???
Shizuku
This is so strange...
I didn't realize new areas could just suddenly appear in SEKAI...
I didn't realize new areas could just suddenly appear in SEKAI...
Luka
Isn't it incredible?
We couldn't believe it either when we first discovered it!
We couldn't believe it either when we first discovered it!
Rin
We wanted to tell everyone right away, but we couldn't find Miku and the others...
Rin
Which is why we came over to tell you about it, Shizuku!
Shizuku
I see.
Shizuku
Also, if you had trouble finding them, then they may be here already.
Rin
Oh, good point...!
Do you think we'll find them if we walk around for a bit?
Do you think we'll find them if we walk around for a bit?
Luka
In that case, let's explore while also keeping an eye out for them, shall we?
Shizuku
Hehe. Yes, let's.
Shizuku
Oh, it's happening again...
Rin
You mean the rain that isn't rain?
Luka
It hasn't been coming down all that hard, but it's been on and off for a little while now.
Shizuku
Yes, but these droplets don't feel wet whatsoever. Actually, they're a little warm for some reason...
Rin
Oh, I know what you mean.
They feel all warm and cozy.
They feel all warm and cozy.
Luka
Which means it isn't your normal kind of rain. And do you think this pond was created by it...?
Rin
If you're right, then it also won't make us wet.
Luka
Yes, that is a possibility.
Luka
Why don't you try sticking your hand in, Rin...?
Rin
What?!
Why me?!
Why me?!
Luka
I don't mind doing it, but you sounded more interested in finding out♪
Rin
Y-Yeah, I'm curious...
But also a little scared...
But also a little scared...
Shizuku
Then, I'll do it.
Rin
What?!
A-Are you sure?!
A-Are you sure?!
Shizuku
Yes. As far as I can tell, this looks like ordinary water, but I'm sensing nothing ominous about it. There even seems to be something sparkling at the bottom.
Shizuku
This SEKAI was born out of our feelings, so I'm convinced that there's nothing dangerous about it...!
Rin
Yeah... And that rain didn't feel bad or anything either...
Rin
But you gotta tell us if something happens, okay?!
Luka
And we'll dive in to help if you fall in!
Shizuku
Thank you.
Then, here I go...
Then, here I go...
Luka
Huh? This light...
Rin
Whoa! All the light from the lake's gathering around Shizuku!
Shizuku
Wh-What's going on...?
It feels so warm and...
It feels so warm and...
Rin's Voice
Sh-Shizuku?!
Shizuku
Huh? Where am I...?
???
Great show today, Shizuku!
Shizuku
Wait, that's...!
Shizuku
Hehe. Thank you for coming again today. And I really appreciate you seeing me out like this.
Shizuku
(Huh? Is that me...?!)
Fan
No, it's my pleasure!
I really wanted to tell you how much I liked your performance!
I really wanted to tell you how much I liked your performance!
Fan
And you put on another absolutely astonishing show today! Your singing and dancing were so perfect... I really admire you...
Fan
I can't do what you do, Shizuku, but I always think about how hard you work and what I can do to become more like you whenever things aren't going well for me.
Shizuku
(That's right. This person has followed me wherever I went since I debuted...)
Shizuku
(She even said that her favorite thing to do was come see shows at the theatre since it wasn't very big. It gave her a chance to see me right up close.)
Shizuku
(But why am I being sent back to this time all of a sudden...?)
Shizuku
(Why this memory...?)
Fan
But I've noticed that Cheerful * Days hasn't been doing as many shows at the theatre after becoming more well known.
Shizuku
(...!)
Fan
Of course, I'm happy that more and more people have started following Cheerful * Days...
Fan
I do feel a bit conflicted since I've been following you from the very beginning...
Fan
But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop cheering for you! So, please keep doing your best...!
Shizuku
(Back then, I did what I could to put on the best performances I could at the theatre, and I always looked forward to seeing that person there...)
Shizuku
(But our group's popularity just kept rising after that. We had no choice but to reduce the number of performances we did there in order to accommodate our other offers for work...)
Shizuku
(As a result, that person...
She started only coming to see us every once in a while.)
She started only coming to see us every once in a while.)
Shizuku
(Right. As our group became more famous, more and more people like her started feeling like they were getting left behind. That's been lingering in the back of my mind for so long...)
Shizuku
(That's why I'm so afraid that the same thing is going to happen to MORE MORE JUMP!)
Shizuku
Huh...?
The light's flashing again...
The light's flashing again...
Shizuku
Th-This is...!
Our solo show...?
Our solo show...?
Shizuku
Wh-What am I doing here...?
Airi
Alright, this is just the beginning!
Try to keep up, you guys...!
Try to keep up, you guys...!
Shizuku
Louder, everyone! Louder!
Haruka
Until you lose your voices!
Shizuku
Why am being shown this now?
???
Shizuku!!!
You're the best!!!
You're the best!!!
Shizuku
Huh...?
That voice...
That voice...
Fan
(I don't care if I can't see you at that theatre anymore. I don't care that the current you is different from the person I saw in Cheerful * Days...)
Fan
(I'm your fan because I know how hard you work to stand on that stage.)
Fan
(No, I abandoned you once, so I have no right to call myself your fan. But I'm going to keep cheering for you as long as I live. So...)
Fan
Please let me keep supporting you!
Shizuku
You came to see our show...
I had no idea...
I had no idea...
Shizuku
I ended up causing you so much pain...
And yet, you were willing to keep cheering for me...
And yet, you were willing to keep cheering for me...
Shizuku
Thank you.
For understanding what we're trying to do...
For understanding what we're trying to do...
Shizuku
Thank you so much...
Rin
Wow... You really got to see what that fan of yours was thinking while you were engulfed in that light?
Shizuku
I did.
Shizuku
Actually, before you two came over to get me, I was talking to Saito about how we may end up disappointing our oldest and most loyal fans as our group's activities evolve.
Shizuku
But...
I feel much better after hearing her thoughts.
I feel much better after hearing her thoughts.
Shizuku
Even if what we do changes, as long as my determination doesn't, my thoughts will reach everyone.
Luka
Hehe. I agree.
Also...
Also...
Luka
You're so strong, Shizuku.
Shizuku
Strong? Me...?
Luka
Yes. I mean...
Luka
Despite the current you being very different from the Cheerful * Days you, you've never once given up on trying to reach your fans, yes?
Shizuku
I've never given up...?
Rin
Yeah.
Rin
A lot about you has changed, but that hasn't. You've been able to get everyone to understand what you're thinking and feeling.
Rin
Which is why I agree.
You're such an incredibly strong person.
You're such an incredibly strong person.
Rin
So, as long as you keep doing that, you should be totally fine moving forward!
Shizuku
Oh...
Saito
I wouldn't worry about that.
Saito
Because everyone in MORE MORE JUMP! is really amazing. You, in particular, Shizuku...
Shizuku
(Now I see...)
Shizuku
(That must've been what Saito was trying to say to me earlier...)
Shizuku
What happened when I was still in Cheerful * Days may still end up happening to us. As things change moving forward, we may end up disappointing our fans...
Shizuku
But...
Shizuku
Spreading hope to them will still remain our priority. We aren't going to stop reaching out to them...
Shizuku
We'll continue trying until they understand.
Rin
Yeah, and we'll be rooting for you all!
Luka
We're very much looking forward to seeing how things unfold for MORE MORE JUMP! in the future!
???
Huh? Shizuku?
Rin
Huh? That sounded like...
Haruka
We didn't know you were also here.
Shizuku
You're all here too...!
Rin
Oh, thank goodness!
We've been looking all over for you guys!
We've been looking all over for you guys!
Luka
To be fair, we were sort of exploring at the same time♪
Len
Actually, I think we were all sort of doing the same thing just now.
MEIKO
Hehe. It seems that way.
KAITO
But we still haven't seen Minori or Miku anywhere. We thought they were with you.
Luka
Oh, now that you mention it, we haven't seen them either.
Rin
What do you think they're doing right now?
Shizuku
Hmm...
Next Chapter: Training With a Friend!