Author's Note

Finally got around to finish this chapter. I kind of hit a pretty large wall recently and watching the lastest Aikatsu or Precure episodes didn't exactly help much either. I was also stuck on a few things and ended up just taking references. I may drop my other series but I will definitely keep this one going. There is one thing I am happy to see. Even though I didn't update for a long time, more people seem to have picked it up. This really gave me a huge boost, kudos to my readers. Either way, I'm back now and will be getting more chapters out faster.

Chapter 4: Precure and Aikatsu, Suite Idols

The second round of the audition starts. This time is dancing and Yume is standing in front of the participants.

Yume speaks out "Second round will start now. All of you will follow the choreography I will be doing. If any of us judges see a major mistake, you will be called out." All the girls start to do warm-up and getting ready. When Yume sees everyone is ready to go, she nods and continues.

"Everyone ready? Let's start!" When Yume says so, music starts playing and she makes a short dance. She then turns around and looks at the girls. One by one, names are called out on many girls' mistakes. In the end, the winner of the second round is Kanade.

The third round is about self produce. Each girl is to show their uniqueness and the one that stands out the most in proper way wins. Hibiki shows off her athletic ability, Kanade does her cooking, and Ellen played a song of her own. Ako, on the other hand, stands onto the stage in her masked Cure form. Hibiki, Kanade, and Ellen can't help but be surprised.

Hibiki mutter with Kanade and Ellen beside her "Is she serious?"

Ellen replies "Well, it looks like it."

Kanade simply responds with a dry laugh. Ako then does a very high back jump can't change be into her normal clothes. Hibiki and others can't help but make a wry smile. All the judges besides Yume think that is her unique way to do a quick change and is deeply impressed by it. Because of this, Ako wins the round.

Several rounds go by and the four girls do really well. Eventually, the last round is coming up and it is singing. Ellen is the only one among the four that haven't placed first in a round, but she is fired up and determines to win the singing portion.

While in the waiting room, Ellen looks at herself in the mirror. "I'll win the next one. Everyone is able to take first place in a round, I can do it too. Singing was my specialty after all."

Ako looks at Ellen and says "Don't worry, I think you have a good chance. Within all of us, you are the best at singing." Hibiki and Kanade nod in agreement.

As they cheer up Ellen, a staff knocks on the door and walks in "Everyone, last round is starting in 5 minutes. Please hurry onto the stage." The girls look at each other and nod. Then everyone starts moving towards the stage.

Yume is standing on the stage with a piano waiting for everyone. When all the participants are on stage, she says "Everyone good job making it this far. It's good to see that we didn't have to disqualify anyone. As all of you should know by now, the last round is singing. Everyone will sing the note I play and same as before, the last person standing wins. Afterward, we will pick two people with the highest score and for the final. As for the final, it will be a live competition between the two."

With that said, Ellen looks hesitant on trying her best to win "Live, maybe I'll just aim for second place."

At this time, Yurina who stands beside Ellen responds to her "Please don't do that. If you do it, that is just…" Yurina slowly stops what she is trying to say but Ellen understands.

Ellen then looks at Yurina and smiles "Don't worry, I'm just saying that. I know it's wrong to give wins like that."

Yurina brightens up "Ah, thank goodness you know. Though don't worry, I'm confident in my singing as well. Even though I have been getting nothing but a second and third place so far, I'll still put up a fight."

Hibiki then lean towards Kanade and whispers "Does she realize it's amazing to be good at everything?"

Kanade then retorts quietly "Aren't you the same? The worst you got is in third place."

Hibiki then replies "Of course, this is a competition too and I hate to lose."

Hibiki and others are not the only ones chit-chatting and eventually, Yuma claps her hand to get everyone's attention. "Looks like everyone is ready to go. Since that's the case, let's start!"

Among Hibiki's group, the first one to drop out is unexpectedly Ako. Due to her younger age, it is hard for her to keep going. Next is Hibiki and follow up with Kanade. Ellen, as they expected, is the one left standing. However, their new friend Yurina isn't giving in. After 10 minutes between the battle of the two, Yurina became out of breath and make a mistake. Yume then stops and stands up from the piano.

"That was an intense one. Congratulation Ellen, you win this round. Yurina, you are amazing as well but it's unfortunate you are against Ellen." Yume says announce the winner of the round and comments on their performance.

Yurina, however, is confused "Why?"

Yume smiles and looks at Ellen "Ellen, you had been singing for a long time, haven't you? Your voice project really well and the breathing is perfect."

Ellen isn't sure how to respond and gives a humble answer "Well, I don't know being perfect but I did start singing many years ago."

Yume nods and continues "Don't worry, I can guarantee that you are very good. Though for now, we will need to tally up everyone's score and decide on the top two. Everyone, please return to the waiting room for a while."

A few minutes later, all the participants are called back onto the stage. This time, the host is standing in front. A large screen is also at the back of the stage. As the host starts talking, the screen turns on.

"All the rounds are finally over! Our judges have also decided on the final two participants! However, before that, we will announce the three followups in the scoring!" As the host finishes, the screen flash and shows three boxes with 3rd, 4th, and 5th note above it.

The host then continues as the screen reveals fifth place "As for the fifth place, it issss! Ako! Our judges will have Yume representing their thoughts on your performance."

Yume then steps up "Shirabe Ako, you showed us how capable you are and we are impressed by it. However, your stamina is a problem and it may be because of your age. Even though, it is amazing that you are able to take fifth place. Keep it up and you may become an amazing idol in the future."

The host then quickly follow up and moves on "That is definitely true. For the youngest one in the group to take 5th place is amazing. However, how about the third and fourth place? Let's find out!" The screen then reveal 4th place to be Yurina "Amazing! It is Yurina! Even though she fails to take first place in any of the rounds, she manages to take fourth place. Yume, place let us know what the judges think."

Yume nods "It is as Mr. Host has said, Yurina, you did well in all the round. Even though you didn't take first place in any of them, you still do very well in all of them. We idols have to improve what we can one step at a time without taking shortcuts. That is how I become the idol I am today. I'm sure you can become a splendid idol as well as long as you don't give up."

The host then continues "Sounds like Yurina is on the same track as Yume. Maybe it's time to get her signature."

Yurina looks dumbfounded "Sig… Signature? No no, I don't even have one yet."

The host then exaggerates depression but bending forward with his arms hanging. He then moves on for the third place announcement "That's too bad. Well, there will be chances. Now, it is the third place. She came really close to the top two girls and she isss, Ellen!"

Ellen tries to keep calm but Hibiki and others can tell she really happy. The host then have Yume takes over and she looks at Ellen "Ellen, you came really close. Though if we were to score normally, you may have gotten first place. Your singing is phenomenal and that alone gives you a lot of advantages. However, if you want to be an idol, you should work a bit more on your dancing. When you get better at dancing, I'm sure your live will be very good."

The host then makes his comments and moves on "That's amazing! To receive Yume's recognition is definitely amazing. If the third-place already have such good feedback, I can't wait to hear what the judges have to say for the first and second place. Though before that, they'll have to do their live and they are…" Getting to this point, Hibiki and Kanade already have an inking for who the top two is.

Hibiki mutters "Don't tell me…"

Kanade can't help but says "Right…"

The host then loudly announces the two names "Hibiki and Kanade! The two of you will be competing with a live performance."

Hibiki and Kanade couldn't say anything and stands still in place. The host then let Yume says one last thing.

"You two will be doing a live and competes with each other. The audience here will decide who is better. As for the song, it will be Aikatsu Step! I will help you two in case the two of you don't know the steps and lyrics that well. However, it is an easy song so it won't take too long. So the two of you, do your best!" She gives them her smile, hoping to give them the confidence they need.

Kanade immediately responses "Ah yes! Please teach us well!" She then bows and Hibiki does the same a second after. The host then takes over to entertain the audience and everyone else moves off stage.

In a separate room, Yume stands in front of Hibiki and Kanade. She is having them mimic her movement and singing. They stand in front of a wall of mirror and they can see themselves dancing along.

The music soon ends and Yume turns around and says "Looks like you two got most of it down. But…" Yume pauses then looks at Hibiki

"Hibiki, you need to stop looking at me or Kanade. You already know the dance and I'm sure you can do it without thinking about it too much. Just sing and feel the music. If you do that, your dance should come out just fine." Yume looks at Hibiki and carefully let her know what Hibiki should be capable of.

Kanade then couldn't help giggles "Hibiki, Yume actually read you like a book."

Hibiki took a step back and says "Well, that's… actually right but I can't help it. This is the first time I'm doing this."

Yume then looks at Kanade "I am an idol after all. This is nothing. However Kanade, you also have a problem. You are too reserved, it's like you were too embarrassed to even do the choreography properly. The only time an idol should feel embarrassed is… when they cannot finish their live and make people worry. It's fine even if you make a mistake, it's fine as long as you enjoy doing the live and finishes it."

Kanade then looks at Yume "Umm, but we don't really have to become real idols right?"

Yume shakes her head "If you are thinking about the precure thing, I won't be around to help every time. The next time Negadol shows up, one of you will need to do a live."

Kanade realizes what Yume is saying "Ah, that's right."

Hibiki only think about working with Yume as precure and complains "Why? Just join us, if those people just do as they please, this world will be in big trouble."

Kanade stops Hibiki and shakes her head "That's not it, Hibiki. Yume is a top idol, I'm sure her schedule is filled up. I don't think Yume have that much time to help us, she'll need her rest on her time off as well."

Hibiki then notices she was wrong "Yume, sorry. But, you were amazing. I just think it would be great if we can work together."

Yume closes her eyes and thinks hard. After a few seconds, she opens her eyes and looks at the two while smiling "I'll help if I got time. Also, since you girls will need to do live sooner or later, I'll be training everyone. I can probably help you two, no, the top five into Four Star Academy. That Yurina girl is good too, the five of you are already near the level where you can debut."

Hibiki and Kanade then respond with "Debut?"

Yume nod "That's right. However, for now, more practice. We have time to do it one more time."

Upon Yume pushing the practice onto the two, they simply respond "Yes!"

After about 20 minutes, the host on stage announces that Hibiki and Kanade are ready. He then moves off stage to let the stage open up.

In the changing room, Yume gives Hibiki and Kanade an ID card to use the Aikatsu System. Along with it, Hibiki receives a Rose Marching Coord and Kanade got Snow Marching Coord.

Hibiki asks "What are these?"

Yume answers "ID card to use the Aikatsu system. Normally we would use our student ID that can be used for the Aikatsu system. Since the two of you are not a student of any idol academy, this temporary one will be one-time use. For the dress, that's a standard student coord for Four Star Academy."

Kanade then looks at the cards "These will become clothing? That's… amazing."

Hibiki then asks "How do we use these?"

Yume then looks down a small corridor with glittering lights "Just go there and you will know." She smiles and gives then a confident smile. Hibiki and Kanade looks at each other then turns to Yume.

Hibiki then says "Alright, then here goes nothing!"

After Hibiki, Kanade then says "Hibiki… Then I'll do my best to show my girly charm."

The two runs down the corridor and set the cards down one by one onto the pedestal. A path of light opens up and they hop through each card that's floating. After a few more hops, they finish changing their stage dress and pop onto the stage. Hibiki and Kanade look at each other and nods. The music then starts playing and they dance along with it. The two then soon start singing.

Starting with both of them "1・2・3 and Aikatsu! What else but we call it a youth?"

Hibiki "As we shoot straight to an uncharted future."

Together again "1・2・3 and Aikatsu! Get back up whenever you fall!"

Kanade "The feelings of doing your best is in progressive form."

…

When it's time for a special appeal, Hibiki starts it.

She snaps her fingers above her head once and a music note appears in a mostly red and pink glow. She then does the same again after pulling her hand below her. Hibiki then draws a circle as music notes copies and form a perfect circle in front of her. She ends up with both her hand at the bottom of the circle and she pushes them upward as she raises her arms above her head. The notes scatter and become a glittering heart.

Kanade then followup with her own. She claps her hands once on the left and once on right. Each time also creates an orb filled with music notes but in yellow and white. She then jumps with a great spin as the orbs circles around her. When she stops, she extends her hands outward to the sides and touches the orb. The notes then burst out and fill the stage with it.

Afterward, the performance continues on for a little longer. When it ends, everyone cheers to Hibiki and Kanade. Hibiki and Kanade are both out of breath but they feel the excitement. They look at the crowd and then to each other. Laughter comes out from the two of them as they both think "It is fun, why were we scared and embarrassed of the stage?"

Yume stands on the side, far away and smiles. She then looks at her right side and says "What do you think? If these two can make such Live happen, the other three within the top five should be great as well." Yume declares while looking at Moroboshi, the headmaster of Four Star Academy.

He pushes his glasses and answers "That's true. The youngest one is also great for the new elementary school."

Yume then looks at the stage and nods while talking to herself "I wonder, what kind of idol they'll become on top of being precure?"

Moroboshi then questions "Pre-what?"

Yume then waves her hand in front of her "Ah no nothing, don't worry about it."

Moroboshi looks at Yume with some doubt then back at the stage "Well, they certainly look promising. I'm looking forward to their growth too." He then smiles while holding his glasses again.