BUBBLE GUM DANCE - Under the Spotlight (6)
The next day, during filming of “Rapid Fire - 2wink Banter” variety show
“Alright! Today’s guests are the unit everyone says is riding the popularity wave right now…! Give it up for MELLOW DEAR US!”
“Thank you for having us.”
“HappiMashu ♪ Thanks for having us on~★
“No need to be so tense. Act as you normally do, relax, and carry on.”
“Wha…? Is that what the guest should be saying? Isn’t it usually the other way around?”
“Ahaha~! I thought you guys were gonna be those super confident and flashy kinds of idols, but you’ve got pretty unique personalities~ Don’t tell me variety shows might actually be your calling?!”
“Today, we’re going to get to know MELLOW DEAR US even better!”
“Sooo, let’s get this “Rapid Fire - 2wink Banter” started~★!”
Anzu-chan, how’s filming going?
Ah, it looks like it’s just started. Japan really does have a lot of variety shows, doesn’t it?
Hm? Uh-huh…
You’re not wrong, Anzu-chan.
With a single show concept, you can keep production costs low by reusing it, while viewers get easy entertainment whenever they want.
When you factor in talent agencies’ interests and sponsor demands, it’s easy to see why TV networks have no choice but to do that.
And Japanese idol fans have long since grown accustomed to that system.
I suppose that’s exactly why they kept assigning MELLOW DEAR US this type of work, isn’t it?
I’m sure there are some members who are bottling up their frustrations and wondering why they aren’t being allowed to sing.
Hm? “We’ll let them vent all that frustration out during the live performance of the new song”…?
Haha, you’re right. A bird that wishes to soar has to fold its wings a while first, after all. So this type of situation was created on purpose.
When all that pent-up passion they’ve been carrying is finally unleashed on stage, it’s bound to make for an electrifying performance. How nicely done, Anzu-chan…♪
“Woahhhh, awesome~! It takes a lot to stay that motivated. Right, Yuta-kun?”
“Yeah. Kojika-san really was born to be an idol.”
“—Is that so.”
(…He’s not wrong. I probably was born to be an idol.)
(But whether or not I actually want that is another story.)
Good work everybodyyy~ Oh! It’s Anzu-chan and Nice-san! You guys came to watch during filming?
How was it? “Perfect”…?
Yaaay~! If we got Anzu-chan’s stamp of approval, then I don’t needa worry!
What are you two here for?
We have something to report to you all. I’ll let Anzu-chan explain all the details.
What’s wrong, Anzu-chan? Did… something happen…?
Huh? The tickets to our new song performance finally sold out?
I get it. So every time we appeared on another TV show, the ticket sales kept increasing…
Thank goodness…! I’m really glad that your strategy worked, Anzu-chan!
……
Ah, Nozomi-san. Don’t—
…? Chitose…? Why did you suddenly take my hand…?
Huh? U-Umm… I thought that you were about to say something harsh to Anzu-san again, so… I wanted to stop you, and… before I knew it…
Oh? I’ll at least commend you for answering with something besides “I don’t know”.
I had no intention of doing that. Now let go of my hand. Yours is warm and clammy, it’s unpleasant.
Oh, really? I don’t really get it… I’m sorry…
You’re always so cold, Nozomi-san. The first time I touched you, I honestly wondered if you were actually a reptile. Or maybe I’m just the one that’s too warm for you?
The reptile comparison was unnecessary. It’s just one tactless remark after another… if this were an ordinary workplace, you’d be fired.
F-Fired?! Come on, Nozomi-san… you’re always so quick to hit sore spots. But… if you insist, I’ll let go…
I won’t say anything this time. You’ve reached the conclusion you declared yourself, after all.
Besides, I had been monitoring the ticket sales all along, so I was already aware they would sell out today.
However, you should be ashamed of the fact that it took this long to sell out, Commoner.
Wow…! Three normal comments and only one complaint! Good for you, Anzu-san. I think that’s Nozomi-san’s way of showing he’s satisfied.
So there really is enough heart in you left that you’re willing to meet people halfway, Nozomi-san…
Huh? Why are you sighing?
It’s not like I’m expecting you to give me anything in return… I think you’re the only person in the world that expects to be repaid for giving someone a compliment, Nozomi-san…
Have I not already told you that even I praise others on very rare occasions?
Are you… getting shy…?