The iDOLM@STER S1 E20

## Plot

Tears will be shed. You have been warned. When Chihaya was eight, her little brother Yuu was killed in a car accident in a parking lot. Her parents divorced a few months ago, and now she lives alone. The magazine spins the story to make it seem like Chihaya was a heartless, soulless person who just watched her brother die and did nothing. That's who the little boy in the picture was. No one knew, not even Haruka, her best friend. Chihaya blames herself for his death. She keeps saying that she *has* to keep on singing, no matter what. She's lost her ability to sing. Every time she tries, she loses her voice. The doctors say that it's psychological. Meanwhile, Kuroi is *laughing* at this. You monster! You @#$%&\*^! Touma and the others are outraged that Kuroi would sink this low. You'll have to wait in line boys, there's already a lynching mob a mile long… When they were little, Chihaya and Yuu were at a festival. Yuu dropped his water balloon and started crying. Chihaya was able to cheer him up with her singing. She feels like she's failed as an idol and a big sister. She wanted to keep singing for Yuu, but now she can't do that anymore, so she quits. She says she doesn't care anymore. We're only four minutes in, by the way. Chihaya doesn't show up for work, and stays in her apartment all the time. She won't open the door for the producer, but he gives her food so she keeps eating. She won't pick up her cell either. It's like Mio, but 1,000 times worse, because there's no one to blame for overreacting. Her parents have said that they can't do anything. At this rate, Chihaya won't be in next month's regular concert. Haruka stops by her house. She won't open the door, but they do talk to each other. It's heartbreaking. Chihaya absolutely *explodes* when Haruka mentions her little brother, and tells her to go away and stop being such a good samaritan all the time. Haruka leaves, but she runs into Chihaya's mother. She gives her Yuu's sketchbook and tells her to give it to Chihaya. All of Yuu's drawings are of Chihaya singing. Haruka tells the producer about what Chihaya said, but he says that her optimism is her strong point. Haruka tells Chihaya that she won't leave her alone, and she wants to keep working with her. She leaves something in her mail slot. Chihaya finally gets up and looks at it. It's Yuu's sketchbook and a letter from Haruka. It says that attached are lyrics to a new song all the girls wrote to tell her their feelings. Chihaya looks at Yuu's sketchbook. Haruka thinks that Yuu didn't just want to hear Chihaya sing, but he wanted her to smile too, like the girl in his pictures. There's also a message from the producer. She's in the regular concert, and everyone's waiting for her. After a good long cry (by myself, because of all the feels), it's almost time for the concert. At rehearsal, Chihaya still hasn't shown up yet. She arrives just before they do their chant. She tries to sing, but still can't. Haruka runs onstage. Chihaya looks down and sees Yuu's shoe. Then Haruka sings the song for her, and she's joined by all the other girls. *You know, right now, I'm watching you even if we're apart So wipe your tears and smile You're never alone To dream is to live The power to overcome sorrow Let's walk this endless path Let's sing and overcome the heavens so that our hearts reach one another Let's promise to face forward Thank you for smile* This time when Chihaya looks down, she sees Yuu drawing and smiling. She also sees her younger self. Then… *Let's walk this endless path Let's sing and overcome the heavens so that our hearts reach one another Let's promise to face forward Thank you for smile* Chihaya sees her younger self and Yuu in the audience, and she's so happy that she starts crying tears of joy. And now I will show you the end credits song, because it's just that good. *You know, I can always see your smile when I close my eyes And I can hear that voice of yours It says "Please keep smiling and shining" "Please turn your pain into courage someday" "And turn the memories into love" Let's walk this path of no return Let's sing together now with our friends as we let our prayers echo I promise to make the dream come true Thank you for love*