Step by Stage! ~ I can't believe I'm going to be the leader of a dance circle! ~...

Episode 1: "Nominating a Fateful Leader!"

This is a private, Tsukimizaka University located in Tokyo.

The school's spacious campus and rather liberal school culture are its selling points, attracting many students from the countryside.

I am a sophomore at that university,Koharu SakuraiThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

　It was Tuesday, and I was in a big hurry to get to the student center after my second period lecture.

The reason, of course, was to attend a regular dance circle practice.

Why am I the leader of this group?

　A room in the student union. My near scream echoed through the dimly lit meeting room.

　A dozen or so circle members are gathered there, all sitting around me.

Sitting in the center of it all is the circle's representative, a third-year student.Rika AoyamaSeniors.

Her brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail, giving her a somewhat mature look.

He is always smiling, and is looked up to within the circle as a senior who takes good care of others.

Koharu-chan, I was wondering if you would be interested in leading the stage at the upcoming school festival. I'm going to be busy with job hunting, and I thought it would be good for the younger generation to take charge of the stage and grow."

But I ...... don't have the confidence to play such a big role!"

Confidence comes with practice. Koharu, you always take care of everyone, and you come to practice. And you're a good dancer.

No, no, no. ......, no such ......."

　I am embarrassed when people say I am a good dancer. To be honest, I still think I'm not as good as the seniors.　I look around and see my fellow sophomores nodding their heads.

Koharu will be fine. She's kind and can put things together."

　The one who approached me like that was also a sophomore.Sho OhtaniHe has short hair and an athletic appearance. He has short hair and a sportsman-like appearance, but on the inside he is a rather good-natured person. He always gives the impression of being a bit of a goofball, but he is a great communicator.

'Oh yeah, take this as an opportunity to blossom as a leader.'

　He tapped me on the shoulder with a laugh. As I slumped, another voice overtook me.

I think it will be easier if Koharu is the leader. Because, you know, I'm not the type of person who gets too worked up and can't see what's going on around me.

　The one who is scratching his head while saying that is a second-year student.Makoto SatoHe is tall, good at all sports, and a powerful dancer. She is tall and good at sports in general, and is also a powerful dancer. He is always high-spirited, and when he gets excited, his voice is several times louder than others.

No, it's subtly persuasive when Makoto says it, not ......

　When I said this while glancing at Makoto, the person in question asked, "What the heck is that? he said with a laugh.

　Oh dear. Sure, I understand that they need someone to lead the stage in the younger generation to help Rika-senpai's job hunting. But isn't it too early to talk about me taking that role?

But what exactly is a ...... reader supposed to do?"

　When I asked the question passively, Rika-senpai tilted her head slightly and said, "Hmmm," before answering cheerfully.

In short, you will be in charge of deciding on the direction of the stage, summarizing the opinions of the members, and also doing a final check of the contents of the performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I'll help out when I'm free.

Ha, ha ......"

　To be honest, it is quite a burden. But as a member of this circle, and as someone who loves dancing, the stage at the festival is an important event. I myself love to dance in front of an audience, and ......

(...... we have to do it, I guess ......)

　I look around breathlessly and everyone is looking at me expectantly. Ah, a push back, or rather, a complete and utter lack of escape. Apparently, refusing is not an option.

I'll do it." I'll take care of it."

　The moment he said this, the room erupted in cheers.

"Oooooh!　Koharu, nice to meet you!"
Yo, leader!
Let's build the best stage ever together!"

　I felt like I was suddenly a leader. While I was surrounded by a whirlwind of applause and cheers, I couldn't hide my inward concern, "I wonder if I'll be okay ....... But I had no choice but to do it. And so, half-heartedly, my "life as a leader" began.

Big Decision on Stage Appearance at Cultural Festival

The next day, another circle-wide LINE announced, "We will officially perform on the dance stage at this year's festival! was sent out.

　The circle is a "dance club," but because of the large number of members, the activities are similar to a "club" in reality. The main genre is street dance, but the members have different specialties such as jazz, hip-hop, and K-pop copying.

　And this year, I was to perform on the gymnasium stage at the university's festival. It's a big stage and there will be a lot of spectators. Just the thought of it makes me nervous.

　Rika seniors and other third-year students are getting into job-hunting mode, and the sophomores will be the ones doing the actual teaching and management. In other words, we are the keystone of the stage. ...... and I am the leader. Are you okay, really?

First leadership meeting

Practice day. I took my lunch break and headed to the circle room in the student center a little early.

This afternoon we will all have our "first meeting for the festival". How should we proceed? ...... My head is full of question marks.

Huh. ......."

　Before opening the door to the circle room, I let out an involuntary sigh.

"Wow, you're early, Koharu."

　When I entered, Rika-senpai was alone with her computer open.

"Yes ...... just wanted to think about some things ......"

You're serious. Well, you don't know what to do in the beginning, do you? Let's take it easy, shall we?"

　Rika-senpai told me so, which made me feel a little better. I returned the message, "Well, I'll do my best ......," and put my luggage at the back of the room.

　Soon after, the members begin to gather in droves. Makoto, of course, as well as Sho Ohtani, the coolest of the cool.Shizuku MiyataThe second-year students, including Mayu Suzuki**, a choreography enthusiast, are the main faces of the group.

　When the total number of people reached about 10, I said with a determined "Well, let's get started!" I shouted.
　Everyone responded with a resounding "yes, yes, yes," but when it came time to start the meeting - and it was a good one.

What's the concept for the dance? Have you decided on a song yet? Costumes, outfits, hey, I want something cute!

　It was chaos in an instant. Everyone was expressing their opinions as they pleased, and the notes in my hand were flooded with posts that I could no longer collect. Next to me, Makoto shouted out, "No, don't be so picky, just dance! Shizuku calmly retorted, "If you do it properly like that, it will always fall apart. Mayu added, "I want to change the costumes for each scene to make it more like a musical! Sho jokingly joins in, "I want to excite the audience with my acrobatics! Sho jokingly agreed with Mayu, "I want to be an acrobat!

　I was no longer able to control the traffic and cringed. I glanced at Rika-senpai and she was smiling and silent. Perhaps it was a silent message, "This is also a test for a leader. Do it on your own." Perhaps it was a silent message.

　In the end, the day ends in a vague "let's hear everyone's opinions once and for all, and then discuss it again next time. Beside me frantically jotting down a summary of the meeting in my notebook, Makoto and Shizuku continue their endless discussion, "No, this is how dance should be. Mayu is Mayu, spreading out a magazine and excitedly saying, "I definitely like this cute outfit. Sho only occasionally mutters, "Oh my God, I'm so hungry. Everyone is too fast-paced.

　I make my final remarks, exhausted from a completely fruitless meeting.
"Well, then,...... let's decide on a new song and practice plan next time. ......
　The wordiness is unreliable. The people around me responded only lightly, saying "OK" and "Roger. I could not help but think, as if I were a stranger, that this was indeed a circle where slapstick was the specialty.

　After the meeting, Rika senior gently tapped me on the shoulder.
The first meeting is like that," he said. Everyone is very assertive. If anything, it's good to have lots of opinions."
"So ...... is it ......? I may not be able to do that. ......"
What are you talking about? Koharu, you did a great job. It's important to know what kind of opinions people have now. Next time, I'm sure you'll be able to talk a little more organized."
　When he said that, I felt a little saved.

A Night of Anxiety and Anticipation

　That evening, I was in my room at home, staring at my computer screen. I searched for "leadership meeting how to proceed" and nibbled my way through the information that came up.

　Organizational theory? Facilitation? It sounds like a business book for working people, and it doesn't ring a bell. But maybe that's what I'm trying to do now.

......I have to get it together right, or the stage will be a mess."

　The more I think about it, the more anxious I get, but strangely enough, I also find myself getting a little excited. The moment when everyone becomes one through dance is always exciting, no matter how many times I experience it.

　I am sure that on the day of the festival, I will be dancing on a big stage in front of a large audience. When I imagine that, I feel like I want to do it after all. My mind is a jumble, alternating between a desire to run away and a desire to take on the challenge.

　The next morning, remembering what Rika-senpai had said to me, I woke up early and compiled a "list of things to talk about at the next meeting" in my notebook. As I wrote down song genres, practice menus, costume ideas, and member assignments (......), I began to feel like a real leader. I feel a little bit more confident.

epilogue

　Thus my first steps as a leader began with a slapstick meeting, the encouragement of my seniors, and the disorganized (?) support of my peers. It began with support.

"Can I ever be a leader, ......?" The anxiety "Can I be a leader? On the other hand, there is a growing voice in my heart that says, "If I'm going to do it, I want to have fun doing it.

　Although we can't see a concrete roadmap yet, our adventure has definitely started now as we prepare for the festival stage - and we are looking forward to the next stage of the festival.