bravenewworld | Video x2

[Video; private to members of μ's]

U-um... I know it's been a few months, and a lot has happened, but...

[Hanayo's voice is quiet and somewhat shaky as she opens the transmission, eyes cast awkwardly down into her lap for the first few seconds. She takes a breath, steadying herself, and manages a much more serious expression once she looks into the feed.]

There's a saying in the performing community. If you take a one day break from practicing, you will know it. If you take a two day break, your fellow performers will know it. And if you take a one month break, your audience will know it.

[Her expression and tone slowly gain in confidence as she continues, pausing there for emphasis.]

We've had a pretty long break. I know things have been busy, but the life of an idol is like that. They're always practicing with their Pokemon, working on new routines, constantly reinventing themselves. If we're all still serious about this... then we need to get back on schedule.

[There's a moment of uncertainty and hesitation.]

...You are all still interested, right? Because I've already decided. μ's helped me with that decision. Being an idol... this is what I want to do with my life. And even though we all just met and haven't known each other for long, I feel like it's something we should all do together. What we have with μ's... I think it can really be something special, if we work really hard together. So, um...

[Yeah, the sheepishness is back. Hanayo can only sound all take-charge for a little while. It takes a lot out of her.]

I-if anyone wants to practice, please call me!

[And with a quick embarrassed bow of the head, off goes the feed.]

[Video - open to all]

[Later that day, Hanayo opens up another Warp Band broadcast - this time, to the entire city of Union. She's in the Water type area of the Pokemon habitat, wearing a cute sailor suit type outfit and standing on a small platform. There are two Sharpedo floating in the water to either side of her.]

U-um...! Hello, everyone! My name is Hanayo Koizumi, and I'm training to become a Pokemon idol! These are my Sharpedo, Hidari and Migi, and we're going to perform for you! Th-this is a work in progress...

[And with that somewhat stilted intro, Hanayo and the two Sharpedo begin their performance. She doesn't have any music backing her up, and isn't much of a songwriter, but at least she's trying. The song itself is about how much she loves rice - Honoka's earlier transmission gave her an idea and she just couldn't let go of it. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense in the context of singing and dancing with Water types, so the whole experience is really rather odd.

And besides that, the Sharpedo on the left seems to have forgotten the routine halfway through. But hey, at least he's persistent! A true idol can never abandon the performance halfway through, even if they're a complete screw-up. Hanayo, similarly, is a trooper, and even though it's written all over her face that she's nervous performing in front of an audience like this, she manages to make it all the way through her song and dance with minimal stumbling and voice cracking.]

Ah... th-thank you very much! I hope you enjoyed the show!

[The feed is very quickly shut off.]