Kanako, Chieri, and Anzu make their unit debut as Candy Island. However, Anzu states that she doesn’t want to work. Kanako is laid-back and does everything at her own pace, and Chieri is so nervous about an audience watching her that she can’t look at them.

The unit seems iffy from the get-go, but the three of them are invited to appear on a variety show hosted by Mizuki Kawashima and Airi Totoki. Preoccupied by the audience’s gaze, the newly-minted trio has zero teamwork as they face off against three other idols. It doesn’t help when a terrifying “punishment” is announced beforehand for whichever team loses!

The project that Producer proposes to Executive Director Mishiro is called "Cinderella's Ball: Power of Smile." It's meant to be a complex event that will showcase the idols' individual strengths. Though Mishiro's proposal runs completely counter to this idea, she gives Producer permission to run with it. Producer and the idols will be able to prevent the gutting of their division if they show results within a certain time frame.

The Cinderella Project idols are happy about this reprieve, but idols in other departments, particularly those whose strong suit is with variety shows, find themselves facing changes due to Mishiro's course of action. And one of them is the eccentric Nana Abe, who claims to be from the planet Usamin! Cat character idol Miku worries about getting the ax, while Riina worries about Miku...

In order to keep the Cinderella Project going and the "Cinderella's Ball" project a success, Producer and the idols feel they have to both up their game and increase their name recognition. With the cooperation of other departments, they start a new TV variety show called "Totokira Academy," and Dekoration become regulars on the program.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Mishiro is after Mika to change her image. Though Mika doesn't like it, she thinks of her department and younger colleagues and does her best. But on the set of Totokira Academy, Rika doesn't like how Mika is being asked to change her image, and the two sisters get into a fight. When Miria is depressed too, Kirari and the other idols worry about both of their own. At this rate, can the TV show be a success!?

After Totokira Academy gets off to a popular start, Candy Island makes a guest appearance on the show. Chieri and Kanako are so nervous that they act stiff, but with Anzu's casual support, they make it through the taping. The staff loves the stark differences between Anzu and Kirari and gives them a new recurring segment, "Anki Ranking." Chieri and Kanako agree to do to a taped interview for that segment, but Anzu worries about them in her own way.

Seeing how hard everyone is working for the upcoming ball, Chieri and Kanako get fired up, but their nervousness prevents their true talent from coming out, and the interview becomes a hard battle...

The Cinderella's Ball finally begins, with the Cinderella Project girls encouraged by Producer to smile as they do each of their routines.