CHAPTER 01 : Emergence of DreamGirl

A year have passed since Ichigo Hoshimiya went to America to hone her idol skills, leaving her friends in Starlight Academy behind. Aoi Kiriya, Ichigo's best friend, is now a reigning Starlight Queen after defeating Otome in their final match. She never imagined that she was able to reach such heights that Ichigo failed to reach. Even despite that, she feels guilty for winning it...


Aoi: "I wonder what is Ichigo doing right now… Uh, I miss her."

Aoi, lying on her Starlight Queen bed, looks at a photo of her and Ichigo in her phone. Ever since she became Starlight Queen, she lives in the Starlight Queen mansion where Mizuki Kanzaki, the previous Starlight Queen, used to live (now renamed as "Blue Nova Mansion"). She feels lonely.

Suddenly, there's someone knocking the door.

?: "Aoi, you there?"

Aoi: "Oh? Wait a sec."

Aoi gets up and opens the door. It is apparently Ran Shibuki, bringing her some snacks.

Aoi: "Oh, it's you. Some snacks for me? Wow, thank you."

Ran: "No problem. After all, you yourself always did this to us since way back in the day."

Aoi: "Yeah, I always did, because I always feel good helping up people."

Ran sits down next to Aoi.

Ran: "That's what I like about you, Aoi. I'm sure Ichigo would say the same thing."

Aoi: "Ah, Ichigo… I feel lonely without her, especially after I became Starlight Queen. I am fully aware that it was Ichigo's dream to begin with, to follow Mizuki's path and become Starlight Queen. But, she failed, and yet I succeed."

Ran: "To be frank, I myself did not imagine you to pull out such an incredible feat. Perhaps Ichigo actually placed her dreams into you, and you fulfilled that dream."

Aoi: "I don't know, Ran. But I still have this feeling that Ichigo should've been the one who's residing in this mansion now. Besides, I'm just Ichigo's number one fan. A fan that ended up succeeding instead of the idol."

Ran: "Don't let it bother you too much, Aoi. Just calm yourself down and act like you usually do. Anyway, I gotta go now, I got a few more assignments to do."

Ran leaves the bedroom and eventually out of the manor. Outside the gate, she meets Yurika Toudou, the vampiric idol.

Yurika: "So, how's Aoi?"

Ran: "She's fine, although she doesn't feel like her usual self today."

Yurika: "Truly? Maybe I should suck her blood to turn her back into her usual self."

Ran: "Aoi is feeling a bit guilty since she won the Starlight Queen Cup, a feat that Ichigo failed to accomplish back then."

Yurika: "Ichigo, eh? I wonder what she's doing there in America. It's been a year, right?"

Ran: "Uh-huh. Though I myself believed that Ichigo actually placed her dreams onto Aoi, so that she ended up succeeding in accomplishing something that Ichigo failed to accomplish."

Yurika: "I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense, okay?"

Ran: "Ah, the usual Yurika, always being denial."

Yurika: "What? You don't like it? You want me to suck your blood?"

Ran: "Careful, though. I got a lot of garlic on my disposal."

Yurika: "Aww, how cheap. Perhaps I should suck Otome's blood instead, because she was the one who humiliated me in front of many during the Cup."

Ran: "If it's Otome, go ahead, then. I won't stop you."


Tomorrow morning, Aoi and Ran begins her daily jog around the academy.

Ran: "Good morning, Aoi. How're you doing?"

Aoi: "Fine, so far."

Ran: "You still feeling down?"

Aoi: "Tried to alleviate some of those feelings, but it was quite a struggle."

Ran: "Don't push yourself too hard. And remember that you still have me and the other ones as your friends."

Aoi: "Yeah, I'll remember that."

Both of them continues jogging until the sun finally rises. They returns to their rooms and prepares for their daily works.

Meanwhile, in the headmistress' office… Both Mistress Orihime and Johnny are discussing something.

Orihime: "So, you have heard the news."

Johnny: "Of course and OF COURSE, Academy Mother! That news is indeed serious!"

Orihime: "Yes, a new idol academy emerging from out of nowhere, and now they're spreading insanely skilled idols left and right so fast that they might have outpaced us. They're known as Dream Academy."

Johnny: "This is not good, Mistress. Something has to be done. Should we do some investigations to find out what makes them so good?"

Orihime: "That's what I thought, Johnny. We will conduct it shortly."

After that, Starlight Academy conducts an investigation to find out about the new idol academy called Dream Academy that has been giving them quite a run on their wallet.


In the Starlight cafeteria… Aoi, Ran, and Yurika are eating their lunch together on one table.

Aoi: "Have you heard? Headmistress Orihime is conducting an investigation to find out a new idol academy that's been spreading out idols everywhere."

Ran: "You don't mean… Dream Academy?"

Yurika: "So that's the name of that academy? They will probably hit us hard if we aren't careful against them."

Aoi: "Yeah. But, as long as I'm the reigning Starlight Queen, hopefully everything will be all right as my influence will most likely keep them at bay."

Ran: "I'm sure I can place my trust on you, Aoi. Stay strong, don't falter."

Aoi: (relieved) "Thank you, Ran."

Ran: "Don't mention it."

Yurika "If you falter even once, though, I'll suck your blood".

Aoi: (scared) "Please, don't! But, I actually wonder if those Dream Academy girls are that good. I mean, it is said that the academy has been spreading skilled idols left and right really fast, am I right?"

Yurika: "Uh-huh?" (nods)

Aoi: "If that truly is the case, then we seriously need to get better and better, breaking our limits just like what Mizuki did when she had that joint-performance with Ichigo."

Ran: "Speaking about Mizuki, I haven't heard of her since she left our school after that climatic moment."

Aoi: "Yeah, nobody knows where she is and what she's doing now. She's probably still nearby, I bet. But - again - as a Starlight Queen, I will definitely match Mizuki's level of awesomeness."

Out of nowhere, a mysterious girl with long dark pink-colored hair and carrying a guitar comes from behind Aoi. Yurika is the first one to notice her.

Yurika: "What's your business?"

?: "I've heard all about you guys. Most especially you, the blue-haired Starlight Queen."

Aoi: "Me? Then what?"

?: "It doesn't matter how amazing you guys are. Let me tell you: If you're DO, I'm RE. And if you're RE, I'm MI! I won't lose against you!"

After that, she simply leaves.

Yurika: (scoffs) "She brags a lot, eh? Perhaps I should suck her blood."

Aoi: "Nah, I don't think it's a good idea."

Ran: "Is she even an idol, though?"

Aoi: "Now that's a good question. Seeing from her carrying a guitar, I think she's more of a band member instead of an idol. But I'm not holding my breath here, we'll just have to see if she actually has something hidden in her sleeves."

Both Ran and Yurika nods


Later that evening, in the Blue Nova Mansion…

Aoi: "Strange… I couldn't find any information about her."

Using her phone, Aoi is currently searching for any information about the mysterious girl she encountered back in the cafeteria. Yet, nothing can be found. She's deeply curious about that, but for some reason, she feels like she has seen a glimpse of Ichigo from that mysterious girl.

Aoi: "Did I see… a glimpse of Ichigo from her…?"


The next day, Orihime begins announcing the result of their Dream Academy investigation...

Orihime: (through the visual report) "Our investigation team has found out about this new academy known only as Dream Academy. This academy has been spreading many overly skilled idols in a short amount of time, probably more than we could with our idols. Not only that, our scouts have discovered some kind of hangar in their academy, most likely to store big weapons that they can use to wage war against us. As of now, we don't know yet what kind of weapon does this academy possess. But, be prepared for the worst, everyone. We will have to take extreme measures once they decides to fight us."

Both Aoi and Ran are watching Orihime's announcement via their phones. They look worried.

Aoi: "They seriously have some kind of weapons to attack us?"

Ran: "Then how would we combat them? I mean, we don't have anything like that, right?"

Aoi: "Of course not. This is an idol academy, after all, not a military academy."

Ran: "Are we screwed, then?"

Aoi: "Probably, but I hope someone will figure something out."

Shortly after, Johnny approaches Aoi.

Johnny: "Kiriya-honey, I've been looking for you."

Aoi: "Johnny-sensei?"

Johnny: "I'm positive that you've heard Mistress Orihime's report, right?"

Both: "Uh-huh?"

Johnny: "Okay then, come with me. I got something special for you."

Aoi: "Something special? Odayaka janai."

Johnny: "Like you said. Now, let's go."

Aoi follows Johnny somewhere. They go into an elevator that goes way underground. After some more walking through corridors, they finally reach a mysterious hangar. When they turned on the lights, it is revealed that a giant humanoid robot is inside!

Aoi: (surprised) "Is that…?! Don't tell me it's a… Mobile Suit?!"

Johnny: "Yeah, just like the ones you watched on TV. It's a Gundam."

Aoi: "A Gundam? Here, in Starlight? That truly is something special! Wait, are we going to combat Dream Academy with this thing?"

Johnny: "Of course we will. After all, that Dream Academy hangar Mistress Orihime mentioned is actually big enough to store this kind of giant machine. So, we can presume that Dream Academy does possess something like this. In the case they would attack us with Mobile Suits, we would prepared with this Gundam. And this Gundam is made specifically for you, Kiriya-honey, coming right from the hands of Futuring Girl."

Aoi: "What?! A Gundam specifically for me from Kamishiro-san himself?"

Johnny: "Correct. After all, you are the current reigning Starlight Queen. You're our best bet of combating Dream Academy. Are you up to it?"

Aoi: "…Yes, of course I'm up to it! There's no way I would let Dream Academy do what they wish if they want to endanger us! Not to mention this Gundam is from Futuring Girl…"

Johnny: "That's the spirit, Kiriya-honey. Now, let's see how this Mobile Suit looks."

Aoi and Johnny rides another elevator that allows them to look at the Gundam better from bottom to top.

Aoi: "This Gundam actually looks familiar. It has that cone-like structure on its back, some distinct design, and stuff…"

Johnny: "Well, yeah. This one was designed after Celestial Being Mobile Suits from the Anno Domini timeline, and that cone-like sturcture on its back is its power source: GN Drive. With that thing slapped on it, this Gundam can be operated without any worries of your energy supply getting too low after prolonged operational time. That fits you perfectly, Kiriya-honey."

Aoi: "Amazing. It truly fits me?"

Johnny: "Just trust me on that one."

Aoi: "Besides, how can I control this thing?"

Johnny: "Oh, that? Then let me show you the cockpit."

Johnny then shows how the cockpit looks like, just below the center GN Condenser on its chest. The cockpit itself is quite spacious and has wireless controls on it.

Johnny: "The way to control this Gundam is by actually moving your body."

Aoi: "Some kind of body movement recognition system?"

Johnny: "Yeah! I know you're aware that idols move their body a lot, most especially during performance. That is why this piloting system fully utilizes the capability of an idol's smooth movements, granting the Gundam its mobility. Basically, your idol energy is the one powering up this type of control system."

Aoi: "Odayaka janai!"

Johnny: "But, in order to pilot this Gundam properly, you need to train with it a lot to raise the synchronization level between you and the Gundam. To put it literally, become one with the Gundam. Doesn't mean turning you into Gundam, though, that would be- err, nevermind."

Aoi: "Hehe…"

Johnny: "Knowing you, though, I'm sure you can master this Gundam without too much trouble. Hey, you're the Starlight Queen, yeah right?"

Aoi: "Yeah, I should be. Anyway, what is this Gundam called?"

Johnny: "The full name and the designated model number is GN-∀01 AoIris Gundam."

Aoi: "Kamishiro-san actually had my name put into this Gundam and its model number? Wow, odayaka janai! But, what about that Iris?"

Johnny: "Dunno. I don't know why that name is even in this Gundam. But, anyway, are you willing to pilot this thing and protect our school from the wrath of DreAca when the time comes?"

Aoi: "Yes, of course I will."

Johnny: "Then you shall pilot it and, for now, train with it to raise your synch-rate with the Gundam."

Aoi: "Okay."

Shortly after, Aoi goes into the changing room, changes her clothes into pilot suit, then gets into the Gundam's cockpit.

Aoi: "So, how do I activate this thing?"

Johnny: (via the communications channel)"There's a star-shaped button in front of you, right? Press it, and the Gundam will activate."

Aoi presses the star-shaped button. The cockpit starts to light up with its systems quickly initializing and ready to use. The Gundam shakes a bit before lighting up its eyes. But, all of a sudden, an alarm goes off.

Aoi: (shocked) "What is it?!"

Mistress Orihime contacts both Johnny and Aoi via the comms channel.

Orihime: "We got some bad news! Apparently Dream Academy does have a Gundam just like us, but it looks different than the one that we currently have."

Aoi: "DreAca actually does have a Gundam like we do?!"

Orihime: "Yes, even the enemy's Gundam has already been launched and currently on its way here! It appears we have to get this new Gundam sortied to handle the opponent's Gundam!"

Aoi: "How can I?! I haven't even trained to synchronize with this Gundam!"

Johnny: "No, don't fret, Kiriya-honey! "Look at your current synch-rate, it is actually a high number for someone who just started piloting!"

Aoi: "It is… 76% already?"

Orihime: "That just shows your skills as Starlight Queen, Kiriya. Believe in yourself, I'm sure you can do it, for our sake."

Johnny: "I know this is all too sudden for you, Kiriya-honey. But, trust me, you can do it."

Aoi: (nods)

Soon, the Gundam gets equipped with its armaments and moved to the launchpad. The lights turns on one by one, and then indicates that the Gundam is ready to launch.

Aoi: "AoIris, Kiriya Aoi, heading out!"

AoIris Gundam launches out from the sport field that opens the launchpad. Ran, Yurika, and the other Starlight idols are surprised to see the Gundam takes off.

Ran: (surprised)"Don't tell me… is that…?!"

AoIris Gundam flies up to the sky. Aoi appears to be controlling the Gundam quite effectively.

Aoi: "The controls are surprisingly fluent, Johnny-sensei. That is amazing!"

Johnny: (via comms channel) "I told you, you being the Starlight Queen is one proof of that. Anyway, gotta stand guard."

Aoi: "Uh-huh."

Aoi flies toward the direction where Dream Academy is supposed to be located. She starts descending as she spots another Gundam moving forward.

Aoi: "That must be the Gundam you're talking about. It looks like… Impulse Gundam? With bits of Wing Gundam?"

?: "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Another Gundam, eh?"

Both Gundams stop moving mid-air

Aoi: (surprised) "That voice! I recognize that!"

Johnny: "You know that voice?"

Aoi: "Yes, I met her at the school's cafeteria. She bragged on us as if she's better than any of us."

?: "Oh, apparently the Starlight Queen herself has showed up. Well, guess I need to introduce myself first. Name's OTOSHIRO SEIRA, a rising new idol from Dream Academy."

Aoi: "So, you are indeed from Dream Academy. Which means you must be another one of those idols spreading left and right from that school."

Seira: "That is right, but I am different. I'll make sure that nobody knows what I have in my disposal, so I'll take the idol world by maelstrom."

Aoi: "Just like Mizuki, eh? But not by piloting a Gundam, though."

Seira: "This SWing Gundam will be the proof that if your Gundam's DO, then my Gundam's gonna be RE! If you're RE, then I'll be MI. The proof that I will always be one step ahead of you!"

Aoi: "Can't get enough with that nonsense, eh?"

Seira: "Okay then, here goes!"

Seira's SWing Gundam charges right toward Aoi's AoIris Gundam with its guitar-shaped beam blade. AoIris quickly dodged the attack by jumping upwards. Aoi counters the attack by firing her "Azulmagia" GN Beam Blade Rifle at Seira, which also gets dodged easily. Aoi then charges toward Seira, and starts clashing weapons against each other.

Seira: "Not bad for a Starlight Queen!"

Aoi: "You still continue to underestimate me?"

Seira: "I know fully that your synchronization rate with your Gundam isn't 100% yet!"

Aoi: "What?!"

Seira starts pushing Aoi back. Aoi tries to fight back, but the 76% synch-rate prevents her Gundam from performing properly, so she ends up getting knocked back and falls to the ground.

Seira: "That's the real proof of that."

Aoi: (gets up) "How is this possible? I mean, you just debuted right here! Does that mean your synch-rate is already higher than mine?"

Seira: "Of course it is!"

As Aoi gets up, Seira lands in front of her. Aoi does a horizontal slash, and Seira dodges it by simply stepping backward.

Meanwhile, Orihime and Johnny are both watching the battle from the big monitor in the command room.

Johnny: "Oh no! How could that enemy Gundam be so strong?!"

Orihime: "I have no idea. That Gundam pilot said it herself that her synch-rate is already higher than Kiriya, even though she has just debuted."

Johnny: "But Kiriya-honey is supposed to be Starlight Queen. Then how come a newcomer surpasses her capabilities?"

Orihime: "That, too, I don't know. Are we done for…?"

The battle between Aoi and Seira continues. Aoi starts to lose her ground while Seira stays strong all the time.

Aoi: "Why can't I… overpower you…?!"

Seira: "Like I said before, I will always one step ahead of you."

Aoi: "Stop that!"

Aoi swings her Azulmagia as hard as possible at Seira. But, Seira counters it with an even stronger slash that makes Azulmagia get tossed off from her Gundam's right arm and crash-lands on the ground.

Aoi: "?!"

Seira: "Too bad!"

Seira points her beam guitar blade right at the face of Aoi. Aoi is in utter shock knowing that she has lost. All of a sudden, a beam rifle projectile hits the ground right in front of Seira, prompting her to step back, avoiding the blast.

Seira: "What?! Who is that?"

Aoi: "Someone… saved me?"

From the skies above, another Gundam descends and lands in front of Aoi. This Gundam looks very similar to Strike Gundam or Akatsuki, but with the color scheme more reminiscent to the Wing Gundam .

Seira: "Who are you interrupting my fight?!"

Aoi: "A kind of… Strike Gundam? No, that's different!"

?: "I'm sorry for the interruption!"

Aoi: "That voice! I remember that voice! Are you… finally back…?"

?: "That's right, Aoi. I, HOSHIMIYA ICHIGO, am back in action for more Aikatsu, IN GUNDAM!"

Ichigo's Gundam then does a pose with its beam rifle.

[TO BE CONTINUED]