A few years earlier
Rehearsal Area
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ASRUN Members
Yeah, we've totally got this formation down!
ASRUN Member A
...
ASRUN Member A
Oh, no... It's not that...
ASRUN Members
Huh? What's wrong?
ASRUN Member A
The thing is... I just overheard our manager talking on the phone and...
ASRUN Members
Oh, what did you hear?
ASRUN Member A
You know the show “Go Wild & Crazy!”...?
ASRUN Members
Just once, I wanna go on!
I mean, there's no one in Japan who hasn't heard of it!
I mean, there's no one in Japan who hasn't heard of it!
ASRUN Member A
ASRUN was asked to start appearing as regulars, but Mr. Hiiragi turned them down.
ASRUN Members
Wh-Why...?!
People all over Japan watch “Go Wild & Crazy!”
People all over Japan watch “Go Wild & Crazy!”
ASRUN Members
Right?
Appearing as regulars would give us a huge boost in terms of name recognition...
Appearing as regulars would give us a huge boost in terms of name recognition...
ASRUN Members
It'd be a chance for us to start spreading hope to people all across Japan like the other top idol groups...
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Manager
Would you mind stopping by the office after you're finished with practice, Haruka? Mr. Hiiragi would like a word with you.
Office
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Hiiragi
Hello. Sorry, I know this is sudden, but I received an offer asking for you and you alone.
Hiiragi
That's right. You're being asked to participate in a performance battle, where you and a few other idols will compete to see who can come up with the best dance routine on the spot.
Hiiragi
This is a chance to showcase not just yourself, but the technical prowess of ASRUN as a whole. Keep that in mind.
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Haruka
Is it true that you turned down an offer involving us becoming regulars on “Go Wild & Crazy!”?
Hiiragi
Honestly...
I'll need to remind your manager not to take calls where people can hear him.
I'll need to remind your manager not to take calls where people can hear him.
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Haruka
We're trying to become idols who can spread hope to people all across Japan. I can't figure out any reason to...
Hiiragi
In other words, ASRUN must offer something that other idols or artists can't hope to emulate. That's what sets your group apart from them.
Hiiragi
Your fans will be drawn to that, and they'll be willing to cheer at the top of their lungs for you.
Haruka
(Hearing our fans cheer us on and feel encouraged by what we do has been huge in terms of us getting this far...)
Haruka
(Some have even reached out to their friends and family and invited them to cheer us on together...)
Haruka
(We started out selling CDs by hand at shopping malls, and now look how far we've come.)
Hiiragi
Yes, it's important to use high-profile programs to increase your name recognition.
Hiiragi
But establishing a loyal fan base takes absolute priority. Finding those who will cheer at the top of their lungs for you is beyond important.
Hiiragi
Your brilliant smiles, your compelling dances, the way your voices ring out towards the back... They inspire hope in everyone watching.
Hiiragi
That being said, I didn't make my decision regarding “Go Wild & Crazy!” lightly. I just felt that now wasn't the right time yet.
Hiiragi
People need to understand what ASRUN is actually about. Until that image is solidified in the public eye...
Hiiragi
I want to place what makes ASRUN special at the forefront, even if it means we do things small for a while.
Hiiragi
Go show everyone what makes ASRUN special. That's going to be your ticket to the future.
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Haruka
Right... He always accepted offers that would place what made ASRUN special at the forefront.
Haruka
We've been doing our best to put on good performances, but we can't really match the groups that have professional choreographers and trainers working with them...
Haruka
As for our talking skills... There's Airi, of course, and Minori also has a natural talent for making others smile and laugh. Still, I'm not sure that's what makes us special.
Haruka
I want to ask the others about this, but it's already pretty late. I should probably wait until tomorrow...
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Next Chapter: What Makes Us Unique