Author's Note

This marks the 50 chapters milestone. This chapter is a bit chill, though I decide to throw a curveball since it has been a while since the last time I did it. Anyways, enjoy. There is no specific song this time, but just for the sake of having a song... Perhaps Starting by Fumiko Orikasa would be a decent fit for this chapter.

Chapter 50: Danger Creeping, Kanade's Choice!

While Elza's performance reaching close to the end, Ruen finally turned Kari over and under his control.

Fake Kari "This girl is quite persistent…"

Ruen "Yeah, but at least it seems to be worth it. By the way, you should give yourself a name too."

Fake Kari "A name… Since this one was an idol of summer, I'll be Nega Summer."

Ruen nods "I see, that's a fine name. However, for now, I would like you to act out as Kari. If you were to pick a fight with the Precure right now, it'll most likely end up the same as last time."

Summer "What happened?"

Ruen sighs and says "They somehow manage to use a little bit of our power and become stronger with it. Even the ones that didn't have that power are getting it. Just wait until I finish setting everything up."

Summer nods "Alright, then I'll just sleep and gather up my power."

Ruen smiles "The more the better. I'll let you know when it's time to act."

Summer nods and she faints as Ruen catches then sets her down on the ground. As Kari slowly wakes up, Ruen teleports away.

After Elza's performance, they meet back up at Neo Venus Ark to have a small party.

Rei "Everyone is here, now let's start this party!"

Elza nods "With the new Aikatsu system, the amount of possible performance has become limitless. My performance is only the starting point."

Yume "Yeah, I can't wait to use the new system. I'm getting all sorts of ideas already!"

Hibiki "All sorts of ideas? Amazing…"

Rola "Jees, Yume… You really are something else. Maybe you should consider taking back the S4 spot now?"

Yume "Oh! That sounds fun! Let's have a showdown with the new system!"

Rola "That's not… Never mind. That does sound interesting. Alright, I'm in, but I'm not going to lose!"

While they are having a conversation, Elza notices Kanade looking down while thinking about something.

Elza walks to her "What's wrong?"

Kanade looks at Elza "Ah, no, it's nothing. It's just I'm still surprised Hibiki can just talk to everyone like that. Also, there is the challenge thing that is bothering me."

Elza looks at Hibiki and thought of something "You know, it doesn't matter who we are sometimes. In the end, we are all just people that are looking towards our dream and goal. Even though we are idols, we are still just another person."

Elza's gaze then shifts to Yume and smiles.

Kanade "Eh? I'm not sure what you are trying to say…"

Elza then looks at Kanade "Hmm, you are an idol right now, right?"

Kanade nods and Elza continues "What if your friends back in your world know that you became an idol and ended up treating you differently? What would you think it'll happen?"

Kanade looks down thinking for a moment "That's kind of… sad and lonely."

Elza nods "Exactly, although I'm not sure what kind of challenge we will get. But I bet it is something that is part of our worst fear."

Kanade "Worst fear…"

Kanade then looks at Hibiki "Ah… I think I know now… If it is that, then…"

Elza blinks "Hmm?"

Kanade then stands up "Then I'll be fine! Elza, I think I'm ready!"

Kanade then takes out her sphere and holds it in her hand.

Elza does the same and says "It seems like you are ready. Let's go somewhere with fewer people."

Kanade nods and follows Elza into a room, away from the party.

Rei follows and Elza stops her "Rei, just stay there. We'll be fine."

Rei looks at both of them for a while before letting out a sigh "Fine, but still, let me say this. Good luck."

Rei closes the door and Kanade and Elza look at the sphere.

Kanade "Alright, then…"

Elza smiles "Yeah, let's go."

Kanade and Elza then use the sphere and their consciousness starts fading.

When Kanade is within her consciousness, she sees herself. Kanade looks around her and sees different memories as well.

Then the fake Kanade says "All these memories, how long do you think it'll last?"

Kanade "What do you mean?"

Fake Kanade "These good memories with friends, they'll eventually become pointless. Just like…"

Then an image of Hibiki shows up.

Kanade questions "Hibiki? Are you talking about the misunderstanding two years ago? There is no way that will happen again?"

Fake Kanade makes faint smiles "Really? Even after you made up, there are moments the two of you get into a situation that you nearly get another broken friendship."

Kanade "That was because when Ellen was being controlled, that kind of situation won't happen again!"

Fake Kanade "Hmm? I didn't even talk about Ellen, why did you point fingers at her?"

Kanade becomes shaken by that "That's…"

Fake Kanade continues "Isn't it because you still can't forgive her? You know in your heart, you still haven't accepted Ellen."

Kanade "I still haven't accepted…"

After a moment, Kanade notices what it means and the smiles "I see, so this is what they mean. You are wrong, it's not just Ellen. I haven't been able to accept myself as well."

The fake Kanade stays silent and lets Kanade continue "The ugly side of me, I have been trying to cover it. Instead of letting it out and become truly accepting of the situation or people like Hibiki does… I have been just going along with it."

Fake Kanade nods "And that won't…"

Kanade cuts in and starts walking towards the fake "That will change! Now that I know, I'll also embrace the bad part of me."

Kanade then hugs her fake and says "With you, the side I held back, I know we can become a greater person."

Fake Kanade closes her eyes "I guess this is also expected…"

Then the fake Kanade begins to shine softly and slowly fades away as Kanade's consciousness returns.

Meanwhile, Elza is also deep inside her Consciousness. She sees her mother, Yukie, standing in front of her. However, her mother looks younger and is wearing the sundress.

Yukie stares at Elza with disgust and says "How disappointing."

Elza "That's not going to work, there is no way you are my mother."

Yukie "Yes, but you know this is her true feeling. Getting dragged out of work, forcefully had to show herself in front of audiences, and put up a show for you."

Elza "No way, my mother is not that sort of person!"

Yukie "Isn't that just how you imagine her to be? How often did you get to spend time with her? Even when you do, isn't she always busy and leaves early? Except during the final stage during Aikatsu Ranking, when was the last time she properly spends time with you?"

Elza starts thinking hard "The last time… That's…"

Yukie smiles and walks closer to Elza "There is no need for you to think this hard."

Yukie then hugs Elza and Elza is surprised.

Elza "Eh?"

Yukie then says "I know what you want and I can give it to you. There is no need for you to keep chasing for something you can't get."

Elza "Something I can't get…"

Elza then pushes Yukie away "There is nothing I cannot get. I just have to try more methods and think out of the box."

Yukie stares at Elza "Why are you trying so hard? Even if you keep trying, it's not going to change."

Elza smile with confidence "The solution to that is easy. Keep changing and create a new Aikatsu that will impress everyone… and…"

Yukie "And?"

Elza extends her hand straight in front of her "Just move forward and grasp what I want without thinking too much."

Elza shuts her hand close tight and Yukie disappears.

However, a voice can still be heard from Yukie "Well said, I'll be waiting for you…"

Elza is surprised by the response, but then puts up a gentle smile with her eyes closed.

Elza "Yeah, I'll see you soon."

Within the room, Kanade and Elza wake up around the same time and look at each other.

Kanade "That was unexpected… I thought I got out pretty fast."

Elza looks at Kanade "Hoo? To think you dare to challenge me.

Kanade "After meeting myself, I just thought I should stop holding back. To be honest, I have been enjoying myself as an idol. I might as well aim high and do what I want while I can."

Elza then looks at Kanade with a smile "I see, I like it. How about it? Do you want to come aboard my ship?"

Kanade thinks for a moment "Hmm, that sounds interesting but… I have a condition."

Elza smiles "You don't want to be separated from your friends. Don't worry, I got something planned. I'm sure headmaster Moroboshi won't mind."

Kanade shakes her head "No, that's would be nice but… that's not it. I want the right to use this ship's kitchen."

Elza "You want to use the kitchen? Ah, that's right. You wanted to become a confectionary chef, right? No problem, I'll make sure to have the best ingredients prepared for you."

Kanade nods "Alright, then I'll leave everything to you."

Elza smiles and reaches out for a handshake "Welcome aboard."

Kanade shakes it and then Elza's phone rings. Elza looks at her phone and looks completely surprised.

Elza "I need to take this, I'll send you the details tonight."

Kanade nods and leaves the room.

Elza then picks it up "Hello, mother. I didn't expect you to call me."

Yukie chuckles "Of course, you started something big. I got to at least call you and congratulate you. Afterall…"

Elza "It's okay, thank you. However, isn't it two in the morning over there? Please take a rest, mother."

Yukie "Hehe, I didn't know you are the naggy type."

Elza face fell a part "Wha…?"

Yukie "Okay okay, I plan on going to sleep after this call anyways."

Elza sighs and returns to normal "Alright, but I'm really happy that you called, thank you!"

Yukie "But you really achieve something big this time."

Elza "It's not my achievement alone. But either way, how long are you going to stay up?"

Yukie "Alright, then I'll be going to sleep."

Elza smiles "Yes, good night."

Yukie "Good night."

Elza looks at the phone for a moment before she put it away. Elza then starts walking out of the room with a smile.

Elza says as she exits "I guess it's time to make a visit."

The next day, Elza and Kanade are in Moroboshi's room. Elza is explaining the situation to him.

Elza "So, Kanade will be a student of Neo Venus Ark from now on."

Moroboshi looks at Kanade "I see, It's a little disappointing to see you leave. However, I will respect your decision."

Kanade "I'm sorry…"

Moroboshi smiles "There is no need to be sorry about it. If you think you can become a better idol by going to Neo Venus Ark, you are more than welcome."

Elza nods "Exactly, it's the same from my side. Now with this topic out of the way…"

Elza looks at Moroboshi and continues "I want to return the favor from last year."

Moroboshi seems interesting "Hoo? What do you want to do this time?"

Elza "Last time, you had Yume and others come over to my Venus Ark as exchange students. This year, I want to send my students instead."

Moroboshi "You'll send your students? Now that is something you have never done before."

Elza "Yeah, but I'm only doing this because I recognize Four Star Academy as an appropriate school to be a rival."

Moroboshi smiles "Rival school that also promotes exchange students with each other. Very well, let's do it!"

Elza "I knew you would accept, here is the list of students."

Elza hands Moroboshi a stack of papers.

Moroboshi takes a quick look while saying "Came prepared, as expected of perfect Elza. Let's see… Interesting."

Moroboshi then looks at Kanade "Minamino Kanade, since you are here, I welcome you to Four Star Academy."

Kanade looks confused for a second but answers "Yes!"