Arale

Staaaare...

Miyako

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

Arale

Staaaaaare...

Miyako

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

Arale

Eep!? Y-Y-You noticed!?

Miyako

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

Arale

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

Arale

Yako-sensei!!

Arale

Are you feeling all right!?

Miyako

Hm...?

Arale

Next 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...!!

Arale

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

Miyako

...!

Arale

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

Arale

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

Arale

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

Miyako

Hehe...

Miyako

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

Arale

I-Is that so...?

Miyako

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

Arale

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

Miyako

Yes. Besides...

Miyako

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

Arale

F-Fired up?!

Miyako

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

Miyako

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

Arale

When I'm writing lyrics...?

Arale

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

Miyako

Exactly. I think that pressure is important.

Miyako

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

Miyako

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

Miyako

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

Arale

Whoa...!

Miyako

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

Arale

W-Whoa...!?

Miyako

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

Miyako

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

Miyako

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

Arale

Yes! I will!