Aki: 'My mom had arrived in Tokyo at a time when there were so many things happening outdoors, such as young people dressed up ridiculously, dancing in the streets and shouting "Soiya! Soiya!"... While pursuing her dream to be an idol, she worked part time at a coffee shop called "Idol" along Takeshita Street in Harajuku, earning 550 yen per hour. The shopkeeper Kai-san treated her like his own daughter...'
The year is 1985. Aki: 'It had been almost a year since Haruko came to Tokyo...' At Coffee Shop Idol, Kai asks Haruko how did her audition (probably for a movie role) go yesterday. "That part of a Sukeban who fights with a yoyo." Haruko says it seemed it was a no go. Kai: "I see. Too bad, that role could have been perfect for you." He is watching a TV show featuring a then new all-girl idol group Onyanko Club, singing their hit song, "Don't Make Me Take Off my Sailor Suit." Kai says to Haruko, "Why are these girls on TV and you're not?" Haruko: "They're just recent, Kai-san." Kai: "But that's the point. No. 6 and No. 9 look questionable. And you're a better singer than No. 4(1)... Well, they're kinda cute though."
Aki: 'In 1985, Onyanko club which was produced with music created by Akimoto Yasushi (founder of AKB48) became a big hit... It ushered in the golden era of amateur stars. It was a difficult time for my mom who came to Tokyo with professional conviction...'
アキ（能年玲奈）は、春子（小泉今日子）の手紙を読んで、アイドルを目指していた若き日の春子（有村架純）の苦労を知った。さらに、春子と事務所の社長・太巻（古田新太）が知り合いだったことに衝撃を受ける。そんな折、水口（松田龍平）が、ユイ（橋本愛）の父・功（平泉成）の病状が思わしくなく、ユイの上京が難しいと知らせてくる。アキは厳しい試練の連続にめげそうになり、ホームシックに…。
