So, idk what happened but this story glitched or something on the archive page… whatever. Hoping it'll go away/

SHOUTOUT TO Alisabean(Guest) FOR CORRECTLY GETTING THE REFERENCE! It was when Washi was talking about the race and the birthday gift! It was a referring to the final episode of the Aikatsu series! Goes to show that you guys need to watch some more lol.

I do not own Aikatsu Stars!

~0~

Yume rubbed her cheeks frantically, walking at a speedy pace. She was outside, wandering around for a place to go.

As she continued, a strange sound reached her ears. It sounded like… crying? The more Yume went forward, the more evident it became.

Yume's sadness was replaced with curiosity momentarily, and she searched around.

She followed the path to a small turn, where it led to a bench hidden by bushes with a clear view of the night sky.

Yume's mouth dropped. "Ako?"

Said girl gasped and lifted her head up at the call, her mask off and thrown to the side as wet tears flowed down her cheeks. Ako quickly turned away, desperately trying to wipe her cheeks free from her tears, only to have more leak.

Yume went up and sat down beside her on the bench. "What's wrong, Ako?"

Ako inhaled sharply. "N-Nothing." She replied curtly. "What happened to you?" She retorted shakily.

Yume sighed and held her hands together in her lap, lifting her gaze to stare up at the sky. "I made Subaru m-mad at me," her voice cracked, "b-because I was w-with Washi too long."

Ako's eyes widened and she looked over at Yume.

Yume lifted a hand to her eyes and pulled the mask off. She then rubbed at her eyes. "I'm s-so stupid. I r-ruined it. And now- now Subaru won't like me anymore!" Her throat clenched, a painful sob ripping through the air. She cried, letting the tears down her face as she held her face sadly. "I s-screwed up so much, Ako. And I! I really like him!" Yume shouted into the sky, her voice raw with emotion. She dropped her head into her hands. "Have you ever felt this way, Ako?"

Ako wiped her eyes, where tears kept pooling in her sight, and answered, "Yes."

Yume straightened. "What happened to you Ako?"

Ako grit her teeth and clenched her fist, as fresh tears began forming in her eyes. She shut them, in effort to prevent them from falling. "Nothing but a l-liar! What kind of a j-jerk asks out a girl when he already has a g-girlf-friend!" Yume's eyes widened. "He led me on!" Ako's voice cracked. "And I-I fell for it!" A sob wracked through her. "And it h-hurts! Worse than with Subaru!" Ako shouted loudly, pain laced in her voice. "At least I knew h-he didn't like me! But I thought- I thought K-Kanata did!"

Yume felt her heart clench. She put her hand on Ako's shoulder, trying to ease her somehow.

Ako calmed from her hysteric shouted and now continued to sob. Yume had her own silent tears.

Ako finally let out a choppy sigh, "boys suck."

Yume bit her lip and nodded quietly. "W-we do too."

Ako sent a glance at her.

"I m-mean! I do too! B-because… Washi, and all…" Yume trailed off.

Ako hummed and turned forward. "I think Subaru just wanted your attention." She commented. "You didn't dance with him, did you?"

Yume lowered her gaze sadly. "No…" she shook her head, "b-but he probably doesn't want to see m-me anymore!" The burning sensation behind her eyes returned.

Ako shot her a glare. "Well then make him!"

"H-huh?" Yume gasped.

"Be Yume Nijino and tell him how you feel! Don't be stupid!" Ako shouted.

Yume jumped up, and Ako pushed her to stand.

"Go find him! And tell him! Or so help me, Yume Nijino!" Ako threatened strongly.

Yume waved her hands frantically. "O-okay! Yes ma'am! I-I'm g-going!" She quickly grabbed her mask off the bench and rushed off without another word.

Ako sighed at the blonde, then turned forward again. "And now… it's just me…" She leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees while turning her neck up to stare up at the sky. Her eyes started irritating her, as they had been spilling tears continuously. She rubbed at them softly.

A few moments later, Ako heard the rustling of the bushes break her out of her thoughts.

Ako straightened up. "Yume, are you back already?" She frowned.

"No Yume here!" A cheery voice said. Ako's eyes widened as she looked up at the newcomer. Yuzu smiled. "Yuzu came by because Yuzu was thinking that maybe Ako should switch over to the Wind Dance Class! Ako has great stamina!" Yuzu paused and giggled. "Actually don't do that! Yuzu doesn't need another rival!"

Ako gasped. "Y-you recognized me?"

Yuzu grinned and winked at her. "Of course! How couldn't Yuzu recognize her fellow Yuzukosho member?"

Ako blinked. "Eh, I- uh, I guess…"

Yuzu hummed and tilted her head in curiosity. "Hm? What's this? Ako's not acting like normal." She reached out a finger and abruptly poked Ako on her cheek. "Is something wrong?"

Ako waved her hand, pushing Yuzu's stretched out appendage away. "No."

Yuzu pouted. "Aw, come on, Ako! You can tell me!" She didn't receive a response. "Wait, where's Kanata? Wasn't he with you?"

Ako stiffened.

Yuzu noticed, causing an eyebrow to raise. "Did something happen?"

"No." Ako replied again, this time crossing her arms and looking away.

Yuzu puffed out her cheeks. "Ah, okay then…" she stood up." Yuzu will be on her way. Bye bye, Ako-pie!"

Ako lifted her head and glanced at the bright girl who was moving away. Something clicked in her head. "Wait!"

Yuzu stopped and turned. "Yes?"

Ako played with her fingers. "S4 has, uh, worked a lot with M4, right?"

Yuzu nodded and smiled. "Yup! That's right!"

Ako nodded along with her. "Then could I ask, do you know if Kanata… has a-a girlf-friend?"

Yuzu blinked. "Kanata- with a girlfriend?" She burst into giggles.

Ako frowned in confusion.

Yuzu waved her hands. "No way!" She continued laughing. "He doesn't have one!"

Ako sighed and sat straight again. The information relieved her, if just a little. It still didn't defend him as to why he was with another girl.

The thought struck Ako's heart again, causing tears to pool in her eyes. They started flowing down her cheeks, and Ako sniffed quietly.

"Ako?" Yuzu cooed in question. She stepped closer. "Did Kanata do something?"

Ako covered her face away from her upperclassman. "It's n-nothing, I can d-deal with it."

"Ako…" Yuzu began, "why don't we go back inside?"

Ako frowned.

"Come on!" Yuzu said cheerfully and grabbed her hand. "You can come sit with Lillyene and Yuzu!"

Ako was yanked out of her seat and pulled along by Yuzu. She yelped as she stumbled. "Y-Yuzu! I-I'm not ready to go back!"

Yuzu laughed. "It's okay, it's okay! Ako'll be with Yuzu!" She turned and handed Ako her mask.

Ako tried to say something but couldn't find anything to say. So she allowed herself to be pulled along by the bubbly blonde and slipped on her mask again.

They made it into the ballroom, where they trailed around the sides to get to where Lilly was.

~0~

ALERT! Next chapter is the last chapter! Yes, it's been decided :)

Also, don't talk to me about the new episode; idk what happened and I don't wanna know TnT *crying*

Please leave a review!