Author's Note

This chapter ends up becoming a little more boring than I hoped for. However, the next chapter will definitely be much more interesting. The song is also a pain to translate. Song this time is Another Sky Resonance Tomita Miyu ver.

Chapter 37: Power Control, Calm Before The Storm

The day after Rola wins against Hime, she is in the Headmaster Moroboshi's room. Not only is Rola there, Hime, Elza, and Yurina is there.

Moroboshi "Looks like everyone is here. Elza, I have heard from your mother that you have also experienced the mysterious power. That's why I called you here."

Elza "I understand. However, if that is the case…" Elza looks at HIme "I guess I'm not surprised to see you have the power as well."

Hime "Perhaps, this is definitely something that a top idol has to go through."

Elza looks at Rola and then at Yurina "If that's the case, then that means you got the potential too. However, didn't you fail to become a Floral Idol?"

Yurina flinched for a second but doesn't back down "Yes, but I think I have grown since then. Also, I believe I have found what I was lacking."

Rola looks at Yurina "That's great! I need to hurry up and become one too."

Moroboshi coughs for their attention "Everyone, I know becoming a Floral Idol is important. However, it is more important for Rola to understand what she should do with the power."

Hime nods "That's true. It's okay to use it once in a while but… regarding Yume and I, we decided to hold back on using it."

Elza then says "For me, I quickly master the technique I gain from that power. After a while, it doesn't show up anymore."

Rola "As expected, Elza does everything differently."

Elza then looks at Yurina "How about you? Since you are here, you must have a method to deal with it somehow."

Yurina nods and shows Elza a berry "Yep! I am using this to help me control my power."

Moroboshi stands up "That's! Is that what I think that berry is?"

Yurina looks at Moroboshi while confused "Does the headmaster know this berry?"

Moroboshi sits down "I have heard of that berry. It supposed to have the power to suppress one's voice. However, you need to eat at least 10 of it to show effect and they are quite hard to get."

Yurina "Ah, that's for normal voice. When it comes to that power, eating one can suppress about half of it."

Moroboshi "I get it. If the power is only at half, it won't injure you."

Yurina nods "That's right. Though… I recently have started eating only half. It looks like it is safe to eat only half as well."

Hime looks at Yurina "You still need to be careful."

Rola then adds "I agree, especially when the amount of work you have is increasing."

Yurina looks at Rola "How did you know?"

Rola smiles "I'm not an admin for nothing."

Rola then faces Moroboshi "I'm happy with all the help but… I don't plan to suppress this power. In order to bring Yume back, I have to do everything I can."

Moroboshi "Do you plan on destroying yourself?"

Rola shakes her head "No, if anything, I want to be able to properly use this power."

Hime "Properly use the power, what do you plan on doing?"

Rola "I'm thinking, what if I only use it during the important part of my performance?"

Moroboshi "Minimize the amount of time you use that power. If you do that, it's possible to keep the damage to a minimum but…" He looks at the other girls "Does anyone has an idea on how to do that?"

Everyone looks at each other and as it looks grim, someone knocks on the door.

Moroboshi "Good timing, come in!"

The door opens and Yukino Hotaru enters.

Moroboshi "Thanks for coming, sis."

Hotaru "If there is another girl with the same power, I would definitely like to help."

Hime "So you are here to help too."

Hotaru "Yeah, it seems like there is no time. Let's see… You must be Rola."

Hotaru turns around and easily locates Rola.

Rola "How do you know me?"

Hotaru answers "Yume talks about you a lot. I have heard what happened. It must be hard for you to do this. However, winning probably isn't what you need to do."

Rola nods "I know. That's why I want to use that power. I can't run away because of the danger."

Yurina "Runaway… Uhmm, can I also join? Using this fruit is not much better than running away."

Hotaru "Fruit?"

Yurina nods and explains the fruit's effect to Hotaru.

Hotaru thinks for a moment "I see, but with that fruit… Yurina, how many do you still have?"

Yurina "I have a few more with me, but I can ask my dad for more."

Hotaru smiles confidently "That's great, please do that and have it delivered with the fastest service. If you need funds, just bill it to the academy. Rola, Yurina, prepare yourself. The two of you will take turns using the practice stage."

Moroboshi "Eh? Wait…"

Yurina nods "Okay, I'll have my dad send a crate of it."

Hotaru "If possible, have it delivered tomorrow."

Yurina nods "I got it, I'll tell my dad right now."

Moroboshi "Hold on…"

Rola "Alright, then let's not waste time!"

Hotaru "That's right, let's go to the Flower Song Class training room."

Rola and Yurina "Oohhh!"

After they train for a while, Rola and Yurina both look completely exhausted.

Yurina "Four times in an hour. This is tiring."

Rola "Hahaha, I went up six times already. You should not be as tired. Yurina, you need to train for more endurance."

Yurina embarrassingly answers "Yes…"

Hotaru "Well, this is your first year right? It's quite good that you are able to do it this many times."

Rola nods "That's true. Alright, let's continue!"

Hotaru stops Rola "Hold on, we only have one left."

Rola "Ah…"

Yurina looks at Rola "Please use it. You need it more than me right now."

Rola looks at Yurina for a moment and smiles "Okay, I get it. I'll make sure I can at least turn it off and on 3 times."

Hotaru "Then let's see what you can do!"

Rola jumps onto the stage and performs one more time.

When it ends, Yurina says "So close, you almost did it!"

Rola "Yeah, but it's really hard. It's like I can only lick the tip of a sukonbu and I'm not allowed to eat it."

Yurina "Eh?"

Hotaru "Oh, that's right, here you go."

Hotaru gives Rola a jar of Sukonbu and Rola questions "Why? Did you know I like them?"

Hotaru nods "Yep, Yume told me before. Since I came to help you, I thought this might motivate you."

Rola "Yume…"

Hotaru "It's okay, you can do it. Your feeling will wake her up. As long as we don't give up, I'm sure of it."

Rola "Yes, I know. I'm sure we… No, I'm the only one who can reach Yume."

Hotaru "Alright, let's rest up early today. We'll restart the training tomorrow morning. Rola, we'll also need you to work on a new song and dress."

Rola "Yes!"

Yurina "I'll do my best too!"

Yurina's phone rings and she takes a look "Oh, it looks like it's already on the way. They say it'll be delivered tomorrow morning."

Hotaru "That's fast. I was thinking sometime in the afternoon or at night."

Yurina "I'm surprised… Eh? Special next day international delivery guarantee service… Uhmm… is it really okay to charge it to the academy?"

Hotaru "Well, It should be fine? Hikaru had been telling me that the academy has been doing really well this year."

Yurina "I see, then should I have my dad send the next batch?"

Hotaru "Yes please."

Rola "Alright, looks like we'll be able to train non-stop."

Hotaru "That's right, you two, prepare yourself!"

Rola and Yurina "Yes!"

Afterward, the Rola and Yurina both train hard. Yurina also takes the chance and begins working on a new song, along with Rola. Hibiki and others occasionally drop in and sometimes train together. The S4 and other admins also give them their support from time to time. Before they knew, it is already the day for Yume and Rola's contest.

At the stadium they are supposed to perform, Rola, Yurina, and Hotaru visit the place a few hours before it starts.

Rola "So this is where I'll face off against Yume. I wonder what song she'll sing."

Koharu walks up behind them and answers "I'm sure Yume will have a new song. After all, the one facing her is Rola."

The three of them turn around and sees Koharu with S4's Mahiru and Ako.

Ako then adds "That's right. However, I hope her next song isn't such an eerie song…"

Mahiru "That's true. Even though it wasn't really Yume like, it's still an amazing song and really catches attention."

Hotaru thinks for a moment then asks "How much of a rival were Yume and Rola?"

Ako "Wha… What kind of question is that?"

Rola stops Ako "No, it's alright."

Rola takes a deep breath and answers "I usually loose to Yume. Especially after Yume became an S4 member. I can feel our levels becomes further apart. There are a few times where I think I caught up but… in the end, I think I would lose if we were to compete."

Yurina "Eh? But you sound so confident… why?"

Rola smiles "That's because the Yume right now is different. She is not looking at her fans and only focuses on her stage."

Around the same time, Hibiki and others with Hime arrive as well.

Hibiki "Yo, getting nervous?"

Kanade "Hibiki, of course, she is. Today is very important."

Suzu "That's true. However, I'm sure Rola is excited and can't wait to get Yume back."

Rola "Well, to be honest. I am a little nervous. However, it's definitely true I am feeling excited. It has been a long time since the last time I compete against Yume on stage."

Hime looks at Rola, Yurina, and Hotaru "How did the training go?"

Hotaru "Rola is ready. I don't think there is more Rola can learn in controlling the power."

Yurina then looks disappointed at herself "I still have some way to go."

Rola "Don't worry, I was having problems too. But I'm sure you'll be able to do it as well."

Hime "Sounds like you are ready."

Rola nods "Yes I am. Ah, can you hold on to this? I want to focus until it's over."

Hime nods "Okay."

Rola gives Hime her Aikatsu Mobile and Rola says "Thanks."

Rola then walks off while looking like she is ready to go at any minute.

When the competition starts, the host introduces both of them.

Host "Alright, this is the day where the top idol Nijino Yume will be challenged by her rival, Sakuraba Rola!"

The crowd cheers on and the host are slightly overwhelmed

Host "Now that is a cheer everyone wants to hear. Now, here they come!"

Yume enters the stage from the left and Rola from the right. As they walk closer, Yume and Rola smile at each other. They look at each other closely and are ready to perform at any time.

The host continues "Alright, here they are! Yume got challenged by Neo Venus Ark while performing the same song. However, this time, both of them are going to perform by themselves. On top of that, both of them got a new song for this competition!"

The crowd begins to wonder what kind of new song both of them have prepared.

The host then says "Then without further ado, let's get our first performance going! The first one up is Nijino Yume!"

While in the changing room, Yume mutters "Rola, I don't know what kind of training and song you got, but the winner will be me!"

Yume then says confidently "Nijino Yume, becoming the true star!"

Yume runs forward and changes into her dress. She walks onto the stage and takes a deep breath. The light dims down and the music beings with piano. After a while, more sounds come in and with a powerful start, the light comes back up. Along with it, Yume's aura comes out at full power and starts using her power. After the music continues to play for a bit longer.

Yume then starts singing "If we could meet in a different world, what do you want to redo? What do you want to leave behind? Under the barred sky, I still scream out to who I want to reach. Even if there isn't one."

Yume's Floral Idol aura begins showing up as she continues "You, I see it with those eyes shines excitingly. Being stronger than you want."

Yume withdraws her aura as stage light dims. It then quickly all comes back with a burst and more dazzling than before.

Yume "Released fury, resonates together! Let me see your justice! Yes, even if it's worldwide, it would still be laughed at. Whenever I look at the sun that doesn't set, I screams that I'm not alone. Hey, you don't have to hear me, but I'm right here. One day, it will be a realistic sky. I'm waiting..."

Yume then proceeds with her Special Appeal with her Swift Appeal. Then her performance continues on while shining brighter than ever. However, the light isn't a bright and cheerful one. It carries an eerie light even within her aura. As Yume's performance comes to an end, everyone is chocked by the new song.

Within the crowd, everyone is watching together, even with Ruka.

Hibiki shivers "I'm getting goosebump."

Kanade comforts Hibiki while looking similar "It's okay, Rola will win and bring her back."

Ellen "However, that song… It's a mess."

S4 Ako "Exactly, just what is that song?"

Ruka "The other song is already not very Yume like. However…"

Hime "This song is all over the place but it's well put together. Also, it's almost like Yume is crying out for help. Perhaps, she also want someone to stop her."

Everyone looks at Hime while the little Ako says "If that's true, then Rola has a chance."

Hotaru "But that is if Rola can perform her best. I fear that she might have unnecessary thoughts while on stage."

Koharu takes a step back "I wonder if Rola is okay after seeing that. I… I'm going to check on her." Koharu immediately runs off.

Mahiru, Ako, and Ruka look at each other and nod.

Mahiru "We'll go check on Rola as well. We also have to let Rola know that Yume might be crying out for help."

The three of them run off and leaves Hime and Hotaru with Hibiki and others.