Pastel*Palettes Band Drama Episode 18: Being Myself
Being Myself
(Chisato approaches Aya who is still in shock that she isn’t going to perform in the live.)
Entertainment Agency, lesson studio
Aya: ……
Aya: (Ever since I joined Pastel*Palettes, how many times have I came here… I always made it a point
to come by here at least once per day no matter what I had on…… The place I belong.)
Chisato: You are really here.
Aya: Chisato-chan, why……
Chisato: Because I thought you would definitely be here. You love practicing and working hard, after
all.
Aya: Practicing and working hard…… I was a trainee at a small idol group. For 3 years, I worked
desperately to fulfill my dream of having an idol debut.
Aya: But nothing went well. Just when it was time for me to graduate, I was asked to join
Pastel*Palettes.
Chisato: ……
Aya: I was so happy. My dream finally came true! At that point of time, I thought that hard work
definitely brings success. Seeing my hard work take shape, letting me get one step closer to my
dream, and it fulled my self-confidence.
Aya: I always knew that I didn’t have talent. That’s why I decided to work hard, because I can’t move
forward otherwise. Other than working hard, I don’t know anything else.
Aya: So no matter how many times I messed up, I just didn’t want to give up.
Aya: But…
Aya: I was told that I shouldn’t sing in the live. I thought that if I worked hard, my dream would come
true. I would become an idol. But…… maybe I was wrong.
Aya: Everything that I did up to now… Maybe it was all in vain… Just thinking that makes it hurt so
much…
Chisato: ……
Aya: Chisato-chan, if you were told that you shouldn’t sing in a live after all the effort you put in to
become an idol, can you take it lying down?
Chisato: There are things that you can’t achieve from just hard work alone. So I’ll choose a path that
will definitely bring me success.
Chisato: If the live would become a success because I don’t sing, I might very well take up that offer.
Aya: ……
Chisato: But that only applies to me. It’s simply “Shirasagi Chisato”s opinion.
Chisato: I thought I understood you pretty well, but I think there are still several points that I don’t quite
know well.
Aya: Huh?
Chisato: You said this to me, remember? “I want to work towards being an idol”.
Chisato: The Maruyama Aya I know is someone who foolishly chases after her dreams. Someone who
believes in her efforts and someone who never gives up……
Aya: Being myself……
Chisato: If you wish to make your dreams come true, you can’t wash away your identity as “Maruyama
Aya". So, be “Maruyama Aya” until the end.
Aya: ……!
Chisato: This is all that I have to say to you.
Aya: No matter what happens, I…
Aya: I…
Entertainment Agency, meeting room
Eve: Do you think Aya-san is alright?
Hina: Nn------ I wonder. But I can’t imagine Aya-chan giving up. Aya-chan is who she is because she
never gives up, right?
Maya: Yeah. Besides, Aya-chan is more of an idol than anyone else here.
Eve: What do you mean?
Maya: I never understood what an idol was. I thought that they were supposed to be simply sparkly
and cute, and from a completely different world from myself.
Maya: But what’s being sparkly like? I had no idea what was needed to sparkle. Was it their attire?
Maya: But when I look at Aya-san… And attend lessons with her, I finally understood it. After all,
Aya-san sparkles and shines so brightly.
Eve: Sparkly……
Maya: No matter what happens, she never gives up or changes her dream. She works hard towards
her dreams, and that makes her sparkle.
Maya: At that time I realized that being an idol isn’t about the music or talent.
Maya: It’s more of a lifestyle and a dream that you work towards.
Hina: Lifestyle…?
Maya: It must be the changes to her lifestyle due to her dream that makes Aya-san sparkle. The amount
of time and effort she pours into it…… And that is conveyed to those around her……
Maya: Aya-san is such a splendid idol.
Eve: Maya-san, what you just said is a little too profound. But I agree with your point that Aya-san
sparkles too.
Maya: I know, right? That’s why I think that she’ll definitely be fine.
Hina: Yes… Yes that’s right. If it’s Aya-chan, she’ll definitely be fine!
Hina: Aya-chan will definitely come back with an awesome answer. A sparkling best answer!
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