⌒Joyful⌒ 1

Hinata: All right, let’s get this show on the road. I wanna look through all those materials Anzu got for us about this job!

Wataru: Let’s see... compared to the first documents I received, these go into much further detail.

Shinobu: Hmm. It appeareth that we shall perform as a shuffle unit many times over the duration of Easter Fest.

We will be on stage and participating in events. It seemeth like we’re something of PR characters?

Mika: Looks like. And the first hurdle we gotta jump is the opening ceremony at the festival...

Hiiro: Hm, so we will be performing in a live show. Here it’s written that it will be a “lively pop song to welcome spring.”

Mika: Hey Anzu-chan, the song we’re gon’ sing for this is a new one for the shuffle unit, right? You know what it sounds like yet?

Wataru: Oho? You’ve prepared a demo specifically for this meeting? I thank you ever so much.

Shinobu: Then we must repay thine efforts with a great performance. If thou mindest not, might we hear it now? ♪

Hinata: My heart’s pounding! What’s our song gonna sound like...?

A few minutes later

Mika: Well, I’ll be... so this is our song. It’s real full of energy, that’s for sure.

I shoulda expected it, but it’s completely different from Valkyrie’s style. I don’t even know how to sing it, really.

Hinata: Well, we’ll figure all of that stuff out together, including what we’re doing for our performance ♪

I like the melody, though. Since I’m used to just two people singing, having so many people in a group is pretty new for me.

Hiiro: Hm. Regarding the performance at Easter Fest...

What do you think we should do, Wataru-senpai?

Wataru: Oh my, you’re asking me? Since we’re on the topic of numbers, I assumed you would ask Shinobu-kun, since he is used to a five-member group.

Shinobu: Nay, nay. Like Hiiro-kun, I too wanted to ask thine opinion first, Hibiki-dono.

Wataru: Why is that?

Shinobu: Huh? Why is that... well, is it odd to look to one’s senpais first and foremost?^[1]

Hiiro: Yes. Even if we’re in different units, we are all your kouhai, Wataru-senpai.

I think it’s natural to want to hear the opinions of one’s elders... Was it wrong of me to ask, though?

Wataru: Ah, I apologize if I’ve made you uneasy.

You’re right; I am the oldest member of this shuffle unit... and therefore your senpai.

...Be that as it may, we are all equal members of this shuffle unit; there is no difference between you and me.

This is a performance we’ll all do together, so we don’t need to make distinctions of seniority. And naturally, neither standing nor experience matter, either. We should all plan this together.

Mika: Hehe, you sayin’ that makes it easier for us to speak our minds, too. Makes me plumb happy that you’re so nice to us... ♪

Hinata: But at the same time, Hibiki-senpai, don’t hold back just because you’re older than us, okay? I wanna hear your opinions.

And during practice, too! Drill me with an iron fist, I can take it!

Shinobu: Thy physical abilities are a force of nature, Hibiki-dono~ Whenever I bear witness to your graceful movements, I am overcome with shock.

Hiiro: Yes. During practice, I would like to absorb and learn as much as I can from you, Wataru-senpai. I hope that we can apply that to our performance on stage, as well!

Wataru: (...I’ve said before that having the audience’s eyes on me while on stage is nothing short of euphoric, the spotlight directed at me now feels somewhat... embarrassing, I suppose?)

(All four of them are innocently seeking my attention. I did anticipate this, but in the end I’m still lacking in experience with it...)

...? Is something wrong, Anzu-san?

You’re concerned about me? No, no, I assure you I’m perfectly fine. I am the same Hibiki Wataru as ever.

It’s only that everyone has high expectations of me; I am wondering how I might go about meeting them.

But if you believe I can guide these children without issue, then I shall... ♪

Mika: —Ngh? Anzu-chan, your phone’s vibratin’ I think.

Oh, it’s time for you to head somewhere else? Man, you sure are a busy one.

Hinata: Is there anything we’re concerned about? Umm, no, not that I can think of. And we’ve got Hibiki-senpai at the helm, too.

I hope we get to work on things other than stage prep for the festival while senpai’s whipping us into shape...

Nah, I haven’t thought of anything just yet. But we’re doing a bunch of performances for the festival, so I want them to have that oomph factor.

Shinobu: We shall plan out the stage performance first. Thou mayest leave this to us, and thou canst go off to work ♪