OSHINOKO (【推しの子】)

Mama.

You're doing it backwards.

Swing right and up.

Swing right and up.

Oh, yeah. That's right.

Can't goof up at the Dome.

How did you catch that, Ruby?

I watch all your shows on video.

Really? Since when? Let's dance together, then.

I'll fall down.

You can do it. Come on.

Ready and 5, 6, 7, 8, yeah!

And a 1, 2, 3, 4…

Are you okay?

Good.

If you're scared of falling, you'll only fall more.

You've just gotta dance your heart out.

Trust your mama.

Okay?

Here we go.

Here we go.

That was amazing!

So adorable!

A chip off the old block. So cute!

- Mama? - Yes?

Do you think I can grow up to be an idol like you?

I'm absolutely sure of it.

After all, you're my flesh and blood.

Shall we go again?

Ready and…

Okay!

Thank you.

It says here you like B-Komachi.

Yes. I aspire to become an idol just like Ai.

Don't expect to pass.

Why not? You got a TV drama once.

That was happenstance.

I think I aced that last audition.

She says for the millionth time.

Only half a million.

So you are keeping count.

- I'll never pass an audition at this rate. - Not likely.

Hey, where's the encouragement?

It's time you gave up.

I've still to hear from the big one.

And when is that?

It's this week by postcard.

Oh.

Could be here now.

TANIZAKURA BUILDING

Not today.

SAITOH

Yes, my daughter applied on her own.

I cannot allow her to be in entertainment.

Yes.

My sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding.

Thank you, goodbye.

Still continuing this subterfuge?

She'll kill you if she finds out.

I think you're living in denial.

Ruby has the right stuff to be an idol.

If "he" were still here, Ruby would have debuted already.

You mean your husband.

He ruined the agency and vanished.

That's not what I meant.

I'm just saying he knew how to produce an idol.

Well, I won't allow it.

Not Ruby.

She won't suffer the same fate as Ai.

Following Ai's death, President Ichigo Saitoh

closed down his agency and ran off.

Ms. Saitoh raised Ruby and I as her own.

While I continued the search for my real father.

Ai had a small circle of friends.

So he probably worked in entertainment.

Close enough to compromise Ai's privacy.

PRODUCER-MR. KONDO YU SASAKI

REJECTION NOTICE

I can't believe I'd get rejected across the board.

They seriously have no clue.

I was sure my main one would take me.

Let's walk Takeshita Street. You're sure to be scouted.

Good idea. Let's go.

Excuse me.

Got a minute?

TADASHI TANAKA, MANAGER

EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT

WAIVER FOR MINORS

- What is this? - I got scouted by the idol group, Iribu!

Okay, they're underground idols.

But it's fate.

Mama got scouted too, by B-Komachi.

That puts me and Mama on the same path.

Not happening.

Why'd you do that?

Scouting laws.

Scouting laws?

Dangling a pro debut to compel signup fees, dance lessons

and salon visits is fraudulent.

That's too bad because I don't have to pay a dime.

I'm invited to their next gig.

IRIBU - READY TO EXPLODE!

I'm not sure if I can go though.

I might not be able to go.

I'm this way.

Okay. Bye then.

- See you tomorrow. - Bye.

Pardon me.

Are you free right now?

You're an underground idol?

That's right.

You've got the cuteness, that's for sure.

I never fall for pick up lines.

I don't know why I…

I'm honored.

So what is it like being an underground idol?

What do you mean?

Things like work conditions and pay.

You only get paid for live concerts.

But there's a guaranteed minimum

minus costume expenses and such.

Makeup and transportation is out of pocket, too.

You also get a kickback per photo at INSTAX parties.

I guess I earn about 100,000 yen a month, give or take.

That's brutal. Any complaints?

Sure, I've got plenty.

Like favoritism for a girl who's not cute.

It turns out she's dating one of the managers.

Can you believe it?

Nobody in the group gets along.

So the managers are always having to find replacements.

Management is unethical and group relations are bad.

Still want to join?

There are underground idol managers with good track records.

But most are just idol fanatics feeding their hobby.

The world of idols, underground or not,

is a hundred times more severe than you can possibly imagine.

The moment you say you are one,

you lose your ordinary girlhood.

You're criminally underpaid and constantly under a microscope.

Not to mention,

stalkers come with the job.

It's misery for idols who aren't popular.

Don't you think I know that?

Even so, I want to be an idol.

I promised Mama I'd be like her!

You're serious.

That's what I've been saying.

This body allows me to dance freely.

In that case,

you must sign with us.

I will revive Ichigo Production as its president.

This is so nostalgic.

I never thought I'd use this room again.

It's heavy.

We did it.

I'm beat.

Me too.

Are you sure?

After working so hard to block her?

It's better that she get managed by family

than leave her fate to strangers.

No arguing with that.

So that puts you both in showbiz.

Not both. I quit acting long ago.

You keep saying that.

Admit it, Aqua.

Being a stagehand sucks.

You want to act.

It's written all over your face.

I lack the talent.

No, you don't.

At age five, you were able to perform exactly as I wanted.

In just a few shots,

you took apart that genius child actor.

What I meant…

is that I lack that special gift

to stand before others.

You mean compared to Ai?

That comparison is meaningless.

Ai was truly a one-of-a-kind talent.

I've seen hundreds of promising rookies.

I'm B-Komachi's Ai of Ichigo Production.

But nothing floored me like Ai.

Whatever. I just think people should know their limits.

You're far too young to say that.

If a kid can't dream, who can?

You have to believe more in yourself.

Taishi!

Lunch is ready!

Mom! I'm having a serious conversation!

What?

The words of a man still living at home ring a bit hollow.

You're in your forties. Move out.

It's a big house in the city. You can't beat that.

Lots of creators do this.

Taishi, lunch!

Can't you knock?

He's in middle school.

Ai was truly