Another reference in this chapter! It might be a little harder to spot! So if no one gets it, I'll let you know in the next chapter! :D

Thanks to all my reviewers! Lots of Love! Also, to SJMTshipper- OMG I DIDNT KNOW YOU LIKE RC9GN ahhh im literally dying but dont remind me i havent written for that in forever TnT i-i've been meaning to tho... -_-"

I do not own Aikatsu Stars!

~0~

"Big sis, brother won't leave me alone." Mahiru crossed her arms.

Yozora covered her mouth as she giggled and moved his gaze to Asahi. "Is that so Asahi?"

Asahi grinned and put his hands up behind his head. "Maybe." He drew out the "a" sound.

Mahiru groaned.

Yozora smiled and looked over at Mahiru. "I'm sure Asahi isn't trying to be bothersome, right?"

"Right!" Asahi saluted at her.

Mahiru huffed.

Yozora put a hand on both siblings' shoulders and pushed them softly. "Now why don't you two go have a dance? I'll join in, too."

Mahiru pressed her lips together. She sighed, "Fine."

Asahi grinned and grabbed her hand. "Alright! Let's have fun, little sis!"

With a cry of surprise from Mahiru, Asahi led the three siblings to the dance floor.

~0~

Ako's legs burned. Actually, her whole body did. But she kept dancing along, less vibrantly than before however. The determination shown in Kanata's eyes kept her going.

She looked up, at Lilly, who had long given up on the competition and was now sitting at a table nearby. Ako sighed, wishing she was there.

Yuzu stopped moving. She leaned over on her knees, and looked up at Kanata. She panted heavily. "Yuzu… can't believe it. She's so tired! She needs a break!" She wobbled to stand. "You won this round, Kanata!"

Kanata smirked happily, and suddenly a large applause erupted from their peers around them.

Ako smiled brightly. She turned to Kanata and grabbed his sleeve, tugging it to gain his attention.

He looked down at her.

"Can we sit down?" Ako asked tiredly.

Kanata nodded and took her arm, helping her to an empty seat at a table. "I'll get some food." He said, before walking off.

Ako immediately took off her heels and started massaging her feet.

Kanata quickly returned with two plates piled with food.

Ako smiled. "Thank you." She grabbed a donut and began biting into it. She hummed happily.

Kanata nodded in response, taking a piece of fruit to eat.

After snacking for a little, Ako strapped her shoes on properly again and stood up. "Excuse me, I have to use the restroom."

Kanata nodded at her, and Ako took her leave.

The bathroom wasn't too crowded, however Ako did have to wait in a short line to get an empty stall. When she stepped out to wash her hands, she spotted a familiar head of bright pink hair.

"Laura." Ako greeted.

Laura turned. "Ako?" She nodded in response. "Having fun? I saw you dancing out there."

Ako's cheeks tinged pink. "Yea… but I'm tired now." She sighed exaggeratedly.

Laura giggled. "I bet. At least you're having a good night."

Ako raised an eyebrow under her mask. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Washi showed up," Laura said and Ako's eyes widened, "and, I don't think Subaru is too pleased with it, you know?"

Ako pressed her hand into her face in exasperation. "Oh dear, Yume."

Laura solemnly nodded in agreement. She huffed out a puff of breath and lightly shook her head. "Anyways," she put her hand on Ako's shoulder, "enjoy yourself. I'll see you later?"

Ako nodded. "Yes. See you."

Laura waved and the two exited the bathroom and split ways.

Ako hummed a short tune with the song that was playing over everyone in the hall as she walked over to the table where she was previously.

Her gaze lifted up to the table, but she stopped when she noticed some strangers there. A quad of students were seated at the square table that Ako had just come from, however the tall green haired male whom she was with was not around them. She turned on her heel, letting her eyes graze across the crowd with an apprehensive expression.

Ako let out a curious hum and strolled along, wondering where he could have gone.

She strayed towards the back of the hall, scanning with her eyes around the crowd, but still not seeing any tall green figures. Ako sighed in defeat, disappointed that she lost her date. She dragged her legs towards one of the doors that led to a small square outside for a breath of fresh air. She decided to take a break before going back to search inside.

Just as she stepped out, her eyes lit up as she caught sight of the familiar she was looking for. However, his back was turned to her, so she lifted a hand as she was about to call out to him.

But then, Ako saw something else. Her throat dried and her heart clenched painfully at the sight.

There was a girl. Under the lighting of the lamps, she had icy blue hair tied around her head in a crown braid and wore a beautiful gray dress, she was beautiful. Ako recognized her as a third year student, like Kanata. And she was hanging around Kanata's neck.

Ako's eyes widened and the world slowed as the girl tightened her arms around Kanata's neck and pulled her face close to his, leaning in to-.

She couldn't believe it, she closed her eyes. That- that jerk! He h-had a g-girlf-friend already and had led her onto thinking he actually liked her! And what's worse was, that she started liking him back. What a jerk, again!

Ako's heart dropped and she spun away, and without any sounds, ran off in the opposite direction. Her eyes burned and she felt hot liquid flow down her cheeks. But she didn't care, even as a sob ripped through her throat, as she continued to find refuge somewhere peaceful.

~0~

Laura approached Yume and Washi, catching part of what Washi was talking about.

"-And then they had a huge race just for the girl to get her birthday gift!" Washi exclaimed.

Yume's eyes widened in surprise.

"In the end, it was a performance together!" Washi concluded.

"No way!" Yume cried. "Did you go? Was it good?"

Washi nodded. "Of course! It was great!"

Laura cut in at that moment. "Hey Yume."

Yume turned in surprise. "Laura! What's up?"

Laura smiled. "Nothing much, I just wanted to join you." She felt Washi staring at her, and glanced over, only to see him avert his eyes.

"Of course!" Yume smiled.

Washi suddenly straightened. "Oh, Yume," he cut off Laura from continuing, "would you dance with me? This is a great song!"

Yume turned to him surprised at the sudden request. Her lips rounded. "Oh, sure!"

Laura stared at the blonde. "Yume, don't forget about Subaru. You did agree to come with him, after all."

Yume's eyes widened. "Ah! Right!" She faced Washi. "After this one dance I have to go back to Subaru, okay?"

Laura glanced at Washi, whose face twisted sour for a moment, before he smiled.

"Sure!" He grabbed her hand and started pulling her along to the dance floor.

Laura frowned as she turned to watch them go off. As she looked up, she made eye contact with Subaru from where she just came from. Her lips fell into a deeper frown. Letting out a quiet sigh, she started to go find Mahiru or Ako.

~0~

Yume spun joyfully, her eyes blurring the scene around. A sudden glimpse of dark sapphire blue flashed across her vision, taking the air away from her throat. Within a second, she was facing Washi's smiling face again.

Yume froze, wondering what the vibrant blue gems were, and why they looked so dark.

"Yume?" Washi interrupted her thoughts. "Is everything okay?"

Yume hesitated. "…Yea, yea. Of course." She smiled up at him, slightly forced.

Luckily for her, the song slowed to a stop right at that moment.

Yume looked around with surprise. "Oh, it's over." She stated and started walking away from the dance floor.

Suddenly, something grabbed her wrist, causing her to turn in confusion.

Yume blinked. "Washi?"

Washi smiled softly. "Hey Yume, can I talk to you?"

Yume was confused, but finally nodded. "Okay."

Washi kept smiling and began to lead her.

"Where are we going?" Yume asked as he moved past the tables.

"Just outside for a moment." Washi answered, not looking back or letting go of her.

Yume nodded once, wondering what her old friend wanted from her.

~0~

"Oh, look at that." Nozomu spoke. "They're going away."

Subaru clenched his fist and said in a strained voice, "I see."

"I wonder where they're going? Or better yet, why?" Nozomu turned to him. "Maybe it's time for Subaru to go back to Yume."

Subaru gritted his teeth, "I agree." He replied, in an equally tense voice.

With that, he swiftly stood up and took quick strides to the other side of the hall to reach wherever Yume had gone.

He frowned as he looked around. The area had fewer students, but he couldn't spot them. Where did they go?

"-know we haven't seen each other in years… but I really enjoyed spending time with you again."

"Aw, Washi! I did too!" Subaru recognized Yume's bright voice.

"And, uh- there's something else…"

Subaru pressed against a wall and turned his head to peak around the corner of the wall. The two were chatting in an empty area of the outside of the hall. The early night sky was still bright, but the lamps had turned on, leaving it rather lit up.

The two of them were standing in front of each other as they spoke.

Yume hummed in curiosity.

Subaru watched as Washi reached over and grabbed Yume's hands. "I realized that I missed you."

Oh no, Subaru froze. He knew exactly where this conversation was going. He stole a glance at Yume. That idiot was smiling at him encouragingly! Did she still like him? Did she want him to continue?

Subaru clenched his fist, no way was he letting this happen under his watch.

He inhaled deeply, before marching forward. "Hey! Nijino!"

Both figures turned to face him with surprise.

Yume lit up. "Subaru! I was just about to look for you!"

Subaru narrowed his eyes. "Yea, sure." He faced Washi, who was glaring at him. "So anyways, I think you owe me a few dances." Subaru continued, speaking to Yume but facing off with Washi.

Yume smiled. "Okay!" She paused. "But, Washi was about to tell me something." She turned to look at Washi.

Washi frowned. "Yea, but I wanted to speak to you in private." He glared at Subaru.

Subaru frowned as well. "How about not? Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of me, too."

Yume pulled away from him and put her hands on her hips with a frown. "Why are you being so mean? Just go wait over there for a minute."

Something in Subaru snapped. He growled. "Mean? I'm being mean? You left me! I guess you forgot, but you came as my date!"

Yume was frozen at Subaru's ranting. He was right, she ditched him. Her heart pounded against her ribs and she felt her eyes burn as Subaru continued to shout.

"But I guess it was a waste of my time! So I get it now, you don't care!" Subaru huffed. "If you wanna talk to him in private, then fine! I'm leaving!"

He spun around sharply and stomped off, leaving Yume and Washi.

Yume watched with wide eyes. She was frozen in place and felt her vision blur with tears. She had agreed to come with Subaru, yet she was the one who had just left him alone for someone else. An uncomfortable pain started pinching at her heart as she stood silently.

"Yume…" She heard Washi call out softly.

Yume covered her red face. "E-excuse me." She said quietly and rushed away. She felt the hot tears start to run down her cheeks and let them ruin her face as she tried to swipe them away with effort. However, she ran, not knowing where to go, but to go somewhere and be alone.

~0~

AAAAHHHHHH

Actually I haven't even finished writing chapter 51… oops I'm in trouble!

Anyways, leave a review! ;D