Shiranui Sakura's Route, conclusion
The next day, Kenji arrives at Sakura’s house. Sakura is worried that Kenji might be mad at her. He’s not mad at all…just worried about her. As her closest friend, Kenji wants to do everything in his power to make her happy. He decided maybe she might need some extra help, so he invited Haruka to come over and chat with her. Sakura can’t believe she is seeing her biggest inspiration in person for who knows how long! It’s been so long that Haruka doesn’t quite remember (either that, or she’s just being her clumsy self), but she’s happy to help a fellow idol out of her slump. Haruka even brought along a homemade cake for the occasion. Kenji can’t believe that Sakura would throw away all she has just because she’s scared that her biggest rival is so many steps ahead of her. All her life, she loved to sing. It was always fun for her. She acquired a great deal of talent and popularity through all the time, effort, and passion she put into her singing. Performing seemed to always make her and her listeners happy. Then, Kagura shows up as an idol, causing her to completely change her outlook. It’s like she gave up her charm in favor of being overly hard on herself, not allowing even the smallest mistakes, and forcing herself to become more serious in order to catch up with Kagura. Then yesterday, she gives up hope after her recent loss to Kagura. Why give it all up because some big-time idol she has known in the past is badgering her for her so-called “weakness?” Haruka tells Sakura she can actually sympathize with her. They both seem to have very similar aspects about being an idol. When Haruka was facing Hibiki in the IU two years ago, she knew Hibiki was on a much higher level than her and feared she would not be able to catch up. However, she never gave up. Rather than try to replicate Hibiki’s style, she followed her own heart and her own style and eventually won the IU. Later, when Haruka felt down in the dumps from not being able to work some social time into the other idols’ busy schedules, she was reminded of why she wanted to become an idol in the first place—to use her passion of singing to make everyone happy. She tells Sakura not to worry about her rivals. Who cares if you’re Japan’s most talented or most popular idol? As long as you are happy and have fun being an idol, that’s all that matters. Kenji then reminds Sakura…Remember that promise she made to him? The one where she would always be by her side no matter what? Sakura is upset and starts to cry, feeling as though she broke her promise. Kenji and Haruka tell her that she can always fix it. The rest of her unit is counting on her as they advance further into the IU. It’s never too late for her to become the idol she always intended to be. Sakura cheers up and promises to become her own idol, true to her own feelings for the sake of herself, her unit, and her fans. Haruka can tell that Sakura definitely has the aura of a true idol. She knows ZetaPro will do great in the IU and wishes them lots of luck as she heads home. Sakura thanks Kenji from the bottom of her heart (she even blushes a little). If it hadn’t been for his help, who knows where she (or the others) could have been now? The two of them returned to the ZetaPro office, where they are greeted by the president and the other two idols with open arms. The president can tell Sakura is shining even brighter than before. He figured she’d come back sooner or later, but is proud of Kenji for taking matters into his own hands.
Sakura’s recent changes allow her to make an incredible comeback. She restores her fans’ faith and significantly increases the size of her fan base.
As ZetaPro prepares to face NAZO once again, Sakura is ready this time around. She’s not scared of Kagura anymore. Kenji, her partners, and the president all know that she is not the burden Kagura claims she is. Now she can face Kagura while following her own path. Unfortunately, the festival is cancelled. When Sakura discovers NAZO’s producer, she’s shocked. She knows about Yamato…both his skills and his history with Kenji. Later, after the president tells the unit about Yamato and NAZO, Sakura is worried that Kenji has to face his biggest rival once again. She’s even more worried that this time Kenji must win for the sake of Yamato and the president. Sakura never fought to win before…only to do her best. Still, as long as she and Kenji have each other, anything is possible. Kenji defeated Yamato once, he can do it again.
I know I also want to include a scene where Sakura joins Kenji at a hot spring. Because fanservice. :3
During the IU finals ceremonies, Kenji and Sakura overhear a conversation between Kagura and her parents. Sakura begins to understand why she takes music so seriously…as if she’s trying to please Yamato and her harsh parents. It seems Kagura and Yamato have a very similar relationship to Kenji and Sakura. Kagura passes by them and gets a little agitated, thinking they stuck their nose where it doesn’t belong. She then claims she will win the IU finals (almost as if she’s being forced to). Sakura says, “May the best unit win,” but Kagura doesn’t want to hear her sympathy and takes off with Yamato.
After Namco Angel is eliminated from the IU by NAZO, Haruka informs 765Pro to keep an eye on Sakura. There’s something special about her. She and her unit could have the potential to defeat NAZO.
As Sakura confronts NAZO for the final match, she stands tall against Kagura. She’s no longer afraid of her. She has become much stronger since she decided to walk down her own path. Now she will prove once and for all that she is not a burden. Besides, she, her partners, and Kenji are bound by the power of unity. For Kenji’s sake, she is not willing to lose!
(ENDING)
Later that night, after ZetaPro wins the IU finals, Kagura spots Sakura as she chats with Kenji. Kagura has a bit of a change of heart with Sakura. She claims she was impressed by ZetaPro’s performance. Sakura has grown up a lot since her idol debut. Rather than trying to emulate her rival, she stood up for her own beliefs. Her uplifting attitude really helps keep the pace for her unit. Plus, she has a really kind and supportive friend in Kenji. She really isn’t a burden after all. She has earned Kagura’s respect. Sakura is worried that Kagura’s parents might be angry at her for NAZO’s loss. On the contrary, they were very proud of her. That was one of the best performances they have ever seen from her. They have no control over what the judges say. Still, Sakura better be ready for the next time they face each other. They’re still rival idols after all. Kagura takes her leave, laughing.
Kenji notices that Sakura’s face is looking red. Sakura claims she couldn’t have become a top idol without Kenji’s guidance. She figures now is the time—she confesses her love for Kenji and kisses him. Awww. <3
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