Rise and Strive - 8: Supporting Our Ambition

MORE MORE HOUSE

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1

Landlady

I'm sorry for dropping in on you so suddenly.

2

Haruka

No, that's not a problem.
How can I help you today?

3

Landlady

I bought some cookies at the TV station's gift shop after watching a shoot. Would you and the others like to have some?

4

Haruka

Oh, thank you very much.
Everyone will love these.

5

Landlady

Hehe. I'm glad to hear that.

6

Landlady

How have things been going lately?
It seems like you've all been practicing very late each night...

7

Landlady

I hope you aren't pushing yourselves too hard.

8

Haruka

Oh...
I'm sorry. We didn't mean to make you worry...

9

Haruka

But the truth is, we haven't been receiving many offers lately... We're currently undergoing some trial and error to turn things around.

10

Landlady

I see...
I didn't realize things had gotten so hard.

11

Haruka

Yes, things have been a bit tough...
But...

12

Haruka

We all made a decision together.
To keep trying regardless of the situation.

13

Landlady

...

14

Landlady

Would you mind if I asked you a question?

15

Haruka

Huh?

16

Landlady

Your current situation seems dire...
And yet, your eyes are twinkling with excitement.

17

Landlady

It's as if you're in the spotlight on stage right this second.

18

Landlady

What's allowing you to maintain such high spirits...?

19

Haruka

(Allowing me to stay in high spirits...?)

20

Haruka

That's probably...

21

Haruka

My determination to keep being an idol.

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22

Haruka

As an idol...
I made up my mind to spread hope to as many people as I can.

23

Haruka

Which means I'm not allowed to lose sight of hope.

24

Haruka

Because I won't be able to spread hope if I don't keep any for myself.

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25

Haruka

I...

26

Haruka

I still have so much to learn, and I'm embarrassed by the way little things can affect me so much...

27

Haruka

But that determination is what keeps me going.

28

Haruka

Umm... I don't know if that answers your question...

29

Landlady

Yes, I'm impressed by your resolve.
Also...

30

Landlady

You just showed me that I made the right choice.

31

Haruka

What...?

32

Landlady

I'm actually here today to discuss something with all four of you. So...

33

Landlady

Would it be possible for you to call the others over right now?

A few minutes later

34

Landlady

I'm sorry for suddenly interrupting your practice like this.

35

Airi

No, that's not a problem...!
But you wished to speak with us about something?

36

Landlady

Hehe. There's no need to be so formal with me. Today, I come with a proposal.

37

Shizuku

A proposal?

38

Landlady

Yes.
I was hoping that I could help with your dream.

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39

Landlady

I've been keeping a close eye on your group's activities since you moved in here.

40

Landlady

You've all been doing everything you can in the name of spreading hope to the masses...

41

Landlady

Even in the face of insurmountable odds, you're all still working towards that goal.

42

Landlady

Which is why...

43

Landlady

You confirmed for me that MORE MORE JUMP!'s members are people who can make their dreams come true.

44

Haruka

(People who can make their dreams come true. Does that mean...?)

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45

Landlady

I realized after talking to Minori that you all just might have what it takes to make your dreams come true. In other words, you're the ideal tenants for this place.

46

Landlady

Which is why I'd like to support you all in making your dream a reality.

47

Minori

S-Support us...?

48

Minori

U-Umm...
Wh-What exactly do you mean by that...?

49

Landlady

Hehe. Exactly what you think it means.

50

Landlady

I want you all to become idols with the ability to spread more hope than anybody else. So...

51

Landlady

Would you consider entering into something like this?

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52

Airi

Is this...an invitation?

53

Minori

Oh, it's for MORE MORE JUMP!
And it's from...

54

Haruka

The Lumina Grand Prix...?

55

Landlady

It's an invitation to appear in a certain idol program.

56

Landlady

A program that decides who the best idols in the country are.

57

Haruka

The best in the country...?

58

Shizuku

B-But... Where did you get this, Ms. Arisawa?

59

Minori

Uhh...
She's told us that she likes to go see TV shoots... So, could that be why?

60

Minori

But this invitation's specifically for us...
Hmm?

61

Airi

(No way...)

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62

Airi

(I can't shake this feeling that I've seen her before somewhere...)

63

Airi

(It's been bugging me the whole time...)

64

Airi

(I knew I'd seen her before somewhere...)

65

Airi

(I had no idea why until now. But this must mean she's...)

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66

Airi

Hinako Arisawa...

67

Shizuku

Huh?

68

Landlady

Oh, Airi, did you already know who I was...?

69

Airi

No, I realized who you are just now...
But I've been wondering why you seem so familiar ever since we first met...

70

Minori

What in the world is going on here, Airi...?!

71

Airi

Hinako Arisawa.

72

Airi

The legendary idol who once had all of Japan eating out of her hand. Even now, she's still considered one of the greatest ever.

73

Shizuku

*Gasp*

74

Haruka

Wait, but didn't she...?

75

Airi

That's right. Decades ago, at the peak of her popularity, she retired completely out of the blue. They say it was like she vanished into thin air...

76

Landlady

I decided to step out of the limelight as an idol. The reason was because I wanted my fans to remember me as I was at my best.

77

Landlady

Nowadays, I support idols from behind the scenes by passing on time-tested techniques and helping land offers for work.

78

Haruka

So, this invitation is...?

79

Landlady

Yes, it's my gift to all of you.

80

Landlady

As the organizer of this program, the Lumina Grand Prix.