——♪ ——♪

...

(Rin really is amazing.

Always so bright and energetic...)

(I can't help but smile when I watch her.)

(I knew it. Idols have to be able to face anything head on with a smile.)

(That's what I need to do...)

How was that, Airi?

Do you feel any better?

Yeah, much!

That was a terrific performance!

You're so incredible, Rin.

A real idol who always keeps on smiling.

You think so? I think you're just as much of an idol as I am.

Hahaha. Thanks.

But it only looks that way...

Do you mind telling me what happened...? Maybe I can help out!

And even if I can't, I'm happy to just listen! I'm sure you'll feel a lot better either way!

Oh! You don't have to if you don't want to, of course! I'm just really, really curious!

Hehe. In that case...

I could really use some advice.

I've admired idols ever since I was little.

Seeing them shine on stage like they do...

Like the way you did just now, Rin!

Wha—?! Really?!

Hehehe, thank you♪

I used to be obsessed with watching idol music videos. I'd try to copy their songs and dance routines.

Somewhere along the way, I decided that's what I wanted to be too.

But back then, I didn't look anything like an idol should.

Really?

How so?

Well, I used to get into fights with some boys in my neighborhood. Most days, I'd come home with my clothes all dirty.

Hahaha♪

You've really always been like that!

Hey, you could at least act more surprised! The only time I get my clothes dirty now is when I have to for work.

But I guess I have always been told that my energy was a good thing.

Hehe♪

Anyways, moving on...

Becoming an idol takes a lot of time and money, so I know it couldn't have been easy on my family.

But despite everything, they were always there to support me.

So I poured everything into working hard day after day until I was finally able to achieve my goal!

But in the end, things didn't go exactly as I'd hoped.

I see... So that's what happened.

I decided to try again really hard after giving up once already but...

For some reason, I just can't seem to get any closer to the idols I looked up to so much when I was little...

I'm starting to think that I'm never going to be able to spread hope to others like I wanted.

That's not true!

I think you're a great idol, Airi!

Whenever I see you up on that stage, it makes me smile so much that I want to get up there with you.

I want to see you perform more!

I want to sing with you again!

Please...

You're right...

Acting so discouraged isn't like me at all, is it?

Thanks, Rin. We'll just have to put our heads together and come up with another way to keep MORE MORE JUMP! alive!

Yeah!

But there's something that's bothering me...

What is it?

Is there some kind of rule that says idols have to be part of one of these agencies you mentioned?

Huh?

I mean, Miku, me and the others don't work for an agency, and we still do shows all the time.

That's true...

But I don't think that would work for us.

Without an agency, we'd be freelancing as idols...

I don't think that's a good idea...

Why's that?

Well, I mean... If you're not with an agency, you won't be able to do performances or get onto TV shows...

So nobody will ever see you.

How can we spread hope like that?

Hm... I'm not sure I can answer a question like that...

But I still believe you'd find a way to make it work!

Huh?

Take this SEKAI, for example. All of these different stages were created through everyone's feelings, right?

You have as many wonderful feelings here, so I feel like you'd be capable of anything if you put your minds to it.

The four of you are sure to become an idol group that can give hope to anyone, anywhere!

That's what I believe!

Oh...!

Give hope to anyone, anywhere... I guess we need to keep on believing as long as there's the possibility.

Thanks, Rin.

It's time to give it another go.

Next time, I'll make sure to bring everyone else with me so we can all sing together!

Yay!

I can't wait♪

Hehe. Talking to Rin was the right thing to do!

Her show was the perfect pick me up too.

Now it's time to do whatever I can as a proud member of MORE MORE JUMP!

That said, this isn't gonna be easy...

Let's start by doing some research into whether we can even manage as an independent group.