This is much of a breather episode, to take your mind off CHU2. We'll get back to CHU2 and Saburo in the next chapter, though I was originally going to hint at them at the end of this chapter..

Despite it being Amu's birthday, I didn't really focus on her that much until the end. I'm really sorry about that.

Anyways, let's begin this episode of Shugo Chara Space Academy! Minna no Kokoro: UNLOCK!

Amu's family was setting up the birthday party at her house. The other Guardians were helping her.

"So, you have invited a lot of people, right?" Amu's dad asked.

"A whole lot!" Ran said, "I can't wait for Himari and the others to meet you!"

Amu smiled at her. "I'm excited to meet them too."

"We have prepared a surprise for you, Amu-chan" Tadase told her.

"It's gonna be the best birthday performance ever-"

"Yaya, you're ruining the surprise."

"Oh, sorry"

Rui walked over to her, "Aoba-san is preparing a very special cake for you"

"That's good to know"

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

"Could that be the others?" Ran said.

She ran over and opened the door. However, instead of her friends, a brunette lady was at the door.

Amu walked up to her. "Uh.. who are you?"

"Ah, I believe we haven't met. But it's so nice to meet you, Amu"

Tadase walked up to her. "Amu, this is Lisa Imai, Saburo's older sister"

"Thank you guys, for taking care of my little brother~!"

"Of course."

"I hope he's alright up there." Lisa said, "Sometimes, I look up to the stars and wonder how he's doing"

At that moment, Ami walked up to them. "Amu-chan? Who's this?"

Lisa noticed her. "Ah! Is this your sister, Amu? She's such a cutie! I'm Lisa, Amu's friend's sister. How about we play together"

"Okay, Lisa-nee!"

Later, the doorbell rang again. This time, Caren answered it to an indigo-haired girl who looked like her.

"Noel! You made it!"

Amu walked up to her. "This must be Noel."

Caren nodded.

Ran sighed. "Himari's still not here."

"It's okay, they'll come here eventually" Tadase said.

They heard another voice. "Do you mind if I make my presence known?"

A girl with long black hair walked in, to which Lisa immediately recognised.

"Rinko-chan! I didn't expect you to be here."

Rinko waved at her. "Hi, Lisa."

Lisa looked at Amu. "I didn't know you two knew each other!"

Amu blinked. "I don't"

"Wait, then who-"

At that moment, Rui shyly walked in. "Glad to see that you have made it, Shirokane."

Yaya looked at Rui. "Rui! I didn't know you had friends on Earth!"

Rui looked away. "We barely talk to each other"

Ayase flew up to her. "It was my idea."

Rinko looked around. "Huh? Who said that?"

Ayase turned around. "Looks like she can hear me but not see me."

Cut to even later, when Moca came over with a giant pink cake.

"Amu-chan, your cake is done!"

Amu was amazed by the cake. "That looks really good!"

"All in a day's work" Su said.

"Moca! You're here too?"

Amu looked at Lisa. "You know each other?"

"Me and Lisa-chi work together at my summer job at the convenience store." Moca explained.

The doorbell rang and Moca went over. Three girls were standing outside, with pink, red, and brown hair respectively.

"Took you long enough." Moca said.

The three girls went over to Amu.

"Amu-chan! It's so cool to finally meet you!" the pink haired girl said.

Amu smiled. "You must be Himari, Tomoe and Tsugumi."

The brown haired Tsugumi nodded. "Well, now that we're all here, let's begin the celebrations."

So first of all was Amu's parents' birthday speech.

"We would like to congratulate our dearest Amu on her 17th birthday." Amu's mother said.

"Our little girl is growing up so fast!" Amu's father said, crying.

"I'm proud that Amu has been making new friends at the Space Academy. So, let the celebrations begin! I have prepared a lot of fun games for you guys!"

So everyone was having fun, with some gathering in Amu's room (much to Amu's displeasure), and some, like Yaya, Rinko and Himari, were playing board games in the living room.

It was at that moment when Amu walked up to Moca, staring at Ran talking to Tadase.

"She's really cute, isn't she?"

"Who? Ran? I wouldn't describe her as that."

"She may have a tough exterior, but she's a really sweet girl deep down, just like a succulent loaf of bread."

Amu was confused. "Yeah. Uh-huh. But why are you telling me this?"

Moca sighed. "Can I tell you a secret? Keep it between us and our Charas, okay?"

The other Ran and Dia flew out of Amu's pocket. "Sure!" Ran said, "Your secret is safe with us"

Moca spoke up. "I like Ran."

Dia was confused. "Like, as a friend?"

Moca shook her head. "In the way that Amu-chi likes Tadase-kun"

Amu was surprised. "You… really feel that way about your childhood friend?"

Moca nodded. "I try to show my love in my own Mocatastic way, but she just wouldn't listen."

Amu nodded. "Mhmm… I feel you."

"I wish for the day when Ran-Ran realizes that she's more than just a friend to me. You know me and Ran got married at the playground when we were kids."

"Aha… I think I have attended a playground marriage once."

Amu smiled. "I'm sure you'll get her some day."

At that moment, Himari walked over to Amu. "Hey, guys! How about we play truth or dare in your room!"

So all the girls except Rui and Ami were in Amu's room.

Lisa was the first one to speak up. "Amu, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

Lisa dragged out a pink skateboard with a red cross on it. "I found this skateboard in here, so I dare you to do a kickflip"

"Right now? In this room?"

Lisa nodded.

Amu laughed. "How about we just head outside first."

So Amu went to the back garden and did a kickflip.

"How about that?"

Tomoe gave her a thumbs up. "That was perfect!"

"Now, Tomoe. Truth or dare?"

"Hm… I'll go with dare too."

Amu thought about it. "Can you do a backflip for me?"

Without hesitation, Tomoe jumped up and did a backflip.

Tomoe had her eye on Rinko. "Rinko, truth or dare."

"Uh… I'll go with Truth."

"What's your exact relationship with Rui? Because Hippo was talking about them to me"

Rinko looked away. "She's my childhood friend."

"Tell us everything…"

Rinko sighed. "Rui looked up to me, and we were the best of friends. We participated in music competitions together. However, I had to stop participating, and I don't think I'd ever seen her since. She was such a sweet girl back then. I wonder what happened to her?"

"Well there surely must be a reason why Rui invited you here," Caren said, "If only she would tell her side of the story."

"There must be." Rinko said.

At that moment, Hippo walked in.

"So, that's how it is?"

Rinko turned around. "Hippo. You're friends with Rui, right? Surely you must know something."

"I think it's better if you hear from Rui-san herself."

Rinko smiled. "Well… that's okay. Wanna join in? Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Do you have a crush on Rui-san?"

Hippo shook his head. "However, there is a girl I like, but our families are mortal enemies. I invited her over, but I'm not sure if she'll come. She hasn't even answered my calls."

"It's okay! I'm sure she'll come!" Yaya said. Mimi nodded.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

"That could be her, you know." Himari said, "Now answer it!"

Hippo opened the door and saw a green haired girl.

"Yuuri-san!"

"I'm sorry I took so long, Hippo-sama. I hope I haven't missed anything. I was worried that… since Caren and Noel were gonna be there…"

"What happened between them?" Yaya asked.

Yuuri sighed. "I… I kidnapped one of them. But it really wasn't me! It was just my job! I was forced to do it"

Amu looked at her. "I really don't know what the rivalry between your families is about, but I forgive you, I suppose. Now come on in! There's cake!"

Yuuri walked in and the birthday celebrations continued on.

Later, Amu and Tadase were talking while eating cake.

"You know, the more I learn about you guys," Amu told Tadase, "The more I realize that you all are struggling with your own problems as well."

Tadase sighed. "That's how it works. If we didn't have a deep desire in our hearts, we wouldn't have our Guardian Characters."

Amu nodded. "It's a good thing that we're all in this together. Me, you, Moca, even CHU and Saburo all the way back in the Academy"

Amu and Tadase watched the rest of the house guests talk to each other.

"Oh, I almost forgot" Tadase got out a small box, and Amu opened it. It was a heart shaped hair clip, similar to that of Amulet Heart's.

"Happy Birthday, Amu-chan."

Amu smiled at him. "Thank you, Tadase-kun. I'll always treasure this for the rest of my life."

Tadase chuckled. "Well, put it on"

Amu proceeded to replace her own cross-shaped hair-clip with the birthday present. "How do I look?"

"You look just like her…"

Ran ran up to her. "Hey, I asked your mother the other day and she said she's fine with what we're about to do. So, how about one last birthday surprise"

Ran plugged her guitar in the amp. She and her childhood friends were all with their instruments, Moca on guitar, Himari on bass, Tomoe on drums and Tsugumi on keyboard.

"This performance is dedicated to Amu Hinamori, for even if only two of us are close with you, you will always be One of Us!" Ran said, "Hit it, girls!"

The girls started performing a song. Everyone was amazed by their performance, especially Amu.

3, 2, 1, Go!

Utaitsuzuketekita kako ga
Yasashisa tsurete kite kureta
Nani ga atte mo atashitachi wo
Shinjitsuzukete kureru hito ga iru

Itsudemo OK kiai wa juubun
(Kokoro kara tagitta kanjou)
Uwasa nante kechirashite Sing It!
(Kokoro kara tagitta kanjou)
Tsuyoku (Face out!) Atsuku (Face out!)
Kimi e to uta wo okuru
Tsuyoku (Face Out!) Atsuku (Face Out!)
Honne dake de ikiyou
Ochikondecha sora wa mienai kara

Donna senjou datte nozomu tokoro sa
Pinchi koso chansu da kowakunai
Onaji yuuyake wo mitsumete kimi ga soba ni iru kara sa
Tomo ni tsunagou atashitachi to
"Meramera" tamashii kazashite
Tomo ni mezasou atashitachi to
"Meramera" tamashii kazashite
Tomo ni tsukurou atashitachi to
"Meramera" tamashii kazashite
Tomo ni waraou atashitachi to
"Meramera" tamashii kazashite

3, 2, 1, Go!

The entire living room clapped in applause.

The other Ran flew up to Amu. "I think I have a new favourite genre of music now!"

Ran took a bow. "Thanks from Afterglow!"

She looked at Amu. "So, how was it?"

Amu's smile widened. "I love it! Thank you, Ran!"

With all her newfound friends celebrating with her, this might be the best birthday party Amu has ever had.

I ended this chapter off a bit weirdly, but I honestly tried my best.

See you in Chapter 9. LOCK ON! OPEN HEART!