If you think about it, each of the third years experienced the pain of not being able to make their dreams come true. Nico of course tried her best to become an idol, but due to how spirited she was, people actually found it a turn-off, therefore leaving her alone in the end. She fought so hard through the years in solitude, trying to become an idol by herself, yet she failed in doing so. In Eli's case, her dream didn't come true because she was running away, she was running away from her true desires. She didn't think it would be possible for her to have such a dream and she gave up without even fighting. Nozomi, however, tried to help the two in some way yet she couldn't. She didn't have the means to do so. She alone couldn't help the two move on.
And that's where Honoka came. She really did change their lives forever.