Author's Note

I guess I'm a bit too excited to work on Yurina. Alright finished this next chapter. Yurina's singing voice would be Minase Inori with her song Bud of Dreams. Though that's just my translation. The song isn't used in any anime and stuff. Should be easy to find her MV by searching 夢のつぼみ. The lyric is also completely translated by me. If anyone is able to translate it better or find lyric need correction, please let me know.

Chapter 26: Yurina's Stage, Bud of Dreams

The next day morning Yurina, Hibiki, and Kanade quickly wash up and prepare themselves.

Yurina "Alright, so I'll be meeting Koharu and ask for a premium rare dress today… Ah, now I feel nervous."

Hibiki "Why? Koharu is really nice. I'm sure she'll give you one if you ask."

Kanade retorts "You never know. Since Koharu is an amazing designer that graduated from Venus Ark, she may think a bit differently."

Hibiki asks "Venus Ark? Is it similar to Neo Venus Ark?"

Yurina and Kanade look at Hibiki and sighs.

Hibiki questions again "Eh? What?"

Yurina asks "Hibiki, do you know what neo mean?"

Hibiki "Nope, but does it matter if Koharu graduated from there?"

Kanade thinks about it for a moment "Maybe not."

Hibiki then suggests "Either way, let's go get breakfast!"

Kanade and Hibiki look at each other and nod.

Yurina "Then let's get breakfast."

The three of them quickly go to the cafeteria and have their breakfast. They quickly finish their food and when they are about to leave, they find Koharu near the school gate.

Hibiki immediately calls out "Koharu!"

Koharu turns around and smiles "If I remember correctly, Hibiki, Kanade, and Yurina right?"

Kanade then pushes Yurina lightly from her back "Yurina, now is your chance."

Seeing Kanade pushing Yurina, Koharu asks while smiling "What is it?"

Yurina quickly gathers her courage by taking a deep breath and answer "Premium rare dress, I want to wear Rainbow Berry Parfait's premium rare dress."

Koharu's face immediately changed into a serious one "Is it for the Floral Idol Event?"

Yurina nods "Yes!"

Koharu then asks "Do you think you can become a Floral Idol with it?"

Yurina thinks for a moment "I… Don't know. But I know I will never become one if I don't try."

Koharu looks surprised but proceeds with another question "Why did you choose Rainbow Berry Parfait?"

Yurina "Because it has a rainbow!"

Koharu "Eh?"

Kanade then whispers to Yurina "Yurina, Koharu won't understand if you say it like that. You need to explain."

Koharu smiles "Don't worry, I understand I was just a little surprised. It was something that sounds like what Yume would say if their roles are reversed."

Hibiki questions "Really?"

Koharu nods "Yes!"

Yurina then asks "Then the Premium Rare Dress…"

Koharu "Of course, I'll give it to you. Can you come to the office at five?"

Yurina happily answer "Yes! Ah, can I ask one question?"

Koharu tilts her head in wonder and Yurina asks "Do you know anyone that can help me produce a song?"

Koharu "I do but…"

Yurina takes out a piece of paper and attempts to give it to Koharu with a bow "Please, can you at least ask that person to take a look at this?"

Koharu takes a look "This is… Lyrics?"

Hibiki asks Yurina "When did you write that?"

Yurina says "Actually, I woke up last night and went for a walk. Then I ran into the headmaster."

Moroboshi "Hmm? You are… Shizu Yurina."

Yurina straightens up "Yes! Eh? Why does the headmaster know me?"

Moroboshi "Don't get so tense. I know because Yume spoke about you."

Yurina slowly smiles "Yume did?"

Moroboshi nods "Yes, of course. You are one of the five idols she handpicked after all. However, you seem lost."

Yurina feeling a bit ashamed "Yes, I don't know what kind of idol I am."

Moroboshi thinks for a moment then asks "Do you have a dream?"

Yurina looks at him puzzled "Uhmm… Dream?"

He nods and Yurina answers "I… want to be a rainbow idol like Yume. After all, the rainbow has helped me several times. I really want to be able to do the same."

Moroboshi pushes his glasses and smiles "Isn't that the idol you are? Someone who chases after the rainbow and is able to help people. If you keep chasing, you can become a rainbow yourself."

Yurina "If I keep chasing... I understand! Then, for now, I'll keep chasing after the biggest rainbow!"

Moroboshi "Looks like you are fine now. You should go back to the dorm. It's getting late, an idol shouldn't get deprived from sleep. No matter what happens, being in top form at all times is also Aikatsu."

Yurina "Yes!"

Yurina then says "After that, I notice I can put all my feelings and my story into a song. So I wrote that on my way back. I did change a few things though."

Kanade "Wait, so you only spend a few minutes writing those lyrics?"

Yurina answers while looking confused "Yes, it took me a long time but when I notice the lyrics, I finished it immediately. But since Yume isn't around to help out producing the song, I thought maybe Koharu can."

Koharu looks at Yurina then at Hibiki and Kanade "I should be able to find someone to help you but... Yume helped to produce songs?"

Hibiki then says "Ah… yeah. Me, Kanade, Ellen, and Ako, Yume helped us produce our song."

Kanade looks a bit ashamed "Sorry, even though Yume is always so busy. She insists and we just rely on her."

Koharu smiles "Don't worry, that sounds like something Yume would do as well. Until a few months ago, she was trying to figure out how she can become a great senpai."

Koharu then looks at the lyrics again "Still, this looks great. Yurina, leave it to me. I'll definitely make sure we get to produce this song!"

Yurina excitingly answers "Yes! Thank you very much!"

Hibiki congratulate Yurina "Nice! You are getting the dress and the song. Now you can become a Floral Idol!"

Kanade retorts "

Later that day, Yurina is visiting Rainbow Berry Parfait's office.

Yurina asks the receptionist "Uhmm, I'm Shizu Yurina. I'm here to meet with Koharu."

Before the receptionist answer, Koharu walks up "Yurina, you are here 15 minutes early."

Yurina nods "Sorry, I couldn't wait so I…"

Koharu shakes her head "No, it's good to arrive early. However, we'll have to wait here for a bit. Someone else is coming."

Yurina wonders "Who?"

Koharu answers "Sashida of the Four Star Label."

He then suddenly appears behind Yurina "Yes!"

Yurina being surprised by him jumps away "Ahhh! What? Sashi...da? Wait, Sashida?"

Sashida fixes his hat position while smiling "That's right. You must be Yurina, right? That is some nice lyrics you got. I really like it."

Yurina leans forward "Then!"

Sashida "I'll help you make the song. However, whether you can shine with it is up to you."

Yurina "Yes!"

Koharu then takes out four cards "Yurina, take these. Aurora Dream Coord, this is the newest Premium Rare Dress."

Koharu shows Yurina the new Premium Rare Dress. It is a dress that has rainbow layers of frill around the shoulder and chest. The skirt doesn't have many fills except at the very bottom while the fabric looks like an aurora. The coord also have accessory. It is a set of earrings with a silver chain and a rainbow-colored pearl.

Yurina holds the cards and looks at it as if in love "This is… incredible."

Koharu happily respond "Thank you! But for now…"

Koharu looks at Sashida and he says "Yep! For now, let me hear you sing."

Yurina "Eh? Ah, okay."

Sashida nods and starting playing Aikatsu Step on his phone. Yurina panics at first but still manages to sing all the way through. After the song is over, Sashida begins thinking.

After several seconds, he says "Alright, I guess it's this kind of song that suits you."

Yurina looks puzzled and asks "What do you mean?"

Koharu answers instead "I think he means song like Aikatsu Step fit you well."

Yurina "Hah…"

Sashida sighs "You still don't get it? It's these energetic and cheerful songs."

Yurina "Eh?"

Koharu giggles "Yurina, don't worry. Just leave it to Sashida."

Sashida nods "That's right, I decide to take this project so you can rest assured that it'll be great. Come to my studio next Monday, I'll have everything ready."

Yurina smiles "Yes! Thank you very much! I'll definitely do my best to sing this song!"

A few days after, Sashida visits Moroboshi. He opens the door to his office and greets Moroboshi.

He smiles and asks "Doing well?"

Moroboshi looks annoyed "Can't you at least knock?"

Sashida pushes that aside and puts down a USB on his table "I want you to approve this one and let her do get a nice single debut stage."

Moroboshi stares at him "What is this about? Just which idol catch your fancy?"

As Moroboshi asks, he plugs in the USB and opens the files within. He listens to the music and then opens up the file with lyrics. After reading the lyrics, he becomes a little interested.

He looks at Sashida and asks "From the music and the lyrics, it's great. However, just which idol manages to find you and get you to do this?"

Sashida smiles a bit mischievously "It's Shizu Yurina."

Moroboshi then remembers the night a few days ago "I see, so she wrote these lyrics. Shizu Yurina, as expected from someone Yume picked out."

Sashida nods "To be honest, I wasn't expecting too much but this turned out better than I thought. Now it is all up to Yurina's singing. However..."

Moroboshi adjusts his glasses and looks at Sashida "I know, you don't need to say it. As for the live stage, I'll let her sing at our biggest stage in the academy. Tell her it'll be this Sunday."

Sashida nods "Alright, Sunday is it? Hold it! She'll have less than 3 days to prepare even if I tell her now!"

Moroboshi looks at him "Then you should hurry."

Sashida holds his head in frustration "Ahhh, sometimes I don't understand what you are thinking."

Moroboshi simply keeps looking at him until he gives in "Fine."

Sashida exits the room and immediately calls Yurina "Ah, Yurina? This is Sashida. I finished your song a bit early. Can you come to my studio tomorrow morning at 8?"

Yurina tries to answer his question but she is bewildered by him "Fast…"

Sashida "Hahaha, this is nothing. So do you have time?"

Yurina "Yes!"

The next day morning, Sashida quickly have Yurina sing her new song. As the song ends, he gives Yurina an okay sign.

He says "Great job. As expected, someone from the Flower Song Class really does sing well."

Yurina happily thank Sashida "Thank you for helping me. Now I have a chance to become a Floral Idol!"

Sashida then says "And that chance is right around the corner. Your headmaster is going to have you make an attempt to become a Floral Idol as the academy's best stage."

Yurina is shocked "No way, really?"

Sashida nods "Yep! However, you don't have much time."

As he says that, Yurina's Aikatsu Mobile rings with an announcement.

Yurina reads "New Four Star Academy long term event. Floral Idol Challenge. The requirement is the student must have a new Premium Rare Dress from this year and a personal song. The first challenger is… me? In two days?"

Sashida sighs "He actually made it into a big event. Well, that's kind of like him. Yurina, do you have a dance for the song yet? If not, I can introduce someone to help you."

Yurina shakes her head "No, you already helped me enough. Besides, I have friends who are helping me getting my dance together. Two days might be hard but I'll make sure to put up the best stage I possibly can."

Sashida looks at Yurina's confidence and nods "Alright then. If I have time, I'll go watch your live."

Yurina smiles brightly "Please! I'll make sure to bring you my best performance!"

Sashida looks at Yurina a bit surprised. He couldn't see Yurina becoming a Floral Idol before. However, his mind is wavering.

Yurina then says "I'm sorry but I would like to go practice more and get my dance together. If there is nothing else, I would like to leave."

Sashida is being caught off guard "Eh? Ah, got it. Do your best okay?"

Yurina nods "Of course." Then starts running off.

Until it's time for her live performance, she keeps up her training until the last moment.

Yurina stands alone in the changing room. She takes a deep breath while trying to focus.

Yurina "Alright, I can do this."

As Yurina is about to run towards the changing device, she stops.

Yurina "Somehow, something is missing… Ah! Don't most idols say something here?"

After thinking for a bit, Yurina nod to herself "Okay, I got this. Shizu Yurina, chasing the rainbow!"

Yurina quickly changes and walks onto the stage. The light dims down and the music starts to play. As it starts, there begins with a spotlight on Yurina. Yurina starts dancing and the light expands to show the whole stage. After dancing with the music for a while, she starting singing while remembering her reason and meaning of the song.

Yurina "You know what? Suddenly you began to slightly embarrassingly speak of a big dream. Let's release the orange color hair that tangled on the side."

Yurina suddenly jumps forward as she continues "Two shadows of weak figures, the sound of happy laughter, it's getting closer as the approaching night. before I know it, even I was in a frenzy and my hands are already closing in."

When that last part is over, she can't help but feel like she isn't trying hard enough.

While attempts to try harder, Yurina sings "Though my anxiety is constant. The light you bring, shine deep in."

While singing the lyrics, Yurina notice maybe she can try to believe herself and perform as if she is a top idol. Then suddenly, her aura expands and glows brilliantly.

She sings the next part, but with her voice projecting much better "Let's go, not yet not yet not yet, we're still far away and don't even have a map But... not yet not yet not yet, we're chasing forward but not alone by oneself. I can go after them. So…"

Yurina continues to sing and dance with her newfound radiance. Her aura continues to become better and stronger as her performance goes on.

In the crowd, Hibiki and Kanade are watching.

Hibiki "Amazing! Yurina, you can do it!"

Hibiki and Kanade hold hands and hope Yurina becomes a Floral idol.

Meanwhile, at the very back, Moroboshi and Sashida are watching her performance together.

Moroboshi "That's! So Yurina is the next one."

Sashida comments "Hoo? Yurina, instead of regret helping you, now you are making regret not producing a CD for you. However, this performance reminds me of Yume."

Moroboshi looks at Sashida for a moment and back at the stage "Yeah, it's definitely like Yume. But I'll probably have to do something about it again."

Sashida questions "What do you mean again?"

Moroboshi "It's nothing much, just some special lessons." Moroboshi then starts walking away.

Sashida looks at him while confused but eventually turns his attention back at Yurina.

As Yurina's performance is coming to an end, she makes her special appeal. Yurina's spins halfway and waves her hand upward. As she does that, a rainbow shoots out from her hand and becomes a small rainbow in the sky. She jumps on top of it and as if it is a trampoline, she jumps again with one hand reaching out while having more rainbows in the background. Soon after, yurina's performance comes to a stop.

In the waiting room, Yurina is resting. Then someone suddenly knocks on the door and opens up to peek in. Yurina looks at that person and it is Hibiki.

Yurina "Hibiki, what are…."

As Yurina tries to talk, her voice turns sore in the middle. She holds her throat in response and Hibiki immediately opens the door completely and steps in with Kanade after her.

Hibiki asks "Are you okay? Did you strain your voice?"

Yurina drinks some water then answers after checking her voice "Ah, Ah… Yeah, maybe a little. But I'll be fine."

Kanade asks "Really? Actually, wait here. I'll grab something warm for you."

Yurina tries to stop her "Eh? It's okay, you don't have to. Rather, what do you two think of my song, Bud of Dreams."

Hibiki and Kanade look at each other and answers at the same time "It's the best!"

Hibiki then says "Ah, but the challenge to become a Floral Idol."

Yurina smiles "It's okay, even if I don't become one, that's fine. I'm just happy I get to have this song for myself right now. Besides, even if I didn't become one, it doesn't mean I can't become one later. Right?"

Hibiki took that by surprise but she agrees "Ah, yeah. That's right, it's okay if we fail right now. If we keep trying, we'll definitely succeed one day."

Kanade nods "Right, but next time, let's make sure we get everything done perfectly."

Yurina smiles "Yes!"