I do not own Aikatsu! Stars!

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Yume, Ako, and Laura soon returned to the lobby of the bakery, chattering lightly.

Yume had a tray with treats, and placed it on the table in front of the group. "Sorry for keeping you." She apologized.

"No worries," Yozora said. She took a cream pastry to munch on.

Asahi eagerly grabbed a brownie. The rest of the boys took their own as well.

Yume took a cream puff. "So, what's the plan?" She asked, taking a bite from the treat.

Yozora wiped her mouth before speaking. "We are going to spilt into teams of two." She instructed. "Asahi and I are going to find the gifts for Mahiru. Two of you will get food from her favorite restaurant, two of you will get the decorations, and two of you will stay here to bring the cake back."

Yume raised her hand. "I'll stay here!"

Yozora nodded. "As I expected. Who wants to get the food?"

Laura shrugged. "I'll go."

Yozora smiled. "Thank you. Nozomu, will you go with her?"

"Sure." Nozomu answered. "Let's do our best, Laura."

Laura grinned. "Of course!"

Yozora looked at Ako. "Will you go get the decorations?"

Ako nodded. "Okay. Where am I decorating?"

"Oh! It's at the gazebo on the academy grounds." Yozora informed.

"Okay." Ako answered.

Subaru lifted his hand. "I'll stay here."

Ako froze. He wanted to stay here? But what about her? That would mean she was going with-

Her head swiveled around to meet glasses covered green eyes. Ako gasped. "No!"

Everyone turned to her in surprise.

"Is something wrong, Ako?" Yozora asked.

"I-I-!" Ako stuttered. She seemed to be tripping over her words, unable to get her message across.

"Ako?" Yume questioned.

Ako's voice got caught in her throat.

"She's not done with her sweets." Kanata stated.

"Huh?" Asahi blinked.

Yozora smiled. "It's okay, Ako. We aren't leaving just yet."

Ako clamped her mouth shut, her face turning dark red in embarrassment as she sunk down in her seat, refusing eye contact with anyone. She couldn't believe it, she had her chance and she ruined it horribly. Her lip trembled, and she could feel her eyes burn.

Quickly and quietly Ako stood up and maneuvered to the restroom.

A pair of blue eyes noticed, and watched as she went.

~0~

"Ako?" Laura called out, as she entered the restroom.

Ako jolted up from her spot in front of the mirror.

"Are you okay?" Laura asked.

"Yes!" Ako rushed out. "I'm fine!"

Laura watched her skeptically and hummed. Laura leaned back on her heels. "We're here for Mahiru, you know."

Ako stiffened. She almost forgot.

"Don't forget, Ako." Laura continued.

Ako wiped her face and clenched her fists tightly. "Right. I won't let Mahiru down!"

Laura grinned. "Me neither! Let's go!"

"Okay!"

~0~

Yozora smiled when she noticed Ako and Laura returned. She stood up. "Okay everyone, it's time to get going." She announced. "Subaru, you are staying with Yume here until the cake is done, then go back to the academy. Laura and Nozomu, please go here," she handed Nozomu a slip of paper, "And get those items. Ako and Kanata, please get lights and streamers and such to decorate the gazebo with!"

"Okay!" Everyone called back.

Yozora and Asahi waved to the group, leaving first.

Laura and Nozomu started walking off together to get to the restaurant.

Ako waved at Yume. "See you later, Yume."

"Good luck, guys!" Yume called.

"Bye," Subaru called.

Ako nodded with a pink face and walked away.

Kanata waved to the two in the bakery and followed Ako.

"We'll look around here, first." Ako declared.

Kanata didn't say anything and followed her silently.

~0~

Hm? This is... pretty short? Aha, sorry ^^" Don't worry, the next chapter is nicer :)