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

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Emi

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Thoughts were filling my mind as I sat in the lesson, Miss Hiroki's words passing right by me. Kazuna was sitting on my left, her hands in her lap as she gnawed at the tip of her pen. I tried to tell if she was paying attention or not by gazing at her from the corner of my eye, but after some time I stopped trying. The words she spoke before appeared in my mind. Kazuna said we weren't ready. I wanted to ask her what she meant by that. I didn't want to believe it, but the feeling and thought kept nagging at the back of my head. Was I letting Kazuna down? To be honest, I've just been living through each day, not thinking much about the next. In comparison to Kazuna, I haven't been fully committed to becoming an idol, and the realisation of that fact really bugged me.

"K-Kazuna!"

Kazuna turned her head slightly, a look of curiosity on her face as she lowered her pencil.

"I...I know that recently, it may not look like I'm giving my all, but, I really want to do this. I want to be an idol, so...so I won't let you or anyone else down!" I cheered, clenching my fist as I looked at determinedly. 

Kazuna raised her eyebrows, clearly confused at my sparkling eyes and firm expression.

"What are you talking about-"

The deafening sound of the bell interrupted our conversation.

"Hey, wanna go practice?" I asked, swinging my school bag over my shoulder.

"Sorry, Emi. The Kiseki contest is on tomorrow, and I need to be extra focused. Maybe afterwards" she told me.

"Oh...okay..." I lowered my head as I trudged out of the classroom. 

***

"Stop mopping and go get something to eat!" Hanaka scolded as she took another mouthful of salad.

"I don't wanna eat" I hissed, still kind of annoyed that Kazuna seemed to be acting more distant and stranger lately.

Miru gasped dramatically.

"Who are you?!" she pointed her finger at me accusingly.

I slid down further in my seat, sighing.

Hanaka raised an eyebrow, then got up from her seat. She went over to grab something from the cafeteria and came back with a cookie in her hands.

"Hey Emi..." Hanaka smirked, waving the cookie in front of her. I shot upright in my seat and attempted to grab the cookie.

Hanaka jerked her hand away. "I thought you didn't want to eat?"

I puffed out my cheek in annoyance, quietly admitting that my previous statement was a lie.

Hanaka laughed before eating the cookie right in front of me.

I slammed my hands on the table. "Hey! Why'd you eat it? You're evil!" I whined, glaring at her.

Hanaka smiled smugly, flicking her hair. I grabbed her small cake and shoved it in my mouth. She gaped at me.

"Excuse me?! That was mine, you insensitive little-"

"I know how to resolve this!" Miru beamed, taking out a container from her pocket. She paced a stegosaurus cookie in our hands. "Now friends, let us eat" and she ate the entire cookie in two bites. I ate it gladly, and Hanaka slipped it onto Miru's plate, looking disgusted. Miru looked highly offended.

"Wow okay, rude. As punishment, take our lunch trays back you stegosaurus-hater!" Miru narrowed her eyes, passing Hanaka her lunch tray before putting her own one on top. She beamed a bit too brightly as she patted Hanaka on the back and waved her off. Hanaka scowled, but surprisingly did what Miru asked for.

Miru turned to me, and for the first time, she looked... slightly serious.

"Are you okay?"

"What, yeah! Of course!" I beamed at Miru.

Miru instantly relaxed and returned my smile, seemingly content with that answer.

"That's good to hear! Because you and Kazuna both seem kinda on edge recently. If you need someone to talk to, this stegosaurus will always be here, and so will Hanaka!" Miru grinned, passing me another stegosaurus-shaped cookie. 

I smiled at her, feeling the happiest I've felt in the last couple of days. 

"Thanks! It means a lot to me."

***

Kazuna leaned against the wall, waiting for the interview to begin as she continued to fiddle with her thumbs. 

The final round of the Kiseki Competition had started off with an obstacle course, a few mother elimination rounds and was now up to the interview part. Afterwards, the solo performance would take place, and the judges would post the winner the next day. 

A lady with bouncing orange curls and a well-ironed dress stepped out of a small room, eyes focused on her clipboard and heels hitting the floor loudly, an irritating racket compared to the comfortable silence of everyone else. Or maybe more like three people. 

"Kazuna Hitori" the woman said, glancing up from her clipboard.

Kazuna took a deep breath in. "Here goes nothing..."

She followed the woman into the small room, and was then led to another door. 

"The judges are waiting for you in there. Good luck" the lady said, before leaving Kazuna all alone. 

Kazuna reached for the handle with trembling hands, and despite her nervousness making her literally quake with fear, she managed to turn it.

The judges were friendly looking enough, and the huge glass windows made it possible to see everything that was going on outside in the Kiseki shopping mall. Many people were bustling about, carrying large bags as they chatted away happily. There was such a variety of stores, as well as entertainment and food. The wondrous sight only contributed to Kazuna anxiety. Being the face of Kiseki was a big responsibility and would come with its own problems.

"Take a seat Kazuna" one of the judges said, gesturing towards a separate table and seat. Kazuna awkwardly pulled the chair out and sat down, looking everywhere but at the judges.

"Okay then Kazuna, tell me a bit about yourself. So things like, your hobbies, what you like to do"

Kazuna gulped and cleared her throat. Before she opened her mouth, a thought came to her. She felt as if she wasn't unique, so why don't she try to be?

"I'm Kazuna Hitori, first year at Stardust Academy. I absolutely love..." Kazuna paused to think. "...I love...I love stegosaurus'! In fact, I love making stegosaurus cookies!" she said proudly. The judges exchanged looks. Kazuna continued on.

"I love roses too, they're fabulous...like me" Kazuna gave a hair flick, however even she knew she hadn't been able to pull it off as well as Hanaka. Not to mention she realised that it sounded arrogant and snobbish. How did Hanaka manage to say things like that all the time?

For the next few minutes, Kazuna recited points she thought were unique from people she knew. She even quoted things from people she didn't know and had only overheard their conversations. 

After all her questions were answered, the judges dismissed her, thanking her a bit awkwardly.

Kazuna got up and walked to the door. She wasn't sure if she had convinced the judges of her enthusiasm yet. She turned back to face them.

"I-I'm gonna fly to my dreams! Thanks!" she beamed, walking briskly out the door as she left the confused judges and their thoughts. As she closed the door, Kazuna leaned against the wall as she felt tears prick her eyes. She knew deep down, that she'd stuffed up so badly.

***

Kazuna held her cards in her hand, but the usual spark in her eyes seemed to no longer be present. She didn't feel like herself. Nevertheless, she looked up, not as happy as she usually was to enter the stage.

"Kazuna Hitori...ready to shine like a star..."

(The following song doesn't belong to me.)

https://youtu.be/09GhmNuv9Pg

-

"Hey Kazuna, you feeling okay?" I asked quietly. Kazuna nodded as she opened her laptop screen, getting ready for the results to come through. My best friend fiddled with her thumbs and bit her lip in anticipation, glaring at the loading screen. Then, the screen flickered, and the results popped up. I peered over Kazuna's shoulder to see, but she turned the laptop away from me. I pouted in frustration as I plopped myself onto the beanbag nearby. I could see Kazuna scan over the message, and her eyes widened. 

"What? Did you get it? Did you win?" I beamed, skipping over to her. Kazuna shut her laptop and brushed past me, slamming our dorm room's door shut. I stared at the now-closed door, then at the laptop. It took me a few seconds, but I ran out of our room and down the hall, trying to find out where she had gone.

A massive crowd blocked my path as I turned the corner, their faces studying something on the massive screen. I squeezed past to see what everyone was staring at. The results of the Kiseki contest were up. And Kazuna hadn't won.

***

Kazuna's eyes were filling with tears, regret and sadness overcoming her. She knew deep down that she wouldn't get it, but somewhere in her heart, she believed she would. 

"Kazuna."

Kazuna immediately stopped crying and wiped her tears away, startled by Akane's sudden appearance beside her.

"A-Akane!" Kazuna bowed her head slightly, flustered. The red-haired girl sighed and sat down, patting the seat next to her as she gestured for Kazuna to sit. 

"So, what's up?" Akane asked.

Kazuna shook her head. "Nah, don't worry, it's dumb."

Akane elbowed her, causing Kazuna to give her a look of confusion as she clutched her side.

"If you're upset about it, then it's obviously not dumb. Is it about the Kiseki contest?"

Kazuna lowered her gaze. "I guess that's kind of a contributing factor...but not really..."

Akane raised an eyebrow, but made her voice gentler. "Then what?"

"Well I...I know it's silly, but recently, I've been copying others. I think I've had this thought swirling in my mind for a long time, but I've never really taken action. But the more idols I discover, I guess I've just realised how interesting everyone is. And I'm not...I feel like I'm holding Emi back. She's always been energetic and cheerful, but I'm doing now is moping."

Akane listened carefully, then cleared her throat.

"You know, if you really want to be that unique, then you should just stop trying."

It was Kazuna's turn to raise her eyebrow. "How would that work if I'm not interesting or unique?"

Akane smiled as she rose from her seat and stared out the window, resting her hand on the glass.

"Sure, a lot of idols are unique without having to try, but there are many that don't show their true colours. If you haven't noticed, those who pretend never seem to make it to the top. Most of the famous idols don't act like someone they're not. And that's admirable in its own, unique way."

Akane smiled warmly as she walked past Kazuna and to the door.

"Plus, you'll be a lot happier if you act like you and not anyone else. I sure am" Akane grinned. 

"Did you...have the same problem as me...?" Kazuna asked.

Akane shrugged. 'Possibly, but that's in the past. And hey, like you said, you've never acted upon your thought of not being special. You've probably never noticed, but you've acquired a large and supportive fanbase over the course of this year. So like I said, just embrace yourself for who you are."

With those final words said, Akane raised her hand and waved, her footsteps echoing with each step she took.

It had taken Kazuna a while afterwards to realise what she had meant, but it finally made sense to her. The fans she had amassed since she began her idol career loved Kazuna Hitori, and not a different version.

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And that's another chapter done! There's only one more chapter before we get into the Top Idol Selection! Thanks for reading this chapter and I hope you continue reading! ^.^