Phew... We're moving much more in sync now.

Yeah, we've totally got this formation down!

Then, let's start putting polish on the dance itself.

...

Hm...?

Is everything okay?
You don't look too good. Are you not feeling well?

Oh, no... It's not that...

...?

Huh? What's wrong?

The thing is... I just overheard our manager talking on the phone and...

Oh, what did you hear?

You know the show “Go Wild & Crazy!”...?

Oh, that daytime show that's run practically forever?

Just once, I wanna go on!
I mean, there's no one in Japan who hasn't heard of it!

ASRUN was asked to start appearing as regulars, but Mr. Hiiragi turned them down.

What...?!

(He turned down an offer like that...?!)

Wh-Why...?!
People all over Japan watch “Go Wild & Crazy!”

Right?
Appearing as regulars would give us a huge boost in terms of name recognition...

It'd be a chance for us to start spreading hope to people all across Japan like the other top idol groups...

Would you mind stopping by the office after you're finished with practice, Haruka? Mr. Hiiragi would like a word with you.

Huh...?

Okay, understood.

Kiritani.

Oh...

Hello, Mr. Hiiragi.

Hello. Sorry, I know this is sudden, but I received an offer asking for you and you alone.

Just me?

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.

This is a chance to showcase not just yourself, but the technical prowess of ASRUN as a whole. Keep that in mind.

...!
Right!

I'll send the details over to your manager.
That's all from me.

E-Excuse me...!

...?
What's wrong?

There's a question I'd like to ask.

Is it true that you turned down an offer involving us becoming regulars on “Go Wild & Crazy!”?

...

Honestly...
I'll need to remind your manager not to take calls where people can hear him.

W-Wait, so...!

It's all true.

Would it be alright if I asked why?

We're trying to become idols who can spread hope to people all across Japan. I can't figure out any reason to...

That very dream is why I turned them down.

Huh...?

Why has ASRUN been able to become as popular as it has?

Because it's never lost sight of what makes it special.

What makes us special...?

Yes. I believe that idols need to feel unique in some way.

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.

Your fans will be drawn to that, and they'll be willing to cheer at the top of their lungs for you.

Cheer...

Yes, in support of your dream.
To make it come true together.

They're absolutely crucial.

Oh...

(Hearing our fans cheer us on and feel encouraged by what we do has been huge in terms of us getting this far...)

(Some have even reached out to their friends and family and invited them to cheer us on together...)

(We started out selling CDs by hand at shopping malls, and now look how far we've come.)

(Their voices, their support...
They kept driving ASRUN forward.)

Yes, it's important to use high-profile programs to increase your name recognition.

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.

At the top of their lungs...

What do you think it is that makes ASRUN special, Kiritani?

...

(What makes us special...
What separates us from everyone else in our fans' minds?)

Our performances?

Correct.

Your brilliant smiles, your compelling dances, the way your voices ring out towards the back... They inspire hope in everyone watching.

That's the kind of idol group ASRUN is.

...!

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.

People need to understand what ASRUN is actually about. Until that image is solidified in the public eye...

I want to place what makes ASRUN special at the forefront, even if it means we do things small for a while.

Because I believe that's the quickest way for your group to realize its dream.

(All I'd been thinking about until now was “spreading hope to lots of people.”)

(I never thought about the best way to actually reach that goal.)

(But...)

(Mr. Hiiragi's looking that far ahead...?)

Thank you very much.
I really appreciate you telling me all this.

Not a problem.
More importantly, I have high expectations for your next show.

Go show everyone what makes ASRUN special. That's going to be your ticket to the future.

We will!