One day Mayuyu will be center. I believe in it.
I, Watanabe Mayu, am officially transferring to Nogizaka46. I will aim for center.
Why, Mayuyu, why!?
"What is the deal with Nogizaka?"
"Why, Mayuyu, why?"
"I can't forgive Mayuyu... that traitor."
"It's too desperate."
Why is she transferring?
I've got no idea.
What if...
What if she's actually a spy infiltrating the group?
Hey, that's a fabulous idea!
But... what is she going to investigate among these newcomers?
Oh... right. Don't ask me!
Take a look at this!
"How lazy of Mayuyu to take the easy route at Nogizaka after failing to become center at AKB."
Do people really feel that way about me?
That one makes the most sense.
There's no way Mayu would do something like that!
-Sorry! There's no way Mayu would do something like that!
We fans need to believe in her in times like these. Right, Shinpei?
So sorry, Miorin!
Fine with me.
Definitely. I'm a believer!
Aren't you?
What are you doing here "uzasen"? Don't look here!
Tomorrow is our first event since I joined. Everyone, let's do our best.
"Yoroshiku aishuu", ganbarumba!
Sure, you don't want to leave out that call?
But you taught us.
Please, just once for motivation!
Uhm, I don't know--
-Please! Uhm, I don't know--
-Please!
Alright then.
"Yoroshiku aishuu", ganbarumba de let's a go!!
Watanabe Mayuyu of AKB48. Seventeen.
In reality, her true age is 38.
Her actual name: Usa Shijimi. Occupation: Gloomy high school teacher among delinquent youths.
Who would have guessed: Watanabe Mayu has been fudging her age by 21 years. She is a Saba-dol!
[Watanabe Mayu as...]
[Saba-dol]
[Episode 3 - Mayuyu's real feelings]
You got first page.
Congratulations.
Chiquitita!
Th... Thank you.
It's the 24th time for me though.
The 24th?
...time to be on the front page. You still have a long way to go, Chiquitita.
Wo-- wow, just as expected.
It's Utamaro!
He's so handsome!
He's from another world!
Mayu-san, you know each other?
He was a guest on my program recently.
No way!
Let's work together some time, Chiquititas.
Well, well... who have we got here, Utamaro senpai. Ambushing the girls in the corridor, are we?
Another one of your traps that you're so good at setting, I suppose.
Better cut it out.
Everyone! Don't get too close to the star or you'll burn yourself.
Alright, girls, we need to move on. Be sure not to get within 5 meters of the star!
Sorry, sorry.
Come on now. Hush, hush.
I'll wait... for your mail.
"That spell worked. Thank you. Send me a message."
Introducing Shikura-men, the cup ramen that tastes like first love.
Here are the girls of Nogizaka46 to present it.
Hello, we are Nogizaka46!
Of course, speaking of Nogizaka46,
we must not forget the much-talked about new transfer-- Watanabe Mayu-san!
Hello everyone, I'm Watanabe Mayu of Nogizaka46.
Mayuyu-san, how do you feel after transferring from AKB48?
It's a bit like being reborn, a very new experience.
From now on I will do everything in my power to be accepted by the fans as a part of Nogizaka46.
Has anything changed due to Mayuyu-san joining the group?
I would say that---
What is your take on this, Mayuyu-san?
Eh-- the average age has risen, I guess.
Looks like this year will be the year of Nogizaka46, doesn't it?
Yes, and we'll---
Mayuyu-san, what do you think?
Eh-- I-- Sayurin, how about you?
I think that--
Now let us introduce today's product. Mayuyu-san?
The bittersweet taste when you lick it just matches the first love... a longing feeling.
Is this what...
..."taking the center with ease" meant?
...reborn, a very new experience.
I will do everything in my power to be accepted by the fans as a part of Nogizaka46.
They're saying Nogizaka46, but showing nothing but Mayuyu.
The rumor was true, eh?
Looks like this is the road Mayu was going for.
What do you mean?
At the election, Mayu said...
...she'd believe in herself and her fans, and follow the road that she had decided upon.
I really liked that positive side of her.
What is it? You don't agree?
I guess I--
You've got nothing to say anyway!
Come here!
Enough for today!
Damn, I'm locked in. What should I do?
[Ogawara Manager calling]
This is an emergency situation.
This is bad, bad, bad!
I hope someone's coming.
Could it be--? Hayashiba sensei! In here!
Yes!
Hayashiba sensei, get me out of here!
Hayashiba sensei, please wait!
He's gone.
Didn't I tell you to call me if you were going to be late?
I'm sorry. I wasn't able to use the phone.
Mayu, you're lucky I could fix the situation with all the connections I have,
so we sort of managed to be almost in time.
But honestly-- wouldn't it be better if I picked you up at home?
No really, don't worry about it! I won't be late again.
Are you really up for it, Mayu?
Of course I am!
It's not just today, you know.
You've been careless in recent weeks. Is something troubling you?
I'm not worried.
It's just that--
Just?
I wonder if it was the right thing to do.
To do what?
To join Nogizaka.
Fans seem to think I transferred because I couldn't take center in AKB.
What kind of excuse is that?
Eh?
You're making it sound like an excuse, but actually you're worried, aren't you?
What do you really think?
What do you really want to do, Mayu?
The real me--
Thanks for today. Good night.
Asari?
No, I'm really fine.
Don't worry, I wasn't thinking of doing anything.
No, no, it's not good today. My sister is there today, so let's do that some other time, okay?
I'll introduce myself to her.
My sister's really shy so--
Asari's boyfriend?
Ah, I don't mind, I'll just say hello to her.
I'm so busted if anyone sees these clothes.
Eh, it's fine!
If anyone was to know my real identity, I'd be out of the idol world instantly and get fired at work, too.
Me, unmarried and unemployed at 38...
While Asari is getting married to her boyfriend and building a happy family,
I'll be in some lonely corner of the big city, completely forgotten and alone.
Mayu! Get a grip on yourself.
Just wait. Today's not a good idea. You better go home.
Asari-san, why are you being so secretive?
Are you actually living with a guy?
Of course not!
If so, then please let me in!
Good evening!
Don't say they're-- k- k- kissing?
Does it hurt? -Ah, you got it.
Great, is it okay now?
Sis, what are you doing?
Aah, it hurts.
Why did you bring him here?
It's not like I let him in you know. It should be okay.
It isn't. What if he found out Mayuyu is your sister?
It's going to be okay. I'll manage.
You'll manage? Like how?
I told you before that it's my last chance, no?
I'm serious about it.
Is he that great a guy?
Well, in terms of looks and income he's doing well.
What's his job?
He's a cram school teacher. You'll have something to talk about.
You really are serious.
I got you.
If you really dig him.
What now?
Young girls don't say that.
Anyways...
What?
Thank you for being okay with me seeing him.
Don't worry about it. Apart from that, there's something I--
Ah, sorry!
Hello? Minoru-kun?
Really sorry you had to go home.
Yes. Ah, that's fine.
Ouch, it hurts!
Utamaro? Are you alright?
I ate three bentos. Now I feel like throwing up. Please, help me to the waiting room.
Sure.
What happened with your stomach ache?
I'm better now.
Chiquitita!
"I'm worried about a few things. Can I ask for your help some time?"
"Mayu."
Wow, it's a love mail!
It's from him!
"If you're worried about something, I can be the lighthouse to show you the way. Chiquitita! Love, love, love, love, love."
Looks like he totally got the wrong impression.
What? Your boyfriend!? Is it your boyfriend!?
Of course not. I don't have a boyfriend.
Boyfriend! Boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend!
No need to get so irritated about it, then.
Usa sensei, sometimes you act like a little girl.
You're actually cute if you look closer.
Quite my type.
What did you say just now!?
I said Mayu betrayed her fans after all.
You feel the same way about it, don't you?
In fact you don't even like her anymore, right?
Guys, stop it! Stop it now.
Stop it, okay?
Apologize!
Say you're sorry!
STOP! I SAY!
Uhm...
...the next lesson is starting.
I don't care. I don't wanna do anything at all.
Is that-- because of what Mayuyu-san--
What is it to you?
Before, you were saying that you believed in Mayuyu.
I don't know anymore.
Mayuyu wasn't just cute, she was strong, too.
She didn't give up on anything.
But thinking that she joined Nogizaka just to take center totally pisses me off.
Now I don't really know what to feel about anything.
Stupid, isn't it, to make such a fuss about idols?
Go ahead and laugh about it!
Guess you got nothing to say anyway.
I understand how you feel. -Eh!?
These days, I'm not too sure of my feelings either. I can't find a solution, even at my age.
But I can't talk to anyone about it either.
It won't do like this... right?
I don't want to see how anyone will get hurt because I can't come up with an answer.
But unless you find one yourself, unless you take responsibility for that road you choose,
unless you scream "This is me, here I am!"--
What are you talking about?
I'm sure Mayuyu thinks that way, too!
No matter what the result is, you need to come up with it yourself, Nashimoto-kun.
On your own.
Don't you compare yourself with Mayuyu!
Here. I'm giving these to you.
They are your most treasured items!
Is it really okay?
Yeah, take it.
Whatever people are saying, we'll support Mayu!
Yes!
Right, Shinpei?
Miorin, sorry once more!
Don't worry about it.
YES! Yes, we're both supporting her!
Great!
Hmm, this doesn't look straight. Futoshi, look at it from the front.
Yes!
I am an idol.
I am Mayuyu.
I need to tell you something.
I want to start from scratch, so please do not hesitate to teach me.
Please see me as a member of the same group, as Watanabe Mayu from Nogizaka46.
Let's make this our new starting point.
In that case, let's be frank.
Eh?
You don't consider yourself the same. You look down on us!
Eh?
There's no way we'll leave the center to you.
Eh!?
What the heck?
I'm always ready to take on challenges.
Shut up! Idiot!
-Gets! Shut up! Idiot!
We'll do our best.
You know nothing about being center!
Mayuyu is working hard in a new battlefield.
-Because of AKB, you know. [This drama is mostly fictional and the people and groups that appear are for the most part fictional]
-Let me do it, please! [This drama is mostly fictional and the people and groups that appear are for the most part fictional]