Early Morning
Neighborhood

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1

Haruka

Listen

Huff... Huff... Huff...
2

Haruka

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(Oh, I passed my usual turn.)
3

Haruka

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I need to focus more...
4

Haruka

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(But...)
5

Haruka

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(I can't get what's been happening out of my head.)
6

Haruka

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(Why is it that we haven't received a single offer since performing at Idol Lovers?)
7

Haruka

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(The crowd there that day responded so well, and so did everyone on social media...)
8

Haruka

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(It felt like a solid performance...
Even if we didn't end up receiving more offers, it's hard to see why we would get less.)
9

Haruka

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(So, what's going on?)

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10

MEIKO

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<You seem concerned, Haruka.>
11

Haruka

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Huh? MEIKO...?
12

Haruka

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Can I help you? Did something happen?

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13

MEIKO

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<I feel like you've had a lot on your mind lately. I came to see how you were doing.>
14

Haruka

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Oh...
15

Haruka

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I'm sorry for making you worry.
16

MEIKO

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<Nonsense! Still...>
17

MEIKO

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<Are you bothered by how you haven't been receiving any offers?>
18

Haruka

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Yes, you're spot on.
19

Haruka

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Saito's been looking into that for us, so I need to stay focused on the work in front of me. But my mind keeps wandering back to it...
20

MEIKO

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Haruka...
21

MEIKO

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<Yes, I understand your concern...
You were receiving more and more offers, and they just suddenly stopped.>
22

Haruka

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Exactly...
23

MEIKO

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<I know you're worried, but it's also not good to dwell.>
24

MEIKO

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<We don't know what's actually going on, but I do know that you and the others have been doing everything you can for your fans up until now.>
25

MEIKO

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<Your performances and activities are proof of that. I have to think that you've been making a positive impact on others.>
26

MEIKO

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<So, for now, just keep on moving forward, one step at a time.>
27

Haruka

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Yeah...
28

Haruka

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(MEIKO's absolutely right.)
29

Haruka

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(There's no point in me worrying like this.)
30

Haruka

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(Right now, I should be focusing on spreading as much hope as I can to our fans and giving what's in front of me my best effort.)
31

Haruka

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Thank you, MEIKO.
32

Haruka

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For now, I'll try to focus all my attention on this run.
33

MEIKO

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<Yes, that's what I like to hear.
I believe in you, Haruka!>
34

Haruka

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*Nod*
Thanks.

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35

Haruka

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Alright...
36

Haruka

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(I feel much better now after talking to MEIKO, so I'll keep running and...)
37

Haruka

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(Oh, I know.
I might take this opportunity to up my distance a little. Running a new route should help take my mind off what's been happening.)

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38

Haruka

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(Choosing this path was a good idea.)
39

Haruka

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(There's plenty of greenery, and the air tastes so fresh. Plus, this sidewalk's easy to run on because it's so nice and wide.)
40

Haruka

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(Maybe I'll run this route again sometime...)
41

Haruka

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Hm? That looks like...

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42

Haruka

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Tenma and Shinonome?
43

Tsukasa

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Hm?
Isn't that...?
44

Akito

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...!
Haruka Kiritani?
45

Haruka

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Good morning.
It's been a while.

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46

Haruka

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Can I ask what you two are doing?
47

Tsukasa

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I was doing my morning run, and just so happened to bump into Akito doing the same!
48

Tsukasa

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We were catching up, and enjoying some sparkling conversation!
49

Akito

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Definitely not sparkling.
50

Akito

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Anyway, Kiritani, were you also running just now?
51

Haruka

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Yes, as a part of my daily routine.
52

Haruka

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I don't usually run around here, but I decided to try someplace new and go a little further than normal, since I had a little time.
53

Tsukasa

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Ah, what wonderful work ethic!
We should expect no less from a professional idol!
54

Tsukasa

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As a future star, I need to do the same! Let's follow Kiritani's example and run as much as we can today!
55

Akito

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Wait, it's not good to just run until you drop.
56

Akito

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But singing and dancing does require a lot of stamina. In that sense, I guess it's important to train hard every day.
57

Tsukasa

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That's exactly my point!
The more stamina you have, the better your practices become!
58

Haruka

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Hehe. I agree.
Let's all do our best.
59

Tsukasa

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Yes, let's!
60

Haruka

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Oh, anyway... I need to get back to my run. I'd also like to change before I head to school.
61

Akito

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Yeah, me too.
62

Tsukasa

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Okay, see you at school!
Take care, Kiritani!
63

Haruka

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Take care.

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64

Haruka

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(They're all doing what they can to make their dreams come true.)
65

Haruka

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(Which means I need to do the same!)
Next Chapter: Shinobi Battle