Here's another chapter! I decided that I'll be posting a chapter every day this week! So look out for them!

Ahh, I so loved the ending of episode 45! Didn't you? It was sooo KanAko lmao I looove it. Kinda thinking about writing a short little oneshot concerning it? Any thoughts about that, readers?

Thanks to all my reviewers from the last chapter! Everyone seems to hate Washi already lol XD Let me tell you, that you are right to do so... *evil laugh

Review response: Yume106: Hey! Thanks for the review, no matter how late! :) And, that would make for an interesting plot line, but unfortunately it's not how I'm taking this arc! But, stick around and read, I'm sure you'll still enjoy it!

I do not own Aikatsu Stars!

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Four figures stepped out of the female dorm building, straying down the path.

The first one was dressed in a short dark purple dress with a golden mask covering the upper half of her face, with her honey blonde hair open as usual but with two strands of hair on either side of her face tied together in the back.

The next girl had bright pink hair twisted neatly in a loose bun at the base of her neck. Her dress was short and black, rimmed with dark blue at the neckline and bottom hem. She had black gloves over her hands, covering only up to her wrist. Her mask was simple and covered her eyes, mostly a dark blue with hints of black and red swirled into it.

The third of them was dressed in a puffy and short pink dress with silver sequence. She had long gloves covering her arms up to her elbows. Her hair was braided intricately and wrapped over her bare left shoulder. Her mask was light pink, similar to her dress, and had a sequence texture of pinks, whites, and blues.

The last girl had her deep red hair in a braided bun at the top of her head. Her bangs came down and neatly framed her face. Her mask was a shimmering shade of yellow-green, both of the end curving upwards, like pointy ears. The dress she wore was light green with blended stripes of yellow hues and a skirt that flowed with her movements.

All four girls were also accessorized accordingly.

Laura placed her hands on her hips. "So…"

"We are meeting up with them, right?" Ako asked.

Mahiru sighed as she looked around. "Don't tell me they're late…"

"I'm offended that you would think so, sis!"

The four turned to see M4 approach.

Asahi, who had spoken, was dressed in a pale pink suit with a white shirt underneath and a purple bow tie. His mask was pink with thin purple stripes.

Nozomu was wearing a simple gray dress shirt and a black button up vest over it. He had a bow tie around his neck that was golden. His mask was golden as well with black swirls running over it.

Subaru wore a black dress shirt that had a red flowery design all along the front, but left the sleeves black making it look like a vest. His mask was a light shade of red, making it debatable on whether it was red or pink. It had thin black swirls etched in it.

And lastly, Kanata was wearing a black suit jacket, black shirt, and a shining green tie. His mask was the same shade of green but had small white polka dots distributed equally all along the surface.

Nozomu smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting, ladies."

The girls shared a glance, giving off a peeved aura. Yume broke it by smiling cheerfully at them, followed by the others.

"No worries!" Yume said. "We just got out anyways!"

"Wonderful." Nozomu spoke. "Let's get going then."

They agreed and started on their short walk to the ball hall.

The group entered the large ballroom, where music was playing and many students were already there.

"Hm, seems like we're late?" Yume muttered.

"Not necessarily." Nozomu replied. "But it was easier to enter this way."

Subaru nodded. "It's kinda surprising we didn't get caught…"

Asahi shrugged. He reached over and grabbed Mahiru's wrist. "Come on, little sis! Let's check out the refreshments." With that, he pulled the surprised younger blonde over and they detached from the group.

Ako shuffled in place, filled with nervousness. Having the mask on, did help her feel better, somewhat, though.

A shadow came over her and she realized that it was Kanata. Looking up, she took in his appearance. A light blush colored her cheeks. "You clean up nicely." She said softly.

Kanata blinked in surprise, before letting out a breezy laugh. He calmed quickly. "You look lovely."

Ako's face blew up with redness. "Th-Thank you!" She clutched her hands in front of her tightly and looked down. A sudden thought came to mind, and she faced Kanata again. "Wh-where are your glasses?"

Kanata paused. He caught the slight concern in her voice. He smirked and lifted a finger to point to his eyes. "I'm wearing contacts."

Ako sighed in relief. "Oh, good." She paused, realizing what she did. She quickly waved her arms. "N-not that I'm concerned about you or anything! I j-just don't want to b-be stepped on or anything!"

Kanata laughed quietly at her. "Okay." He simply said.

Silence resumed between them, but the music of the ball played around them.

"It's early, but…" Kanata spoke, causing Ako to glance up at him again. "Would you like to dance?"

Ako glanced at his outstretched hand, and then cast a look to the center of the dance floor. There were a few groups dancing, and of them she only spotted one pair dancing extravagantly. She turned back to Kanata and smiled widely. "Sure."

~0~

Yume slid to stand beside Subaru. "Hello!" She greeted happily. "You look very handsome!"

Subaru immediately bloomed red. "Eh, um- yea… thanks…" He scratched his cheek. "You look… nice too, Nijino." He fidgeted, looking everywhere but at her.

Yume's cheeks dusted pink, but she smiled brightly. "Thank you, Subaru." She paused. "Hey you called me by my name!"

Subaru stiffened. "N-no I didn't!"

Yume nodded. "Yes you did! You were all, 'you look nice, Nijino'." She said in a false deep tone.

Subaru blinked. He suddenly burst into boisterous laughter, embarrassment gone. "Wh-what… was that?"

Yume puffed her cheeks out, annoyed. "That was you!"

Subaru continued to laugh. "I don't sound like that!"

Yume stuck out her tongue. "You do to me!" She crossed her arms and spun away from him, annoyed.

Subaru slowed his laughing and wiped his face. He shook his head clear. "Anyways, Nijino, would you-"

"Ha!" Yume whirled around, pointing accusingly at him. "You said it again!" She grinned widely.

Subaru leaned his face closer to her. "No I didn't!" He winked at her playfully.

Yume let out a bubbling giggle.

"As I was saying," Subaru began once more. "Would-"

Yume gasped suddenly.

Subaru backed up to his normal stature. "Um?"

She sidestepped around him. "I think my friend is here! I'll be right back!"

Subaru blinked in confusion. "What? What friend?" But Yume was already too far away. He watched as she dodged between multiple people, reaching a particular person. A boy, who Subaru didn't recognize. Granted, it was a masquerade ball.

Nozomu popped up beside him. "Where did Yume go?"

Subaru shrugged. "She said she saw a friend."

"Oh." Laura muttered.

Subaru turned to her. "Who is that?" He figured she would know.

Laura hummed and closed her eyes. "His name is Washi." She informed. "He's a childhood friend of Yume's."

Subaru paused. "Childhood… friend?"

"Of course, we didn't know about this until the other day," Laura continued, "apparently his family travels for work, so Yume hasn't seen him in a few years."

"Interesting." Nozomu commented.

Laura shrugged, holding her hands up casually. "What's more is that she used to like him."

Subaru froze. "W-what?"

Laura relaxed her pose. "This is all I know from what Yume told us."

Nozomu raised an eyebrow. "So why is he here?"

"He said that Headmaster Morohoshi invited him." Laura answered. "Why? I don't know."

Subaru frowned and felt his heart clench when he saw Yume grab the male by his hand and start pulling him over.

Laura stepped back and with pinched fingers, ran them over her lips as if she had zipped them up. "I didn't say anything." She said, glancing at Nozomu and Subaru.

They nodded.

"Yea…" Subaru muttered.

Yume waved at them. "Hey guys! I brought Washi!"

Washi was dressed in a black dress shirt and black pants. His mask was also black and was half white. His dark hair was gelled back. His eyes were bright when he glanced at Yume, but Subaru watched as they darkened at the sight of him.

Yume stood in between them. "Washi, this is Nozomu and Subaru. Also Laura from the other day!"

Nozomu smiled and waved. "Greetings."

Subaru nodded lightly. "Hi."

Yume continued. "And this is Washi, a friend of mine from when I was little!"

Subaru cleared his throat pointedly. "So, what are you doing here, Mr. Washi?"

Washi glanced at Subaru curiously, his eyes dark and a false smile on his face. "No need for formalities, Subaru- if I can call you that?"

Subaru narrowed his eyes. "Sure."

Nozomu cleared his throat suddenly, cutting the attention towards him as he faced Laura. "Miss Laura, if I may have a dance with you?"

Laura glanced at Yume and the two boys. She definitely wanted to get away from them. She smiled at Nozomu. "Yes, you may."

Yume's eyes widened and sparkled. She waved at Laura's leaving form. "Have fun!" She turned back to the boys in her audience. "So what were we talking about?"

Washi looked at her and grinned widely. "How about we get some snacks and a drink and talk about my travels?" He asked eagerly. He reached to grab her hand and began pulling her away.

Subaru gritted his teeth and was suddenly glad that the blonde had worn gloves.

"Let me tell you about this one idol academy that we visited. It was called Starlight Academy…" Washi's voice, along with him and Yume disappeared, leaving Subaru alone.

Subaru fisted his hands. He couldn't believe that some guy had just come and taken his date from him. He channeled his rising anger and sighed deeply, relaxing his muscles. A frown still remained on his face, however, and the pain in his chest ached harder. He turned away from the direction that Yume and her precious Washi had gone off in and walked away. He didn't know to where, but just away.

~0~

Shout out to anyone who catches the reference! ;D

Also, Laura is officially a SubaYume shipper lol XD

Don't forget to review! The more you review, the earlier I'll post! :)