Let's Cheer for Umi![]
Why's Umi been absent so much lately? A tournament?
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Story 1 |
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| Honoka: Whew, what a fun practice we had today!
Umi: Honoka, can I talk to you? Honoka: Hmm? What's up? Umi: I'm terribly sorry, but I can't make Sunday's practice. I need to take the day off. Honoka: You do? Sure, that's not a problem, but... Kotori: It's rare for you to miss even one practice, Umi. Rin: Ah ha, I know! You wanna take Sunday off to go play somewhere! Umi: Oh, no, I'm definitely not just goofing off, I just... Rin: You just what? Umi: Err... Umi: I-I promise I'll be there the rest of the week. Thank you again! Honoka: Umi, hold on! Nozomi: Hmm... What's up with Umi today? Hanayo: She was definitely acting a bit odd. Nico: Very suspicious! Umi's definitely up to something. Maki: It's not that suspicious. Everyone has one or two things they'd rather not tell other people. Nozomi: Oh, yeah? What kind of secrets are YOU hiding, Maki? Maki: Quit grinning at me like that! Nico: Wait... What if... Hanayo: What's wrong, Nico? Nico: What if she's being recruited by another school idol group!? Kotori: Whaaaaaaat!? Honoka: No way! Umi's the last person who'd let that happen! Honoka: Sure, I wouldn't blame other groups for wanting her. She's pretty, an excellent dancer, a wonderful songwriter... Honoka: ...Oh my gosh! What if another group really is trying to recruit her!? Rin: No, I don't want her to leave! Nozomi: I really don't think she'd do that. Nico: You're too trusting, Nozomi. We live in an era of school idols, the headhunters could target any on of us at any time! Honoka: But Umi's part of µ's. She'd never abandon us! Maki: I don't think she'd leave µ's, but it is possible that she's meeting a recruiter anyway. Kotori: No... Umi... Nico: That does it. Let's tail her! Together: Tail her!? Nico: You heard me. Everyone put these on. Rin: Sunglasses? Hanayo: Nico, do you always have sunglasses on hand? Kotori: She's got enough for everyone... Maki: Forget tailing people, I'd be too embarrassed to wear these in public. Nico: Quit griping and hurry after Umi! Hanayo: Nico seems like she's enjoying herself. Nozomi: Hahaha... I think she just wanted to try shadowing someone. Rin: I trust that Umi is loyal to µ's, but I also wanna know hat kind of secret she's hiding. Nico: Come ON, let's go already! I'm not gonna wait forever! Honoka: Ack! Wait up, Nico! Kotori: Umi... What could she be up to? Umi: ...And that's why I need to take Sunday's practice off. Eli: That's fine, Umi... but are you sure you don't want to tell the others the truth? Umi: I'm sure. I don't want them making a big fuss over me. Eli: I honestly don't see what you're so worried about. Then again, I suppose it's rather like you. Umi: I'm sorry. Eli: There's no need to apologize! I promise I won't tell a soul. Best of luck, Umi! Umi: Thank you. I'll be going now. Eli: *Sigh* Umi's too considerate for her own good. She should let us be there for her a little more. |
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Story 2 |
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| Hanayo: *Pant* *Wheeze* Oh, it's Eli...
Eli: Umm... What's with the sunglasses, everyone? Nico: Eli, have you seen Umi? Eli: Hmm? Y-Yes, she was just here. Maki: Did she tell you anything? Eli: Err... Wh-What would she have told me about? Rin: Like, if another school idol group's trying to steal her! Eli: S-Steal!? Kotori: This all started when Umi asked to take off Sunday's practice. We got worried that maybe she was going to meet with another school idol group. Eli: So, she already told you all about Sunday, then. Hanayo: Hmm? Eli, do you know where Umi's going that day? Eli: Huh? I, err... I don't know the p-particulars... Nozomi: *Glare* Eli: Wh-What!? Nozomi: Oh, nothing... I just thought you were more of the honest type. Honoka: Look, everyone, Umi's over there! Rin: What's the plan, Nico? Nico: We follow here. Remember, this is a covert operation. Don't do anything conspicuous. Nico: These are for you, Eli. Eli: Sunglasses... Hanayo: I think Umi's headed to the shrine. Nico: After her! Eli: I don't think we should be tailing Umi. Eli: She's got her own reasons for not telling... And, of course, no one's listening. Umi: ........................ Kotori: Umi looks so serious... Honoka: Yeah. Hanayo: Maybe she's worried about something? Nico: Shh! Umi's on the move! Umi: *Chuckle* Rin: She laughed! Umi: I guess I'll start from here. Honoka: Is Umi... dancing? Maki: Wait, how's this different from a normal dance practice with us? Kotori: Actually, now that I look at her... Hanayo: She's doing the choreography we came up with the other day. Kotori: Perhaps she's trying to make up for the time she's going to miss on Sunday? Honoka: I guess no one's trying to recruit Umi after all. Hanayo: I think you're right. Nozomi: So we got all worked up over nothing? Nico: Then why's she keeping secrets from us? I'm gonna go ask her myself! Eli: Wait! Nico: Eli? Eli: Everyone... Listen. Eli: I wasn't supposed to tell you this, but the truth is... Umi's got an archery tournament on Sunday. Honoka: She does!? Why wouldn't she want us to know about that? Eli: Because she didn't want us wasting time that could've been spent practicing. She's afraid she'd be holding the group back. Honoka: Ah ha... Now I get it... Eli: So, please, let's all respect Umi's wishes. Kotori: I had no idea Umi felt that way... Now I feel bad. Honoka: But... but Umi's got it all wrong. Maki: She does? How? Honoka: I'd rather go to the tournament to cheer her on! Hanayo: Honoka... Honoka: I would never consider supporting her a waste of time! I'm going to the tournament and that's that. Kotori: Honoka... I couldn't agree more. Honoka: Right? Let's all go to the tournament and cheer our hearts out for Umi! Nozomi: Okay, count me in! Nico: Yeah! Let's give Umi a big surprise. Eli: All right. I can tell there's no talking you all out of this. Honoka: Sorry, Eli! Eli: It's fine. Honestly, I'd rather go and support Umi, too. Honoka: Thanks, Eli! *Giggle* Umi's gonna be speechless! |
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Story 3 |
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| Hanayo: All right, everyone. Let's make Umi a special bento lunch for her big day!
Honoka: Okay! Maki: Did you wash your hands, Rin? Rin: Of course! I don't wanna make a lunch that'll give everyone a stomachache. Kotori: Hanayo, you cooked a ton of rice. Hanayo: Yup, enough for all nine of us. Eli: What should we make first? Kotori: I'll make little octopuses out of hot dogs. Honoka: Sounds good. I'l start grilling them now! Kotori: Okay! And, for a final touch, we'll put two little sesame seeds on for eyes. Nico: I'll make an omelette, and make it extra sweet, just like me! Eli: I'll help you. So, you like your omelettes extra sweet, Nico? Nico: It's because I'M sweet, not because I have the palate of a little kid. Is that clear? Nozomi: You're making rice balls, right, Hanayo? I was thinking of making some, too. Hanayo: You bet! You need lots of stamina to get through a long tournament, and rice balls are packed with energy! Maki: Obviously you were going to make rice balls, with or without a reason. Hanayo: Hehe... Let's make a wide variety of them. Rin: Whoa, Nozomi! What're you doing with the seaweed? Nozomi: Making some of those deco-rice balls that are so popular these days. Eli: Deco-rice... Is that short for decorated rice? I've never heard of that... Maki: Nozomi, won't Umi be embarrassed if she has to eat a rice ball with UMI written on it in seaweed letters? Nozomi: *Chuckle* Oh, ye of little faith. A slight feeling of embarrassment is actually a good thing. Kotori: Maybe so. She'll be a little embarrassed, but happy at the same time! Hanayo: Once you finish making your rice balls, bring them over here so I can wrap them in aluminum foil. Rin: Okay! Ooh, look at the cherry tomatoes and apples. Now I'm starting to get hungry. Hanayo: I can't wait for lunch. Rin, I have some extra apples if you want one. Rin: Yay! I love you, Hanayo! Honoka: *Cheeeeeer* Kotori: Honoka, why are the octopus hot dogs holding their hands up in the air? Honoka: Because they're cheering for Umi! Kotori: Oh! Well then, I'll need to make mine do the same. *Cheeeeeer* Nico: All done! One big extra sweet omelette, ready to eat! Hanayo: That's the last piece. Looks like our lunch is all put together! Kotori: We should bring a big blanket to lay out, too. Eli: Hehe... It'll be like a mini picnic. Maki: I know it's kinda early, but should we head over now? Honoka: Ooh, wait a sec! First, let's make a big banner! Rin: Nice! If she sees us cheering and waving a big banner, it'll definitely get her pumped up. Maki: Don't you think that would make her mad? I'm pretty sure people who go to an archery tournament don't do a lot of yelling and flag-waving. Nico: How about I just make some pom-poms instead? Maki: Pom-poms are out of the question. Nico: Out of the question!? Eli: Yes. We don't want to disturb the competitors when they're trying to concentrate. Let's forgo the banner. Nico: Aww man, no pom-poms... Rin: Don't be sad, Nico! After the tournament, we'll sit down and make some pom-poms together. Hanayo: Maybe we can't bring them to the tournament, but we can use them onstage. Nico: Hehe, very smart, you two! Okay, after the tournament, I'll pitch in and help you make pom-poms! Nozomi: Other way around, Nico-cchi. They're helping you. Nico: I suppose you could put it that way. Honoka: What about a headband? Kotori: That's a good idea. I've seen Umi wearing a white headband before. Hanayo: I guess we can't write or draw pictures on it, can we? Eli: No... Unless... we only write on the inside? If we're going to the trouble to make one, we should at least write SOMETHING. Maki: What should we write? "Win the championship"? Honoka: I think Umi's probably already decided what her archery goals are. Honoka: We ought to just put, "We love you Umi"! There's no way to misinterpret that, and it's absolutely the truth. Nico: Don't you think she'll be embarrassed if the message is so direct? Maki: For someone as oblivious as Umi, I think that's perfect. Nozomi: Okay, let's make her a headband that's full of love! Kotori: I hope it looks cute on her. Once it's finished, let's head over to the tournament to cheer her on! |
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Story 4 |
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| Umi: Whew...
Honoka: Umiiiiiii! Kotori: Umi! Umi: Huh? What're you all doing here? Eli: Sorry, Umi. I spilled the beans about the tournament. Umi: Oh Eli... Well, now it makes sense. Honoka: Umi, you're gonna get it! How could you keep a secret, something as important as this tournament, from us? Kotori: We all came to cheer for you. Honoka put it best when she said it would never be a waste of time to support you. Maki: rushing over to watch a fellow member take on a big challenge is the natural thing to do. Umi: Kotori... Maki... Everyone... Nozomi: We made this for you, too. It's overflowing with the power of love. Here! Umi: A headband! Thanks so much. I can definitely use this. Kotori: *Snicker* Hanayo: *Giggle* Umi: Wh-What? What's everyone grinning about? Eli: Umi, look at the inside. Umi: The inside? Oh my... Eli: We made it for you. We thought that maybe you could wear it for the tournament. Umi: W-We love you, Umi... I've never seen such a flamboyant headband. Hanayo: I guess we put a few too many hearts on there. Don't worry, the outside is totally blank. Nico: The perfect headband for Umi Sonoda, the school idol. Rin: C'mon, Umi, c'mon! Let's have lunch now! Hanayo: We made a big bento lunch, too, Hopefully it'll give you the strength to keep up the good work this afternoon. Umi: Thank you so much. A new headband, a big lunch... I'll definitely give it everything I've got. Kotori: Great job out there, Umi! Honoka: The runner-up in single competition! Umi, you're awesome! Umi: Thank you! It may have been a small tournament, but it's definitely a good feeling to have won a prize. Eli: I've always wanted to see you fire an arrow. I had a great time today. Nico: I think we can all agree it was our cheering that got you to the runner-up spot. Umi: Yes. I truly appreciate your being here today. But to be honest... Nozomi: Yes? Umi: I... I really didn't want you all to come. Hanayo: Huh? Umi: You all are so good to me. You take care of me like you would take care of yourselves. Umi: Everyone's so dedicated to their dream of being the best school idol they can be. I felt awful about taking you away from that for my own selfish reasons. Maki: ............................... Umi: But, now I've changed my mind. Umi: I was delighted to see you all today. I guess I really wanted everyone to be here after all! Kotori: Aww, Umi... Eli: Hehe, I'm glad to hear you say that. There was never any need for you to feel like you were holding us back. Honoka: That's right! Besides, I hold everyone back enough as it is! Nico: Honoka, that's not something to be proud of! Umi: Hehe... Oh, Honoka... Honoka: Huh? Umi: That spirit of yours is exactly what pulls is all along no matter what happens. Honoka: ...........? Umi: Dear me... I'm no match for you, Honoka. You're a force of nature. Honoka: Huh? I'm... I'm sorry, Umi. Umi: *Giggle* I'm not mad! Just the opposite. I'm overjoyed! Kotori: Umi, Honoka... Hanayo: I'm glad we came to cheer for you today. Maki: I guess we'll call practice off then, huh? I'm sure we're all worn out after today. Especially Umi. Umi: No, I'd really like to continue if we could. Kotori: But aren't you exhausted from the tournament? Umi: I am tired, but I'm also in the mood to dance! Eli: Hehe... I guess that settles that. Umi: Oblivious and ignorant as I am, I'm in your care, everyone! Rin: Umi, you're so silly. Maki: That was a weird thing to say. It sounded like a wedding vow. Than again, who really cares? Honoka: Okay, let's hurry back and start practice! Together: Yay! |