So these are the idols who were selected for Project Krone.
Yes. Executive Director Mishiro chose them all herself.
It's a large project that'll become core to the company's image strategy, right?
For starters, the fall concert's where 346 Production idols perform together.
She's using that to debut Project Krone as the main event.
So it's a fitting stage Executive Director Mishiro has in mind.
However, "For the first time, the midterm results
of all departments will be announced at the concert.
If those results are unimpressive,
the continued existence of that department will be reconsidered..."
Those are severe circumstances.
Especially for you.
What do you mean?
We'll...
...participate in Director Mishiro's project?
EPISODE 20 As I told you.
You'll be part of a new unit.
And you'll be a solo artist.
W-Wait a second! This is unacceptable.
Our department is working to prepare for the winter ball now.
And now the regular fall concert... It's too sudden.
This is the company line. You don't have to like it.
But weren't you waiting till winter to review?
That's if your idols here pass muster.
Or maybe you don't have confidence in them?
This could be a good opportunity for them.
- But you didn't even ask! - I thought you'd especially like it.
The unit name is Triad Primus.
The members are Nao Kamiya and Karen Hojo.
I sensed that the three of you together have possibilities.
A new brilliance your current unit doesn't have.
Still, they're active with their units!
- That's right! New Generations... - And I have Love Laika.
I'm not telling you to disband your current units.
I'm banking on your talent.
And don't you want to let it grow?
Please wait.
- I just can't let this... - I'm not asking you.
I'm asking them to participate.
But they're with the Cinderella Project.
Respecting an idol's independence.
Isn't that what you were about?
So what are you going to do?
Right now, both of them are confused.
I think we should keep quiet till they have a better sense of what they want.
We've got the fall review too, so it's better to avoid conflicts.
You didn't put your foot down?
I thought that for them, it's not really a bad deal...
It's complicated. You're the one who found those Cinderellas.
For you too, this is a deciding moment.
- A review to decide our future... - I thought we had until winter.
Depending on the current results, the winter ball may be canceled.
So based on results, our department could be closed?
Oh no!
Can't we do something?
All we can do is our best. No matter what, we have to do our best!
Yeah. Right now, everyone's work is starting to go well, right?
Yes.
- I don't want to give up here. - Let's aim for celestial radiance anew!
- I'll do my best! - Me too!
- Yeah! It'll work if we hang on, nya! - Yeah.
We can't let this beat us. After all, we still have lots we want New Gen to do!
Mio-chan...
You're right! I'll give it my all!
What's wrong, Anya-chan?
Nothing.
Izvinite! I'm sorry!
No, it's my fault.
Here.
Thank you.
You're...
Hey, Fumika!
What's wrong?
- Yui-san, this is... - Love Laika's Anastasia-chan?
D-Da...
I'm Yui Otsuki. And this is...
Fumika Sagisawa.
I'm looking forward to working with you.
Weren't you chosen for Project Krone, Anastasia-chan?
You haven't decided? Why not?
It was so sudden...
Do it with us! The outfits are set and look cool! There's nothing to doubt!
Don't you think so, Fumika?
But I think I know how Anastasia-san feels too.
I wasn't interested in being an idol till I was scouted...
Really?
Yes. Even then, I thought it over a long time before deciding to do it.
But after you did, it was fun, right?
Yes. I'm still a beginner, so there are times when I don't know what to do,
but it's also exciting, like turning the page of a book you haven't read yet.
So with this project too, I figured if I tried it,
it might be like turning to a new page.
Sorry to suddenly grab you. But I wanted to talk.
Yeah, I know.
About Triad Primus, right?
I gave it a lot of thought, but I can't be part of it.
I'm sorry.
I'm not surprised.
After all, you have New Gen.
- But we don't want to blow this chance. - Hey, Karen!
Of course we want to debut, but I
also want to sing with you and Nao, Rin.
It felt great when we were together the other day.
I'm sure the three of us could do something great.
That's what I thought then.
What do you think about that day?
It was...
Come to the lesson room tomorrow at five.
Let's try singing together one more time.
I'm sure you'll understand then.
Do you think Rin will come?
- Can't be helped if she doesn't. - Come on...
I get that it's not an easy decision to make from her viewpoint.
Well, that's true...
But still...
Even so, I want to take the chance.
On the three of us singing together, you, me, and Rin.
Because I believe that certain something we felt was the real thing.
Karen...
Since you put it that way, I'll bet on it too!
On the three of us forming Triad Primus!
We have cute guests with us today.
What are you watching?
Miho-chan's miniconcert on DVD, nya.
A staff member taped it, so we're watching it together.
Okay!
Cute!
Nice smiles.
They learned that from doing interviews.
It's important to challenge yourself. And speaking of that, Ranko-chan...
T-This?
Right, the Halloween event promo video.
Though you're no good with scary stuff...
C-Conquering that is still a steep mountain.
You do not run from your weakness. Very admirable.
Not at all.
It's because challenging myself is fun.
Challenge...
New... page...
MINAMI NITTA
You came, Rin.
Is that the, um...
Yeah, Triad Primus's debut song!
What may become that song.
"Trancing Pulse"...
Nao and I will sing it first, so just listen at first.
Okay.
Brightly colored ripples are blown by the wind
Into the bright, glistening sky
The light from the setting sun shines on the keyboard
Fingers gently touch it, expressing that day's feelings with melody
Staring at a nobly blooming flower, our forms overlapping
The chords I'm playing reverberating, resounding in silence
Brightly colored ripples are blown by the wind
Into the bright, glistening sky
Producer...
Um... Can I talk to you?
Of course.
- About Project Krone, I take it? - Yes.
Well? If you don't wish to do it...
Nyet. That's not it...
Minami said something at our camp.
She said being an idol was an adventure for her, but she also felt anxiety.
We overcame anxiety, and what we were able to see was something very exciting.
I'm glad I went on this adventure and dared to take that first step.
That's what Nitta-san said?
Minami taught me about courage and the excitement of being on an adventure.
Right now I am anxious.
Director Mishiro's project...
Working as a solo artist among people I do not know...
But everyone is challenging themselves now.
They are on an exciting, brilliant adventure.
Anastasia-san.
Do you think you can participate in that project with a smile?
I do not know... yet... if I will be able to smile like the others.
You won't know unless you go down that path. The question is do you want to?
No matter what kind of path it is, if you feel it's possible
to get to the other side with a smile, then you should go forward,
in my opinion.
And if you think you can find one step beyond that smile,
UNDER THIS SKY
I will do everything in my power to support that path.
I see. You haven't been yourself for a few days, so I've been worried.
But if you were that troubled by it, you should've talked to me.
Actually, I wanted to talk to you about it.
But part of me felt like I should not.
Up to now, I have not made one decision by myself.
If I am going to change, I should start with that.
That is what I thought.
Oh...
Are you angry that I decided without consulting you?
No. It's just I'm surprised because it's so sudden.
Stars...
We can't really see them well from here.
True. But we just cannot see them now.
Yeah. You're right.
- All of these? - I borrowed them for special training.
I thought maybe there's a secret way for New Gen to power up.
I didn't think of something like this.
I may be bad at thinking of new things.
You're great!
I'm just the type that's always moving, even with no direction.
That's still impressive!
Morning, Rin-chan!
- Morning. Um... - You're late!
- We'll train hard for the fall concert. - B-By the way...
Can I... have a minute?
There's something I want to tell you two.
Project... Krone...
What do you mean... you're not sure?
There's no reason to hesitate. Now's the time to work together and fight, right?
I intended to turn it down at first.
But I felt something.
When I sang with Nao and Karen, I felt something new.
Something new?
I don't know what it is. I don't know,
so I want to find out.
Hold on... Then what about New Gen?
- I won't quit. Somehow I'll do both. - It's not so simple.
- I know I'm being selfish! - I mean, I don't like it.
I'm sorry. I just don't get it.
I made it this far because it's been the three of us.
I thought we could overcome anything. Challenge ourselves with anything...
Shiburin... That "something new," you can't do it with New Gen?
You can't do it with us?
I don't know.
I don't know...
What do you think, Shimamu?
U-Um, I...
I... I...
I-I don't know.
I... don't know.
Sorry. I'm going out for a while.
Mio!
Wait, Mio!
Honda-san, what's wrong?
Honda-san!
Please wait! Honda-san!
Director Mishiro's producing your solo debut?
What does this mean?
- You're okay with that, Minami-chan? - Yes.
I think she should go for it.
I'm sure you're surprised by this sudden news,
but I have one more important announcement.
- From today... - Wait a second!
I'll say it myself.
From today, I, Mio Honda, will be a solo artist.
Thanks for your support!
EPISODE 21