THE iDOLM@STER #18.5 TL (v2)

THE iDOLM@STER #18.5 TL (v2)
Author: Mana

NOTE: We originally had this listed as #19, but page 2 in fact names this as #18.
Since the previous chapter was also #18 and the next chapter is actually #19, I am naming this one #18.5.



--- Page 1

[Ritsuko (box)] I can't put it into proper words, but I felt an indistinct unease.
[Ritsuko (box)] Why is it that I'm still unsure of what it is...?



--- Page 2

[Upper-left, horizontal] Chapter 18
[Upper-left, vertical] Akizuki Ritsuko (2)
[Upper-middle]
A meeting at 765 Pro.
And what spun from that was
a powerful bond.

[Bottom-left]
Original work    BNGI/PROJECT iM@S

[Bottom-center]
Script           Takahashi Tatsuya

[Bottom-right]
Manga            Mana



--- Page 3

[Yukiho] Haruka-chan.

[Yukiho] Please give this to Chihaya-chan too.
[Yukiho] This tea will be good for her throat, so...

[Haruka] Yeah.

[Mami] And this
[Ami] And this
[Hibiki] I'll give this
[Yayoi] They say honey's good too
[Haruka] W... wait a minute.



--- Page 4

[Makoto] Tell Chihaya... that we're all waiting for her.
[Haruka] Yeah.  Understood!

[Iori] ......



--- Page 5

[Iori] Is it okay?
[Iori] To leave all of this to Haruka?

[Ritsuko] I discussed it with the Producer, and
[Ritsuko] we decided to entrust this to Haruka.

[Iori] Is it true that Chihaya said...
[Iori] that she's quitting?

[Ami] Eh!?



--- Page 6

[Ritsuko] It's true.

[Ritsuko] You know how she feels about her songs, don't you?

[Ritsuko] Since she's become unable to sing, she sees no purpose in continuing to be an idol...

[Ritsuko] However,



--- Page 7

[Ritsuko] That's an "IF she continues to be unable to sing" story.

[Iori] Good grief... it's just like Chihaya to do this.

[Iori] Ami, Azusa, are you ready?
[Iori] Today we're going all out.



--- Page 8

[Iori] We're going to make Chihaya regret letting us
[Iori] take her favorite singing jobs!
[Iori (floating)] Nihihi ♪

[Ritsuko (box)] Iori...
[Ritsuko (box)] You used to be arrogant, a sore loser,
[Ritsuko (box)] and seemingly unwilling to cooperate with anyone...
[Iori (floating)] Tsun...



--- Page 9

[Ritsuko (box)] But now you've become such a dependable person
[Ritsuko (box)] who can lead everyone forward.

[Producer] I want to set aside enough time for Chihaya's part.
[Ritsuko] ...but if she fails in front of her fans, then that for sure will...



--- Part 10

[Producer] I understand.  Even if it's a mini-live, there's still a risk...
[Haruka] Producer-san!
[Haruka] There's something I want to discuss...!

[Takagi] Give Kisaragi-kun a song written by everyone...?

[Producer] Yes.



--- Page 11

[Ritsuko] Will we make it in time...
[Ritsuko] for the next regular live?

[Producer] Somehow...

[Producer] ...no.

[Producer] We'll definitely
[Producer] make it on time!

[Producer] For Chihaya...



--- Page 12

[Producer] and everyone's feelings...
[Producer] I want to live up to all of them.



--- Page 13

[Ritsuko (box)] Haruka.

[Ritsuko (box)] You've always been clumsy and a little unreliable...

[Ritsuko (box)] But with those straight-forward feelings of yours,

[Ritsuko (box)] You can bring everyone together like this...

[Ritsuko (box)] Makoto.



--- Page 14

[Ritsuko (box)] The first time we met, I really did wonder if you were actually a boy.
[Ritsuko (box)] I always end up relying on you for one thing or another.

[Ritsuko (box)] Yukiho.
[Ritsuko (box)] Before, I was worried if you were suited to become an idol, but...

[Ritsuko (box)] Yayoi.

[Ritsuko (box)] You were always cleaning the office...
[Ritsuko (box)] It felt like you didn't understand what being an idol meant.

[Ritsuko (box)] Ami, Mami.

[Ritsuko (box)] How many times did I end up shouting at you...?
[Ritsuko (box)] You two are still out of control when you're together.



--- Page 15

[Ritsuko (box)] But it's that uncontrollable power of yours
[Ritsuko (box)] that gives energy to all of us.

[Ritsuko (box)] Hibiki.
[Ritsuko (box)] When you joined you saw everyone in the office as your rival, and you left an eager impression on us.

[Ritsuko (box)] Takane.
[Ritsuko (box)] You always act in a dignified manner, and you don't tell us anything about your past.  And that hasn't changed, but...
[Ritsuko (box)] I wonder if you've come to stop hiding your real self.

[Ritsuko (box)] Miki.



--- Page 16

[Businessman] For this CM, we were thinking about a more "shadowy" image...

[Miki] Aha ☆

[Businessman] This image is a little...

[Businessman] Here's a video of the live from before.
[Businessman] Can you take a look at it?



--- Page 17

[Ritsuko] Yes.
[Ritsuko] We watched the video, and the impression it gives seems different...

[Miki] Miki will become Chihaya's strength
[Miki] in Miki's own way.

[Ritsuko] Miki...

[Miki] Hey, Honey!
[Miki] Everything will be okay if you leave it to Miki!
[Producer] I... I guess.

[Ritsuko] Hey!  Miki!  I thought I told you that saying "Honey" is forbidden!
[Miki] Y- yes, nano!


--- Page 18

[Ritsuko (floating)] Fufu~

[Ritsuko (box)] You may have changed most of all, Miki...
[Miki (floating)] That's really good~ ♪

[Azusa] Ritsuko-san.

[Ritsuko] Eh-
[Azusa] You too, Ritsuko-san.  Here.

[Ritsuko] Thank you.
[Azusa] And the president, and Otonashi-san...
[Kotori] Let's eat.
[Ritsuko (box)] Azusa-san.

[Ritsuko (box)] I've always felt relaxed just being by your side.
[Ritsuko (box)] Since those days I may have been thinking, "I want to produce you."



--- Page 19

[Takagi] The truth is, I do want a bigger office.
[Takagi] Hahaha...

[Kotori] Ritsuko-san.
[Kotori] Umm~ I don't really understand how this new software works...
[Ritsuko] Ah, I'll be done with these documents soon, so please wait for a bit.

[Kotori] I'm sorry about this, you're really helping me out.

[Kotori] Lately, 765 Pro's been gathering more and more people.
[Kotori] It feels like our time has finally come.



--- Page 20

[Ritsuko] What are you talking about?
[Ritsuko] Right now we're hardly getting any work.  This is just the beginning!

[Kotori] A student, a part-time office worker, and an idol all at the same time...
[Kotori] You're amazing, Ritsuko-san.

[Ritsuko] Even if you praise me, nothing's going to happen!
[Kotori] Fufufu-

[Ritsuko (box)] The president and Kotori-san as well.  I can only thank them for warmly accepting me when I imposed on them.

[Ritsuko (floating)] I'm so happy I joined 765 Pro...



--- Page 21

[Producer] What's wrong?
[Ritsuko] It's nothing.

[Ritsuko (box)] I think... I finally understand.



--- Page 22

[Ritsuko] The indistinct unease that lies within my heart is...

[Makoto] Producer.

[Makoto] Is Chihaya...
[Producer] No, not yet...
[Yukiho] Then is Chihaya-chan really...

[Haruka] Hey, everyone.

[Ritsuko (box)] this irreplaceable time
[Ritsuko (box)] becoming some kind of impetus...

[Haruka] 765 Pro---

[Makoto] Wait a minute!



--- Page 23

[Chihaya] Haa
[Chihaya] Haa

[Chihaya] I'm sorry!
[Chihaya] For being late!

[Ritsuko] Chihaya...



--- Page 24

[Ritsuko (box)] for those feelings of unease...

>NOTE TO TS: Remove the っ in both of Chihaya's speech bubbles and re-center the ellipses.

[Ritsuko] I knew she couldn't...!

[Ritsuko (box)] to surge forward.

[Ritsuko] Excuse me!  Please stop everything for a---



--- Page 25

[Ritsuko] H... Haruka!?
[Ritsuko] W... wait!

[Producer] Stop!

[Producer] Please let them keep going!

[Lyrics] You know, right now



--- Page 26

[Lyrics] I'm watching over you, even if we're far apart

[Chihaya] Haruka...

[Lyrics] So wipe your tears away and smile

[Lyrics] You are not alone, no matter when

[Lyrics] To dream is to live

[Lyrics] The power to overcome sorrow



--- Page 27

[Chihaya] Everyone...

[Lyrics]
Let us walk
on this endless path
[Lyrics]
Let us sing
and surpass the heavens

[Lyrics]
So that our feelings
may reach one another
[Lyrics]
Let us make a promise
to keep looking forward

[Lyrics] Thank you for Smile



--- Page 28-29

[Lyrics] Let us walk



--- Page 30

[Producer] She did it...!

[Ritsuko (box)] Even so...

[Lyrics] On this endless path
[Lyrics] Let us sing



--- Page 31

[Lyrics] And surpass the heavens
[Lyrics] So that our feelings

[Lyrics] May reach one another

[Ritsuko (box)] The unease in my heart won't disappear.
[Ritsuko (box)] And the reason is...

[Lyrics] Let us make a promise
[Lyrics] To keep looking forward



--- Page 32

[Lyrics] Thank you
[Lyrics] for Smile

[Ritsuko (box)] It's...



--- Page 33

[Ritsuko (box)] It's only because that time is so precious to me
[Ritsuko (box)] that these feelings exist.

[Chihaya] Producer.

[Ritsuko] Chihaya.



--- Page 34

[Chihaya] ...Ritsuko.

[Ritsuko] Welcome back.