BUBBLE GUM DANCE - Under the Spotlight (2)

……

Ummm, Nozomi-san…? Filming went well… so why do you look like you were forced to swallow a bug?

If it’s because of me, then I’m sorry.

…I was merely thinking how you are all rather carefree.

Really? Well, I guess I do get told that I seem easygoing…

Huh? Now that I’m actually thinking about it, you’re the only person that calls me that while glaring at me…

While I do think you are quite carefree, I was not referring to you this time, Chitose. I’m referring to MELLOW DEAR US’s current situation.

Huh?

Commoner. I have carried out my duties exactly as instructed under your direction, however…

After reviewing the latest ticket sale data, it appears the amount of tickets sold have still remained below the projected trend.

Do you think that trivial jobs such as this will turn this situation around?

I believe that handling our work without a sense of urgency is causing us to miss opportunities to appeal to potential fans.

Umm… Hey, Nozomi-san? Don’t you think you’re being a little too hard on Anzu-san…? I don’t know…

Silence, Chitose.

S-Sorry…

Hm… so you claim that these methods of promotion do have value.

“This is exactly what I intended”? Hmph. I am well aware of that. Of course, I understand every last one of your intentions.

You plan to allow people to develop a sense of connection with MELLOW DEAR US by having us appear on programs such as this, yes?

How clever.

MELLOW DEAR US is the perfect idol unit. Our performances should be the main focus without relying on such superficial gimmicks.

If we had expanded our media presence and strategically launched advertising, there would be no need for alarm. The tickets would be sold in the blink of an eye.

…? What…? Commoner, are you saying you reject my judgement?

Huh. If you’re going to disagree with him that confidently, now you have me curious too. Why do you think so, Anzu?

……

“It’s true that if we followed Madoka-san’s strategy you would be able to sell out the next concert, but that’s all it would accomplish.”

“So if you all are going to continue working as idols in Japan, then building a foundation now is going to pay off in the long run”… is what you’re saying?

I see. In other words, you think what we’re doing now is a necessary step in building that foundation for our rise in Japan.

That is why I believe it to be naïve. I would even say that it lacks sophistication.

(Sigh)…

(Augh… The atmosphere on the bus got so tense…)

(Nozomi-san said everything he wanted to, then went completely silent…)

(Mashu-san just laughed it off and commented on how awkward it got… and Juis-san didn’t really seem bothered at all, but he also wasn’t taking a side.)

(Anzu-san seemed like she was being really careful so that she wouldn’t provoke us… or, rather, mostly just Nozomi-san.)

(We ended up coming back in that tense atmosphere.)

(Since Nice-san had another job to get to, he didn’t come with us on the bus ride back, but…)

(I wonder if things might have gone a bit better if he’d been there… I don’t know, though.)

(Sigh)…

(I understand where Nozomi-san is coming from, but that doesn’t mean that I want to blame Anzu-san when she’s been working so hard to support us…)

(If things stay like this, are we… really going to be able to keep working together…?)

Augghhh…

(I really wish Nozomi-san would meet us halfway on this just a little, but “compromising” is probably the one word you couldn’t use to describe him.)

(Nozomi-san actually has a lot of good qualities… as long as you don’t expect anything from him.)

(I really don’t want Anzu-san to give up on him… Is there anything I can do…?)

Oh! I know!

Hm~? What’s up, Chitose-kun?

Hey, since we’re all here… why don’t we do some “team bonding”?

“Team bonding”…?

Yeah. I just mean that… we should all eat some good food together and talk or something…

Since we’ll all be working together from now on… I just thought I’d be nice if we got to know each other a bit better.

Huh? You’ll come too, Anzu-san? I’m so happy…♪

I don’t mind doing that.

If you want to do that, then do it on your own. I refuse.

Don’t be like that, Nozomi-san! Please…!

I’ll make sure to make it up to you!

Oh, um… but I haven’t actually thought about what I’ll do yet. Sorry…

Besides, Juis-san said he’s coming too. Think of it like you’re doing him a favor.

You want to make sure Juis-san doesn’t look bad too, right…?

……

…I still cannot rid myself of my aversion to an idea this utterly ridiculous. However, if you’re going to beg to that extent…fine.

Uwaaah! Thank you, Nozomi-san…!

(Yes! Maybe this will help everyone get along a bit better!)

Anzu-san! Everyone’s coming! I’m really looking forward to sitting with everyone…♪