Side Story: Meet-and-Greet Pressure

When Side Story becomes available, Tsubasa will send a text to Itsuki. The conversation is as follows:

Tsubasa: Itsuki, I need your advice on something! Tsubasa: I'll be waiting in front of the cafe. could you come by whenever you have time? please?

If the player waits, Tsubasa will send another text:

Tsubasa: hey, I'll be waiting in front of the cafe. could you stop by if you have the time?

>Speak to Tsubasa, who is in front of café Seiren's right entrance.

Tsubasa: Oh, Itsuki! I'm worried about my next gig. You have to help me! Pleeeaaase!

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Yes
• No

If the player chooses "no":

Itsuki: Sorry. I'm busy right now.

Tsubasa: I see... Then when you have time, it'd be great if you can come see me again.

Conversation ends, side story unaccepted.

If the player chooses "yes":

Itsuki: Sure. What's wrong?

Tsubasa: It'll be awkward talking about it here, so let's go into the cafe.

>The two find a table in Seiren.

Tsubasa: So, it looks like the company's holding a meet-and-greet to commemorate my debut this time... But... I can't shake hands with people... I-It's normally not a problem. But when I think about doing that in a public event, I get nervous.

Itsuki: Uh-huh... Well, why don't we practice a bit?

The player is given two options on how to initiate practice:

• Nice to meet you.
• I'm a big fan!

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: I'm a big fan!

Tsubasa: Huh!? Wha- I, am, uhhhhhh...!

Itsuki: ... That's pretty bad.

Tsubasa: I have... social anxiety... Hrgh... Hey, Itsuki. Do you have any ideas on how I can gain more confidence?

Itsuki: It's... probably best if you just interact with as many people as possible.

Tsubasa: Yeah...

Itsuki: ... But it'd also be weird if an idol suddenly walked up and asked, "May I practice shaking your hand?" Oh. What do you think about freebie marketing?

Tsubasa: Huh?

Itsuki: Handing out free samples might be good practice for interacting with people you don't know.

Tsubasa: I see! Ehehe, you sure are smart, Itsuki!

Itsuki: Plus, you can probably expect a better turnout since you'll be advertising your meet-and-greet.

Tsubasa: ... It's decided then! I'm gonna go get ready at once!

>Scene changes to the entrance of the café. Tsubasa sends a text to Itsuki. The conversation is as follows:

Tsubasa: I'm ready to go! Tsubasa: I'll be waiting for you at the crosswalk near the station! Tsubasa: sends a picture of an energetic man pumping his fist into the air

>Speak to Tsubasa.

Tsubasa: Okay, I'm ready. I can begin handing out free samples whenever!

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• Let's get started then.
• Hold on a moment.

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Hold on a moment.

Tsubasa: Okay! I can do that!

If the player chooses option 1:

Itsuki: Let's get started then.

>The two scour the area.

Tsubasa: Whoaaa, there really are a lot of people in Shibuya when you look around like this. Hrrgh...

Itsuki: You're gonna get over this no matter what, right?

Tsubasa: Of course! I'm gonna go do my best! Make sure you watch!

>A suited gentleman walks up to Tsubasa.

Tsubasa: Itsuki! S-Someone's coming! H-How should I go talk to him?

Itsuki: Briskly and full of energy. Probably.

Tsubasa: I'll be holding a meet-and-greet soon! P-Please come by!

>The gentleman walks up and accepts Tsubasa's invitation.

Tsubasa: I... I did it. I did it, Itsuki! He accepted it!

Itsuki: Good. Keep at it. ... This time, try changing how you hand it over, depending on the person.

Tsubasa: How I hand it over? ... Okay, I'll try, Itsuki!

Itsuki: You could just not think too much into it and hand it normally.

Tsubasa: Hand it normally... Hand it normally...

>A woman starts to walk by.

Tsubasa: P-Please come to my meet-and-greet!

>The woman accepts the invite.

Itsuki: Yes!

>The woman walks away.

Tsubasa: I did it!

Itsuki: You're on a roll. ... Then again, it still doesn't feel natural yet.

Tsubasa: Hmm... My facial expression might be too stiff... All right, I'll focus on that next time!

Itsuki: Just smile a bit.

Tsubasa: Smile a bit... Smile a bit... Okay.

>A man with a bag walks up to Tsubasa.

Tsubasa: I'll be holding a meet-and-greet soon. I'd love if you would come to it.

>The man accepts the invite and walks away.

Itsuki: That went great!

Tsubasa: Yeah! I think I'm getting the hand of this. I'll try the next one myself!

>Tsubasa is seen giving out invites and samples to various people.

Tsubasa: Oh... I'm all out of freebies...

Itsuki: Looks like you're over your social anxiety.

Tsubasa: My what now? Ohhhhhh! Th-Th-That's right! I was handing out free samples to get over my social anxiety! I was so preoccupied doing it that I completely forgot about that part!

Itsuki: C'mon now...

Tsubasa: But a meet-and-greet's the same idea, isn't it? You're supposed to give it your all in that short period of time. ... I understand now!

>Tsubasa unlocks a new Perfoma: Hand's Warmth.

Tsubasa: Ehehehe... I did it!

>Tiki sends a text to Itsuki. The conversation is as follows:

Tiki: It looks like a new Perfoma was born from Tsubasa! Tiki: Good job! I'll be waiting at the Bloom Palace, so come by anytime! Tiki: sends a picture of a winking Tiki with the word "OK♪" written on it

>Tsubasa learns Radiant Unity skill: "Door of Connection".

Tsubasa: Hrgh... It's almost time. Just thinking about it makes my heart race...

Caeda: You'll be fine. What's truly terrifying is when one grows numb to that feeling. The tension you feel is a good sign.

Tsubasa: Y-You're right!

Caeda: You worked hard for this, Tsubasa. Have more confidence in yourself.

Tsubasa: Yeah! Thanks, Caeda! Then Tsubasa Oribe, 18 years old, is off to the greet-and-meet!

>Tsubasa runs off and proceeds to trip.

Tsubasa: W-Waaaah!

Caeda: W-Will she truly be all right...?

The meet-and-greet starts. Scene is the Toubo Rooftop. Tsubasa is seen behind a desk on top of a stage. The man with the bag walks up to her.

Tsubasa: I-I'm Tsubasa Oribe! Th-Thank you for toming coday!

>The meet-and-greet progresses normally and without problems. Afterwards, Tsubasa meets Itsuki in the changing rooms.

Tsubasa: I'm back!

Itsuki: Welcome back. A lot more people showed up today than I imagined.

Tsubasa: Mm-hm! Tons of people who accepted my free samples came too! It's all thanks to you helping me! I couldn't have done it without you, Itsuki!

Itsuki: So, how'd it feel doing a meet-and-greet?

Tsubasa: Ehehehe...

Itsuki: What's up?

Tsubasa: Handshakes are like magic. ... I did get nervous, but I felt as though I was truly connecting with my fans through the palms of our hands. It's not just about singing and dancing. Connecting with people is important for an idol, too.

The player is given two options on how to respond:

• I agree.
• Speaking of handshakes...

If the player chooses option 1:

???

If the player chooses option 2:

Itsuki: Speaking of handshakes, I'd like one too. I want to experience the results of all your effort.

Tsubasa: Huh!? ... Okay. I-I'm Tsubasa Oribe, and I... h-hure sope we continue getting along.

Job complete!