I always felt Fujie was never really part of the group. She had to eat lunch alone, before Maimai came to her rescue. As the years went by, Fujie always tried to be part of the moment, but she was always the third wheel. She used to whine a lot and always focus on the negative things. That's not the idol way.
However, she seems to have turned it around completely. She is radiant, happy, smiling, she interacts with the group a lot better. Maybe she was a bit of a late bloomer as well. She's prettier than ever and I'm glad she made the top 40 (even though it meant Kumi didn't make it, but that's a different story). I always like her parts in Bimyo and Shukan. She has really grown as an idol.
Even so, her true strength still lies in her solo stuff. Her IVs (and gravure) are SO GOOD. Maimai must have thought her the ropes.