The sun was shining brightly, and its rays hit everyones eyes...

"Hm...?"

"That's weird... How come there's a fancy envelope here...?"

Zoe picked up the envelope, which was aqua blue in color, and had a snowflake at the center.

"Seems like a mysterious invitation to something..."

Zoe flipped the envelope, and it had Charlotte's name in it.

"Oh! This is definitely addressed to Kazue. But what's with the winter theme being so... Grand?"

"I'd better give it to him." Zoe said to herself and went upstairs to Kazue's room.

She knocked on the door.

"Kazue?"

"Kazue?"

Kazue opened the door.

"Oh, Ohayo, Zoe. What's up?" He asked.

"Well, I just wanted to know about this envelope. It's addressed to Charlotte, so it basically means it's meant for you, not me." Zoe said.

"An invitation?" Kazue wondered.

He opened the flap and there was a small note.

He gasped, and his eyes widened.

"It's..."

"From Sadako!"

Kazue read the note.

"Charlotte, I know your heart cannot be easily opened, but let me make it up to you again, and give you this simple invitation to..."

Kazue found an actual invitation inside the envelope.

"No... Way..."

"Sadako's playing his game again, but... This note and invitation... Could it mean that he's actually changing for the better?"

"Could it...?"

And the unexpected happened.

Kazue collapsed.

"Kazue?" Zoe shook him.

"Kazue! Wake up!"

"Agnes-san, help!"

Agnes heard the call from her room, and she immediately rushed to her brother's.

"Aria-chan! What happened, Zoe?"

"It seems that he received an invitation from Sadako, and he hoped that through that, he had changed for the better. And because of all his hopes, he seemed overwhelmed, and collapsed." She explained.

Agnes felt Kazue's chest. "His heart rate is so fast, he probably has a hard time keeping breaths at this time, or when he wakes up." Agnes said. "Don't worry, I can take care of him."

"I guess I can call Iris and Maiko. He probably needs some fun company when he wakes up." Zoe said.

"That'd be good." Agnes nodded.

Zoe did as promised.

(About 10 Minutes Later...)

*Ding Dong!*

Celine, as usual, opened the door.

"We came as soon as we heard. Where's your brother at right now, Linnie?" Maiko asked.

"He's in his room. Onee-chan left him alone to cook something up for him." Celine explained.

"Is he okay?" I asked.

"He's still unconscious. He's yet to wake up." She said.

"Do you mind if we come up to his room?" I asked again.

"Not at all! I'm sure Onee-chan doesn't, too." She gave a closed-eyed smile.

"Let's go, before his favorite gets cold." I winked at Maiko.

"Him and his absurd appetite." She rolled her eyes.

We headed upstairs to his room.

When we got inside, Maiko immediately felt his forehead.

"His body's cold. Totally like someone knocked out." She said.

"Well, I'm sure he'd wake up in time to eat the 'offering' we got for him." I laughed.

"Well, I've never seen the Sassy Kazue like this before. I... Actually feel bad. Considering that he got news from Sadako and all that. Let's just hope he'll be fine." Maiko said.

Just then...

We heard wheezing.

"M-Maiko... Iris..."

Kazue regained his consciousness, but he was gripping his chest.

"Kazue! Are you gonna be okay?" I asked.

"It's... F-Fine. I overthought things *wheeze* Now I have this stupid... A-Anxiety Attack... *wheeze*. Kazue tried to speak clearly.

"Shh, Kaz. We know you're not okay. No need to deny." I said.

"Eat up." Maiko said, handing him what seemed to be a bento box.

"Arigatou..." He said in a whispered level of voice.

He opened the box to reveal his favorite food of all time.

"BURGER! You guys m-made this?" Kazue said.

"Well, when it comes to food names you seemed to speak normally." I said.

"Hey!" Kazue frowned.

"No, but seriously, it was all Maiko. She just asked me to assemble it as deliciously presentable as possible. I give her major credit." I pointed to Maiko with two fingers and winked.

Kazue blushed.

"Well, it seems you're happy with some company there, Aria-chan!"

"Aneki... *wheeze* more food..." He said.

"Yep, cooked you up some red bean soup to warm you up." Agnes said.

"But what... What was the deal with... the envelope?" Kazue said.

"Let me take a look." Agnes said.

I handed Agnes the envelope for Kazue.

"No way! I got the same invitation, too, Aria-chan! But it turns out Sadako obviously intended for only you to receive an extra apology note." Agnes said.

"Now that you mention it, I got my own, too!" Maiko said.

"Maiko..."
"Aneki..."
"And myself..."

"Why would... We each get an invitation from Sadako?" Kazue asked.

"The invitation reads, Meet me all at PriPara tomorrow. So I can discuss to you four our new venture."  Maiko said.

"I don't get it. Why does he have to gather us at PriPara? And who's the fourth?" Agnes asked.

*Ding Dong*!

Celine got the door, and there entered...

"HIKARI?!"

❄️🔑❄️🔑❄️🔑❄️🔑❄️🔑❄️🔑❄️🔑

"I'm the fourth, because I got my own letter! Charlotte-chan! I just knew you would wonder too, so I came here!" Hikari said, talking to Zoe.

"Oh yes." Zoe picked up the envelope from the table next to Kazue's bed. "All of us are really puzzled about what Sadako would want from all of us. He's... Still mentally unstable." She said.

"Well, I found out the mystery in this invitation. And I brought a magnifying glass!" Hikari said.

"What for? This whole thing might be a trap!" I said.

"Read the fine print!" Hikari exclaimed.

All of us went near for a closer look.

"The invitation is actually for..."

"The Winter Dream Grand Prix!"

"I can rest, and I'll see what Sadako wants, with us." Kazue thought.

(The Next Day)

"Ah, you're all here." Sadako smiled.

"What do you even want from us, Sadako?" [The real] Charlotte asked.

Sadako went behind her and clasped her shoulder, and his mouth was practically close to her ear.  "Don't worry. I know you're waiting for the part where I'll give you a suitable role..." He whispered seductively.

"Ugh! Let go of me!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"This is another reason I called you in with them. I know our chemistry will be superb. I won't let you out.of.my.sight." He smiled.

"JUST LET GO OF HER AND TELL US THE REAL DEAL!" Agnes freed Charlotte from his grasp.

"Okay, okay. I believe you didn't miss the fine print from my invite. And, I have arranged our practice tomorrow at my house..."

"So that means Zoe's gonna go for me." Charlotte thought.

She brought out her phone, pretending she received a text.

"Oh, I got a message. It involves Hikari, so I have to pull her out so she can reply to it." Charlotte lied, and she winked at Hikari.

"Oh, yep, yep! I forgot my PriPass because I knew I wouldn't be performing right now, so I borrowed Charlotte-chan's." Hikari smiled. "Signal sucks here." She pouted.

"Oh, okay." Sadako bought it.

"We'll be right back!" Charlotte said, pulling Hikari with her.

(PriPara Cafè, inside)

"Hikari, let me get something straight. You know, I technically can't go to Sadako's house. Not because of some scandalous, traumatizing moment. But for a personal matter..."

"That Kazue and you definitely have everything in common and because of that it turns out that you and him are the same person and you need my help?" Hikari said in fast-paced speech.

"H-How the hell do you know all that?! And keep your voice down, you know that's top secret!" Charlotte put a finger to her lips.

"Well, it was obvious. Even before that girl named Zoe got here, I knew that it all made sense. Don't worry. You're secret's safe with me!" Hikari gave a closed-eyed smile.

Charlotte had a hand to her chest and sighed heavily. "Thank goodness."

"But what do you need my help for, Charlotte-chan?" She asked.

"Well, since you know that Zoe's just a stunt double, and since you helped Iris out with the tracking device when Masaki and Sadako got kidnapped by Hibiki Shikyoin, do you mind that if your dad still makes those, I can get one to give to Zoe and Aneki that isn't obvious? Because I can't be in Charlotte's persona in the real world, and just so I can check if Zoe's getting some major harassment moves from Sadako. Or if he does anything bad to Aneki." Charlotte explained. "Get one for yourself, too. I'll be watching you guys from home."

"Not at all! Dad makes those in different designs as a software engineer. And he's okay helping you guys out with stuff like these." Hikari said.

"How am I gonna connect to you guys though?" Charlotte asked.

"Well, you can connect through bluetooth on your laptop. It's still accessible even at long distance, so you can watch wherever Sadako takes us. And hopefully not in the Sahara..." Hikari whispered. "Besides, each of them are linked to one connection name." She explained further.

"Thank you so much!" Charlotte said.

"I'll send them to your house tonight." Hikari said.

(Kazue's House, that night...)

After filling out Zoe and Agnes with tomorrow's plan, Hikari gave the tracking device, in the form of a bracelet.

"The plan will never backfire now." Kazue thought.

(The Next Day, Sadako's House)

When they arrived, nobody was home, but they found a note at the door.

"Change of plans. Go to your designated areas for your real training."
-Sadako

Hikari: The Palps
Maiko: Shooting Grounds
Charlotte: Swordsmanship Area
Agnes: Theater

"It seems as if I'm the only one with a PriPara-based location." Hikari said.

"Whatever the plan is, let's split up and go!" Zoe said.

(Hikari: The Palps)

"Hello? Sadako-san?"

Hikari's voice only echoed.

"Look ahead!" A voice called.

Sadako was standing at a far-distanced part of a hill range.

"What's this supposed to be for me?" Hikari asked from her place.

"Vocalises. Jump from one hill range to another and vocalise. Remember, the keys are C, E, G, and C! Watch!"

"(C) Do~! *jump* (E) Mi~! *jump* (G) Sol~ *jump* (C) Do~! *jump* Then, jump back to the beginning point with the notes in reverse order!" He explained.

"Okay, I can do that."

She did as Sadako instructed flawlessly.

"Very good, Hikari. Now, your work here is done. I'll have to go meet Maiko at the Shooting Grounds back in the real world." Sadako said, taking his leave.

"That was a pretty cool way to train for Hikari. But the shooting grounds for Maiko? I hope she's going to be okay... And at least, I hope she doesn't get hurt by Sadako with any firearms."

"And I'd never forgive him if he put my goddess in harm's way." Kazue clenched his fist as he continued watching through the second camera.

(Maiko: Shooting Grounds)

Maiko arrived to find heart-shaped shooting dummies.

"Think Fast."

Sadako threw a gun and headphones at Maiko for her to catch.

"What are these for?" Maiko asked.

"Shoot the hearts. All of them." Sadako said. "Of course, proper equipment are required."

Maiko put on the headphones and readied the gun.

"It's a good thing Kazue and I played enough shooting games." Maiko smirked.

"K-Kazue...?" Sadako mumbled.

Back at the Koichi Residence, Kazue heard Sadako mention his name in the footage.

"Oh, god, why?" Kazue started messing his hair.

"Yes, Kazue. Bet you haven't heard from him since, huh?" Maiko said.

"Why do I care about that bastard? He took away my ladylove like we weren't even the best of friends. What gives? He knows I always get what I want." He laughed and shook his head in dismay.

Kazue's eyes widened at his reply.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready." Maiko nodded.

"Fire!"

Maiko ran as fast as she could as she shot the dummies one by one.

She jumped over hurdles and shot, rolled in the ground to fit in spaces underneath to shoot...

"Her firearm skills are SO COOL! She's improved... My Goddess is now a pro like me..." Kazue started imagining things.

Soon, Maiko was done with training.

(Zoe: Swordsmanship Training)

"Why would Sadako bring me to a place like this...?" Zoe wondered.

"This is why, my Beautiful Witch..."

Zoe looked to see Sadako, skillfully swinging a sword.

"A classical romance like ours needs it chivalric touch, don't you think?" He smirked.

"How many times do I have to remind you---"

Sadako put a finger on Zoe's lips. "Tut, tut. I know you're a tough cookie. But I want to see how impressive you may seem at swordsmanship. It's part of your training." He said. "A good swordsman, they say, proves a graceful dancer. Don't worry, Charlotte. I wouldn't dare hurt you." Sadako said in his romantic tone like an obsessed person would.

Zoe clenched her fist, then grabbed her sword.

They made quite the sparring team, with Zoe parrying Sadako's swings like a natural.

They kept going, until Sadako dropped his sword and Zoe's sword was pointing at him.

"I didn't realize you were extremely talented, my love. I'm excited to know more and dig deeper and deeper into you." Sadako whispered in Zoe's ear.

"Shut your mouth until I start to think you meant what you said from 'a different perspective'." Zoe walked away from him.

"Zoe nailed it. Now only Aneki is left..." Kazue switched to the last camera.

"The theater! I remember stage acts I performed back in college as a Performing Arts Major..." Agnes said to herself.

"Well, I'll bring you to a whole new scene that goes way back in time..."

The curtains opened, and Sadako was standing on a large wooden ship.

"What's this?" Agnes asked.

"Join me." He brought out his hand, and he pulled Agnes up the ship.

"Now your activity is simple, as long as you know how to waltz." He said.

Sadako began twirling Agnes around.

"Well, just before you get the wrong idea, Agnes-san. I am and will be forever loyal to that darling sister of yours, Charlotte. And since I know you have found your eternal partner. Got that?" He winked.

Agnes pulled away immediately. "Okay, what is the deal with these various challenge areas for each of us? And how are you supposed to lead your team if you're... Crazy?!" Agnes demanded.

"Crazy? Oh, you mean Crazy in Love! Hah, believe me, you felt that way in the first place! Don't deny it!" Sadako's voice grew louder.

"An argument's on the rise! What's Sadako thinking messing with my sister?!" Kazue clenched his fist.

"Yes, I was in love, felt love. But I wasn't as obsessive and single-centered as you! Remember that!" Agnes pointed a finger at him.

"I don't care! Love is felt and expressed in different ways. And I'd like to keep it original. You remember that, Agnes-san!" Sadako bellowed.

"But Charlotte never loved you!" Agnes said.

"That's what I'm doing! Making her return my feelings! Isn't that obvious for all of you?!" He answered.

"Forcing love is an immature idea! Idiotic!" Agnes bickered.

"I.DON'T.CARE! I LOVE HER! I LOVE HER AND YOU WON'T GIVE A DAMN ON HOW I PLAN TO WIN HER HEART FOREVER!" Sadako said.

He laughed insanely.

"Oh god... Seems he hasn't changed like I thought..." Kazue gripped his chest, his heart was beating fast from all the tension he felt.

"Kazue, calm down. Shh... Relax." I said, in his aid.

"I won't forgive Sadako if anything happens to any of them. And especially NOT my sister..." Kazue's brows furrowed as he continued watching.

"HANDS OFF OF AGNES-SAN!"

The other three came to Agnes's rescue.

"Minna!" Agnes called.

"Well. I know you're all going to ask the same question that Agnes just did. It's all part of the four act theatrical showcase of the song we're performing tomorrow. Everyone's going to watch, and you'll understand the whole concept." Sadako winked.

"Training is now over. I'll get to organizing for tomorrow, and we'll ring the bell this Winter, Stave Heart."

With a swish of his cloak, Sadako walked away.

"The unit name's been decided then." Zoe said.

"Well, I know we wish the best for each of us, considering our leader." Agnes said.

"Stave Heart, huh?" Kazue closed his laptop and laid in bed.

(PriPara, the next day...)

All five of them were standing in front of the Dream Theater Gate.

Sadako stared intently at Charlotte and walked to her.

"I know you received that extra note in your invitation the other day. And I'm glad that after all that's happened, you still accepted." He said.

"It was the only way to make you stop your insanity from going worse." Charlotte replied.

"Me? Insane? Hah, from what I know, I'm just as normally composed. Especially when I'm with you, my Beautiful Witch..."

"Now, it's time for the Actor's Cue, Stave Heart." Sadako called.

Hikari, Agnes, Charlotte, and Maiko nodded as they stepped forward.

"Please insert your necessary PriTickets." Meganee instructed.

"PriPara Change, Start!"

"For Agnes-san, we have the Winter Marine Coord"

"Your Heart Will Go On for the love of music!"

"Winter Marine Coord~!"

"For Charlotte-chan, here's the Cosmic Antares Coord."

"The Force of your charm is invincible!"

"Cosmic Antares Coord~!"

"For Maiko-chan, we have the PriPara Police Go Go Coord."

"No Mission is Impossible for you, Maiko-chan!"

"PriPara Police Go Go Coord~!"

"For Hikari-chan, we have the Tyrolean Fleur Coord."

"The Sound of Music will fill the air today!"

"Tyrolean Fleur Coord~!"

"And for the leader, Sadako-kun, the Escort Cinema Coord."

"Stave Heart will surely present a Blockbuster!"

"Escort Cinema Coord!"

"Yes, minna-san..."

Stave Heart appeared on stage.

"This four-act extravaganza was well-prepared for, and I hope you enjoy it." Sadako laughed.

"Stave Heart, it's time for the actor's cue!"

"Please enjoy, What a WonderPri World!" All announced.

They sang, "What a WonderPri World"

Act 1: The Sound of Music (1965)
Hikari: Nante kirei...ano kumo maru de watagashi ne!
Sadako: Kimi no utagoe ga tondeiku
Hikari:'ongaku wa
Both: nante subarashī!

Act 2: Mission: Impossible (1996)
Maiko: Fukanō wo kanō ni kaete miseru sa
Sadako: Kimi no uta nara subete kanau sa
Maiko: Supai wa chansu nogasanai
Sadako: Hitomi ni utsushita
Maiko: himitsu wo te ni shite
Both: misshon kuria!

Act 3: Star Wars (1977)
Charlotte: Haruka ginga koete
Sadako: iku ne
Both: sore wa uta no fōsu
Charlotte: Uchū!
Sadako: Mirai!
Both: Hiraite iku
Charlotte: sutā
Sadako: ☆romansu
Both: Kibō no biggu ban!

Act 4: Titanic (1997)
Agnes: Ai koso
Sadako: kiseki sa...
Agnes: omoi no uta wa
Both: kasanaru yo

All: Hibiki au kara kitto kokoro ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Hibiite iku ne kitto anata ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Sekai sae kaeru yo What a Wonder-PriPara World!

"Fairy Change!" Sadako declared.

Hikari: Cyalume Fairy!
Maiko: Cyalume Fairy!
Charlotte: Cyalume Fairy!
Agnes: Cyalume Fairy!

Each of their wings were of their respective Idol Types.

Sadako: Celeb
Hikari: Natural
Maiko: Cool
Charlotte: Cool
Agnes: Lovely

And their clothes turned into the Winter Dream Parade Coord.

(Sadako's coord was a high-low cut, instead of a balloon skirt, the front side had pants. And the top part isn't off-shoulder.)

All: Hibiki au kara kitto kokoro ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Hibiite iku ne kitto anata ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Yume yo, merodī wo tsubasa ni hoshi e...hoshi e...todoke!
Hibiki au kara kitto kokoro ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Hibiite iku ne kitto anata ni (Sing a Song! PriPara)
Sekai sae kaeru yo What a Wonder-PriPara World!

Soon, the winter bell appeared. It had a snowflake in the center, but it wasn't in its tiffany blue color.

The bell was of the color of the Aurora Lights, which seemed unique.

"Wait, that's not the Winter Bell!" I exclaimed as I saw it with my own eyes.

Charlotte and Agnes: *bringing out the ribbons* Let's Ring the Bell of everyone's Dreams!
Hikari and Maiko: *Grabbing the ribbons* Everyone's Dreams have become One!

Sadako: Resound! Romance Bell!

The remaining four members' eyes widened.

"Romance Bell?!" They all thought.

The bell chimed in everyone's ears.

(After the Performance...)

"Charlotte!"

"Can you just... Do you even know what 'personal space' means to you?!" She shouted.

"Wait, Charlotte--"

"The whole thing just finished, Sadako! Can't you just focus on other things than me?!" She said angrily and stormed off.

"But we're on the same team together! And we rang the bell! Doesn't that leave you in awe enough?!" Sadako asked and grabbed her by the arm.

"YES, WE RANG THE BELL!"

"But that doesn't mean it unfreezes the barrier."

Sadako's eyes widened.

"The barrier between you... Me... And my family. It's frozen solid. And unless you understand that I just can't return your feelings back to you, no matter what season, this barrier will never melt down and welcome you."

"So don't keep wondering why I don't love you as you do. Try looking in the mirror, and you'll realize that YOU'RE the problem, and you alone." Charlotte finally walked away.

Sadako was rooted to the spot.

"Charlotte, come back!"

"Please, I'm begging you!"

He was down on his knees.

"I'll make it work, fix everything with you, Kazue, Agnes, Celine.... Please!"

"I NEED YOU!"

Sadako stood up, and started walking back and forth, messing his hair.

"C... H.... A..."
"R... L... O..."
"T... T... E.."

"Hahahaha..."

"HAHAHAHAHAHA...!"

He laughed insanely.

He kept spelling out Charlotte's name, walking back and forth, over and over again...

(Next Chapter Preview)

Kazue: It's Christmas!

Louisa: And it's time for a friendly collaboration!

Masaki: I wouldn't miss it, for the sake of my Princess...

Hikari: Yep! Everybody's gotta be friendly, especially at this time of year!

Shaira & Jade: I couldn't agree more!

Kazue: Yes... Friendly, I can do that... *eye twitches*

Iris: Oh boy...

Maiko: We're okay with Louisa. But, Kaz, you need to lighten up a bit! Masaki's a cool guy, and we have dancing to do as a new recruit of the Dance Club!

Kazue: You.. Recruited him?!

Maiko: Yep! It'll be nice entertainment once we get to organizing our CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Kazue: Okay, now you're talking.
*But I won't lose to Masaki in whatever way!*

Iris: Next Time on PriPara: Breakthrough!

Jade: 'Tis the Season... Of Jealousy?!

All: Till Next Time!