Splash Red chapter 15

Making desserts together before their battle...?

*Printing error: the magazine raws have Chapter 14: Double Comeback printed instead of the correct number and title

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Today I made a lot of desserts to cheer you up, Ai-chan

Help yourself

Ha...Ha...Haruka-san's handmade cookies...!?

Huh? What about it? Do you dislike bakery snacks?

No! I want to eat them right away
But if I eat them they'll disappear!!

I can always make more so don't worry about it!

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Th.. Then I'll have one...

Th...This is! The moment I put it in my mouth, the sweet and savory flavor reminded me of Mama, the nostalgic old flavor of pancakes that's been etched into my mind... The texture of the cookie is moist, yet flaky, as if it's singing a song!

I'm glad you like it

I'm sorry for suddenly calling you today
But there's a few things I wanted to talk to you about...

It's fine! Because I don't have any work today!

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What did you want to talk about?


Right... Remember the anniversary broadcast event from last week


I thought the Ai-chan I saw that time was really amazing

Normally if someone was that loud they wourld wear out their throat, but A-chan was able to do that so calmly?

Ai-chan must be uniquely powerful to be able to finish like that on stage...

I don't think it's any kind of unique talent!

S...So it's nothing like that!
That time my head was really foggy...

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I see... That's what I wanted to hear

So at that time, what was it that made you feel like that...?

Eh...

The cause...

I knew right away something was strange

Ai-chan wasn't her usual cheerful self for a while
Instead you seemed like you had become obsessed and scary

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Something really big must have been troubling you

You weren't having any fun anymore...

I have one more question

What does Ai-chan want to accomplish?

In my opinion, it was something different

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At that time

What kind of idol were you trying to become, Ai-chan?

I...
I... was...

Anyway

At the next audition

I hope you'll be more cheerful

I want to see Ai-chan having fun singing

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When we first met

What I saw then

Ah, ah...
I failed again

Well, last time I was ranked 29th
Huh!! This time I fell to 30th!?

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I wonder what I messed up? Song? Dance?
The judges last time said that my voice was needlessly loud...

Well, whatever, I don't know so I'll just keep singing!!

Go my way, Go my way~

Alright
Today I'll definitely do it

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I practice a whole lot for today
As long as I stay upbeat and don't get nervous, it'll be fine!

...I had just failed another audition

The stage was so high I couldn't see it for the clouds

Everything I had done was useless

But

That time

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That time, I

Haruka-san!!

I promise...!!

At the next audition...
My best...

I'll show you my absolute best on stage!!

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Okay!
It'll be fun!

Alright

The costume is perfect

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What's going on, Haruka? You're awfully excited today

Ah, Producer-san!!

It's because I've really been looking forward to this day

I'm fired up!!

Hahaha

I see, because today that kid you told me about is here

Her name was...

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Hidaka Ai...!!

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Let's do our best

I want to become the me

That I love the most

At that time everything I could see was sparkling

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No matter how many times I failed, it was fun to sing

I wanted to shine even more

I wanted to sing more, I thought

That's right
Singing isn't about competing or showing people how strong you are

I...

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I should sing

Because I really love singing!!

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Ai-cha~n!

Ah, Haruka-san, good work today!

Amazing!

Ai-chan was so amazing!!

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I was shaking!! I never heard such a wonderful song!

The song made me feel like Ai-chan was having fun the whole time!!

You really did pass
Congratulations, Ai-chan!!

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Haruka-san...

Thank you... For everything, Haruka-san

It's because Haruka-san picked me... Haruka-san saved me when I had failed
That's why I'm here now

Really, thank yo...

Wait a minute!

...You don't have to say anything
I want you to show me your gratitude through singing

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Wonderful songs like the one earlier

Next time, share it with all your fans across the nation!!

Y...

Yeah!!

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Congratulations on passing, Ai! I saw your success on TV

It's pretty amazing you were able to beat Amami Haruka, you know!!

Wah, President! Thank you very much

I guess I underestimated you

You're a talented kid on your own

You're worthy to become Top Idol!!

Yes
Thank you very much

...But, President

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There's still someone I have to surpass!!

...Yeah, I know

You have to settle things from earlier...

To be able to stand as an idol named "Hidaka Ai"...

A TV station is holding a one night special song festival
Hidaka Mai will be there, of course

That will be the best stage possible for your final battle

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All of Japan wants to see the battle between mother and daughter

It's begun at last!!

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...Hmm, I see

So this is the stage for the climactic battle

Eeh... But we haven't even prepared for it...

This is the place where my dream has finally come true!

A dream... you say?

Yeah, of course

It's been a long time since I had a rival
I retired because it was so boring to be alone at the top...

Now I finally have someone to compete against!

A fiery showdown at the summit to decide the strongest idol!!

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(Mama is fired up, too)

I can finally compete with that song

I wonder what trick my rival will come up with for her song when we compete

This is so much fun!!