Author's Note

A little long for this chapter, though definitely not the longest yet.

Also, this and next chapter will be focusing on my OC character Yurina. Maybe that's why I got a little more motivated and ended up with a few hundred more words. Also, I had made some edit to show how Yurina would look like. Though it doesn't seem like it's possible to fit images here so check it out over at my Wattpad if interested.

Chapter 25: Troubles, Yurina's Dream!

After Aria finishes her live performance, she returns to the waiting room.

When she enters, Yurina excitingly says "Aria! You did it! Congratulation!"

Elza nods "That was splendid. On top of that, you got the Magnolia. That fits you quite well."

Yurina asks "Magnolia, what does it mean?"

Aria answers "It means love of nature."

Yurina smiles "Oh! That definitely it's Aria!"

Aria happily agrees and then raises one hand "Yurina."

Yurina quickly realizes Aria wants a high five but when they do, Aria says "Pass!"

Yurina is stoned "Pass? Wait… don't tell me..."

Aria nods "Yes, now it's your turn."

She immediately shakes her head and hand to refuse "No way, I'm not ready for it."

Rei then comments "Aria, I know you are excited but…"

Aria confidently says "No, I'm sure Yurina can become a Floral Idol too!"

Elza chuckles "For Aria to be like this, you must have something special."

Yurina uncomfortably responds "But…"

Aria "Don't worry, I'll help you."

Elza stops Aria "No, you can't help Yurina."

Aria asks "Eh? Why? Yurina helped me a lot, that's why I became a Floral Idol. I really want to help Yurina!"

Hime also stops Aria "Aria, Yurina is still trying to discover her own individuality. It's not a good idea for us to help her right now."

Aria couldn't say anything and silence filled the room.

Elza then adds "If we lead her, she can definitely become a successful idol."

Aria immediately says "Then…"

Before she finishes, Elza continues "But there is a chance she won't become a Floral Idol."

Both Aria and Yurina "Eh?"

Rei explains "We can help Yurina to choose what kind of idol she will become, but if we are wrong by the slightest…"

Yurina notices "It might hinder my path to becoming the idol I am meant to be."

Aria then complains "But that's so unfair. I became a Floral Idol because of Yurina's help and yet…"

Yurina stops Aria "It's okay, I just have to do my best and find it."

Yurina stands up and starts walking out. Aria tries to stop her but Hime puts her hand on her shoulder. Aria finally stops and simply watches Yurina leaves.

After Yurina closes the door behind her, she looks at her Aikatsu Mobile "Three forty-one… it's still a bit early to go back. I guess I'll go for a run."

Yurina goes to a nearby park and train there "Aikatsu, Aikatsu, Ai… Hmm? Is that?"

She sees Hibiki running as well.

Yurina waves her hand and shouts "Hey! Hibiki!"

Hibiki turns around and waits for Yurina while running in place without moving.

While Yurina gets closer, Hibiki says "Yurina! It's been a while, how are you?"

Yurina catches up to Hibiki and two begin to run together.

Yurina answers "I'm okay… is what I would like to say but… I'm really troubled right now."

Hibiki's face turns grim "Sorry, I don't know if I can help. But I'll at least listen if you are okay with it."

Yurina looks at Hibiki for a moment then nods with a smile "Thanks, the thing troubling me is at finding my individuality."

Hibiki then says "Ah, the thing Anna sensei talked about? To be honest, I don't understand so I just forgot about it."

Yurina looks at Hibiki with disbelieve "Hibiki…"

Hibiki responds "Hmm?"

Yurina shakes her head "No, nothing. But I think I understand how Kanade feels when talking to you now."

Hibiki questions "What do you mean? Ah, but I'm sure if it is Kanade, she'll be able to help you. She is busy right now, but I'm sure she'll be happy to help you later tonight!"

Yurina thinks "Then I'll ask Kanade later. Is she free tonight?"

Hibiki nods "Yes, you can join us at dinner tonight."

Yurina smiles "Yes, I'll join then!"

As soon as she agrees, an explosion went off at a distance. The two stops and looks at the smoke. A moment after, Hibiki suddenly grabs Yurina by the shoulder and jumps backward. As Yurina is surprised, a figure crashes onto the ground.

Yurina "Eh? What? Ah that's…"

Hibiki calls it out "Negadol!"

Yurina looks at it "Negadol, so those videos aren't fake?"

Hibiki looks at Yurina "Videos? Yeah, they are real. However..."

As Negadol is about to move for another attack, Hibiki grabs her Live Module. Before she transforms, Yurina grabs Hibiki's hand and runs."

Yurina "What are you doing? We have to run!"

Hibiki looks at Yurina and thinks "Uwaa… So close. I almost transformed in from of her."

Hibiki then looks back and immediately pushes Yurina away. A moment after, the Negadol strikes at where they were.

Hibiki then shouts "Yurina! Let's split up and look for help!"

As soon as she finishes, Hibiki begins running.

While Yurina is on the ground "Eh? Ah, okay!"

Yurina quickly stands up and begins running the other way. After about 10 seconds later, she looks back to check if the Negadol followed her.

After looking around, she mutters "Not here. Did it chase after Hibiki?"

Yurina starting to panic "Wait, help? Who can I ask for help? The ones fighting are called… Pre-cure, I think. That's right, I just need to find them!"

Yurina stood still for a few seconds "But who are the procure!"

She struggles to find an answer but simply could not.

Yurina eventually gives up "Ahhh, forget it. I guess I have to do it the old way!"

Yurina begins running and starts shouting "Precure! There is a Negadol!"

While Yurina is searching, she is feeling embarrassed by the crowd looking at her. After a few minutes, a girl falls down from nowhere and lands in front of her.

Yurina "Kya! Ah, you are Cure Center, right?"

Center nods "Yes and thanks to you, we are able to notice the Negadol faster. It must be embarrassing shouting like that."

Yurina quickly answers "No, but rather than that. Please help my friend! She is being chased by the Negadol!"

Center smiles "Don't worry, my friends are already there. I'm just here to thank you. What is your name by the way?"

Yurina gladly answers "It's Shizu Yurina!"

Center "I see, Yurina. You are an idol, right? Good luck with your Aikatsu. I'll be rooting for you."

Yurina "Yes! Thank you!"

Center "We'll make sure your friend is alright so you should head back first."

Yurina nods and Center proceed to leave "Then, later!"

Cure Center then immediately jump towards the park and disappears. The surrounding people begin to notice Yurina and with precure rooting for her, people start to look into her.

Yurina looks around "Ah…"

Yurina then quickly runs off, back to Four Star Academy. She decides to wait near the front door of the dorm after sending Hibiki a message.

After waiting for half an hour, Yurina begins to feel uneasy.

Yurina "Mmmm… Is everything okay? Maybe I should've waited near the park."

After a few seconds later "Ahh! I can't wait anymore!"

Yurina rushes to the door and as she opens the door, she hit something behind the door. Yurina takes a look and she sees Hibiki while she rubbing her nose with Kanade behind her.

Hibiki "Ow, that hurt. Yurina?"

Yurina "Ah, sorry."

Hibiki "Seriously, I just got back and this happened."

Kanade then tells Hibiki to stop "That's enough, I'm sure that didn't hurt that much."

Hibiki sighs "Well, I guess."

Yurina then notices Kanade should be busy still.

Yurina asks "Uhmm, weren't you busy until tonight?"

Kanade "Eh? Ah, the meeting? it ended early. I am pretty much just an extra anyways."

Hibiki says otherwise "You are still saying that? It's amazing that you are in the same show as Mahiru and Koharu."

Yurina nods "With Mahiru and Koharu? That's amazing!"

Kanade "Thanks, but I would rather find out what is happening with the Floral Idol tournament, Yume, and Negadols."

Yurina blinks a few times "I understand about the tournament and Yume, but what does that have to do with Negadols?"

Kanade notices her mistake "Ah, I mean… I hope the Negadol won't attack Yume. Since it seems like they only target idols."

Yurina "I… see."

Hibiki quickly whispers to Kanade "Kanade, I know how you feel but we need to be careful."

Kanade quietly reply "I know! But for some reason, it just feels natural to have Yurina around."

Yurina "Uhmm…."

Kanade then turns back to Yurina "Ah, sorry! You want some help, right? I don't know how much I can help but I'll do my best. Let's go to our room, okay?"

Yurina is surprised by the sudden change in conversation and takes a few seconds to answer "Ah, yes! Thank you!"

When they reach Hibiki and Kanade's room, Yurina explains her situation to the two of them.

Hibiki "No way! You mean Hime, Aria, and Elza all expect you to become a Floral Idol?"

Yurina nods "Yes, I think so. But I haven't even found my individuality yet."

Kanade thinks for a moment then says "I think it's fine."

Yurina and Hibiki "Eh?"

Kanade "If we look at the past top idols, not all of them found their individuality. Few of them actually became popular before they discover it. Like Yume for example."

Yurina and Hibiki again "No way!"

Kanade nods "I looked into it a while back and it seems like Yume didn't really discover her own individuality until about a year after enrolling."

Yurina then asks "So what should I do?"

Hibiki then says "Maybe just forget about it?"

Yurina "Eh? Is that okay?"

Kanade answers "Maybe not forget about it, but just keep it in mind and let it come naturally. For now, I think it's better to practice making songs and getting a premium rare dress."

Hibiki then asks "So what are you going to do? Try and make a new song or getting a premium dress?"

Yurina immediately answers "I think I'll start with the dress. I do have a song I want to write and sing, but I don't think there is anyone who would help me produce it."

Kanade "That's… the reality I guess. So let's get that dress first. Do you have a brand you like?"

Yurina smiles and quickly answer "Rainbow Berry Parfait!"

Hibiki "Fast…"

Yurina blushes "Sorry, it's just I really love it…"

Kanade "I guess there is a good reason behind it?"

Yurina slowly nods "It's kind of embarrassing to say but I basically got helped by the rainbow twice."

Hibiki "Heh? What happened?"

Yurina then explains "The first time was about 7 years ago…"

Kanade then stops Yurina "Wait, let me send Koharu a message first… and… done."

Hibiki asks "Aren't you going to be at the same show tomorrow? We can just pay a quick visit."

Kanade "I guess, but it's still better to let them know."

Yurina nod "I agree."

Kanade smiles then realizes she did cut Yurina off "Ah, sorry. What happened 7 years ago?"

Yurina shakes her head "It's okay. Let's see, 7 years ago…"

Yurina begins to tell a story when she is still a small child. She is at home in the living room while covering herself in a soft blanket with a unicorn plushie in her arm. She is in the living room with her parents.

Father "Yurina, I know a lot of stuff is scary, but not everything is as scary as you think."

Yurina "But…"

Then suddenly the TV in front of them turns on.

Yurina "Kya!"

Her mother looks around and it is her father in law.

Grandfather "Seriously, getting scared of every little thing."

Mother "Father, you know Yurina get scared easily, can you stop scaring her every time?"

Grandfather "Getting scared by the same thing over and over, she can kiss her future goodbye."

Yurina looks at him and thinks "Why? Grandpa was so nice to me before. Why is grandpa bullying me now every day?"

Grandfather notices Yurina's gaze and says in a bit of intimidating tone "What are you looking at? If you got something to say, you can just tell me."

Yurina father couldn't stand anymore and shouts "Dad! That's too much!"

Her mother then tries to calm him down "Dear, your voice. You'll scare Yurina too."

He looks at Yurina looking scared of him "Ah… Uhmm, Yurina. I wasn't mad at you or anything, okay?"

Yurina's eye starts becoming teary and quickly runs off. Her parents are shocked and watch her run out of the living. A moment after, they heard the door open and closes a moment after.

Yurina ran to a nearby park and squat beside a small lake, looking at her reflection from the water.

Yurina talks to herself "Why… First grandpa and now papa…"

As she is about to cry again, she heard a sound behind her "Kero, kero…"

Yurina looks back and sees a large frog "Ah… No, go away!"

The frog looks at Yurina and hop-forward once. Yurina tries to back away by she is already at the edge. Moving back anymore and she'll fall into the lake. However, her fear slowly makes her back away slowly.

Right before she is about to fall in, her parents found her.

Her dad immediately shouts as he sees her backing off into the lake "Yurina!"

He dashes over to grab Yurina, only to slip and fall into the lake himself. He makes a huge splash and drenches Yurina completely. Luckily, the lake isn't deep and he could surface by sitting up.

Yurina's mother "Sai! What are you doing?"

Sai looks at Yurina and back to her "Miyu, I guess I screwed up."

Miyu walks over "Jees, come on. You should get out of the water."

Miyu reaches her hand out to help Sai. However, she lost balance when trying to pull him up.

Miyu "Kyaa!"

Miyu falls into the lake and splashes water all around her as well.

Yurina gets drenched twice thinks "Ah, what is papa and mama doing?"

The three of them look at each other. However, Yurina and Miyu's eyes soon turn to Sai's head. The frog from before is now sitting on top of his head.

"Kero…"

Sai looks confused "Kero?"

Yurina and Miyu break out of laugher.

Sai "Eh? Ah…"

Sai finally notice the frog on his head and grabs it. Yurina and Miyu finally stop after a while.

Miyu "Jees dear, I can't believe you."

Sai 'Ahahaha… Sorry. But we finally get to see Yurina smile and laugh."

Yurina "Eh?"

Miyu nods "That's true. I'm glad this had happened."

At this time, both Sai and Miyu are looking at Yurina. Yurina however, is looking at more than her parents. Due to all the water splashed around, there is a rainbow behind them.

At that time she thought "Amazing, papa and mama made a rainbow!"

Sai then asks Yurina "Yurina, are you having fun?"

Yurina finds the courage to answer in a way she knows they will love.

She smiles and nods "Yes!"

Yurina "And since then, I think I changed. At least, I don't find everything scary anymore."

Hibiki starts crying and saying "Yurina, you are amazing."

Yurina "Uhmm, thanks? But why are you crying?"

Hibiki "Because it's such a nice story."

Kanade nods 'Yes, I think so too."

Yurina embarrassedly nods "Thanks."

Kanade then asks "Ah, but how about your grandpa?"

Yurina smiles "We got along alright. Mom told me Grandpa was just trying to play the bad guy and make me realize how much they love me."

Hibiki then says "So he is a good grandpa after all. Hmm? Wait, were you trying to turn this story into your song?"

Yurina answer with lots of energy "Yes!"

Kanade then looks at Hibiki "Amazing, Hibiki actually noticed it."

Hibiki complains "What do you mean by that?"

Kanade "Who knows? If certain someone doesn't get it, then it's fine."

Hibiki stares at Kanade for a few seconds "Well, I guess that true."

A moment after, Hibiki and Kanade starting laughing. Yurina is a bit surprised. However, she couldn't help but enjoy the moment and laugh with them.

After a while later, Hibiki asks Yurina "So, what's the second one? Is it also another amazing story?"

Yurina makes a wry smile and apologizes "Sorry, to be honest, I'm not a hundred percent sure. However, after seeing procure today, I think that was real."

Hibiki and Kanade stay silent and Yurina continues "You two remember about the New Idol Audition right? At one point, I suddenly feel hopeless, even though everyone in my family had just cheered me on."

Hibiki smiles "I guess all parents are the same. Mine would do the same in those situations."

Kanade giggles "Yeah, same."

Yurina then says "But what grandpa said was a little weird."

Hibiki asks "What did he say?"

Yurina answers after thinking for a bit "He said something like 'If you want to become a real idol, just do what your heart tells you.' I tried to ask what he means, but he didn't answer."

Kanade then points out "It sounds like he knew you would be worried about this stuff right now."

Yurina "Just do what my heart tells me. But…"

Hibiki then complains "Either way, just do what you want to do. But can we go back to the story?"

Yurina then continues her second story "Ah, sorry. Hmm, right. On that day, I feel like I ended up doing something bad. During that time, I think a precure with a rainbow-colored outfit saved me. Sorry, I don't remember much except she sang Start Line. That made me remember a lot of things and when I think back, I want to be able to sing and help people like that."

Hibiki then slowly questions "You really look up that precure. Uhmm, are you trying to become a precure?"

Yurina then asks "Is becoming a precure something I can try and do?"

Kanade then says "Ah… Probably not? I mean, we don't even know who they are."

Yurina thinks for a moment and says "Right, but even if I can, I don't know if I want to do it. After all, I became an idol is because I wanted to be like Yume. Eh?"

Hibiki and Kanade "Hmm?"

Yurina says "I wanted? Why did I say that? Then what kind of idol do I want to be?"

Hibiki "Yurina, don't think too much about it. I think if you follow your grandpa's advice, you'll be fine."

Hibiki's stomach then growls. Both Kanade then Yurina looks at Hibiki and then their's growls as well.

Hibiki suggests "Why don't we grab dinner? We can continue at the cafeteria."

Kanade nods "Agree, Yurina?"

Yurina "Yeah, let's go."

The three of them head to the cafeteria and continue to make plans for Yurina trouble and concerns. In the end, Yurina is having a sleepover at Hibiki and Kanade's room.