01x10 - Pressure

[bunniefuu]

And so

the center at JIF will be Kana Arima!

Woot! Applause!

Give us a comment about how you feel

being chosen as the center!

Let's see.

First, turn that camera off.

I told you, right?

That I didn't want to be the center

numerous times.

Is this what I think it is?

You think an easy pushover like me

wouldn't be able to refuse later

if you guys made it a fact on camera?

Crap, she knows!

Uh, well!

Ruby and I talked about it

when we went to karaoke together.

But we came to the conclusion that

neither of us would make a good center.

And that's when we saw

the music video for your song

So you guys saw it.

They mistakenly thought I could sing since

"Green Pepper Exercise" sold pretty well,

and everyone got burned for it.

Forget you saw it. That's a symbol

of the days when I was lost.

The dark ages

of when I lost my way in this field.

You don't need to say it like that.

Well, I almost peed my pants

seeing how little it sold.

Everyone who was affiliated

wants to put it behind them.

To be honest, I thought

"Green Pepper Exercise" was off-key.

But your second song was really good.

And your third song was even better.

You must've practiced a lot, huh?

You worked really hard trying to

live up to everyone's expectations.

Someone as responsible as you

should be the center of B Komachi

Shut up!

You think I'll give in if you just keep

buttering me up, don't you?!

Do you think I'm stupid?!

I seriously can't do this.

No matter how many times you ask,

I won't become the center!

Sorry we acted without talking to you.

We won't ask anymore.

But at least listen to our singing.

Hey, isn't this pretty good?!

I knew Arima would be perfect

as the center!

At this rate, we'll do great at the JIF!

Ugh, jeez! Why am I always like this?!

Well, I never thought that we could turn

the tables from that hellish situation.

I had a feeling it would turn out this way

from the start.

Shut up, Quirky and Off-key!

I never thought that idol candidates

could be this terrible at singing.

Based on your singing,

I can see the comfortable lives you led

by relying on just your looks.

Brutal.

It's true that I should be

the one to do it.

But I honestly don't want to do it.

Seriously, what would you guys do

without me?!

Just make sure to work hard

to make me stand out!

Okay!

Well, I'm glad it worked out!

Why does my mouth always say

the opposite of what I'm thinking?

Looks like it's settled then.

CEO!

There's barely any days left

until the concert.

And this is where

you really need to push yourselves.

I've grabbed someone to support you,

so make good use of him.

Someone to support us?

Is that perhaps Aqu

-Hey.

-Wait, it's you?!

Oh, Pieyon, long time no see!

What? The real thing?!

You're our top seller!

I'm begging you, please work normally!

Well, Mr. Pieyon used to be

a pro dancer before!

He said in his videos that

he used to choreograph for idols too.

Really?

How do we look from a pro's point of view?

I think we're somewhat in shape now.

Hmm, well, there's a ton of girls

around your level who perform on stage.

But if you say you want real quality,

first, you'll need stamina!

Ten more uphill dashes!

Eek!

And after you're exhausted,

three run-throughs of the set list!

It's important to first have the stamina

to keep your quality!

Don't forget to smile either!

Before the second song's chorus,

if we come around from stage left

and swapped out, wouldn't that be cool?!

Oh, that sounds good!

Then what if we rearrange this too

Where do they get all that energy from?

Do you regret it?

Becoming an idol.

Mr. Pieyon

No, this is something I decided myself,

so I have no regrets.

But I do think that

I'm not cut out for this.

I don't feel like

I can become an idol at all.

Let alone the center.

You can sing, so why do you hate

being the center so much?

Well, because the center

is the group's face, right?

It's not a position

that someone like me should be in.

What do you mean "someone like me"?

I think Kana Arima is amazing.

Everyone always says

things like that so easily.

Even when they don't know anything.

What do you know about me?

Let's see

You're a hard worker who runs

and does vocal exercises every morning.

Your foul mouth is your insecurity.

You're happier when the title

is acknowledged more than yourself.

You actually hate green peppers.

What? You know me really well!

I'm thrilled

Well, he's got me pretty good.

Crap. I think I like Pieyon a little now.

Are you perhaps my fan?

That's right.

What? No way!

I didn't know I had any fans right now.

I've never officially stated

that I hated green peppers,

so I'm surprised you noticed.

In fact, I hate them too.

We're comrades!

That thing is too overpowering.

It makes the whole dish

taste like green peppers.

I know!

During my "Green Pepper Exercise,"

I had to force myself to eat them.

Now, I break out in hives

just looking at them.

Poor thing.

Do you hate chrysanthemum too?

Yeah, I can't!

It's as bitter as green peppers.

Hey

It's fun just talking casually with him.

This is quite rare.

I feel like

I can really fall for this person.

Maybe I should just forget Aqua

and move on to him.

He makes 100 million a year,

so honestly, I would date him.

Pieyon's so nice to come here every day

when he must be busy.

Right? You know, he looks

completely different from his videos!

I thought he would be more built,

but the real thing

is surprisingly slender.

His physique is just like Aqua's!

If my brother spoke in that duck voice,

I wouldn't be able to stop laughing!

It's looking super good!

Yeah, it's really good now!

Good work.

Thank you so much, Mr. Pieyon!

Gosh, he's so nice!

Unlike someone called Aqua.

Arima, do you hate Aqua that much?

There isn't a single thing

you can like about him!

He's insensitive and lacks common sense!

He acts cool, but he's just withdrawn.

Him and his sister both don't know

how to treat their elders!

They've never used honorifics

toward me either!

I probably have to tell him off once!

I'm much older than Arima,

but I don't remember her using honorifics.

Aww, he was cute when he was a kid.

Oh, you two go way back?

That's right, we met on set

when we were little!

When Aqua and I were still three or four!

You know, you can't forget a guy like that

once you meet him!

Ever since, he's always been

in the back of my mind!

I thought he was like an angel back then,

but look how evil he's grown up to be!

I wish he wouldn't ruin my memories!

Umm?

Break's over! Let's practice!

Tomorrow's finally the day.

How do you think they're doing?

I think they've gotten much better.

Ruby's dancing was already polished

from the start.

Mem-cho can carefully move about

as she watches her surroundings.

And Ms. Arima is earnest

and she learns quick.

Even while she's singing, there aren't

any obvious mistakes in her dancing.

MR. PIEYON

This afternoon, have them practice with

markers in mind, then rest for tomorrow.

Okay.

Thank you for accepting a painstaking

request like this during your vacation.

Well, I like those girls too.

So I'm glad you asked me for help.

But I'm a little shocked.

Since no one's noticed that

you're impersonating me.

It's impressive.

Can anyone who acts do this that easily?

I don't know. I'm sure people

who are good at it can do it.

Hm.

But was this necessary?

You didn't have to bother

impersonating me

She probably would've refused

to listen to anything I said.

That's why I thought she would listen

to your words, Mr. Pieyon.

But I think she would've listened

even if they were your words.

I'm actually a pretty weak person.

It's finally here!

We're gonna make our debut as idols!

What do we do?!

Shut up.

Just go to sleep.

Don't underestimate

the importance of sleep.

"Some university's research says

the damage from an all-nighter

will drag on for three days

and decrease your charm by 30%."

That's what DGo said.

DGo did?! I gotta sleep then!

But I'm not sleepy at all!

I'm too excited! What should I do?!

Seriously, it must be nice

to be able to have so much fun.

It must be horrible when you seem like

you never have any fun.

Rather, why are you always so excited?

Nobody can predict

what'll happen tomorrow.

A group using connections like us

might get booed like crazy.

Or maybe there won't be enough customers

and the venue could be empty.

How can you stay so positive like that?

Hmm.

Because it's my dream.

A long time ago, I was living a life

where I had to stay indoors all the time.

I had no hope for the future.

I thought I would quietly die like that

without knowing any excitement or fun.

But

My life became so fun

after I became an idol otaku.

My heart was filled with love.

The life of a fan is nice.

If you've never liked an idol,

Senpai, you're missing out in life.

I don't mind missing out.

And so, that's when I met this one person.

One person?

Yeah, my first love.

Oh, how bittersweet.

That person told me.

That he'll become my fan

if I ever became an idol.

From that moment,

I always dreamt of becoming an idol.

I wonder where Doctor is right now.

I'm sure he's still an idol otaku.

So if I can become popular as an idol

someday

That's nice,

you have a fan to support you.

I don't have anyone like that.

Everyone sees the child star in me.

But there's no one who sees me

for who I am now.

But it was surprising to know

that Ruby was a shut-in.

Aqua and the CEO went through

a lot of trouble too.

Pieyon's mask!

He never takes it off,

so I was getting curious

what kind of face is behind that mask!

Now, here we are at

Japan Idol Festival!

Umm.

Of the 10 stages, the one we'll be

performing on is the Star Stage.

This stage has a lot of underground idols.

I would've preferred the main stage.

But you know that's asking for too much.

Ugh, I'm getting nervous now!

I wonder if I'll be able to do okay.

Don't worry! You got enough sleep, right?!

"'Some university's research says

the damage from an all-nighter

will drag on for three days

and decrease your charm by 30%.'

That's what Dai said!"

is what Senpai said!

You're quoting someone who's quoting

someone who's quoting someone.

Well, most of B Komachi's

choreography is hard,

so it'll be tough

if we don't sleep properly.

Our main feature is the dancing,

so we really gotta sleep well!

What should I do?

In the end, I couldn't sleep a wink.

Now, off to the dressing room.

Yay!

-I wonder what the dressing room is like.

-Aqua's under Pieyon's mask?

But he's not that buff.

They swapped out? Why?

Is it so I would take

the lessons seriously?

Was him being nice to me all a lie?

My head's a mess.

When this is such an important day

Jeez, this is the worst.

Let's hurry to the dressing room.

Then I can sleep a little.

It's not that way!

What?

The stage dressing room can only

be used right before your turn.

Really?

Then where do we change?

Hey, move your stuff over!

Ugh, does anyone have a pantyliner?!

What is this hellhole?

The dressing room.

The number of people here is insane.

This is pretty normal

for festivals with many stages.

Hundreds of performers

and staff are all squeezed in together

with no place for your luggage.

There isn't even a real dressing room,

so you change behind the room dividers.

But the photo spot alone

looks really nice.

This is chaos.

Of course, the famous groups invited

to the main stage get separate rooms.

But underground or so-so idols are

all treated like this.

If you want to be treated better,

you have to become popular.

Now, it'll get busy before your turn,

so eat or get prepared while you can.

Okay!

All this heated excitement

Are you okay?

Well, I'm just a little sleep-deprived.

Oh, are you nervous?

Please, don't be silly.

I've been in this industry

since I was sucking on a bottle.

There's no way I would get nervous now.

Just leave the two to me.

Really.

Can I have a minute?

Oh, yes.

That's right,

I have to take care of this group.

With my 17 years of showbiz experience,

I have to lead those two hatchlings.

Don't be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

Don't be scared. Get it together!

There's a ton of people's jobs

on my shoulders.

If I screw up, everyone's screwed.

And I would betray the trust

and expectations they have of me.

I just remembered something bad.

I can't think negatively.

The look of disappointment that says,

"I guess this is it."

The staff joins the crowd

in their own clothes

just so the seats look more filled.

When artists can't meet expectations,

it's hard to describe that pain we feel.

Well, let's stop here once, and we'll

release the next one when the time comes.

Um, is there any work I can do?

I'll do any

Uh, well, we're a child acting agency,

so work at your age is a little tough.

I'm sure there's jobs for you

at a normal agency though.

Grandpa injured his back,

so Mama's thinking of going back home.

Kana, you'll be fine by yourself, right?

Of course I'll be fine!

Mama, you get rested up too!

Am I not needed anymore?

KANA ARIMA STARS IN

I'LL GO WITH SWEET TODAY

IS THERE ANY VALUE TO HER NOW?

THE GROWN-UP ARIMA HAS NO FANS.

There's no value in me

who isn't a child actress anymore!

The grown-up Kana Arima has no fans!

Since when

When did I start self-deprecating with

words that sound like internet comments?

Lead the B Komachi?

How arrogant of me to even consider it.

But I have to do it.

I have to take care of those two.

Umm.

Oh, Senpai!

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh!

I'm getting super nervous!

What?!

You seemed like you were

enjoying yourself just a second ago.

As our turn got closer, I gradually

What should I do?

Senpai, aren't you scared?

Of course not.

How many years

do you think I've been doing this?

Everyone always lies like that.

Your hands are super cold.

Senpai, you're nervous too, aren't you?

Don't be stupid!

I never sank so low as to

where I need you to worry about me!

The small insecure dogs tend to bark more.

But I'm glad.

I feel relieved to know

that you're scared too.

Huh? Are you pretty seriously scared?

You'll be fine!

We're not doing this alone!

That's why!

That's why it isn't good!

It's because of you guys!

If I was going up on stage alone,

I would think nothing of it.

I've failed like that repeatedly

up to this point.

But this time, you two are here.

I don't want you to fail.

I don't want you two

to go through what I experienced.

I'm not alone, that's why I'm scared.

I don't know much about

your child actress days.

And I don't know how much you value

your showbiz experience,

but to me, you're just a young girl.

You're just a cute and hardworking

rookie idol found anywhere.

Screwing up is normal!

Let's enjoy the challenge!

Come on, it's our turn to change!

Let's go, Senpai!

Oh my gosh!

I'm super nervous!

But I'm so excited!

I am a rookie.

The rookie idol, Kana Arima.