Humhumhuum♪

Today's the day we get Hasegawa's demo!

You sound very excited, Minori.

She's been bouncing off the walls like this for a little while now.

Because it's our very own song!

I can't wait to hear what it's like!

Hehe. I know what you mean.

Oh, I've got mail...

From Hasegawa.

Really?!

Does that mean our original song's...!

But there's no file attached...

Let's see...

<I apologize for being unable to deliver your demo to you as planned today. I'm going to need a little more time.>

<I promise to finish it, so I hope you'll bear with me for just a bit longer.>

Oh no! Is she okay...?!

That's hard to say.

I really hope she's feeling well...

She could just be busy dealing with the response to the Yuporin dance.

She promised to finish it, so let's give her some time.

Okay...

(Busy, huh...?)

(Something about this really bothers me...)

Sorry, but would you three be okay with starting practice without me...?

Huh? Sure, but... What's up?

There's something I need to look up. I'll be right back.

Alright...

In that case, let's start with some strength training!

Okay!

(I really hope I'm wrong...)

(But let's start by looking at that song's video. Down to the comments section...)

<I came here after seeing the Yuporin dance! This song's so good!>

<I'm never gonna get tired of this.>

<Masterpiece.>

(Alright, a lot of positive comments as I saw before...)

Oh...

<I swear I've heard this before somewhere.>

<Yeah, did they copy someone else?>

<Wait, they stole this?>

<Yuporin, don't use this poser's song...>

<LOL! The part about “spreading hope” in the overview.>

<Hope as in going viral by copying someone else?>

(I knew it...

It's not just this video. People are saying the same thing on TrickTrick and PicShare.)

...

(Anyone would be happy about getting this much attention for something they did...)

(But not everyone watching or listening is going to have her best interests in mind. Some will simply have a different opinion, but others will have less wholesome intentions.)

(The more attention and positive comments someone receives, others begin writing more of these kinds of remarks. If Hasegawa's already seen these comments...)

(I had to go through a lot when I first debuted too...)

(Some criticized me for not smiling enough, some called me a terrible dancer, and some even claimed that I used my agency connections to get where I was...)

(I'm used to it now, but it felt so awful back then. No matter how hard I tried, it was like no one would acknowledge me as an idol.)

(This may very well be the first time Hasegawa's received so much attention...)

Sorry about that..!

I know we need to start practice, but mind looking at this for me really quick?

What's the matter, Haruka?

Wh-What?! That's horrible!!

Stolen...?

I seriously doubt she'd ever do that.

Exactly!

I mean, the melodies Hasegawa can come up with are all so sparkly and dazzling!

There's no way you can come up with that by copying someone else...!

I'm with you there.

Also...

You can't spread hope to others by copying someone else. Hasegawa must already know that.

Yeah, you're right!

At the same time, I'm surprised by how people have been going after creators like this lately.

This song blowing up overnight's probably why it's attracting so many jealous or prickly people.

Do you think these negative comments are having an effect on Hasegawa...?

That's a strong possibility.

...

How can people write such awful things...? On top of hurting the people they write about, they don't really benefit from writing these mean things.

I don't like it either, but I kinda see where they're coming from...

It's sad, but people become jealous of others when they see them succeed instead of themselves...

Airi...

However, that's no reason to hurt someone like this!

Yeah, exactly.

...

Are you okay, Minori...?

Oh... Yeah...

This just reminded me what happened way back when.

Remember what everyone used to say about me not so long ago?

<One of these girls is not like the others.>

<What's she doing here with Haruka and company?>

Minori...

But I really couldn't do anything compared to the rest of you, so I was prepared to see people write those sorts of comments...!

Still, it's hard not to feel even a little deflated when they say stuff like that...

Which is why I'm wondering if Hasegawa's going through what I did back then...

Hey, what if we all gave her a call...?

Huh?

I think we should start by seeing how she really feels.

We've speculated for a while about her, but what if we're getting the wrong idea?

Right...

But she could be stressing over what we were just talking about. What do you plan on doing if that's the case?

Then, we'll just have to help her deal with that pain.

It's never easy for any one person to have to carry this sort of weight.

Haruka...

Just after I first debuted, I remember hearing a lot of terrible things being said about me.

But my group was there to help me through that...

Hasegawa's one of us now, so we should be there for her during her time of need.

To be fair, we've all gone through something like this at some point. I'm no exception to that fact.

Popular idols like you two, Shizuku, Haruka... Or rather, idols who are known throughout Japan are bound to attract some unsavory customers.

Right...

Anyway, let's try calling her.

Yeah!

Alright, here we go.

Ready?

Yeah! Hit it!

<Um... Hello?>

Hasegawa!

Oh...

(She looks exhausted...)

(Is it because of what happened...?)

<I'm so sorry about not sending you the demo on time like we agreed...>

No, don't worry about that!

We get that everybody has their ups and down.

Exactly.

You're free to work at your own pace.

<Thank you...>

I'm sure you've been busy too.

Especially with Yuporin's dance video and all...

<...>

Oh...

<I'll put a rush on your song... I don't feel that well right now, so I'm not sure when it'll be complete... But I promise to finish it...>

W-Wait...!

<Yes...?>

Is it those awful comments...?

Is that why you're not feeling well...?

<...!>