Friendship Rebuilt - 4: Think Hard On It

The next day - After school

Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy

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1

Airi

I know it's earlier than usual, but I wonder if the others are already gathered on the rooftop...

2

Airi

Hm...?

3

Airi

(Oh, it's Shiho and Kohane... And Minori, too. Right, they're all in the same class.)

4

Kohane

Bye bye, Minori!
Let's check out that new cafe sometime soon!

5

Minori

Yeah! That includes you, Shiho!

6

Shiho

Okay, relax.
I'm not about to break my promise.

7

Shiho

Anyway, see you later.

8

Minori

Yup! Bye bye, Shiho, Kohane!

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9

Airi

(Hehe. They're so close...)

10

Airi

(Huh? What happened...?
She looks really concerned now...)

11

Airi

Minori!

12

Minori

A-Airi...?!

13

Airi

You're heading up to the rooftop for practice, right? Let's go together!

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14

Minori

O-Okay...!

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15

Airi

By the way, was something the matter?
You looked lost in thought there.

16

Minori

Oh, um...

17

Minori

There's this thing that's been on my mind lately.

18

Airi

Something that's been on your mind?

19

Minori

Yeah... Actually, Airi, would you mind if we talked about it for a second?

20

Airi

Oh, go ahead. Lay it on me.

21

Minori

Thanks!
So, the thing is...

22

Airi

Going credit-based...

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23

Minori

Yeah...

24

Airi

I see...

25

Airi

(I mean, it makes sense for Minori to consider making that switch. She's serious about making it big as an idol.)

26

Airi

(And there's no question that we'll be able to do more as MORE MORE JUMP! if she makes that switch. But at the same time...)

27

Minori

Haruka said that I should give it more careful thought since going credit-based also means switching to a really different lifestyle...

28

Minori

Like not being able to see my friends as much...

29

Airi

Yeah...
I agree with what Haruka told you.

30

Airi

So, Minori, how do you feel after hearing what she said...?

31

Minori

I, um...

32

Minori

I agree with Haruka that the credit-based course has lots of advantages since it gives people like us a chance to work more.

33

Minori

But at the same time, I don't think I've been able to see things from the other perspective she gave...

34

Airi

What do you mean?

35

Minori

I mean, I don't have prior experience working as an idol like the rest of you, right?

36

Minori

I've always had friends and classmates around me, and they'd give me their support whenever I told them that I wanted to become an idol.

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37

Kohane

You want to become an idol...?

38

Kohane

That's amazing...!
Good luck. I'll be rooting for you...!

39

Minori

After we formed MORE MORE JUMP! and started putting on events in real life, including our solo show, I had a little less time to talk to or see my classmates... But...

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40

Kohane

Minori, want to have lunch with Shiho and me today?

41

Minori

S-Sorry! I'm having a meeting with Haruka and the others during lunch today...

42

Kohane

Oh, okay. That's too bad...

43

Minori

*Sob*
I'm really sorry...
But thank you for inviting me.

44

Shiho

You don't need to apologize.
We know it's really important to you, so it's okay if it takes priority.

45

Kohane

Yeah, she's right.
So, Minori, good luck with your solo show. I'll be rooting for you!

46

Minori

Kohane... Shiho...
Thank you both so much...!

47

Minori

They've been there by my side this entire time.

48

Minori

But if I switch to the credit-based course, what Haruka said might actually happen. A gap might start forming between me and my friends...

49

Airi

...

50

Minori

I don't think my mind has been able to fully comprehend how painful that might be...

51

Minori

Which is why I need to give this decision more thought.

52

Airi

I see...

53

Airi

(Minori's been thinking seriously about what she might lose if she were to go through with this...)

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54

Airi

(And I believe that step is absolutely necessary.)

55

Airi

(Not only is your lifestyle gonna get turned on its head...)

56

Minori

So, Airi, did that happen to you...?
Did you and your classmates become more and more distant because you were credit-based...?

57

Airi

Me...?

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58

Airi

Yeah, it happened to me too...

59

Minori

I see. I had a feeling...

60

Airi

(I agree with Haruka on this one...)

61

Airi

(In simple terms, switching to the credit-based course will allow us to do more as MORE MORE JUMP! But you'll sorely regret it if you leap before you look...)

62

Airi

(Because...)

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63

Airi

(Minori has Shiho, Kohane and a ton of other close friends.)

64

Airi

(If possible, I don't want her to experience what I did back then...)

65

Airi

...

66

Airi

(But Minori's been seriously thinking about what she and we can do as MORE MORE JUMP!)

67

Airi

(This decision is ultimately up to her...)

68

Minori

Thanks for talking with me about this, Airi! I'm gonna keep giving it some more thought.

69

Airi

Oh, um... Sure.
Feel free to ask again if you have any questions.

70

Minori

Okay!

Next Chapter: Unforgettable Memories