Haruka's Room

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

1

Haruka

Listen

(How can we make it so this event's fun for all of our fans...?)
2

Haruka

Listen

(I'd hate to do this to Hayakawa, but finding a smaller venue may be the way to go. Then, we could run things on our own and require less staff...)
3

Haruka

Listen

(But the smaller venues are all booked up right now, so at worst, we may have to wait over half a year until things start slowing down for them.)
4

Haruka

Listen

(If that happens, our fans would be so disappointed... That's something I'd like to avoid no matter what.)
5

Haruka

Listen

(Should I talk to Airi about increasing our budget? Or...)
6

Haruka

Listen

*Sigh*...
7

Haruka

Listen

(I don't know what the right answer is...
How will our fans be able to enjoy themselves...?)

Sound Effect: Play

8

Haruka

Listen

(This proposal looks professional...)
9

Haruka

Listen

(That fan of ours, Saito... Their proposal looked so professional and well put together...)
10

Haruka

Listen

(And our fans would probably have the most fun if we perform at the venue Hayakawa found for us.)
11

Haruka

Listen

(But that person's also one of our fans. They must be looking forward to seeing us put on an event just as much as anyone else...)
12

Haruka

Listen

Okay, let's take a step back and try to look at things from a different perspective...
13

Haruka

Listen

I need to think more flexibly, like when Airi and the others decided to move forward as freelancers...

Sound Effect: Play

14

Haruka

Listen

That's right. Airi went to talk things over with Rin that time...
15

Haruka

Listen

Maybe I'll find an answer if I go over to see them.
Stage SEKAI
16

Haruka

Listen

Huh? The stage? But I'm off to the side... Where are Miku and the others...?

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

17

Haruka

Listen

Oh, is a show about to start? And the lights...
18

Miku

Listen

Hi, everyone! How's it going♪
19

Len

Listen

We'll all be doing a show together today, and we promise to make it an unforgettable one!
20

MEIKO

Listen

Alright, let's jump right in with our first song! Start the music!
21

Haruka

Listen

A show with all of them...?
22

Luka & Rin

——♪ ——♪
23

Haruka

Listen

(This is incredible...
All the lighting and effects match their formation perfectly.)
24

Haruka

Listen

(Not only that, it feels like they put a lot more effort into this performance compared to normal...)
25

???

Listen

Perfect! Adding in more yellow for the lighting was definitely the right choice!
26

Haruka

Listen

Huh? That voice...
27

Haruka

Listen

K-KAITO...?!
28

KAITO

Listen

Hm? Oh, hello there!
29

KAITO

Listen

You must be Haruka.
Miku and Len have told me all about you.
30

KAITO

Listen

My name is KAITO. It's nice to finally meet you. I arrived here not too long ago to help Miku and the others with their shows.
31

Haruka

Listen

Help with their shows...?
32

Haruka

Listen

Does that mean you put all this together, KAITO...?
33

KAITO

Listen

Well, not all of it. I'm helping with the effects right now, but I did get a chance to work on the proposal for this.
34

Haruka

Listen

You sound more like a producer than an idol... Am I right in saying that?
35

KAITO

Listen

Hehe. Close but not quite!
I'm an idol, manager and...
Well, many other things.
36

KAITO

Listen

I enjoy being on stage and working behind the scenes, so I thought, “Why not do both?”
37

Haruka

Listen

I see...
Still, that seems like a lot of work...
38

KAITO

Listen

Oh...!
39

KAITO

Listen

Did you see the way Rin and Len turned just now?! Absolute perfection!
40

KAITO

Listen

Thank goodness too... Those two have been working so hard on how they turn...
41

Haruka

Listen

Hehe.
42

Haruka

Listen

(KAITO's eyes are sparkling like he's watching his own children perform on stage.)
43

Haruka

Listen

(I guess it means that he genuinely enjoys supporting those around him and helping them succeed.)
44

Haruka

Listen

(I'd do anything to have staff like him around for our event. It'd make everything so much easier...)

Sound Effect: Play

45

Airi

Listen

<And please feel free to disregard this email if you are not having any trouble with your event.>
46

Airi

Listen

<However, if you are in a position of requiring outside help, I would be more than happy to be of assistance. I solemnly swear to do my absolute best!>
47

Haruka

Listen

But...
48

KAITO

Listen

Is something on your mind, Haruka...?
49

Haruka

Listen

Huh? How did you...?
50

KAITO

Listen

Hehe. Chock it up to being a manager. I can tell at a glance what idols are feeling! Well, a little at least...
51

Haruka

Listen

Hehe...
Thank you for asking.
52

Haruka

Listen

We've been thinking about putting on our own event but are a bit stuck right now...
53

KAITO

Listen

Having your fans see what goes on behind the scenes... That is a tricky one.
54

KAITO

Listen

However, Haruka, I think I understand why you feel so hesitant.
55

Haruka

Listen

You do?
56

KAITO

Listen

Yes, of course.
57

KAITO

Listen

The stage is a wonderful place that shines, sparkles and makes everyone in the audience smile...

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

58

KAITO

Listen

But that light doesn't reach the other side of the stage. It's a place that can be cruel at times.
59

KAITO

Listen

And you being aware of that fact is why you feel the way you do about exposing your fans to the other side, yes?
60

Haruka

Listen

Yes...
61

Haruka

Listen

I also understand how Minori feels about this. We can't put on an event all on our own, and us not being able to hold one means we'd be disappointing our fans...
62

Haruka

Listen

But we all want to spread and inspire hope in our fans as idols...
63

Haruka

Listen

If we have some of them see what goes on behind the scenes and they're no longer able to enjoy themselves as fans, I'd...
64

KAITO

Listen

...
65

KAITO

Listen

This is just my opinion...
66

KAITO

Listen

I believe that idols are able to spread hope to not just the fans in the audience, but those working behind the scenes on the other side as well.
67

Haruka

Listen

Even all the staff...?
68

KAITO

Listen

Yes! They put their hearts and souls into setting everything up from the lights to the sound from scratch. They want their beloved idols to dazzle as much as possible.
69

KAITO

Listen

Isn't that a wonderful thing?
I personally feel a great sense of accomplishment whenever I succeed at doing that.
70

Haruka

Listen

You feel that too...?
71

KAITO

Listen

Yes. I have a feeling that these fans of yours suggested this because they want to experience what happens on the other side firsthand.
72

KAITO

Listen

It'll be a special experience for them since they'll get to see their favorite idols smile by making their event a success.
73

KAITO

Listen

There's probably no better feeling in the world than when that happens.
74

Haruka

Listen

...!
75

Haruka

Listen

They'll get to feel it too...
76

Haruka

Listen

(Do our fans really want to help build our event from the ground up and make it a success...? If so, I couldn't be happier...)
77

Haruka

Listen

(But even if that's the case...)
78

Haruka

Listen

(Is it okay for us to lean on them this much...?)
79

KAITO

Listen

I suspect you need more time to find your answer...

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

80

KAITO

Listen

But it's okay to worry and think about it for as long as you like. Ultimately, I think it just comes down to believing in your decision.
81

KAITO

Listen

And I'm sure you'll find a good answer, Haruka. I'm sure things will be just fine.
82

Haruka

Listen

Thank you very much, KAITO.
83

Miku

♪————!
84

Haruka

Listen

Hehe...
85

Haruka

Listen

What a great show.
The next day
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Rooftop

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

86

Haruka

Listen

Good morning.
Let's do our best during practice today.
87

Airi

Listen

Morning, Haruka!
That just leaves Minori.
88

Shizuku

Listen

Oh, Haruka, did you not get enough sleep last night...?
89

Haruka

Listen

That obvious, huh...?
I had a lot on my mind.
90

Airi

Listen

About staffing, right?
I tried asking around a little more, but didn't really have any luck.
91

Airi

Listen

My friends from junior high said that they're all busy around this time.
92

Shizuku

Listen

I tried asking Shii as well, but she already has plans to throw a party with her friends that day...

Sound Effect: Play

93

Minori

Listen

G-Good morning!!
94

Haruka

Listen

Oh, Minori, good morning...
It's not like you to be the last one here.
95

Minori

Listen

Th-There's something I'd like to discuss with all of you... I was trying to figure out how to say this last night and wound up oversleeping as a result...
96

Airi

Listen

Okay, but why so formal all of a sudden?
97

Shizuku

Listen

What is it that you'd like to discuss?
98

Minori

Listen

I-It's...!
Um... So...
99

Minori

Listen

Can we have our fans help us put on our event? I really think we should!
100

Haruka

Listen

...!
Next Chapter: Very First Steps