The next agency on my list is... Ah.

Hello, this is Kiritani.
Thank you for calling me back.

Yes, this is about the agency referral from the other day and... Yes, well...

I'm sorry, even though you took the trouble to make the referral. We intend to carry on as an independent idol...

Well, no... We won't be reconsidering.... Yes, we made this decision together after discussing it amongst ourselves.

Yes. Minori has to be together with us. It's the four of us or nothing, no compromises.

Thank you...
I appreciate the concern. Goodbye.

Sigh...

(They'll take us if we leave Minori out, huh...
I understand she has no experience but...)

(It was Minori who renewed my...
No, all of our desires to become idols again.)

(Everyone's only interested in our past achievements and not giving her a chance at all.)

Sigh... I have to go apologize and explain this to the other agencies too...

Airi was so much sharper than usual with her moves today! I hope I can dance as well as her one day.

Yeah. To achieve that, you may want to work on strengthening your core.

Anyway, I'll be going now. Good work with practice and make sure to rest too...

Um... H-Haruka...

What's wrong?

Ah... No, nevermind.
See you tomorrow!

Okay. See you tomorrow.

Oh, someone's calling... Probably another agency... Oh!

Hello!

<Hello? Haruka? Hey, it's been a while! How've you been doing?>

I'm good, thanks. How about you?
I heard you transferred to another agency...

<Haha, I'm good too!
I'm finally all settled into my new agency.>

<But we haven't spoken since ASRUN was disbanded. Anyway, I'm gonna just cut to the chase.>

<Haruka, you're trying to form a new idol group, right? Everyone here is talking about it and some are even saying they might want you to join.>

Huh?

<But! Because of budget constraints, we can only take you.>

Then that's...

<Oh, don't worry! I was there too and it felt more like they were messing around.>

<I guess they don't get that someone trying to join as a group won't take an offer that's only for one person...>

<Now, about why I really called you!
Well, it's more of a personal matter♪>

A personal matter?

<Yup. Tell me more about this girl your group. Not Hinomori or Momoi. You know, the other girl!>

Oh, you mean Minori?

<Minori? So, what's she like?
How'd you meet?
I have so many questions...!>

...!

(Nobody's shown any interest in Minori up to this point.)

<Hello? Hey, Haruka?>

Oh, sorry. I was wondering where I should start.

I first met her when...

<Wow. She's pretty amazing, huh? She managed to get not just you, but Hinomori and Momoi interested in forming an idol group together.>

<Yeah. She's gonna be an amazing idol.
I can see it already.>

Hehe. Thank you.

<Haha. What're you thanking me for?>

Actually, nobody's shown any interest in Minori until you asked...

You're the first person that I've really talked to about her.

<What, no way! Everybody's missing out!
Or they only care about short-term gains!>

<I'm so glad I transferred to my current agency. The only problem is we're completely broke!>

Hehe.

<Oh, sorry. I have to get back to work.
Good luck, Haruka! I'll be rooting for you!>

Okay. Thanks.

Thanks... So much...

Good morning, Minori.

Oh! Morning! Great, you're back to your usual self now!

How so?

Well, you seemed so distracted yesterday...

(Oh, she was trying to ask me something yesterday too, wasn't she? I see. She was worried about me.)

Thank you, Minori.
I feel much better now.

Really? That's great!

(People haven't had a chance to get to know Minori yet, but...)

(I'm sure people will see her potential someday. The four of us need to keep trying to make it happen.)