"..."
"..."
"Heygoodmorning!"
Kotaro turns around and greets the fourteen zombies with a wide smile, looking lively as usual. The zombies sitting on the chairs don't share his mood as usual and Kotaro takes notice of their demeanor and exclaims, "What's all this? You are all looking kinda down! GOOD MORNIIIIIIING!"
"Good morning..." "Good morning." Sakura and Kakyoin greeted back.
Accepting their mild greeting, Kotaro announces, "All right, girls. Looks like you're taking your lessons pretty seriously. Have you gotten used to your group's name yet? Frannyfannychoochoo!"
"That's not it! It's ｢Franchouchou｣!" Sakura corrected him.
"Frankenchoochoo!" Kotaro mispronounced the name again for fun.
"Francho-"
"Flanchocho!"
Gyro blurts out with a grin, apparently for fun too. Naturally, everyone looks at him as if they have seen a murder. He notices their staring and, acting innocent, asks, "...What? Why are y'all staring at me for?"
"...For mispronouncing our group's name." Saki deadpanned.
"Hey c'mon, no need to give me many glares. I want to lighten up the mood here. Everyone is seemingly feeling down so... Nyo ho!" His gold teeth are shown again when he smiles widely, making him look silly together with his act.
As everyone ignores him, Kotaro is amused by his intentional mispronunciation, saying, "Flanchoochoo... Ha ha, now that's a funny name."
"In case you and Gyro-san forgot, it's Francho-"
"FRANCHOUCHOU! Yes, I know the name! Ain't it cute~? Yes, it's oh-so cute~!" Sakura was cut off for the second time as Kotaro did a little dance, as if to mock Sakura for "incorrectly" saying the name wrong, much to her chagrin. After that little dance, Kotaro proclaims next, "And of course, who couldn't forget your Stand using bodyguard group caaaaaaallllllled... ｢RIANIMA｣!"
The zombie guys take pride in the name chosen by Bucciarati, who is now seriously considering taking a leadership role for his group. Also, Kotaro doesn't seem to mock them like he did to the girls.
"While I'm not fluent in Italian language, I trust that you find the name fitting to your group, right mister Bruno?"
"Yes. While speaking in Japanese language suddenly on my first day as a zombie is surprising, I still know Italian that I carefully considered my group's name. I hope it's to your liking, signor Tatsumi." What he said about him being able to speak Japanese applies to Narancia and Gyro. Coincidentally enough, the three are Italians (and Neapolitan in Gyro's case). Kotaro told them that it's thanks to his mysterious benefactor's Stand that allowed them to speak Japanese language. This was done before they were awakened mentally.
With the group's naming out of the way, Kotaro proceeds to the main topic of this morning's meeting, acting his usual self as always. "Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It was painfully clear what a bunch of brain-dead zombies you all are with Franchouchou's guerilla show last month and Rianima's constant protection, but you seem to have grown a bit since then." The little compliment offset the ridicule laced in the statement, something Sakura and Kakyoin acknowledge. "This is where the real game begins. Right Saki?"
"...Yeah, I guess." The former biker replied.
"What about you Avdol?"
"If you have everything control, then yes." The fortune teller nodded.
"And Lily, what's your response?"
"Uh, I'll-"
"｢GREAT｣!" The producer didn't spare the child actress any reply when he yells in her place, much to her surprise. "Now given that, what is your next moooooooove...AnswerSakura!"
"Eh!? I... I dunno." She stuttered at first due to Kotaro telling her to answer suddenly, before a thought came to her and she says, "Oh! Maybe recording a CD of our song and selling it?"
"Oh, very nice! That's a pretty good idea. Well, let's just call a recording studio and- YEAH THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN DUMBASS!"
As Sakura is left reeling from him shouting out of the blue, Kotaro goes on to rant how he haven't earned a single penny even after the "raggedy ass" performances so far, which is costly for him. "...EVEN THE GAS FOR THE VAN ISN'T FREE! DON'T YOU REALIZE THAT YOU STUPID ZOMBIIIIIEEEE!?" He leaned closer to her frightened visage.
Kakyoin, glaring at him and telling him without words to back off from the anxious Sakura, sums up the issue for him. "...So basically, the budget has run dry, right?"
"Yup. It has run dry." Kotaro confirms.
"Huh?! What the hell are we supposed to do then?" Saki urgently asked.
"Well, when there's no money, you earn more. Duh."
Making this obvious statement, Kotaro flips the chalkboard to reveal a word written on it, which is ｢business｣. Curious of his plan, Ai inquires, "Are there even any businesses in Saga that would hire idols?"
"There are, in fact! Because I'm ｢awesome｣! It's a big Saga pharmaceutical company, ｢Hisanaka Pharma｣!" Kotaro divulged. "If it goes well, this could end in a partnership!"
"Partnership?" Kakyoin repeated.
"Look, I don't get it but when is this business stuff goin' down?" Saki asks, choosing to go along with the flow for now.
"If I were to guess going by you telling the girls to practice for a guerilla performance last month ago," That was Mamezuku speaking, his eyes examining Kotaro as he guesses, "It's today, isn't it?"
"Yes." He confirmed.
"Huuuuh? Again?" The biker was surprised it's happening right now. Everyone except Mamezuku shared her reaction as well. This is the third (or fourth) time he told them that the event they're about to take part in is happening sooner than they expected and yet, they're surprised all the same.
"The act they had booked for their company trip isn't going to make it," Kotaro explained, providing a reason for his hasty decision. It doesn't satisfy Saki though, as she asks, "Why are your all acts happenin' at a last minu-"
"Because we don't get enough chances to let any slip by! Idols have a limited shelf life nowadays. And you zombies can be overworked without dying! Which means we're doing this. Just do like you've practiced and show your stuff," He reminded the girls, and presumably, the boys too. "Incidentally, the location is going to be the ｢Ureshino Hot Springs｣."
"Hot springs?!" Junko repeated, surprised and elated to hear it's gonna take place in a hot spring. Her delighted expression changed to an embarrassed and blushing one when she noticed Ai and Yugiri look at her when she spoke, so she averted her eyes. For Yugiri's part, she smiles over her brief enthusiasm.
"Hot springs, huh? Sounds like a nice place to relax in," Narancia said, liking the suggested place and all that it entails.
"Right you are, Nara!" Saki calls him by a nickname she came up with as she agrees with him. "We've just been washing off from the yard's hose, after all."
"Uh huh... Wait, did you call me Nara?"
"This could be a chance to wash off some of the decay from Franchouchou and our bodyguards," Yugiri brought up the matter of them smelling bad, prompting Sakura, Saki, Ai, Junko, Kakyoin, Avdol, Narancia and Johnny to sniff themselves.
"And they're nice enough to put us up overnight..." Kotaro added.
"We're staying overnight!?" Sakura exclaimed in happy surprise.
"Sounds like we can let it all hang out!" Saki shares her friend's excitement.
"Perhaps a dip in the spring can ease my mind off..." Kakyoin likes the idea of sitting in a spring.
"It does sound captivating, especially since I haven't gotten in any springs when I was in Japan." Avdol joins in their excitement.
"...Except none of you are going into the hot springs!"
Kotaro declared while his arms were crossed. In an instant he said it, the four zombies' excitement deflated.
Leaning ans moving his face close to all the zombies, Kotaro switches to a mocking tone as he tells them, "Because you can't walk around outside of your room without your makeup! Sucks to be yooooouuuuuu! If you think you got enough time to splish splash in a hot spring, then use that time for practice and protecting respectively, YOU ROTTING IDOLS AND DECAYING STAND USERS!"
"Grrrr...!"
ドッグォォー
Having enough of his obnoxious behavior, Saki and Narancia punched and kneed his gut and face hard, sending him reeling on the floor as his sunglasses fell on the floor. While everyone is surprised they attacked him out of irritation, they didn't protest against their action. In fact, Kakyoin, Johnny, Gyro, Ai and Lily feel satisfied the producer is put in his place as a result of pushing his attitude and mockery of them too far.
"Oooooh... That's gotta hurt." Gyro snickered.
After Kotaro puts his shades back on, Sakura says, "Excuse me..."
"W-What's up...?" He sputtered, wobbling from the pain in his body.
"What does this pharmaceutical company sell anyway?" The redhead asked.
Her answer is on the box that's been there the whole meeting. The producer directs everyone to it, replying, "This is it."
Sakura, Ai, Junko, Kakyoin, Bucciarati and Gyro take a peek at what's in the box and see it's filled with smaller boxes of a product called ｢Saganship Z｣.
"Saganship Z?" Sakura reads the name out loud.
As they wonder what this product do, Kotaro makes one last announcement to finish this morning's meeting. "In any case, as I said before Saki and Narancia attacked the lights out of me, you can't go into hot springs or walk outside your room without your makeup."
"Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first time." Saki rolled her eyes while still irritated over him.
"Let me finish!" He exclaimed. "While you may think it is because you are zombies, that's not the only reason. In fact, this is something Rianima needs to concern themselves with."
The aforementioned group looks at him in response. "Huh? What exactly do you mean by that, Tatsumi-san?" Kakyoin asked.
Prompted by his question, Kotaro drops this line that the seven zombie guys are familiar with.
"The hotel all of you are gonna stay in... happens to have an ｢enemy Stand｣ that appears only at night."
The surprised reactions everyone makes is certainly expected upon hearing an enemy Stand on the loose.
Outside the hotel where Franchouchou and Rianima are staying in, Kotaro gives the fourteen zombies in disguise a reminder of what they are going to do in order to earn money and potentially open any window of opportunity for Franchouchou, and by extension Saga, to be popular. The producer is in the van as he talks to Sakura, Junko, Saki, Kakyoin and Bucciarati.
"Your rooms are 606 and 607. Once the time is 18:00, you girls are on." Kotaro relayed.
"Understood!" Sakura replied with a nod.
"As for you boys, keep an eye out for the enemy Stand that only appears at night in this particular location. Understand?" He reminded the Stand Users, with them turning to him.
"Yes, Tatsumi-san." Kakyoin nodded in response. The man in shades then says, "Good. You fourteen better do your jobs right while I go sightseeing, especially you girls as I went to the trouble of setting up a room to rehearse in."
"Right!" Sakura exclaims, smiling over how much effort it took him for Franchouchou to use a spare room for practice. Her expression changes to a curious one when she heard what Kotaro is going to do next. "Wait, Kotaro-san... What did you say you would be doing?"
He looks forward and puts his hand on the pedal as he says, "...Sightseeing."
Everyone stares at him when they hear what his plan for today after dropping Franchouchou and the guys off. "...What was that?" Kakyoin inquired.
"GOTTA SEE THEM SIGHTS!"
And with that, the van left, kicking up dust as it speeds away from the group.
The group stared at the road down ahead where the manager left, staying silent for three seconds before Saki asked, "Soooooo... What do we do now?"
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.
"You're seriously not goin' straight to practice, right?" She stated, acting as if it was an obvious option.
"But... we need to rehearse!"
"We can do that later! Why does only Shades there get to goof off? That's what I'm gettin' at!"
"We can't!"
"...You wanna die?"
Sakura backed away a little when Saki gave her a glare and threatened her.
"We've been cooped-up practicin' non-stop! And now we're in ｢URESHINO｣!" Saki lays out the reason why they shouldn't practice yet. Having stayed in the mansion for few weeks, Saki is willing to stretch her arms and legs out as she takes a stroll in the streets. The chance has presented itself so she must take that chance before it slips between her fingers.
"I wanna go for a walk, too!" Lily raises her hand in agreement.
"Count me in as well!" Narancia joins in.
"See, shrimpy and Nara here gets it!"
"I'm not shrimpy! My name is Lily!"
"Did you just call me Nara again...?"
As Sakura ponders if going for a walk in lieu of practice is a good thing, Yugiri says, "A little bit of walking wouldn't hurt. I'd like to get a look at what a modern town is like."
"No complaints here! The only thing missing here though is riding a horse." Gyro concurred.
"Yeah. I sure hope Kotaro knows me and Gyro needed two horses for us to use. It doesn't feel right having no horse to ride since I am a former jockey." Johnny hoped.
"We've got our makeup on and we'll all be together. And we'll be extra careful so no one finds out we're zombies!" Lily reminded.
"Won't we, shrimpy?"
"My name is LILY!"
"Since the enemy Stand Kotaro told us about isn't going to appear until nighttime, I suppose it's alright to go for a walk..." Bucciarati has no objections over the decision.
"I don't mind at all." Mamezuku simply said.
"Just a reminder as bodyguards for the girls, we need to look after our surroundings and the girls intentlt. Who knows if there is trouble brewing in the corner," Avdol reminded them. "Other than that, I would like to join with you all as well."
Seeing almost everyone wants to take a walk, Sakura turns to Kakyoin to get his response. "What about you Kakyoin? Are you joining them?"
After thinking for a second, Kakyoin shrugs, stating, "Sure. Why not? There's no harm taking in the air as we walk. I know you're concerned about the rehearsal but there will be time for that later, Sakura. Maybe... you just need to loosen up a little in regardsbto doing your idol work."
"Well, if Kakyoin agrees..." With eleven out of fourteen (or thirteen seeing Tae isn't actually listening) wanting to go sightseeing, Sakura has no room for argument here. She came to agree with Saki that they have stayed in the mansion for long enough, so having to explore will be a nice change of pace.
All that's left is Ai, Junko and Tae, who's off staring at nothing but the air in her usual zombie way. "Ai, Junko, are you two fine with all of us exploring and taking in the scenes?" Saki asks them.
"I'm... not sure if sightseeing is a good idea or not but..." That is Junko's reply.
Despite her skepticism, everyone is happily marching from one place to another as they take in the scenery without worry. While walking in the neighborhood isn't anything extraordinary, the girls and boys are having fun walking and chatting among themselves over what they are seeing. At one point, they pass by a public bathhouse and Sakura, Junko, Kakyoin and Narancia get to pet a striped tabby cat with orange and white fur under a truck.
To make sure the girls are covered from every angle, Kakyoin, Narancia and Johnny, being long-range Stand Users, walk in front of the group to cover them while Avdol, Bucciarati, Gyro and Rai takes up the rear in case the group doesn't notice anything odd behind. Being senior members of the group certainly suits them. The importance of protecting the girls is taken much seriously by the guys but that doesn't mean they can't chat in a carefree manner among themselves and the girls, like how they eschew rehearsing and investigating the presence of a Stand in the hotel to travel from place to place.
At one point, everyone visits a shrine. A particular attraction is a sculpture of a fish, which Junko and Narancia are curious about. Sakura informs the two that splashing it with water will earn them good skin and health, prompting them to splash it rather enthusiastically. Kakyoin, Avdol, Bucciarati, Saki, Ai and Yugiri share a chuckle or raise an eyebrow over their eagerness to wash the sculpture for good skin and health despite being zombies. All the while, Tae erratically rings the bell while Lily bows many times. Mamezuku is trying to get Tae to stop ringing it while Johnny and Gyro are watching them.
After leaving the shrine, the group happen upon a cake shop filled with delicious and sweet pastries that water the mouth of those who look at it from the window. This is what Sakura, Saki, Lily, Tae and Narancia are doing, their faces comically squishing against the window as they wish to buy something from the shop. Everyone lets out a chuckle and smile over their act except for Rai, who shakes his head and Ai, who appears to not like their act.
"It's a real honor to meet and hear from the Hisanaka Pharmaceuticals."
"The people from the inn are actually talking about you."
The enthusiastic producer is currently speaking with the CEO of Hisanaka Pharmaceutical in a café. The conversation is a friendly one, with Kotaro happy to get sponsorship that can earn him money needed to maintain operation. Also, he doesn't engage in his typical behavior, preferring to act rationally and calmly. His next statement reflects his satisfaction in getting sponsorship. "I'm glad I was able to meet up with you thanks to my regular interactions with different lodgings and the chamber of commerce."
"Is running an idol group out of Saga a lot of trouble nowadays? You even hired seven bodyguards for the group."
"Well, I'd say there are times it feels like we're fighting the current of history but if I think we may be able to leave a mark, we can have a larger impact. And as for the bodyguards, well... It's better for them to be protected than none at all, right?"
"I suppose you're right."
"And through that, we'll revitalize Saga. That's what's at the core of Franchouchou's operations."
"Revitalize Saga...?" The CEO repeated.
"Yes," Kotaro nodded. "That's why, even though we're in different fields, your company being the biggest in Saga means we look up to you."
"Well, we're actually trying to widen our potential customer base to appeal more to younger people." She comments on one of the plans her company has.
"In that case, we'd love to help! If we were to become partners, I'm sure we could meet your expectations."
Happy to see him offer his help, she confesses, "I'm looking forward to tonight's performance."
"That's good to hear. I'm sure they're practicing their hearts out as we speak..."
In that moment, Kotaro turned to the window and saw the group walking by without a care for the world. He does a double take and sees the girls are not practicing and chooses to take a walk. "Their...hearts...out..." His voice gave out when his expectation was shattered at the sight of the group outside.
"Is something wrong?" She asks, noticing he's looking out of the window. Acting quickly, Kotaro grabs her chin and looks at her longingly, distracting her with his charm.
On the inside however, he's panicking over the thought of Franchouchou not practicing their heads off. And why the hell is Kakyoin and the boys doing?! Why are they going along with the girls?!
For now, Kotaro must make sure the CEO doesn't find out what he saw through the window.
Sakura breathes out a sigh of relief as the warm sensation of water soothes her feet. Currently, the group is taking a rest in a foot spa, dipping their feet in the water to heal their feet. While foot spa is different from a normal spa, Junko is still delighted to try it for the first time. "I've never tried using a foot spa before. This is lovely," she spoke.
"Downright heavenly," Yugiri agrees with a smile.
"Man, Japan is like a different world compared to Italy. I'm impressed at what I'm seeing, which makes it easier for me to get used to living in a different country!" Narancia moves his feet back and forth, clearly making the best out of the first time using a foot spa.
"I agree. While I do miss living in Egypt, that doesn't mean I'm not impressed of Japan's unique culture and traditions," Avdol remarked.
"Right with you there, Avdol," Johnny nodded, his barely movable feet submerged in warm water. Having been familiar with Japan every time he teaches potential equestrians and import foreign fruits when he was alive and in his home reality, it appears Japan looks and feels the same even if almost a century has passed. He feels somewhat relieved that things work the same between both worlds, a sentiment shared by Gyro and Rai.
Speaking of Rai, he's the only one who has not joined the group, preferring to look around with his analytic eyes to scan for any potential threats. Taking notice of his behavior, Bucciarati asks, "Hey Mamezuku, why don't you take it easy for a moment? It's not like someone is gonna come and attack us when we're together."
"I understand your concerns Bucciarati, but from my experience, you'll never know when an enemy will strike you before you notice them. I have to keep guard here and keep an eye out for anything unusual while you all relax," Rai dismissed his worry coolly.
"Oh really? I'm betting you like to continue being on guard because you prefer to be by your lonesome. Heck, you've been doing this ever since you awakened." Gyro assumed, finding it in him to speak while feeling the warm feeling in his feet and savoring it.
"...You're not wrong. I just... need some time before I think I can... trust you all. I'm pretty much the odd one here because you six recognize each other while I see you all as strangers." He didn't deny his assumption.
"Well, whether you trust us or not, remember that we're in this together," Kakyoin reminded him that he's part of the group. "Even if we and the girls are complete strangers from the start, I'm sure we can get along well given enough time."
"...I'll keep that in mind. For now, let me do the watching, okay?" Despite his calm voice, there's a hint of little appreciation in his tone. "...By the way, Sakura."
"Yes?"
"Have you cut your hair lately?"
"Huh? No. I haven't done it since I was awakened. Why do you ask?"
"...Just curious. I am wondering if we get to grow our hairs as zombies. I was missing one tip of my braid on my left, but I have grown one for some reason."
"S'that so, huh? Care to tell us why were ya missing one braid?" Saki asked. Everyone is with her as they wait for his answer.
"...How about I tell you next time? But if you want a hint, it is related to my 「cause of death」." Rai subconsciously rubs his head as he said this. "Trust me on this. It's not pretty..."
"Oh. Uh, forget I ask," Sensing he's feeling uncomfortable, Saki drops the subject, and everyone returns to relaxing themselves. "...You know, it feels kinda funny doing this." speaks up Sakura, feeling unsure of something. Everyone, including Mamezuku, turns to her and Lily asks, "What do you mean?"
"If we had never come back as zombies, we never would've met like this," she clarified. "We're all from different times or different universe in case of Johnny-san, Gyro-san and Mamezuku-san."
"Sure as hell don't feel dead, though. It's kinda cool," Saki replied nonchalantly, taking the fact they're from different times (or reality) in a stride.
"I bet even if I had been revived in the same timeframe, I'd never gone near anyone like Saki-chan or Gyro-san!"
"Shut it!" Saki growled.
"Hey, that's not nice!" Gyro exclaimed.
"I honestly feel like I'm a child again," Yugiri stated, being jubilant despite awakening centuries after her death. Her admiring the change in time compared to her time indicates she's fine living in the present. "I guess so. The whole world must seem different." Sakura concurs.
"How exactly did we become zombies, though? I thought the bodies were cremated in Japan." Ai asks this important question, speaking up for the first time after remaining silent for a minute. Her remark about cremation causes the ones who were born in Japan to wonder about it. It is certainly weird they are revived as zombies when their bodies are cremated after they died. Whatever method Kotaro used to revive them, he must have done something to their cremated bones before he did the deed.
"Speaking of bodies, whoever this Stand User that brought our bodies to Kotaro, he must be a powerful one if he can retrieve Johnny's, Gyro's and Mamezuku's bodies from another universe." Kakyoin stated, doing the same to what Ai did for the girls to his fellow Stand Users.
"I'm betting he can cross dimensions in order to achieve that," Gyro guessed the simple answer to the question.
"My thoughts exactly," Johnny agreed.
"Can he travel through time though?" Mamezuku asked, seeing an issue regarding retrieving a body from late 19th century and in 2011, the year when he died. "This Stand User must be able to do that to retrieve my body to this reality."
"Huh. I never thought of that. Still, it sounds crazy if he can do that," Gyro shrugged, maintaining his stance regarding the user being able to travel dimensions.
"And just who exactly is Tatsumi-san?" Junko asked another important question.
As if guided by a hunch, everyone, except Tae who is crouched away from them and also not dipping her feet to the warer, turns to Sakura and Kakyoin. Alarmed, she exclaims, "...Why is everybody looking at us?"
"Because you two awoke first, remember?" Ai reminded
"Well, it's true we are the first ones to wake up, but we have no idea who he is." Kakyoin defended, slightly bothered that they turn to them about who Kotaro is. "He was as much of a mystery as he is now and to you all."
"Look, don't sweat the small stuff. No need to be so overworked about it," Saki assured them with his hands behind her head.
"I have a feeling he's not gonna give us a straight answer if we ask him." Avdol accepted that fact for now.
"Well, the only thing we can say for sure is we're using this foot bath together," Narancia pointed out what matters in the present. "See, aren't you glad we did this?"
Sakura nods, surely enjoying what they're doing. Just then, she remembers that they haven't practiced yet and with quick words, says, "Oh, right! We still have to practice-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's not like we won't have enough time after we're finished here," Saki assured her with a dismissive wave of a hand.
As if by a hunch again, everyone turns to Ai. Aware she was a member and former leader of Iron Frill, she must have known from experience what it's like to be an idol and to work and lead a group. She could have insight into the idol industry and group dynamics. While Saki may be the leader of Franchouchou, it was Ai who could shed light if Franchouchou has a chance to be the best idol group in Saga. "Hey, Ai-chan. Do you think we can make it as proper idols?" Sakura asked.
"...What do you think being a proper idol means, Sakura?" Ai responded, looking to see if she understands the prospect of idols.
"Well... singing and dancing..." She mumbled. "And making people happy. Making them excited."
"Well in that case, we need to practice and learn a lot more," Ai replied. She knows they're not gonna be the best they ever be in an instant. Practice and lessons are all that is required to be a proper idol. Oh, and hard work too, something Sakura brings up in her next question. "Do you think we can if we practice a whole bunch more?"
After listening to her question, Ai stands up, gets off the water and moves to sit on a table beside the bath. Putting her feet on two rectangular holes to dry her feet, Ai seems to be thinking about Sakura's question and wonder if they can ever be a proper idol given enough practice and persistence. Sakura sits beside her and affirms, "I... I'm going to do everything I can. I mean everything I said after the guerilla show!"
Ai turns to Saki carrying a confident smile sitting next to her. "And if I'm in, I'm all the way in."
They turn to Yugiri, who says, "I decided a very long time ago to dedicate myself to entertaining others."
"Lily knows how hard a showbiz can be!" The child actress acknowledges the negative factor of entertaining people but still showing her steadfast smile to Ai.
"I..." Lastly, Junko speaks her opinion about the matter. "I worked by myself when I was alive. To be honest, I'm not sure about being a part of a group... But... If the rest of you are serious about trying this, then I need to do my best as well, don't I?"
"Junko-chan!" Sakura is elated to see she's affirming her desire to work as a group despite feeling like she wants to work by herself.
"But I'm out the second I think this isn't happening, okay?" Ai added bluntly.
"I'll make sure you don't ever think that!" She declared to her, which apparently amused her of her willingness to go the mile of making her not give up being an idol.
"Hell yeah! Let's give them something to talk about at today's show!" Saki exclaimed with her arms spread wide.
"Like, how though? How do we do that?" Lily inquired.
"...I dunno."
"What can we do to please our guests tonight?" Yugiri wonderes, unaware of her words pointing to a certain meaning, which Sakura warned, "Yugiri-san! Phrasing!"
"M-Maybe we should know more about their product first?" Junko suggested.
"Oh right, we've never used Saganship Z before."
"Alright! Let's head back and try it out!" Saki exclaimed, eager to go back to the hotel aftee they're done drying their feet.
"Are you sure that is a good idea, girls? You will make Tatsumi-san mad if he knows you used the product meant for the audience," They hear Kakyoin speak out against using the medicinal strip. He and the boys have finished dipping their feet in water and are now waiting for the girls to finish drying theirs.
Saki is unconcerned at the possibility of Kotaro shouting their ears off again, which she will retaliate if it comes to that. She says to Kakyoin, "Don't sweat it Cherry Boy. I'm sure Shades can understand why we use them for this sponsorship. That is if he can understand..."
"Why do I have a feeling you will attack him if he chastises you Saki?" He mumbled to himself, ignoring the nickname Saki referred to him. He is still getting used to being called that.
"Hey, I will gladly give that man a piece of my mind if he dares scream to my face again like the other day and earlier!" Narancia exclaimed, clenching his fist at the thought.
"I-I would prefer if you two didn't trade for blows against Kotaro-san," Sakura tells the two to stop thinking it. "And as for if he may get angry at us, I'm sure he may understand Kakyoin. Don't go worrying yourself about it, okay?"
"...Here's hoping." He sees no point in arguing about it, so he drops the subject. It was in this moment as Sakura looked at Kakyoin and Avdol that she remembers a noteworthy tidbit concerning the two. "Ah! That reminds me! Kakyoin, Avdol-san, there is something I want to ask you two about. Something that Kotaro-san mentioned when Kakyoin and I were introduced to all of you when you were all still mindless."
"Hm? What is it you want to ask, Sakura?"
Everyone's eyes are on her as she reveals what she wants to ask the two about, "It's about your journey going to Egypt. Did you two really go to Egypt together with your friends to kill an evil vampire?"
Just the mention of a vampire piques everyone's interest instantly. Truth be told, they would have never thought much about it if it weren't for the fact they are zombies and the guys can summon Stands.
As for Kakyoin, his eyes widen when she brings it up. He never thought Sakura would remember that info from their first day as living zombies. Contemplating his next move carefully, he turns to Avdol, silently asking if they should reveal the details of their journey towards Egypt.
"I believe it's best everyone knows what we did about twenty-nine years ago, Kakyoin." A word and nod from the Egyptian are all that it needs before the red-haired man decides to confirm it. "Yes Sakura. Me, Avdol and our friends did go to Egypt to kill a vampire, who is the reason why the life of my friend's mom is in danger."
Everyone's eyes widen upon hearing Kakyoin and Avdol's journey on killing a vampire being confirmed. It's not a surprise to see them wanting to know more, especially if vampires actually exist.
"Whoa, really!? Can you tell us more about it? Please? PLEASE!?" Narancia eagerly asks, reflecting the group's desire to learn about their journey to Egypt and their explanation.
"I guess we should, but we have to return to the hotel in order for us to do that. Is that okay with you all?" He told everyone.
"Yes." Sakura nodded, glad she finally found the right time to ask and hearing it from Kakyoin and Avdol's mouth after putting it aside for so long.
"Okay. Everyone, let's head back after we're done drying our feet."
After the group is finished, they walk down the road in the direction of the hotel, some of them talking about what they expect from Kakyoin and Avdol's explanation about their journey to Egypt. Whatever it is, the involvement of an evil vampire is sure to inspire imagination (and fear) of who exactly it is.
To be continued