Author's Note

Okay, this chapter came out finished much earlier than I was expecting. Probably I'm in a good mood since I finally left my old job. Either way, it's time to introduce the next enemy. This one, however, I'm not sure how long-lived I want to make it yet. Probably will last until near the very end. This chapter also isn't much action and development. It's just mostly creating the next setting. So I end up cutting the battle out and will have to make some arrangement. If battle included, this would most likely be over 4000 words easily. Which I think's a bit too long. The song this time is sang by Hatanaka Tasuku

Either way, this is probably just a temporary quick release. Since my new job starts tomorrow, It'll take at least a week or two for me to get used to the new place. So, that's about it for my situation. Enjoy!

Chapter 42: Falllight Ruen, Fighting on...!

After Yurina's performance ends and is on her way back to her room, she runs into the man with sunglasses.

The man "Not bad, I never thought your stage would be this good."

Yurina looks at him and questions "How are you back here? Ah, could it be that you work here?"

He laughs "Hahaha, no I don't. I'm actually an idol as well. Just one that is out of this world."

Yurina thinks for a moment "Eh? Ah, you mean you are really famous? I'm sorry, but I only know of a few idols."

He smiles "Don't worry…"

He leans in and holds up Yurina's chin with his hand "You'll soon become unable to forget about me."

Yurina looks at him with fear "Ah... Uhmm…"

He then smiles and lets go of Yurina "No need to be scared. I'll show you a dream you never thought of having soon. Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Falllight Ruen. Go ahead and call me Ruen."

Yurina takes a few steps back "Ah yes, and I'm Shizu Yurina. It's nice to meet you."

Ruen "I'll be performing in a few days, make sure you come. I'll reserve a good seat for you. You can bring your friends if you want to."

Yurina "Ah, if we have time. But uhmm…"

Ruen "Don't worry about the tickets. I'll have someone wait for you."

Yurina "In that case, I'll have to go don't I. Or else that person would be waiting for nothing."

Ruen then laughs "Hahaha, you are a gentle one aren't you. Alright, then I'll see you later."

Yurina nods "Ah, yes. Thank you for inviting me. Then I'll be going now."

Yurina bows lightly and runs away while thinking "What's with him? I don't know why but he is a little scary."

The next day morning, Yurina manages to find Yume and Rola with Hibiki and others in the cafeteria.

Yurina waves "Hibiki! Yume! Everyone!"

Hibiki waves back "Yurina! Good job yesterday and congratulation!"

Yurina smiles happily "Thanks! Oh, I got something to tell everyone."

Yume tilts her head in wonder "What is it?"

Yurina shows them her phone with Ruen's performance page on it "I ran into this idol yesterday. I thought he was joking but…"

Everyone looks at Yurina and Rola asks "What…"

Yurina "He invited me to this performance. He says it's okay to bring my friends. So…"

Ellen puts her hand on her hips and answers "Sure, I don't know who he is but it'll be good to see what kind of other idols are out there."

Yume nods and looks at the time of Ruen's performance "Yeah! Let's go! Let's see… ah."

Rola then looks at the time "Oh, I guess it's just us. I think everyone else have work at that time."

Yurina "I see, but this is already a lot of people. Is it okay?"

Kanade looks closer at the site and nods "I think it's okay. That stadium has an area for VIPs. He probably just reserved a room."

Hibiki looks at Kanade "VIPs? You mean we'll get to watch it from fancy seats?"

Little Ako sighs "Isn't that what VIP means? But this will be my first time as well. It's kind of exciting."

While everyone is getting excited, Suzu sees them and walks closer.

Suzu "What's everyone so excited about?"

Yurina then shows Suzu's her phone and asks "Oh, this Ruen's performance! It seems like we'll get to enjoy VIP seats. Do you want to come?"

Suzu looks surprised and takes a step back while looking pale "Ruen… No way. Why is he here?"

Yurina asks "Eh? Suzu, do you know him?"

Suzu looks at yurina "Well, kind of…"

Yurina "Oh, if Suzu gets along with him, then maybe he isn't anyone weird."

Suzu tries to answer but all she can do is mumble a few words "That's… How do I explain…"

Yume then cuts in "Oh, by the way, we should get going. The media asked all of the current Floral Idol to gather. We have to go to the recording soon. If don't leave now, we might end up not making it on time. After all, we finally made it through the halfway mark. I'm sure people would like to know more about us."

Rola "Ah! That's right! We should leave soon."

Kanade "Hmm? We should still have some time but I guess it's better to be safe."

Hibiki "But Yurina, Kanade, will you two be alright?"

Yurina and Kanade look at Hibiki "Hmm?"

Hibiki "I mean, the two of you will be interviewed in a talk show together with all of the top idols."

Yurina and Kanade react at the same time again "Ah!"

Ellen shakes her head "Hibiki, I'm pretty sure they know but just didn't want to think about it."

Yurina then looks at Suzu "But isn't Suzu also in the same boat?"

Suzu "Actually, I was kind of famous at one point. So I'm used to it."

Yurina "So it really is just the two of us…"

Kanade looks at Yurina and says while being a bit nervous "Well, let's just try our best."

Rola "Don't worry, if anything happens, we'll help you."

Yume nods "That's right, just relax and do your own thing. No need to worry too much."

Yurina and Kanade look at each other for a moment.

Yurina "Al… Alright!"

Kanade "I'll do my best!"

During the recording, every single Floral Idol is sitting over two rolls of the single-seat couch on one side. The host is standing in the middle.

Yume "And then, Rola ended confronting me like that. Which I totally wasn't expecting."

Rola "Yume!"

Yume "Ahahaha."

Host "I see, well Yume, you really surprised everyone when you left. And what's more, you resigned from S4 after going back to Four Star Academy."

Yume nods "Right, but I once left, I don't think it's okay for me to continue being in S4. Of course, it'll be in the next S4 selection where I'll get back my spot in S4. Although there won't be many events afterward, being in S4 and graduate together with everyone else is part of my dream."

Rola, Mahiru, and their Ako all look at Yume with a smile. Yurina on the other hand is in awe and looking at Yume with pure admiration.

Host "That's a wonderful dream. I'm sure all your fans would like to hear more, but let's not spoil all the surprises. On the other hand, it seems like Yurina is ready to say a few things."

Yurina turns around and looks at the host "Eh? Ah… Sorry, I was just thinking Yume really is amazing."

Host laughs "Hahaha, indeed. But Yurina, why don't you tell us a little more about yourself? Among all the Floral Idols here, you are the only one who climb to it after failing to become one."

Yurina looks a bit awkward "Ah… yeah. To be honest, I don't even feel like I deserve to become one. Even though I'm standing… I mean sitting here, I think I'm probably the worst one here."

Aria who is sitting next to Yurina then says "That's not true. Everyone here is different, it's hard to compete. You became a Floral Idol solely due to your hard work and is able to represent the flower you got. Do you know the meaning of your flower?"

Yurina shakes her head and Aria smiles "It actually represents many things. The meaning of it is positive sentiments. It's often used when someone achieves their goal or finding opportunities."

Yurina is surprised by the meaning "That sounds like…"

Ako "What you did to become a Floral Idol. Though you definitely still have a long way to go."

The host nods "Certainly. I'm sure everyone is able to tell how hard Yurina worked. Though besides Yurina, Kanade and Suzu also become Floral Idol from almost nowhere. Do you two have anything to share with us?"

Kanade "Well, I don't know what to say about myself but… it's interesting how Yurina's flower matches her so well."

Aria then comments "Oh, I think Dalia fits Kanade really well too."

Kanade "Dalia? If I remember correctly, it's commonly known for elegance and inner strength…. I don't really think that fits me that well. Especially inner strength, I don't think I have much of that."

Everyone but the host "Eh?"

Kanade blinks "Eh? What?"

Kirara then laughs "Hahaha, Kanade definitely has more inner strength than most people."

Kanade questions "If talking about inner strength, then Hibiki has it more than me."

Mahiru thinks for a moment then smiles "Well, I don't think that's inner strength. What Hibiki has is more closer to… stubbornness?"

Kanade thinks for a bit "Certainly, stubbornness is probably the better way to describe her."

Rola then reminds Kanade "You certainly got that inner strength. You do realize this will be aired on TV, right?"

Kanade looks at Rola "But isn't that a fact that everyone can agree with?"

The host laughs "Hahaha, it seems like Dalia really fits Kanade well. Then how about Suzu? If I remember right, your flower is Daffodil. Do you know the meaning behind it?"

Suzu shakes her head "No, but if everything is supposed to fit each one of that well then… The meaning of my flower must be… A new beginning or second chance."

Host "Hee… I see, then could our fairy Aria answer?"

Aria nods "It's very close. Instead of a second chance, it is rebirth."

Suzu closes her eyes and looks up a slightly "Rebirth…"

Suzu then looks at Kanade "I guess rebirth is also correct to what happened."

The host looks at Suzu and Kanade "It seems like a lot had happened. Well, being an idol is sure to have a lot of stuff going on. My niece was an idol as well, but her career as an idol hasn't been going well. She recently decides to move back to my follow brother's career as a chef."

Yume starts looking pale and the host asks "Hmm, Yume, are you alright?"

Yume waves and shakes her head in denial "Ah, don't worry about me. I'm alright."

At that time, Kanade and Suzu thought the same thing "Maybe it's that girl from that time…"

Both of them are thinking of the time when Yume turned into Cure Shine. The first time she destroyed the Negadol, along with that girl's dream to be an idol.

Rola notices the weird situation and says "Well, it happens and I hope your niece is doing alright."

Host nods "Yes, of course. Rather, she is doing very well and my brother has been constantly bragging about it. Now let's put this aside. Since we have come to you, Rola, what about your Flower?"

The interview talk show recording continues on and everything ends well at the end.

After the recording, most of them have other jobs to do. All except Yurina, Kanade, and Yume. All three of them are in the waiting room resting. Yume however, is still looking a little strange.

Yurina asks "Yume, what happened?"

Yume "Eh? Ah, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, really."

Kanade looks around "Hmm? Is there no water in this room?"

Yurina thought maybe some water could help and offer to grab some "I'll go get some. Kanade, is that alright?"

Kanade nods "Yes, leave Yume to me."

Yurina leaves the room and starts jogging down the hall, towards the closest vending machine.

As she is on her way back, she runs into Ruen "Ah!"

Ruen "Hmm? Ah, it's Yurina. What's the hurry?"

Yurina "Oh, it's just my senpai isn't feeling well. I wanted to get some water for her."

Ruen "Helping your senpai, is it? I guess you are inviting this senpai as well?"

Yurina nods "Yes! She'll be going! Ah, I have at least 7 people who would like to go. Is it okay?"

Ruen nods "Of course, but… is it okay to have so many friends?"

Yurina looks puzzled and looks at Ruen closely "What do you mean?"

Ruen "It's nice to have friends but at the end of the day, they are still enemies that would get in your way in your idol hood."

Yurina wants to retort but that is also true "That's…"

Ruen smiles "You should try changing your way. Having too many friends will only weigh you down."

Ruen pets Yurina and starts walking off "Either way, I'll make sure there are enough seats for your… friends."

Yurina looks at Ruen and grips the bottle of water in her hand hard. She stood still for a bit until she notices a bit later that she still need to deliver the water. She turns around and walks back while ponders about what Ruen said. After she returns, Yume is already looking better and the three of them discuss Ruen and guessing what kind of stage he would have.

On the day of Ruen's performance, Yurina, Hibiki, Kanade, Ellen, Shirabe Ako, Yume, Rola, and Suzu is in the VIP room that is on top of the stadium. While they are focused and trying to figure out what Ruen will do, Yurina looks tired. She has been thinking about what Ruen had said and couldn't get much sleep because of it.

Hibiki asks "Are you alright?"

Yurina nods "Yes, I just couldn't get much sleep last night."

Hibiki then teases Yurina "What, did you fall in love with that guy?"

Yurina retorts immediately "That's not it! It's just… I'm thinking about something."

Suzu looks at the stage "it's starting."

Everyone then looks at the stage and Ruen walks onto the stage.

Ruen "Hello to everyone! I'm here at this place to do my first live and leave my mark here! I'll make sure everyone forget about themselves and become absorbed in my song!"

The stage light dims down and faint light focuses on Ruen, he says "A stage is a place like a battlefield. And I will free everyone from their shackle, that's my Fighting for…"

As music starts, Ruen begins singing "A faint glimmering hand reaches out, GLORY DAYS. Keep fighting with uncompromising thoughts."

The song barely starts and many people have already become a fan and cheers on

Ruen continues "Current state limits? YOUR LIFE. When you admit LOSER in the mirror. Correct answer? TWILIGHT. We are born into the blend world. WHO WE ARE."

As the song continues, the liveliness of the fans begins to disappear from their eyes. It is as if the song and lyrics are slowly controlling them. However, everyone continues to cheer on.

Ruen "If you can leave something behind at the end of the fight. Even being hurt can be meaningful. REACHING FOR YOUR DREAM, LEADING TO YOUR WISH. Even if you are alone! Relentlessly, Battering, The Scream of Life!"

At this point, Yurina begins to feel unwell, while not in the same situation as regular audiences, she seems confused. However, Yume, Hibiki, and everyone else is focusing on the window and watching Ruen carefully.

Ruen's performance continues on "How many times, FIGHTING FOR THAT LIBERATION! Even if you kneel down, you look up at the wall. A glare, FIGHTING FOR THAT LIBERATION! Grab the ANSWER of light, only one."

Ruen then quickly envelopes himself in darkness and transforms as his outfit was changed like how the Floral Idol did. He now has a more wild look with a white trimmed prince like black blazer.

Ruen "[KEEP ON!] Glimmering faintly! [KEEP ON!] GLORY DAYS! If you reach out. [KEEP ON!] Come on, I'll stare at you as many times as you want. [KEEP ON!] Keep fighting! [KEEP ON!] With non-negotiable thoughts, [KEEP ON!], Arrive at and until then…"

Yurina couldn't hold on and leaves the room, trying to wash up in the hope to feel better.

However, not long after, a black aura starts to envelopes the audience.

Rola "That's! Isn't this quite bad?"

Ellen "Yeah, at this rate, everyone is in danger!"

Suzu "As expected, he is capable of doing this over here as well."

Hibiki asks "What do you mean?"

Suzu puts one hand on the glass and explains with a hint of nostalgia "Ruen… Falllight Ruen has an ability beyond that of most of us. You can say he is one of ABC's top ace. Besides having the capability of creating Negadol, he is capable of creating Negaminion in huge quantities. Luckily, the audio system in this world isn't as well developed. There was one world he single-handedly took over with his song alone. Every single person fell into his control immediately."

Kanade "Hold on, just by singing one song, he… took over a world?"

Suzu nods and adds "Yes, and that was over a year ago. Even I don't know what he is capable of now."

Kanade then notices it is bad if Yurina hears all of this and turns around "... Wait, where is Yurina?"

Ako "Did she…"

Yume "No, Yurina is also a top idol now. I'm sure she won't turn into Negaminion that easy."

Ellen "Then let's go to the stage and stop this, we got to save everyone!"

Everyone nods and transforms into Precure, except Suzu. Afterward, they run out of the room and head straight to the stage.

When the cures reach the stage, the song ends and the audiences are completely turned into Negaminions.

Ruen looks at the Precure "So the Precure is here, what does the Precure think of my song?"

Hibiki "It's terrible! To use music and twist people's hearts like this! This is just wrong!"

Ruen chuckle "At least I am standing on top of the idol hood. Unlike someone, right? Su..."

Ruen slowly looks at Suzu.

Suzu stares back and refutes "That doesn't matter to me anymore. I will chase after my own ideal of a top idol. Maybe if at that time, I didn't fall for your sweet words, I could've hung on being an idol. I won't quit being an idol the second time, Ru big brother."

All the cures look at Suzu with a surprise.

Cure Rhythm "Wait, he is your big brother?"

Cure Beat "No wonder you seem quite familiar with him when you were explaining."

Suzu "Sorry, I didn't mean to hide it."

Ruen "It's truly unfortunate that I have to eliminate my own little sister. Whatever, if you want to belong in the trash then so be it. Negaminion!"

Upon Ruen's command, Negaminions begins to move. All the Precure and Suzu prepare themselves to engage thousands of enemies.