DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN AIKATSU NOR THE SONGS USED

*Cinderalla on G-String & Hello, Hoshi no Kazoete, both by Love Live

Momo's POV

'This can't be happening. No way is this happening. How could I lose my Aikatsu cards on such an important day?!' Fumiko and I scavenged all over the room for my card binder. I definitely had it on the way here. It must have fallen out after we got here.

"What should we do Momo? I can't find them." I ran my hand through my hair in stress.

"Give me a moment to think." I sat down on the floor retracting all my steps in my head. In the morning we came to the stadium to do last minute check ups. Because of how well I spoke during the meeting, I was granted access to join in the behind the scenes checks. Both Fumiko and I gave our bags to a staff member to put into this dressing room as I helped out. Afterwards when we came back here to grab some water and I didn't check my bag then. I was so immersed in all the preparations that I jeopardized my own role in it.

Cards are an idol's life. I can't go on stage without them. Not for Char's big event. They determine how the entire stage will play out. We planned to use our Torte Coords for both our songs since as first years we didn't have a lot of cards. That also meant that Fumiko wouldn't have any cards to lend me. Char had her own cards but most of them are going to be used to today most likely. Not to mention they wouldn't match the theme. Each student was allowed only one special Torte coord. We would have to find mine or change everything.

I could hear the loud screams coming from the tv increase. I shot my head over to the tv screen that was playing live feed of the concert. 'That song means I only have 4 more until the PV... Then our stage. I have to come up with something! Let me think, let me think! I don't have time to think! It must have gotten lost somewhere.'

"I'm going to have to go looking for it!" I stood up rushing to the door.

"Wait Momo! I'll come with you!" I grabbed her shoulders shaking my head.

"Just stay here. I'll be back in time. You need to inform anyone that comes by. Okay?" She nodded letting me go. I threw open the door looking both ways in the hallway. The entire building layout is already planned out in my mind. I just had to take the route we did this morning while eliminating the repeating areas in order to cover a larger area. I'll, also, have to head to entrance area where we were dropped off as well.

I speed walked through the venue checking around every corner for my binder. It was hard enough that with its dark colour it could be hiding in plain sight without someone noticing. That and everyone was already running around the place. No one really had time to be looking for my cards so I couldn't bother them. I had to just not be in their way.

I ran towards the side entrance where we first arrived at. There was nothing by the door. Could it be in the car? No way I could have dropped in there without me noticing. Then again it wouldn't have been lost if I did notice. No, I should focus on the main spots. Finding the car would take too much time. I closed the door behind me running to the next spot.

I went all around the building having one last place to check. I ran up the stairs to the main control room. I was out of breath after opening the door. One of the workers came up to me offering me a hand. "Suzukawa-san, are you okay? Would you like some water?"

I held onto the door handle to keep myself up. "D-did you happen to see a gray book here? It's no bigger than a regular tablet size."

They looked at one another. Some inspected the room a little. "I don't think we have. Is it something important? We can radio it in, if you want."

I thought that this was the last place. There wouldn't have been any other place for it to be. I scanned the room myself not seeing anything. 'Why did I have to get such a dark aesthetic?! The only light here was from the tv monitors and the knobs on the control panels. I sighed shutting my eyes. 'There has to be somewhere I missed!'

"Wow you have to admire you two and the other girl as well." I raised my head at the worker.

"W-what do you mean?" They gestured to one of the monitors with Char. She sat on a solo chair singing a ballad with a light snow fall display behind her. Everything was shining around like a whole wonderland. There was something in her voice that soothed me for a second letting me catch my breath.

"I've never seen a trio as well functioning as your three girls. Holding a solo concert is no easy feat you know. Then the orange hair girl was running around greeting everyone. Really brings up the atmosphere. And you Suzukawa-san. Not many idols help out behind the scenes. You almost looked like a worker with how focused you were. Can't wait for your stage." A few of them chuckled at the comment. 'That's right. I can't let everyone's efforts go to waste.'

I bowed to them going back to the main area. I couldn't stay still, continuing to take hesitant steps. 'I already checked here. If I take this hallway, it'll lead to the concert stage. This way leads to the storage areas. I haven't been in either of those places. It wouldn't be possible to have my binder up there. Would it?' I bit my lip. 'Come on! Think!'

"Momo-san?" I caught my breath hearing that familiar voice. I turned my head towards the last hallway. "It is you. What are doing here? Shouldn't you be backstage or something?"

I ran up to him grabbing his shoulders. "Shouta-kun! I need your help. I lost my cards. I've been running around and I can't find them anywhere. I'm usually the one that is suppose to have everything together. I don't know how I could mess up so bad! On such an important day nonetheless!"

I lost the feeling in my arms, letting them drop to my side. "I don't know what to do..."

Shouta slowly put one hand on my shoulder. He looked me in the eyes with sincerity. "Hey, it'll be okay. Like you said you usually have everything together. You have put in so much effort into this. You'll figure it out. Just breathe."

Shouta spoke softly to me. He gave me a weak smile as if he was saying to trust him. And I did. If he believes in me to figure it out, then I could. I took a few deep breathes. He let go of me taking a step back. "Who would have thought that we would switch roles where I would be calming you down."

We shared a brief chuckle that really calmed me down. "Now back to the problem. I lost my cards. I've looked every where and I don't really have the time nor energy search again. So I have to come up with another way to-"

"What are you doing over- oh- Suzukawa Momo. Of course you two are talking. I leave for the bathroom for a minute and you somehow found her." I turned my head at the new voice coming from behind Shouta. She was dressed in casual clothing rather than her Dream Academy uniform and tied her light brown hair back but still had the same usual red glasses.

"Ah sorry Momo-san. Meet Kikyo-san. Since we're both Pon-Pon Crepes representatives we thought it would be nice to be talk a bit outside of schedule. I invited her here today."

Inoue Kikyo. Musical training aside there was something else that interested me about her. She's one of the muses for Chameleon's Skin. The first of it's kind, a mix type brand. Dream Academy has different stage uniforms than us that I can't use that. However, her brand is out for everyone. I walked up to her holding my hands tightly together. "I need to borrow your cards."

She made of face of disgust. "Excuse me? Why don't you have your own?"

"I know this is an odd request but please, I need your help. This concert means a lot to Char-senpai, Fumiko, all the workers that put all their effort into it and the fans watching. I'm the one that made a mistake. Please don't let my mistake let these people down. I don't have time to explain but I need your cards." She scoffed at me sighing heavily.

"Let's me set this straight. I'm only doing this for them not you." She frustrated dug her maroon coloured binder. Before she could hand it to me, she suddenly pulled it out of my reach. "I want a favour though." Kikyo tauntingly waved the binder in front of me. "In a few days I have a small showcase. The MC we got suddenly had a conflict that they can't make it. Fill in the spot for me."

"Deal." She smirked giving me the binder. I held it close knowing that I could figure something out from this. "Thank you. You guys should head back to the concert hall. I have to go now."

I ran as fast as I could back to the dressing room as I was flipping through all the pages. A third of the binder was neatly organized with a wide variety of cards. I threw open the door seeing Fumiko and a stage director inside. "Momo! Did you find it?!"

"No but I have something else. I want to change the set list." The stage director looked at me.

"You can't be serious! You two are going on in only a few minutes!" I looked at the stage monitor to check which song Char was on.

"Please trust me. I wouldn't ask for this unless I found it absolutely necessary. Char-senpai has around 2 minutes and 35 seconds, counting left of this song and the PV is something I worked on personally. It's exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds with an 11 second each interval between turning it on and off. That's enough time for this to work. Please."

The stage director was speechless but nodded. I grabbed my Aikatsu phone off the table searching through my music files. "I need you to bring my phone to the main control panel. Tell them to connect my phone to the speakers instead of letting the set list play. Oh and I'll need a walkie talkie."

They instantly replaced my phone with a walkie talkie and ran out the room. "Come on Fumiko I'll inform you on the way."

I ran out the door having her follow after me. "Are you sure we can pull this off Momo?"

"No but I'm going to try." I heard a static noise come from the walkie talkie.

"Hello? Suzukawa-san?" I held the device up.

"Yes this is me." We arrived backstage. I placed Inoue's binder on a nearby table.

"We got your phone. There isn't going to be any problems with this. Just tell us the songs and our cues." I took out four cards handing them to Fumiko. Her eyes sparkled at them.

"File Cinderalla on G-String and Hello, Hoshi no Kazoete in that order. I already selected the area with the soundtracks only. Cinderella can be played when Char-senpai is ready on stage. There would be a brief intermission for us and we'll cue you then with our dialogue Hello after the second time the audience responds." I took out 8 more cards placing them on the table. I heard screaming from the audience which meant Char was finished her songs for now.

"One more thing, we need to change the stage to outside setting. Can you change it to the Crescent Cruise Stage for both songs?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see Char coming off stage.

"Leave it to us. Good luck." I placed the walkie talkie on the table. I picked up the 8 cards heading over to Char. Right away she could tell that something was off with me holding a different set of cards.

"No time to explain. We have to change our stage to Cinderella on the G-String and Hello, Hoshi no Kazoete. These cards are for you." She took a gulp of water taking the cards without question.

"Momo we haven't practiced these songs since Char-chan chose the set list. I'm not like you two. I can't pick this up this fast." I placed a hand on Fumiko's shoulder.

"These are the songs we practiced before we decided on the set list. I fully believe in you to manage. Besides we're going to be having fun with these stages."

"Fun?" The both of them questioned.

I looked on the monitor seeing that the stage had been successfully alternated to my request. The outfit that I chose for the three of us were a part of a set that they only had the main colour and slight differences between us. I had on a mixture of emerald green and sliver theme, Fumiko was a cherry red and Char had lilac and pale pink mixture.

The skirt was long enough that to reach around our calves, it being shorter in the front than at the back. It was covered with a small amount of sparkles that when the loose look of the fabric took effect, made the skirt shine even more. The strapless top had a darker hue to it than the skirt giving a clear distinction of the two pieces but still being connected. The bottom of the top had a band around the waist that held a bow on the end and was the start was a few ruffles that covered the top part of the skirt. The main point of the top was probably in the five petal bow star on the opposite side of the bottom bow.

Tied together with the accessories that had a thin bow hair piece and scrunches on our wrists. and as a choker. One would think that it was too many ruffles or bows but the way that they were spaced out was what made it work. From first glace, you can tell that these items belonged together but can even be separated to lower the abundance of everything. The final item was in the shoes. I took a different pair than the one a part of the original coord settling for short heeled, open toed boots with a star cross string running up the leg. I had taken a white pair, and gave Fumiko black with Char with gray, creating somewhat of a gradient between the three of us.

I took a deep breath hearing the piano slide at the start of the song. Let's go. Char stood solo on stage while Fumiko and I were in the waiting Aikatsu system.

C: shitai koto itte mite yo ne Please!
sawagitai kibun dakara sa

All: tondemo nandemo kanaechau The audience screamed as Fumiko and I appeared on stage behind her.

M: ikinari sugiru deshou No! I playfull shook my head at them, holding my palm out at them in protest.

F: wakannai kedo omoshirosou Fumiko grabbed my wrist dragging me next to Char

All: oshiete oshiete donna koto? We all put a finger to our heads, tilting it in question

"I said anything, didn't I? You're talking to the Starlight Queen!" The crowd screamed at Char.

"Anything? So we could have a dance party? With an orchestra? Haha, imagine." I jokingly responded to her.

"Oh! That reminds me, I've always wanted to have a party on top of a boat!" Fumiko cheerfully called out.

All: otto meian kamo!?
doresu kichaou ka
winna warutsu de!

Shall we dance?
yume no you ni odorimashou
hitoyo no wasurerarenai shinderera
kutsu wo nuide okeba nakusanai yo
karuku hayaku
dare wo yobou ka? moriagaru ne!

zutto odorou? zutto odorou!
moriagatte ne!

"Wow! Did everyone enjoy our little ballroom dance?" Char asked loudly. "I guess I should introduce my two special guests. Everyone please welcome the two kouhais that I've been working with for the past month." Char took a step back so that we were closer out front.

"Hello everyone I'm Watanabe Fumiko!" Fumiko waved at the crowd with a bright smile.

"Hello I'm Suzukawa Momo, please treat me well today." I politely bowed to them, contrasting to Fumiko's hyper movements.

"These two have been working with me constantly to help me with this concert. They're both incredibly talented and I look forward to their future performances. So everyone please give them a warm 'Hello!' into the Aikatsu world!"

I couldn't hold back my smile hearing the entire audience just yelled Hello at us. "Come on guys! I think you could do better than that. One more time!"

I gave a slight nod knowing that the people in the main control room were watching us. "Everyone! With your loudest voice greet them Hello!"

"Hello!" The music started immediately. Fumiko jumped off the stage making her playful Idol aura explode off of her.

F: Hello, uta ni yobarete!
hikari afureru machi wa kaanibaru mitai She ran towards the nearest set of bleachers greeting them with smiles and waves.

Hello, kotaete mitara
kitto ippo zutsu sekai hirogaru yo Hello!

"Come on everyone! Let's party!" Fumiko with her already high energy levels and being the only one that didn't exert herself out today was taking the led on raising the crowd. She ran through the aisles high- fiving all the fans that were close enough. The main reason I chose these outfits were their practically. With the shorter front on the skirt, they made it more movable in. This outfit could have been easily made into a one piece dress but was separated so that the model/ dancer would be able to move. However, I gave each of us short heels that you wouldn't expect in ballroom dresses for Cinderella. They were great for us to be running around in though.

C: odoridasu kousaten de minna odorokanai

M: nanimokamo jiyuu na no?

C: nagareru hito no nami ni

M: nomikomaresou ni naru yo

C: shiranai kotoba no merodii

Char and I bounced off of another as we made our way down the side sections.

F: fushigi to chikara ga waite kuru Fumiko stopped running once she reached the section between the lower and upper levels. We ran up to join her like this was our second stage.

All: Hello, hoshi wo kazoete We jumped side to side like bunnies then slid to the right
kore kara deau koto wo uranaeba We spun together giving a hi
Hello, yosoku fukanou!?
kitto

F: issho nara Fumiko jumped to the side

M: zenbu tanoshimeru I copied her jumping to the other side

All: Hello! The two of us gestured to push Char out in center in front of us

C: ashita okitara

All: dou naru kana

dou shiyou kana

The loud fanfare settled down as we did a final pose. Not being on stage, seeing the fans in front of us up close, it was thrilling. It made running around the venue and all the last minute stress worth it. Char put her arm around both of shoulders pulling us close. She was smiling widely. She was covered it sweat and breathing heavily but was still grinning brightly. The three of us continued laughing still feeling the song radiate off of us.

We made our way back to the stage, still holding hands with the fans that we passed by. Fumiko and I stood back as Char took center stage. "Did you guys enjoy that stage?!"

Fumiko and I waved to their enthusiastic response. "Unfortunately they have to head back now."

The crowd awww'd at us. "Come on guys. Am I not enough?" They screamed in protest turning the mood around.

"Well if you guys like them so much then I have a special announcement." She gestured for us to come closer. We looked at each other not knowing what was happening. She came to us when we didn't move.

"As some of you may know Starlight Academy will be having their annual festival to celebrate their 75 years soon. And it has been a tradition that the Starlight Queen perform as the closing. This year, however, I want to pass the responsibility to these two." Fumiko and I gasped at the news. "This past month, they've both been preparing everything with me to the last second. Today has proven it to me that they are more than worthy to perform for such an honour. There's one more surprise."

Char looked at me specifically. "These two will be joined by someone very dear to my heart. This person will shine on the stage that they've admired for so long. And I wouldn't have anyone that I trust more to welcome them. Fumiko? Momo? If you would? Can you allow this person to be on stage with you?"

I jumped at Char finishing. I held back a scream in victory. Fumiko joined me in my happy jumping. Char giggled at us quietly shooing us off the stage. We went back while Char went back to the Aikatsu changing station. We watched from the monitor seeing her not waste a second to start the next song in the Magical Toy outfit that we got her. Seeing Char on stage with the outfit that we worked to get for her. Knowing that the concert was still going on without any hitches from my mistake. Seeing all the fans up close. I was one of the reasons that they were cheering so loudly.

When everything was officially over Char came back to dressing room. We bowed to one another telling her that we worked hard today. We finished our formalities then had Char tackle us into a hug. She was squeezing us tightly while having a strange noise in glee. After she let us have some space she just fell to the floor. The two of us held onto to each arm. "I'm fine, just a little tired."

We gently set Char down on the floor. She quickly became pale. Holding herself up for so long was an accomplishment. Fumiko was worrying on the side looking to me for some help. "Give her a few minutes. The human body needs rest. Stay with her for a little while I go check to see if the car is ready. She should probably get some rest somewhere not in a dressing room."

Fumiko nodded carefully handling Char. I lightly patted Char's head. "You've worked hard today. You may have to greet fans outside but I'll double check, okay?"

"Thanks Momo-chan." Fumiko handed her a water bottle which she took kindly. I gathered all of my things heading out the room in the way of the entrance way. I found a worker by the door with Shouta and Inoue standing by.

"Oh Suzukawa-san, I'm glad you here. I was just about to call Char-chan to say that her car is ready. Most fans are near the door entrance so there aren't any here. You can just head out when ready. The driver's just waiting."

"Perfect thank you. I'll go tell them then. Oh Inoue-san thank you for your cards. You really saved us." I handed her back the cards binder from my bag. She rolled her eyes and presented something to me. I grabbed it giving her binder back.

"You found my card binder?!" I held back my tears holding it in my arms again.

"I found it on the floor. What kind of idol loses her cards? I really gave you the benefit of the doubt that something went wrong with the planning, not something so drastic as losing them. What would you have done if I wasn't here? Hm? I wasn't suppose to be here. Higawari brought me. I keep my cards on me out of habit. You lost them. I found them. Did Higawari not tell you my message after our failed song recording? You're not an idol in my eyes. This just further pushes it." She turned on her heel with a huff heading out. The three remaining by the door in some shock.

"W-well I'm going to check if anyone else needs help." The worker awkwardly shuffled away not knowing what to do next.

I took a deep breath after reeling in all that she just threw at me. I knew that she didn't have a good impression of me but that was a lot. I wish I could have asked why she disliked me so much. I looked down at the binder in my hands. I could see my knuckles turning white from how tightly I was holding it. I jumped internally when I heard my Aikatsu phone ring. Thinking it was Fumiko messaging me I checked my phone finding an unknown notification.

My eyes widen seeing the golden crest with the six coloured jewels. I clicked the flashing orange jewel having a new memo pop up. "I got the mastery for Communication?"

Shouta came closer, looking over my shoulder. "What is a mastery by the way?"

"Um hold on a minute. I should probably get Char-senpai into the car first. Did you need something?"

"N-no uh I was hoping to get a ride back with you guys."

"Great. Wait here. Fumiko probably doesn't know what a mastery is either so I'll explain it to the both of you." I ran back to the dressing room. Charlotte had taken over at this point so that Char could mentally rest as well. Though her body was still tired she was able to handle it a bit better. They both held onto their Aikatsu phones from what I could see.

"Momo, my phone gave me something weird." I sighed offering Charlotte a hand up, ignoring Fumiko.

"Can you stand?" She took my hand standing up. "The car is ready. Fumiko, help me out here?"

Charlotte managed to get into the car with little difficulty but we still remained by her side in case anything happened. The car set up had Charlotte in the front seat with Shouta, me and Fumiko in the back in that order. When everyone was settled in, I had brought my phone out in front of the two.

"So let me start with explaining what mastery are. By definition they are proof of your growth as an idol. Starlight idols gain these through meeting the expectations of one of the six mastery, often through special auditions. The six are Song, Appearance, Acting, Dance, Bonds and the one us three got, Communication. Consider them a certification for us gaining a skill that will be useful in our Aikatsu lives."

"That's so cool! Does that mean Char-chan has gained these as well?" Charlotte leaned backwards.

"Yes and no. If you click on the mastery you can see what the requirements are. 'Communication is the art of playing catch-ball of words. You must start from learning how to properly accept the ball your partner throws.' Char only had solo stages so today was the day she got the Communication. The last one she needs is Bonds." Shouta brought up his phone to me.

"Does that mean I have the mastery in Song?" I grabbed his phone looking at the red jewel lightening up. Even Charlotte tried reaching for the phone.

"How-What-When did you get this? Dad didn't even introduce mastery yet because most people gain them from special auditions and ours isn't scheduled for another month. Why didn't you tell me about this either?"

"I-It was after our debut audition together. The one for Blue Moon. I got it the night of, I didn't think too much about it. I thought it was just an acknowledgement of my song. I still don't really understand how the Aikatsu Phone works." My mouth fell open.

"Did you happen to read the description? 'Song is your voice filled with emotions, to be delivered to your companion. You should hold onto your microphone with the feeling to join hands with your audience.' You didn't even sing in that audition. On your first audition, not even singing, you gain a mastery from your writing alone. Some people don't even gain all mastery and you already have one!"

All of us were staring at him not knowing what to say. There was nothing to say other than the fact that Shouta was unbelievable. Mastery weren't handed to everyone for free. They are seals to prove to ourselves that we are improving. For him to gain one that easily and not even the most common form, was chilling.

I smiled to him handing him back his phone. I was happy for him. I truly was. On the other hand, I was scared. 'Shouta-kun is amazing. Do I even stand a chance against him? ... Do I stand a chance against Mom?'

Aipom4: Yep her cards went missing, of course she got it back from Inoue Kikyo. There's somewhat an important reason why they went missing though but that's too much of a spoiler for me to reveal anything.

Trivia: I'm bringing back mastery. It's called Knowledge on the Aikatsu Wiki but I found mastery used in the translation and I think this way sounds a lot cooler. They got rid of this system in the second season which makes sense since they gained all of them but they never brought this back for someone Akari and stuff. So I'm bringing it back. I won't write how everyone gains each mastery but I'll try to include it if I find something that makes them work. I will be using each one at least once though.

And about Momo's cards going missing, you should know that this does have somewhat importance but not for a while. I have an over arcing plan for how this story plays out so this wasn't a random thing. That's all I'm saying for now. Bye!