Author's Note

It's Christmas Eve! It's almost time and here is Ellen's portion for the song. I will put up chapter 12 soon. These two chapters are slightly rushed but should be fine. They are shorter than usual for sure. I do plan on coming back and possibly edit it. Let me know how this shorter chapter goes.

Update

Few dialogue and grammar fix

One additional scene at the end

Chapter 11: Siren's Dream, Trauma and Courage

In the other world, where entertainment is gone. Within a large business building, there stand two people in front of a man.

The man questions them "You two disappointed me. Gyaku, according to your report, you had the chance to finish at least one of them. What exactly happened?"

Gyaku gulps "I… I couldn't do it because the fifth cure came back. I thought I had more time and..."

The man then asks "And?"

Gyaku then continues "This girl.." Gyaku looks at the girl standing next to him "She did not tell me anything and how much time I would have."

The man then looks at the girl "What do you have to say, Kosei."

The girl looks like Suzu but with a tattoo of a broken lipstick mark near her collarbone. She then shrugs "Nothing, I did my job and that's all."

The man sighs and says "You need to let Gyaku know. You may be of higher position than him but the two of you are working together this time. You know what to do next time, right?"

Kosei then answers "Understand, but I'll need to write a plan don't I? Give me a few days and I'll write something."

The man then nods "Alright, then Gyaku, keep the precure busy. If you can, gather more data to help Kosei."

Gyaku looks reluctant but agrees "Yes sir."

The man looks at Gyaku carefully for a bit "That's all, both of you are dismissed."

Gyaku and Kosei together "Yes."

In the dark night, near a small forest within the academy ground, the sound of the guitar can be heard. Ellen is in the forest, playing a song, and humming along. After about 10s or so seconds later, the S4 Ako and another girl walks near her. Ellen notices them and stops playing.

Ako then asks "Why did you stop? Your song is not over yet, right?"

Ellen is confused "Eh? What do you mean?"

Ako answers "You were playing a song, making a performance, right? It doesn't seem like a practice, so you shouldn't stop halfway even if something unexpected happens"

The other girl with purple hair then says "Ako, isn't it a bit too much? I think anyone would get surprised."

Ellen then shakes her head "No, she has a point."

Ellen takes a deep breath then looks at her guitar and continues playing. After a minute later, the song ends and Ako gives her applause.

Ako then says "Good song, have you thought of making your own song yet? All of your friends already got one."

Ellen nods "Yes, when Ako… I mean our Ako got her own song and live, I already started working on it."

Ako says "Is that so. Actually, since you use a guitar, is your song going to be a rock type?"

Ellen then says "Yes. At least I want it to be, but I'm not sure if that's really a good idea."

The purple hair girl then steps forward "Don't worry about it. Rock is going my way!"

Ellen blinks for a few a bit "Going my way? Rock is… how I want it to be?"

The girl then says "Yes, you are free to do your own rock. That's why it's going my way!"

Ellen thinks about the meaning the nods "I understand. I'll see what I can do to create my own rock. Also… It's a little late but I'm Kurokawa Ellen."

The girl then replies "I'm Sakuraba Rola. Nice to meet you."

Ellen then immediately blinks and says "Sakuraba Rola, I see, you are the rival she was talking about."

Rola then gently laughs "Haha, I bet it's Yume. But keep the fact I'm here a secret, for now, okay?"

Ellen then questions "Why? I thought you two were also friends."

Rola smiles and poses with her hand on her hip "That's why it's a secret. Whatever you do, don't tell anyone."

Ellen nods "Alright, I think I understand what is going on."

Ako then says "Of course, I would be disappointed if you can't even figure it out."

Rola then says "Ako, is she in your class?"

Ako nods "Yeah, she is pretty good but…"

Ellen smiles bitterly and says "I know, I need to get over it."

Rola then asks "Get over it? What happened?"

Ellen answers "It's actually… It is about what I ended up doing because of a selection."

Ellen then starts talking about all the stuff between her and Hummy. Within it, she also talks about all the stuff she did and regret. All of it was roughly told while avoiding anything precure related.

Ako then says "I see, because of that, you are afraid to end up doing the same thing."

Ellen then nods "Yes, that's right."

Rola then sighs and says "Then you shouldn't worry too much. I have seen quite a few people and the only ones who won't be fazed by that kind of situation are Yume. Ellen, if it were to happen again, what do you think your thoughts will be?"

Ellen looks at Rola and thinks upon it. After a few seconds, she smiles and answers with confidence "I will still be jealous but… I don't think I'll have ill intent towards them. Instead, the feeling might be towards wanting to be able to keep up or surpass them."

Rola nods "That's good. You will be fine then. Your best friend will be the best rival you can get. Just like Yume and I."

Ellen looks at Rola and slowly nods. Rola then looks at Ako and Ako shrugs.

Rola then points at Ellen and declares "Ellen, I will be doing a live tomorrow as part of my surprise, make sure you watch it! I'll show you my rock and I'm sure you'll want to stand on stage afterward."

Ellen makes wry smiles "That's quite a declaration there. Tomorrow, I understand, so that's why it's a secret. I'll make sure to be there."

Ako then cuts in and says "Alright, that's it for tonight. It's getting late, we can't be skipping sleep."

Rola nods "That's true, let's call it tonight. I plan on staying here for a while. So we will have plenty of time to talk later."

Ellen relaxes "That's true, then… Good night."

Ako and Rola then say the same "Good night."

The next day morning, during the S4 TV broadcast, the S4 members are all together.

Near the end of the show, Yume says "and that's about it. Everyone, please continue to…"

Ako then stops Yume and shouts "Stop! It's not over yet! We still have a little time left."

Yume then looks around and says "Ah, you are right. However…"

Mahiru then nods "Don't worry, we actually have a surprise guest today!"

Luka on the side nods and agree "That's right that's right! And our surprise guest is! Sakuraba Rola!" As Luka announces her name, Rola walks into the broadcast.

Rola then faces the camera "This is Sakuraba Rola. I have returned temporarily."

Yume then gets a little emotional "Rola? Are you the real Rola?"

Rola turns to Yume "Of course, my rock has lead me back here. When I am oversea, I couldn't find anyone to replace Yume. Yume, you are still my best rival and I'll show you how much I have grown."

Yume smiles "Of course and we just have enough time for one performance."

Rola smiles "Great, then let me go on stage!"

Yume then says "Okay, and with that. Rola will be doing a live! It's been a while since we get to see Rola's live."

Rola jumps onto the stage and starts her stage.

After the song plays for a bit, Rola sings "There is a chemical reaction that I can't do alone, Just what is this miracle? When 1 plus 1 equals infinity; one two three, four and magic."

Even though her song just started, her aura is already glowing radiantly. Her dance and singing are much better before she left. Yume, listening closely to Rola, is amazed by her improvement. She then smiles and shows that she is glad that Rola came back.

Yume mutters "Rola, you are definitely amazing. You improved so much in such a short time. I'll need to work harder."

Rola then soon enters the moment of her special appeal. She does her chain cutting but when it is about to end, the special appeal then follows up with three more chains that she break all at the same time while Rola's surrounding during the appeal has her own aura around it. With that unique appeal, everyone including the S4 is surprised and stunned by it.

On the other end, Ellen is watching it over her phone with Hibiki and others. None of them can take their eyes off it.

Hibiki then shouts "What is that?"

Ako is already looking into it and quickly found it "Found it, it seems like it is called Swift Appeal. It is a short extended special appeal that was first performed by an England idol… Sakuraba Rola?"

Ellen then says "That really is a surprise. To start something new and surprise everyone like this. No wonder she is yume's rival."

Kanade then says "Yeah, but I guess that is kind of expected."

Everyone then looks back and focus on the screen. Rola returns from the stage and looks confident.

Rola then looks at Yume and says "So what do you think?"

Yume then excitingly answers "Amazing! Absolutely amazing, Rola!"

Rola smiles "Of course, my time in England is not wasted."

Mahiru then asks "Rola, if you don't mind, what was that appeal?"

Ruka then follows up "Yes yes, please tell us what that is. Ruka wants to know as well."

Rola then answers "It's called Swift Appeal. I found out about this appeal during one of my live in England. Swift Appeal is an extension of our usual special appeal."

Ako then comments "I'm sure it is not easy, but now that we know, I'll make sure to learn it."

The other S4 members agree and with that, the show soon comes to an end.

Ellen then stands up and thinks to herself "Amazing. Even though Rola and Yume are supposedly best friends, those two are challenging each other. No, is it because they are challenging each other, they are best friends?"

Hibiki notices Ellen thinking about something and worries "Ellen, are you okay?"

Ellen looks at Hibiki then at Hummy "Yeah, I'm alright. Everyone, I'm not going to lose to you all. I'll do my best as well."

Ellen then runs off immediately, leaving Hibiki and others confused.

Hibiki questions "What was that? Did something happened?"

Ako then tries to answer "I don't know but… Ellen did look a bit troubled lately."

Hibiki then asks again "But not lose to us, were we competing in something?"

Kanade then notices "Ah, perhaps… It's our live. She is the only who didn't get a new song yet. Ellen must have wanted to make one as well but…" Kanade then looks at Hummy.

Hummy then questions "What-nya?"

Hibiki then understood what Ellen must be thinking "I see, but it looks like she got over it. Umm, Ako."

Before Hibiki finishes, Ako says "I know, I'll keep an eye on Ellen. However, I think she will be fine."

Hibiki and Kanade both look at where Ellen left agree "Yeah."

Ellen rushes to see Rola. Ellen knocks on her waiting room's door.

Rola responds "It's open, go ahead."

Ellen enters and looks at Rola and says "Rola, I'm sorry for suddenly showing up but… can you help me?"

Rola looks at Ellen with a surprised then a serious face "Ellen? Sure, if it is something I can do."

Ellen asks "Can you help me with my song. No, my rock."

Rola looks away while peeking at Ellen with one eye then says "Making a song isn't easy. I don't think I'm the best person…"

Before Rola finishes, Ellen says "Please, at least listen to my song, my beat!"

Rola looks at Ellen's serious and confident image and agrees. Afterward, Ellen then borrows a guitar and plays her song to Rola again. This time she also let Ellen know what kind of rock and emotion she wants to carry in each segment. Without Rola noticing it herself, she is already helping Ellen producing her own song.

After a bit, Rola says "You are really something. This song is great for guitar. The only issue is it is not fit on the stage."

Ellen asks "Not fit for the stage? Hmm, I get it. If this the case, then maybe I can…"

The two of them continue to work on the song. They eventually talk about the dance and what kind of performance Ellen should be doing. The two work closely without noticing it is already getting late at night. They clean up and start heading back to the dorm.

When they return, Yume jumps at Rola while saying "Rola! Welcome back!"

Not only Yume, but many people also welcome Rola. Even graduated students like Lily and Yuzu are there.

Rola looks surprised "Yume and everyone! When did you guys manage to find out I'm… oh!"

Rola looks at Ellen and she holds up her Aikatsu Mobile "Yep, I let them know."

Rola "I see…" Rola then looks at everyone "Everyone, I'm back!"

Everyone else "Welcome back!"

Afterword, everyone enjoys Rola's welcome back party to their fullest.