I kept laughing when I read the reviews for Chapter 22! Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

xxxxx

"Tomorrow is April 6th," Laura said. "So we officially become second-years - for Yuzu-senpai, third -tomorrow. We also become S4 tomorrow."

"I'm really excited for my third year at Four Star Academy and second year of S4!" Yuzu cheered.

"It'll be a new experience," Mahiru said.

"Well, I already knew I was going to make it," Ako said with a "hmph!"

"..." Yume said. She was thinking about something.

The others all stared at her.

"Yume...?" Laura asked, genuinely concerned. "Are you okay...?"

"Huh?" Yume said, startled. "Oh, yeah, just thinking." She grinned.

"Okay, so let's go outside for a quick breather," Mahiru said.

"Sure!" Yume answered, leading them outside. Just next to the door, she apparently saw something, and froze. She quickly ignored it and walked outside.

"What was she..." Ako muttered, looking. "An ad with Subaru-kun on it? Really?"

"'So this is love, so this is what makes life divine'," Lily quoted, walking over. "Cinderella, the Disney movie."

"Lilienne!" Yuzu cheered, hugging her.

"Love...?" Ako asked. "Is that really it? I'm okay, even though Kanata's gone."

"But you're good at hiding your feelings," Lily answered. "A true actress."

"Is that a compliment or an insult...?" Ako clarified.

"Neither," Lily answered. "It is simply the truth."

"Umm...?" Ako asked uncertainly.

"Back to Yume?" Laura asked. "What's wrong with her?"

"She misses him," Lily answered. "That is all."

They fell over anime style.

"But that much is just creepy," Laura said. "I'm not an actress, but I'm not depressed like her."

"Or perhaps you aren't ever extremely cheerful so it doesn't show," Lily said logically.

Laura turned red.

"That makes sense, though," Mahiru noted.

"The two brains!" Yuzu grinned.

"Hey!" Yume called. "What are you all doing? Hurry up!"

"Coming!" Yuzu called. "Thanks, Lilienne," she whispered.

"But of course," Lily said humbly.

The four members of S4 ran to catch up with their leader.

"Yume," Laura asked, "how much do you miss Subaru-kun?"

"What do you mean?" Yume answered.

"Yume, we all know you miss him a lot," Mahiru said. "That's the only reason you'd act this way."

"Huh?" Yume asked.

"Look, we know," Laura said. "The past is in the past, Yume! Just get over it!"

(Yes, I quoted Disney again.)

"Yume," Ako said. "You have to learn to cover up painful memories. Otherwise, you'll never get through life."

"Do you really know what I'm thinking about?" Yume asked, staring blankly at them.

"Huh? What?" Laura asked.

"My speech for tomorrow...?"

"Oh..." Ako said slowly. "Well, use that advice in the future, I guess."

Cue the super long awkward pause.

"We should go practice our welcoming song again," Mahiru said, breaking the silence. "Let's go."

"Oh yeah!" Yume said. "We need to go practice!"

She smiled and led them to the gym.

Ah, I lied, Yume thought sadly. I really miss Subaru...

Mahiru looked at Yume. Yume's become better at acting, huh?

Ako stared at her as well. You can't fool an actress, Yume.

The group practiced for hours awkwardly.