Author's Note

This is one chapter for unknown reasons I struggled with. Sorry that it took so long for me to write this chapter. Either way, this is more of a chill chapter where all the characters have fun... Well, for the most part.

Chapter 16: Welcome Festival, Gyaku's Trump card

When their live comes to an end, loud cheers resounds the stadium. The four of them introduce and starts the festival.

Hibiki "Is everyone ready for the welcome festival?"

Everyone answers in cheers

Ellen then follows up "Sounds like everyone is ready. In that case, let's..."

Kanade then stops Ellen "Stop! We haven't even explained anything about this festival!"

"Ah… that's right. In that case, everyone, please look at your Aikatsu Mobile."

Ako then nods "Looks like everyone has it out. Now, app, install!"

An application then is installed into everyone's Aikatsu Mobile.

Hibiki then says "This app will have everything you would like to find in this festival."

Kanade continues "That's not all, there is a surprise live event on the last day."

Ako "But, there is a catch."

Ellen nods "That's right, if you want to see it from the best seat, you'll have to collect festival points."

Kanade then explains "To collect points, all you need to do it participate in different events during the festival. There are 300 seats available so let's do our best!"

Hibiki couldn't wait and is slightly already hopping around "Either way, let's enjoy ourselves and let the festival, begin!"

With a final cheer, the festival officially began.

Soon after the festival starts, Hibiki and others meet up with Yume.

Yume immediately says "Good work. That was a great Live. I knew the four of you can pull it off."

Elza who is still nearby then comments "But you can't exactly call that great. That was mediocre at best."

Hibiki gets angry "Nobody asks you!"

Elza glares at Hibiki and Kanade tries to calm down Hibiki "Hibiki, you know she is right. We barely manage to do that special appeal. Besides, you still want to enjoy the festival, right?"

Hibiki answers without catching Kanade's hint "Eh? Of course, I do. But what does that have to do with this woman being so mean?"

Everyone but Elza and Hibiki sigh or dumbfounded by it. Kanade "Umm, Hibiki. Where are we right now?"

Hibiki immediately answers "Isn't that obvious? We are on Neo Venus Ark and we are having the festival on it."

Kanade "And? Keep going."

"Well, Neo Venus Ark is a top idol school and it is run by… ah."

Elza smiles and says "It looks like I don't have to remind you who's ship you are on."

"Ah, I'm sorry!"

Elza then chuckles with a smile "At least no one needs to explain it to you. Well, whatever, I'll let it slide. I'm in a good mood today."

Elza then immediately walks towards Ellen. She looks at Ellen from head to toe and nods. Ellen can't help but feel feels awkward from her stare.

"Umm, is there something wrong with how I dress?"

"No, instead you dress very well. If I have a problem with anyone, it would be this monkey."

Elza points at Hibiki.

"Monkey… Ah…" Ellen covers her mouth and starts laughing

Everyone is confused while Ellen keeps laughing for a while "Sorry sorry, it's just… It reminds me of the time when Hibiki and Kanade had to take care of some kids."

Hibiki immediately remembers 'Oh, that's right. We had to do it together with Ouji. Those kids won't stop messing around until the monkey dance."

Elza looks at them and looks interested "Hmm, I cannot see Kanade being a monkey. Still, that must be an interesting sight to see."

Ellen laughs "Hahaha, it really was. By the way, what did you need?"

Elza then looks back at Ellen "Oh right, I want you."

"Eh?"

"Kurokawa Ellen, I welcome you to Neo Venus Ark."

"Wait, hold on. Are you saying you want me to leave Four Star Academy and transfer to Neo Venus Ark?"

"That's right, come to Neo Venus Ark."

"Uhmm."

"Don't worry, I don't need an answer immediately. I can wait until the festival ends. Besides, the next event is starting soon."

Soon after, an announcement is released on their Aikatsu phone.

Hibiki reads it "First major event. Sports challenge! Everyone, this! Let's do it!"

Kanade then asks "But what sports can we do? I would prefer something we don't have to run around too much."

Ellen then adds "Maybe something we can join as a team."

Yume then notices one sport that is available "Ah…"

Hibiki moves over and took a look "Volleyball." She then smiles "Alright, let's do it! That sounds fun!"

Ako however, backs off "It's a duo volleyball game. I'll go look for something else to do."

Elza then leaves as well "You girls have fun. I have some matters to attend later."

Leaving Yume, Hibiki, Kanade, and Ellen by themselves. Ellen then asks "So what's the setup?"

Hibiki then says "I'll take Yume. I'll don't want to lose to Yume in everything. At least when it comes to sports, I'm confident that I won't lose to anyone!"

Yume then smiles "Oh, did you perhaps think I'm not good at volleyball?"

"Eh? Well, no not really but I'll make sure to be the one that brings us to victory."

"Sorry, I'll be the one to do that. After all, I was in my previous school's volleyball team."

"Being on the team or not doesn't matter, I bet you are already rusty after being idol for so long."

"No way! I made sure to practice every once in a while."

"Then let's go!"

Kanade and Ellen then looks at each other while Ellen says "Why don't we team up as well?"

"Yeah, but… I hope Hibiki won't cause trouble for Yume."

"I think it'll be fine. Anyways, let's go."

Kanade nods and the two follow after Yume and Hibiki. They are able to sign up and participate in matches. Kanade and Ellen did alright but Yume and Hibiki duo is leaving a great impression on everyone.

Yume "And take this!"

Yume spikes the ball at lightning speed, leaving the other team unable to react. As the matches go on, Hibiki gets her time to shine as well.

"Alright, there!"

Hibiki's spike has spin and power. Even if someone tries to receive it, they could not control where the ball goes. Nearly every game, their opponents can not get their points to two-digit. The two of them take first place easily.

"Yume, let's team up again if there is a chance."

"Of course, we'll win the next time as well."

Afterward, they meet up with Ako and the five of them enjoy the festival until the first day ends.

The next day morning, within the festival, another major event comes up.

Hibiki immediately takes a look "Search and capture! Target, the wild Yuzu!"

Yume leans over and takes a look "Ah, as I thought, Lily is in it. I guess she serves as the final boss for Yuzu. Just in case no one catches her."

Ellen then questions "Final boss?"

Yume nods "That's right, the only person that can successfully capture Yuzu."

Kanade then immediately asks more question "Wait, didn't Lily have poor health? How can she catch Yuzu?"

Yume thinks but makes a wry smile "I… don't know. I think it is just Lily knows what Yuzu will do since they are childhood friends."

Kanade then looks at Hibiki for a second "Ah, I think I get it."

Hibiki retorts "Wait, how did you get it from looking at my face?"

"Hibiki, whenever you want to do something, I knew immediately what it is before you do it."

"No way… Then what do I want to do right now?"

"Join the event and feast on cakes right after."

"Just how?"

Yume, Ellen, and Ako looking at the two going off at each other couldn't help but quietly comments.

Ako says "Isn't that just what Hibiki wants to do during this festival?"

Ellen "Shhh, just let the two of them have their fun."

Yume nods "Right! They are definitely best friends!" Ako and Ellen nods.

Ako then says with a warm smile "Yes, they are a mess but definitely best friends."

Yuzu is wearing a fluffy bunny outfit while standing on a stage.

"Okay, I think that's everyone that wants to play. Yuzu is happy to see everyone here. Are we ready to play?"

All the participants give a positive response.

"Alright, great! Then let me explain the rules. From now on, Yuzu will run and everyone can try to capture me. Whoever captures me will receive these!"

Yuzu holds up six tickets

"Instead of competing for points, the one captures me will receive all six tickets. Of course, those who came close will also receive some points. However, even with everyone here, it's probably going to be east for me. So we thought up a final boss for me!"

Yuzu then moves aside and shows Lily. She walks a few steps forward while icy wind blows towards everyone.

Hibiki shivers "Cold! What was that?"

Yume answers "Shirogane Lily, Yuzu's childhood friend. Everywhere she goes, there is always that cold wind."

Kanade then remembers "Really? So that's why that time…"

Lily then looks at everyone then speaks "Thanks for everyone for coming. In this event, I will participate in capturing Yuzu as well. However, to make it fair, I only have 15 minutes while everyone here has 2 hours."

Hibiki says "2 hours, that's insane. She thinks she can run away from everyone for 2 hours?"

Ako sighs "That's just how confident she is. That girl has limitless stamina."

Before they can discuss more, Yuzu says one last thing "Game Start!"

She immediately starts running leaving everyone confused for a moment.

Little over an hour into the game. Many came close to capturing Yuzu but she is now missing in action.

Kanade complains "Just where could she be hiding? How did everyone lose sight of her in the first place?"

Yume answers "That's Yuzu for you. The only person she has a hard time escaping from is Lily."

Hibiki complains as well "But that's six tickets. If Lily can capture her easily, isn't that unfair?"

Yume answers again "Ah, don't worry. We made sure Lily doesn't know the situation and has to start without knowing where Yuzu is."

Ellen stops her hands and looks at Yume "Hold on, she had to look for Yuzu throughout this whole ship in 15 minutes?"

Hibiki then stops and thinks "Hold on, but they did it because she still has a chance, right?"

Kanade answers "That's very likely but how?"

Ako then blatantly asks Hibiki "I think the two of you are similar, why don't you think like Yuzu and act like her."

"Act like Yuzu, I see. If I was Yuzu and need to hide… Ah!"

Hibiki then runs off while the rest of the girls follows. Hibiki then heads out of the ship and looks at the top of the radio antenna near the rear of the ship.

"Maybe she is up there."

Kanade retorts "How? There is no ladder or anything to climb on."

Ellen thinks "Maybe she just climb like a monkey… ah."

Ako sighs "Enough with the monkey joke, so are we going to climb?"

Everyone looks at each other. Yume then answers the question.

"Of course, this will be a great Aikatsu as well."

Hibiki nods and jumps ahead "Alright, let's go! Aikatsu!"

One by one, every idol in the event also starts to climb. However, the surface is silky smooth and some fall off. Those who fell off lands on top of some soft cushions that are quickly prepared by the sailors. Tens of minutes passed, Hibiki is almost at the top.

"Almost there! Aikatsu!"

Yume, who is besides Hibiki says "Yeah, but we are running out of time. Lily will start to move soon. That means..."

Before Yume finishes her sentence, a yawn is heard from the top.

"Yahweh, that was a good nap. Hmm? Oh, Hibichi, Yumechi, how's it going?" Yuzu peaks out from the top and looks down towards Hibiki and Yume.

Hibiki looks at Yuzu "Just fine and I'm about to capture you. You have nowhere to run!"

Yume nods "That's right!"

"About that, sorry!"

Yuzu then pulls back. A few seconds later, Yuzu glides away like a flying squirrel.

"Sorry, but I won't get captured that easily!"

Hibiki and Yume together "No way…"

When Yuzu lands at the top of the ship's bridge, Lily is there waiting with her net bazooka.

"Eh? Lily, wait!"

"Prepare yourself, Yuzu!"

Lily fires and successfully captures the just landed Yuzu.

"Aww, you could've given me a chance."

"Nope, you'll get away if I'm not serious."

Off the distance, everyone is shocked at how easily Lily captures Yuzu.

Kanade voice her disbelieve "No way, just like that. Two minutes and 12 seconds."

Ellen then says "I guess that's why she isn't allowed to move until the end."

Hibiki and Yume then come down to where the other three is.

Yume then says "That's right, but we kind of helped Lily"

Hibiki questions "How?"

Kanade answers "Ah, if we didn't get close, she would've never left. Also considering Lily's stamina, she probably couldn't climb that."

Yume "That's true, but…"

Yume looks at Yuzu and Lily laughing happily.

"I think this is a happy end for this event."

Hibiki and others agree but a distortion of space happens a little further behind Yuzu and Lily. From it, Gyaku shows up.

"Hmm? Tsk, the first thing I see is happy idols. Whatever, I'll end everything today." Gyaku holds up his card "Materialize, my, our wish!"

The card emits black energy and transforms Gyaku. His hair is slightly longer and gains a cool guy face. His outfit also changes into one that is similar to M4 but is black and purple. Over his shoulder, he has a long scarf cape as well.

"Fight poison with poison, fire with fire, and today, I'll fight idol with idols! Come Precure! Let's settle everything today!"

Gyaku then grabs his cape and waves it into the sky. Several dark spheres fly out and drop down like bombs.

The girls look at each other and nod. The girls move to an area without people.

Yume then says "Let's go, everyone."

Hibiki complains "Ahh, that's my line!"

Ellen "Hibiki, now is not the time."

"But…"

Ako then complains "Enough, let's just hurry up."

"Fine"

The girls quickly transform and leap towards Gyaku.