Shizuku, congratulations on becoming the lead!

I can't believe it...

It hasn't even been six months since she joined Cheerful * Days and she's already the lead.

Everybody, thank you.

I was very surprised to hear that I'd been chosen for this role too...

But I know that I'll have to keep doing my best to make sure our fans are happy with this.

There may be some growing pains at first, but I'm hoping that we can work together to get through them.

Let's keep making Cheerful * Days as exciting as it can be...!

Shizuku, we've been looking forward to seeing you again! Our ratings have been booming thanks to you!

I'm just happy that everyone is enjoying this so much. Thank you for always having me.

...

(Today's talking points are about what I want to do as the lead of Cheerful * Days and the toughest parts of being an idol...)

(The script even has what I'm supposed to say...)

...

“I'm Shizuku Hinomori of Cheerful * Days. It's an honor to be chosen as the group's lead.”

“I have you, the fans, to thank for allowing me to become the lead. I promise to do everything I can to make this group more fun and exciting.”

“We'll be counting on your support.”

(This isn't me...)

(But I have to tell the fans and everyone else this, don't I...?)

(I have to be the person they want me to be...)

(As long as I'm the lead for this group...)

...

Can I really handle this...?

Hinomori...?

Huh?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Did I startle you?

Oh...! K-Kiritani...?!

Yes, I'm Hinomori.

It's so nice to meet you...!

I'm Haruka Kiritani.

It's nice to meet you too.

It really is...!

I never thought that we'd be on the same show together. I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now.

With me...?

Yes, since you became your group's lead just after debuting.

Oh...

(But the reason why I was given this role isn't because of any particular talents I have...)

I'm really nothing special.

I'm just...

No, you are.

Huh...?

I saw Cheerful * Days perform a little while ago and you were the one that I thought shined the brightest then, Hinomori.

It felt pretty clear that you're the one that works the hardest out of everyone.

Which is why I think you were the obvious choice to become the lead.

Kiritani...

Thank you...

H-Hinomori? What's wrong?

Are you okay?

I'm sorry, it's just...

I'm a little scared is all...

I'm wondering if it's really okay for me to be the lead...

No, I understand...

Cheerful * Days is a fairly large group, so being the lead does come with just that much responsibility.

Yes, I'm just so concerned...

Doesn't it ever bother you, Kiritani...?

All these expectations and all this pressure?

Me? Well...

I try to stay focused on what I need to do as the leader of my group, and how to meet our fans' expectations. I'm not sure that I feel that pressure though...

I see...

You're such a strong girl, Kiritani.

No, I'm really not. I just genuinely love being an idol is all...

You love being an idol?

I do. I've been enamored by them since I was little.

I wanted to be just like them. I want to stand up on the stage and give hope to as many people as I can...

My goal is to keep doing that and I really enjoy all of it.

Kiritani...

You really are amazing.

The best of the best. It's like you're shining even brighter in person than when I see you on TV...

I want to meet my fans' expectations too, but I'm not sure I can get myself to do what you do, Kiritani...

I'm sure you can, Hinomori.

Huh?

You thinking this hard about what you can do for your groupmates and fans means that you're trying your best.

Being the lead means there will be added pressure and responsibilities compared to everybody else...

But I'm sure you'll be just fine, Hinomori.

Kiritani...

And please call me Haruka.

We're both idols after all.

Oh...

Then... Haruka...

Please call me Shizuku...

And let's keep doing everything we can!