico: Or are you blaming µ's for taking time away from your studies and piano practice? Maki: There's... There's no way µ's has made me worse at anything! Maki: Since joining µ's, I've even learned to write songs. If anything, µ's has improved my music skills! Rin: Ooh! Maki: That's right... I've been giving my best effort the whole time. As a student, as a pianist... and as a school idol! Maki: I couldn't have gotten worse at the piano. I should be better than ever. I'll prove it at the recital. Just wait everyone, you'll see! Honoka: Woohoo! Rin: Maki's finally back to her old self. Maki: Huh? Oh, I... Nico: Yeah, you should be fine if you're that fired up. Being your usual overbearing self suits you much better, Maki. Rin: Yup, Maki's at her cutest when she's brimming with confidence! Honoka: Uh-huh! Maki's not Make without a little bit of excess pride! Maki: Somehow I don't feel like these are compliments... Oh, whatever. Maki: My usual self, huh? Maybe you're right. I should have more confidence in myself. |
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Story 4 |
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| Hanayo: Is Maki gonna be in the music room all day again?
Rin: I know she's really focused on her piano practice, but I still miss her. Hanayo: Hmm? I hear someone running down the hall... Maybe it's Honoka? Maki: Oh good, you're both here. Rin: Maki! Maki: I'm sorry I haven't been participating at all lately. Today I'm here to work! Hanayo: Huh? But your recital's tomorrow, isn't it? Maki: Being a school idol is an essential part of my life. Maki: It took me a long time, but I realized now that being a school idol and spending time with all of you is what really makes me who I am. Hanayo: Maki... Rin: Okie-dokie, then let's all get down to business! Maki: Yes! Umi: One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four... Umi: Too slow, Maki. Maki: Sorry! Umi: One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four... Maki: (This is so much fun... I can't believe how much I'm enjoying just rehearsing with everyone.) Maki: (There was never any need to sacrifice anything else to keep up piano.) Eli: Maki, the next part is our song lesson. Watch everyone else closely. Maki: Roger! Honoka: All right, now I'm pumped! Maki: Come on, Honoka. Flailing your arms around just because you're excited isn't becoming of a school idol. Honoka: I-It's not? Okay, how about a really cute pose, like this? Maki: Hehehe. Maybe that's not quite right for you, either. Honoka: Aww... Maki, when you smile, you're like the model school idol. It's so adorable! Maki: Honoka... Maki: Hehe... You're right. I'm a school idol, so I should smile more! Honoka: Rehearsals are never more fun than when we're all gathered together! Kotori: I'm so glad you joined us today, Maki. Maki: I'm really sorry I took so much time off. From now on I won't miss a day! Hanayo: Hehe... I was worried we wouldn't see you here until the recital was over. I was shocked that you showed up, but I'm happy you came. Nozomi: The best part is you came to rehearsal because you wanted to! Nico: Don't blow this out of proportion. Maki is a member of µ's. Of course she should be coming to rehearsals! Maki: You're right. Rehearsals are such a key part of my day, I think skipping made me feel worse. Rin: Everyone's always exhausted by the time we're finished, but in a good way. Eli: Oh, Maki. We've got a present for you. Maki: You do? Why? Nozomi: For your recital tomorrow. We all worked on it. Honoka: Here, Maki. Maki: Oh... It's a corsage! Kotori: We each picked a single flower and made a corsage with them. Maki: Oh my... It's beautiful. Eli: It goes perfectly with Kotori's dress and my accessories, don't you think? Maki: Everyone made so much time for me... Wasn't it a burden? Honoka: Of course not! Umi: Indeed. Would you listen to yourself? Tomorrow is a very important day for you. Kotori: A chance for lots of people to see how great our Maki is! Rin: Our Maki is the best pianist in Japan! Maki: Our Maki... You make it sound like I'm your daughter! Hanayo: Here, let me pin the corsage on you. Maki: Okay... How does it look? Eli: Gorgeous. Nozomi: Maki's even cuter when she's all dolled up. Maki: Thank you... Now it will be like everyone is up there with me during the recital. Nico: Just think of yourself as representing all of µ's. Failure will not be tolerated! Eli: Come on, Nico... Umi: Why would you say something to add more pressure! Maki: It's okay. I guarantee success! Maki: I want all of you to hear me play. Don't miss the recital tomorrow! |