And so...
the center at JIF will be Kana Arima!
Woot! Applause!
Give us a comment about how you feel being chosen as the center!
Let's see.
First, turn that camera off.
I told you, right?
That I didn't want to be the center numerous times.
Is this what I think it is?
You think an easy pushover like me
wouldn't be able to refuse later if you guys made it a fact on camera?
Crap, she knows!
Uh, well!
Ruby and I talked about it when we went to karaoke together.
But we came to the conclusion that neither of us would make a good center.
And that's when we saw the music video for your song...
So you guys saw it.
They mistakenly thought I could sing since "Green Pepper Exercise" sold pretty well,
and everyone got burned for it.
Forget you saw it. That's a symbol of the days when I was lost.
The dark ages of when I lost my way in this field.
You don't need to say it like that.
Well, I almost peed my pants seeing how little it sold.
Everyone who was affiliated wants to put it behind them.
To be honest, I thought "Green Pepper Exercise" was off-key.
But your second song was really good.
And your third song was even better.
You must've practiced a lot, huh?
You worked really hard trying to live up to everyone's expectations.
Someone as responsible as you should be the center of B Komachi...
Shut up!
You think I'll give in if you just keep buttering me up, don't you?!
Do you think I'm stupid?!
I seriously can't do this.
No matter how many times you ask, I won't become the center!
Sorry we acted without talking to you.
We won't ask anymore.
But at least listen to our singing.
Hey, isn't this pretty good?!
I knew Arima would be perfect as the center!
At this rate, we'll do great at the JIF!
Ugh, jeez! Why am I always like this?!
Well, I never thought that we could turn the tables from that hellish situation.
I had a feeling it would turn out this way from the start.
Shut up, Quirky and Off-key!
I never thought that idol candidates could be this terrible at singing.
Based on your singing,
I can see the comfortable lives you led by relying on just your looks.
Brutal.
It's true that I should be the one to do it.
But I honestly don't want to do it.
Seriously, what would you guys do without me?!
Just make sure to work hard to make me stand out!
Okay!
Well, I'm glad it worked out!
Why does my mouth always say the opposite of what I'm thinking?
Looks like it's settled then.
CEO!
There's barely any days left until the concert.
And this is where you really need to push yourselves.
I've grabbed someone to support you, so make good use of him.
Someone to support us?
Is that perhaps Aqu--
- Hey. - Wait, it's you?!
Oh, Pieyon, long time no see!
What? The real thing?!
You're our top seller!
I'm begging you, please work normally!
Well, Mr. Pieyon used to be a pro dancer before!
He said in his videos that he used to choreograph for idols too.
Really?
How do we look from a pro's point of view?
I think we're somewhat in shape now.
Hmm, well, there's a ton of girls around your level who perform on stage.
But if you say you want real quality,
first, you'll need stamina!
Ten more uphill dashes!
Eek!
And after you're exhausted, three run-throughs of the set list!
It's important to first have the stamina to keep your quality!
Don't forget to smile either!
Before the second song's chorus,
if we come around from stage left and swapped out, wouldn't that be cool?!
Oh, that sounds good!
Then what if we rearrange this too...
Where do they get all that energy from?
Do you regret it?
Becoming an idol.
Mr. Pieyon...
No, this is something I decided myself, so I have no regrets.
But I do think that I'm not cut out for this.
I don't feel like I can become an idol at all.
Let alone the center.
You can sing, so why do you hate being the center so much?
Well, because the center is the group's face, right?
It's not a position that someone like me should be in.
What do you mean "someone like me"?
I think Kana Arima is amazing.
Everyone always says things like that so easily.
Even when they don't know anything.
What do you know about me?
Let's see...
You're a hard worker who runs and does vocal exercises every morning.
Your foul mouth is your insecurity.
You're happier when the title is acknowledged more than yourself.
You actually hate green peppers.
What? You know me really well!
I'm thrilled...
Well, he's got me pretty good.
Crap. I think I like Pieyon a little now.
Are you perhaps my fan?
That's right.
What? No way!
I didn't know I had any fans right now.
I've never officially stated that I hated green peppers,
so I'm surprised you noticed.
In fact, I hate them too.
We're comrades!
That thing is too overpowering.
It makes the whole dish taste like green peppers.
I know!
During my "Green Pepper Exercise," I had to force myself to eat them.
Now, I break out in hives just looking at them.
Poor thing.
Do you hate chrysanthemum too?
Yeah, I can't! It's as bitter as green peppers.
Hey...
It's fun just talking casually with him.
This is quite rare.
I feel like I can really fall for this person.
Maybe I should just forget Aqua and move on to him.
He makes 100 million a year, so honestly, I would date him.
Pieyon's so nice to come here every day when he must be busy.
Right? You know, he looks completely different from his videos!
I thought he would be more built,
but the real thing is surprisingly slender.
His physique is just like Aqua's!
If my brother spoke in that duck voice, I wouldn't be able to stop laughing!
It's looking super good!
Yeah, it's really good now!
Good work.
Thank you so much, Mr. Pieyon!
Gosh, he's so nice!
Unlike someone called Aqua.
Arima, do you hate Aqua that much?
There isn't a single thing you can like about him!
He's insensitive and lacks common sense!
He acts cool, but he's just withdrawn.
Him and his sister both don't know how to treat their elders!
They've never used honorifics toward me either!
I probably have to tell him off once!
I'm much older than Arima, but I don't remember her using honorifics.
Aww, he was cute when he was a kid.
Oh, you two go way back?
That's right, we met on set when we were little!
When Aqua and I were still three or four!
You know, you can't forget a guy like that once you meet him!
Ever since, he's always been in the back of my mind!
I thought he was like an angel back then, but look how evil he's grown up to be!
I wish he wouldn't ruin my memories!
Umm?
Break's over! Let's practice!
Tomorrow's finally the day.
How do you think they're doing?
I think they've gotten much better.
Ruby's dancing was already polished from the start.
Mem-cho can carefully move about as she watches her surroundings.
And Ms. Arima is earnest and she learns quick.
Even while she's singing, there aren't any obvious mistakes in her dancing.
MR. PIEYON
This afternoon, have them practice with markers in mind, then rest for tomorrow.
Okay.
Thank you for accepting a painstaking request like this during your vacation.
Well, I like those girls too.
So I'm glad you asked me for help.
But I'm a little shocked.
Since no one's noticed that you're impersonating me.
It's impressive.
Can anyone who acts do this that easily?
I don't know. I'm sure people who are good at it can do it.
Hm.
But was this necessary?
You didn't have to bother impersonating me...
She probably would've refused to listen to anything I said.
That's why I thought she would listen to your words, Mr. Pieyon.
But I think she would've listened even if they were your words.
I'm... actually a pretty weak person.
It's finally here! We're gonna make our debut as idols!
What do we do?!
Shut up.
Just go to sleep.
Don't underestimate the importance of sleep.
"Some university's research says the damage from an all-nighter
will drag on for three days and decrease your charm by 30%."
That's what D**Go said.
D**Go did?! I gotta sleep then!
But I'm not sleepy at all!
I'm too excited! What should I do?!
Seriously, it must be nice to be able to have so much fun.
It must be horrible when you seem like you never have any fun.
Rather, why are you always so excited?
Nobody can predict what'll happen tomorrow.
A group using connections like us might get booed like crazy.
Or maybe there won't be enough customers and the venue could be empty.
How can you stay so positive like that?
Hmm.
Because it's my dream.
A long time ago, I was living a life where I had to stay indoors all the time.
I had no hope for the future.
I thought I would quietly die like that
without knowing any excitement or fun.
But...
My life became so fun after I became an idol otaku.
My heart was filled with love.
The life of a fan is nice.
If you've never liked an idol, Senpai, you're missing out in life.
I don't mind missing out.
And so, that's when I met this one person.
One person?
Yeah, my first love.
Oh, how bittersweet.
That person told me.
That he'll become my fan if I ever became an idol.
From that moment, I always dreamt of becoming an idol.
I wonder where Doctor is right now.
I'm sure he's still an idol otaku.
So if I can become popular as an idol...
someday...
That's nice, you have a fan to support you.
I don't have anyone like that.
Everyone sees the child star in me.
But there's no one who sees me for who I am now.
But it was surprising to know that Ruby was a shut-in.
Aqua and the CEO went through a lot of trouble too.
Pieyon's mask!
He never takes it off, so I was getting curious
what kind of face is behind that mask!
Now, here we are at...
Japan Idol Festival!
Umm.
Of the 10 stages, the one we'll be performing on is the Star Stage.
This stage has a lot of underground idols.
I would've preferred the main stage.
But you know that's asking for too much.
Ugh, I'm getting nervous now! I wonder if I'll be able to do okay.
Don't worry! You got enough sleep, right?!
"'Some university's research says the damage from an all-nighter
will drag on for three days and decrease your charm by 30%.'
That's what Dai** said!" is what Senpai said!
You're quoting someone who's quoting someone who's quoting someone.
Well, most of B Komachi's choreography is hard,
so it'll be tough if we don't sleep properly.
Our main feature is the dancing, so we really gotta sleep well!
What should I do? In the end, I couldn't sleep a wink.
Now, off to the dressing room.
Yay!
- I wonder what the dressing room is like. - Aqua's under Pieyon's mask?
But he's not that buff.
They swapped out? Why?
Is it so I would take the lessons seriously?
Was him being nice to me all a lie?
My head's a mess. When this is such an important day...
Jeez, this is the worst.
Let's hurry to the dressing room. Then I can sleep a little.
It's not that way!
What?
The stage dressing room can only be used right before your turn.
Really?
Then where do we change?
Hey, move your stuff over!
Ugh, does anyone have a pantyliner?!
What is this hellhole?
The dressing room.
The number of people here is insane.
This is pretty normal for festivals with many stages.
Hundreds of performers and staff are all squeezed in together
with no place for your luggage.
There isn't even a real dressing room, so you change behind the room dividers.
But the photo spot alone looks really nice.
This is chaos.
Of course, the famous groups invited to the main stage get separate rooms.
But underground or so-so idols are all treated like this.
If you want to be treated better, you have to become popular.
Now, it'll get busy before your turn, so eat or get prepared while you can.
Okay!
All this heated excitement...
Are you okay?
Well, I'm just a little sleep-deprived.
Oh, are you nervous?
Please, don't be silly.
I've been in this industry since I was sucking on a bottle.
There's no way I would get nervous now.
Just leave the two to me.
Really.
Can I have a minute?
Oh, yes.
That's right, I have to take care of this group.
With my 17 years of showbiz experience, I have to lead those two hatchlings.
Don't be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
Don't be scared. Get it together!
There's a ton of people's jobs on my shoulders.
If I screw up, everyone's screwed.
And I would betray the trust and expectations they have of me.
I just remembered something bad.
I can't think negatively.
The look of disappointment that says, "I guess this is it."
The staff joins the crowd in their own clothes
just so the seats look more filled.
When artists can't meet expectations, it's hard to describe that pain we feel.
Well, let's stop here once, and we'll release the next one when the time comes.
Um, is there any work I can do?
I'll do any--
Uh, well, we're a child acting agency,
so work at your age is a little tough.
I'm sure there's jobs for you at a normal agency though.
Grandpa injured his back,
so Mama's thinking of going back home.
Kana, you'll be fine by yourself, right?
Of course I'll be fine!
Mama, you get rested up too!
Am I not needed anymore?
KANA ARIMA STARS IN I'LL GO WITH SWEET TODAY
IS THERE ANY VALUE TO HER NOW?
THE GROWN-UP ARIMA HAS NO FANS.
There's no value in me who isn't a child actress anymore!
The grown-up Kana Arima has no fans!
Since when...
When did I start self-deprecating with words that sound like internet comments?
Lead the B Komachi?
How arrogant of me to even consider it.
But I have to do it.
I have to take care of those two.
Umm.
Oh, Senpai!
Oh my gosh!
I'm getting super nervous!
What?!
You seemed like you were enjoying yourself just a second ago.
As our turn got closer, I gradually...
What should I do?
Senpai, aren't you scared?
Of course not.
How many years do you think I've been doing this?
Everyone always lies like that.
Your hands are super cold.
Senpai, you're nervous too, aren't you?
Don't be stupid!
I never sank so low as to where I need you to worry about me!
The small insecure dogs tend to bark more.
But I'm glad.
I feel relieved to know that you're scared too.
Huh? Are you pretty seriously scared?
You'll be fine!
We're not doing this alone!
That's why!
That's why it isn't good!
It's because of you guys!
If I was going up on stage alone, I would think nothing of it.
I've failed like that repeatedly up to this point.
But this time, you two are here.
I don't want you to fail.
I don't want you two to go through what I experienced.
I'm not alone, that's why I'm scared.
I don't know much about your child actress days.
And I don't know how much you value your showbiz experience,
but to me, you're just a young girl.
You're just a cute and hardworking rookie idol found anywhere.
Screwing up is normal!
Let's enjoy the challenge!
Come on, it's our turn to change! Let's go, Senpai!
Oh my gosh!
I'm super nervous!
But I'm so excited!
I am a rookie.
The rookie idol, Kana Arima.
Subtitle translation by: Kanami Kitabayashi