Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the last Halloween chapter! I can't wait till Christmas!

Also, Kaylee and I apologise that we haven't updated much...

It's the end of the year, and we have a lot of assessments, projects and exams. I'm sure most of you reading do too xP. Both of us have also been sick, and my laptop broke, so I had to get a new one. Also, we've sorta lost interest in Aikatsu...but we still love it!

We're still continuing this book, and we plan to complete it.

Now I'll stop rambling and let you read! xD

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Our dreams are rising and our hearts are singing. Aikatsu Dreams is about to begin!

---

Emi

I searched the cafeteria for my friends. Kazuna was sick and was in bed, and Miru was nowhere to be found. That's when I noticed Hanaka sitting alone at a table. She was looking at her Aikatsu mobile.

"Hey Hanaka!" I said, waving as I skipped over.

"Hey Emi..." Hanaka said.

"Something wrong?"

Hanaka sighed. "No. I'm just bored. Miru's sick."

"Oh! Same with Kazuna! I hope they get better soon!" I sighed, hoping that my two friends would recover quickly.

"Yeah, same here! I hope Kazuna gets better, and if Miru doesn't get better soon, I won't be able to Hanaka Slap her!" Hanaka wailed.

"Uh..." I blinked, unsure of what to say in response. Hanaka then looked back at her phone.

"What'cha looking at?" I peered at her screen. I saw a bunch of advertisements.

"Aren't these the auditions and contests on the school board?" I said.

Hanaka nodded. "I want to sign up for one of the auditions so that people can see the amazing yours truly! But most of the ones that I want to pick require a partner and...hey Emi!"

"Yeah?" I said while chewing a biscuit so that it came out a bit muffled.

"I was just scrolling, and I think I found the perfect task for the amazing me to do! It requires two people though, so can you be my partner?"

"Sure!" I agreed happily.

"Awesome! Now, take a look at the advertisement."

I looked. "NO WAY!"

"YES WAY!" Hanaka exclaimed.

"Hanaka, you want to audition to be the cover girl for AIKATSU STYLE?" I said, astounded.

Aikatsu Style was the top idol magazine related to fashion. The current cover girl was Megumi. However, the company behind Aikatsu Style holds a contest every year to determine the cover girl. Megumi has had the position since she became a top idol, and I don't think she's going to lose this year either.

"Usually, new idols like me and you won't become the cover girl, but that's going to change this year!"

"First of all, why do you need a partner when they're only looking for one cover girl? Second of all, we are going to be competing against so many talented and popular idols, including Megumi herself! Thirdly, are you sure about this?" I blurted out.

"Firstly, the partner is more like an assistant for this audition. Plus, the assistant gets a panel in the magazine. If you're a top idol, then you get a page or two in the magazine. Megumi's partner is Asami, but she's already a top idol so.....anyways, I hope you don't mind being the assistant" Hanaka explained.

"Wow, I learnt something new! And I don't mind! Wait...ASAMI'S GOING TO BE AUD-"

"Secondly, it doesn't matter that there are idols who are more popular or talented. There is something that is just as powerful - maybe even stronger - than talent. It's passion. Even if you have talent, you need passion as well! And, I think that, just because we're new idols to the Aikatsu community, it doesn't mean we can't do great things! We can make our own choices and shine! Thirdly, I think you know the answer to that. Yea, I'm sure."

I started to shed tears. "WOAH! Why are you crying?" Hanaka asked, startled.

"Your speech! It was amazing! I feel inspired again! You're absolutely right Hanaka! Let's do this!" I did a fist pump in the air.

"Good grief....But yeah! Let's win this!"

***

The day had finally come. Hanaka and I took some deep breaths that morning.

"Good luck you two for later!" Miru cheered at breakfast. She and Kazuna had recovered from their colds.

"Yeah! I'm sure you two will do great! Honestly, that was a bold move you two took. Joining the audition for Aikatsu Style! I mean, I only know a few girls in our year apart from you guys that are joining too" Kazuna said to us.

"This stegosaurus agrees with Kazuna! That's why, the two of us will be cheering you guys on!"

"Thanks you two!" I beamed, knowing that I was being supported.

"We better start getting prepared, see you two later! And soon, I'll be the cover girl for Aikatsu Style!" Hanaka whispered the last bit, but we heard her loud and clear.

"Hanaka really doesn't change" Miru shrugged, laughing.

***

"Welcome everyone to the annual cover girl contest for Aikatsu Style!" the host announced. "Let's welcome our current cover girl, Megumi Kobayashi!"

Megumi walked on stage, smiling and waving.

"Now, the challenge will be...Megumi, will to do the honours?"

Megumi stepped forward to spin the gigantic wheel at the front. Each sector had a different task for us to do. Megumi spun the wheel.

"And the task is...to create an outfit from scratch! Then, the designer will walk the runway! Simple and straightforward!" the host announced.

"This should be a breeze. Victory is guaranteed" Hanaka flipped her hair back and smirked.

"You will have ninety minutes to design and create your outfit! Ready? Time...starts...NOW!"

Hanaka leapt into action. I ran after her into the material room. Basically, the place where they stored fabrics and different accessories and materials for different coords.

Hanaka instructed me to get green fabric. I did so. I also spotted a jar filled with some sparkling jewels and gems. I took the jar with me. When I had gotten to Hanaka's working area, I saw red and pink cloth already on the table. I placed my materials down. Hanaka was busy sketching her design onto a piece of paper.

"So...what's the plan?" I questioned. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm going to create an outfit that's like a rose. Elegant and beautiful!" Hanaka proclaimed. She proudly showed me her drawing.

Hanaka had drawn a slightly long a frilly dress that started from the colour pink and gradually turned red. There were ruffles at the bottom, and the hem of the dress was green, as well as the sleeves.

"Wow! This looks amazing!" I expressed. "Oh! I also got these jewels. Think they'll be good to use?"

"Obviously! They're jewels! Good thinking Emi! These beauties will make this outfit ten times better!"

Hanaka sketched some tiny gems onto the drawing. She then coloured them different shades of blue.

"Blue?"

"They're going to be like dew drops!" Hanaka said.

"Oh! That's cool! This outfit is going to look so great!" I did a fist pump in the air. I was feeling super excited!

Hanaka also designed a pair of green pumps and a rose hair accessory. Hanaka crafted the rose with the leftover fabric in a mere five minutes. She didn't have to create the shoes though.

For the whole duration of the ninety minutes, I spent my time admiring the design, thinking about food and assisting Hanaka. Finally, it came time for the outfits to be worn and judged.

"Splendid job everyone! The outfits I see before me look stunning! By the way, the winner will have their outfit turned into a coord, and will get to perform!" the host announced. "Now without further ado, let us all head over to the runway!"

***

"Now, here comes a little twist. On the runway, you won't be walking alone! Two contestants will go at a time! Make sure that you stand out more than the person standing next to you!" the host said to the designers.

He then proceeded to read out all the groups of two. I was curious to see who Hanaka would be paired with. I took a drink of water.

"Megumi Kobayashi and Hanaka Jukashi."

I spat out my water.

"This should be fun!" Hanaka said, a determined look on her face.

I gulped.

***

I watched anxiously for Hanaka to appear on the runway. Backstage Hanaka was getting ready.

"Hanaka!"

Hanaka spun around to see a smiling Megumi approaching her in an absolutely gorgeous outfit.

"I wanted to wish you luck!" Megumi stated cheerfully.

"Thank you! I wish you luck as well! Mostly because...I'm not going to lose!" Hanaka declared.

Megumi blinked, but her face broke into a grin.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Megumi, you are my idol! I look up to you! That's why...I'm gonna beat you!" Hanaka said.

Megumi closed her eyes. "Well then, I'll have to try my hardest too!"

***

I watched Megumi and Hanaka appear on the runway. I was blown away by Megumi's outfit. It was beautiful.

Hanaka was walking with her head held high. She would strike a pose every now and then, and made sure to show the full glory of her outfit. Even though Hanaka performed amazingly, there was no denying that Megumi was the best. She just...shone! Her posture was perfect. Her poses were unique, creative and presented her outfit beautifully. And, her smile made the audience feel all warm and excited.

***

"It's time to announce the results! Everyone did gloriously, but there can only be one winner! And that person is!"

Everyone held their breath.

"Megumi Kobayashi!"

The audience broke into cheers. Asami gave Megumi a hug, and the other contestants were all clapping. All except for Hanaka.

"Hey...you okay?" I asked Hanaka. She nodded silently and went away. I watched her leave, unsure of what to do.

***

"Hanaka!"

Hanaka turned her head to see Megumi. She sat down next to Hanaka.

"Your dress and modelling were simply lovely to see! Great job!" Megumi said, clapping her hands together once.

"Thanks Megumi. But in the end...I still lost..." Hanaka muttered bitterly. "I've never lost before! But I guess, today, I experienced failure."

"Well, you know what people say! You learn more from failing than from winning! And, can I ask you something?"

Hanaka nodded in response.

"Did you learn anything from this experience?"

"I actually think I did. I explored my imagination a bit more, and learnt some things by watching the others" Hanaka replied.

"And, do you yourself think that this new experience and knowledge was part of a failure?" Megumi questioned.

"No."

"Well then, it wasn't really a failure at all! Remember Hanaka, losing is all part of being an idol, and a person. What's important is that we get back up after those mistakes make us fall. Failure leads to success!" Megumi stated cheerfully.

Hanaka took all this in.

"You're-You're right! I may have lost this time, but I'll keep working hard to get to my dream! Megumi, I'll beat you one day!"

Megumi smiled. "I'll be ready. Also, I would love to perform together with you Hanaka! I have to go perform now, so bye!"

***

"Hey Hanaka..."

"Hey Emi!" Hanaka said cheerfully.

"Woah! You seem cheerful!" I exclaimed.

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm going to beat my idol one day!" Hanaka said determinedly. I laughed.

"You know, I may have been a bit too over-confident. But that's okay! I'm still going to continue to be the awesome me, aka the best! But I'm not going to sulk if someone manages to somehow take that title. Because I will snatch it right back!" Hanaka declared. "Now, let's go see Megumi's performance!"

I laughed. Hanaka really hadn't changed. But, this was a good experience! And even though Hanaka had said it in a very Hanaka way, I knew what she meant deep down.

And now to enjoy an amazing performance!

***

Megumi smiled at the cards in her hands, then looked up.

"Megumi Kobayashi, as graceful as a delicate swan!"

(Title: Soaring Beauty)

(Music: Future Transit (short version))

(The following song is Future Transit by AIKATSU☆STARS! Imagine our lyrics in place of the ones sung. Future Transit does not belong to me.)

https://youtu.be/u7mNqNi-CPE

Coord: Fluttering Swan Coord

(A/N: A recolour of the Frozen Queen top, Broadway Show-Up skirt and accessory, and the Arabian Sparkle sandals)

Accessory:

Our Lyrics:

Megumi: Ascend above, spread my wings and fly ahead

The beauty soaring in the sky

Megumi: I look up to the sky above

I want to be able to reach those faraway places

And I want to take off with my own wings

The answer that I seek to unleash my beauty is so close

And I want to prove that I will find it

Birds are constantly taking flight with their delicate wings

And one day, I too will fly to my dreams beyond the ground

Megumi: Everyone and everything is connected

Now if I keep chasing after those soaring birds

I can get closer to my beautiful dream

Even if I don't have the strength to continue flying

The beauty surrounding me will lift me up, so I'll

Ascend above, spread my wings and fly ahead

The beauty soaring in the sky

---

Special Appeal: Beautiful Jewelled Feathers (This appeal is similar to the Double Moon Jewel appeal. The idol stands in a white marble pavilion. A ring made up of feather-shaped jewels circle the idol's wrists, then the idol tosses them into the air. When the rings meet, the idol leaps and poses as the two rings collide and explode into feathers and jewels.)

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The silence turned into loud cheers as Megumi concluded her performance. The performance had captivated everyone who so it. Hanaka and I smiled at each other.

***

"Hey girls!" Kazuna said, approaching Hanaka and I with Miru behind her. 

"Hiya!" I cheered.

"You two did really well! I heard that the judges were impressed with how well you do did, even though you're both just first-years!" Miru exclaimed excitedly.

"It was really all Hanaka!" I turned to face her. 

"Well, you did assist me Emi! But I truly made the outfit shine! That's to be expected though, because I'm so amazing!" Hanaka smirked. Kazuna, Miru and I sighed.

"Hehe, now, how about we go have some fun now!" Hanaka stuck her tongue out and beamed.

"This stegosaurus likes that idea!" 

"Well then, let's go!" 

The four of us walked off, happy and full of energy, and now with a new-found sense that we could soar!

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And that's it for this chapter! As you already know, if you find any mistakes in grammar, spelling, etc., please let us know! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and stay tuned for more!