Some review responses!

Miharu11: I can put some of that idea in... like I'll put the whole aspect of it in, but it might be a little different than what you're imagining. But it'll be a while before that happens. Thanks for the suggestion!

SJMT shipper: Hi, thanks for your review~ Tell your friend that that idea may or may not have already been in my plans~~ Hehe ^^

Now, onto the story!

I do not own Aikatsu Stars!

~0~

Everyone was preparing for their performances. The girls were sharing a dressing room.

Suddenly, the door opened and Ms. Ran entered. "You girls remember the order? M4 will perform twice, then Laura, Mahiru, Ako, and Yume all separate, Yozora will perform twice, and M4 will end the night with one more."

The girls nodded in understanding.

Yozora smiled and put her hands on Mahiru's and Laura's shoulders, the two closest to her. "You'll all do great. Don't worry."

They all looked at her.

"Of course!" Yume cheered. "This is what we've all been waiting for!"

Laura nodded. "And what we've been practicing for!"

"Let's go out there and give it our all!" Ako added.

Mahiru, Yozora, Ako, Laura, and Yume piled their hands in the center of their circle.

"Aikatsu! Start!"

~0~

The girls watched M4 perform from the side of the stage. After their first song, they rushed backstage to take a quick breath and drink some water.

Yume watched with bright eyes as she saw Kanata and Asahi drink some water to refresh themselves. Nozomu was stretching and conversing with them. And Subaru... was approaching her.

"How do you like our backstage?" He asked her, holding his own water.

"It's amazing!" Yume answered with delight.

Subaru smiled back. "That's good." He tossed a glance at the others. "Excuse me, I have to go talk with them."

Yume nodded. "Sure."

Ako, Laura, and Mahiru joined Yume. They had gone to help some of the staff with a quick dilemma.

"It's so wonderful, don't you think?" Yume commented softly, as the four of them stood by watching the backstage rush.

The girls nodded, agreeing with her.

They heard the loud cheer from the audience outside getting louder. M4 lined up and prepared to step out.

Ako jumped as Subaru turned his head towards them. She ducked behind Laura, who was beside her.

"Hey! Ako!" Laura cried, annoyed.

Ako turned red and tried to stay hidden behind her. "Not now Laura!"

Ako peeked up again, but this time her eyes caught Kanata's gaze. He was surprised at the eye contact too, but then he smirked at her. Ako's eyes widened slightly before she huffed and turned her head away slightly.

M4 took their stage and made their performance. The girls watched from the sides.

Yume never lost her smile as she watched their show. Her eyes were drawn to Subaru as he danced and performed with a wide smile of his own.

Ako couldn't help but blush as she watched Subaru's amazing performance. For a moment, she fantasized that she would perform with him one day. Then, her view on Subaru was interrupted by another figure. Before she wrenched her eyes away, Ako was drawn to watch the figure of Kanata who had stepped into her view. He had his own smile, but true to his type, it was a "cool guy" kind.

Laura stepped back, knocking the girls out of their trances. "I should get going."

Mahiru, Yume, and Ako turned to her.

"Go get 'em Laura!" Yume cheered, raising her fist.

Laura nodded with confidence and raised her own fist. "Yea!"

~0~

Yume was standing with Ako and Laura, watching Mahiru perform.

Laura had just finished her performance, and Ako was going to go after Mahiru.

Yume smiled and turned to Ako. "Are you nervous Ako?"

Ako turned to Yume. "No! Why would I be? I am confident that I will not fail." She closed her eyes and stayed silent for a moment. Then she cracked an eye open. "Do you think I'll be okay?"

Yume smiled softly and put a hand on Ako's shoulder. "Ako don't worry too much. We believe in you, right Laura?"

Laura nodded with a smile from behind Yume. "Yea!"

"Just imagine this as any other performance at school!" Yume suggested.

Ako bit her lip but nodded. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Thanks Yume, you too Laura." She glanced at Mahiru's performance. "I think I should head back and get ready now."

Yume nodded and waved at Ako as she walked away. "Break a leg!"

Laura faced Yume. "That was good advice."

Yume blushed. "Was it?" She laughed. "I just said what would make her feel better. Maybe I should follow that advice too."

Laura laughed at Yume. "You can do it."

As Mahiru's song ended, Ako's performance started soon after.

Yume stared at Ako before she began. "Do your best." She whispered.

As Ako's performance was coming to a close, Yume gave a farewell to Laura and Mahiru and headed off herself. She breathed deeply to calm her nerves as she walked.

"Hey, tomato!"

Yume turned around and sighed. "I'm not a tomato." She responded.

Subaru ignored the comment. "Are you nervous?"

Yume didn't answer, instead lowering her gaze, worry in her eyes.

"Just remember why you're out there. For your fans, right?" Subaru asked.

Yume stopped and recalled the fans they greeted on the bus. Right. They would all be here too. They were looking forward to her, no, their performance.

She smiled bright and faced Subaru. "Yea! Thank you!"

With a burst of new energy, she ran to the backstage area, leaving Subaru alone.

Yume closed her eyes to concentrate. She took a deep breath, and her eyes flew open.

"Yume Nijino, ready to go!"

~0~

Yume finished her performance and the audience cheered loudly. Yume smiled and waved, thanking them many times.

"Yume!" Laura called as Yume made her way back to the others after changing into her casual clothes. "You were amazing!"

Yume closed her eyes with her smile. "Thank you Laura!"

~0~

I know this chapter isn't that great... I didn't have much to put in this part. But, trust me, next chapter is the chapter you want to wait for, it's great! Thanks for reading!