Nice performance!
Let's take a brief break here!

That...

Was such an amazing performance...!
How awesome was ReLight?!

Incredible! They sang three songs, but it was over before we knew it.

Despite going first, they ended up leaving the biggest impression on everyone.

The other groups are all really good, but they definitely stood out the most.

Yeah...
We really can't ask for a better performance partner.

Airi?

I'm gonna go grab some water.
Are any of you thirsty?

U-Umm... I'm okay, but...

Alright, I'll be right back!

A-Airi...?!

Phew...
Some cold water was just what I needed.

We're gonna be moving around a lot after this, so I need to stay hydrated.

(Still...
ReLight totally blew the roof off this place.)

(Haruka was right.
A bunch of groups performed after ReLight, but they ended up leaving the biggest impression.)

(We really can't ask for a better collaboration partner, but the thought of having to dance next to them is starting to feel like a scary prospect...)

(Performing alongside ReLight is a good opportunity for us to improve our singing and dancing skills... But it doesn't look like it's going to be an easy feat.)

(What should we do...?)

ReLight leading off Idol Lovers.
It's so obvious that they're getting special treatment.

Huh...?

I guess that's what happens when you have a famous producer backing you. I mean, they went from zeroes to heroes in seconds. Someone at their agency is definitely the puppet master.

When you put it that way, is there even any point in trying? Ugh, now I really wish I had joined a different agency.

What?

(How can they say that?
Were they not looking at the stage just now?)

(There's no way you can put on a performance like that unless you put in the work and effort. They should know that!)

(I can't let this slide.
I have to say something.)

It's okay, Momoi.

E-Enosaki...?!

Wait, what...?
Enosaki's here?

We need to leave.

Oh...

I-I'm sorry.
Umm...

No, I should be the one apologizing to you! I feel awful about you hearing those rumors about us.

Also, Momoi, it looked like you were about to go and say something to them... Thank you.

Huh...?

No, you don't need to thank me.
I just got so irritated at what they said.

But that made me really happy!
It's so nice to know that you'd defend us!

Oh...

Still, are you sure about this?
They said some really awful things just now.

Regular people spreading around those kinds of rumors is one thing, but we're talking about people in the industry here. Aren't you worried that it's gonna affect your work...?

Yeah, we are...
And we had a lot of trouble coming to terms with it when it first started happening.

MORE MORE JUMP! hasn't acted this way, but whenever we collaborate with other groups, they often tend to be wary of working with us.

Then...

But our producer told us to not lose sight of our goal.

Huh...?

He said, “You will encounter naysayers along the way as you strive to become top idols.”

“So, don't give them any heed.
You don't even have to try to shake them off.”

“But someday...”

“You're going to show them by spreading or inspiring hope in them.”

...!

After hearing that, we were completely on board.

He's right about us still having a lot of work to do and how we aren't able to reach many people yet. That's on top of all the comments and criticism we get...

But we only have one goal.
To keep spreading as much hope as we can to as many people as we can.

As long as we focus on that, I'm sure people will start understanding what we're trying to do.

Enosaki...

Akari!
Do you have a minute? I wanna make sure we have that one part down.

Oh...

Just a minute!
Be right there!

Sorry, Momoi, I didn't mean to make you spend your break talking about something so gloomy...

No, don't worry about that.

Actually, you gave me a really valuable piece of information. Good luck with that part by the way.

Thank you!
I hope we get to chat about something more fun next time!

(I think I finally understand why ReLight's able to put on such astounding performances.)

(They're just like us...
They want to spread hope to as many people as they can...)

(And they're fully committed to that.)

(Also, more importantly...)

(They're taking their job as idols seriously.)

(But we're no different from them.)

(Which means we should be more than capable of putting on better performances.)

Challenge accepted.

We'll be ready in time for Idol Lovers...
We're gonna show everyone that we can perform on the same level as them.