⌒Heartful⌒ 3

Wataru: My humblest apologies for making you all wait—oh?

Hinata: Oh, Hibiki-senpai! Sorry, we were just messing around.

All of this stuff is in the way, isn’t it? We’ll clean it up ASAP, so just hold tight for a sec...

Wataru: ...No, there’s no need to clean it up.

Hinata: ?

Wataru: Rather, I’d like to know what you were all doing.

That spherical object Hiiro-kun is holding... no, that’s not what it is. What is that egg-shaped thing?

Hiiro: It’s just as you said, Wataru-senpai. It is indeed an egg.

But if you tap on it, you can hear that it’s hollow, so nothing will hatch from within it.

I have also learned its proper name: this specific type of egg is known as an Easter egg.^[1]

Mika: Right now it’s just a plain ol’ thing, not painted or nothin’. But we’re gonna paint and decorate it all ourselves so it’s a real Easter egg.

We’d got to talkin’ ‘bout how all of us wanted to do some paintin’ together, so I’m real happy it’s finally happenin’ ♪

Shinobu: What colors shall we use? What patterns shall we draw? Mine imagination runneth o’er ♪

Wataru: Hm, so we’ll be painting these Easter eggs, then?

Which would entail that the egg-shaped capsules are related to Easter Fest, then.

Hinata: You got it! I totally forgot to explain the context...

The local government people in charge of the festival sent us these bad boys.

They’re gonna have an egg-painting workshop during the festival, and they’re letting us display the eggs we make there.

They’ll be examples for the guests, as well as one-of-a-kind art exhibits made by idols... ♪

Shinobu: This one is quite large, as thou seest~ If we’re not careful with our work, any imperfections will stand out.

Mika: It ain’t flat, neither, so that makes it a whole ‘nother beast from drawin’ on paper. We might could make a sketch of our ideas first.

Hiiro: Hm. Because it will serve as a reference for others, I would like to create a high-quality work. I’ll take your suggestion, Kagehira-senpai—

Oh. If we continue talking, we won’t be able to have practice, even though Wataru-senpai has come all the way here.

Mika: Aw, you’re right. It’s high time to close up shop. But we can figure out how to paint it later, okay? ♪

Shinobu: Then let us all put our eggs back in the cardboard boxes~

What shall we cover today, Hibiki-dono? We’ve finished warming up, so we may begin at any time ♪

Wataru: ...Everyone, please leave your egg capsules and the boxes where they are.

Practicing nonstop will only induce fatigue; I thought that we could take a day of rest, instead.

It will be a good opportunity to rest and recover. We can brainstorm designs together and sketch out ideas. So let’s make today one in which we take up the challenge of making these Easter eggs ☆

Hinata: ...Whoa, are you saying you’re actually interested in painting the eggs, Hibiki-senpai?

Wataru: Fufufu, of course. You were all speaking with such enthusiasm that it made me want to dive right in.

Hiiro: If you say so, Wataru-senpai... but is it all right to work in this room? I worry that we may stain the floor.

Mika: Ngah, that’s true. We ain’t got the tools for it, neither. Maybe we should go somewhere else?

Shinobu: The prop room would be perfect, would it not? It has art supplies and floor mats ♪

Hinata: If we’re gonna be decorating the Easter eggs, I was thinking we could use fabric and ribbon, too. But I dunno if there’s any of that in the props room?

I feel like I can find them somewhere in the ES building, though, so I’ll run out and grab it ♪

You guys should cart the boxes over there. Do you wanna come with me, Hibiki-senpai?

Wataru: Why, yes, I’ll come with you, Hinata-kun.

Hinata: All right, that’s a done deal then! You guys go get everything ready in the props room. Hibiki-senpai and I’ll be there in the blink of an eye...!

Hinata: Markers, colored paper, masking tape, fabric, ribbon...

There’s probably scissors and glue in the props room, so this should be it for now. If we need anything else, we can just go out again, right Hibiki-senpai?

Wataru: Yes. I can just fly away and retrieve it... ☆

Hinata: Ahaha. When you say it, it really does feel like you’re gonna fly off in your hot-air balloon or that hang glider. Like, “Just taking my balloon out for a run ☆” sorta thing.

Wataru: Fufufu. That would be difficult, if we aren’t blessed with fair weather every day. For quick errands, I typically just walk there.

And if I need a lot of things, I’ll take the car.

Hinata: Huh? You have a license, Hibiki-senpai? That’s so cool! Can you give me a ride sometime? ♪

...Actually, I’m sorry we made you change your plans earlier.

You only suggested we take the day off ‘cause we were so stoked about the painting thing, right?

Wataru: Not at all. The decision was my own. We’ve been through a lot of intense training; that puts a considerable burden on the body.

I had been wondering what to do to remedy it before everyone’s bodies began to cry out in protest.

Still, fatigue has built up quite a bit over the days already, hasn’t it? I should apologize for not letting everyone rest sooner.

Hinata: No way, you don’t need to apologize!

We get to do whatever we want, however we want, thanks to you teaching us. It’s so much fun...

Hey, can I ask you something, Hibiki-senpai? How do you really feel about spending every day with us?

You joining the shuffle unit was just the tip of the iceberg. You’ve been giving us so much and doing so much for us.

So I wanted to know, like, regarding the shuffle unit and Easter Fest as a whole. What do you want to do? And what do you want to see happen...?

Would you mind telling me what’s on your mind, Hibiki-senpai?