Whew!

That bath felt so nice!

Oh, that reminds me!

I should massage my feet with that roller Airi told me about!

This thing really does wonders!

My feet always feel so good afterwards.

Let's see... This spot always hurts the most. I should spend a bit more time massaging it.

(Oh, it feels pretty tight.

Is it because I've been practicing so much by myself at home lately?)

(But I feel like that's the reason I've been able to do all the tricky steps for our new song.)

(I've learned how to do a lot of other things too, so I need to do what I can to make sure our solo show goes as well as it can.)

No, I'm definitely still worried about our show...

But I feel much better now knowing that the others also felt nervous leading up to their first solo shows...

I think I understand what Haruka meant by forging a deep bond with our fans... I mean, I felt the same way that time...

Hmm... It should be on this shelf...

Here it is!

The DVD of the first ASRUN show I went to!

Wow, that reminds me of how I used to watch this almost every day before we formed our group...

Mom even said, “It's going to break if you watch it so much!”

Hehe...

It's been a little while, so I think I'll watch it again!

ASRUN's Tour of Japan: “HONEY” in Tokyo at the Korakuen Dome...

Oh, that's right! They performed here!

I couldn't believe how big the venue was until I got there!

(Come to think of it...

That was when I just entered junior high...)

Oh, Chi, did you watch “Night-capade!” yesterday?!

“Night-capade!”...?

You mean that show where celebrities are asked to do various challenges? I think it airs really late at night, so I haven't seen it.

But I told you to watch it!

Haruka was on it last night!

She did this gymnastics challenge where she went on the balance beam and the horizontal bars. It was so cool!

Oh, I made sure to record it, so I'll bring it by tomorrow! Please promise to watch it!

Okay, I will...

You really like Haruka Kiritani, huh?

Because she's super cool!

I mean, she works so hard to learn how to do things that seem impossible! I can't help but feel inspired by her!

Not only that, she's an amazing singer and dancer... And just the best idol ever!

I agree with you there. I saw her dance on this one show the other day and thought that she had some really nice moves. Her core must be rock solid.

Wait, you think so too?!

As a fellow dancer?!

Which means Haruka really is as amazing as I think she is! That explains why she's the #1 idol right now.

Wah!

M-Minori... Something just fell from above...

Noooo! A bird dropped a present on my bag!!! I really like it too since it matches with Haruka!

Are you okay? You really do have rotten luck...

Here, use this tissue.

*Sob*

Thanks, Chi... But why me...? Why always me...?

I mean, these things happen.

I really don't think you need to feel so...

Actually, I could consider this my lucky day...

Huh?

Because that bird hit my bag dead center. What are the odds of that? This might mean that something really good is waiting for me up ahead!

Wait...!

They had merch signed by Haruka herself as the viewer prize on “Night-capade!” yesterday! What if I win that?!

Well, you seem cheerful, so I guess things are gonna be okay...

In the past, you used to get so down whenever anything like this happened. After becoming a Haruka Kiritani fan, you're Ms. Optimistic all the time now.

That's because Haruka wouldn't let something like this get her down.

I've decided that I'm gonna become an idol just like Haruka, so I need to be more optimistic!

Right. Oh, speaking of which, how'd your audition go? Didn't you send in an application to an agency or something?

Oh, about that...

I didn't even make it past the initial screening.

It was ASRUN's agency too, so I was really hoping that I'd get in. I even made sure to write, “I want to become a super idol who's an amazing singer and dancer, like Haruka!”

Oh, that's too bad...

But that's just my first attempt!

The other agencies are also holding auditions, so I should be able to get into one of them as long as I cast a wide net!

*Gasp*

And I'm feeling really lucky right now!

Alright, I'm gonna get straight to work on my applications when I get home♪

Haha... Good luck...

For this part of the dance routine, I need to stretch out my hands and...

Give an idol wink!

Hehe. I did it!

This is amazing! It feels like I'm dancing right alongside Haruka♪

And I already figured out how to do the dance for this song! I think I can do it on demand now.

Does this mean I have real talent...?

Do I have what it takes to become an idol?

Huh?! Where did all that time go?!

It's already been twenty minutes since “Runtime with ASRUN” started!

Minori, we're home!

Did you make sure to take Samo for a walk?

Mom, Dad, welcome back!

And yes, I took him for a walk!

We went to the park as usual before I started doing my dance practice... No, wait, now's not the time for that!

What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?

Um, so... I completely forgot that Haruka's show starts at six! They're supposed to be making a big announcement today!

Uhh... Where'd the remote go?!

Why did it choose now to disappear?!

Oh, I think that's it hiding under your bed.

Oh, you're right!

Good eye, Dad!

<We'll be making our big announcement after we take a quick commercial break!>

*Gasp*

Thank goodness! I made it in time!

<It's really important, so please stay tuned!>

Haruka!

Don't worry! I'll watch just like you asked me to!

Hehe. Oh, Minori...

You really can't get enough of ASRUN, can you?

(But what's this big announcement going to be about? It's been a while since they released their last song, so... Maybe they're revealing their next one...!)

I can't wait, Samo! Isn't this just so exciting?!

Woof!

<We appreciate your patience!

Now, for our big announcement! Haruka, if you will!>

This is it!

<Okay. I'm happy to announce that ASRUN...>

<...will be releasing our latest song, “Maidenly Honey Mustard”, and going on a tour of Japan!>

A tour...

Mom, they're going on tour!

A tour?

I mean, they're idols, right? Isn't that normal? I remember seeing on an afternoon talk show the other day that...

No, that's not the point!

I'm in junior high now!

Doesn't that mean I'm old enough to go see one of their shows?

I really need to go to learn more about becoming an idol!

*Sigh*

How many times do we need to go over this? Becoming an idol isn't as easy as you think it is...

Yes, you're a junior high schooler now, but I don't feel comfortable about letting you go alone to one of these shows. I mean, things have been so unsettling lately...

No, Mom, please! I beg you!

I'll use my allowance to pay for my own ticket... And if you don't want me going alone, I can take Chi with me!

You'll have Chihiro with you? That would make me feel better since she has a good head on her shoulders... But does she also like ASRUN?

U-Um... Not exactly...

But I'll ask her!

So that means I can go right?!

Hmm... Well...

I don't see why not.

Minori's been asking about going to see ASRUN live for a long time now.

She's also at that age where she should start experiencing more new things. I mean, she won't be able to if we keep her locked up in a cage. This might end up being an opportunity for her.

*Gasp*

Dad...!

Alright...

I'm okay with it as long as Chihiro's also going with you.

Wow...

However, in return, you have to get all your homework done and take Samo out for all of his walks.

Okay!

Some stuff for school is really hard, but I'll manage somehow... And I'll take Samo to the North Pole if I have to!

Thank you both so much, Mom, Dad!