School Idol Trip 1[]
Day trips in groups of three. Where will everyone go?
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Story 1 |
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Together: The school paper?! 
Eli: That's right! The school paper wants to do a feature on µ's. Honoka: So we're gonna be in the school paper? Umi: This is wonderful! I'm so excited I could scream. Hanayo: We're going to be in the paper... This is so sudden. Nico: I'd be more excited if it was a national publication instead of the school paper, but you gotta atart somewhere, I suppose. Kotori: I always look forward to reading the school paper. Rin: Yeah, I like to see how our sports teams do in tournaments and stuff! I always make sure to check the results. Umi: The articles are mostly about local happenings, so the students here are the primary audience. Nozomi: They run features on the history of Otonokizaka, too. I read their series on the shrines, like, a million times! Honoka: My favorite part's the crossword puzzle. I usually need a lot of help to finish, though... Eli: *Chuckle* Otonokizaka High should be proud of its school paper. I'm honored that we're going to be in it! Honoka: If they're doing an article on µ's, does that mean they'll be coming to our performances to get the scoop? Maki: That would be great. Maybe we'll draw even bigger crowds as a result. Nico: I can see the headlines now... µ's is the ultimate school idol group! If you're not coming to see them, you're wasting your life! Rin: That's a little over the top. Kotori: Do you think they'll come to rehearsals, too? Because if they do, maybe we should get new practice outfits. Umi: *Chuckle* We shouldn't have to go that far. Wouldn't you rather show them what our usual practice sessions are like? Kotori: Oh, I see! Maybe you're right, Umi. Eli: Err... Actually, they've already decided the article's theme. Nico: They did? Geez, why didn't you say so? Maki: Wait, what about a theme? Isn't it just about µ's? Eli: One of the editors gave me this. Take a look. Nozomi: Lemme see! School paper next edition plans... Honoka: A Day Trip with the School Idols?! Umi: Huh?! It's not gonna be about our show?! Eli: I can always deny them permission to write the article if everyone's against it. What do you all think? Maki: I don't see the the point. School idols aren't tourist groups. Hanayo: I kinda like the idea. I read a magazine article that followed school idols going about their day. Rin: A day in the life of an idol, huh? Neat! Hanayo: Reading that article made me feel like I was there with them! I'm sure their plans for the µ's article will be a lot of fun for everyone. Honoka: Yeah! Maybe the readers will feel like they're on a trip with µ's, too! Kotori: I'm sure everyone in school will read the article. This is a great opportunity. Nico: Hmm... Nico: EVERYONE in school, you say? Student: Miss Yazawa! I read the "Day Trip with the School Idols" article they wrote about you. It was a masterpiece! Student: What a ride! I felt like I was right there next to you for the whole trip! Student: It really gave me a new appreciation for the greatness of school idols. I've got so much respect for you! Student: Normally I don't pay much attention to magazine articles, but I never miss the ones that feature you, Miss Yazawa! Student: I hope one day I'll be just like you, Miss Yazawa! Nico: Muhu... Muhahahaha! Honoka: Nico? What's up? Nico: Huh?! N-Nothing! Maki: No doubt it's some vapid daydream, judging by that ear-to-ear grin. Nico: I vote for the day trip! We'll join forces as school idols to make it the greatest article in history! Umi: I don't know about all that, but Nico's passion is infectious. Let's all do our best to make the article something special! Eli: Wonderful! I'll go tell everyone at the school paper right away. Kotori: Hmm... I guess the first step is to plan the trip? Eli: yes. They asked us to submit three separate trip plans. Hanayo: Good, good. A few different options will let the readers experience the joy of having lots of choices! Maki: So we'll be splitting into three groups, then. Each group should be in charge of their own plan. Nozomi: If we're splitting into three groups, we may as well break off into our mini-units. Maybe we'll get some new songs out of the deal! Umi: Good thinking. That makes sense to me. Eli: Agreed. Just remember, this isn't about thinking up new song ideas. The point is to go on a day trip, relax, and have fun! Maki: That means I'm with Nico and Eli. Kotori: Honoka, Hanayo, let's have a good time! Umi: That leaves me, Nozomi, and Rin. I'm glad I'll have you two by my side. Rin: How does this work, Eli? Are we just coming up with ideas, but not actually going on a trip? Eli: Of course not! Once we settle on a destination and an itinerary, we're hitting the road! Rin: Awesome! Hanayo: Rin, I wanna hear about every detail when you get back! Rin: Huh? Hanayo, we haven't decided anything yet! Hanayo: Oh, whoops. *Giggle* I'm already getting curious about where everyone else is going. Nozomi: Heh, heh. You're so hasty, Hanayo! Umi: Let's all sit down, brainstorm, and agree on our travel plans first. Honoka: Yeah! If we put our heads together we'll come up with all kinds of great ideas. Kotori: I hope everyone has fun. I'll do my best to contribute! |
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Story 2 |
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| Umi: Well, where should the three of us go on our day trip?
Rin: Hmm... Well, since it's a DAY trip it means we can't go too far, right? Umi: Right. I'm told they want us to pick places where any Otonokizaka student can easily visit. Nozomi: Yeah, when you think about accommodation costs and parental permission, anything more then a day trip raises the hurdle too high. Rin: Oh, I get it! It should be a place where a student can go if they save up their allowance. Umi: Yes. And reachable using public transportation. Umi: I know, what about Kamakura? That's a wonderful spot. Nozomi: Oh, I love Kamakura. Especially the you-know-what! Umi: Yes, the you-know-what! That'll make for a fun trip. Rin: Huh? The you-know-what? Hanayo: Where did you decide to go, Rin? Rin: Nozomi and Umi went on and on about how great the Kamakura beaches are, so that's where we're headed! They both know the area, so I left the details to them. Hanayo: Kamakura makes me think of temple, but I'm sure the beaches there are beautiful, too. Rin: I know, right? This is gonna rock. Maki: But... won't the water be too cold at this time of year? Rin: Mmm... Yeah, but you don't need to go in the water to enjoy the bay! Maki: I suppose not. A long walk on the beach is always nice, even in the winter. Hanayo: There are probably lots of cafes with beautiful views of the water. Maki: Oh, that sounds lovely. What a wonderful way to relax! Rin: Imagine the three of us sipping tea at a cafe with an ocean view... That's, like, really stylish! It's a perfect look for school idols! Rin: Yeah, school idols should totally go on classy trips like this. *Giggle* I'm so excited! Hanayo: How nice... And with Nozomi and Umi along for the ride, you're sure to have a great time. Maki: Just take care not to catch a cold. Have fun! Rin: Thanks, Hanayo! Thanks, Maki! I'm off! Rin: Wow, what beautiful weather. So this is Kamakura! Nozomi: It's got lots of temples, as you know, but there's plenty of beautiful nature areas to enjoy, too. Umi: Yes! Now then, here's our itinerary for the day. We'll start with the Zeniarai Benzaiten. Rin: Zeniarai? Benzaiten? Nozomi: Have you never heard the tale, Rin? If you wash your money in the holy water from the spring in her cave, it'll multiply! Rin: Wow, really? I didn't know you could do that! Rin: So if I wash that extra money, I'll make even more... And if I wash that, I'll make even more... I'm gonna be rich! Nozomi: Heh, heh, heh. Rin, you're getting greedy. Umi: After that, we'll stop by a nearby temple. It's wonderful how many there are in Kamakura. I've always wanted to tour them like this. I'm so excited! Nozomi: Yup, Kamakura's got lots of spiritual spots. The best part is we're all here together! Umi: We worked very hard to come up with that itinerary, so I'd like to stick to it as much as possible. Is that okay with you, Rin? Rin: Sure! I'll follow your plans to the letter. Nozomi: Nothing would make me happier than if you had fun, too! Rin: I'm most looking forward to the surprise at the end. Umi: Did you say something? Let's hurry. We don't want to get behind schedule! Umi: Our next stop's the Tenmangu shrine, which you can see right over there. Ahh, just walking along this path is bliss. Rin: Aww, I wanna hurry up and get to the beach... Nozomi: Rin, are you bored with visiting all the famous places? Rin: Yeah... They're just old buildings. I don't really get what's so interesting. Umi: I see. I apologize. I suppose we have spent a little too much time on the historical sites. Rin: Don't get me wrong. I love all the beautiful greenery and nature around here. But creaky old buildings? I've got no connection to any of that stuff. Nozomi: No connection, huh? I don't know about that... Maybe you've only convinced yourself there's no connection. Rin: Oh? I'm positive there's nothing. Nozomi: All right, let's try an experiment. Out of all the buildings you've seen so far, which one would you want to live in? Rin: Huh?! Umi: Nozomi, that's ridiculous. Nozomi: One with lots of rooms inside? Or one with a big yard outside? Rin: Hmm... That's a toughie. Rin: If I had to pick, I guess the one with the yard... Ooh, or one with lots of bamboo growing everywhere! Rin: µ's could have rehearsals in the middle of the yard, and we could play hide-and-seek in the bamboo afterward. Umi: Rehearsals at a temple? That's... Nozomi: *Giggle* No harm in daydreaming, right? Say Umi, what kinda games did kids play in olden times? I bet they played hide-and-seek even back then. Umi: Let me think... In the Kamakura era they played an old form of badminton called hagoita. I've heard that tops and rocking horses were common toys, as well. Rin: Really? I'm really good at spinning tops! I bet if I'd been born back then, I would've fit right in. Nozomi: See? You just formed a connection to these so-called creaky old buildings. Rin: I did? Oh wow, you're right, I did... *Giggle* I think I might just be the teeniest bit more interested in history now. Nozomi: That's great! You should be. A Japanese school idol should know all about Japan! Umi: Yes! And on that note, let's head to the next site. We'll be sure to keep it short this time so you won't get bored, Rin. Rin: Huh?! We're still not done?! Rin: I wanna go to the beach... Hanayo, Maki, it looks like the water's still a long ways off! |
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Story 3 |
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| Kotori: I'm really looking forward to our day trip. I even went to the library to borrow a guidebook!
Honoka: Sweet! So, where should we go? Hanayo: Hmm... Weren't we talking about what kind of travel plans would be distinctly for school idols? Kotori: Travel plans for school idols... So, umm... Something cute, I guess? Honoka: Cute travel plans? Okay then, I vote for a fun trip! Hanayo: And of course, I want a tasty trip! Honoka: Somewhere cute, fun, and tasty?! Kotori: Ha, ha, ha! We're not gonna figure this out unless we start getting into specifics. Hanayo: True... So, how do you turn a normal trip into a school idol trip? Honoka: It'd be cool if we could show the people who read the school paper what school idols do on a day trip. Kotori: Maybe we could design an itinerary that would make anyone feel like a school idol if they followed it. Honoka: Oh, yeah! That totally sounds like a school idol vacation plan! Hanayo: Hey, what about a tour of Akihabara? Kotori: Wh-Whaaaaaaaat?! Hanayo: We're not the only ones near Akihabara. A-RISE goes to school there, and there's lots of cute girls working in the maid cafes, too. Hanayo: We don't get many chances to check out the maid cafes, even though there are several right near school. Honoka: Good point! Plus, some of the maids put on shows at their cafes. I'd love to check them out. Kotori: Umm...Err... That's a little... Honoka: You're not really interested, are you Kotori? Kotori: It's not that, it's just... How do I put this... Hanayo: Hmm? Kotori: Oh... Ah-ha! It's supposed to be a trip. Akihabara's too close! Hanayo: Ohh, I see. Honoka: I guess places that are a few minutes' walk away don't really count as a trip. Sorry for coming up with such a silly idea, Kotori! Kotori: Oh, no, you don't have to apologize! Kotori: Ha, ha... Phew... Honoka: Someplace you could sing... or dance... Hmm. What would make someone feel like they'd become a school idol? Hanayo: How about here? They set up part of the town to look like the feudal Edo period, and you can even participate in historical plays! Honoka: Historical plays? That sounds cool! Kotori: It'd be like you were an Edo-era school idol. Kotori: It's not quite a school idol experience, but it's still a type of performance. That's pretty close. Hanayo: Good point. And the joy of giving your audience a good show is the same! Honoka: I see... Maybe actors and school idols feel the same way, deep down inside. Honoka: I think we've got our destination! Honoka: Yay! I'm so excited! We're on a trip! Kotori: *Giggle* I can see, that, Honoka! It's funny how when you travel somewhere new, even the air itself seems to taste different. Hanayo: Let's see, this place is... Honoka: Hmm? Hanayo, what're you doing? Hanayo: What? Oh, umm... The plan was to have lunch at this cafe for a nice vegetable lunch. Hanayo: Unfortunately, I called them up, and it turns out they're closed today. Kotori: They are? That's kind of a downer. I was looking forward to eating there. Hanayo: But have no fear, you two! Honoka: Hanayo? Hanayo: I did some research, and it turns out this area is famous for its tofu skin! Kotori: Tofu skin? You mean the stuff they make by boiling soy milk, and drying the skin that forms on top? Hanayo: Yup! You can eat it straight, boil it, fry it, put it in soup... Honoka: *Drool* Hanayo: Here's a restaurant that does full course meals with tofu skin dishes! Honoka: H-Holy cow! Kotori: A full course of tofu skin, huh? Hanayo: Hello? Yes, I'd like to make a reservation for three. We'll all have the tofu skin full course lunch! Honoka: Hanayo, you move fast! Hanayo: Hooray! Our reservation is confirmed! Hanayo: *Chomp* *Smack* Oh, wow. This is delectable. Kotori: It's subtle, but the flavor of the tofu skin comes through. Honoka: All different kinds of dishes keep coming and coming... *Squeal* I'm eating in the lap of luxury! Kotori: The colors and all the little decorations and garnishes are just so gorgeous! I feel the craftsman's spirit akin to the Japanese sweets making at Homura. Hanayo: Well, I'm satisfied. My wish for a tasty trip definitely came true. Honoka: What? Already?! We haven't even gotten to our main destination yet. Hanayo: *Gasp* You're right! This trip's supposed to be tasty... Kotori: And cute. Honoka: And fun! Honoka: *Giggle* The three of us are gonna have a blast! Kotori, Hanayo: Yeah! |
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Story 4 |
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| Eli: So, where should we go for our day trip?
Nico: It should be somewhere that makes you feel like a school idol. Maki: Does that even exist? Would it have to be, say, somewhere with a stage? Eli: Perhaps. And somewhere with beautiful lights, too. I suppose an amusement park wouldn't count as a trip, though. Maki: No, it's doesn't exactly sound like much of an excursion. Although I supposed you'd be excited to go, right Nico? Nico: Nope, nope, nope! Not in a million years! Eli: Wha-Nico, you're not interested at all? Nico: Come on. School idols going to a theme park? That's totally played-out. We need originality. Maki: Where, then? Nico: The most important trait of school idols is that they're cute and perfect at all times. Eli: Nico, I've got a few extra fries. Do you want them? Nico: *Squeal* Give 'em here! Maki: *Sigh* You call that cute and perfect school idol? Nico: My dear Maki, there's no need to look so vexed! Maki: Grrr... Eli: I agree that the idols in magazines look cute no matter where they go. I doubt it's just an act. Nico: This shake is really good, Eli. Have a sip! Eli: Th-Thank you. Nico: No, no, no. Be cuter! Eli: Urk... I can't change gears on command! Maki: Look, there's no point in forcing ourselves to act the part of school idols. Or are you going to live your entire life keeping up a facade, Nico? Eli: You don't need to put up a front. You're naturally cute. Aren't you? Maki: Meh. Nico: O-Of course I am! I'm history's leading school idol. My cuteness is undeniable! Nico: Listen, I'm trying to ascend to even greater heights. This trip is about seeking the path of the school idol! Maki: Here we go again... Eli: That'd make for a good headline, actually. Maki: Eli! Eli: An article about seeking the path of the school idol isn't something you see every day, right? Nico: Right indeed! And that's why I'm volunteering to plan the entire trip. Maki: No way. Nothing good will come out of going along with this. You're with me, right Eli? Eli: No, I'll go along with whatever Nico decides. And you should too, Maki. I'm sure it'll be entertaining! Nico: Hee, hee. Eli gets it! Maki: I have a bad feeling about this... Nico: No complaints! We meet at six o'clock Saturday morning! Maki: Yeah, yeah... Lamb: Baa! Lamb: Baa-aa-aa! Nico: *Squeal* Oh, these little lambs are priceless! Maki: ............................... Lamb: Baa. Maki: hang on a second. What are we doing at a farm? This has nothing to do with school idols! Eli: Oh, what's the big deal? Being at a farm first thing in the morning is kind of nice. Lamb: Baa-aa! Maki: *Sigh* Yes, yes. Hello. Lamb: Baa! Nico: Line up over here, you two! Nico: As I said yesterday, we must act like school idols no matter where we go! So to help with that, I've lined up a whole bunch of activities for us today. Nico: Today's trip is designed to be a school idol development program. Follow my lead and try to keep up, ladies! Eli: Yes ma'am! Maki: ...Yes, ma'am... Nico: Cuter, and with more energy. Pretend this is a µ's photo shoot! Maki: Huh? That's easy for you to say... Nico: You too, Eli. Act like you're on a date and having a good time. That's the kind of cuteness we need! Eli: Wh-Whaaaaaaaaat?! Eli: Umm... Maki, let's have lots of fun today! Maki: Eek! Eli, quit pulling me! Nico: H-Hey, don't run off without me! Nico: Heh, heh. At least they're doing a decent job acting like school idols. Nico: *Cackle* I'll have them turned into full-fledged school idols before the day is out! |
