DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN AIKATSU NOR THE SONGS USED

*Break out by V6

Hayate's POV

I stood outside, hopefully, my Twinkle Star cup partner's school. He wasn't a Starlight student that I had to rush after class to try catching him here. This was a big move but I wanted no one else to be my partner.

"Hey. Look over there. Isn't that Ceasire Hayate?" I heard a few of the other leaving students whisper as they passed me.

"I think so. That's a Starlight uniform too."

"No way! Why would a big time model be here?"

"I have no idea. Oh wait! Don't we have that second year wanting to be an idol? Maybe he's here to see him?"

"Oh yeah! What was his name again?"

"Who knows? Their drama was good but with both Starlight and DreAca around, being an independent idol is impossible." It was funny that they knew my name over my partner's. What I didn't find as fun was that they called me model, ignoring that I was also a Starlight student. An idol.

That's why the person I wanted to be my partner was someone that always aimed to be an idol. Someone that isn't afraid to tell me if I'm doing something wrong. Someone that didn't have the background in the industry that I did.

"Wow I thought the message was fake but here you are. The real life Snapshot." I needed someone like Karasuma Yuki.

My potential partner had his tie loosely tied with a bored expression on his face. He was taller than I expected. His form was nicely built showing he took good care of his body. And despite his ragged look, matched with his light purple hair it really pulled the whole appearance together.

"I didn't think you would show up. Thank you for your time Yuki."

"Well when you send such an ominous 'can we meet' over Kirapatter then you have my attention. So? How can I help you?"

"So um I assume you saw the press conference this morning? Oh do you still watch what your mom does on camera?" I almost forgot about his strained relationship with his parents.

"My mom? Ah. Shiro must have told you. She said you two were friends. Then, yes I did. The Twinkle Star cup is coming up. And since it is a unit based competition if I were to guess, you want me to be your partner?"

"Yeah! So what do you say? Want to team up with me?" His eyes scanned me up and down.

Ever since I saw Karasuma with Momo I knew that he was what I needed to improve myself. On the surface he had pretty much all the skills an idol needed. And with his acting, no one questioned that if he wasn't an independent idol that he would have been high ranking.

According to Dobu he had what was described as 'no filter' with people unless they were going to be of help to him. That shouldn't be any problem for me. Teaming up with me will bring us both positives that he is sure to go along with it.

"No thanks, I'm good." He readjusted his bag before turning away. It took me a second to realize that he had just bluntly rejected me. Me!

I ran up to catch up with him. "Wait wait hold on. I know that this is our first time meeting but shouldn't you listen to my offer before saying no? I think we have a lot of that can benefit from each other. By joining me you can get exposure and I can get experience; it's a win-win situation for us."

"You're right on that. The Twinkle Star cup is a big deal that I would love to join. However, I don't find the need to be teaming up with you out of all people. Getting exposure purely because you're a big name makes it look bad on me. There's a reason why Shiro doesn't perform with her mom. And the way you speak makes it sound like I'm a pity case for you to help with. So, no. I won't team up with you."

"Okay so I won't argue that I have a bit more of a well known name than you but you shouldn't take that as a bad thing. Besides I really want you to be my partner. I'll take any criticism that you give me." He turned around slowly.

"Any?"

"Any!"

"Then find a partner that is more willing to team up with a model for an idol competition." Tires screeched to a halt in my head. He was unnecessarily emphasizing the roles. Saying that I was not an idol.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Having such a big name makes it easy for people to keep up with your activities. You've been an idol for nearly a year now yet still majority of your jobs revolve around modelling. I may be lower in ranking than you but I'm sure my skill is above yours. And that's why you want me."

"Excusez-moi but remind me again who is the student at Starlight? And who got rejected? For someone training their whole life, you don't really have anything to prove it besides your stuck up attitude."

He scoffed, taking a step forward. "Answer me a few questions and I'll be your partner. You down for that?"

"Try me."

"Alright then. Why it better to breathe from your diaphragm compare to your stomach?" A music based question. Not my strongest category but I could manage.

"Uh well because you get more air or something like that."

"It's because your diaphragm is a large muscle. Breathing with it creates a cavity giving outside pressure to the lungs. This sucks in air and expels it in the most efficient way. Next. What does 1st A.D stand for in acting?"

"In acting? That's the first act..." I didn't know the answer. I haven't done any acting. Even then I didn't really know terminology. I thought acting was just learning the script and putting emotion behind the words for the camera.

"It means first assistant director. Pretty self explanatory name. In dancing, what's the difference between non-locomotor movements and axial movements?"

"Non-locomotor movements is when you move slightly and axial movements when you move your limbs on an axial." I was making this up. A lot of dancing terms had French roots that I learned most of them through literal meaning. Other things were so specific to certain dancing styles that I didn't pay too close attention to them.

"Wrong. They are the exact same things. They refer to when dancers stay grounded in place by a single body part while using available space in any direction. In modelling, what is a cattle call?" Finally, one that I could confidentially answer.

"A cattle call is a type of audition where there are a high amount of candidates. This is mainly used for amateur models. To allow those in charge to see as many people as possible in a rushed manner."

He smirked with an all knowing kind of look. "Aikatsu can be broken down into four categories. Music, acting, dance and appearance. You only answered the modeling question correctly."

'Ah so that's what he was playing at.'

"This is how I spent learning on my own. Face it Snapshot. These questions are basic stuff they review in class for you. The fact that you can't answer them means you don't care enough to step into other fields. Look at the Boundless Beauty. She made be enrolled in the designer course but she still works everyday as an idol. You though? You don't care about Aikatsu. You just wanted the jobs that idols get as a model."

I was fuming at how casually he dissed my work. I have to admit that he made good points but it wasn't like I should be looked down upon. He knows how hard getting into Aikatsu is. With my background it was obvious that I got more modeling jobs than others.

"Is that all? Is this fun for you? Like you're any place to be criticizing me. You're not even an idol."

"Yeah you say that but I'm still the one that the famous Snapshot requested to be his partner in the highly remarked Twinkle Star cup. Should I be flattered over the idea? Praise you for coming to me out of everyone? And if you're free to assume that I'm desperate enough to join you then I can make my assumptions about you. Just because I'm not in Starlight does not make me any less than you."

He spoke in a very strict tone. I was almost scared of him because of how serious he was. There wasn't room in his mind that hesitated in doing Aikatsu. All he wanted was to be was an idol.

"Sorry, I got defensive. I'm the one asking you so I shouldn't be acting rude." He crossed his arms over his chest like he disapproved of my apology.

"Answer me this one more question in a satisfactory way and I'll be your partner." I perked up a bit. "Why did you want to be an idol?"

I got asked this many times. From my parents, Rika, fans, interviewers. I had a successful career as a model alone. I didn't need to add more to my plate. Each time I answered the same way.

"Because I want to expand my field." He laughed loudly once.

"I can't believe you're actually like this."

"Like what?"

"This!" He gestured to all of me. "You're the standard mold for kids in the spotlight. Watered down. Afraid to actually step out of the limelight because it's unknown to you. You have no idea what it's like to be normal."

I always praised myself for managing to stay professional in the hardest situations. Being a child in the industry for so long it was expected. A selfish kid wouldn't work. I had to mature myself or I would be like any other child. He was really pushing me to my boundaries though.

Why was Yuki allowed to be so crude? Was it because he wasn't an idol? He spewed out complaints about me, my work ethic, my history. Not one word was for praise. Even I had a limit of what I could take. And towards someone that doesn't, personally, know me that limit was low.

"I'm not- I don't- then what about you? You're not normal. You want to be an idol so that you can proudly show your parents. Your real personality isn't anywhere near what your show. Aren't you the one watered down to fit in the media?"

"Yeah I am." I froze. "But unlike you I don't have cameras on me 24/7. I never had. I don't care about what others say about me because I know where I stand. Tell me Ceasire 'Snapshot' Hayate, if you were to one-day stop being a model how would you feel?"

Yuki had the one thing I didn't. Freedom. He knew that there was a difference on stage and off. The desire to be an idol required a temporary change in his personality but will never rule his life. He knew what it was like not being an idol so it wouldn't effect him switching between the two.

It wasn't like with Momo when she asked how I would be without my career. This time he was asking as if I lost it after all my years of hard work. To one-day return to be a regular person. More than one day.

I didn't have anything to say to fight back. He had every reason to be cocky because he had his priorities set. Unlike me. His mindset protected him that no matter what anyone says, he was himself. A few questions already threw me off. Our levels were too far apart.

"Glad we're on the same page then. See you later. Preferably not though." Yuki left me behind.

I stood there. Completely defeated. Why did I want to be an idol?

I sat quietly in the middle of the mall. I held my head low with the cap that Rika always left in my bag. My hair and eyes were the most noticeable features of mine that we prioritized covering them. With this cap alone, I disappeared into crowd. That was the reason why I constantly kept the cap on my person but now it had an entirely different meaning.

I looked up to a poster of myself. The giant piece of paper stood proudly in the shop's window. It wasn't a bad photo at all. Rika made sure that we approved of each release prior to them being used. It kept staring straight at me. I was unfamiliar with this feeling of regret for one of my photos.

It wasn't exactly regret though. It felt like a burden. Each day people passed by this without a thought. Some would take pictures. In a few months, this will be taken down and forgotten. I had to constantly renew myself in order to keep this spot on this random shop's window. Show people that I was suited to be the face of their products.

I turned to watch those passing by. A lot of idols would be able to draw their attention without trying. I was able to do that when I wanted but those that were naturally like that filled Starlight. The greatest examples would be Fumiko or our queen Char.

Those two were amazing. Even off stage people's eyes followed them. A warm presence that made complete strangers treasure them. I wasn't like that. I couldn't make anyone fall for me with my looks alone. Beauty was in the beholder that even if I was pretty to many, I was average to the other half.

Then there was people like Dobu and Momo. Normally people wouldn't think twice about them. It wasn't until they showed off what their true skills that made people fall in love with them. They were so unique that it was like they trapped fans with their talents. They didn't feel like idols most of the time. More like a good friend that anyone could open up to. I couldn't compare to them in that way since the professional side of me was always present.

I thought that when I started Aikatsu I would be like legends Shibuki Ran and Kazesawa Sora. Yet I didn't really know what that meant. Models didn't just become idols solely because they wanted to. Both of them were exceptional at what they did because they worked hard outside of their comfort zones. Even Kanzaki Mizuki was a child model but she took a hiatus to debut as an idol. They each realized that looking good in clothes for a camera wasn't enough. The way I act, what I represent, almost everything was judged in Aikatsu.

At the beginning of the year I was listed as one of the idols that people had to keep an eye out. Over this time, I sunk into the background. My fellow students learned and caught up to me in skill. No longer was my history something special. I couldn't help but think that if I didn't have a jump start then my ranking would be way lower.

What made me hate this even more was that I was so foolish to believe that I was better than I actually was. That I had to get Yuki to shove it in my face that I wasn't. I fell right into his trap with those questions. I couldn't even answer the most important one properly. I knew that there were so many idols above me. I just thought for a little bit, let me call myself a good idol.

Before I was mad at him. Cooling my head a bit, he was right. If I lose my status of being a model one day, what becomes of me? I wasn't an idol. Would I be normal? What was normal?

I sighed, dropping my head. My cap fell off that I didn't even notice in time. I slowly picked it off the floor. It didn't matter anyways. No one would look my way they did for my friends. 'Cap or not I'm not up to their level. As they rise up I'm stuck at the starting line. Can I really call myself an id-'

"Hayate-san?" I looked up from my cap to see an unknown high schooler. They seemed to be older than me but I wasn't sure.

I scrambled to pick up my cap. "Y-yes? That's me. How can I help you?"

"It really is you! I thought I was seeing things because this is your poster. Can I ask what you're doing here?"

"What I'm doing here? I'm just wasting time is all. Clearing my head, you can say." Sometimes people forgot that celebrities could be spotted in regular places. This wasn't unusual.

They gave a tiny laugh. "I should have thought so. Sorry to bother you but would it be possible to get an autograph?"

I blinked a few times. This was the first time someone's asked me for an autograph in public. Since Rika and I were so careful in maintaining my image I didn't get much time to myself. Especially when I couldn't go out without a disguise.

"Sure! I don't mind." They happily handed me their notebook. I scribbled down my signature that I've had since I was a kid.

It was written in a near cursive type font, that had only the 'H' being separated at the start. The main points being the second 'a' resembling a heart right in the center and the 't' said to be like the Eiffel tower. I remember practicing a bunch of times since the H would sometimes look like a 4. While the heart would turn into a complete mess.

Before I gave the notebook back I stared at the drawing. Most of the time I signed magazines or posters as a giveaway. I didn't get the chance to meet fans face to face. We were taught in class to face people when signing in order to make it memorable for both sides. Signing autographs only took a few seconds. So talking with them was suppose to put memories behind the pen marks of the paper.

Looking up at them I met with their eyes watching me. To them I was someone amazing. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Um okay? What is it?"

"Can I ask why you're my fan? Assuming you are that is."

"That's all? Hmmm if I have to narrow it down I would say it's because your pictures look like a lot of fun. Makes me want to try on the clothes that you wore. You know that you're someone that wears their emotions on their sleeves so in magazines it really shows. Someone so honest is easy to support."

"So it isn't because I'm good at my job?"

"I didn't mean it like that! Just, you know that training can help anyone improve. If you give it hard enough positive results will show in some way or another. But you can't really change someone's opinion on things through training. Fans like to believe that they can tell what idols are thinking. You've been in the industry so long that adding more to your plate wouldn't be necessary unless you actually wanted it."

The more they went on, the giddier they got. "Seeing you do your jobs, you may not be top level as you are in modeling but you're trying. Giving it your all, even for something you have a lower confidence in, is endearing to watch. I want to support someone that genuinely loves their work despite the hardships. That makes me want to try something new even if I'm scared I'll fail. That's you Hayate-san."

Hearing their words, I was reminded of when photoshoots finished. Each time I would thank all the workers while they thanked me. Each side gave their gratitude because we all worked hard. It was the closest I ever gotten to hearing praise beyond magazine articles and random posts on the internet. Getting a compliment made me flutter with pride. That feeling was something I couldn't give up.

"Then I thank you for supporting me so wholeheartedly. I appreciate it a lot." I handed them their notebook back with a smile. They lightly blushed but I could see that their smile slowly forming.

"I should the one thanking you for the autograph." No I really should be the one thanking them.

This fan reminded myself that my job wasn't done alone. When it comes down to it even though there were tough times like this when I get in front of the camera, everything melts away. My confidence stemmed from me doing a good job. From others supporting me even if I wasn't the best. It was because they saw more in me than myself. I've come to love my job that I always lived in the moment. I may not know what my future holds but right now, I'm taking another step forward.

I followed the map on my phone to the location that Yuki usually busked at. This was the original plan if he did ignore my Kirapatter message in the first place that Rika helped find this beforehand. I didn't want to come here since there were so many people and this was his safe ground to be himself.

Curiosity got to me to see who he was though. Under that rude self his question proved to show a new side of my work. If I was going to be his partner I needed to know myself better.

As I got closer I relied less on the map and more on the sounds of people cheering to music. I could feel my excitement rising watching them from afar. All by himself he attracted random people off the streets to listen to him. They judged him based on the skill that I lacked.

In his music I could hear his enjoyment. He wasn't lying when he said that he wanted to be an idol for his own desires. If he never becomes an idol, he still has the people here to acknowledge him. After Momo quit her Aikatsu he found another place he belonged without having to show off who his mom was.

I walked a bit closer so that I could fully see him. He didn't look like an idol on stage. It wasn't until he smiled down at his guitar that I could see how much he valued it. His place was on a real stage. In front of people that recognized his talent. 'As expected, he really is the person I want as my partner.'

At the end of the performance Yuki bowed to every side, finally seeing me. He grinned as he grabbed hold of the microphone. "Hey guys! Before I close off for tonight I have question to ask you all.

They settled down. "As most of you can assume I want to be a idol. To everyone here, you may be the same as me. Aiming for a dream job. For the rest of you have already achieved such. I would like to ask you what happens to us after you have gotten to that point. What happens to your dream then?"

The audience looked around in confusion. It was such a strange question to ask out of the blue that no one knew the right answer. The entire time he kept his eyes on me.

"I-!" People turned to me stepping out of the circle. "I think that rather than worrying about your future it's better to enjoy the now. I love my job now. In the future if I lose my job then I have my memories. I will have my new position that I earned with my own efforts."

"So Mr. Stranger, are you going continue being the same person you are now or are you gonna break out?"

I threw my cap off. I didn't need to hide like I always did. As an idol I had more freedom to actually show myself for who I am. "Yes!"

He laughed loudly. "Alright then. I accept that answer."

Here I thought that Momo and Rika were hard trainers. At least they gave me breaks. Yuki didn't hold back on drilling the basics into me way past the topic of singing. He didn't even give me compliments when I got things right. I knew that we had short amount of time together but it wouldn't hurt to be a bit more considerate of me.

As I practiced dancing or singing he would yell information through a megaphone at me. If I got a single question wrong, he would make me repeat it back to him many many many times. It was a miracle that I didn't start crying in the middle of it. I wanted to though.

It wasn't all bad though. Through this I started to notice that classes made way more sense. Before I would only do the bare minimum. He made have thrown loads of information at me but he pointed out why each one was important. It may not stay in my head for long but I could see why he wanted me to know it. It was a lot but I was actually seeing how much I was improving.

From the behind the scenes of the Twinkle Star Cup the two of us were watching Momo and Dobu act as TRUST on stage. I nervously took a few breathes when Yuki walked into my side view. He didn't have a shred of worry on his face.

"Look at Shiro go. Higawari really brings out the best of her."

"Does it make you jealous to see them together? You know as her childhood friend and all."

"If I was shaken up that easily then I wouldn't be able to stand by myself. Shiro is working so hard it would be insulting if I didn't meet that to the best of my abilities." He crossed his arms as he watched over the performance. His eyes kept a hard gaze that it was impossible to tell what he thought about it.

"I didn't get the chance to ask this before but what about my answer to your question changed your opinion of me?"

"Simple. Your new answer was more fun than your original one. The problem with your first answer was that their no emotion behind it. At least now you realize that your fame isn't permanent. You focus so much on the past that you miss right now and what you could be. In Aikatsu you constantly have to top yourself and you weren't doing that beyond a few photoshoots. With this unit and your new passion, it gives you a chance to show off like it's your debut all over again."

DEBUT was a name that Yuki had come up with my approval. It gave two meanings for us. For him this was going to be him debuting on an idol stage. It would shatter the image that he was unwelcoming since I was such a well known face for being friendly to many. To remind people of his skills beyond solely acting. For myself I wanted to debut one more time to meet the expectations that people put on me.

Our unit was purely us using one another for our goals. There wasn't any use to sugar coat that we made up each other's faults. Yet we a mutual respect in those fields that it made us stronger. He made incredibly rude but he was talented. I may have been lacking in many things but I was one of the few people that could open doors to him that independent idols couldn't get. In a few minutes we were going to show people just what we can do when we're put with someone that could make us jealous.

"Would you say that you're living in the moment then?"

"Not at all. I'm living for the future where I won't care who my parents are and be myself for everyone to see. That's my goal. Once that's done who knows what doors open for me. Isn't that exciting to think about?" He cracked a smile at the thought.

"I'm not sure how much I could be of help for that. No matter how much I trained with you I still need to work on it."

"Well if anything you're only a first year idol. No matter how good you were as a child, you can't compare how you are now to then; it wouldn't make sense. More time as an idol will bear its fruits. As your partner I can say that with near guarantee." Was that a compliment? That I could improve in Aikatsu like I have before? "Well whatever, you still have a long way to go."

I snickered. Of course he wouldn't give me a compliment so easily. Probably the only person that got that privilege was Momo. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Just thought of something."

"It better not effect our stage. Laughing doesn't fit the stage for this song. You can at least try to stay within the theme."

"I get it. How about this for staying on theme?" I took out the cards I prepared for the stage. Coordination was one of the few things that he left in my care.

I presented the cards I wanted him to wear. "Swing Rock? Not City Lights?"

"You can question my musicality all you want. Not my fashion sense." He scoffed but placed his hand out.

"Don't get cocky yet. Let me see if you can really stand next to me." He turned to face his changing booth.

"That goes the same for you." From the side view I could already see how hyped he was to get out there.

His idol aura was coming out more than when he was busking. Multi-coloured snowflakes were surrounded by broken chain links. Yet when the snowflakes bounced off the chains it was like they weren't going to be tied down by them. It gave him a free type of feel to him. Very much Yuki like.

I held out my cards out in front of changing machine. I picked these out to be the opposite of the coord for Yuki. I know that most people went for unit coords or represent the members. I choose these as a way to contrast us.

I wasn't like Yuki. We weren't like TRUST. Wearing clothes that made us seem closer than we were felt like a lie. Unit coords complimented the members through different images with the same base. For Yuki and I, this stage wasn't to show our relationship. It was to compete with one another.

The buzzer sounded, telling us that it was our turn. 'I'm sure that many people will be watching us. I can't let them down.'

Jumping out onto the stage we both got into our positions. I looked over to Yuki. He raised his eyebrows upwards go the audience gauge. It was near the max which wasn't surprising given how widely known the event was.

"Hey." I heard Yuki whisper under the announcer. "I'm not holding back today. Catch up to me Snapshot."

"Yeah. I will." We faced forward having the music start.

Both: You'd better break out your world

You go! BREAK OUT!

Hayate: Shinjiru kokoro de hajimaru SUTOORII

Yuki: Ikiteku koto ga "tsuyosa" da to Tell Me

H: Kodoku de egai ta Perfect Style

Y: mogai te kowashi te ni shita

B: Sorezore ni hibi ki kasanaru One Place We slammed our backs together looking forward with a finger up and a wink.

H: Itsudatte (Y: Believe) We slowly took steps away from each other

H: Kimi wa soba ni ite (Y: You're always there for me)

H: Hontou no yuuki wo mise te kureteita

Yuki was completely different than during practice. Even though we agreed that he would be the one providing the back-up vocals, he was still holding his ground as if they were alternating parts. It made me just want to throw more into our performance.

B: I wanna go my way!

BREAK OUT! BREAK OUT!

Just do it now yurugi nai kizuna to I slightly jumped at how loudly the audience cheered.

Non-Stop BREAK OUT! BREAK OUT! I could see Yuki holding back his grin at me.

Believe in my soul motto atsuku nare

H: Kakaekire naku te (Y: So they will never know) He faced me as he went slightly louder like he was challenging me

H: Toozake ta yume mo (Y: That's all right)

B: BREAK OUT! BREAK OUT!

tadoritsuku made

BREAK OUT! BREAK OUT!

You'd better break out your world

Cause you are not alone now

You go! BREAK OUT!

Give it a kick and "BREAK OUT" I never sang a song that required shouting so freely that it felt so nice to just scream.

You'd better break out your world

You go! BREAK OUT!

Beside me Yuki spared me a glance once before looking back at the audience. I followed his eyes.

Their headbands gave off so many lights showing that they enjoyed it. I was struck at how bright it was. Yuki was the same next to me. We didn't plan to stay longer than necessary. But with a view this pretty, we couldn't tear our eyes away.

Each time I stood as an idol on stage I thought it could never top the past experience. The feeling of having people support me. The warmth that came with everything. I don't regret being an idol. Nor a model.

"Yu-kun! How dare you not tell me that you were teaming up with Snapshot!" Momo scolded him as soon as she found us backstage. Dobu and I unknowingly stepped closer to each other in fear. It was very rare that she showed her anger. Not that I wanted to be on the receiving end again.

Yuki didn't even flinch at her serious tone, petting her head. "Because I wanted to surprise you."

"Surprises should be fun! Do you take fun in watching me in confusion?"

"A bit yeah. Did you not enjoy it Shiro? We worked so hard on it though." She grumbled at him pretending to be hurt.

"It was a good performance once I got over my shock. I'll give you that. But next time you should tell me!" Though she was reluctant to praise us after the surprise performance, she did really like it.

Yuki cooed at her, pinching one of her cheeks. "Aww now was that so hard Shiro?"

She clawed at his hands only to fully grab his cheeks. She pulled at them hard that I was surprised how much fun he was having. "You polychrome derider who solely finds gaiety in my tribulation as if my Gehenna is your Cockaigne!"

He laughed loudly, taking her hands off of him. "Yeah yeah, let's assume I understood that."

Even after performing as a unit I didn't know a lot about my partner's personality. Besides the tough parts of him. So seeing this side of him messing with Momo let me finally see how cool he was. He didn't let much sway him giving him a cold feeling. With Momo he loved playing around that resembled him when he was busking on the streets.

"You look happy Hayate-san." Dobu said as we watched the two bicker.

"Do I?" I unconsciously raised a hand up to my face. Truth be told Yuki was a strange person that I ended up with. Though I had good reason for it, I really questioned if it was worth the constant criticism.

Now that we had a successful performance I felt confidence in not just our show but in my skills beyond being a model. He showed a new side to people. I viewed Momo, Dobu and Yuki as geniuses. I held them up on a pedestal with skills that I could never compare to. But it wasn't like they got those overnight. Each one of them gave everything to learn about all that they can regarding Aikatsu. Me, seemingly, playing around was offense to them.

That's why he hated me. Beyond Momo being mature she had a childish side. Dobu was able to get mad. Yuki could be caring. I was arrogant thinking that I was content with my modelling. I wanted to do more. I didn't need to limit myself.

This stage really lived up to the unit name. It felt like I got a second chance to debut with my real intentions. I have Yuki to thank for that.

"I suppose that's because I'm still reveling in the stage."

"Your stage was a new side of you. It was like you were fighting out there."

"It felt like that. Yuki has that idol presence."

"Hayate-san too! You showed your idol aura today. It was even bigger than the one you showed at the Starlight anniversary show!"

"My aura?"

"Yep! You had flashing lights that reminds me of cameras. We've seen that at the Starlight anniversary. This time you had something like a fog surrounding you."

"A fog? Why that?" That was the last thing I would expect from me. The lights made sense but I thought if anything was going to be added on it would be like my ethnicity.

"I think it was nicely fitted for you." Momo spoke up from their argument. "It reminds me of a lighthouse. Through the thick fog there's someone that is guiding light to bring them back. It shows that you're grounded to those lost."

Yuki placed his arm on top of her head. "I object. I would imagine that the fog is to cover himself up. To only show the bright lights to watchers. When the fog dispels that's when he shows his true self that no one has seen before."

"Why can't it be both? Hayate-san can be lost, himself, while still helping others. An aura shows the truest part of you. Not knowing the answer is normal then." Leave it to Dobu to settle it between them.

I first met my roommate at the auditions. I looked at him like he was this being that was way above me. I still don't know what kind of idol I want to be. I still think that Dobu is leagues ahead of me. But now I want to try fighting him head on. I can't wait until that day.

Legarad: I'm glad to be of service and I learned something new! Makes me interested in what the Pokemon games look like since I've mainly played in Japanese or English. But yes Emi's story is meant to be good but unreadable with it's slang.

Trivia: Remember when I said that Yuki was suppose to be in place of Shouta originally? This unit was made at that time too. I often emphasize that Shouta is a rookie but so is Hayate. He needed to realize that he was so devoted to modelling at times. Yuki was perfect for that as he knows what makes an idol.

Aikatsu Planet just finished it's first season and has a web series next up in the fall. I can't wait! I recently re-watched Ichigo's Great Starmiya Festival movie and I just love Aikatsu much. I've been having an off few weeks so that was exactly what I needed.