Aikatsu Crescent!

「Phase 45」Promise Under The Full Moon

Tap, tap, tap.

Mai looked at the piece of paper, trying to think of what to put. There was so much she wanted to say but... none of it was coming out. It was strange - everyone always said she was so good at conveying her feelings through performance. So why was it so hard to do it through words?

Ping.

Her phone lit up, signifying a notification had come through.

─── ｡ﾟ☽: * .☆. * :☾ ° . ───

Mai, Tsubaki and Hinata gathered outside of the headmistress' office.

"I wonder what she wants..." Hinata said.

"Me too," Tsubaki agreed, "There's no other way to find out than going in, though." She knocked on the door. "Excuse us."

"Good morning," Makoto said, "I must congratulate you three for making so much progress this year."

"Thank you."

"Before the year ends, I have one last offer for you. How would you all like to perform for the third-years graduation? It'd be a lovely way to send them off."

Hearing this, Mai smiled. "I'd love to!"

Tsubaki nodded. "It'll be nice to show our appreciation of all they've done."

"I'm pleased to hear that," Makoto said, "Your stage will be promptly after the awards are given out."

Once that was sorted, the three walked out together.

"I can't believe our last day as first-years is soon," Hinata said, her arms behind her head.

"Soon we won't really see Kizuna on school grounds," Tsubaki said, "It's going to be strange."

Mai nodded. From Aya appearing out of nowhere and giving them advice; Minako dancing and teasing Mai to the Celestial Star herself looking at the night sky and helping them out... it'd undoubtedly be different without them around. Maybe not quieter per se (MeguruMeguru and Hinata were both still attending, after all) but something would be missing.

"I'm sure we'll still see them around," Hinata said, "One day, we'll compete on the same stage! Midnight versus Kizuna - maybe MeguruMeguru if they really want to - and we'll defeat them!"

Mai giggled. "Maybe one day." She paused, "I wonder... Kotone-chan has officially debuted, right?"

"Why are you asking us? You're the one who performed with her."

"I know that! I just thought, before she was acting as our manager, right? If she's debuted, then..." She looked to the other two expectantly, and their faces lit up.

"Oh, nice idea!"

"Let's go find her, then!" Tsubaki said

─── ｡ﾟ☽: * .☆. * :☾ ° . ───

"Kotone-chan!" Mai called, waving. The android looked up, and gave a small smile.

"Good day."

"Midnight was asked to perform at the graduation," Mai told her excitedly.

"I willl work out times for you to practise... the level of quality expected is likely to be high."

"Thank you! But also..." she exchanged glances, "You're a member of Midnight too."

"...I am?"

"Of course," Hinata said, "Midnight is a four-person unit. Now that you've debuted, we can finally show the world that!"