Hotaru: Hello!

Etsuko: And welcome back to…

All three: The After-School Podcast!

Etsuko: Alright, just like last time. Ready?

Natsuhiko: *a lot more confident than last time* I’m Natsuhiko, the president of the After-School Podcast!

Hotaru: I’m Hotaru, the founder and vice president!

Etsuko: And I’m Etsuko, the secretary of the After-School Podcast!

Natsuhiko: And It’s time to get started!

Hotaru: I got my professional podcaster headphones on..

Etsuko: Uh, yeah they’re just regular winter earmuffs.

Hotaru: Shut up Etsuko!

Natsuhiko: *chuckling*

Etsuko: Well anyway…

Etsuko: It’s 4:07 pm on Monday, the day we said we’d podcast each episode on. And now here’s our second-first episode!

Hotaru: Oh yeah, if you listened to our first ever episode…

Etsuko: … Which was a disaster…

Natsuhiko: Well, to me I’d say it was more of a learning experience.. Since none of us except Etsuko really knew what we were doing..

Etsuko: Yeah. We’ve got it all worked out now though, and we hope to bring to you an unforgettable non-disastrous episode!

Hotaru: Alright, Boss, what’s first on the agenda?

Natsuhiko: Um, you don’t have to call me ‘Boss,’ y’know…

Hotaru: Well, since you’re the prez, I figured I should call you something like that.

Natsuhiko: Oh, well I just wanted to let you know that you can simply call me just Natsuhiko…

Hotaru: Alright ‘Just Natsuhiko’ *holds back some laughter*

Etsuko: What’s up today, Natsuhiko?

Natsuhiko: *whispers* Why are you asking me? Didn’t we discuss that yesterday on Sunday?

Etsuko: *whispers back* Well, you’re the prez, so I thought you would have kept notes on what the podcast for today was about.

Natsuhiko: uhm… *getting nervous*

Etsuko: I remember we did jot down some things, where did we put our notebook?

*sounds of rummaging through backpacks are made*

Hotaru: Found them!

Hotaru: *flipping through the pages* Okay, here it is! Today’s podcast’s plans.

Hotaru: Okay. So yesterday, we decided that in order for you guys, the people listening in to this podcast’s episode, to get to know us more, we’re gonna do a Q & A!

Etsuko: A Q & A?

Hotaru: Yep. A Q & A. It says it right here. Look if you don’t believe me.

Etsuko: I believe you.

Natsuhiko: So what questions did we write down yesterday?

Etsuko: Lets see…

Etsuko: *facepalm* We didn’t write anything down...

Natsuhiko: Wait huh?

Hotaru: We didn’t?

Etsuko: We’re so unprepared…

Natsuhiko: Hey, it’s okay! Lets just come up with questions on the spot!

Etsuko: Alright!

Etsuko: Alright, Natsuhiko, first question: hmmm… What kind of questions do we ask?

Hotaru: Well, as long as it tells the people listening to this podcast a little bit about us, I guess anything?

Etsuko: Alright… Natsuhiko, what’s your favorite food?

Natsuhiko: I um… I like rice..

Etsuko: yep, I thought you’d say that. Each day you literally pack your bento nearly entirely out of rice. Hotaru, it's your turn to ask a question.

Hotaru: Oh it’s my turn! Oh um… Etsuko, what clubs are you in?

Etsuko: I’m in the photography club. That’s kind of it. Well, actually… Does this count as a club?

Natsuhiko: Y’know.. I’ve been wondering about that too.

Natsuhiko: ‘Cause like, there’s a president and a vice president, and you’re the secretary. Does that kind of make us a club?

Hotaru: I’d say yes and no. Yes because we’re all interested in podcasting and--

Etsuko: Who said we were ALL interested in it? I never said I was, and neither did Natsuhiko.

Hotaru: Are you interested in podcasting?

Etsuko: erk! Well um, I guess. It is kinda fun.

Natsuhiko: I think it’s pretty fun too. I like hanging out with you guys.

Hotaru: So yeah. We all have a common interest, just like in a club, and we all hang out, and we each have the roles of a club. But I’d also say we’re not really much of a club because there’s only 3 of us, and we kinda just hang out, chill, and record ourselves talking.

Natsuhiko: Well, club or not, I’m glad we started the After-School Podcast.

Etsuko: Wait! We need to make a toast.

Hotaru: I’ll get drinks from the vending machine. What do y’all want?

Natsuhiko: Cola..

Etsuko: Yeah, I’ll have Cola too.

Hotaru: Okay, so two Colas, and you guys know what I want; my beloved choccy milk~!

Etsuko: *mutters under her breath, and Hotaru doesn’t notice* Ship.

*Natsuhiko hears her and snorts, stifling his laughter*

Hotaru: Alright, I’m off to get them! Be right back!

*there are sounds of footsteps running out of the room, then quickly turning back around and heading back towards the room*

Hotaru: Uh, can I borrow some money?

Natsuhiko: *unzips backpack* Here.

Hotaru: Thanks *runs back out of the room*

Etsuko: Don’t lend him money again.

Natsuhiko: Why?

Etsuko: Nevermind. So, Natsuhiko, how’s it like being the prez so far?

Natsuhiko: It’s honestly a lot more chill than I originally thought.

Etsuko: Well, that’s good.

Natsuhiko: Thanks, by the way.

Etsuko: You’re welcome. Wait, for what?

Natsuhiko: For helping schedule and maintain the After-School Podcast. You’ve been a big help.

Etsuko: Oh, that? That’s just me cleaning up after Hotaru’s messes that he’s always getting himself into. He’s like that one high maintenance little brother to me.

Natsuhiko: Yeah, you guys do kinda remind me of siblings…

*there are footsteps drawing closer to the room, and the door opens*

Hotaru: I’m back. I got the Colas and my lovely, beautiful, tasty choccy milk. *sighs lovingly*

*Etsuko giggles*

Etsuko: Alright, time to make a toast!

All three: To the After-School Podcast!

*cheers*

Natsuhiko: A nice, spring day, with Colas in hand, and hanging out with friends. This is a really good day!

Hotaru: Yeah, I agree.

*silence as they sip their Colas and for Hotaru his choccy milk*

Hotaru: Uh.. hey guys?

Natsuhiko: Yeah? What is it?

Hotaru: Is it weird I kinda want toast now?

Etsuko: Yeah. You’re really weird, Hotaru.

*pause*

Etsuko: Now that you mention it… I kinda want toast too…

Etsuko: Hey wait a minute! I just remembered we’re still live!

Hotaru: *snorts in surprise* I completely forgot about it. Sorry, guys!

Natsuhiko: Let's drink our Cola and continue on with the Q & A!

Hotaru: *takes a very long sip*

Etsuko: Are you done?

Hotaru: *semi-offended, mostly just being over-dramatic* Excuse me! Podcasts require talking, and talking requires a properly hydrated mouth to speak.

Natsuhiko: It’s alright, just take your time Hotaru. When we’re all ready, we’ll start back up again!

Hotaru: *takes another long sip, but slightly shorter this time*

Etsuko: Ready?

Hotaru: Okay, now I am!

Etsuko: Natsuhiko, it's your turn to ask a question.

Natsuhiko: Oh it's my turn? Um, okay! Who do I ask?

Hotaru: Ask me! Ask me! I haven’t been asked something yet!

Natsuhiko: Okay then! Hotaru, why did you want to create the After-School Podcast?

Hotaru: *pauses to think*

Hotaru: *sincerely* Well, I wanted to create the After-School Podcast, simply because…

Hotaru: *shrugs and says rather bluntly* I guess it just seemed fun.

*anticlimactic pause ….*

Etsuko: It just seemed fun?

Hotaru: Yeah. That’s pretty much the only reason, for the most part.

Natsuhiko: Well, it really is fun!

Etsuko: Yeah, I mean, I really did look forward to today’s podcast. It feels nice to have a place I can return to, a place I can look forward to, and a place I can belong. 

Natsuhiko: Yeah, me too.

Hotaru: Me three!

Natsuhiko: Regardless of your reasons, I for one, am really grateful you decided to drag us into the podcasting business!

Hotaru: *touched* Thanks, ‘Just Natsuhiko.’ *starts laughing*

*the three of them all laugh together*

Etsuko: Is it my turn to ask a question again?

Natsuhiko: Sure.

Etsuko: Okay… Hotaru, what is your favorite color?

Hotaru: You seriously don’t know my favorite color?

Etsuko: I DO know your favorite color, but the people listening to the podcast don’t.

Hotaru: *defiant laugh* Ho ho! Well, try and guess my favorite color then.

Etsuko: Cyan.

Hotaru: *over-dramatic surprise* HOW DID YOU KNOW!?

Natsuhiko: *laughing*

Hotaru: Okay, Natsuhiko, it’s your turn to ask a question!

Natsuhiko: My turn? Oh boy.. Um.. Hotaru, what hobbies do you enjoy?

Hotaru: I like podcasting with you guys, playing video games, and that kind of stuff. What are yours, Natsuhiko?

Natsuhiko: I like going out on walks in the park, I like podcasting with you as well, and I like eating ice pops in the summer.

Etsuko: That sounds really nice.

Natsuhiko: What are your favorite hobbies, Etsuko?

Etsuko: *pauses a moment to think* Well, I like photography, you know that. I also think that this whole podcasting thing is pretty fun, and I also really like just hanging out with friends in general, which are basically only you guys, and one or two members of the photography club…

Etsuko: It's your turn to ask a question now, Hotaru.

Hotaru: Alrighty then-- wait didn’t I already ask a question?

Etsuko: No you didn’t. When?

Hotaru: I asked Natsuhiko what hobbies he enjoys!

Etsuko: Oh yeah. Alright, next!

Natsuhiko: It’s your turn, Etsuko.

Etsuko: Hotaru, what’s your favorite after-school club, if any.

Hotaru: Honestly, if this even counts as a club, it’d be the After-School Podcast. I mean, soccer’s alright, but I just really enjoy hanging out with you guys. Like, I feel like today, since there wasn’t any soccer practice, I felt like there was a place I could go to instead of home, y’know?

Natsuhiko: I feel the same way.

Etsuko: We should continue this podcast. And maybe, someday we could even do it twice a week too.

Hotaru: Definitely!

Hotaru: So.. what’s everyone’s favorite… flaaavor of… ice cream!

Natsuhiko: I like that caramel swirl kind of ice cream… Caramel is so good. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!

Etsuko: I kinda like the matcha ice cream flavor, y’know? It’s just really good!

Hotaru: Ahaha, you fools! I, for one, like chocolate ice cream! It’s truly superior to any other ice cream!

Natsuhiko: Yeah, chocolate is a good flavor! 

Etsuko: Well, you have your opinions, and I’ll have mine. *takes a sip of her Cola* Personally, I think matcha is best.

Hotaru: You dare argue with me?! Chocolate is completely and entirely more superior than matcha!

Etsuko: *getting annoyed* I am not arguing with you on something petty like this!

Hotaru: Fight me! Prove me wrong if you dare!

Natsuhiko: Uhm.. guys. Let’s not fight.

Etsuko: *sighs* Yeah, you’re right Natsuhiko. Hotaru, let’s not fight. Please, don’t bait me like that.

Hotaru: I wasn’t trying to start a fight. I was just trying to be funny, y’know?

Etsuko: Excuse me?

Hotaru: Y’know in a stand-up comedy skit, there’s that person who’s usually the punchline of the jokes? Like, the one that is always trying to be serious, and gets really mad at the other people or person who’s making the jokes, and then they end up making it funnier? 

Etsuko: Sure, Yeah…?

Hotaru: That’s what you are. You’re the After-School Podcast’s straight man!

*Etsuko says nothing*

Natsuhiko: Oh yeah, that is kind of you, but you’re a lot more than that Etsuko! You are the one that bails us out of trouble in the After-School Podcast when we come unprepared! Remember the first episode we made?

Etsuko: That ended in disaster.

Natsuhiko: But it would’ve been a thousand times worse if it was just me and Hotaru. You’re the one who kept this podcast going when we didn’t know what the heck we were doing! You’re the mature and responsible one!

Etsuko: Mature and responsible..?

Hotaru: Yeah!

Etsuko: Wow.

Natsuhiko: This podcast has gone on pretty long, hasn’t it? Any more words before we start our improved outro?

Etsuko: I think we got a good amount of questions in, don’t you think?

Hotaru: Yeah, I think we got it all covered.

Natsuhiko: Shall we, then?

Etsuko: Wait, we never practiced this--

Hotaru: Oh yeah. Welp, let's just roll with it!

Hotaru: Well uh, That’s it for today’s episode of the After-School Podcast!

Natsuhiko: I um.. really hope you enjoyed your time here!

Etsuko: And um, we hope to see you next Monday!

All three: *just as out of sync as before* See you next time!-- Have a nice day!-- Have a good week!