1. Would you like to be an idol with me?Copy !req
2. Honestly, I feel like I'll get a good response.Copy !req
3. I didn't meet the application requirements last time,
and I've been waiting two years for this audition!Copy !req
4. Yeah, I'm sure you'll get it.Copy !req
5. You're cute, plus you're a good dancer.Copy !req
6. Though, your singing is a bit...Copy !req
7. A bit what?Copy !req
8. If anyone has enough appeal to make up
for that shortcoming, it's you, Ruby.Copy !req
9. Shortcoming...?Copy !req
10. Anyway, I'll definitely be successful with this idol audition!Copy !req
11. Then, one day, I'll be a top idol like Mom was.Copy !req
12. My name is Ruby Hoshino.Copy !req
13. I have two secrets I can't tell even my friends.Copy !req
14. One's that my mother is the legendary idol Ai,
who was killed by a fanatical stalker ten some years ago.Copy !req
15. The other is this:Copy !req
16. I have memories from my previous life.Copy !req
17. I was of poor health from the time I was born,
and I spent the majority of my life in the hospital.Copy !req
18. Being an idol otaku was about
my only source of enjoyment.Copy !req
19. In particular, I was super into Ai of B Komachi.Copy !req
20. Even at the moment my life's flame was extinguished,
Ai's singing was echoing through my head.Copy !req
21. But the next time I woke, I had been reborn as Ai's child.Copy !req
22. Those few years until Ai...
until Mom died were a treasure to me.Copy !req
23. I'm gonna be like Mom!Copy !req
24. Talking about your dreams is fine,
but high school entrance exams are fast approaching.Copy !req
25. You don't get it, Aqua.Copy !req
26. I am gonna be an idol!Copy !req
27. High schools with performing arts
departments focus on the interview.Copy !req
28. They only look at academic ability in passing.Copy !req
29. If I become an idol, I won't need to study for
entrance exams - two birds with one stone.Copy !req
30. Don't gamble your life based on that little factoid.Copy !req
31. You know, I don't mind if you dream of being an idol,
but don't have illusions about being an idol.Copy !req
32. Essentially, their salary is low,
they retire before reaching 30,Copy !req
33. and their daily lives are under constant scrutiny by fans.Copy !req
34. Only a small percentage survive
in the industry after graduating,Copy !req
35. and in the end most take up another line of work.Copy !req
36. There are very few jobs where the cost is
so disproportionate to the return.Copy !req
37. What's your point?Copy !req
38. Isn't life about doing what you want with it?!Copy !req
39. You'll never be able to do a thing
if you worry about cost and return!Copy !req
40. Some people go their whole lives unable
to really do anything, you know?Copy !req
41. That's not for me!Copy !req
42. Do as you like. I'm heading to the director's place.Copy !req
43. My brother changed after Mom died.Copy !req
44. He always has a gloomy face
and never seems to be having fun.Copy !req
45. It seems like he's been up to something ever
since he became an apprentice of the director,Copy !req
46. but he won't tell me what it is.Copy !req
47. And he's not the only one who ended up changing.Copy !req
48. Ichigo-san fell out of contact after the incident,
after which Miyako-san took over the agency.Copy !req
49. B Komachi, having lost their star, Ai,
disbanded after two years.Copy !req
50. Strawberry Productions no
longer has an idol department,Copy !req
51. instead expanding operations
into managing internet personalities.Copy !req
52. Hey, how about putting together another idol group?Copy !req
53. Don't say that so lightly.Copy !req
54. I'd like to if I could, you know.Copy !req
55. The dream that Ai showed us was
an experience I can't easily forget.Copy !req
56. But, that needs to be thought of
as having essentially won the lottery.Copy !req
57. The longer I do this job, the clearer it becomes to me...
Miracles like that don't happen twice.Copy !req
58. The reality is things just don't go that smoothly.Copy !req
59. Besides...Copy !req
60. Besides what?Copy !req
61. Never mind... Aren't you expecting a call
about the results of your audition soon?Copy !req
62. If you pass, the regulations state
you're to become affiliated with them, right?Copy !req
63. They're a better-established agency than we are.Copy !req
64. Well, I guess that's true...Copy !req
65. Speak of the devil...Copy !req
66. Yes?Copy !req
67. Is this Ruby Hoshino-san speaking?Copy !req
68. Yes, Hoshino here!Copy !req
69. Okay...Copy !req
70. Okay...Copy !req
71. Oh, I see...Copy !req
72. Thank you.Copy !req
73. Well then, we will be awaiting
your application next time around.Copy !req
74. Ruby...Copy !req
75. I didn't make it.Copy !req
76. That's reality for you.Copy !req
77. There are lots of politics involved, and you can't
even expect your ability to be judged fairly.Copy !req
78. Not everyone can have it go as well as it did for Ai.Copy !req
79. Thanks, Director.Copy !req
80. The fact you can fool your own twin sister
shows you've got real acting chops.Copy !req
81. What're you gonna do if she gets
a call from them for real?Copy !req
82. I already sent them a short text from
Ruby's phone saying she was withdrawing.Copy !req
83. Plus, I blocked their number in her settings.Copy !req
84. I've dotted the i's and crossed the t's.Copy !req
85. I just don't get it.Copy !req
86. Why're you going to such lengths
to crush your sister's dreams?Copy !req
87. That girl is a quite a beauty -
she actually has a chance of making it.Copy !req
88. Look, you don't need to spell it out.Copy !req
89. I'm not going to let her become an idol.Copy !req
90. I won't let her tread in Ai's steps.Copy !req
91. You can count on that.Copy !req
92. Quite the sister complex there.
You're overprotective to a fault.Copy !req
93. It's better that it's I alone.Copy !req
94. I alone...Copy !req
95. will see that is taken care of.Copy !req
96. You were scouted?!Copy !req
97. Yeah, for one of those underground idol groups.Copy !req
98. I feel like this has gotta be fate!Copy !req
99. I've been keeping an eye on underground
idol recruitment for a long time, you see.Copy !req
100. Mom also became an idol after being scouted, right?Copy !req
101. I must be being guided, don't you think?Copy !req
102. Is it really a legit idol group?Copy !req
103. Not some sketchy job?Copy !req
104. It's nothing like that.Copy !req
105. Have you gone over the terms of the contract?Copy !req
106. The scout said I can come see their next concert.
Then we'll get into the contract and stuff after that.Copy !req
107. Hmm...Copy !req
108. Aw, I can't wait.Copy !req
109. What a pain in the butt...
I've gotta find some way to stop her.Copy !req
110. There you go again.Copy !req
111. After what happened to Ai-san, I sympathize with you not
wanting to let your sweet sister follow that same path.Copy !req
112. You know, I...Copy !req
113. still find myself thinking that if I'd done this or that
back then maybe things would be different now.Copy !req
114. I never want to feel like that again.Copy !req
115. I've raised Ruby while thinking
of her as my own daughter.Copy !req
116. I'll protect her no matter what.Copy !req
117. But... as she is my daughter, that's all the more reason
I can't stop her from feeling the way she does.Copy !req
118. She has come to look more and more like Ai...
I hate to say it, but she has the qualities to make it.Copy !req
119. It was always going to turn out like this.Copy !req
120. Before talking about it being good or bad,
there's something I must do.Copy !req
121. I'll be borrowing one of the
agency's business cards, okay?Copy !req
122. Huh?Copy !req
123. What're you planning?Copy !req
124. Hello there.Copy !req
125. Can I have a minute of your time?Copy !req
126. What do you want?Copy !req
127. Here, take a look at my card.Copy !req
128. Oh? Strawberry Productions?Copy !req
129. You've heard of us?Copy !req
130. Yeah!Copy !req
131. B Komachi's agency, right?!Copy !req
132. My mom was a big fan!Copy !req
133. Wow, so this is Strawberry Productions...Copy !req
134. Your scout here is so young, so I thought
he was trying to talk me into something bad.Copy !req
135. This is a bad nightmare alright...Copy !req
136. For now, let's find out the lowdown
on the group Ruby was scouted for.Copy !req
137. There are good underground idol groups and bad ones.Copy !req
138. If the management is worthless,
that leaves no room for debate.Copy !req
139. Any talk of Ruby becoming an idol can come after that.Copy !req
140. Lala-chan, you're currently working with
an agency by the name of Yilibu, correct?Copy !req
141. Yes.Copy !req
142. We'd like to offer you a better deal than they are.Copy !req
143. Can you lay out the current terms you're working under?Copy !req
144. Let's see... On the condition I appear at all the concerts,
I get a small amount of guaranteed pay...Copy !req
145. Plus, at post-concert meet and greets, I get commissions
based on the number of instant photos with fans,Copy !req
146. which makes up my main income.Copy !req
147. Then, clothing expenses and
so on are deducted from that.Copy !req
148. And I've gotta pay for my own
transport and makeup too...Copy !req
149. so most months I don't even take home 100,000 yen.Copy !req
150. Any points of dissatisfaction with your current group?Copy !req
151. You bet there are!Copy !req
152. There's this one girl the manager is really promoting!Copy !req
153. It's clear favoritism!Copy !req
154. And the reason? Well, it seems
like the two of them are dating.Copy !req
155. Yikes.Copy !req
156. It's not like she's a good singer,
and she's not super pretty or anything either.Copy !req
157. Plus, she's the kinda girl who steals other members' fans
by acting like she's truly in love with them.Copy !req
158. Even though I take my job seriously,
the management is a joke, so I'm not finding success!Copy !req
159. Besides, the atmosphere between the members is awful -
I can tell some of them are getting ready to quit.Copy !req
160. I also hear the manager is scouting
for new members like crazy.Copy !req
161. If I could transfer to Strawberry Productions, I...Copy !req
162. With underground idol groups, there are
some managers who have a proven track record,Copy !req
163. but there are lots of people who lean into
their love of idols and do it as something of a hobby.Copy !req
164. Of course, it's questionable
if everything that girl said is really true.Copy !req
165. Jealousy and friction between members...Copy !req
166. and a dissatisfaction with management giving rise
to groundless rumors is quite common.Copy !req
167. Successfully putting together a group of
young girls is incredibly difficult in the first place.Copy !req
168. Even with B Komachi, Ai's popularity far outshone
everyone else's, so there were claims of favoritism...Copy !req
169. Just thinking about it gives me a stomachache...Copy !req
170. Either way, I'm not about to let Ruby join a group
where those kind of rumors start circulating.Copy !req
171. So, what are you gonna do?Copy !req
172. There are all kinds of ways to handle it.Copy !req
173. I could hire an detective and spread the dirt online...Copy !req
174. Don't joke like that.Copy !req
175. I'm not joking.Copy !req
176. I have no intention of letting Ruby become an idol -Copy !req
177. least of all in some group with
untrustworthy management.Copy !req
178. By the way, what did you think?
How about hiring that girl for real?Copy !req
179. You know we don't manage idols anymore.Copy !req
180. Besides... I'm not going to hire someone
who bad-mouths their colleagues.Copy !req
181. Excuse me, I'll be going now.Copy !req
182. Thanks for your hard work.Copy !req
183. Ta-da!Copy !req
184. So, what do you think?Copy !req
185. You look cute.Copy !req
186. Well, on a big day, you've gotta look fashionable right?!Copy !req
187. Oh, I can't wait...Copy !req
188. Truly...Copy !req
189. Ruby, so you are serious about this?Copy !req
190. Yeah.Copy !req
191. You know the world you're about
to enter into is a harsh place, right?Copy !req
192. You might not sell well and end up feeling miserable.Copy !req
193. It's not just the salary aspect either - in your private life...Copy !req
194. I know that.Copy !req
195. Aqua already told me as much.Copy !req
196. Falling victim to stalking... is a familiar story these days.Copy !req
197. But even so, you still...Copy !req
198. You better believe it!Copy !req
199. After all, now's my chance... I can finally become an idol.Copy !req
200. I'm gonna be like Mom!Copy !req
201. You really mean it?Copy !req
202. Absolutely!Copy !req
203. Well, don't join that group then.Copy !req
204. Huh...? Why?Copy !req
205. I'm serious about being an idol...Copy !req
206. If you really mean that, then join our agency.Copy !req
207. Strawberry Productions will be putting together
a new idol group for the first time in over a decade.Copy !req
208. Put a tally impression here.Copy !req
209. "Tally impression"?Copy !req
210. I don't really get it, but I just press down here?Copy !req
211. Okay. And with that, you're now
an entertainer with Strawberry Productions.Copy !req
212. If you pull anything, we'll sue you.Copy !req
213. Whoa, scary.Copy !req
214. Well, I'm not kidding.Copy !req
215. It's also a necessary procedure for entry
to the performing arts department,Copy !req
216. so don't be getting mad, Aqua.Copy !req
217. Never said I was against it.Copy !req
218. Aqua-kun, how nice of you to come.Copy !req
219. Is the director awake?Copy !req
220. He's sleeping, but go ahead and shake him awake.Copy !req
221. Will you be having dinner with us again?Copy !req
222. No, don't go to any trouble.Copy !req
223. Oh, you came.Copy !req
224. Good morning.Copy !req
225. Do a nice editing job on this for me.Copy !req
226. Got it.Copy !req
227. I'm still a middle schooler... I can't formally work yet,
so I'm not able to build up any experience on location.Copy !req
228. So, acting as something like the director's apprentice,
he's allowed me to assist him with film production.Copy !req
229. I see. So, your sister is going to become an idol, after all.Copy !req
230. Is that okay with you, like as her big brother?Copy !req
231. It's better than having her perform
with some group from Lord knows where.Copy !req
232. With family managing the group,
I doubt things will go south.Copy !req
233. Both siblings are going to be entertainers, huh?Copy !req
234. Not both of us. I prefer to work behind the scenes now.Copy !req
235. You haven't got an itch to take up acting again?Copy !req
236. Aren't you applying to the same
high school as your sister?Copy !req
237. Only Ruby is trying to get into the performing arts
department. I'm going for general education.Copy !req
238. When you came and asked to be my apprentice,Copy !req
239. you had this look on your face like
you were dead set on being an actor...Copy !req
240. To me, being an actor was a mere means to an end.Copy !req
241. For finding the man who brought about Ai's death...Copy !req
242. For finding my father, and then giving him
a taste of the pain Ai endured.Copy !req
243. By a twist of fate, the key for
detecting him lies within myself.Copy !req
244. I should be able to identify him through
a hair or mucosal DNA test.Copy !req
245. But to do so, it's necessary I secure a position where
I can come into direct contact with entertainers.Copy !req
246. Being an actor is the quickest route for that... but if I just
need to be involved with the entertainment industry,Copy !req
247. I don't mind being an AD or
someone working behind the scenes.Copy !req
248. Though they were minor roles, I came to understand
something by appearing in a number of your films...Copy !req
249. I have no talent for acting.Copy !req
250. There are loads of people in the world who try
their best as actors but can't draw an audience,Copy !req
251. and I was just one of them.Copy !req
252. I don't have that special something the way Ai did...Copy !req
253. It's no good to hold onto goals
that are beyond your means.Copy !req
254. Hmph.Copy !req
255. If kids don't dream, who else can even hope to?Copy !req
256. Even university age is early to be
giving up on what you want to do.Copy !req
257. Listen up. Here's some advice from a middle-aged guy
who's kept on dreaming for 20 years.Copy !req
258. I'm only gonna say it once, so pay attention.Copy !req
259. Every single person has the right to dream.Copy !req
260. After all, you can't win the lottery if you don't buy a-Copy !req
261. Taishi!Copy !req
262. Dinner's ready!Copy !req
263. Ma! I was saying something important -
don't interrupt me!Copy !req
264. As if I'm supposed to know that somehow!Copy !req
265. If I'd just kept waiting for you,
the miso soup would get cold!Copy !req
266. I'll go when I'm done talking, okay?!Copy !req
267. Like you, I went through a period
where I couldn't get ahead. But...Copy !req
268. Ah, good grief!Copy !req
269. Quite the mess you've made in here... Jeez.Copy !req
270. Get outta here already!Copy !req
271. Ah, this darn son of mine!Copy !req
272. Hey, aren't you in your mid-40s?Copy !req
273. Isn't it about time to move out of your folks' place?Copy !req
274. There's no benefit to leaving
a spacious family home in the city center!Copy !req
275. There are actually lots of people like me!Copy !req
276. It's a common thing for creators, okay?!Copy !req
277. In any case, you can't win the lottery
if you don't buy a ticket.Copy !req
278. I'm saying that you should have more faith in your talent.Copy !req
279. Those words fall flat coming from
a middle-aged guy living in a child's room.Copy !req
280. There was a time when I believed
I had possessed talents comparable to Ai's.Copy !req
281. However, unlike Ai, I...Copy !req
282. "Ai, Ai, Ai"... Enough already - you sound like an ape.Copy !req
283. It's true that Ai was amazing.Copy !req
284. She indeed may have been truly special.Copy !req
285. That said, you can never be Ai, nor can she ever be you.Copy !req
286. Did Ai have the same production know-how you do?Copy !req
287. Did she possess your intellect?Copy !req
288. Don't shy away just 'cause you've had a setback or two.Copy !req
289. Only say things like that after
you've used all the tools at your disposal.Copy !req
290. You're still far too young to be acting like an average Joe.Copy !req
291. You wanna be an actor, don't ya?Copy !req
292. It's written all over your face.Copy !req
293. Aqua, will you be an actor?Copy !req
294. Say, Director...Copy !req
295. Hm?Copy !req
296. I...Copy !req
297. You'll be joining us for dinner, won't you, Aqua-kun?!Copy !req
298. I'll get a bowl ready for you!Copy !req
299. Precocious here was just about to say
something important! Don't be barging in here!Copy !req
300. I don't care!Copy !req
301. This is Youtou High School.Copy !req
302. It's an integrated middle and high school, and one of
the few in Japan that has a performing arts department.Copy !req
303. And not just anyone can apply for performing arts,Copy !req
304. as it is necessary to produce a certificate showing
you are affiliated with a talent agency.Copy !req
305. I'm Ruby Hoshino with Strawberry Productions.Copy !req
306. I'm Aquamarine Hoshino.Copy !req
307. Quite the name you've got there.Copy !req
308. You have a standard score of 70?!Copy !req
309. Why'd you apply here where the standard score is 40?Copy !req
310. I was charmed by the spirit of the school.Copy !req
311. Our school spirit appealed to you that much?!Copy !req
312. How'd it go?Copy !req
313. Fine, I think.Copy !req
314. How about you?Copy !req
315. It went without a hitch.Copy !req
316. In the unlikely event I'm rejected,
my name is probably to blame.Copy !req
317. Well, your full name is "Aquamarine Hoshino," after all.Copy !req
318. Though, it's a pain to say,
so everyone just calls you "Aqua."Copy !req
319. "Aqua"?Copy !req
320. Aqua Hoshino?!Copy !req
321. Aqua! Aqua!Copy !req
322. You're Aqua Hoshino?!Copy !req
323. Who are you again?Copy !req
324. Oh, isn't it that girl?Copy !req
325. The genius child actor who can lick baking soda like that.Copy !req
326. The genius child actor who can cry in ten seconds flat!Copy !req
327. We acted in that film together - I'm Kana Arima.Copy !req
328. Oh, long time no see. So you're
in the performing arts department?Copy !req
329. I'm so glad. I had long thought you'd called it quits.Copy !req
330. We finally meet again.Copy !req
331. You're joining up? You'll be in our
performing arts department? Won't you?!Copy !req
332. No... I applied for general education.Copy !req
333. But why?!Copy !req