Track 2

Sorry, I barely made it on time! Is everyone here?

Ah, Renre, you're done filming for that drama. Good workie~!

Good work, for today..... I'm glad that, there wasn't... much traffic.

There are still 4 minutes and 11 seconds remaining until our scheduled time. We may begin early now that everyone has arrived.

Indeed, how wonderful that today too, everyone is so motivated. Lu-san also arrived just a moment ago.

.....

(I'm so glad..... Liguang actually came.)

Very well. Today's special training will be something everyone will cooperate on, as to improve your teamwork.

Something everyone will cooperate on?

If it is something we have yet to focus our practice on... is it chorale singing?

Oya, Azekawa-san what a SPLENDID idea. Let us go with that. It appears that it is time for my first-class certified ultra opera vocal skills to be put to use! Shall we select some pieces from my opera repertoire?

Y-You have... that... kind of... skillset?

To be expected of Sakujii!

All of us are doing this? ...*sigh*.

C'mon Li-san, don't sigh. We already decided that we'd all do this together, right~?

What's Kafka doing, suddenly telling me to come in? With Chihiro of all people too.

The two of us FR make an unusual pair, huh~ Since it's just the two of us, maybe we're gettin' sent on one of those pair study trips?

Ah, but Chii already went on one to the Netherlands with Nagipeko!

I also went on one with Akuta to Mongolia..... Well, once we ask Kafka directly we'll find out anyway.

Ah, sorry to call you all of a sudden.

Welcome in, both of you!

By all means, please take a seat.

Wha? Chief and Sakujiro-san?

I kiiinda get the vibe that we're about to get some big news~ Prezzy looks like he's plotting something, dont'cha think?

You've got good intuition, Chihiro. It is a big deal, but it's good news so don't worry.

I'll just get to the point, there's a job I'd like for you to take on. Chief-chan, could you hand them the project proposal?

I'm on it.

Now then, if I may be so bold, I shall explain everything. Kindly take a gander at the first page of the proposal in front of you.

What is it.....? —AH!

"Celebrity Ranking Royale - Year End Special" .....!

Indeed. We have received a request from their team for Nishizono-san and Natsuyaki-san to make an appearance on the program.

Isn't this the show that I won last time? You know, the one where I trained with Sakujiro-san, and did crazy stuff like eating leather shoes and drinking a bunch of wine.....!

Chii was on it too, so it's ringing a lotta bells! We didn't know each other back then, did we Renre~ Waah, time really flies.....!

At the time, you both went on individually, but it was Renga's victory that sparked a tourism boom HAMA. Right?

And so, the producers asked if Renga-kun, Chihiro-kun, and three more members would be willing to appear on the show as a five person team.

I also checked with Renga's manager, we had a meeting just a while ago. We both really want the two of you to appear on the show, since it pulls in high-ratings and can boost your popularity but.....

Well? You two up for it?

Are we up for it.....

Isn't that obvious! This is another chance to get eyes on HAMA, right?! I'll DEFINITELY join in, and aim for the win again!!

Being on the same team as the defending champion is CRAZY HYPE! Okie dokie~ Chii's gonna give it his best too!!

I am delighted that you've both agreed. Now then, let us proceed to selecting the rest of your team members.

My apologies. I'll be away on an overseas business trip that day.

I'll be entertaining a private reservation at the bar. I'm very sorry, but I'm also unable to help.

Haaaah?! Isn't that on a company holiday? Nah, no way no way. If I don't drink on my days off, then when will I?

It's kinda hard getting people to join.....

Sho sad~

If only I didn't have an ice show that day, I could help my younger brothers.....

I'm also pretty swamped with uni assignments. Sorry 'bout that.

.....*sigh*, you're insane for so readily agreeing to that proposal in the first place.

Oh? Liguang, are you perhaps interested? You're welcome to join in, you know?

I'll pass.

W-Why are you looking at ME while saying that?! 💢

Li-san, you gotts sumthin to do that day?

Liguang, could you tell me why? There must be a reason why you can't participate, right?

My participation is out of the question, simply appearing on the program in the first place is unbelievably reckless.

Natsuyaki aside, just try letting this idiot make an appearance again. This time, it'll just be a disgrace to HAMA.

He gladly devours B-grade ingredients at best, makes an utter fool of himself when drunk, mispronounces the names of well-known wines and instruments..... There are countless reasons to be concerned about him.

Uu!

However, if you predict what'll happen in that much detail, then we can prepare countermeasures accordingly. Right?

Yup, that's decided then. This time, Liguang is definitely going to join in! That's an order from your president ♪

There's no way on earth I'd simply obey such an order—

Yo, Prezzy. Chiefy and Sakujii are on the looksies for the last two members, right?

Yup. For the art expertise, they've asked Kiroku. As for the general knowledge expertise, they've asked Kinari. I just got a message saying they agreed.

(.....Kinugawa and Azekawa, huh.)

Sooo, we're short on one~ If Li-san can't do it, who else can we ask?

Maybe Nanaki cuz he's good with music? Or Akuta cuz he's good with video production, right?

Ushio is great with cooking too.

Ahaha. Those are all minors.

During performances, there's bound to be times where I can't keep on eye on everyone. Sho I think it'd be awesomesauce if we got another adult to help out, just in case~

Even so, it looks like both Raito and Yodaka have prior commitments already.

I'd be relieved if Liguang took on the older brother role for them.

.......

(Liguang's face says that he really doesn't wanna do this..... Guess it's no good after all?)

*sigh.*

(.....I'm sure that asking the other participants to clean up whatever mess that idiot makes would be quite the burden.)

(There's probably no backing out of the appearance now. Just as Oguro said, the best way to minimize the damage done would be to prepare countermeasures.)

No choice then. I'm only doing it this once.

.....❗

YIPPEE—! Li-san, you're so reliable~!! Isn't that great, Renre!

H-HMPH! You better not get in my way!

Now that all five of you are here, let's go over the program one more time.

I think you're all aware but, "Celebrity Ranking Royale" is a show where celebrities and other famous icons choose what's "more luxurious" of the options presented to them.

Furthermore, since this is a special episode, it's going to be broadcast outside of mahorova. And so the rules are different from usual.

Also, it's not going to be a live broadcast this time. It'll be a full-day recording session. Looks like it's going to be a team battle episode, where 1-2 representatives are chosen for each question.

And of course, the questions will not be revealed in advance. There will be absolutely no staging involved.

Analyzing their past episodes, and using that to do some special training is an absolute must!

I haven't had any fine wine in a while, so I need to refresh myself on that. What did Romanée-Conti¹ taste like again?

U-Uhm..... I, am still a minor, so.....

The alcohol-related questions will be handled by members other than Kinugawa, I'm sure.

Upon analyzing past episodes' questions, it appears that when minors are participating they may ask about non-alcoholic cocktails instead.

I see. Since we don't know if they'll change it or not, we'll have to prepare for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, huh?

Sakujiro, can I count on you?

But of course, Mr. President. I shall ask Natsume-sama to lend a hand, and arrange for us to start the special training as soon as possible.

If Sakujiro-san's helping us, then we'll have the strength of a hundred men!

Alright! Let’s go for the win again! We're gonna win and let even more people know about HAMA!

Yeeaah—! / Yeaah.

.....