Shes not really 18…shes25.
Miyako is both enraged and impressed!
But MEM-cho has a very good reason to fake her age.
By the standards of the idol industry, anything past 20 is not only ancient, but forbidden.
Its enough to make MEM cry.
Its here where Aqua gets his first cold shoulder from Kana.
Both Ruby and Miami sit chastened and rebuked for judging a book by its stoic cover.
For believing the lie when they knew it was one.
Not so fast, says MEM, already taking the reigns.
They have the entire B Komachi back catalogue to practice, since Strawberry owns and controls it.
So the trio starts that practice, and Kana finds it increasingly hard to match Ruby and MEMs energy.
That reasonAqua, the one who asked herappears with a cold bottle of water and a good work.
But again Kana tells him to buzz off.
Aqua tells her if she keeps it up, evenhellget hurt by it.
This sends Kana into a spiral of resentment and regret.
Before she can say anything more to Aqua, hes gone.
That night, Aqua meets with Kaburagi in a fancy austere restaurant where the sushi is $300.
But from the beginning, the stars were in her eyes.
She didnt have todevelopthem, she wasbornwith them, just as Aqua and Ruby were.
Its when everything started clicking for her.
Kaburagi gives Aqua his next lead to follow, and in exchange, Aqua will be obligated to him.
In an industry that is essentially nothingbutobligations made, given, and exchanged.
Kana says it doesnt matter, while Ruby and MEM getextremelycompetitive about it.
MEM-cho brings up a music video on her phone, and the two of them watch it.
Its a gorgeous, classy presentation, and Han Megumi provides the beautiful vocals.
Ruby and MEM-cho are in awe.
In the next karaoke booth, Kana puts up a 97 without breaking a sweat.
Will she mend fences with Aqua, or come to grips with her feelings?
