It wasn't supposed to be this way; it's not like I wanted to eavesdrop on them. I needed a break from the S4 party so I took a walk around the campus lake with Hime. I had not noticed Yume and Koharu slip away earlier that night and was still entranced by the moment we had shared just the day before. Despite Koharu's return, I had remained hopeful that Yume's gaze would remain on me. The situation with Hime already made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't possibly compete with a childhood friend.

The moonlight filtered softly through the trees as it reflected off the lake before us. The birds were still chirping among the trees while the wind softly danced along the leaves. I smiled, thinking of how wonderful it would be if I could share this moment with Yume; but she was nowhere to be found. Yume was my metaphorical starlight; to me she was already the number one star. For a girl I could barely stand at first, she had become my focal point. No matter what, I wanted to see her beautiful smile. Especially when she directed that smile towards me, as cliché as it sounds, the world just seemed perfect when she did. She was the dream I never knew I was searching for, if only I could just tell her. That was my biggest conundrum, I lacked the courage.

Hime and I were discussing the upcoming S4 competition and my hopes to finally become a member when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. I noticed Hime's eyes dart away from mine as her attention was diverted to something I had not noticed before. Standing before us next to the water were two familiar figures. We hid from their sight and stood in absolute silence, barely even breathing, for fear of disturbing them.

I saw Yume take Koharu's hand as I froze in place.

"You're warm!" Koharu spoke softly. I saw her turn pink and look down. "I like you Yume..no I love you. I really love you, You're my everything and I want to spend my life with you." Koharu looked shyly at the flabbergasted Yume.

For a moment everything stood still as I stopped breathing, awaiting Yume's response. I gripped onto the tree I was hiding behind to keep my balance.

Yume smiled and gripped Koharu's hand tighter, "I feel the same way! Let's move forward together, forever!" she said in her usual cheerful manner.

My heart sank as my vision started to fade out and cloud over. I didn't notice Hime shaking me to snap me out of my crumbling world as I fell against the tree.

"Laura, are you ok? Laura?"

I fought back my tears as I took a deep breath and stood back up. I needed to remain calm, what kind of Spice Chord muse would I be if I allowed myself to crumble under this? I had to keep up appearances. "I'm fine Hime, thanks for asking." I backed away from the tree and turned away from the two, but as I spoke there was a clear chill in my voice, "I'm going back, we shouldn't be here anyway, it's rude."

As I briskly walked away, Hime reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Are you sure you're alright, I thought you two were..."

"I'm fine," I said more sternly and abruptly than I wanted to.

I caught a glimpse at Hime's concerned expression as I attempted to hide my tearing eyes behind my bangs. She released my arm and backed away from me as I proceeded to walk past the S4 party and beyond.

I was in a daze as I walked through the forest that surrounded the school. The wind howled through the trees as it started to drizzle. I needed to get away from everyone and find someplace secluded; not an easy task with so many students outside for the party. I walked to the far corner of the school campus beyond S4's castle; I figured no one would be there that night. I sat under the welcoming willow tree and sighed, my entire being feeling heavy. Tears slowly streamed down my face as I continued to fight off the storm of emotions I felt. Why am I crying, I should be happy! Now I can focus on my own singing and not worry about Yume! I've never needed anyone else and I still don't! As hard as I tried, I knew I was still just lying to myself.

None of them knew about my past. Sure, they knew of my family and its musical history because of my arrogant bragging, but beyond that was a mystery to them.

Despite my wonderful childhood in music, I lived under constant pressure to live up to my parents expectations. When your entire family takes pride in its rich history any mistake is deemed unacceptable. From a young age I studied piano and had professional vocal training. Since my family was prestigious and they were very vocal regarding it, I developed an egotistical attitude towards other people. I was a Sakuraba and was destined for musical greatness. Because of this I was isolated from other children. I had tried to make friends, but none of them stuck around. They either tried to use my family's prestige for their own gain or found it too intimidating. To top everything off my parents were barely home. I was almost always left with the hired help. I was raised by people who were too afraid of upsetting me for fear I'd tell my parents. I knew all too well that just because there are people around you, does not mean you do not feel hopelessly alone. And it got progressively worse because as I grew older my parents felt I no longer needed to be watched and thus I was left home alone.

That's why I was so abrasive when I started going to Four Star Academy, I had no real experience with people who actually treated me as a normal person. I utterly and completely lacked any social skills. I had no idea what it was like to be a friend and have someone actually be there for you.

And then there was Yume.

A girl who had zero experience with singing or anything remotely musical. A girl whose only previous talent was volleyball.

And she drove me absolutely crazy.

I was late on my first day of school, I had overslept and was frantic to sneak into class unnoticed. I thought I was pretty clever thinking I could sneak in through the window; but this was under the assumption that someone would open it for me. I looked at the unassuming girl with twintails grinning at her new Aikatsu phone and knocked on the window, only for her to get flustered and look away. I was grateful she did eventually open the window but I passed her off as the typical incompetent doof who could not possibly compete with me. But by the end of the day she became well known for having the most impressive performance for a first year, greatly passing mine.

I'll be honest, I was annoyed. She appeared to have no actual talent nor did she seem to try. Her voice was weak, her presence was abysmal and her attitude positively oblivious, and yet her performance greatly outclassed mine! I cringed when I was forced to work alongside her. And then...

I saw how hard she did actually try. Despite her imperfections, she pursued her goals with a level of passion that easily matched mine. In her I saw a pure heart, someone who truly wanted to make everyone around her smile. And as time passed I saw myself slowly falling for her. I was overcome by this realization during our stay at Aikatsu Island when I found myself willing to sacrifice my own feelings for her sake. Needless to say this did not sit well with me, considering I've always worried about myself and only myself. I refused to form a team with anyone unless assigned; I did not want to be held back. I had such an iron focus on my singing that such issues were usually overlooked and glossed over. My self-esteem had suffered when she repeatedly beat me in auditions. But by the time the S4 competition came around, my admiration for had grown so exponentially I was proud of her for beating me. I felt honored to be her admin. Plus, it meant I could always be by her side.

I continued to dream of performing again with Yume. To be perfectly in sync together, our voices melodically intertwining. Singing together the way we did on Aikatsu Island formed a bond, an incomparable connection. She is the first and only one I have ever desired to sing with. The energy and intensity behind it was absolutely mesmerizing. It had to be her, only her. Despite never taking the next step, when we sang it was almost like we had. That I had already held her close and took her as mine and mine alone. She told me she loved me, that I was her precious friend. All I could say was I wanted to sing with her and only her. And telling her so was an equivalent to a confession in my mind. I never directly told her how much I adore her. From the events that occurred on Aikatsu island; I had believed that she felt the same kind of love I felt about her. I've never been good at expressing how I feel so even afterwards I was not vocal about my assumptions. After all, being someone who had not known friendship before her, I definitely had no clue about these romantic feelings. My emotions were uncontrollable, like a raging storm but I hid them well.

I found myself compelled to protect her as well as her dreams and ideals. I wanted to be that person who was there for her because I knew all too well what it's like to stand alone. That's why I jumped in front of Elza related incidents numerous times out of fear of Yume getting hurt. She had snuck into my strong resolve and became my raison d'être. Others had noticed, but I was oblivious to how I had changed. I had grown out of shape, I could no longer brag about my rock hard stomach or that I was at the pinnacle of my health. I rarely spent time on my own Aikatsu and it showed. Instead of bragging about my accomplishments, I was bragging about hers. Whatever drive and passion I had over my own pursuits disappeared, I no longer sought out new goals. She was my entire world. Even when Elza insulted me due to my decreasing stage presence and lack of brand, Yume's defiance towards her in my defense only strengthened my adoration. It was wonderful to be able to perform again with her in front of the very person who had insulted me. It was definitely hard to ignore how radiant we are together. After all, together we are the strongest.

However to Yume, I continued to pretend that my feelings were normal for a friend trying to protect another friend; not once did I admit to telling her I loved her. I always just stood by her side at the S4 castle, almost loyal to a fault.

Everything dramatically shifted when Koharu came back.

Don't get me wrong; Koharu is a sweet girl. That fact just makes the situation that much more difficult. She assisted me with making my first premium rare dress which she clearly did not have to do. However, I still felt a tinge of bitterness seeing her so close to Yume. I attempted to keep Yume from getting too close to her childhood friend. But how could I possibly hate someone who only wanted everyone to be happy? How could I sabotage the happiness of the only one I've ever loved romantically?

And yet as selfish as it may seem, while I was outwardly concerned about Koharu leaving on Venus Ark, I was also considerably relieved. Yume and I would go back to our normal lives with only Hime being a real concern. Hime had enough respect to realize the situation from my own perspective and had taken that chance to step away from Yume. However, when we discovered Koharu would be staying, my heart fell; I knew things were never going to be the same.

The day we went back to Four Star Academy I had the chance to perform again with Yume. As we stood in the chamber before the Aikatsu system my thoughts were already jumbled with my anxiety over Koharu's presence. I was startled when Yume grabbed my hand, "Yume?" My eyes rested on the visibly nervous girl standing beside me as she spoke.

"Please lend me your strength Laura." I looked quizzing at her and her sudden request. "The last time I performed for Koharu I had that horrible accident. I don't want to fail in front of her ever again, I need this to be –"

"The best show!" I chimed in and cut her off with a smug look. I smiled and looked into her eyes and gripped her hand tighter, "It will be fine, it's not like how it was, you're much better! Everything will be ok. Besides…" I hesitated for what I was going to say. My heart hurt, my thoughts raced as I looked into the eyes of the object of my affections. I desperately wanted to tell her how I felt, but could not find the words. I was terrified of losing the one person I had ever truly cared for. "Besides... you have me," I winked in a weak attempt to convey my feelings to her, all while hiding the pain I was feeling due to my own anxiety. I wondered if she could detect the slight signs of desperation on my face. Perhaps the message would make it through to her, that maybe I could prevent myself from losing her…

At least there was comfort knowing that I was in a secluded place so no one would hear my quiet sobs.

How could I have been so stupid? She told me she loved me and I said nothing! I lost my chance! I wiped a few tears from my face and leaned against the tree. It shouldn't even matter! I'm doing things for myself. I was such a fool. I protected her from Elza, from anything that could harm her. I tossed my own dreams aside… because… because I love her. I was stupid to assume she knew how I felt when I said I wanted to sing with only her. She doesn't think the way I do. I looked up at the cloudless sky. Since that corner of the school lacked light I could clearly see the constellations above. My eyes fell upon the big dipper. I brushed a few strands of hair from my face and looked down in an attempt at a new resolve. I'm not here for her. I'm not here to make anyone else happy or make them smile. That's not my way of life. I'm here to go my own path. It's true I would not be who I am today without her, but there comes a time when that influence is no longer a benefit. She shouldn't be my sole driving force. True, she drew the best out of me, but I have to stand tall on my own and continue, with, I winced, or without Yume.

I stood up and faced the sky above. I reached up and brushed the tears from my face and let out a deep sigh. I love Yume. I want to sing with Yume. But if she wants Koharu I will not stand in their way. I can't in good conscience harm the one I love. I just wish her desire for happiness had rested with me. There's no doubt she has changed me. I went from a callous harsh individual to someone who is considerate and always willing to extend a helping hand. And for that I am truly grateful. I will continue going my path and continue going my way. My heart wavered at the very thought of pushing on without her. It was going to be rough, but I am a Sakuraba. We don't just give in when there's a twist in the road.

I walked back towards the S4 party with a renewed strength and resolve. I am Laura Sakuraba, and I am going my way.