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>> HANA: (The song had long since ended, but it seemed like the thunderous applause of the girls' fans never would.)
(We had to literally fight our way through a torrent of praise and adoration as we left the grand hall...)
(In search of a place where the four of us could finally talk amongst ourselves...)
Of course not. No one has worked harder or better together this year than you girls; you reap what you sow.
But still, I'm so glad you did. Right now, nobody in the world could be happier than...
...Your fans. To see idols you support achieve such greatness...you've given them that amazing feeling.
Wh-...well of course no one's -really- happier than me! That's a given! I just wanted to make you think about...you know...?
Haha. Well, I'm just glad you're in such a good mood. Of course, you have every right to be. And so do I.
Because now I don't have to leave you with any regrets.
I have to admit to wondering how well this Unit would work out at first, to see the way you would all butt heads at times...
Honestly, girls, to hear that you all had so much fun working together is all I could have ever asked for.
I'll never forget it; your show tonight was the best of all.
The ultimate testament to the supreme talent of the nation's greatest idols...
And to the power of our teamwork that brought us this far in just one year.
...Or maybe that was just the power of you having me wrapped around your little fingers.
I appreciate your consideration girls, but I'm just happy for the chance to have been your producer.
Our term may be over today, but I'd like all three of you to keep working together as best you can.
Cherish the bonds you've formed; they can carry you even greater places than this!
That's the spirit! And I intend to keep up with you girls; I've got a lot of things to learn this coming year.
...Well, shall we get ready to head back? Our ride should be here soon.
...What's this, girls...? I'm the one who should be thanking you...
You girls have given me...
The most precious experience of my life.
I don't think any other producer has ever had a year packed with so much emotion...
...I love you girls...
...Come on, let's not start crying now...this is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives...remember?
(And so, shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, smiling through our tears...we just stood there a short while.)
(Nothing else could've expressed the way we all felt at that moment.)
(To have friends in the world that you can laugh and cry with like this is a happiness I'd wish on everyone.)
(Thank you, girls...I'm so grateful for the chance to have met you.)
(*sigh*...It's over. The Grand Prix we've been fighting for desperately for a year is finally ours.)
(I'm so glad we pulled it off...I could feel my heart stop when they called our name.)
(The thought of what would've happened to Takane if it hadn't been us is -still- gonna give me nightmares...)
>> OHTOMI: Heh heh heh...-someone- looks relieved as hell. It's pretty obvious what's on your mind.
>> HANA: !? ...Ohtomi-san. What are you doing here?
>> OHTOMI: ...I was watching the Grand Final, like I had every reason to? Wise up already, little man.
>> HANA: I know that, obviously! What I want to know is, what are you doing in front of me, -now-?
I really don't think there's anything more that needs to be said between us.
>> OHTOMI: Well, I -was- here to thank you for letting me see something so spectacular,
but if you're more interested in picking a fight...
>> HANA: (...Ohtomi, -thank- me? Yeah, that doesn't compute.)
>> OHTOMI: Today's the first time I saw Takane dance.
She looked so strong, graceful... like a goddess. I was shocked.
I've been in this business for a long time, but never have I seen anyone like her.
>> HANA: (Ohtomi...?)
>> OHTOMI: But still, she's just a bud. And I believe she can bloom even more beautifully someday.
>> HANA: ...I think so too. I'm not sure I've helped bring out even half her potential.
>> OHTOMI: ...Oh, so you -can- be modest. But nobody would say her beauty coming this far isn't your achievement.
>> HANA: Um...thanks, I think...?
>> OHTOMI: So tell me, little man: do you actually think you can make her shine even more beautifully than she did tonight?
>> HANA: Of course! In Hollywood I can expand my network and learn all kinds of new methods...
And then come back and use all of it to make her shine even brighter!
>> OHTOMI: Well I already know you can talk the talk. ...But, I'm willing to bet you'll make good on your word.
And when Takane is in top form thanks to you, I'll be back for her. ...Mhmhmhmhmhmhahahahahaha!
>> HANA: Oh, go to hell.
>> OHTOMI: Heheh...nah, it'd probably take a hundred years for a little man like you to get every last glimmer out of her.
>> HANA: (Tch...So what, he doesn't really think I can do it? Or does he...)
>> OHTOMI: I'll be looking forward to seeing what you can do, little man! Until we meet again...! Wahahahahaha!
>> HANA: (...Or does he mean he's finally willing to back off and leave her be?)
...Takane?! Wait, why are you still here?
...Oh, really. So what words did you have for him this time?
...Ah. I-I see.
(But when talking to me, he still had nothing but praise for her... I guess he -can- respect other people's feelings after all.)
H-Hey, Takane? What is it? What are you sad about now?
What...? ...Takane, what are you talking about?
(No purpose in life...? ...Sometimes, I really wish I knew exactly what growing up was like for her...)
Speaking of, I don't think I ever heard from you why you became an idol in the first place, Takane.
Well, yeah, I'm pretty sure. So what was it? What made you decide to get into the idol business?
Really...? Only because he insisted?
(...Huh? What's this about all of a sudden??)
(...Another? Who? ...How?)
I'm...not sure I can fully grasp what you're trying to tell me, but I think the gist of it is...
You were trying to become a top idol not because you wanted to, but because you felt you had no choice?
It's not funny, Takane!
If you want me to understand the important bits when you talk to me, you might try saying them so I can understand once in a while...
What the hell?! Where'd you come from? ...Wait, it's you!! That guy in the ski mask who attacked me!
...Hey, hold on...what-...?
(...HUH?! Wait...did I hear that right??)
F-Forget it, Takane; back up. Who was that guy?! How do you know him?! Why would he attack me to get to you?!
Oh yeah, and one other thing. Sister?? Why have I never heard anything about you having a sister?!
Again with the giggles? This is serious, Takane! I'm honestly worried about you; you know that, right?
Huh...? W-Well, if you made me pick, I guess it'd be your future...?
Come on Takane, talk to me. Remember we've been here...?
...? Me? ...Be what?
(...What the ***?! ...Did I break her?)
(*sigh*...She's laughing so hard, I think she might start crying again.)
(Just when I thought I was finally getting to know her after a whole year together, she tosses out another mystery...)
(But hey, I've always said...that mysteriousness of hers is what really adds to her charm.)
(I'd never want to get to the bottom of all her mysteries. ...Even if I tried, it's gotta be impossible anyway.)
...!!? Oh, that wasn't a...flashback?
...Yeah. I think you're right, dear.
(The girl who I felt might disappear forever at any moment is no more.)
(This girl is as bright and constant as the sun. That sun may have to set for me now...but I know...)
(When I return from Hollywood, it will rise again to illuminate us all!)
I'll do my best. You girls take care of yourselves too.
I intend to be a completely changed man when I come back next year. Hope you'll look forward to it!
Haha, I see you have high expectations of me. I'll try not to let you down.
Glad to hear it, Takane! I want all of you to be ready for me to bring out even more of the best in you when I get back!
(So there I was...)
(I had finally completed my rigorous training in Hollywood, and was back in Japan for the first time in a year...)
(But unfortunately, I wasn't exactly in the best of moods...for one particular reason.)
>> DJ: Yaaay~! Happy Sunday, listeners! Gossipy Girl Setsuya here with this week's Idol Checkup!
>> HANA: (*sigh*...Will someone change the station...? I don't wanna hear this right now...)
(During my trip I was constantly checking the Internet for any sign of Hana Yori Uta's continued activities...)
(But I never saw anyone mention their name.)
>> DJ: All right, let's check out the charts!!
>> HANA: (Takane promised me she'd keep working hard...)
(...Was it too difficult for her without me after all...? *sigh* I feel like this whole trip was a giant mistake...)
>> DJ: I think we all know who's number one! For the 30th week straight, it's that unbeatable unit Silver Queen!
(...Figures. Still, this "Silver Queen"...30 weeks at #1?)
(...Well, good for them I guess. It's got nothing to do with me either way.)
...Huh? ...Uh-...T-...Takane!! Wh-...Takane, it -is- you...!
Thank you! It's great to be back! ...S-So, um...
(...Ugh...it's actually a little tough to tell her I'm worried about her performance it to her face...)
...O-Oh, that's right! How did you even know I was coming back today?
I was planning on it being a surprise to everyone...I haven't even told Otonashi-san yet.
What?! T-Takane...you can't mean you've been coming to the airport every single day???
If -that's- what you've been doing all this time, no wonder I haven't seen our name on the charts...!
I believed in you, Takane; I've been checking every week...!
>> OHTOMI: ...Hey, little man. Is this really the time to be making a fuss? We're high profile enough as it is.
>> HANA: ......Huh?
>> OHTOMI: I said pipe down! Or do you -want- to be devoured by a sea of people wanting to meet Takane-sama?!
>> HANA: ...WHAAAAAT-...the...y-...b-...Oh-...tomi...
Takane, will you -please- tell me what's going on? Why is Ohtomi here? Why are you calling him without an honorific?!
>> OHTOMI: Hey. When the Silver Queen personally saves your company, she can call you whatever she wants.
>> HANA: The...Silver Queen? Wasn't that the Unit that's been on top of the chart for the last 30 weeks?
>> OHTOMI: Yes sir. Thanks to Takane's new Unit, Emperor Records' sales are at an all-time high!
...Silver Queen is...Takane's...Unit??!!
A self-produced Unit? ...Well, I did say I wanted the three of you to keep working together...
>> OHTOMI: We made a deal, actually. In exchange for taking her to the airport every day, I got exclusive rights to sell her CDs!
!! My humblest apologies, Takane-sama!
>> HANA: (You mean, you negotiated that deal with him just so you could come check for me every day?)
>> OHTOMI: And the result? Thanks to the extensive sales network of yours truly,
the entire country is now on its knees before the Silver Queen! Wahahahaha!
O-Of course not! My humblest apologies, Takane-sama!
>> HANA: ...Uhhh...
Oh, no; sorry, I'm not upset with you Takane. I'm just...surprised, still.
I'd like to ask, though: why did you start working under a different name?
...So...that was just your way of showing just how important the name Hana Yori Uta is to you...-our- name...
>> OHTOMI: ...Uh-oh, looks like we might've been found out. Lemme go take care of these guys for you.
...Of course! If you'll excuse me then, Takane-sama...
>> HANA: ...I feel terrible, Takane; I didn't know anything. You've been working so hard all this time...
I mean, 30 weeks at the number one rank...! -I- couldn't have pulled that off...
Y-...You think so, huh...?
T-...Takane, really...I don't think even that is a challenge that Silver Queen needs -me- for...
...What? Why, when you're doing so well...?
(Wow...I don't think I've ever had a feel for just how much faith she has in me.)
All right, Takane. I don't know how well I can live up to your high hopes, but I'll do my best.
I still need you, after all. And in my mind, that'll always be reason enough for us to keep working together.
Uh-...Takane...?