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Band Practice Day

AraleStaaaare...

Miyako(I feel like someone's watching me...)

AraleStaaaaaare...

MiyakoUm... Arale-san? Is everything okay?

AraleEep!? Y-Y-You noticed!?

MiyakoIt would've been harder not to notice...

AraleUgh... Mmm... Okay! I'm just gonna ask!

AraleYako-sensei!!

AraleAre you feeling all right!?

MiyakoHm...?

AraleNext week's Chupasachu gets a full-color opening and extra pages! Which means your workload must've exploded too, Yako-sensei! I figured you've been buried in an absolute deadline crunch...!!

AraleAnd even now... Um... You have faint dark circles under your eyes...

Miyako...!

AraleAs a fan, though, I couldn't be happier!

AraleI just know it's going to be amazing, and I already can't wait to read it!

AraleBut as your bandmate... I know it's not really my place, but...

MiyakoHehe...

MiyakoThank you for worrying about me, Arale-san. But really, I'm all right.

AraleI-Is that so...?

MiyakoI've already worked out the manuscript deadlines with my editor, and we've made sure there's plenty of time in the schedule.

AraleOh... I see...! What a relief~

MiyakoYes. Besides...

MiyakoThe more work I have, the more fired up I get.

AraleF-Fired up?!

MiyakoAs a creator, I believe great work needs just the right amount of pressure.

MiyakoArale-san, you write lyrics too, right? I'm sure you know what I mean.

AraleWhen I'm writing lyrics...?

AraleYou're right. It's not always fun for me either. It can really push me, but that pressure somehow helps me make something better.

MiyakoExactly. I think that pressure is important.

MiyakoOf course, pushing yourself too far is no good. If I worked myself into the ground again, it would defeat the whole purpose.

MiyakoI've learned to pace myself to a certain extent. But...

MiyakoBut taking the easy way out and releasing some lifeless piece of work into the world? I refuse.

AraleWhoa...!

MiyakoHehe... If it means creating something truly worthwhile, I'll do whatever it takes...!

AraleW-Whoa...!?

MiyakoArale-san, I know how much you and all my readers are looking forward to it.

MiyakoA true professional doesn't just meet those expectations. They surpass them...!

MiyakoJust wait until you see next week's issue...!

AraleYes! I will!