Thank you for gathering here today, everyone. Shall we start making some rice balls?

Yeah!

I really wasn't expecting us to set aside time to practice making rice balls like this.

Hehe. Truth be told, the rest of us aren't as good at cooking as you are, Airi, so I'm glad we're doing this.

Airi! Haruka!

We have everything from salmon, bonito, plums to tuna salad!

Okay, we got it. Anyway, let's just start by making one of each, and I'll also check to see how you guys do.

Yeah!

Okay... Make a nice triangle and...

There! Airi, I'm done!

Hey, that looks great!

But I think you compressed it a little too much. Try to relax more so that it comes out lighter and fluffier.

Hmm... That might be easier said than done.

I can't quite get my triangle to maintain its shape when I try to fluff it up...

Me too. It starts to fall apart whenever I try to use a lighter grip.

Lemme see... Haruka, you should be fine as long as you keep an eye on how you're holding yours.

As for you, Minori... I'm guessing that you're putting too many things into your rice ball, so you should probably cut back there.

Oh, right. Haha...

Airi, would you mind showing us an example?

An example? Sure, but it's probably not gonna look as pretty as you're expecting...

First, don't force it into becoming a triangle. That'll just make you tense up.

As long as it looks vaguely like a little mountain of rice on your hands, then it'll start taking shape on its own.

But that's why your grip is so important too. Remember, light and fluffy! If you hold it too tightly, you'll crush it by squeezing all the air out of it.

So try to be gentle. Hold it like this without letting the air out... One, two, three and...

There we go! Done!

Whoa! That was so fast! It looks really pretty too!

If you can't get it in three turns, try to work in sets of three. That way, you should be able to get roughly the same result every time.

I see.

That's so interesting. I've never put so much thought into making rice balls before.

You all seem to be doing great now!

We should be able to give what you make to our fans now.

Yay!

Oh...

Hehe. We were so focused on making these that we forgot to have something to eat. Shall we have a taste of what we've made?

Airi, please try these!

The one on the right has salmon in it, the middle has bonito and the left is plum flavored.

Okay, okay, I will.

But I can't eat them all, you know?

U-Um... Haruka, here...!

Could you try some of the rice balls I made?!

Sure, thanks.

Would you like to try mine, Minori?

Y-Yes...! Thank you!

A... A salmon rice ball made by Haruka herself...

To the farmer who made this rice...!

Because of your work, I'm able to have a rice ball made personally by Haruka! Thank you very much!!

Thank you. Thank you...!

Oh, Minori...

I hope the staff gets as excited about these as Minori is right now.

Hehe. I suspect that Minori's the only one who can get so worked up about something like this.

Yeah. I kind of want her to enjoy it the most, you know...?

Hehehe.

Looks like we're pretty much all set up.

Thank goodness too. We should be able to start on time.

Yeah. All that's left is for us to do a final rundown and make sure we have something to eat!

Oh, that means...!

Yes!

Thank you for all your hard work, everyone.

We actually prepared a little surprise for you today. Saito, if you would please.

Yes, of course!

A surprise?! For us?! Yay!

Oh, they're rice balls!

Hehe. We made them ourselves.

Please be patient as we hand them out in order.

M-Made by MMJ?!

Yes! The four of us practiced making them quite a lot, so I'm sure they turned out very well.

We have salmon, bonito, plum and several other flavors, so please choose any you like.

W-We can really have these?!

Are you sure?!

Yes, of course.

Now, which one would you like?

Th-Thank you! I'll take a plum one!!

Plum it is. Here you are.

Thank you very much!

Oh, there's something written on it...

Hehe. We all wrote a little message on each of them, so we hope you get a chance to read them.

A homemade rice ball and a handwritten message?!

Wh-What do I do...?

I might collapse out of sheer joy if I eat this...

I should preserve this on my shelf forever instead!!

I know, right...?!

Be sure to eat them!

Hehehe.