Slowly... Be gentle with it and... Stop! Okay, we'll lift it onto the stage from here!

Th-This Christmas tree box is so heavy...!

Ow, my arms...!

It's too heavy...!

I'll prop this side up, so let's just keep trying! Ready? One, two... Three!

We did it! Great work!

Once the lights get delivered, we'll put them together on the stage...

Ah, perfect timing! That must be them with our lights! Let's go pick up our delivery...!

O-Okay!

But this stage already has lights. Why do we need to borrow more from someone else...?

This is just the bare minimum.

We need more on the rafters and some extra spotlights if we want to make it feel like a real show.

Oh, that makes sense...!

Wow, look at all the lights over there...!

These can really hurt someone if they were to fall on them, so please be careful! Don't carry too many at once if it feels too heavy!

Whoa, I've never seen a spotlight up so close... It kinda looks like a big bazooka...

Wake up, Minori! I need you to help me carry this!

Uh... O-Okay!

One, two...!

Let's move that table here.

Two put together should be enough.

Haruka! Shizuku!

P-Please, help...

I was putting up this poster for the event and was just told by someone from the venue staff that we're not supposed to use this kind of tape...

Oh, you didn't try to use regular tape, did you...?

That actually leaves behind some residue, so we should be using whatever tape they've allowed us to use. I'm pretty sure that was written in the agreement...

I... I didn't know...!

I'm so sorry. I've put up so many already...

No, it's okay.

This is your first time and there's just so much to get used to.

Shizuku, I'm going to go help fix those posters. Can I leave you to set everything else up for the reception area?

Yes, I can do that!

I did this quite a lot when I was still in training, so you can count on me.

Thanks. I'll see you in a bit.

Okay, the posters should be all set...!

Thank you so much, Haruka!

You're welcome.

Anyway, we should hurry back since we don't have much time left.

(I had a feeling that we'd be running behind schedule...)

(I thought we'd be okay since we didn't have any merchandise to worry about, but our staff's lack of experience is slowing us down more than I realized.)

Shizuku, I'm back.

How are things over here?

We're all done. It took a little longer than I was hoping, but we all pulled together and managed to make a nice reception area.

Haruka! Shizuku!

If we don't start rehearsing for our show soon, we won't be able to stay on schedule...

Oh, is it that time already?

Let's go, Shizuku.

We still need to talk things over with the lighting and sound techs.

Hnng... This light's so heavy...!

I didn't realize how hard it is to get these set up...

You're not tired already, are you?

We still have to rehearse after this.

Speaking of which, Shizuku and Haruka are here... Alright, let's start rehearsing!

O-Okay!

MORE MORE JUMP!

“Hello, everyone...!

This is Minori Hanasato from MORE MORE JUMP!...”

H-Huh? It went all quiet...

Stop!

Pause there please!

I-I'm sorry!

I faded out there by accident...!

That's okay! Let's just settle down and try it again!

But we're supposed to be rehearsing...

I should know what to do by now...

I apologize for switching lights at the wrong time too...

Please, don't say that.

We should be the ones apologizing for not giving you a chance to rehearse sooner.

She's right...

It's our fault for booking this place and making you guys rehearse like this on such short notice.

Exactly. None of you are to blame.

So let's regroup and check everything from the top again.

Okay...

(Oh no...

They seem so disappointed...)

(We've finished rehearsing but...)

If we let the line go this way, they'll spill out into the street so it might be better to break them into smaller lines...

C-Can we go over that part once more?

(The staff seem so worried...)

Um, Airi, I have a feeling that everyone's a little tired right now... How about we all take a little break...?

Yeah, especially since we've been at it nonstop since this morning.

Sorry for the delay, everyone! I think it's high time we all took a break, so please take an hour to get yourselves some lunch and rest up!

They seem really concerned...

Yeah, this isn't looking good.

Should we all sit down and discuss what's going on? Nothing good will come out of us fretting like this.

Yeah...

I'm sure you're tired too, Minori.

Sit tight. I'll get us something to drink.

Yeah, the ones we brought are all gone now, so I'll head up to the vending machines with you.

(What do we do...?

Isn't there anything I can do to help...?)

I never realized preparing for an event was this hard...

(Oh, they were the ones helping us put stuff together...!)

Yeah, hearing about how Haruka and the others were in trouble made me want to volunteer...

But it feels like I'm not really doing much... Almost like I'm hurting more than helping...

Oh no...!

I'm gonna go use the restroom. I'm guessing we're going to be really busy once our break is over...

Yeah, I'll go too...

...

(They were tearing up too...)

(They're here to help us, but we made them feel this way...)

(This is what Haruka was talking about...)

...

Sorry I'm late!

Morning club activities went on longer than I expected...

Huh?

Oh! Hi, Minori!

It's you...

You're the one who asked to shake hands with me, right?!

Y-Yes!

I can't believe that you remember me!

Um, my name is Yuina Uchiyama!

I'm really looking forward to working with you today!

Yuina? It's nice to finally know your name! But wait... You're working with me today...?

Yes, I applied at the last minute to participate as staff for this event.

What? R-Really?!

Really! I was busy with club activities this morning, but rushed over to help with what I could this afternoon!

Oh, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule like this...!

B-But are you sure about doing this?! Being staff for an event like this is probably a lot harder than you expect!

Is it really that hard?

Yes... Even now, we're behind schedule and scrambling to figure things out...

Then, I'll just have to try my best...!

Huh?

The way you shouted out to me during your last show stream gave me the courage to try harder for club.

That's why I want to return the favor, Minori. You helped me so I want to help you!

I don't mind if it ends up being really hard! I'm happy as long as I know I'm helping you!

Yuina...!

(That's right...)

(They're willing to endure all this if it means supporting us...)

(That means I...!)

Yuina, thanks again for coming out today! I'm gonna head off for a little bit, so please wait for me in the hall!

What?! Where are you going, Minori...?!

So I'm thinking about gathering everybody in the hall after we've all had something to eat...

I feel like we should talk to them and get them to relax since they seem to be worried right now.

Yes, that sounds good.

It'll also be good to look everything over with the lighting and sound technicians again.

Alright, we can also try talking to them individually during the break... Hm?

What's going on? They're all moving toward the hall for some reason.

Look! Isn't that Minori on stage with a mic?

What...?!

(I'm going to spread and inspire hope in everyone with this event. That includes all the staff here too...!)

(So...!)

“Everyone! Please allow me to thank you again for joining us here today!”

“Being able to put together an event with you like this is so incredible!”

“But I also know that things haven't been going as planned. It's probably more work than some of you expected...”

“And I'm sorry for making you guys worry so much...”

“Unlike Haruka, Shizuku or Airi, I've never done an event like this before, so I'm not really sure how to ease this tension...”

“But that's not gonna stop me from trying...!”

“I'm still positive that we'll be able to put on an amazing and unforgettable event as long as we work together!”

“You all made your way out here today just for us...”

“And that gave us an enormous boost of power!”

“So as long as you're there to lend us your strength, we're going to try more and more and more! We're not stopping until it's over!”

Minori...

“I know it won't be easy, but I'm sure we can do it! We'll be fine as long as we work together!”

“No matter how high a hurdle we face is, we're going to clear it! That's MORE MORE JUMP!”

Yeah, I think I was fretting over not being able to help out as much as I thought...

Me too...

I got so anxious about having to get all this done...

We don't have much time until the curtains go up. Let's refocus and see this through...!

Looks like Minori beat us to it...

Yes, she's always there to push us in the right direction when we need it.

But we're not letting her take all the credit.

Let's get back to work and finish this!