Author's Note

Took slightly longer this time. Was having a bit of trouble deciding how this chapter should go. The song this time is Love Game Daisakusen. It's super each to find. The next few chapters will be super exciting for me. to write

Chapter 36: Hiking And Go My Way, Rola Versus Hime!

After Suzu's live, everyone meets up with Suzu. Kanade, Ellen, and Ako check the notice.

Ako "This is… Rola, this is amazing."

Rola "Amazing?"

Ellen nods "Yes it is. I can understand why Ako say is amazing. To challenge Hime, that's quite bold."

Rola smiles "Well, I'm not the first one. Besides, I don't think I'm any weaker than Hime."

Kanade asks "Then the reason you are not confident that you'll win is…"

Rola "Hime is just that good. Yume won against her one but by a very small margin. If I want to win, there is something I definitely still need."

Ellen "But you are not sure what that is… is that it?"

Rola makes a wry smile and lightly nods "Yeah…"

Suzu thinks for a moment then makes a suggestion "In that case, why don't you go for a hike?"

Rola, Kanade, Ellen, and Ako all ask "Hiking?"

Suzu smiles "Yes, hiking. The match is this Sunday, right? We need to leave tomorrow morning if we want to get any proper hiking done."

Rola then says "Hold on, I have a job tomorrow afternoon. It's an interview about the match so I can't rearrange it either."

Suzu then says "Then you can ask them to follow us. This hiking will be a great chance as well."

Rola "Eh? So you want them to do an on-site interview while we train? Now that sounds interesting, I'll ask them. No, I'll make sure it happens!"

The next day morning, Everyone including Hibiki is at the front gate. There is also a caravan waiting for them.

The window rolls down and reveals the song class teacher Hibiki "Yo, babies! The mountain is far so I'll take you, girls, there."

Suzu answers "Yes, thank you."

Rola asks Suzu "Wait, when did you ask the teacher to take us?"

Suzu "Right after we agreed on going hiking."

Ellen "Fast…"

Anna "Hmm? Ah, Rola, the staff is here."

Then another caravan arrives and the staff gets off. Then the interviewing staff walks up to Rola.

Interviewer "Good morning, First, we have to thank you for making this a wonderful interview. It'll definitely makes it an amazing and interesting one."

Rola nods "It'll be my first time doing an interview like this as well."

Hibiki "Come on! Let's go!"

Everyone looks at Hibiki and she is already in the caravan.

Kanade "Hibiki…"

Hibiki "Well, we got a car and Suzu wanted to leave early. So it must be far, right?"

Suzu makes a wry smile "No, not really. It's only like 20 minutes drive."

Hibiki "Eh?"

Ako "Well, we are going to the mountain. It's better to move during day time. Isn't that why we are going in the morning?"

Suzu nods "Exactly."

Hibiki "Wait, only 20 minutes away? Then we can just run there."

Kanade "Well, if it is Hibiki, I'm sure you can."

Hibiki "You bet!"

Anna then screams "Ahhh!"

Everyone turns to her and Ellen asks "What's wrong?"

Anna answers "We don't have enough seats. I wasn't expecting so many people."

Everyone looks at each other and including the interviewer and the cameraman, there is eight. Meanwhile, there are only 7 passenger seats. Starting from Kanade looking at Hibiki. Suzu follows up and so did everyone else. A moment after, Hibiki is standing on the sidewalk and the rest of them in the caravan.

Kanade "Then we'll see you later. Don't be too late or we'll start hiking without you."

Suzu then adds "Rather, you don't have to come. I'll take care of Kanade."

Anna then says "Alright, no time to waste. Let' go!"

Anna steps on the gas pedal all the way down and the caravan runs off at full throttle.

After a while, everyone almost reaches the mountain, including Hibiki. However, being left behind as a joke, Hibiki is still sobbing.

Kanade "Hibiki, sorry. That was kind of too mean as a joke."

Hibiki responds while still sobbing "Ye… Yeah, that was… really mean."

Suzu apologizes "Sorry, that was too much."

Ellen then says "However, we are lucky that Suzu knows how to use the camera. That looks really heavy and complicated."

Suzu shakes her head "It's actually pretty easy. Half of it is done by the camera and the editing afterward."

The interviewer looks surprised "You sure know a lot. Suzu just started recently right?"

Suzu "Well, it's not my first time."

She looks confused "Eh? Really?"

Kanade then makes up a quick lie "Ah, Suzu had debut once oversea but few things happened so…"

Interviewer "Ah, sorry. It must have been a bad experience."

Suzu shakes her head "No, thanks to it, I found my resolve and a new way to perform."

Rola nods and says "I can definitely feel it. How much you rock your heart out during your stage!"

Anna then says "You did not disappoint the Moon Beauty Class as well. You showed your dress beautifully and everything you need as a model can be seen. I'm sure Miwa is proud to see a beauty that's completely different."

Rola then adds "Now you mentioned it, competition in Moon Beauty Class this year is intense. Well, the Flower Song Class as well."

Hibiki slowly feels better and asks "What do you mean?"

Rola looks serious "For the Flower Song Class, there is me, you, and I guess Yurina as well. Also, I'm sure Yume will come back so that's at least four."

Kanade thinks for a moment "Ah… Now that you mentioned it… It's the same with Moon Beauty Class. We have Mahiru and Koharu and now, there is Suzu and I as well."

Ako "Sounds like it'll be a hard competition."

Anna then says "I can see it, we are here!"

Everyone looks out of the windows and see a very dense mountain forest.

Rola "We are… hiking in there?"

Suzu nods "Yes, I looked into that mountain and it's mostly safe. There aren't any dangerous animals there and…"

Everyone looks at Suzu while asking "And?"

Suzu "And there is no hiking trail. So we can have fun finding our way to the top!"

No one could say anything. Silence fills the air for a while.

Rola forces a smile "That sounds interesting. That's like the definition of going my way."

Suzu nods "That is why I suggest coming here. However, with this many people… why don't we split into two groups? Is Anna going to join us?"

Anna "Sorry baby. I have things to do. But don't worry, I'll make sure to come to pick you girls up tomorrow."

Everyone looks at Suzu as if they had no idea what Anna is talking about.

Suzu then asks "Isn't it normal for a Hiking trip to take at least two days?"

Kanade "I never heard about this! I got a job tomorrow."

Ellen "Same here. I got a mini live tomorrow."

Suzu quickly apologizes "Okay okay, I'm sorry. Let me think… it will take about 6 hours to get to the top so… Alright, then everyone please look for a camping site while hiking. We'll camp in the forest. Anna, can you pick us up in the morning?"

Anna gives Suzu a thumbs up "Of course. Now babies, good luck!"

Anna then drives off and Suzu says "Alright, let's decide how we going to split up the group. Rola and I have to be in the same group so… Who will come with us? Kanade?"

Suzu looks at Kanade and Hibiki steps in front of her and says "No, Kanade is coming with me."

Ellen then suggests "Why don't we draw a lot?"

Ako "A lot, sure."

Everyone looks at Ako and Hibiki says "Ako is still a child."

Ako "Shut up! Let's hurry up and get it over with!"

After everyone draws the lot, Kanade is going with Suzu and Rola.

Hibiki sighs "Why…"

Suzu makes a smug smile "It's because it is destiny for us to be together."

Hibiki looks at Suzu with frustration "I… won't lose! Kanade's best friend is me!"

Hibiki turns around and grabs all of their equipment.

Hibiki faces Ellen and Ako "You two, let's go! We have to at least reach the top first!"

Hibiki then begins hiking with Ellen and Ako shrugs while slowly following Hibiki.

Suzu shouts "Be careful!"

Kanade then says "Well, even if something happens, Hibiki will probably manage somehow."

Suzu sees how confident Kanade looks and says "I won't lose. I'm the one with Kanade right now."

The interviewer "Uhmm, should we start as well?"

Rola "That's true. Let's start it!"

Rola's group starts as well. All the while doing Rola's Interview during short breaks. Sometimes they have to go through brushes and other times they climb a cliff. At times, they get stuck and had to look for another route. While it is hard, Rola looks like she is enjoying herself the most out of everyone. By the time they reached the top, Hibiki is waving at them.

After they reach the top, Hibiki says "Haha, we won!"

Suzu "True but… what happened?"

Suzu looks behind Hibiki and finds Ellen and Ako completely worn out.

Hibiki "Well, a few things happened…"

Ellen retorts "What do you mean by a few things!"

Kanade asks "So what happened?"

Ako "Hibiki had to poke around things she shouldn't have. I never want to be chased by hornets again."

Kanade looks at Hibiki and Hibiki retorts "But Suzu said there isn't anything dangerous."

Kanade sighs "Only if you don't provoke them."

Ellen "Yeah, I'm pretty sure Suzu means animals that would hunt and attack like bears."

The interviewers then say "You girls really get along well."

Rola nods "Yeah, they are definitely good friends."

Suzu "To the point, I'm a bit jealous."

Rola "Hahaha, don't worry. They are pretty relaxed about that. I'm sure you'll feel like being part of them in no time."

Suzu "Maybe, but right now… I have to fix my mistake. Rola, did this hiking trip help?"

Rola nods and smiles confidently "Yeah, I think I found my answer. After I head back tomorrow, it's time to do a last-minute special training. After that, I think I'll be able to win."

After hearing that, everyone looks at Rola with a nice smile.

Suzu then says "By the way, did you guys found a good camping spot?"

Hibiki "Yeah! There is a place with a really nice river."

Ellen "That place huh? It certainly will make it a good camping spot."

Rola "Sounds nice, it'll give us a chance to wash up a bit."

Kanade "Then it's decided."

Suzu "Alright, let's go. This took a little longer than I expected."

The girls go to the place Hibiki mentioned and camp for the night. After the camp is set up, Suzu begins making their meal.

Kanade asks "What are you making?"

Suzu "Soup, we had trail food earlier so we should have at least a proper dinner."

Kanade looks over at the ingredients and questions "Pasta, onion, beans, and… is that wild ginger, leaves, and mushroom?"

Suzu nods "Yes, I found some wild ginger and Wood Ear Mushroom."

Ako asks "Are you sure it is safe to eat?"

Suzu nods with confidence "Yes, I had been trained just in case. It's probably one of the few things I'm glad I learned during my time with ABC."

Hibiki comes closer "What is that smell? It's nice!"

Rola as well "Oh? A soup? I never had soup with wild ingredients before."

Suzu "Hahaha, just wait for a bit. It's better to cook these thoroughly. Otherwise, we might still get sick even if the ingredients itself are safe."

After 5 more minutes, Suzu serves the meal to everyone. She made about 10 servings in total and it was cleaned out.

Hibiki "Uwaa… that was good. Suzu could make a good wife."

Suzu "What are you talking about? This much is nothing."

Ellen "Haha, you sound like Kanade."

Suzu and Kanade look at each other then face Ellen with the same question "Really?"

Hibiki runs over to Kanade and hugs her from the side "Hold on, I don't care how similar you two can be. But the title of her best friend belongs to me!"

Suzu hugs Kanade from the other side "Nope, can't you tell how similar we are? We'll be able to understand each other and become the real best friends in no time!"

The two stares at each other and sparks an intense aura from them.

While Kanade is caught in-between "You two, please just stop!"

Everyone else laughs and the joyous voices can be heard throughout the forest.

On the day the Rola's and Hime's competition, they are ready to go.

Hime sees Rola looking confident and says "You look confident. But just to let you know, I'm not holding back."

Hime shows Rola her Eternal Princess Coord. Rola then pulls out her Rock My Heart Coord.

Rola "This dress might be inferior to your moon dress. However, I won't loose on stage!"

Hime smiles "I see, then let's both do our best."

Rola "You bet!"

The two of them run towards the changing device and quickly jumps onto the stage.

Hime begins singing first with Rola occasionally joins in near the end of each line "When I talk with you, I get excited and my heart races. Today surely, the grand strategy to become lovely companions."

Then the roles reverse "There is still much about you, that I don't know. But today, surely I want to confirm our feelings!"

Even though they just started, Rola begins to feel more confident and decide to try and do even better.

She thinks to herself "I can do this. The one who will fight Yume is me!"

Hime then sings "The love-game is still love-all at a standstill."

Rola "Decisiveness is necessary."

Then both of them together "An attack with all I've got!"

As that verse ends, Rola's dress transforms into a Sun Dress.

Both of them continue to sing "It is hard to convey to the person you like that you like them! So don't go home yet! Definitely, today is a big turnaround in the love game!"

Rola feeling more excited and believes "I can go further!"

Rola's eye shines just like everyone else with the mysterious power. Her aura immediately becomes stronger.

Both of them continue "Young man! Young woman! Everyone, all you need is love!"

The two of them begin their special appeal. Afterward, Hime unleash her power as well. Both of them begin to perform with even more of their own flavor. Every audience could not make a sound and is completely absorbed in their performance.

After the performance ends, Moroboshi who is also watching mutters "Hime, Rola… For you two to become this desperate. However, this live is definitely the beginning of a new story. No, perhaps… it has already started long time ago."

Yume then stands beside Moroboshi "Yes it has. On top of that, the story might be reaching the first climax soon."

Moroboshi looks surprised and faces Yume "Yume…"

He tuns to Hime and Rola "I don't know the full story but… it doesn't matter who, either of them will definitely win against you and bring you back."

As their conversation comes to a stop, tallies for the both of them begin to show up. As both of their gauges begin to fill up, no one could tell the difference. When it comes to a stop, it looks to be a dead center.

The host "Is… it a tie? No, wait!"

The gauge zooms in and shows Rola's gauge crosses over Hime's by a single pixel.

Host "This is amazing! The winner is Sakuraba Rola!"

Hime looks at Rola "Looks like your feeling is stronger this time. Rola, I'll leave Yume to you."

Rola smiles "Yeah, I'll hit Yume with all I got!"

While the two of them converse on the stage, Yume mutters "So you finally caught up. Even though barely, I guess it's something to be happy about. Rola, show me what you can do."

Yume turns around and walks away.

Moroboshi pushes his glasses and mutters to himself "Yume, that sounds like you want Rola to defeat you. Just what are you thinking?"

He then looks at Rola closely "I guess… This time I'll do everything I can do help."