One year earlier
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Class 1-D
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Airi
(*Sigh*
I don't have work today. That means I can have lunch at school for a change...)
I don't have work today. That means I can have lunch at school for a change...)
???
Huh? Airi?
Ayumi
Wait, really?
Ayumi
Wow, this is great!
We haven't been able to hang out at all since we entered high school and you switched courses...
We haven't been able to hang out at all since we entered high school and you switched courses...
Ayumi
Oh, is it okay if I invite a few others?
Remember the classmates I introduced you to the other day? We always eat together.
Remember the classmates I introduced you to the other day? We always eat together.
Ayumi
Okay, I'll go ask them now.
Airi, you wait for us down in the courtyard!
Airi, you wait for us down in the courtyard!
Courtyard
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Student A
You and Momoi went to the same junior high, Ayumi? When did you two become friends?
Ayumi
Yeah, we really did!
Student A
Wow. You must've been surprised when you saw a famous idol who's on TV all the time sitting next to you.
Ayumi
Actually, no.
That was before she debuted as an idol.
That was before she debuted as an idol.
Student B
Really? Can you tell us what you were like back then?
Airi
Oh, but I was pretty rowdy when I was a kid. I preferred to play outside and even got into fights with some boys...
Airi
I put all that behind me when I decided to become an idol. Instead, I began learning more about fashion and started working on my singing and dancing.
Student A
And your dream actually came true?
That's so cool, Momoi!
That's so cool, Momoi!
Airi
I dunno.
It feels more like I've been given a chance to make it happen as opposed to it actually coming true.
It feels more like I've been given a chance to make it happen as opposed to it actually coming true.
Airi
Oh, while we're on the subject...
Ayumi helped me out a bunch when I was still trying to become an idol.
Ayumi helped me out a bunch when I was still trying to become an idol.
Ayumi
Wait, me? What did I do?
Sound Effect: Play
Junior High School Ayumi
What? You want to become an idol...?
Junior High School Ayumi
Wow... Th-That's amazing...!
I'm sure you can, Airi! No, I know you can...!
I'm sure you can, Airi! No, I know you can...!
Airi
What you said that time made me so happy. Most people tended to laugh or snicker when I told them how I wanted to become an idol.
Airi
So, it was nice to hear someone giving me their support. You gave me so much encouragement.
Student A
Wow, that really happened?
Way to go, Ayumi!
Way to go, Ayumi!
Ayumi
I-It meant that much to you...?
Ayumi
But I was just telling you how I felt...
Ayumi
I mean, Airi, you've always had this brilliant aura about you.
Ayumi
On the day of the entrance ceremony, none of my friends were in my class and I had a lot of trouble talking to anyone else...
Ayumi
Everyone around was chatting and sounded like they were having so much fun... Without me... That made me feel so anxious...
Ayumi
Airi then noticed that I looked really concerned...
Ayumi
She was actually talking to someone else, but went out of her way to greet me.
Ayumi
She said, “Hi, I'm Airi Momoi. Nice to meet you.”
Ayumi
It was a really simple greeting, but it made me feel so much better for some reason...
Ayumi
After that, we kept talking and eventually became really close...
Ayumi
I won't ever forget.
I mean, when you first spoke to me that day, you were enveloped in this incredible aura...
I mean, when you first spoke to me that day, you were enveloped in this incredible aura...
Ayumi
It's why I thought it was totally possible when you told me that you wanted to become an idol. If anything, I believed you were really cut out for it.
Airi
You did...?
It's a little embarrassing to hear that so directly... But thanks. I really appreciate it.
It's a little embarrassing to hear that so directly... But thanks. I really appreciate it.
Student A
The Momoi in that story is exactly what we're used to seeing on TV!
Student B
You really are a friendly and caring person.
I wish I was that close with you.
I wish I was that close with you.
Airi
I know. Why don't you all take this opportunity to start calling me by my first name? That should make things easier, right?
Student A
Really?! Then...!
I hope we get to hang out more, Airi!
I hope we get to hang out more, Airi!
A few weeks later
Airi's Room
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Airi
(I'm still not sure how I feel about appearing on one of these shows, but I have a duty to fulfill.)
Airi
I also have that test coming up. I'll need to make some time to study for it. But when...?
Sound Effect: Play
Airi
(Maybe she wants to have lunch.
Come to think of it, I haven't been able to join them lately because work has been so busy...)
Come to think of it, I haven't been able to join them lately because work has been so busy...)
Ayumi's Message
<Airi, have you heard about the field trip already?>
Ayumi's Message
<Apparently, we're going to PXL and are gonna have some free time to ourselves.>
Ayumi's Message
<We can go around the park with people from other classes during that time. Wanna hang out?>
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Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Ayumi's Message
<That's okay! I know you're really busy. We can always hang out another time!>
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A few days later
Miyamasuzaka
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Airi
*Sigh*
That shoot went quicker than I expected. If I head home now, I'll have some time to study.
That shoot went quicker than I expected. If I head home now, I'll have some time to study.
Ayumi
Hehe. That was so much fun.
We should go again together sometime.
We should go again together sometime.
Ayumi
Huh? Airi?
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Ayumi
What are you doing here? I thought you were working...
Airi
It ended sooner than expected, so I'm on my way home now. Are you guys just coming back?
Ayumi
Yeah! PXL was really fun!
Student A
It'd been a while since I last went, but it was even more fun than I remembered. I sort of couldn't help but go all out.
Student B
Oh, hang on.
We took a bunch of pictures, Airi. Wanna see?
We took a bunch of pictures, Airi. Wanna see?
Student B
Where do we start? Oh, how about this one? It's the one of us just after we came out of the haunted house...
Student A
Oh, yeah... You were totally terrified, Ayumi. Remember when you screamed your lungs out and shoved us forward? You almost made us fall over.
Ayumi
H-Hey, no one else needs to know about that. Let's look at a different one...
Student B
Hehe. What else was there? Hmm...
Oh, here's when we went to watch that show...
Oh, here's when we went to watch that show...
Ayumi
Hey, this is the one we got to take with Phenny! He was so cute!
Student A
He really was! I took a bunch with him too!
Ayumi
We did!
Oh, how amazing was that show?
Oh, how amazing was that show?
Student B
Yeah, the one at the Phoenix Stage?
They definitely weren't some run-of-the-mill troupe.
They definitely weren't some run-of-the-mill troupe.
Student A
The churros we got after were also really good.
They even had some that were melon soda flavored. I wish I could've given that a try.
They even had some that were melon soda flavored. I wish I could've given that a try.
Ayumi
Hehe. We can get some the next time we go!
Ayumi
That includes you, Airi!
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Ayumi
Um, Airi?
Ayumi
Oh...
Ayumi
...
Ayumi
Airi... I'm sorry.
I was so thoughtless...
I was so thoughtless...
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Ayumi
I knew you were busy with work and all, but I kept sending you messages and inviting you to hang out...
Airi
What...? N-No, don't worry about that.
I really appreciate how you've been inviting me out and stuff!
I really appreciate how you've been inviting me out and stuff!
Ayumi
Okay, thanks.
I appreciate you being so polite about this, Airi.
I appreciate you being so polite about this, Airi.
Ayumi
Oh, I almost forgot...!
I took some pictures too! Wanna see?
I took some pictures too! Wanna see?
Ayumi
The view from the Ferris wheel was so pretty.
I hope those turned out okay...
I hope those turned out okay...
Student B
Whoa, hey, this one!
I have such a stupid look on my face...
When did you take this?!
I have such a stupid look on my face...
When did you take this?!
Ayumi
Oh... Hehe. I couldn't help it. It was just too funny...
Student B
Really? That's your excuse...
Delete it right now...!
Delete it right now...!
Student A
What?! No, wait! I wanna see!
You're not allowed to delete it until I do!
You're not allowed to delete it until I do!
Student B
Gimme your phone, Ayumi! I'm getting rid of that pic before anyone else has a chance to see it!
Ayumi
Hey, wait! Gimme back my phone!
Airi
(I placed work before hanging out with my friends. And Ayumi said what she did just now because...)
Ayumi
Oh, this is the last one we took together! It turned out a lot better than I realized!
Next Chapter: Unfading Bonds