*Sigh*

Normally, you'd exclaim, “Wow, this room's huge!” after walking into a place like this...

<But something more concerning just came to light...>

Yes...

What were the odds of us making a reservation at Saito's family's inn?

Her mom said she's gonna take over after she graduates.

<Wait, so this is the reason why she turned down your offer to become your manager?>

I suspect so.

<But she also said that her dream's to work with idols for a living, didn't she?>

Yes, but it seems she's set to take over this inn instead...

Now that I think about it, I know almost nothing about her.

<Shizuku...?>

Oh, I'm sorry...

This may be a little off-topic...

But I don't even know which university she attends, what she's studying or anything about her family's business.

I've had plenty of opportunities to ask in the past, but I never did.

I know what you mean.

We've never really talked about anything other than work.

And yet, I invited her to be our manager without knowing anything about her situation...

In hindsight, that was incredibly thoughtless of me...

Shizuku...

Excuse me.

I've brought you all some tea.

<Oh, it's her...!>

<We'll do our best to stay hidden.>

Oh... Please come in.

I apologize for bothering you all while you're still getting settled, but I've also brought some of this area's hot spring manju to go with your tea. I hope you enjoy them.

Most people think that manju are all the same, but the filling for these ones is really something else.

Oh, they certainly sound delicious.

<No fair... They get to have manju...>

<Rin, shush.>

Now...

I'd like to ask you all for a moment of your time.

I'm sure you're wondering what's going on... So please, allow me to explain.

Saito...

Yes, of course.

If you are comfortable doing so.

Thank you.

I'm really sorry about not giving a better explanation after you gave me an offer to become your group's manager.

My hope was that saying as little as possible would keep any of you from worrying about me...

However, as my mother said earlier, I plan on taking over as the proprietress of this inn when that time comes.

Once I've graduated, I'll leave Tokyo and won't be able to help your group again...

Oh, I...see.

Yes, which is why...

I turned down your offer to become your manager.

...

But you said that one time...

“I want to assist and support idols for a living”...

Uh... That was just...

When you said that...

It sounded like you really meant it.

Which begs the question...

Is there a deeper reason as to why you feel compelled to continue the family business...?

The truth is, I'm an only child...

Which means, if I don't take over, then this inn may well go out of business...

What...?

This beautiful inn might go out of business...?!

Yes.

My grandfather built this inn, so it doesn't have as much history as some of the other ones out there...

But it still means the world to me.

It means that much...?

I know it's small, but we have a group of loyal guests who look forward to coming back each year.

I've been helping with our guests ever since I was little, and some even come after having grandchildren to introduce them to us.

But...

Me pursuing my real dream would mean placing the inn I hold dear to my heart in jeopardy.

Oh...

Wh-Which is why, I...

I feel that it's best for me to give up on my dream.

Saito...

Thank you for hearing me out.

Ever since what happened the other day, I've been regretting not telling you all more... But I feel much better now after getting everything off my chest.

So, I am going to become this inn's next proprietress. My mother is looking forward to that very much, and... I love this place more than anything else.

...

I'm sorry for not being able to help you any further.

But I'm going to cherish the time we spent together forever!

I may never again have something I'm so passionate about that I'll want to do my best despite whatever hardships I'm faced with.

So...

As an idol fan, thank you for giving me a chance to dream. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You're all literally my idols.

And you always will be... Now and forever!

Saito...

I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time. Your shoot tomorrow begins around lunchtime, yes?

For now, please make yourselves at home. I promise that breakfast is going to be out of this world!

Oh...

Anyway, I'll see you all tomorrow.

Have a good night!

That's a lot to take in...

So she's doing it for her family and this inn's loyal guests... Her reasons are admirable, and I really want to show my support for her...

Yeah, but...

Is she...really okay with this...?

(I want to support Saito in pursuing her dreams.)

(But if she does that, it might bring sadness to those who mean so much to her...)

(I can't just tell her to not give up on her dreams...)

What should we do...?