[Voicemail] Hello, I’m calling back from AKS office in relation to the auditions. We have the pleasure to announce that you have been successfully passed the three stages of the audition and are now part of BYS42. If you have had a change of heart, you may still decline the offer. Either way, please call us back to let us know your final decision. Official training will begin on Tuesday, but there will be a meeting on Monday evening in which you need to take part. We will introduce you to the staff in charge of the group, go through the contract and deliver several important information. On Monday the 5th, there will be an official press conference to introduce the group, your presence is required and no information on the results of the auditions must be known by the public before that day. If you have any questions, feel free to also give us a call. Needless to say that all of this must remain confidential. Congratulations and we cannot wait to start working with you

As soon as he listens to the voicemail on the way home from the market, Alex screams with joy as he starts dancing in the middle of the streets despite carrying a number of bags in his hands. 

“Yahoooo!!!!! Erena, I’m in.” His younger sister simply gave him an odd look for screaming in public as she didn’t know what he was talking about.  

“Oi, stupid. You’re embarrassing me. You can dance at home. You’re so inappropriate.” The younger Hartford complains then quicken her strides as she makes her way home.

Alex was beyond ecstatic. Finally he was recognised for his abilities and was about to make his debut. This made him felt a strong wave of confidence, as though he could conquer the world. He slings the bags on his shoulder before quickly making his way back home. Alex makes the callback as soon as he reaches home, the bags still on his shoulders.

“Hello. It’s Hartford-Nakajima Alex. And I accept your offer! So I guess it’ll be Alex of BYS42 from now on. I’ll await the training day! See you soon.” As soon as he puts down the phone, Alex puts down the groceries and pinches his sister’s cheeks. “It’s Alex of BYS42 now! But don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to get into trouble.”

[Voicemail] Hello, I’m calling back from AKS office in relation to the auditions. We have the pleasure to announce that you have been successfully passed the three stages of the audition and are now part of MNT48. If you have had a change of heart, you may still decline the offer. Either way, please call us back to let us know your final decision. Official training will begin on Wednesday, but there will be a meeting on Monday evening, the 28th, in which you need to take part. We will introduce you to the staff in charge of the group, go through the contract and deliver several important information. On Tuesday the 29th, there will be an official press conference to introduce the group, your presence is required and no information on the results of the auditions must be known by the public before that day. If you have any questions, feel free to also give us a call. Needless, to say that all of this must remain confidential. Congratulations and we cannot wait to start working with you

Upon receiving the voicemail, Rina had initially jumped to the conclusion that she had been dropped out of MNT48’s audition. Despite her fear of it being the 14th rejection, she continued to listen to the voicemail.

As soon as she hears the words ‘passed the auditions”, Rina screams as loud as she could. ”ONIICHAN!! OMI-NIICHAN!!” The soon-to-be idol screams out for her older brother. She had went home straight from school and wasn’t too sure if her older brother was home even.

Rina drops her phone on her bed before jumping on her bed in joy. Should the creepy, peeping neighbour seen her, she didn’t care at all. She was crazy excited. After failing so many auditions, Rina was finally that much closer to achieving her dream.

For Rina, this was the greatest thing to happen to her. Getting into law school was amazing but to be able to chase her dreams as an idol was a greater joy. All the injuries and trips to the clinics had been worth it.

Making a backflip off her bed, Rina rushes over to her laptop and plays the first song that crosses her head.

それぞれの自由 それぞれの理由で

悲しみ妬み また傷つけ合って

なんで僕たちは 同じ夢見れないの

大切な人 今も泣いてる

“Reina-sama! Fujigaya-sama! Maiyan-sama! Shige-sensei! I’m part of MNT48. I can’t wait to be on the same stage as you one day. Wait for me!” Elated Rina clasps her hands together as she faces the posters on her wall.

1, 2, 3, 4 Go!

今日も超ハッピー みんなバリハピ

70億のマルになろう

手を繋いだら 心ひとつ

みんなで輪になって踊ろう

明日も超ハッピー みんなバリハピ

70億のマルになろう

笑顔咲いたら 心ほんわか

みんなで輪になってPeace, Peace, Peace

“Where’s Omi-niichan when I need him?! I need to call Ericchi, Ma-kun and Kamiya-kun!! Can I even call them? MOU!” Rina lies down on the floor, pouting.

It was the day. The audition day. After many failed attempts, Rina has not faltered. Her dream of being an idol has not faltered since she was 4. For Rina, this was yet another trial that she had to get over.

From the auditions for AKB48, NMB48 and even Nogizaka46, she has failed every single one of them. Like those times, the young girl had a strong gut feel that her destiny would definitely change for the better. She was determined to be a member of the newly formed idol group, MNT48.

As she awaits her turn to be called, Rina seats down as she sings her audition song. Even though she was more nervous of her dance audition, she couldn’t take the risk and injure herself before the audition like she had done during her auditions for Nogizaka46’s second generation audition. Till today, she had completely regretted that mistake. However, she was more confident of her abilities. After getting the other members of her high school Idol Club to help her with the choreography and with rehearsals, she knew that she had already given her best.

Another thought that kept creeping through her mind was of Masaaki and her brother. She had persuaded them to audition for BYS42 while she auditioned for MNT48. All she could do for them was hope for the best and that they could achieve it together with her.

After singing the soft ballad of Sayonara, Alice by Flower for at least 3 times, the young girl changes the song to a more determined and upbeat one. A song that she had always listened to before an exam or any other important events, Luv Sick by Kis-My-Ft2. The intensity of the song had always made her felt more confident of herself. As her personal motto says, I’ll break down all the walls!

“125.”

Just in time as her number gets called out, the song ends. Rina closes her eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and stands up.

“Hai!” She calls out before making her way to the audition room. As she takes each step, her heart rate begins to increase. Rina tries her best to calm herself down by flashing a huge smile, hoping that her nervousness doesn’t show. She hands an assistant her CD which contained her audition song.

“Break a leg, Rina. You can do it. Reverse psychology will work and you wouldn’t get injured.” She thought to herself. As soon as she sees the panel, she stand in the center of the room then bows her head formally.

“I am Sato Rina. 19 years old from Osaka. Second year university student Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.” She introduced herself with confidence. A few people on the panel were familiar to her as they were also at the previous auditions. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees a judge chuckled which had made her even more nervous. Perhaps they have remembered her as the girl who had gotten injured.

“I remember you. I hope your wrist is okay.” One of the judges commented with a slight chuckle. She simply replies with a confident smile, a small nod as she shows her wrist. “As you remember, we have a few questions to ask you. What are your goals upon joining the group?”

Rina takes a deep breath before answering. She was much more level-headed than she was in previous auditions and was definitely more sure of what to say.

“My goal of being an idol is to make the people who listen to us and see our performances smile. I want to be the source of strength for people. When the feel down, they would listen to our songs and renew their confidence. Like how AKB48 and Nogizaka46 had been a source of strength to me, I would like to be that figure to someone.” As she spoke, her nervousness slowly dissipates. Rina felt more comfortable.

Another judge issues Rina another question, “Do you have any experience in being in the entertainment industry?”

Rina nods her head before going on. “Yes. I was a child model between 3 and 8 years old. Then, I was part of EXPG between 8 and 9 years old before I had to pull out due some personal reasons. Afterwards, I was the General Manager of the Idol Club of my high school. The Idol Club had made many performances around Osaka, for small events. We had also trained for handshake events, acting and modeling.”

There were collective nods from the panel as they took down some notes on the pieces of papers in front of them. Rina continues on smiling as she waits.

“So, what would you be doing today?”

“I would be dancing and singing to Flower’s Sayonara, Alice.” As soon as she hears the familiar sounds of the piano, her smile softens as she begins to dance and sing. She sings her heart out and dances to her heart’s desire. Thoughts of being careful not to injure herself flies out of her head.

Rina was careful not to copy her ultimate idol, Washio Reina, and made sure to show her individuality. Despite dancing and singing at the same time, she made sure to control to breathing and not let her breathing be too strong. Her movements were elegant and expressive. Her mind was completely empty of other thoughts. This was another do or die moment for her.

The choice of song was a leap of faith for Rina. She was usually more comfortable with upbeat songs. However, this song felt perfect for her this time. With the support of her friends and family, making this small change might give her the edge that she was lacking.

もうキミに…もう逢えないね…

With the last whisper of the last line of the song, Rina poses then lets out a deep breath. She did it! Without hurting herself even. She recovers from the performance with a huge smile on her face. Never has she been this happy before. Not even that time which she saw Kotaki Nozomu on the streets. 

Rina takes a bow to thank the judges before she was ushered out of the room. Her heart was still beating so hard from both the adrenaline and the dance. She leaves the room with no regrets, proud of what she has done thus far.