It was just a little while ago...
...that we were ordinary girls, longing to become princesses.
A dazzling palace. A gorgeous dress. A kind prince.
We always thought that was a faraway dream.
But then one day...
...we had a fateful encounter...
...and a magic spell was cast on us.
It was such beautiful magic.
Please, Cinderellaâ™ª This dream can't end as just a dream
I've started to move towards dazzling days
"WE HAVE A DREAM" This magic isn't just ours.
"OF PUTTING ON THE GLASS SLIPPER" This magic isn't just ours.
"OF PUTTING ON THE GLASS SLIPPER" Everyone here can become princes and Cinderellas!
"GOING TO THE PALACE" Everyone here can become princes and Cinderellas!
"AND DANCING IN THE SPOTLIGHT" Everyone here can become princes and Cinderellas!
Every day, I wanna have a cute heart in times both good and bad
When I'm in a pinch and trying to survive, I wanna overcome it coolly
Update my discouraged heart with invincible passion
I'll just keep doing everything that I can
So the magic will never end
I believe in miracles surrounding real skills
"I BELIEVE!" I believe in miracles surrounding real skills
Please, Cinderellaâ™ª This dream can't end as just a dream
"THIS DREAM CAN'T END AS JUST A DREAM" Please, Cinderellaâ™ª This dream can't end as just a dream
It'll come true if you wish upon a star
"I'LL FIND IT" I'll find it, my only star
"A LIGHT ONLY FOR ME" I'll find it, my only star
"I WANNA KEEP LOOKING TILL I DO" I wanna keep looking till I do
After you're done crying
Smile again
Smartly
But also cutely
Let's move ahead
EPISODE 1
PREPARING
Uzuki-chan.
Good afternoon!
Looking at photos from that last concert?
Yes! I was thinking I can't wait to be on stage too.
I know. You were so close at that last Cinderella audition.
I'm taking a lot of other auditions too, but it's tough.
Still, you're doing your best, Uzuki-chan.
Even after your classmates dropped out one after another.
All right! I'm gonna try even harder!
Ouch...
Easy, easy.
It's good to try hard, but you can't overdo it.
Sorry...
- Who's that? Do you know him? - N-No...
W-Who are you? If you have business, please see the receptionist.
No. I...
Three, two...
Three, four...
One, two...
M-M-Mama!
You are Uzuki Shimamura-san, yes?
PREPARING
346 Production...
Cinderella Project, Producer...
Y-You're a producer?
Yes.
I believe you've already taken the Cinderella audition,
but we have three openings at the moment.
You're inviting me to join the project?
Yes.
You mean... I can make my debut?
Correct.
D-Debut!
I can finally become an idol!
Do you accept?
Yes!
Of course!
I'll do my best!
Yeah! Yeah!
That's right! That's it, Mama!
I'm really gonna make my debut!
Yeah! Be right home! See you in a bit!
Debut!
Flowers...
Hello!
Welcome.
Which ones should I get?
Pretty!
One, ten, one hundred...
M-Maybe they're a little too extravagant for me.
But the ones over here...
I think I'll go with roses.
These are nice too!
But...
What are you looking for?
S-Sorry.
I just can't seem to decide...
Are you buying them for someone?
Yes! Although it's myself...
But it's to mark a very special occasion for myself!
Then how about these?
Anemones.
In the language of flowers, they mean, um... anticipation and hope.
Anticipation... Hope...
I kind of thought that's what you're feeling...
Thank you.
No, thank you for your help!
I'll do my best!
Rin? Sorry.
I can take over now.
Um... You're launching new units and are producing on several fronts!
- And I'm on one of them, right? - Yes.
Have other girls already come on board for this project?
No. You're the first person we've reconsidered.
Really?
As for a unit assignment, that will happen after we select the other two.
I apologize, but we need you to stand by for the time being.
O-Oh, really?
Yes.
So please continue your training lessons.
Okay! I'll do my best!
Do you have any other questions?
Um...
Yes! When can I release a CD?
- It's currently in the planning stage. - I see!
Um, when can I be on TV?
- It's currently in the planning stage. - I see!
Um, can I have a concert?
That's also in the planning stage.
I-I see...
Otherwise, um... uh...
Also, why me?
What do you mean?
Uh... I didn't once make the cut for this audition.
So I was hoping you could tell me the reason for choosing me this time...
Your smile.
My smile?
Yes.
Do you need further explanation?
No. No!
My smile's the one thing I have confidence in! V!
Thank you!
Two more...
I wonder what they'll be like.
H-Hey, you!
- Would you tell me what happened? - I didn't do a thing.
I wouldn't say...
- What happened? - Who knows?
- Nothing, I said. - Then why's he so afraid?
Excuse me.
- Maybe I'll take you to the station. - Wait... - Excuse me.
Why not listen to her some more?
W-Who are you?
You dropped a screw from your toy?
I thought someone would step on it, but she kept the area clear.
I-I made a big mistake!
That's okay...
Sorry about that.
I only made the situation worse.
It's all right. You got dragged into it.
Um... Please take my card.
Are you interested in becoming an idol?
No.
Oh, you're just a creepy recruiter. Is that why you got involved?
No, that's not...
Sorry, but I don't know anything about idols, and I'm not interested.
Good morning!
What shall we do today?
- Your lesson, please. - My lesson, huh? I'll do my best!
I'd like to improve my dancing a little bit before I meet the others.
- Please. - Okay!
What are you doing here?
Didn't I tell you I wasn't interested?
I was hoping you would at least take my business card.
- Who is he? - No idea.
What?
There he is again.
It's the same no matter how often you ask. I've no interest in being an idol.
How many new people will they accept this year?
We'll be their upperclassmen. Better shape up!
Good morning!
What shall we do today?
- Well, your lesson... - My lesson, huh? I'll do my best!
I've gotten a bit better at that one step I was weak at.
Whoa!
Rin!
- Decided on a club? - No, not yet.
Join the wind-instrument music club. You have a good ear for music.
You hear about the suspicious guy? They say he's been around lately.
- For real? - And he's got this murderous stare...
Scary!
What is it, Rin?
Um...
You should stop coming here.
People are talking about you.
I'd like to talk to you...
- If you would at least take my card. - Hey, you!
- Again? - Let's go to the station.
- I didn't do anything. - Then what were you doing with her?
- U-Um... - A suspicious person was...
Y-You've got the wrong idea! He's...
I apologize.
Look, first off, what did you see in me that makes you think I can be an idol?
Your smile.
Did I smile in front of you?
No. Not yet.
Was that a canned answer?
- Whatever. - I-I have a question...
Are you enjoying your life right now?
What do you mean? And what's that got to do with you?
I don't know.
I just can't help thinking if there's something you're passionate about
or something that moves you right now.
That's not your business.
Look at this, Producer-san!
How was that?
It looked good.
Then what shall I do today?
- Your lesson... - Huh?
R-Right, of course.
Understood!
I'll do my best with my lesson!
I apologize.
For keeping you waiting, only taking your lessons.
I love my lessons!
Um, nothing yet on the other two?
- No. - Like I thought.
I'm in the middle of negotiating with one of them.
I'm going to meet her again right now in fact.
Um, right now?
Yes.
U-Um, can I go with you?
Huh? This shop...
- What about it? - Well, see you later.
Then you're...
- What a cute doggie. - Yeah...
Um, got a name?
- Hanako. - Hanako-chan?
I'm Uzuki Shimamura.
Thank you again for helping me choose those flowers that time, Hanako-chan.
Hanako's my dog's name.
S-Sorry!
Rin.
Rin Shibuya. That's my name.
Gotcha!
Nice to meet you, Shibuya-san!
Rin's fine.
Then it's nice to meet you, Rin-chan.
Nice to meet you, um...
It's Uzuki!
Uzuki...
Um, so, Rin-chan...
Yes?
From now on, let's do our best together to become idols!
Look, I'm not even interested in becoming an idol...
I told him that from the day we met.
Hurry!
Wait!
This way!
You're fast!
Here!
Look where it went!
That guy...
I mean, isn't he strange?
Him.
The producer?
Yeah. He shows up every day asking me to be an idol. That's all.
People thought he was up to something shady...
He just said he chose me for my smile...
T-That's what he told me too...
But I think he really did choose you for your smile.
R-Really?
Yeah.
That's fine.
Either way, that producer may be the one who makes my long-held dream come true!
Dream?
To be an idol?
Right!
Listen...
Why do you want to become an idol, Uzuki?
W-Why?
Um, well, you get to wear pretty outfits, be on a brilliant stage,
be like a princess...
I've always wanted to be like that...
Um, to be honest, I don't really know what kind of work an idol does,
but it's my dream.
I joined a school, took lessons with the other students, and waited a long time.
Waiting for the day I could become an idol, become something that dazzles...
I wanted it so badly
and then one day, that producer paid me a visit.
Him...
He found me,
so now I have the chance to make my dream come true.
That makes me so happy.
H-Hey! Hanako!
T-Thanks...
Think of it as looking for something you could really be interested in...
Maybe just dip your toe in?
I guarantee that a whole new world will open up to you.
I'm Rin Shibuya, 15 years old. I'm looking forward to this.
Rin-chan!
- Good to see you again, Uzuki. - Yes, likewise!
So you're going to be my producer?
I'm looking forward to it.
CINDERELLA AUDITION
Thank you.
Let's continue with number four.
Sure!
I'm number four, Mio Honda!
It's a pleasure to meet you!
EPISODE 2