Stage SEKAI
1
Airi
Okay, when you put it all together, it goes something like this...!
2
Len
So we do some quick self-intros, talk about what we do each day, what goes on behind the scenes during our shows and maybe throw in some fun games to play with everyone...
3
Len
And we cap it all off by thanking them all for coming to see us! Yeah, this should work great!
4
Rin
Oh, I like the third part the most!
I really don't know what'll happen, but it'd be so much fun to do a tongue-twister battle with Len!
5
Rin
How do you do it, Airi?
Where do you get all these great ideas?
6
Airi
I mean, I've been doing this for a while now...
7
Rin
Is something wrong...?
8
Airi
Uh, no... It's nothing.
I was reminded of something, is all.
9
Rin
Is it something bad...?
Wanna try talking about it?
10
Len
Yeah, you helped us so much already. If there's something bothering you, we want to help.
11
Airi
Thanks, you guys...
12
Airi
Well, if you don't mind, we can talk about it a little.
13
Airi
Which is why I haven't been feeling all that great lately...
14
Rin
I had no idea...
15
Airi
I know that dwelling on the past like this is pointless, but my mind just always seems to wander back to that time.
16
Len
Do you not like how your past self agreed to appear on all those variety shows...?
17
Airi
Huh?
18
Airi
No, I don't hate myself or anything...
I just feel a little lost, you know...?
19
Airi
There was a time when I really loved seeing how an idol shined on stage, and I decided that I wanted to be just like them.
20
Airi
As I started learning more and more about idols, I convinced myself that making others feel the way I did was the best way to go.
21
Airi
Eventually, that turned into inspiring hope in others.
22
Airi
But while I was on those variety shows, it felt like I completely lost touch with that...
23
Rin
How?
Variety idols are still idols, right?
24
Airi
Yeah, I know.
I know, but...
25
Fan A
Every time I see you perform, Yu Yu, I'm filled with so much hope! It's like I know tomorrow's going to be a wonderful day! Thank you for everything!
26
Airi
(The odds of someone telling me that back then was...)
27
Rin
Airi...
28
Len
...
29
Len
I don't think you lost touch...
30
Airi
Huh...?
31
Len
I think Airi the Variety Idol never lost touch and spread hope to people like she said she would.
32
Airi
What do you mean...?
33
Len
I mean that you gave us hope when you were giving us advice on how to MC.
34
Len
It became so clear that you put a lot of effort into making sure your fans genuinely enjoy themselves. Am I wrong?
35
Len
I'm certain that you maintained that work ethic and passion while you were on those variety shows.
36
Len
You did everything you could for your fans, right? I'm sure you were able to touch the hearts of so many people because of that.
37
Len
They had to believe that tomorrow would be amazing because of you, Airi.
38
Airi
Really? You think so...?
39
Len
Of course. Maybe not everyone feels the same way about this...
40
Len
But I'm positive that there are people out there who you were able to reach and inspire.
41
Airi
Len...
42
Rin
Len, that was perfect!
43
Len
Huh?
44
Rin
I wanted to say what you just said, but wasn't really sure how to say it so... Thanks for saying it so perfectly!
45
Len
Hehe. You're welcome, Rin...
46
Airi
Yeah, I need to thank you too.
I feel much better now, Len.
47
Airi
I'm gonna give our next event everything I have!
48
Len
Great! I know you will, Airi!
A few days later
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Rooftop
49
Haruka
Okay, shall we begin our sneak peek stream?
50
Airi
Yeah!
51
Haruka
But before we start, I need to ask you something, Airi...
52
Airi
Huh? What's up?
53
Haruka
Do you want people to see you as you are right now?
54
Haruka
Do you want everyone to see Airi Momoi of MORE MORE JUMP! who puts everything she can into her singing, dancing and MCing?
55
Airi
Huh...?
What do you mean...?
56
Haruka
Please.
Just try to answer honestly.
57
Airi
Of course I do!
58
Airi
Idols can't inspire hope in anyone if nobody's there to see them!
59
Haruka
Understood. Thank you...
60
Haruka
Then let's begin our stream.
Minori, can you get us started?
61
Minori
Yup!
Pressing start... Now.
62
Haruka
Thank you for watching our stream!
We actually have a bit of a special announcement to make.
63
Comment
<Hm? You do?>
<Special announcement!>
64
Haruka
Can you guess what it is?
Hehe. Would you three like to give the answer?
65
Minori
Yeah! Of course!
66
Minori
We gonna...!
Do a special graduation event at an elementary school!
67
Shizuku
Unfortunately, it's about to be closed down. We received a request to perform for the students and make it a special occasion for them.
68
Comment
<You're doing a show at an elementary school?!>
<That's so sad, but I'm super jealous too!>
<Come to our school too! Please!>
69
Airi
We won't just be doing a show either. We're gonna play all sorts of fun games with the kids too.
70
Airi
We'll be breaking into teams, competing against each other and streaming all of it! This isn't something we usually do, so I hope you'll remember to tune in!
71
Comment
<I totally will!>
<This is gonna be awesome! I can't wait!>
72
Haruka
You'll also get to see a separate special performance...
73
Airi
Uh, Haruka?
What special performance...?
74
Haruka
The four of us will be doing a show, but you'll also get to see Airi do a special solo performance.
75
Airi
...!
76
Haruka
After the school contacted us about this event, we received some messages from the students... And Airi received the most messages.
77
Haruka
Which is why we think that they'll really like to see Airi do a solo show.
78
Comment
<Yeah, I wanna see it too!>
<I love how her singing voice is so uplifting!>
79
Airi
Haruka...
80
Airi
(Is this why you asked me that question just now...?)
81
Airi
Alright, if they want to see me sing that much, I can't really say no, huh?
82
Airi
So make sure to check it out, you guys! I'm gonna give my solo show everything I have!
83
Haruka
Our next stream is going to be very special, so we hope that you'll be there to join us! Stay tuned, everyone!
84
Airi
Uh, Haruka...
I'm doing a whole show on my own now?
85
Haruka
Yes, and the reason is simple. Like I said, you received the most number of messages from the students.
86
Airi
But that doesn't mean they all like...
87
Haruka
If these students were only interested in Happy Everyday, then the school would've only asked you to come.
88
Haruka
But they asked for MORE MORE JUMP! That makes me think these kids want to see Airi Momoi and not Happy Everyday.
89
Airi
Did you ask her to do this, Shizuku...?
90
Shizuku
No. Haruka was actually the first to realize that something was bothering you.
91
Minori
A-Also...!!
92
Minori
I really want those who've only seen you on variety shows to see the real you, Airi! I want them to see Airi Momoi the idol!
93
Minori
I... I think it's such a shame that some people have this incomplete image of you in their heads...!
94
Airi
Minori...
95
Shizuku
I'm of the same opinion.
96
Shizuku
I really hope these students get a chance to see the girl behind The Masked Variety Idol, Happy Everyday they love so much.
97
Shizuku
Mask or no mask, you have a talent for inspiring hope in others. You're an inspiration to them...
98
Airi
*Sigh*...
99
Airi
I mean, talk about a curveball. Who makes someone do a show like this?
100
Haruka
I'm sorry.
101
Airi
But I already agreed to do it, so I have no choice but to follow through.
102
Minori
Airi...!
103
Airi
We're gonna give it everything we got starting today all the way through the event!
104
Minori & Haruka
Yeah!
105
Shizuku
Oh, Airi, I'd like to make a small request too...
106
Shizuku
Since you'll be performing on your own, what if you sang that one song...?
Next Chapter: Happy Everyday!