Episode 8 - Step by Stage! ~ I Can't Believe I'm the Leader of a Dance Circle! ~...

Episode 8 "Training Camp Starts! Beginners and Experienced Cross Paths?"

1. now it's time to go to the camp! Bus Departure

　Did everyone make it to the meeting on time?"
　It was Saturday morning and I was at the main gate of the university. There were roughly 20 circle members gathered around me with suitcases and sports bags. Yes, today was finally the dayDance Circle CampDay of the
　Thanks to Sho Ohtani's (Sho Ohtani) frantic coordination a few days earlier, we were able to successfully book accommodations at the Youth Training Center. Although we did not go as far as chartering a bus, we decided to use several large rental cars to get around.

　I look at the roll call list and call out the names of the members.
Yes, Makoto Sato!
Oooooh, I'm here!"
　Makoto is still shouting as loud as ever. The tension has been maxed out since this morning.
Miyata, Shizuku!
Here we are. Big baggage, can't carry it ......"
　Shizuku struggles a bit, but stoically carries a bag full of dance gear.
Mayu Suzuki!
Yes, yes, I'm all set!"
　Mayu looks happy as she puts cute stickers on her big trunk. Mayu's fashionable outfit is also well-dressed, showing her enthusiasm for "looking good even at a training camp.
Sho Ohtani!
"Hey, we've got the right driver."
　Sho had some help from his part-time friends, and they managed to get a car and driving personnel. I really appreciate your help.

　Many others joined us, including members of the beginners' group and Saki Nakamura and Takuya Sasaki, who had done basic training with us.
"Good, it's going to be lively with all these people here.
　I, Koharu Sakurai, check the list, but with relief,Camp LeaderI'm nervous inside because I also play a role like a "guest speaker. I've been so busy these past few days with the lodging list and other paperwork that I'm not sleeping well, but I've got to get through it somehow.

　We split up, loaded our bags into the car, and left the university at 9:00 AM. The trip to our destination took about three hours via expressway. Inside the car, we were already getting into the "training camp" mood as we opened snacks and played music.

2. happening as soon as you arrive! Baptism of the camp facilities

　The camp, which arrived before noon, is a training center in the mountains surrounded by greenery. The building is a bit old-fashioned, but the grounds are equipped with a gymnasium, a multipurpose studio, and other facilities that could be used for dance practice.
Wow, the air is so good!"
It's like nature is all around us."
　Makoto and Mayu looked around at the view outside and were thrilled. I too took a deep breath, filling my chest, and felt a sense of exhilaration as I was released from the noise of the city.
I'm going to go to the reception desk first to get my paperwork out."
　Sho heads to the facility's office with a binder of documents. Just as I was watching him off, someone who looked like a staff member of the training center walked by.

I'm sorry, my name is Sakurai, and I will be staying with the dance circle this time. I look forward to working with you!"
　When I greeted him, the staff man said smilingly, "I look forward to working with you. I have heard that you are scheduled to use the gymnasium and the multipurpose room. Oh, yes, there is also a neighborhood group scheduled to use the gymnasium this afternoon, so the time may be a little later or later. ......" He explains.
'What, you have time conflicts with other groups?'
Yes, I hear you have band practice and stage rehearsals over there, so it could be ...... louder."

　This is an unexpected conflict. I thought I could monopolize the gym, but apparently I may have to adjust my timetable.
"I hope we can somehow work out a schedule ......"
We'll do our best to make adjustments, so please use it in a mutually beneficial way."
　The staff politely bowed out, but there was a sense of trouble early in the camp. Will practice go ahead as planned? ......

3. first day of camp: unpack and start practicing

　After dropping our bags off in our room and having a quick lunch, we quickly headed to the gymnasium. I heard that we were able to secure a time slot for the afternoon at one of the clubs,Intensive practice on the first day of the campbegins.
　The mixed gender groups of beginners and experienced students were doing preparatory exercises together, lively as if they were a class in anticipation of a gymnastic festival.
Then let's start by practicing the parts of each song roughly together!"
　I raise my voice, and the members of the team say, "Oh!" and get into the spirit.

　The medley consists of a rock part (Makoto), a cool part (Shizuku), a K-pop part (Mayu), and a disco part (Sho), and I am in charge of staging the connecting parts. Everyone has been working on the choreography on their own, but we have only performed the entire piece a few times. We are hoping to perfect the choreography at the camp.

　Makoto counts loudly as they enter the first rock part. The beginner group danced with a beat delay in confusion.
Oh no, we'll never make it!"
Oh, I forgot how to rustle ......"
　There were screams here and there, and I struggled to say, "Calm down, don't panic! I struggled to call out to them, "Calm down and don't panic!

　When it comes to the cool part, Shizuku quietly gives instructions. He politely tells them, "The next move is to put your feet together on the count of four and raise your hands on the count of five. ......," but this time Makoto is confused, "Uh, ......, which foot is it?" Makoto was now confused. Apparently, it is difficult to move to the cool part immediately after giving it your all in the rock part.

　In the K-POP part, Mayu led the rhythm with a smile, but made a lot of mistakes due to her unfamiliar moves. In the disco part, Sho tried to do acrobatics and fell down, causing everyone to have a big fuss. ......
No, it's very hard to match."
　I could only nod my head as I looked at Makoto, who was laughing and wiping sweat off his face during a break. But the morning of the first day of training camp was still just a physical acclimation. I told myself that I hope I can gradually improve my accuracy from here.

4. beginners' group and experienced group, or a gap in feelings?

　As the practice progressed, problems slowly began to surface.
　The beginner group was in a state of "just trying hard to memorize the choreography. On the other hand, experienced members such as Makoto, Shizuku, and Mayu are in a hurry to "perfect their overall movements and solidify their formations.
"Hey, your legs are all over the place!　Get them in line!"
I'm sorry, I'm still trying to remember ....... ......
　Makoto's voice is raised more and more, and the beginner group shrinks apologetically.

　Sizuku is a sizuku and tends to take a stern tone, saying, "If you don't count properly, your rhythm will be disturbed. The beginner group then shrugs and says, "Sorry, .......
　Mayu, on the other hand, tries to speak kindly to the beginners, but she seems to have a dilemma: she takes time to explain the formations and detailed choreography, which delays the creation of her own part.

　As a leader, I began to feel that "there is a subtle temperature difference between the novice group and the experienced group ....... Experienced people who are in a hurry and beginners who can't keep up. The camp has just started, but if things start to get awkward, we're in trouble.

5. problems break out at the evening meeting

　After evening practice and dinner, we gathered in the common room of the camp. We gathered in the common room of the training camp to review the first day and discuss our plans for the following day.
　With notepad in hand, I said, "Good job today. That was pretty hard for a first day, how did it go?" I ask everyone. Makoto answers immediately.
I'm not dancing enough at all, to be honest!　The tempo slows down when I'm trying to keep up with the beginners, and if I keep going like this, I won't be able to improve my perfection. ......"
I don't blame you. Beginners are doing their best in their own way."
　Mayu softly follows up, but Makoto seems a bit annoyed.
'No, of course I know you're trying, but we're running out of time until the festival, and people need to adjust a little more ......

　Then, one of the novice group members countered in a small voice.
But we haven't fully learned the choreography yet, and the steps are too difficult ....... We can't do it as quickly as Makoto-senpai and Shizuku-senpai. ......"
That's ......."
　Makoto chokes on his words. Next to her, Shizuku is silent with his arms folded. He seems to be holding back from interjecting, perhaps feeling that he is too strict in some respects.

　From all over the place came the opinions, "We need more practice time," "But the training camp schedule is limited," "Why don't we have more voluntary training at night?" Opinions were rife with such comments as, "If we push ourselves too hard, our bodies won't be able to handle it. ......Evening MeetingsThe "Mere Old Man" was in a state of confusion at once. I desperately tried to summarize, but the voices overlapped and did not converge.

　In the midst of all this, Sho threw in a salutation, "Well, let's have Koharu sort it out once and for all here. Mayu also said, "Well, leader, what do you think?" I looked at her. Makoto, Shizuku, and the novice group all looked at me at once.
Uh, let's see. ......."
　Suddenly shaken, I look down at my notebook, flustered.

6. suggestion of Koharu: two-step practice

　I turned my head and tried to think of a **"system that allows both beginner and experienced groups to practice without difficulty.
First of all, why don't we separate the general practice, where we all work together, and the individual practice, where we work on our own or in small groups?"
　After suggesting so in a few words, he continues as everyone's eyes are focused on him.
For example, in the morning, we can go over the formation and flow as a whole, and in the afternoon, the beginners can focus on the basics, while the experienced group can work on the details of staging and staging. ...... And then, in the evening, we'll meet again. What do you think?"

　Makoto tilts his head, "Hmmm ......," and Shizuku murmurs, "Maybe it's not a bad idea." Mayu is positive, "Sure, if we have time to work together and time to work separately, maybe we can focus on each other. The beginner group also has a look of "It would be helpful ...... if we could have a little extra time.
"However, this means that the experienced group will be mostly immersed in dancing. ...... is that okay?"
　When I asked, Makoto replied, "I'm totally fine!　In fact, I welcome it! Shizuku nodded, "I don't have any objection either. Shizuku nodded his head, "I have no objection either way, I need time to finish this medley.

　thusTwo-step practice method--The decision was made to adopt a schedule from the following day, i.e., "practice as a whole in the morning, practice in groups in the afternoon, and then practice together again in the evening. The next question is how to make the best use of the evening practice sessions, which will be left up to each member to the extent that it is not too much to ask.
　Finally the meeting settled down and I breathed a sigh of relief. We still have a lot of problems to solve, but I can see everyone's eyes looking forward to "Let's do this!" I can see that everyone's eyes are looking forward to the future, saying, "Let's try this! As a leader, it is nerve-wracking to organize opinions at a meeting like this, but it is also very rewarding.

7. night of the camp, talk with each other

　After the meeting, the participants are free until lights out. The beginners' group was doing a small self-practice in the lobby of the dormitory, and Makoto and Shizuku were standing next to them for guidance. Mayu and Sho were doing final checks on the next day's schedule, costumes, and accessories.
　I finished my round of work and went outside for the night. There is a small open space on the property, and the starry sky is clearly visible. The air is nice and cool.
　Then, I suddenly felt the presence of someone beside me. I look,Makoto Satowas standing there in his jersey.
"Makoto?　What's wrong, did you come to catch the night breeze?"
I just wanted to cool down a little bit. I think I may have said a little too much today.

　Indeed, there was a situation where I said something like, "You have to fit in" to the beginner group.
But Makoto is Makoto, and he's just in a hurry to improve the quality of his stage act."
　When I said so, she nodded.
I want to make the stage even more spectacular. I want to make the stage even more spectacular, and I want everyone to be moved and say, "We did it! I want to make the stage more spectacular and make everyone feel like they've done it all! But if I'm too strict with the beginners, I might just make them shrink. It's difficult. ......
　Makoto, who appears to be a strong person, is unusually weak. It is probably because her passion for the festival is stronger than others that she is worried about the gap between the pace and that of a beginner.

　I answer, looking up at the night sky.
I'm fine. The beginner group is growing little by little, and I think it's encouraging for Makoto to talk to them. But you have to give them a break once in a while."
I'm sure you're right. I tend to get hot, don't I, Atashi?

　Makoto's profile looked somewhat relieved. We spend some quiet time looking up at the starry sky for a while, as if to relieve the fatigue of the first day of the camp.

8. epilogue -- will tomorrow be the day?

　And so the night of the first day of the training camp wore on. The challenges we noticed during the daytime practice and the differences between beginners and experienced players seem to be surmountable, depending on our communication.
　Tomorrow, we will begin the two-stage practice in earnest, and we will also be working more deeply on the overall formation. We also need to coordinate with other groups regarding gymnasium usage time, and the idea of having an evening mini-presentation in the second half of the camp has been floated. The slapstick is not over yet.
　But as a leader, I have a strong desire to "create the best stage possible for everyone. Even if there are some conflicts and troubles, we will be able to overcome them - I believe this and make a final confirmation of the next day's schedule before going to sleep.

I didn't think I was cut out to be a leader, but I've come this far. I have to go one more step, or two more steps, and do my best. ......!

　Countless stars twinkled in the night sky over the mountains, seeming somehow to cheer us on in our challenge.step-by-stageis still going on.