Story of DEAR PROJECT feat. SP!CA

## Prologue

Hiro: One day, I will become someone's hero.

With that in mind, I became reckless.

But, for what?

I wonder if I can still run together with everyone.

I wonder if I will be the only one staying in SP!CA.

I kept wondering, but as I thought, I don't want to stop.

No matter how much of a mess I'll get into.

Like what he did.

Like when Mitsuki became my hero---

Takumi: On that day, I could just watch.

On that day, I couldn't come forward.

Since that day, I could only look at their backs.

But what will I do if one day, I could no longer see it?

To advance to the 'unknown' future, what should I be relying on?

I don't want to let go Azu-kun's hands that he reached out for me.

All the words he said to me, I don't want it to be wasted.

That's why, right now, what can I...

## Vol.1

After the release of Running to the Top, SP!CA has become more well known, and got more opportunities for media exposure and TV appearances.

Program Host: What are the future goals for the both of you?

Mitsuki: This sounds predictable, but of course, we’d like to reach the top of the Gold Stage?

Azusa: I hope the five members continue being part of SP!CA for 10 or 20 more years until we become grandpas.

Hiro and Takumi were watching the program that Mitsuki and Azusa appeared in.

Hiro: Ha~these guys are really the real deal, huh~ I’m so blessed to have them both in the same unit!

Takumi: …

...Goals, huh. The two of them are really amazing.

==

Mitsuki・Samon・Azusa: We’re back~

Mitsuki, Samon and Azusa got home from work. They asked Hiro and Takumi who watched the program in real time, and about SP!CA's performance scene that was broadcasted.

Hiro: Isn’t it great? Azusa, Mitsuki!

Mitsuki: The five member performance?

Hiro: Yes! The four of you are perfect, including you.

Azusa: Four people, how about you, Hiro?

Hiro: Ahaha, I was decent at least.

The five of them then confirmed about their meeting for tomorrow morning and returned to their rooms.

Samon: Don’t forget about your ‘homework’ from the other day.

A few days ago, Samon collected opinions and criticisms that was posted on the SNS to plan for SP!CA's challenge.

‘With Running to the Top, SP!CA has finally been completed. The next song will have a difficulty to surpass this success~’

‘I like that they are glittering, but they are kinda hard to get into? Especially for non-idol fans.’

‘I kinda feel bad that SP!CA’s songs are dazzling even if they are good or bad.’

Samon: To improve and clear those opinions, and tend to their requests...this would be your homework until the next meeting.

Oi, Igarashi. Are you listening?

Hiro: Eh? Oh--oh!

As he replied to Samon, his eyes can't seem to be taken off from reading the fans' posts.

*‘When Hiro-kun appeared in Uta★Bara today, he sounded a little off’*

*'This is going to make an impression on the general public. In this situation, you should be professional.’*

Hiro: (Right, I have to work harder…)

(To be supported with the way I am now…)

Mitsuki: ---hey. Oi, Hiro. Are you listening? What were you doing, fidgeting with your phone before?

Hiro: N-nothing!

Right, Mitsuki. I’m sorry that you couldn’t eat dinner together at the dormitory earlier.

The granny made something good...It was chicken nanban with lots of tartar sauce! It was so good!

Mitsuki: ? ...Hiro?

## Vol.2

The five members of SP!CA gathered at the meeting room to discuss the 'homework' that was assigned by Samon.

Samon: We’re not going to go past the limit of an ‘idol’ with the way we are now.

If you think we’re idols that are hard to get into, then we’ll become idols that are easy to get into.

If we’re told that we are idols that are restricted, then we’ll get rid of that restriction.

Samon then proposed two possibilities.

Samon: --I think Igarashi and Kurumizawa are the keys for it.

Hiro: Takumi and me?!

Takumi: ...What do you mean?

They previously had Mitsuki and Azusa as the center for our songs.

The fans pointed out that the two of them had unmasked SP!CA with Running to the Top, and that SP!CA is now complete because of it.

Samon : If we want to evolve more from that, then there is no doubt that it’s Igarashi’s and Kurumizawa’s turn next.

Hiro: But...Takumi aside, I...

The stern Samon then spoke to Hiro.

Samon: I want SP!CA to be a unit where everyone can be a center.

But that doesn’t mean that all five of us need to be like Kuze.

Everyone has their own ‘SP!CA-ness’, and if each of us stand in the center, we will be able to sing in five colors...no, even more than that.

Takumi: That is...Samon’s goal?

...

Hiro and Takumi then were asked about what kind of song they wanted to sing, but they can't decide it immediately.

The meeting then moved forward to the next topic.

Mitsuki・Hiro・Azusa・Takumi : Japan・Teens Collection!!??

The Producer informed them that they were offered to appear in a fashion event for high school students.

Hiro: A live at a fashion show...what!? You don’t say we’re going to walk on the runway too, right?!

Mitsuki: We’re just there for a live performance, so...

Samon: No, Hiro’s right.

That offer also requested DearPro for several models. And the person that the Producer and Samon chose as the leader for this job was---

Samon: It’s you, Kurumizawa.

Takumi: ...Me?

Samon: Putting Kuze or Azusa out there is too easy.

But that would be no different from what we have been doing before. As I mentioned earlier, ‘playing by the book’ would mean abandoning our growth.

Takumi: ...

Hiro and Takumi still haven't made up their mind about the new song and the fashion show.

Samon reminded them about their homework again.

Samon: A・n・s・w・e・r!

Hiro: Yes!! Alright, okay!!!

Samon~ why are you more enthusiastic than usual today~ I’m scared. And why do you only target the two of us?

## Vol.3

After the meeting ended, Mitsuki was concerned about Hiro who was looking different than usual.

Hiro who tried to act normally, invited Mitsuki do their homework together.

Samon: I’m sorry but Kuze has another meeting with me. As for your homework, show it to me after you’re done.

Whenever Hiro tries to invite Mitsuki somewhere, Samon would drag Mitsuki with him. Samon would block Hiro from doing anything with Mitsuki.

Hiro: You again, Samon~?! Why? What did I do now?

Samon: You did nothing. Just as usual, it’s Mitsuki, Mitsuki, Mitsuki...

That’s the thing, Igarashi! I will now put you on a leave from being Mitsuki’s guard for a while!

Didn’t I mention that the SP!CA’s growth will depend on you and Kurumizawa?

You should be thinking about yourself, and not Kuze!

Samon forced Hiro to obey him because it's was for his own unit.

Samon: I already said it, I want this unit to be a unit where everyone can be a center.

Igarashi is no exception to this, he has potential.

He has to be cautious and confident so he is able to stand in front of you, not ‘behind Kuze’ or ‘beside Kuze’.

Mitsuki: ...

Hiro met a boy he has never seen before when he was alone at the lesson room.

The boy was Akashi Yuma, Tatsuma's younger brother.

Yuma was interested in dancing because of his older brother, who seems to only visit home during winter vacation.

Hiro: Hey, that’s awesome. You’re already thinking about what you want to do when you’re just a 6th grader.

Tatsuma: Ah, you’re right. Hiro, are you doing self training? I’m sorry, but is it possible if you can take care of him?

Hiro: Eh? Well, it’s fine by me.

Yuma then decided to watch Hiro's lesson.

Yuma didn't expect that behind every stunning stage, there is a lot of harsh practice that goes into it.

Yuma: ...Hiro-san, do you want to be an idol yourself?

He did chose to become an idol, but his original purpose wasn't to become an idol.

Hiro recalled the memories with Mitsuki when they were younger.

He admired the sight of Mitsuki facing him backwards and wanted to be like him someday.

He wanted to be by his side.

If Mitsuki is feeling down, I will definitely help him next time. I decided to fulfill his dream together with Mitsuki, so I became an idol.

Hiro: But lately I’ve been thinking. One day, I—

—I might get left behind in SP!CA—

Hiro proceeded with his practice and swallowed the words that crossed his mind.

## Vol.4

Takumi talked about his anxiety for having to walk the runway with Komugi and Riku at Azusa's room.

Takumi: Hey, Azu-kun. Why do I have to appear in the Japan Teens Collection?

Azusa: I think you’re qualified to do it. Mitsuki and I think so. Of course, everyone has the same opinion too.

Takumi's only strength. It can't be no other person. Azusa, who has been beside him for a long time answered.

Azusa: Takumi will do fine, it's Takumi after all.

Takumi: Azu-kun…that…

==

After Azusa and Takumi became the only remaining member of SP!CA's first phase, they weren't able to become stars and had lost their brilliance.

Azusa: I won’t give up and will continue with this.

Azusa decided to continue. Takumi didn't chase after Azusa or speak up about it.

But Takumi always supported him with his words whenever Azusa failed.

Takumi: Azu-kun will do fine, it's Azu-kun after all.

Takumi then devoted himself to his lessons alone to watch over Azusa, while Azusa continued to look out for him as well.

And when the fourth phase of SP!CA was decided--

Azusa: I want you to be in SP!CA with me. Takumi will do fine. I think Takumi is amazing.

He wasn't able to do anything. He couldn't be the person Azusa needed.

Then Takumi remembered about the day he joined SP!CA.

Takumi: Since that day, I have decided to achieve my goal to debut, so I won’t have any regrets about it anymore.

However recently, I don’t know what goal to achieve now that it has come true.

But then I remembered, the most important thing is that I am here right now.

So what I wanted to do now, is to do what I could now.

Takumi has taken another step forward.

On the day of Japan Teens Collection, Takumi had a talk with Komugi and Riku who were feeling nervous about being on the runway.

Takumi: Everyone chose Riku and Komugi because the two of you can do it. Everyone chose us to do it, so do your best to meet their expectations.

Komugi and Riku were encouraged by his words.

Takumi: (Azu-kun who chose me, and everyone who believes in me..I’m sure…)

Meanwhile, Hiro was reviewing the dance for their live performance. However, he got impatient because he kept thinking about what the fans pointed out---

## Vol.5

Audience: Waaaahhh!!!!

Despite Komugi and Riku's anxiety before their appearance, the fashion show ended with great success.

Komugi: Thank you! Kurumizawa-san, you were so cool! When you were walking in front of us, I felt like I could rely on you and I was able to walk with peace of mind.

After he was finished with the show, Takumi rushed for SP!CA's live performance, which were situated not to far from the fashion show's stage.

Management Staff: What are you going to do? Change the program? If possible, just with the four of them—

Takumi: Azu-kun, what happened?

Azusa: Actually, Hiro…

Hiro: S-orry…sorry…I…

Hiro who was concerned with the fans' words had injured his leg while he was looking at his phone.

Mitsuki then gave Hiro a piece of his mind as SP!CA's leader and not his childhood friend.

Mitsuki: Thanks to your hard work, SP!CA is able to expand their activities. SP!CA needs you, so let’s sing and dance together. Believe in us, so be confident and stand on that stage.

While Hiro--

Hiro: I…can do this. Let me perform as is!

Mitsuki: Let’s show them the result of your efforts.

—The hero who can still stand up no matter how tattered he is.

No matter what happened, their goal is to deliver the best performance to the audience. SP!CA completed their stage by rearranging the formation and composition in order to lessen the burden on Hiro.

Azusa: Hiro, are you alright?

Hiro: That hurts…well, I can manage.

Yuma, who was watching their stage, rushed to see Hiro after their finished their turn.

Hiro: That was not cool at all, I look pitiful—

Yuma: Not at all! It was totally cool!

Yuma: Um, I can’t explain it well…but I felt encouraged, and I thought that I can do my best too…

Hiro: I see…I see! Hehe, I did well!

Samon: —That’s not someone that needed a shoulder to lean on should be saying.

Hiro: Ouch! Do you have to poke my head? You said you were confident in me!

The next day, Samon asked about Hiro and Takumi's homework from before. And their answer was---

Hiro・Takumi: A cheering song!

Hiro: I want to say something like ‘I’ll do my best, so let’s work hard with everyone!’

Takumi: I understand the joy of having someone support me and pushing me forward so I wanted to do the same.

That was their answer.

And so, SP!CA went on with their daily life---

Samon: —If you run that mouth of yours again, I’ll double your lesson after this, Igarashi!

Hiro: Me? Why just me!?

Takumi: I’ll join him.

Mitsuki: Me too!

Azusa: Then, I’ll join too.

Samon: …Ah well, you guys are too soft.

Hiro: Hehehe. Then, let’s do the lesson together!

The brilliance from the five of them has intensified, and SP!CA will now begin to move towards a new future.

## Epilogue

Mitsuki: Oh, Hiro, so you were here. Look at you...checking your phone again.

Hiro: Oh, no no no! I'm not looking at those! That's not the case, but this! Look, Mitsuki.

[A message from Akashi Yuma]

Mitsuki: From Tatsuma-san's little brother?

Hiro: Yup! Remember when he told us that he gained the courage after watching us last time? That boy, he told me that he's not running away again this time and wanted to try baseball again!

Mitsuki: Oh, that's great, Hiro!

Hiro: Yeah! I feel happy that I'm able to give someone a push.

\*beep\*

Mitsuki: Eh? Another message?

Hiro:?

[Yuma: I decided to become Hiro-san's fan!...and I told my brother. He was super jealous lol]

Mitsuki/Hiro: ....

Mitsui/Hiro: Hahahaha!

Takumi: Guys, lesson is about to start.

Mitsuki/Hiro: We'll be right there!

Takumi: --I'm sure the road ahead of us is full of 'unknown'.

But I...we won't lose our way anymore.

If you look next to you, you will see an important companion who believes in you.

Hiro: No matter how dark it gets.

With five people, your steps will light up and illuminates your path.

Just look straight head towards the light.

It may be scary, but step by step, have certainty.

We will keep on walking towards it forever.