Rental Meeting Room
Saito
Me?! Managing MORE MORE JUMP!...?!
Haruka
I think I agree with Shizuku.
Saito
What...?
Minori
Yeah!
You really have supported us and given us so much amazing advice, Saito...
You really have supported us and given us so much amazing advice, Saito...
Minori
It's like you know us so well that you always know exactly what we need to hear!
Airi
She's right...
Having you around would make me feel so much better.
Having you around would make me feel so much better.
Airi
So, Saito, what do you say?
Would you be willing to consider our offer...?
Would you be willing to consider our offer...?
Shizuku
I'm really sorry for springing this on you so suddenly.
Shizuku
But I... On behalf of all of us, I'd like to officially ask you to become our manager.
Saito
Me...?
Shizuku
Remember how you said while we were preparing for our solo show how it was your dream to assist and support idols for a living, and that you'd started studying how to be a manager?
Saito
Oh...
Saito
After helping put on your last event, I've decided that I want to assist and support idols for a living...
Saito
And that's what made me want to learn more about this industry! That's why I also began studying how to become a talent manager while really trying to get the most out of my current job!
Shizuku
Which is why... Your dream, our dream...
Shizuku
How wonderful would it be to make them both come true together?
Saito
Together...
Haruka
Oh... Of course, you don't have to make a decision right away.
Airi
Yeah.
We sprang this on you kinda suddenly, so you can give us your decision once we've given you all the details regarding your job description, compensation and—
We sprang this on you kinda suddenly, so you can give us your decision once we've given you all the details regarding your job description, compensation and—
Saito
No.
I've already made my decision, so please let me tell you now.
I've already made my decision, so please let me tell you now.
Haruka
What...?
Saito
This is such an honor.
I genuinely love your group and couldn't be happier about the praise you just gave me.
I genuinely love your group and couldn't be happier about the praise you just gave me.
Saito
I can't believe this is really happening... Am I dreaming...? I'm elated, to put it mildly.
Shizuku
Then...!
Saito
However...
Saito
I'm sorry.
I...can't accept your offer.
I...can't accept your offer.
Shizuku
What...?
Haruka
We understand.
I'm sure you have your reasons.
I'm sure you have your reasons.
Haruka
That being said... Would you mind telling us what they are?
Saito
...
It sort of has to do with my family...
It sort of has to do with my family...
Haruka
Your family...?
Saito
No, um... It's nothing serious!
Saito
I feel awful about not being able to accept your generous offer... I'm still not sure I'm really worthy...
Saito
But I promise to make your next event a good one! So, let's figure out what we can do to prepare for it right now!
Saito
Now, in terms of scheduling...
Shizuku
Saito...
Stage SEKAI
Airi
So, we have a date and venue booked for our next show. But...
Minori
She turned down our offer to become our manager.
Miku
I see...
KAITO
That's so unfortunate...
Based on what you've all said, she's really been there for you in so many ways. Having her as your manager would've been heartening.
Based on what you've all said, she's really been there for you in so many ways. Having her as your manager would've been heartening.
Len
But if she has her reasons, then there isn't much you can do.
Haruka
She mentioned her family...
But she seemed reluctant to discuss it any further.
But she seemed reluctant to discuss it any further.
Rin
But what does her family have to do with all this...? Do you think something happened between her and them?
Luka
In any case, if she doesn't want to talk about it, then it'd be rude to keep prying.
Airi
Right...
We were really hoping that Saito would accept our offer, but we shouldn't press any further if she has her reasons.
We were really hoping that Saito would accept our offer, but we shouldn't press any further if she has her reasons.
Airi
Finding someone like her won't be easy...but we may need to start looking.
Minori
Yeah...
Shizuku
(Airi's right...
We can't force her to become our manager.)
We can't force her to become our manager.)
Shizuku
(Still...)
Shizuku
(That look I saw on Saito's face...
She didn't seem very happy.)
She didn't seem very happy.)
Shizuku
(Setting aside her becoming our manager...
If something is bothering her, maybe we can try to help...)
If something is bothering her, maybe we can try to help...)
Miku
Everyone...
KAITO
This may sound a bit random, but isn't that day fast approaching?
Minori
What day?
KAITO
The day you're supposed to travel long-distance for a shoot.
Len
Oh...
Len
Now I remember.
You mentioned something about heading over a day early and staying in an inn because going there and back in one day would be too hard.
You mentioned something about heading over a day early and staying in an inn because going there and back in one day would be too hard.
Rin
No fair! That sounds like so much fun!
I know it's for work, but you get to travel together!
I know it's for work, but you get to travel together!
Haruka
Hehe. We do.
But we can still have some fun together. We'll be sure to let you all know once we arrive.
But we can still have some fun together. We'll be sure to let you all know once we arrive.
Rin
Woohoo!
We get to stay at a fancy inn too♪
We get to stay at a fancy inn too♪
Rin
Hey, check it out! I found the perfect outfit for our trip in the dressing room! I'm all set now♪
Len
It is a cute outfit, Rin...
But your hat's a little crooked.
But your hat's a little crooked.
Rin
Oh! Thanks, Len!
Luka
Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? They don't go for a few more days, right?
Rin
But I'm so excited! I can't wait!
Rin
What do you think the inn's gonna be like? I bet their food's amazing!
Len
I read in that magazine they lent us the other day about how their menu centers around local delicacies.
MEIKO
And above all else, the hot spring's supposed to be first-rate. I wish I could go since theirs apparently does wonders for your skin.
Minori
Hmm... That might be hard since we can't take our phones in the hot spring with us...
Shizuku
But I'm sure you'll still get to enjoy everything else that the inn has to offer. You at least have that to look forward to.
Len
Hehe. It's gonna be a great trip.
Airi
Hold your horses.
Just as a quick reminder, we're not going on vacation.
Just as a quick reminder, we're not going on vacation.
Airi
We just happen to get to stay at a nice inn! Our job is still to put together a successful on-site shoot!
Minori
I know that, of course!
I'm just as motivated as usual—
I'm just as motivated as usual—
Minori
No, I'm even more energized than ever!
Haruka
I am definitely looking forward to our shoot.
Shizuku
Me too!
Shizuku
(KAITO...
He must've realized that we were feeling a bit down and changed the subject to try to cheer us up.)
He must've realized that we were feeling a bit down and changed the subject to try to cheer us up.)
Shizuku
(And everyone's looking forward to this trip, so we need to make sure our shoot goes well.)
Shizuku
(And yet... I can't help but think about what's bothering Saito.)
Shizuku
(We're not scheduled to meet again until after this shoot. I hope she's feeling a little better by then...)
Next Chapter: A Serendipitous Reunion