Here we are.
This is the place I told you about.
Our fourth stop...
It's supposed to be special in some way...
But it looks completely normal.
Yeah, but it's kinda cute...
The roof and paint job have this retro feel.
It does seem nice. The station's a little far, but this greenery more than makes up for it.
And it was flat most of the way here.
But we can't let our guard down just yet. It might look nice on the outside, but we still don't know what's on the inside...
R-Right...!
It could be like the second one where we had a doorknob literally come off when we turned it...!
Well, shall we go inside?
Huh?!
The front door opens to a flight of stairs?!
Yes, the landlady lives on the first floor, so we'll be going up these.
Oh, I see...!
It must be an over-under duplex.
I know someone who lives in a similar house.
And the area around the entrance looks pretty tidy. I'm starting to get a good feeling about this one...!
Yeah, I'm also really excited!
Let's go inside!
Wait, it's not safe to push like that.
Wow...
There's so much light...!
It's nice and clean too...
This room faces south, so it's nice and warm. The other rooms have large windows as well, so there should be more than enough sunlight to go around.
Yes, I see.
How is it in terms of soundproofing...?
It'd also be nice to see how big the other rooms are and how they're all arranged.
Then, please feel free to have a look around. Oh, the room that's down the stairs up ahead may work as a practice studio...
Really?!
Then, I'm gonna go take a look!
Minori, wait...
Geez, she's way too excited.
But I'm sure we all have things that we wanna look at, so let's split up and meet back up in a minute.
Okay.
So this is where we'd practice...
(It's a little smaller than the ones in the other houses...)
(But something feels different about this place...)
The floor's all scratched up...
Does that mean...
<The previous tenants also practiced here?>
Miku...!
<Hehe. I decided to pop in since it seemed like you were the only person here.>
<This place seems really nice...
It's well-worn, but also well-maintained.>
Yeah...
It has this warmth to it for some reason.
I think you're right, Miku.
The previous tenants must've also practiced here.
<I had a feeling...
These scratches remind me of the ones on our stages.>
Yeah, it's like I can see each step of their dance.
Oh, I'm starting to notice all these really tiny scratches. They must've practiced here a lot...
<Probably.
But I have a feeling it wasn't just the previous tenants...>
Huh?
<I think all the tenants who ever lived here left their various marks on this house.>
<Look closely.
Some scratches look much older than the others.>
Oh, you're right...!
<They came to live here and left evidence of their hard work.>
Their hard work...
<In that sense, this place...>
<I think it's full of everyone's hopes and dreams.>
Yeah... I knew there was a reason why this place felt so different from the others.
I really like this feeling, and this room.
<Yes...>
<It's such a wonderful place.>
Now that you've all had a chance to look around, can I ask you for your thoughts...?
Based on our expressions, I'm guessing we're all thinking the same thing...
Yeah, each room had just the things we've been looking for.
*Nod*
We'd love to rent this place if possible!
I'm glad you all like it so much...
However, as I mentioned earlier, this place comes with some strings attached.
Yes, we've been meaning to ask you about that.
Nothing seemed particularly odd or unusual about this place. It's a quiet neighborhood, and I didn't notice any cemeteries nearby...
Yes, what I said has nothing to do with the property itself. What's special about this place is...
The application process.
Th-The application process...?!
But I was under the impression that we'd have to send in applications for any properties that we wished to rent...
Yeah, our parents have all agreed to be our guarantors, so I didn't think we'd run into trouble here...
Does that mean receiving approval for this property isn't easy?
I mean, on top of being high schoolers, we're still just getting on our feet as idols. We can't really deny the possibility of being turned away...
Actually, the things you just mentioned won't necessarily factor into whether or not you get approved.
What?!
Can you elaborate a little further?
The application process for this property isn't what you'd call normal. That's what makes it special.
Prospective tenants are approved based on...
Whether or not they can make their dreams come true.
Our dreams...?
After looking at those other properties, I'm sure you noticed that this one is incredibly affordable for what it has to offer.
However, that's only because the landlady wishes to help those chasing their dreams.
She does...?
I was wondering why this place was so reasonably priced. It seemed a little too good to be true.
W-Wait a second!
If the landlady wants tenants who are chasing a dream, then doesn't that make us the perfect applicants?!
Our goal is to spread hope to as many people as we can and we dream of doing a show at the Dome!
Right. Based on what your line of work involves, you should be able to clear the first few hurdles...
But the landlady doesn't want people who “want” to make their dreams come true. She wants people who “can” make their dreams come true.
People who can make their dreams come true...
What does that mean?
Does she want a guarantee that we'll be able to make our dreams come true...?
But how is the landlady going to judge that...? No one can see into the future...
Actually, I don't have a good understanding myself. It's a bit of a black box.
Several tenants have applied through my agency in the past, but none have ever been approved...
I-It's that hard to get approved?!
This is starting to feel like an audition...
Yes, that's why I refrained from bringing this property up at first. I was afraid of dashing your hopes...
However, if you're all in favor of “auditioning” despite everything I just told you, then I'll send in an application right away.
This really isn't gonna be easy, huh?
Yeah.
But I think we should give it a go...
After all, it's a lovely house with everything we need...
Yeah, also...
<I think it's full of everyone's hopes and dreams.>
I want this to be our home base as idols moving forward...
Minori...
Me too...
So...
Would you mind sending in an application for us?
Understood...
Please give me a minute while I let the landlady know that you're interested.
Thank you!