What an amazing show!
Mai looked so cute as Rapunzel too!

I wasn't sure what a “modern version” of Rapunzel would be like, but I loved how comical it was. The way she became president of a wig company at the end was so priceless!

Thank you for inviting us today, Haruka. This ended up being a wonderfully fun break.

No, I should be the one thanking you. I mean, I sort of dropped this on all of you last minute.

That's fine. It was a good opportunity to be there for a fellow idol and see how she's doing.

Yeah!
She made me want to try even harder!

Haruka! Everyone!

Huh? Mai!
Is okay for you to be out here like this?

Yeah! I do have to get ready for our next showing, but I felt like I needed to properly greet all of you too.

Thank you so much for coming today!
I really appreciate it!

Thank you too!
It was a great experience!

I'm glad you liked it...!
I sort of tried going the extra mile today because I knew you'll all be watching.

By the way, how have things been for you?

Pretty good... But we've run into a bit of trouble recently.

Wait, trouble?
You're always free to ask me for help if you think you need it.

Thanks.
But it's pretty complicated, so I'll have to tell you another time...

Okay, I understand...

Um, Haruka...

I honestly believe that you and MORE MORE JUMP! can clear any hurdle that comes your way.

Huh?

You're where you are right now because you took every challenge head-on with everything you had, right?

When I was having trouble, you worried about me and spoke with me the most. Be it me, our group or our fans, you never shied away from anything.

But when you started struggling...
I couldn't do anything to help...

But Hanasato and the others in MORE MORE JUMP! were able to do something. They managed to get you back on stage.

You've all overcome so much already, so I think... No, I know you'll be fine.

Mai...

Um, Mai...?

What would you do when you feel stuck after doing everything you could...?

Me...?

I'd just keep trying...

...!

I'm able to perform in shows like this now, but I can't really be in any musicals because of my throat condition...

So my options in terms of roles are pretty limited... That frustrated me for the longest time...

Mai...

But I want to do what I can for my fans. I may not be able to sing anymore, but there are other ways for me to spread hope to them...

...!

I want to keep being there for my fans by being the “idol” I want to be...

That's probably the reason why I'm standing here right now.

Mai...

Me, you, everyone...
I believe we're all capable of doing that because I was!

So please... Keep trying!

Mai...! Thank you so much...!

Not just for putting on a wonderful performance for us... But for encouraging us like this too...

I know, right?
And we're not about to let her have all the fun of spreading hope to everyone!

Oh, I need to go...!
I hope we get a chance to chat more soon!

Bye bye, Haruka!

Okay. Bye, Mai.

Mai did such a great job of cheering us up!

Yeah. Let's take the courage she's given us to think once more about what we can do for Hasegawa!

About that...

Mind leaving it to me?

Huh?
Did you come up with an idea, Haruka...?

I think so...
It's not what you'd consider perfect...

But I'm thinking that I should just go simple and do the one thing I can for her right now.

Simple? Also, what thing...?

Yes, it's simple. I should take this head-on with everything I have.

As many times as necessary too.
Until my feelings get through.

Hehe...
You and Minori really are power idols, huh?

Huh? You think so...?

But it's important for an idol to have that kind of power.

I agree.
An idol isn't an idol without a strong heart and powerful feelings!

Yeah...!
So we'll be counting on you, Haruka!

Please make it so Hasegawa has fun while making music again...!

I will!

...

No... I still can't do anything...

What if I stay stuck like this forever...? What happens then...?

Huh? My phone...?
Who's calling me...?

Let's try one of these benches.
I'm sure you'll like it since it's so nice out today.

O-Okay...
Um...

Kiritani, you went out of your way to call me because of that song, right...?

That's only a part of it...
There's something else I'd like to tell you.

O-Okay...

You shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard to create...

...!!

Y-You're right...
But I'll be causing all of you so much trouble if I don't finish it...

No, that's not my point.
I didn't get a chance to finish what I was saying the last time we spoke...

The truth is, Hasegawa, I went through something very similar in the past... So I'm fairly certain that I know what you're feeling right now.

Something similar...?

Yes. I've never brought it up during any of our streams, but there was a time when my body wouldn't do what it was told even though my mind was ready to act...

As a result, I became unable to stand on stage and had to leave ASRUN.

What...?!

This may take a while, but would you mind hearing my story...?

About what happened before I joined MORE MORE JUMP!