- Totoki... - ...and Kirari's...
...Totokira Academy!
We're with the Cherry Blossom class today.
- These are some big kindergarteners. - After all,
we lied about our ages, right?
I-I'm eternally 17!
That's not kindergarten age!
Anzu-dono, you look like you belong here.
With such clever disguises, maybe you can be a ninja!
Anzu-chan, nin-nin!
Really? Then I'll make like a ninja and disappear.
You can't leave!
LAUGH!
- Those two are the same age? - Yes. They're both 17.
Bad girl!
They don't look the same age. At a glance, I'd say mother and child.
Frog, frog...
Do you two have any problems?
Um...
- I guess I can't stop eating sweets. - I have too many...
Cute!
All right! Time for Totokira Academy...
...to start!
EPISODE 18 Totokira Academy is popular!
The ratings are pretty good too.
I'm sure this'll make Executive Director Mishiro go "grrrr"!
What's wrong?
I wanted to do my best for the sake of "Cinderella's Ball" but got nervous.
My tongue was tied too.
No no, you had great reactions.
"What the heck?" That was cute.
Thank you.
That's because Anzu-chan had good timing with saying silly things.
Anzu's actually good at tying the unit together.
Just drawing on years of everyone else's experience.
Oh no! I'm so happy!
- What is it, Kirarin? - "Oh no"? Or you're happy?
Both!
"Ankiranking"?
- Wow! A segment featuring them? - Totokira Academy's new segment.
One of the executives saw the last taping and thought you two
had good chemistry together.
- Let's do it! Let's do it! - Cut it out!
Why don't you try it a few times and see how it is?
Well, in that case... I don't think it'll last long anyway.
Knock it off!
And for you two also...
We have one too?
You're going to do taped interviews for that segment.
- Interviews? - I wonder if I can...
I think you two need this assignment right now.
We do?
- Sure! - I'll do my best.
- Will it really be okay? - Yeah.
Everyone's doing their best for the ball. So I have to do my best too!
Me too. I want to get over my shyness and be able to talk normally.
Well, if you two want to.
- Let's all do our best! - Yeah!
- Anzu... - ...and Kirari's...
Ankiranking!
- Happy-happy gossip around town! - We'll introduce it in ranking format!
- I can't do this... - Good work.
- We have a meeting once you change. - Okay!
My batteries are dead. Slump.
Hang in there, Anzu-chan!
- Here! - G-Guess I don't have a choice...
- Then I'll see you shortly. - Producer...
Is the next ranking's theme already decided?
No.
Then let's do sweets or a food-related theme.
Good idea! That's easy for Kanako-chan and Chieri-chan to comment on.
Let's pitch that for the next episode.
Have you...
Sorry! Have you lost something?
N-No. I was looking for a four-leaf clover...
That's your hobby, isn't it?
Yes. If I find one, maybe today's location shoot will go well.
I see.
Producer-san?
Is it meaningless if I find one?
No! Thank you!
Good morning...
W-What's wrong?
I can't find a four-leaf clover...
Really?
I baked this for today's location shoot.
- See? - A clover...
- Here you go. - Thank you.
You too, Producer-san.
Thank you.
We're in front of the station for the favorite-character ranking!
I-I wonder how Pinya Korata will be ranked.
Yay!
Cut! Don't let Pinya upstage you.
- Right... - Sorry!
- Let's do passerby interviews next. - Okay!
- Let's do our best! - Y-Yeah...
Frog, frog...
Excuse me! I'm with Totokira Academy...
- Chieri-chan, you're in the shot! - Sorry!
U-Um...
Pinya, go!
Good work.
Shall we have some tea?
It seems they can use it for the segment.
They said they liked your "innocence."
Really?
Good.
But I still wasn't any good at it.
Use today's experience to do better next time.
- Right... - Okay.
How's Totokira going?
Good question. We've only just started, so it's really hectic,
but everyone's rising to the occasion.
It was getting crowded here, huh?
Now Sachiko and the rest are on different jobs.
Everyone's got a packed schedule these days.
What's wrong?
We thought we'd get some interview tips.
Huh, look at all these books...
Your tea has gotten cold.
T-Thanks!
- Would you like some too, Kanako? - Thank you.
But I'd better get training.
Chto?
Huh? Was that on the schedule?
Kanako, fight! davai, davai!
What's with Mimura?
Hello.
It seems she's on a diet...
Kanako-chan said she wants to focus her energy.
She said she messes up when she's not focused.
I have to do my best too.
But don't overdo it. Your body needs rest.
R-Right...
Kanako and Chieri are working hard.
Though it seems they're feeling the pressure.
I wonder if this is also a trial for the ball.
Um, the ball will decide whether our departments can go on, right?
Yeah. If we don't show results there, we'll be dissolved.
Yes. That's right.
But on the other hand, it's our chance!
We can use it to show off our ability, right?
- Such confidence. - Of course!
I'm the leader of New Generations!
Mio-chan!
It must be nice to have a goal.
Hey, wanna do something in it too?
Good idea. We're inviting people from other departments.
But we haven't made a CD debut yet...
That doesn't matter! The more, the merrier.
Thank you!
I'm touched.
TODAY'S SCHEDULE LOCATION INTERVIEW ANKIRANKING TAPING
Nyahoi!
And Anzu-chan is already here!
Anzu's doors are closed.
Then let's eat candy as we go.
Work, huh?
Well, see you later.
I'm sorry I can't be there.
Leave it to me!
- Moroboshi-san. - Yes?
- How is the new segment going? - It's fun. Why?
P-chan, put your hand out.
Okay...
There.
Sucking on hard candy will make you happy-happy. It'll be fine.
Kanako-chan and Chieri-chan are working hard.
I guess.
We'd better get to work.
You don't need to take a break?
Cute Me...
- ...and Baseball... - ...Stroll!
Today we'll introduce you to an old but charming neighborhood.
The residents are so lucky to get a visit from cute me!
Let's go! Play ball!
Okay, cut.
Thank you.
Sachiko-chan's group is so professional...
- Are you on location too? - Y-Yes!
You came to see cute me, didn't you?
Are those girls idols too?
I-It's okay.
We're not going to fail today...
Y-Yeah. Frog, frog, frog...
- Um... - We'll do our best!
They sure are fired up.
Today we'd like to speak to an Edo glass-art craftsman.
So let's go in.
We're with Totokira Academy. Nice to meet you!
What?
Nice to meet you!
I see. So it's a tradition that's been passed down since the Edo period.
- Though it doesn't interest kids much. - That's not true!
It's beautiful! Right?
Y-Yeah! I think it's lovely!
What do you like about this glass art?
No, um...
Never mind. You're here because it's your job.
- We really think it's beautiful... - Your face tells a different story.
Get whatever footage you want.
- I-I'm sorry... - Um...
K-Kanako-chan?
Kanako-chan!
It's a popular shop.
Really? I can't wait!
Are you worried? Shall we visit Kanako-chan and Chieri-chan later?
No, that's okay.
It's a pain.
Anzu-chan, you should be honest with yourself.
Otherwise, you'll feel a really painful squeeze right here.
Do you get squeezed like that, Kirari?
What do you really think about working with me?
Why did you suddenly go on a diet?
I lose focus easily.
I thought that's why it wasn't working well.
I'm sorry.
Kanako-chan...
I'm sorry. I need to work harder...
Excuse me.
For now, take this.
- You too, Ogata-san. - B-But if I eat this...
No. You can't work at this rate.
But... But...
You too, Ogata-san. I forbid you to use "frog" as your good-luck crutch.
But without it, I...
Sheesh.
We came to check your shoot, so why so forlorn?
They called on me because it's funny when the two of us get together.
Since we're so different despite being the same age.
You're right.
I'm a little bigger than everyone else,
but getting to wear cute clothes and do cute work
with cute Anzu-chan makes me very happy-happy.
It makes me even happier when people feel happy-happy watching us.
That's what I think.
That's why I can smile.
Kirari...
Kirarin Attack!
I love being with you, Anzu-chan.
How about you, Anzu-chan?
You're heavy.
What? You're using fake stoicism as a charm? I'm so disappointed!
Hey. That's too harsh.
Sachiko-han is worried about you.
Hey! I was just going to give them props as rivals for cute me!
But when they're like this...
Anyway, long faces like that spoil everything.
It's hard when you're starting out, but everyone worries when you look sad.
Even Sachiko-chan was totally nervous at first!
Hey!
Excuse me! We're about ready!
Okay!
Anyway, snap out of it or else!
Yeah yeah. Okay, let's go.
Hey!
Idols should always be facing forward!
Like cute me!
Sorry...
Sweet...
When you smile, it makes me feel relieved.
I guess maybe I wasn't facing forward...
Yeah.
Even though I meant to do my best...
Both of you were doing your best.
The only thing is you weren't smiling.
I think this assignment was a challenge for you.
I know it made you nervous,
but even so, I wanted you to do it with a smile.
A smile...
You can't smile unless you're having fun, right?
And I was using a "frog" charm to keep from having to look around.
I couldn't see a thing,
not the inside of the shop nor the owner's face.
But now I want to see everything.
Good.
I am still nervous though.
If you'd like a charm to help you face forward...
When did you...
There's the one where you write "person" on your palm and swallow it.
U-Um...
Excuse me!
You're here to observe before you film.
Your work must be difficult.
We just want to introduce people to things we think are wonderful.
"Sakanako"?
It reads as "nanako." It's the pattern's name.
T-Thank you.
It's beautiful... It made me curious.
What do you put inside?
- Anything would be okay... - Would candy be all right?
Floating flowers inside might look pretty.
The glass pattern would sparkle with water.
Lovely!
If you like the nanako, I've got more in the back.
Can we see them?
Sure.
Thank you!
Those are fine dishes.
Thank you!
Leave it to me to give perfect advice to kouhais!
True...
Cute.
If you think you can placate me with praise, you're absolutely right!
P-chan, we're done with work!
How was it?
One, two...
GREAT SUCCESS Ta-da!
GREAT SUCCESS Reward us later!
Good work.
Looks like they're doing good work.
I hope they'll be able to leave the Anzu nest soon.
EPISODE 19