Just As I Am
-
等身大の自分Increases the Dance of Glitter cards
-
理想へ至る道Increases the score
-
早朝の水飛沫Increases the drop rate of Large Red Stat Pieces
Just As I Am
Chapter 1
Season: Winter
Location: Yumenosaki Academy Garden Terrace
Hmm~m, hmm~mm...
My, my~? Why're you staring at your phone? I mean, you'd usually be all over the delicious food in front of you, Tetsu-kun.
Today's special is the galbi1 set meal, which made a triumphant comeback thanks to your passionate request, right?
I thought you'd be overjoyed since you kept sending requests to the cafeteria saying you wanted to eat it again.
Of course I'm happy! I've been grieving the way it disappeared from the cafeteria menu all this time!
So I really am happy they brought back the galbi special!
I'm really happy, yet... Hnnn.
Oh dear, now you've started worrying again...
Hellooo~? Your meal will get cold if you keep at it like this~ If you don't want it, then I'll take it~
Woagh?! This is my galbi!
When the galbi's gone, it turns into just a regular meal set! Spare me from that, at least!
Tch~ I thought I could have one more dish for lunch, bummer...~
Well, joking aside. What the heck are you so worried about you'd even ignore your beloved galbi?
...Actually, I got a message from Anzu-anego saying that my "Feature Live" has been decided.
Oh, that's great news!
I see, I see, so that's why you were staring at your phone instead of eating.
If that's the case, then you're troubled ‘cause of that "Feature Live," right, Tetsu-kun?
That's exactly it. This time, it's my solo live, huh.
So, I've been thinking about it again. What kinda "Feature Live" do I wanna do as the current me?
I see~ But it's a little surprising that you're worried about such things.
If it were the usual Tetsu-kun, I thought you'd immediately say, "I wanna make it a live that feels like a man among men! Ossu!"
Well, but surprisingly, Tetsu-kun has a sensitive side too~ Like, if you trip over a pebble, it seems like you'll keep thinking about the cause for a long time, y'know?
...I wish you wouldn't make such a strangely realistic analogy.
At first, just like Hinata-kun said, I wanted to make it a "man among men" live.
But when I thought again about what a "man among men" means, I kinda became unsure...
Remember when I had my personalized outfit made?
At that time, I didn't have any specific preferences other than wanting a cool outfit, right?
Oh~ You sure said that.
Looking back now, saying "I want a manly outfit" and then answering that you don't have any specific preferences wasn't very manly at all.
Ughh...?!
Answering "what do you want for dinner?" with "anything's fine" is as troublesome as it gets.
In that situation, a man among men should quickly reply with "Meat!" ♪
You've changed the subject, Hinata-kun!
Ahaha, my bad, my bad. But you get my point, yeah?
...Well, I do get it.
It's hard for me to hear when, even today, I was struggling to decide between the galbi special or the ginger pork special, or perhaps katsudon...
Uuu... I'm so pathetic! Not manly at all!
Wow, a lighthearted topic I casually brought up is making an unexpected wildfire spread?!
W-Well, Tetsu-kun, calm down.
What to have for lunch and the live are on totally different levels of importance. Though it's understandable that you're feeling troubled.
And, look. When it came to the personalized outfit, after all that, we properly organized what you wanted to do with it, and then gave the requests to Anzu-san, right?
You helped me out a lot back then, Hinata-kun. I was seriously grateful.
...Even now, I still believe the answer I gave to Anego was correct.
The ideal image I have in my mind. The cool appearance of "a figure that keeps growing while working hard" is the same as ever.
But, wouldn't that result in the answer being the same as before? If it's identical this time, wouldn't that lead to a contradiction?
A contradiction?
See, I'm saying that I wanna keep growing, but the answer's the same as before. Can you really call that "growth"?
Ah, I get it. I think I understand what you're trying to say.
In short, if nothing changes from before, then it'll look like you haven't grown.
But the part of you that says "keep working hard and keep growing" is the part that shouldn't be changed so easily.
If that part changes, then it wouldn't be Tetsu-kun anymore.
Yeah! Yeah, that's right. Because that's a part of me I don't want to waver, I end up worrying even more.
I need to think about the direction of the pamphlet, but I'm at a loss for what to do...
So let's do it again?
A "Meeting to Discuss Tetsu-kun's Feature Live!" Something like that, while borrowing everyone's strength!
Hm~mm. I would like to ask for help from everyone, but for now, I wanna think a little more on my own.
We shouldn't start thinking together until I decide what kind of live I want.
I feel like I need to decide on my ideal before moving forward.
...I see. I get it.
Well then, I'll be waiting for the moment when you're like, "Ah, this is it!"
And if you want, you can show it to us in person at the live! It'd be like a surprise!
Ossu! I'm really indebted to you for all the support you've given me, Hinata-kun.
This time, I'll try my best to show that I'm a "man among men"!
Chapter 2
Location: Seisoukan Dorm Room
A few days later.
(This isn't good... I still can't come up with a good idea even though it's just before the deadline~!)
U~myu... What am I gonna do—
—Exactly how many times does HiMERU have to hear that strange groaning sound?
Uwaah?! I'm sorry, HiMERU-san!
If I'm bothering you, I'll go outside right away...
Go outside? But it's already quite late for you to be out.
Eh, is it already that late? It looks like Narukami-senpai hasn't come home yet, though...
Narukami-san mentioned working overnight this morning.
Come to think of it, I think I heard something like that... Ahaha.
Well, you seemed to be lost in thought since the morning.
Narukami-san said she would wait to hear it from you, but HiMERU has reached his limit.
If you have any worries, please talk about them. HiMERU will help you.
...That's unexpected. That HiMERU-san would try to interrogate me on my troubles.
HiMERU will be unable to sleep if this continues. And it would feel unpleasant to kick you out.
Uu... Well, you're right.
But this time, I want to come up with a definite answer all on my own...
So nothing is progressing in the current situation.
HiMERU believes that wasting time without being able to resolve it is pointless, though.
Ugh... HiMERU-san's words are like a stab in the heart...
HiMERU has no desire to force you into anything, but you should calmly judge whether your situation allows you such a luxury.
...You're right, HiMERU-san. The deadline is just around the corner, and I still haven't come up with a proposal at all.
I'm just being stubborn. It's not good for Anzu-anego either.
I understand... HiMERU-san, can I ask you for some advice?
—Very well. HiMERU understands the details.
However, are you unable to determine the direction of the "Feature Live" you would like to have?
When I had Anego make the personalized outfit for me, I asked for something slightly more mature and adult-like, reaching a bit beyond my usual style.
I wanted it to be a reflection of my feelings of "I want to work hard and grow," and "I want to grow into a person who is worthy of this outfit."
Those feelings haven't changed. I want my fans to see me continue to work hard and grow.
But I don't think I can say I've "grown" if my answer is the same this time...
—Isn't it already good? Just as you are.
Eh? Are you seriously saying that?!
You should thoroughly express that instead. If that is indeed your ideal.
To express it thoroughly... But how do I do it?
You don't need to think too hard. Just show them your true, honest self.
Even if it's reckless, keep moving forward anyway. Strive relentlessly to reach your ideals.
That's the stylish, cool image you want to show to your fans, isn't it?
If that's the case, then it's fine to not try too hard. If you can "charm" your fans as your true self, that's enough.
Especially for this "Feature Live", they will be taking candids for the pamphlet.
Doesn't it align well with the project's concept?
I see. I admit that I hadn't thought of that...
—HiMERU will say this beforehand, please don't think that you're being coddled by his proposal.
If it weren't someone who consistently strives for self-improvement, HiMERU wouldn't make this kind of suggestion.
...HiMERU-san, does that mean you think that way about me?
Although it's been a short period of time, we have lived together in the same room.
HiMERU sees your daily efforts, even when he wouldn't like to witness them.
"Even when he wouldn't like to", that's a strange way of putting it...
You'll occasionally grasp a hand grip while getting under the covers.
Have you noticed that it makes a surprisingly loud clinking sound?
Ah, ahaha... I'll be careful from now on.
It's fine. HiMERU is also impressed by your attitude toward improving yourself as an idol.
Now then, HiMERU is going to bed soon. Nagumo, make sure not to overexert yourself either.
Roger that! Thank you very much for your help!
(Just as I am... The real me... huh.)
Alright! I'll put together a proposal and call Anego!
Location: Yumenosaki Academy Grounds
Ah! He~ey, over here! Anzu-anego! You made it~!
Hold on a sec! I'm heading over right now~!
Haah... Huff... I kept you waiting, Anego. Sorry for calling you out so early in the morning.
...Sorry, Anego, can I have some water first?
Thanks a bunch. I ran as fast as I could this morning and got thirsty...
Whew... I'm coming back to life! The cold water feels so good~!
Ahaha. I was in a bit of a good mood, so I overdid my morning practice!
Also, Anego, are you taking in enough water?
Don't hesitate to grab a drink if you're feeling thirsty!
I've properly hydrated, so I'm full of energy now! With this, I can keep up with my training and keep running!
Oops. Before I run, I have to explain why I called you, Anego.
"Have you decided what kind of live you want to do?" Ahaha, Anego can see through anything, huh.
In this "Feature Live", I want to show my fans the real me.
I usually try hard to be a man among men.
In this pamphlet, I'm thinking of focusing on my everyday efforts as the main theme.
No... I want to be the kind of idol that makes all my fans feel that way.
That's my proposal... Is it a bad idea?
"Well then, let me take a picture right away."? Did you already have your camera with you, Anego?!
I called you in the morning ‘cause I wanted to share the image of the pamphlet ASAP, yet I didn't wanna shoot it right after!
But, something this sudden might be a good way to show my usual self, I guess ♪
Understood! If I don't show my manliness here, it'll only be a distant dream to be a man among men, right?
But still, being on the training grounds with Anego reminds me a little of the sports festival.
I kinda miss the time when I did the Two-Legged Race thing with you.
Hehe... Will you run with me from now on like you did then, Anego?
What, I'm just kidding. I mean, it's more like a metaphor.
Anzu-anego, I have yet to reach my ideal self.
I still don't think I'm confident enough to say that I'm a man among men.
That's why I hope to have that confidence someday. I'll keep working hard from now on.
I just wanted to say that I want you to watch me as much as possible.
"I'm always going to do that." Haha, Anego's so encouraging. Really, thank you so much.
Well then, Anzu-anego. We're about to start shooting, I'll be in your care!