Evening Lesson

It’s already sunset… Good work on your first day on the Ambassador job, everyone!

It was more like doing chores than doing actual Ambassador work, but thank you for your hard work nevertheless.

Now, start practicing the song you’re going to perform.

I don’t really like it when people order me around, but I’ll do it if you beg ♪

That won’t count towards our prison work, Kuguri. We’re supposed to perform a song while we’re on this trip, remember? Let’s do our best so that it turns out perfectly.

If Master orders it, I will comply.

I’m beat… do we really have to practice the song too…?

Being an idol starts and ends with practice! Everyone’s gotta put in their best! C’mon, Taotao, get up!

There’s no time, so please hurry and start practicing.

(Woah, that’s Chihiro-kun for you. He’s perfect at dancing. His movements are a lot sharper than everyone else’s…)

(They’re still… completely out of sync, though~ Their singing is messy too… Is this gonna be okay?)

Ugh! Stop, stopppp!

You’re all off! Didn’t Yapoo show us the choreo before we got to Beppu?! You’re totally messing up the lyrics too!

S-Sorry… This is a little embarrassing, though…

Hm. Isn’t this usually how it is on the first try?

You can’t be an idol with that kinda weak-sauce mindset!

Ooh, I know! If performing isn’t working out, then at least try to get in character!

Get in… character…?

Yup! Starting tomorrow, we’re gonna get in character while we’re doing our ambassador stuff!

Let’s seeeeee~ How about a super arrogant character for you, Raitin?

Arrogant? What would that look like?

Pinning them against the wall! Lifting their chins! And going like, “Look only at me…”

Isn’t that totally different from how Raito-san usually acts, though…?

It’s a character, so it’s fiiiiine!

I see, so I’d have to adopt the character of an Emperor tarot card. An Aries and Mars look, yes?

Kinyariii~ You’ve got a pretty cute face, so how about being cutesy¹?

Make a little finger heart and be like, “I’m Kinyari, Ev3ns’s lil shortcake ♪” !

…I will not process commands from anyone besides Master.

Taotao you can beeee… the comedy guy~? You could be the Captain Obvious type that’s like, “Well, that happened.”²

Uhm, no. I don’t think I could pull off something like that. Besides, stand-up is a professional job, so doing it half-heartedly is no good.

Aaaand Kugurin, you can be the gentle and comforting type! Something liiiike, “I long to warm the chambers of your heart…”

That wouldn’t make me very sexy now, would it? I’m not interested in warming anyone’s heart, either.

How about… getting so close it might end up breaking us instead?

Ch-Chihiro-kun. Getting into character is a good idea, but if the character strays too far from your actual personality it might not land well…?

Huhhh~? But being an idol means giving up a part of your life.

Being yourself all the time will just be draining, y’know? Isn’t it less stressful to play a role instead?

I understand your perspective, Natsuyaki-kun, but that might be difficult for this group.

…Whatever. I’m outta here.

(Ah… Chihiro-kun left. Did he get upset?)

Chihiro, wait a sec.

What a selfish little nyuszi³. I’m leaving too.

What, so we’re not getting in character after all? I didn’t think the arrogant character idea for me was a bad one, though…

I guess that does it for practice today.

…It seems so. Chief, could you hand this to the leader?

Oh, right. Raito-san, here…

…? What’s this?

Would you mind recording a weekly report on this cassette tape? I’ve asked the leader of each team to do it, so I need you to submit a report on the training trip too.

A cassette tape… that’s certainly retro. Are the 90s⁴ making a comeback? I understand, this should be interesting.

(He just smiled and went along with it… I knew Raito-san isn’t cut out for the arrogant type…)

So, on the first day of practice there’s already been a disagreement… How do you feel as the leader?

Hm? Oh, I don’t really think it was that serious. Everyone will have forgotten about it by tomorrow.

W-Will they though…? Chihiro-kun looked like he was taking it pretty seriously to me…

He was, and that’s good! We’ll manage, though, won’t we?

(Hmm, does he really get it…? He’s so optimistic that I’m getting a little worried…)

Hey, Chihiro! Wait up! Let’s head back to the hotel together.

Why? Taotao wasn’t on board with Chii’s idea earlier anyway.

Well, that’s…

You’re the only one that dances really well, and you’re so good at all the hospitality stuff.

Someone like you is what people mean when they talk about idols. I really respect that about you.

…!

I’m not really good at dancing, and I can see why that would make you worried. I’m sorry. I get why you would want me to play a character.

Taotao… You’re pretty weird.

Huh?

This isn’t being recorded, is it~?

Why would it be? There aren’t any cameras around.

True, but idol docs are usually shot at times like this…

…M’kay, let’s head back. And sorry for tellin’ you to get in character earlier.

Actually… I think we could use a serious character. Our team is full of weird people.

Whaaaat? Do I count?!

You definitely count.

Ahaha! Taotao, you’re soooo annoying～♪