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>> HANA: (This is it...the day we've been waiting for. The girls should be here any second now...)
(Definitely can't blame them for being excited to be here.)
(Seeing how this is our last day...I want everyone to have as much fun as possible.)
So Chihaya, is there anything you girls feel like doing today before the ceremony? Just say the word.
(Umm, Chihaya...it's been over a year now...)
Well, all right then. Just leave it to me; I'll make sure we have a great day no matter what!
OK, let's look at the schedule and make sure of what time we're supposed to be there...
Thank you, Otonashi-san. Thank you, Mr. President.
(All right, I see that look in everyone's eyes. They're all eagerly waiting for me to fill out today's schedule!)
(Now, before we head out, I need to check everyone's stage costumes...)
Girls, I just need a few moments to prepare your stage costumes for today.
(Huh...no complaints from Chihaya? Well, I suppose it -would- be pretty easy to sing in, technically speaking...)
(Well, all right. If they're fine with it, I guess we should be off and on our way...)
So it seems...this may sound strange coming from me now, but...I feel kind of bad for them.
Mm...for their sakes, I hope so.
You're right about that. Come on girls, let's get over to that opera hall with our heads held high!
All right...we're staying in the Capital Region.
(This is it, the point of no return...I better make sure our final preparations in order.)
(Yeah, I think we're all set!)
You ready, girls? The ceremony of our lives is waiting for us! Let's go!
Here we are, girls. The announcement we've been waiting to hear all this time is right in front of us.
I know we're all anxious to learn how the IAU has seen fit to evaluate all our hard work together...
But nothing can be done to change it now. So I don't want any of you worrying about bygones tonight...
Let's just enjoy our very own Grand Final!
>> EMCEE: Welcome to the Idol Academy Grand Final!
Good evening ladies and gentlemen! I'm your emcee, Tsukino Kage.
Once again, we're proud to bring you this year's Grand Final from the grand hall of the National Opera House!
Let's get started right away and introduce each of our Idol Academy Grand Prix nominees!
Idol Academy Grand Prix entrant number one: Hana Yori Uta!
Please tell us, what are your thoughts right now as you wait to hear the winners announced?
Thank you very much, ladies! Moving on to entrant number 2...
These are our 24 nominated Units!
Who will be honored with our various regional awards, and who will claim the Grand Prix?!
Let us now announce the winners! Starting with: the Snow White Award!
This award will be given to the Unit judged to have had
the most outstanding performance record in the Northern Region this past year.
And the winner of this year's Snow White award is......!
Hana Yori Uta! Congratulations!
>> HANA: All right, look at that! We got one! We're off to a good start, huh Chihaya?
>> KAGE: Hana Yori Uta will be giving us a special live performance later tonight!
And now for our next regional award, Forest Green!
This award will be given to the Unit with the most outstanding performance record in the Central Region.
Who will receive this year's Forest Green award?!
And it's Hana Yori Uta! Fantastic! Congratulations to all of you!
>> HANA: That's right...all the hard work you've done this past year is paying off for you now!
>> KAGE: This is the second regional award Hana Yori Uta has received! We seem to be in for an exciting evening!
Up next is the Phoenix Red Award!
Phoenix Red will be awarded to the highest performing Unit in the Kansai Region.
And now for the announcement! Who is this year's Phoenix Red winner?!
Hana Yori Uta! You've done it again! Congratulations!
>> HANA: Yes!! Look at that! You've gone and stolen the hearts of everyone in the Kansai Region, Hibiki!
>> KAGE: That makes three consecutive regional awards claimed by Hana Yori Uta!
Moving on to our fourth regional award, Black Pearl!
Black Pearl will be awarded to the highest performing Unit in the Western Region.
And here's the envelope! Who is the winner of this year's Black Pearl?!
Again?! Ladies and gentlemen, it's Hana Yori Uta! Unbelievable!!
>> HANA: There you go, Chihaya! Your emotional singing has taken command of the Western Region too!
>> KAGE: Hana Yori Uta has now won four regional awards! You've been working quite hard, I see!
Now, our final regional award announcement! Ocean Blue!
This award is for the highest performing Unit in the Southern Region this year.
Let us see: who will this year's Ocean Blue award go to?!
It is none other than Hana Yori Uta! Magnificent!!!
>> HANA: You see what happens when you make an effort to succeed, Yukiho? You've even won the Ocean Blue award now!
>> KAGE: This is quite an unexpected turn of events! All five regional awards, all claimed by Hana Yori Uta!
Truly a phenomenal achievement! Well done!
>> HANA: (I could not be more proud of the girls than I am now. They worked so hard for this...)
(But still, our ultimate goal wasn't even all five regional awards...it was the grand prize!)
(Then again, we've made it this far already! Please let it be us!!)
>> KAGE: Now, the moment you've all been waiting for has finally arrived!
We will now announce the single most brilliant, most outstanding idol Unit of the year!
The winner of our ultimate, highest honor: the Idol Academy Grand Prix!
...And, I now hold the critical envelope in my hand! Oh, I can scarcely contain my excitement!
Let's hurry and open this, shall w-...
Wh-...by the -goddess-...??!
>> HANA: (Just read the name already!!)
>> KAGE: ...*Ahem*. The winner. Your new. Idol Academy Grand Prix-awarded Unit. Is......!
HANA!! YORI!! UTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
>> HANA: Yes, girls...you really did it...! C-...Congratulations...!
>> KAGE: Ladies and gentlemen, we have witnessed the birth of a legend today!
Hana Yori Uta has completely dominated the Idol Academy Awards!
Ladies, if you can, please tell us how you feel at this moment!
Thank you very much! Truly, you are shining brighter than the brightest of stars tonight!
Now, if you would, please grace us with the singing that has captured the heart of the nation!
Please, let us hear...READY!!
>> 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...)
...Yes, it's true we did manage to reach the summit we had been striving for, but...on the other hand, Ch-...
(..."Chihaya has sacrificed the rest of her career in exchange"...is she telling me not to say that?)
(That's right...let's not kill the mood. Now's the time to enjoy our achievement.)
(Whatever future awaits these girls...it deserves my blessing.)
*ahem*! O-On the other hand you all had to endure quite a few hardships to reach it, yes?
But you reap what you sow...and your hard work has earned you a bountiful harvest of glory. So...
I want you to give each other a pat on the back. This wouldn't have been possible without all three of you working together.
...Uhh, haha...really? ...Well, sure! You can pat me on the back too. I won't mind!
I'm really happy for you girls that you were able to do this together.
At first, I wasn't sure how well things would work out between us...
Come to think of it, I remember you girls clashing with each other pretty bad from time to time...
To hear that you all enjoyed your work with each other so much...
That's what lets me know that I didn't do my job -all- wrong.
It was a spectacular performance...one worthy of the nation's greatest idols.
I can think of no better manifestation of the unity of your hearts and minds.
I'll never forget your show tonight...heh, I could tell you were -very- grateful that I let you yank me around for a whole year.
To be able to do so was my great pleasure. Our term may be over as of today...
But I want you to remember and cherish the bonds we've formed this year as you continue your work.
You're not allowed to be satisfied with just this; you girls can still reach even greater and greater heights!
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 be on our way soon? Our ride should be here any minute.
...Ha...wow...don't tell me you girls planned that out in advance?
All right...then I have one more thing to say to you. Our time together this year went by way too fast...
But when I come back from Hollywood...I'll see you again.
I'll only be gone for a year...and then I'll definitely come back to see all of you again.
No matter where you are, or what you're doing...even if you're not working as an idol anymore, you know?
I don't care what happens to any of us. I will always and forever be -your- producer.
Aw, come on girls, don't cry...this is supposed to be the happiest day of our lives, remember...?
(There was no other way we could deal with the surge of emotions welling up within us...)
(Than to step forward and tightly wrap our arms around each other, tears streaming down our smiling faces...)
(To have friends in this world that you can laugh and cry with like that is a happiness I'd wish on everyone.)
(Thank you, girls...I'm so grateful for the chance to have met you.)
Hey...I've been looking for you.
Oh, they're fine. They noticed you were looking a little feverish, so they already left in another car.
...They were worried about you too, you know.
It's not your fault. You must've really worn yourself out tonight, if you came down with a fever again...
Are you OK to walk? I can call our ride over here to take us to the hospital...
...Of course. We can stay as long as you like. You have plenty of free time in your schedule now.
But if we're going to stay, let's at least sit down on that bench. Wouldn't want your fever getting worse.
Don't be silly, Chihaya. For me, this is one more precious moment together...
...Together with my top idol who gave it her all...and sacrificed everything to reach this point with her friends.
You deserve all of it and more. You kept on singing until the end, just like you said.
Your show tonight was the best of all.
Can you even imagine how happy and proud I am to have managed such an incredible, one-of-a-kind idol?
...Thank you, Chihaya. That means more to me coming from you than anyone else.
...Umm...the wind's getting pretty chilly, don't you think? ...Aren't you cold, Chihaya?
Haha...what do you mean -I'm- warm, dear? You're the one with the fever, after all...
Shh, shh shh shh. No one said anything about you making me uncomfortable.
...I'm happy to be able to feel the warmth of your body and your heart like this.
Haha...wow, look at that. He seems awfully energetic, considering how late it is...
Almost looks like it could be the same swallow from last time. Maybe he came to cheer you up again...
Heh, you're right. He kinda does sound like he's singing...
...Yes, Chihaya?
(...?)
Chihaya.... ...Chihaya? ...Fell asleep on me, huh?
All right then, let's get you to the hospital. I'm sure you'll feel better if we have your doctor take care of you.
...Then you can rest comfortably. It's all right. You did good, Chihaya...you've already sung enough. ...It's all right.
Just rest, Chihaya...you don't have to sing anymore... you don't have to suffer...it's all right...isn't it...?!
(...It's...)
...It can't be...she just said she wanted to keep singing, didn't she? It was more important to her than anything...
And as her producer...no! Not even as her producer, helping her sing her best is more important to -me- than anything!
...I love...her singing...
I love -her-! I love her more than anyone else!
I-I'll say it as many times as you want! I love her, do you hear me?!
...? What are you-...?
...! What?! Who was I just...talking to...?
(...? Weird...the swallow's still there, but I don't hear it singing anymore, either...)
(...No...there's just no way.)
!! Oh, great. Fantastic time to be conversing with voices in your head, Hana! Come on Chihaya, let's get to the hospital...
(Chihaya was already asleep again by the time we got there...)
(I, on the other hand, had to write up a detailed report on the day's events for the President...)
(So I just stayed in the hospital to do it.)
(Ugh...morning already? Looks like I spent the entire night in the waiting room after all.)
(Is Chihaya still asleep? I wanted to at to least be able to back to the office with her today...)
(...All right, who's running?)
...Aaaand a good morning to you, Chihaya...? Heheh...feeling...better today?
...Uhhhh...huh?
You-...you sang...with your full voice... you're saying you actually...wait, you WHAT?!
Hold on, are you sure you're not just causing more damage? Did you have the doctor examine you and-...
>> DOCTOR: Y-You there! What the devil did you do to Chihaya while she was asleep?!
>> HANA: Would you mind -not- shouting that question in public? I didn't do anything! *ahem* Um...is it true, doctor? Can she-...
>> DOCTOR: Yes, by some miracle her throat has fully recovered! She can sing to her heart's content!
>> HANA: ......
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chihaya...Chihaya...! Good...good for you, Chihaya...! Congrats...!
*ahem*...But, how could this have happened, doctor? For her to make a complete recovery so quickly...
>> DOCTOR: To put it simply...I have no idea!
I only administered the usual treatment, after all.
It's almost as if her body spontaneously reminded itself how to sing...!
Perhaps the strain on her vocal chords was -so- great that they transformed to adapt...?
But such an occurrence would be unprecedented in the history of-...
...Wait! Yes, this would make the perfect thesis for the upcoming medical conference!
Ho ho, I've got to get busy~!
>> HANA: (...So then...that incident from last night...you're not seriously telling me-...?!)
...Well, anyway! Come on, let's start heading back, Chihaya! Everyone's worried about you. We'll talk on the way!
Chihayaaaaa! Will you slow down already, please?!
Heh, I'll give you that one. I can't imagine how you must feel. Even the doctor said it was a mystery...
I have no idea how I'm going to report all -this- to the President, but...more on that later...
Hm? W-...Why would I?
(Uh-...! ...She heard?)
(...I-...see...I was wondering if it really could've been...)
...Umm...*ahem* y-you did?
(...I'm blushing, aren't I? Somebody save me...!)
...Uh...Chihaya? Are you really going to leave me to guess at what you were about to say?! Chihaya, wait up!
(Look at her run...her footsteps really are just as light as if she had sprouted wings...)
(A new pair of wings with which to soar through the boundless blue sky herself...farther, higher, freer than anyone has ever been.)
(The broken bird has recovered...she will sing again!)
(And for me...that means-...)
...? Oh, no...it's nothing. I was just thinking how lately I've finally been finding my own reasons for wanting to study abroad.
...So, um...I was wondering...if it wouldn't be too much to ask that you would...wait for me?
Uh- there are a-...s-still a lot of things I need to learn, and I'm hoping I can learn them in Hollywood....
But I'll definitely come back next year. And I just thought... if you'd be willing to wait here for me, I'd be...well, happy...
(Is this a dream...? I'm certain I can hear her reply echoing across the entire world on the gentle spring breeze.)
(Thank you, Chihaya. As long as you're waiting for me with that smile...)
(I'll definitely become a producer...a -man- who can protect your new, true wings from ever being broken.)
(I love you.)
C-...Come on Ritsuko, don't blame yourself. It was just a bit of bad luck, that's all...
Well, hold on, what about the four of you? At this rate, you'll end up having to push the car to the gas station!
I'd be worried about leaving you girls alone to do that all by yourselves...
Um...here, let me go over and get him.
(Wait a minute...why do I feel like I know this guy?)
Umm...excuse me...
(Ohhhh, crap...) Uhh, Touma... wh-what are you doing here...? *ahem*...
Uhh...yeah, about that. I was actually on my way to the airport with Ryuuguu Komachi just now...
...And, the taxi we were in broke down. Haha...just my luck...
Well, I was hoping to find someone to help them get it over to the nearest station...
I came up to ask since you were nearby, but I didn't realize it was you. Sorry, I'll find someone else.
Oh no, I couldn't ask that of you. I mean, this is me and 765 we're talking about...you wouldn't want to help us...
Well, if you put it that way, maybe...but seriously, you don't have to worry! We can find someone else!
...If you insist, it's over there. Thanks...but, why would you agree to help -us- out? Especially after...
...What? How do you figure that?
...Hey Touma, are you going to keep up your idol career?
Well, I for one don't think you should quit altogether. It would really be a shame if you let your talent go to waste...
...You and the other two.
...? Uh, sorry, did you say something just now? I couldn't quite hear you over the waves...
Wha-...hey, wait a minute! Why did you all come over here?
!! Uhh...sorry, got...kinda caught up...
...Well...yeah, I know, but still...
...Yeah. All right. Sorry...and thanks.
Ritsuko...Iori...Ami-san...Azusa-san...Touma... I'll see you again.
(Eventually, I made it to the airport on time... and I was able to meet up with the girls.)
(We talked about all kinds of things in what little time we had...until it was finally time for my flight.)
Yeah...I will. You girls take care of yourselves too.
In a year, I'll be back and better than ever. I hope you'll be ready for me.
Haha...I see you have high expectations of me. I'll do my best.
I couldn't keep you waiting that long, Chihaya. I'll get enough studying done in a year so I can come back to you quickly.
(*sigh*...I'm back. I thought I was fully prepared to come back home, but I'm still no match for good old nostalgia.)
(Well, I've still got two hours before I'm supposed to meet everyone, so before that...)
(There's a certain place I already promised myself I would visit first.)
(...It's been a long time...Chihaya's little brother.)
(How have you been holding up? I'm doing all right, though I have been studying very hard.)
(So what do you think? Think I'm good enough to look after your sister properly?)
(...Sorry if I don't look like it yet.)
(But still...I came here today to promise you something.)
(I didn't get a chance to a year ago, so I decided to make it the first thing I did when I came home.)
(I don't know if I'm being presumptuous, but the way I see it...you've entrusted me with a very important task.)
(So I just want to let you know...this time, I will take proper care of your sister...!)
...What? Chihaya?! Wait, what are you doing-...here...?!
Uh-...! yyyYeah, well...I was ahead of schedule, so I wanted to...you know...ahaha...
What-! Ch-Chihaya, there's no contest here! I'd hoped that would be fairly obvious!
I-I came here first because I was at a crossroads, you know? I had to make up my mind about something!
That-...That I would take you with me, of course.
Just before I left, I paid a visit to the International Opera House in Hollywood.
Everything about it from the acoustics to the aesthetics is first-class.
Anyone who debuted there would have the attention of the entire world.
I could think of no better location for you and I to pick up where we left off.
Sorry about that. I already got the President's approval, but I asked him to let me tell you about it myself.
I know I've kept you waiting...but we can finally work together again...
Would you come with me please, Chihaya? The world is waiting for your singing!
O-...Of course. Anything you want. Ask away!
...?
...Haha. You're right; come to think of it, I haven't even let you welcome me back properly yet, have I?
All right, maybe it's a little late to do this now, but...*ahem*!
*deep breath*...I'm home, Chihaya.
Don't apologize. Thanks to you...it finally feels to me like...I've really come home.
Absolutely! We've got all the time in the world now! But I hope you'll be willing to listen to stories from my trip in exchange...!
Yeah, well, if we don't start heading to the office soon, everyone else will be seriously mad at us. Have the others been well?
Oh? What's that, dear?
I see, so we have a swallows' nest now...wait. Swallows?!
Haha...imagine that. Things really have come full circle.
I'm going to have to go see them for myself now, aren't I?