MORE MORE JUMP! is now on the set!
Honestly, I thought you'd be used to this by now. We're gonna be working on this for a pretty long time, so pull yourself together already.
R-Right!
So... Today's shoot involves us meeting with the operations committee, yes?
That's the plan.
I'm looking forward to seeing what they're like.
Oh, you must be MORE MORE JUMP!
Huh?
It's a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Tamura. I'm the chairman of the operations committee, and very much looking forward to working with all of you.
What...? The chairman?!
Yes, we're looking forward to working with you as well!
We promise to do our absolute best.
Oh, my name is Haruka Kiritani from MORE MORE JUMP!
Yes, I'm familiar with you ladies.
I'm actually the one who sent in the request to this program.
Oh, I didn't know...
I'm sure that you've all heard by now that our town has been in a downturn these past few years. With fewer young people around, our once bustling community has become so diminished...
It's honestly quite a sad sight.
Mr. Tamura...
But it really is a wonderful place...
The food is delicious and you're surrounded by nature.
The view from the observation deck is truly spectacular. Not only can you see the mountains and entire town, but they transform with each season.
That's why we began holding the town marathon.
Showing people just how beautiful this place is should help bring in more tourists and new residents...
But things haven't quite been going as we planned. If matters continue like this, this town won't be able to spare the budget for the marathon much longer.
That was when I learned about this program. And through them, we've decided to bet on you young ladies.
Thank you for telling us all this.
For the sake of this town you all love so much, we promise to do our best to make others feel the same way through this event.
Oh, more people are starting to come in. They must be the rest of the operations committee.
Yeah, let's go introduce ourselves.
Um, excuse me...
...!
U-Uhh... Thank you for coming.
(Huh...?)
(Is it just me, or are they trying to avoid us?)
Ah, that makes everyone from the operations committee. Alright, please gather up so that we can all introduce ourselves.
(Something felt off even when we were introducing ourselves. We didn't seem entirely welcome...)
(At the same time, I sort of understand why they'd be so hesitant. I mean, I'd feel uncomfortable too if a group of outsiders came out of nowhere and said they'd like to help with my town's marquee event...)
Haruka? Is something wrong?
Oh, sorry...
I must've spaced out for a second.
More importantly, we need to start coming up with ideas to make sure the marathon succeeds.
Right. First, we need to get ourselves familiar with Hanamioka by taking a stroll around town.
Okay!
Still, this really is a wonderful place...
All this greenery and fresh air...
I know, right?! And the food's delicious!
The meats and veggies at the little eatery we just visited were so amazing! I couldn't put my utensils down!
Yeah, their dishes really brought the ingredients' flavors to life. We'll need to be careful not to overeat.
Oh...!
Hm? What's the matter, Shizuku?
Look, everyone.
There's a beautiful flower field over here.
Wow... It is beautiful.
Yeah, and check out all the different flowers. You really only get to see stuff like this in places where nature's been allowed to just be.
I hope the runners also get to see this.
No, wait... The marathon's not for a long time, so these flowers might be gone by then...
But there might be a way to still make use of them.
Huh?
For example, what if we...
Are they sure about this?
I mean, they're idols, right?
(...?
Are those people by the side of the road talking about...)
And so young, too. You have to wonder if they'll be any use at all.
...!
Not likely.
I doubt they know the first thing about this place, so don't get your hopes up.
Honestly, what is the chairman thinking, calling in that television crew?
Can't he see that we're doing our best here? Does he think this is just for fun?
They're on the operations committee, aren't they?
Wow... I didn't realize that's how some people felt about all this.
Me neither...
But it's also proof that they're serious about what they're doing.
It's normal for them to be wary of outsiders and those they think they can't rely on. Their town is just that precious to them.
So, it's up to us to be the best diplomats we can, to help ease their worries.
Haruka...
I agree.
We have to take this marathon and our interactions with the locals very seriously. We need to show them that we're going to do our absolute best.
Right!
Because we're here to spread hope to the people of this town!
We're gonna do everything we can to help and make it so everyone's smiling in the end!
Oh, so... Going back to the flower field...
Rolling in five, four, three...
Alright, let's start discussing ideas regarding how to improve our marathon. Who would like to begin?
Umm... In that case, would it be okay for us to go first?
Yes, of course.
The floor is yours.
While taking a walk around your town and actually running the marathon course...
We experienced Hanamioka's natural beauty and delicious food, and learned what a wonderful place it is.
...
So, we thought it might be good to start telling people online through social media. Would it be possible to start some official accounts?
We have a feeling that a lot are going to say, “Imagine running while enjoying all this gorgeous scenery,” or, “The food here looks amazing,” and want to learn more about your town.
Naturally, we'll be taking the lead in terms of doing interviews, posting new content and keeping the updates going.
Yes, we were also thinking about doing more through social media, so your help would be much appreciated.
Also, we have an idea regarding what's passed out at the refreshment stations!
We were told that besides drinks, you offered candy and chocolate to help people recharge up through last year...
But we thought that you could start offering things that used local Hanamioka ingredients.
H-How does that sound?!
Yes, it could be an opportunity to spread the word about all the delicious foods our town has to offer...
But we can just buy snacks and the like. Making something would take more budget, and more hands.
Yes, so please feel free to discuss your budget options before you decide.
We'll also be available to help with any extra work that needs doing, so we hope you'll give this some thought.
Hmm...
If I may, we have one last idea.
What if we handed out pressed-flower bookmarks?
Pressed flowers?
During our walk, we stumbled across this really beautiful flower field!
We were hoping that the runners would also get to see it, but then we realized that certain flowers won't be in bloom when the marathon actually happens.
So, we thought that turning them into bookmarks would be nice.
We'd be able to share with them what we saw, and they might want to come visit again when the fields are back in full bloom.
So...
Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
I agree. The flower fields are one of our most treasured assets, so let's take it into consideration.
Thank you very much!
We should be able to make them as long as we're given some backing paper, so we're hoping you'll take this idea into consideration.
...
Here we...aah!
No, this daikon refuses to come out of the ground. It must be very big...
I'm so sorry, putting you to work pulling veggies. My back has just been so sore lately...
Not at all. We'll be using them for the marathon, so it's our pleasure to help.
Oh, Shizuku, there's a ladybug on your nose...
Huh? Oh, you're right.
It's a little... Achoo!
Oh no...! I'm losing my balance... Eep!
*Gasp*
Ma'am, look! Falling helped me pull out the daikon! It's so big!
Phew...
I'm done cutting all the wood.
I just finished painting the outward-facing sections! Our stage should be ready in time for the marathon now!
Yeah, and we have the local carpenter to thank for teaching us everything. Left to our own devices, we could've worked for a year and not gotten this done.
We're gonna sing and dance on this stage so that all the runners participating will be able to get through the mountainous course!
...
Coming along?
Oh! Hi, Boss!
Thought it might be about time we start putting screws in, so I came to see how you two were doing...
You've cut some beautiful cross sections here. And you've done a good job of putting on even coats of paint for these.
Yeah. It'll do.
B-Boss...!
MMJ's working so hard.
They've really been getting to know the community.
Yes, you're right.
I honestly didn't think they'd be willing to go this far for this town.
If things keep going the way they have been and the marathon succeeds, then we should be able to get all the footage we need...
Alright, I've finished making our posts for the day on social media.
We're getting a lot more views on #HanamiokaMarathon too.
Yeah! Thanks to that, it sounds like this year's marathon is getting a lot more applications than last year...
E-Everyone, we have an emergency!