Author's Note

Took a very long time but finally, here is the second part of this Rola vs Yume part. I more or less settle most things down now so I should be able to write more often now. I'm not sure about a stable release but I'll do my best. The song this time is Dilemma by Tomita Miyu.

Chapter 54: Yume's Appeal, Dilemma!

In the waiting room, Yume is humming to her new song. Besides her, it is Kohaku pouring some juice for Yume.

Kohaku "Here you go, Yume."

Yume receives it and takes a sip "Ohh, nice. Thank you."

Kohaku "You're welcome. But Yume, do you have something to match that appeal?"

Yume smiles "Of course I…"

Before she says anymore, the door to her room bursts open with both Ako, Ellen, Hibiki, Kanade, Mahiru, Ruka, and Rola entering.

S4 Ako starts shouting "Yume! You got something to deal with the Premium Appeal, right?"

Hibiki "Well, even if Yume doesn't have it. Maybe she can pull off a Premium Appeal as well."

Rola "If you can do it just like that as well, then I don't know what I have been doing."

Everyone looks at Yume and she smiles "Nope, can't do it."

The S4 Ako then shouts "Hold on! Why are you smiling then?"

Ellen then makes a guess "Either way, Yume probably got her own plan."

Yume nods "Of course!"

Rola "Then show me what you got!"

Yume nods "Yes! Alright, then I guess it's about time to go."

Yume then walks out of her waiting room with a wave.

Mahiru "Now then, let's go back"

As they are leaving Subaru shows up out of breath and asks "Ah, you girls, is Yume still here?"

Everyone looks at him with disappointment and looks at him with disappointment.

After he catches his breath a bit, he shouts "Ahh, I know! Just cut me some slack! I just finished a performance! Anyways, that means she must be on her way, I'll see you all later!"

While Yume is in the changing room, she takes a deep breath and mutters "Alright, it's almost time. But that Subaru, he said he'll be here… Ahh, whatever! It doesn't matter if he is here or not!"

Yume then focuses and says "Nijino Yume, becoming a new…"

Then the door into the changing room bursts open.

Yume "Uwaa!"

Subaru "Yume!"

Yume turns around "Eh? Wait, what are you doing here?"

Subaru smiles and gives her a cool look "I'm here to cheer for you. After all, this is a very important fight for you. There is no way I won't be here for you like I promised."

Yume blushes "That's not what I'm talking about! You can't just barge in here!"

Subaru looks confused "Eh? What do you mean?"

Yume points to the ground and asks "What kind of room is this?"

Subaru thinks for a moment "Hmm, the room where we wait to get changed, right before the stage?"

Yume sighs "In that cause, won't it make this room the changing room?"

It takes a moment for Subaru to catch on "Ah… Uhmm, sorry…"

Yume completely turns red this time "If you get it then get out!"

Subaru starts to scramble "Yes!"

However, right at the doors, he stops and says "Uhmm, just let me say one more thing. Good luck, you boiled octopus."

Yume "Get out!"

Subaru "Okay, I get it. I'll be watching your performance from the audience. See you later!"

Yume wants to say something, but Subaru runs out and the door closes behind him as Yume watches his back disappear.

Yume "Idiot… but thanks. Now I think I can sing my new song even better."

She turns around and prepares herself for real this time "Nijino Yume, I am the new star!"

Yume starts changing and puts on a one-piece dress with tiny glittering stars with wrist rings and ankle rings with a dangling star. She also let most of her hair down while wearing a crystal side comb. Yume also wears heels a set of crystal-like open-toe heels. She walks onto the stage and immediately gives off a different vibe than usual. A more mature and sexy look.

When the song starts, Yume quickly starts emitting her aura and effects start to cover her stage.

Yume then sings as she faces one side of the audience "Time has passed and you're gone. 'I don't want you…' I don't want to hear you say that."

Then with a turn, she faces the other side as she continues "If you don't want to use that excuse, that's fine. You said you were interested in me, so tell me the right answer!"

Then Yume walks forward as she looks ahead "The day we drew it, I wanted to rewrite it!"

Then in a moment, the surroundings glow up. Not only the stage, but the audience area is also now filled with frames and screens of Yume. No matter from which angle, they can see Yume up close as if she is performing right in front of them.

Yume keeps on singing "You're not coming back, you're gone… In truth, I always want to be you. If I'm going to live with a secret conflicting reason… Oh, goodbye already!"

Yume then starts her Special Appeal. She spins around as a black veil envelopes the stage. Yume then emerges from it and makes a pose with her eyes closed, while having a sad look. Aftward, the veil did not disappear. The stage disappears and Yume is now dancing and singing on the veil as it floats, as if her Special Appeal does not end.

Yume continues to perform "It was better to stay as I was, not knowing anything. I wish I could tell even one lie better than that. I love you so much, but every time I say it, I sink deeper. I can't get out of this deep bottom of darkness."

The veil then starts ripping with Yume standing at the center "The hands of a broken clock, I want it to move!"

The veil disappears and so does Yume. Then all of a sudden, as if all of the audience is dreaming, everyone sees Yume with a silhouette of a man. The two of them look close, but then the man disappears.

Then Yume's singing suddenly breaks the illusion and brings everyone back. She is standing on the veil as if it was never ripped.

Yume "You're not coming back, you're gone…"

Yume then continues her song and performance. While many look surprised and others look confused. Right after the dream-like illusion, within the audience, Hibiki, Rola, and others are surprised.

Hibiki "What was that?"

Rola "Yume… Now, this is too awesome."

Ako "I didn't think Yume could pull off a sexy and romance performance but…"

Kanade "Yeah, this is surprising."

Mahiru "Well, maybe we have someone to thank for."

Mahiru looks at Subaru, who is watching with them. However, rather than being amazed or surprised, he is having a cold sweat.

Everyone else "Ah…"

After a moment, Ako says "Anyways, let's go. Yume's performance is almost over."

Above the performance stadium, Ruen watched both Rola and Yume's performance.

Ruen "Hmm, I guess they are getting better. I need to hurry up and find the other hosts. Sakuraba Rola, your performance was quite good. Nijino Yume as well, that was definitely something way above average. I guess it's time to hurry…"

Ruen then receives a phone call "Hello? Boss?"

On the other side, it is Kotogara "Ruen, haven't you been slacking off?"

Ruen frowns "What?"

Kotogara "I have sent you a few locations for performance. I doubt they can cover all the area. Make a name for yourself in that world first. You get it?"

Ruen "If you want me to, what choice do I have? As long as it doesn't get in the way of my plan… actually, no, that might help instead. Alright, I'll do it."

Kotogara "Okay, then get on it."

Ruen "Roger that."

Ruen then hangs up and smiles "This'll be a good change of pace. Maybe I'll find a few good host while at it."

He looks at Yume, then turns to Rola, Hibiki, and others "Precure, you girls will taste what it feels to lose what you love soon."

Ruen then jumps off and leaves the stadium.

After Yume's performance, Ako, Mahiru, and Ruka walk up the stage with headmaster Moroboshi. Rola and Yume then walk up after them and stand on the side.

Ruka "Wow, that was something isn't it?"

Mahiru "Definitely. I'm surprised Yume was able to make a performance with such amazing appeal."

Ako "Hold on, I'm not even sure if we can call that an Appeal anymore."

Moroboshi "Yeah, but the most surprising thing is… The Aikatsu system could barely keep up."

AKo "No way… To almost overload the new system… I doubt there are many who can do that."

Ruka "Ehh? I bet Ruka can do that too!"

Mahiru "Either way, I bet everyone is excited to know the result! We got all the votes in as well. So headmaster Moroboshi, please!"

As everyone quiets down, Moroboshi says "Both of them made a breathtaking performance, but only one of them gets to be the Flower Song Class's S4 representative. Now, the one who gets to keep the position is… Sakuraba Rola!"

While most people are puzzled at first, but everyone cheers. Rola looks confused as well and she still did not register what happened.

Rola "Wait… Did I win? I thought I was going to lose…"

Yume on the other hand looks frustrated but still congratulates Rola "Nice job, Rola. I guess I lost for sure."

Moroboshi then looks at Yume "Who says you lost?"

Confusion fills the stadium, no one seems to understand what is going on except Moroboshi and the

Yume then asks "But didn't Rola win? That's why she gets to stay in S4."

Moroboshi "No, both of you are too good. There is no way to keep only one of you as the top star of the academy."

Ruka then cuts in "That's why there is a surprise for the winner!"

Yume "Uhmm, so does that mean… I won?"

Moroboshi "Yes! Nijino Yume, you are now the very first, Four Star Princess! One who stands above the S4 and all of the other idols!"

At that moment, the Aikatsu system starts up and displays an oversized hologram of Yume with a tiara like a princess.

Yume is in awe of the title "Four Star Princess…"

Rola then starts clapping and everyone follows through.

Yume then questions "Wait, in that case, shouldn't we host a more appropriate contest? At least among all the S4 and admins."

Ako answers "Actually, we all agree to yield."

Yume "Why?"

Mahiru "To be honest, we can keep up but to win against you, we all think it's a little hard. The only ones that can compete against either of you head-on are people like Hime or Elza. But don't worry, we won't let you it easy keeping that title!"

It takes a second for Yume to take in, but she smiles "I see… Well, bring it on! But I won't go lose that easy!"

Moroboshi smiles "Okay, then…"

Moroboshi walks over and gives Rola the S4 mantle.

Moroboshi "Good job, that was amazing. I hope you keep coming up with new Special Appeal and keep Aikatsu ever so exciting."

Rola "Yes!"

Moroboshi nods and then takes out a tiara and puts it on Yume's head.

Moroboshi "Yume, you have really outdone yourself this time. You really put the new Aikatsu system to work and show the world what it can do."

Yume nods "I did my best, but I'm sure there is more we can do in the future. There is sure to be more new Aikatsu waiting for us."

Yume and Rola look at each other and nod.

Moroboshi "Looks like you two will forever be rivals. I'm sure everyone wants to see an even more exciting competition between you two. Keep it up."

Rola and Yume "Yes!"

Afterward, Yume decides to take a rest by herself in her waiting room.

Yume "Four Star Princess… The princess of the Four Star Academy. I guess this means I really manage to make it this time."

While Yume smiles happily, someone knocks on the door.

Yume "Ah, who is it?"

Man "Uhmm, Yume, it's me."

Yume questions "Subaru, is that you? Come in."

Subaru walks in and immediately says "You didn't make it back to S4 but…"

Yume shakes her head "No, it's okay. I got more than what I want."

Subaru "Eh? Ah, then… Congratulation."

Subaru congratulates her but seems like there is more that he wants to say.

Yume asks "Is something wrong?"

Subaru "Ah, well… You wanna go celebrate it? My treat."

Yume blinks a few times "What do you… Ah, I see. Is it because of the song?"

Subaru freezes up and Yume begins laughing "Hahaha, no way, are you serious?"

Subaru "Ah, if you don't want to that's fine!"

Yume slowly stops "Haha, okay, sorry. I didn't mean to laugh."

Yume then answers "Sure, let's go."

Subaru smiles "Then let's go!"

Subaru grabs Yume's hand and pulls her along.

As the two of them are running, Yume says "Subaru, hold on! We don't need to rush do we?"

Subaru looks back as they run "There isn't much time until your next job, right? Then let's make the most out of it!"

Yume looks at Subaru for a bit then happily responds with "Yes!"