Episode 13 - Step by Stage! ~ I Can't Believe I'm the Leader of a Dance Circle! ~...

Episode 13 - The Evolution of the Substitute Center and Makoto Facing Pain

1. weekend practice, unexpected excitement

　It was early afternoon on Saturday. The members of the dance circle had gathered in the practice room of the student center to try out "Plan B "** for the **rock part, as we had decided last week.
　Although still in the middle of the lecture period, it was a valuable day for many people to get together, including beginner groups, because it was a weekend. As the leader of the group, I had prepared a practice schedule and formation chart the day before, and was waiting for the members to arrive.

　Eventually, everyone was in place, and the sound engineer** Sho OhtaniThe "center" of the rock part of the show is Makoto, who may replace him as the "center". The "center" of the rock part may be replaced by MakotoSho and Saki Nakamura*** look fidgety and restless.
"Well, I never thought I might be in the middle of the rock part. ......
I'm surprised too. But if I'm going to do it, I want to give it my all. ......!"
　Sho and Saki were smiling at each other, but I could feel their fighting spirit gradually growing.

　And the person who will be watching over this practice is **Makoto Sato** himself. Although the pain in his ankle is gradually lessening, he is still not allowed to do any strenuous activity. Makoto sits in a corner of the practice room, cooling his ankle, which is held in place with a bandage, and offers occasional advice.
There!　Sink a little deeper and then jump to give it a rock 'n' roll feel!"
Saki, more momentum in your arm swing. Sho, don't blur the axis of your steps!"

　Her voice is as energetic as ever, but the frustration of not being able to move is evident in her expression. I glance at Makoto and feel like cheering him up somehow.

How did the rock part "Plan B" turn out?

　We quickly put on the music and tried out the choreography for the rock part. Sho jumped forward and Saki followed him from the side, taking turns in the center. Originally, Makoto alone was supposed to lead the group with overwhelming power, but in order to make the best use of their characters, we decided to change it.negotiable (e.g. shares)to the
　At the intro, Sho shouts, "Uh-oh!" and Saki coolly waves her arms down, showing that the beginner group's fundamentals developed at the camp are being properly reflected. Saki's face is still awkward, but she is trying to match the sound with a serious face. Sho's movements tend to look more comical, but he seems to be working hard to keep the sharpness of the rock part in mind.

　When I passed it through once as a test, it took shape better than I had expected. The members commented, "Oh, it's not bad," "It's rather interesting! The chemistry between Sho and Saki is surprisingly good.
　Makoto, who was looking on, was also happy: "You're doing it, ......! Makoto, who is looking on, looks happy. However, she also seemed to have a little bit of regret in her eyes.

　But the question is.strength of an organization (e.g. profitability, productivity, economic clout, stability, growth potential)andexpressiveness. In just a few minutes of the rock part, Saki, a beginner, is soon out of breath, and Sho has moments when his body loses its sharpness. There is still a difference from the intensity of Makoto's work when he was doing it.
"Wow, that's tough ....... Rock music can be so tiring ......."
　When Sho put his hands on his knees and exhaled, Saki also blushed and laughed, "I'm sorry, I'm totally lacking in basic fitness. ...... Makoto then said, "That's something you get used to!　If you dance through it many times and let your body learn it, you will be able to move naturally! If you let your body learn to dance over and over again, you will be able to move naturally!

　We played the song one or two more times and repeated the rock part. I could see that we were gradually getting our breathing right, and Saki's steps were getting a little snappier. Makoto's advice was spot on, and we were all beginning to get the hang of it.

3. makoto faces ankle pain

　Then, **Shizuku Miyata** suddenly calls out to Makoto when she sees him motionless in the corner of the practice room.
"Hey, how's your ankle really doing? Are you doing all the massages and rehab?"
　Shizuku has a cool personality, but she is more sensitive to the physical condition of the members than anyone else. In fact, she herself is the type of person who takes good care of her body and is apparently interested in sports medicine.
Yes, I'm trying. But the pain is going away slower than I thought it would. The doctor said I have at least two more weeks before I can fully return to dancing.
'So ....... If we push too hard and aggravate things, it could be worse, and it could drag on until after the festival. We may have to proceed with Plan B as it is now."

　Makoto is silent, biting his lip, and eventually exhales a small breath.
I want the rock part to be a success, so I'm going to support Sho and Saki as much as I can. That's what I can do now. ......
　There was a sense of frustration in his words, but also a sense of clarity, as if he was somewhat blown away. As a leader, I strongly want to respect his decision.

4. on the other hand, the acoustic side was also hectic

　Now, while the issue of substitutes for the rock part has taken a step forward,Shortened stage sound rehearsalremains a source of concern.
　Between practices, Sho, who was in charge of the disco part, declared, "I'm going to adjust the volume in the equipment room next off. **Mayu Suzuki***, who was in charge of the disco part, also expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "Even if we have a short darkening time, I want to think of ways to attract the audience with costumes and accessories, and I'll go with you as the costume designer! I'll be in charge of costumes! Some of the ideas that came out of the camp included props such as glow-in-the-dark paintings, but the limited time for darkening made it unlikely that they would be used to their full potential.
　In the end, Mayu said, "I might use a little light paint on point!" and while compromising, she seems to have come to realize that it is difficult to pack in all the fancy effects.

　Furthermore, Rika senior contacted me and said that a meeting schedule with the sound staff for the day had been set.
."I've set up a meeting for the sound staff to meet together next weekend.I got a call from them. So we'll be able to check the song connections and volume levels there."
　We were greatly relieved when we read Rica Senior's message. In the meantime, it was great that we were given an opportunity for a preliminary meeting separate from the shortened rehearsal. If we appealed well there, we might be able to minimize acoustic problems on the day of the show.

5. results of the Beginners' Group "Voluntary Training Festival

　That weekend evening, I also showed up at the "self-practice festival" that the beginners' group had planned. The university's student center is open to the public until night, so about 10 people gathered in the circle room I had reserved.
　Saki Nakamuraand ... andTakuya Sasakiare taking the lead in confirming steps and formations while playing videos of the training camp and choreography videos taken by the seniors on their computers.
Saki, are you ready to practice your rock part center?"
　When I asked, Saki said, "Oh, leader! Look, I've made some changes to my moves," and she actually showed me her steps and arm moves. They were much sharper than at the training camp, and I could see that she was making use of Makoto's advice.
I'm just like, "Wow, you're getting better and better! You're getting better and better!"
　I applauded, and the novice groups around me also praised her, saying, "Saki, you are seriously amazing," and "You are starting to look like a center.

　The members participating in the disco and K-pop parts were also struggling to match the detailed choreography. Some of them asked me, "My feet get tangled in this step, what should I do? I was delighted to hear some of them ask me, "My legs get tangled in this step, what should I do?
"Practicing together like this, worrying together, reminds me of my old self. ......
　I went around giving advice to each of them, feeling nostalgic. Although I was busy as a leader, it was a time for me to reaffirm that teaching dance is still fun.

6. makoto's wavering thoughts

　Despite the enthusiasm of the beginner group, Makoto was still troubled by the condition of his ankle. When she came to weekday practice the following week, she was restless, saying, "It's a little sore, but as long as I don't overexert myself, I'll be fine.
　As they begin practicing through the rock part, Sho & Saki dance in the center and Makoto shouts advice from the back. Makoto shouted advice from the back. while Makoto's expression was complicated.

　Shizuku taps Makoto on the shoulder and calls out to him. Are you all right?　Aren't you depressed?"
　Makoto shakes his head silently, and then he pouts and lets his true feelings slip.
"Atashi wants to dance, but when I see ...... Sho and Saki are getting so much better, I'm kind of happy, but sad. I wonder if it would be better to leave it to the two of them rather than force them to return and lower their level of perfection. ......
　At these words, Shizuku also falls silent. Makoto's conflict is painfully understandable. It is a situation in which it is not easy to say, "Just go back to work.

7. accidental inspiration, is there a three-person system?

　Since it was almost time to use the room that day, we practiced through the rock part one last time and then broke up. When the dancing was over, Sho was sweating and said, "Ooooh, I'm so tired!" blubbering, and Saki, out of breath, smiling, "We've managed to get it into shape, haven't we?
　Makoto, on the other hand, applauded, "Nice dance!" while Makoto applauded, but still had a somewhat vacant look on her face. I called out to her lightly.
Makoto, if your leg recovers that much just before the show, is it possible to do the rock part with the ...... three-person team?"
A three-man team?
Yes. Basically, Sho and Saki will be in the center, and Makoto will join in at certain points within a reasonable range. For example, they may fly together only at the end of the chorus, or participate only in the appealing part. ......

　I thought it was an outlandish suggestion, but Makoto rolled her eyes for a moment and then changed her expression.
Oh, ......, that's a good idea. It would be tough for me to do all the dancing, but if I can move to some extent, I might be able to "participate" in some parts. I think it would be fun to have a rock part with the three of us!
　I asked Sho and Saki to join me and they said, "Seriously?　A three-person team? That might be a novelty. ......!" "Will it be an exciting move on stage?" The response was not bad. I don't know if it can be realized yet, but it is a ray of hope for Makoto.

8. acoustic meeting, unexpected problems

　A few days later,Rika AoyamaSho, Mayu, and I were to attend a meeting with the sound staff set up by my seniors. In the circle liaison room on campus, there was a lineup of members of groups also performing on stage, all with anxious expressions on their faces.
We are a dance circle, so we connect songs, but when rehearsal time is short, it's difficult to do a final check on the connections. ......
　When I consulted with the senior sound guy, he laughed and said, "I'm really sorry. The stage equipment is old and we are short on manpower. We tend to have problems, so I'd like you to adjust the sound settings as much as possible in advance," he said apologetically.

　Sho quickly responded, "We adjust the volume and sound level in advance. But when we actually play it on stage, it sounds different. It's hard not to adjust the volume and sound level right before the show. ......" Sho persisted, but the senior said, "I understand! But there are other bands and theater troupes, and we're also in a tight spot. ......

　In the end, we had to seek a compromise solution, such as asking if we could have a few dozen seconds to play the sound just before the performance on the day of the event. Although we did not receive a formal OK, we were able to reap the benefits of their positive attitude, saying, "We will be flexible and try to work on that depending on the progress on the day of the event.
I hope it gave you some hope. ......"
　After the meeting, we walked out into the hallway, looking tired but seeing a ray of light.

9. tension before the festival and new determination

　A few days after the meeting, the university is even more in full festival mode. Announcements about stalls and stage preparations were made daily, and large posters were put up in the hallways. Even in the circle practice rooms, people were saying, "Two weeks to go! Almost time for rehearsal! Everyone is anxious to get ready for the festival.

　I, Koharu Sakurai, have a mountain of work as a leader, and to be honest, I am on the verge of a flat tire. In addition to adjusting the practice schedule, checking the revised version of the sound source, following up with the beginner group, and taking care of Makoto, I also have to deal with Rika-senpai. Still, when she feels that everyone is working hard, she cannot collapse.
I know it's a heavy burden to be a leader ......, but I'm afraid I'll regret it if I give in here."
　As I stay at home until midnight sorting through papers, I tell myself, "Step by stage, one step at a time. Step by stage, step by step," I murmur to myself, and the hot air from the training camp comes back to my mind.

epilogue

　Thus, "Plan B" for the rock part was steadily gaining in precision, and if Makoto could partially return to the band, "Plan C," or "three-piece If Makoto could partially return to the band, "Plan C," a three-piece band, was also in sight. Sound rehearsals are still short, but with prior meetings and simplification, they seem to be getting by. The beginners also continue to practice on their own and are gradually gaining confidence.
　Despite the many problems, the atmosphere of the team is more positive than before. Perhaps the growth that took place at the training camp and the experience of overcoming numerous conflicts and setbacks together have made everyone stronger.

　Only two weeks to go until the festival.
　Makoto is battling an ankle pain, the sound plan has been stripped down to the bare essentials, and the beginners are trying to find time to practice. None of us are in perfect shape, but we believe that our "steps" are definitely bringing us closer to the stage, and we are going to practice as a whole this coming weekend.