Good morning, everyone.
Good morning!
...!
(Whoa...
They're all bowing at the same exact angle.)
(This feels more like a professional sports team than a musical troupe. I guess they do have it pretty hard here...)
(And I have to do my best to keep up with them.)
This is Nene Kusanagi.
She will be studying at Morinomiya with all of you for the next three months.
She still has to attend her regular school like normal, so she won't be here all day during the week. But she will be here from start to finish otherwise.
If you don't mind introducing yourself.
O-Of course...!
My name is Nene Kusanagi!
I'm a member of a troupe called Wonderlands×Showtime, and will be studying to improve my acting skills here.
I'm looking forward to working with all of you starting today!
We look forward to working with you as well!
Studying here means that you'll be treated the same as any other Morinomiya student, Ms. Kusanagi.
So, everyone, if she has any questions regarding the rules and expectations we place on our students, please help her out.
Anyway, that concludes our morning meeting. Let's do our best again today to uphold the name of Morinomiya.
Yes!
(Phew...)
(That was a little nerve-wracking, but I'm glad I was able to introduce myself to everyone...)
(But I have to stay focused.
I need to do my best in order to learn new acting techniques and other ways to express myself using my body...!)
Let's see... I'm starting with a ballet lesson. The classroom for it should be...
Kusanagi!
Y-Yes?!
Uhh...
My name's Imura! I'm really looking forward to working with you! Things might be a little hard at first since the rules here are so strict, but feel free to ask me any questions!
Oh, thank you...
Nice to meet you. I'm Mori.
Come to think of it, have you already received today's schedule? You're going to need it, so I can have a copy made if you don't have one.
No, I just received a copy a minute ago.
But thank you for offering.
(The people in this class are a lot nicer than I was expecting...)
(I hesitated for a second there, since this place is so famous for being strict. But I guess my worries were misplaced.)
Kusanagi.
Yes, how can I...?
...!
(Whoa...)
(This person has perfect posture.)
(Her core seems incredibly strong.
It's like she's ready to perform at a moment's notice.)
Forgive me for doing this just before our lesson, but I felt that I should introduce myself to our new addition.
My name is Byakkomachi.
I'm the head of this class.
The head...?
Like a class president?
Yes, that's essentially my job.
As the head of our class, Byakkomachi sits at the top of the pyramid.
Many who enroll in this school are already talented singers and dancers in their own right.
But Byakkomachi here stands head and shoulders above the rest of us. The executives and staff can't seem to get enough of her.
I had no idea...!
Umm... I feel honored to be speaking with somebody in your position.
Haha. You're going to make me blush.
In any case, as the head of this class and your fellow classmate, I plan on giving you all the support I can.
I'll show you around the changing and recreations rooms once our lesson is finished.
Th-Thank you.
I really appreciate it.
There's no need to thank me. It's all a part of the job. Oh, look at the time. Our lesson is about to start...
Right!
Um, how should I start preparing or warming up?
First, let's use the mirror... Oh, before that.
There's something I need to tell you, Kusanagi.
Huh?
You're not officially enrolled here and you're only here for a limited time, but you will be treated the same as the rest of us.
Simultaneously, you'll be expected to act and produce results all on your own.
Things aren't going to be easy.
But I hope that you'll still do your best.
Yes!
I understand!
When you perform a grand jeté, maintain control all the way down to your fingertips! You will not be able to dance with grace unless you have control over every part of your body!
Understood!
...
(Even after all that training we did with Mikazukigumi...
My legs feel like jelly already just from ballet basics...!)
(But the others haven't stopped dancing for a second... Just how much stamina do they have...?!)
(Still, I can't let them leave me behind.)
(I have to keep going, no matter how hard any lesson gets!)
That should be enough for today.
This lesson is adjourned.
Huff...! Huff...! Huff...!
(I can finally catch my breath...)
That was incredible, Kusanagi!
It's only your first day, but you managed to keep up!
I agree!
I remember being completely exhausted during my first day.
Please try to stay hydrated, since these practices are likely going to feel extra difficult while you try to get used to things around here.
Thank you! I'll be careful!
Excuse me, ma'am.
Do you have a little time right now?
How can I help you, Ms. Byakkomachi?
Could I ask you to look over how I dance from the middle through the finale? I still feel like I'm missing something...
But your form is near perfect.
It seems unnecessary to push yourself any harder...
Alright, fine...
Show me. But only just this once.
Thank you!
She's so elegant...
She really is...
Even after that lesson, she doesn't look tired at all.
I know, right? I guess this is what it means to possess world-class talent.
World-class?
Yeah, she's so good that world-famous directors have been coming to visit our school in addition to seeing our shows. For example, Jack Howard, the creator of “Spirit”...
And he isn't alone. All sorts of people have been trying to recruit her.
Wait, really...?!
Yes, really!
You won't believe how many people have already asked her to audition for their troupes and companies!
But despite all that, she chose to enroll at Morinomiya! Because she loves this place so much!
I had no idea...
(It's clear that she has the talent to become a world-class performer. That's obvious just based on her aura and how refined her movements are...)
(If I'm going to do the same, I have to become as good as her at the very least.)
I'll have to do my best during our next lesson...!
Next, I'd like for you all to sing one at a time. We'll start with the front row at this end.
Understood!
♪————————
(Now we're having a singing lesson.
Everyone's good...)
(But this is my chance to do well...!)
(This is my wheelhouse, so I need to show everyone what I've got!)
Alright, next.
Okay!
♪————————!!
...!
Wow...!
Her voice is so beautiful...!
♪————————!!
Thank you. That's it from me...
...
...?
Umm...
Oh, pardon me. Thank you.
Please take a seat.
O-Okay...
(She hesitated there for a second. Does that mean I didn't do well? I thought I did okay...)
(No, I don't have time for that right now. I need to stay focused on this lesson.)
Okay, that concludes today's lesson.
You'd like to tell them about it now, yes?
Yes, so...
As I'm sure you all already know, auditions for our next quarterly performance will be held soon.
...
...
(Quarterly performance? Auditions?
This is news to me...)
(Also, what happened...?
Why do things feel so tense now all of a sudden?)
The title of this performance will be announced tomorrow during your acting lesson. Please let us know if you know that you will not be present.
Also, Ms. Kusanagi...
...!
Y-Yes?!
We will be expecting you to audition for this performance.
Huh?