Aikatsu Crescent! BRIGHTEST☆STARS || アイカツクレセント！Season 3

「Phase 114」A New Era

"Jeez, we look away for five minutes and Aikatsu basically sets itself on fire," Aya complained, scrolling through her Kirakiratter home page. "System this, Rosebud that - I thought we left all of this stuff behind last year."

Minako sighed, resting her chin in her hands. "Akiyama-san even uses Star Devil as her brand - what if Hoshizora-san likes her more than me?"

Rina giggled. "I'm sure that isn't the case."

Kizuna and their former member had gathered together in a cafe, both for a meeting and to enjoy the last of Summer as the usual September weather started to set in. Since the Stardust Idol Festival, Aya had shaved off half of her hair and Minako had grown out hers, along with dying two streaks. Rina no longer wore the two buns in her hair, mainly just wearing her hair down in an attempt to blend in more.

"Akiyama-san's trendy, of course Hoshizora-san would like her better," Minako refuted, pouting. "But I can probably outshine her anyway."

"She's probably just a one-hit-wonder," Aya agreed, "As for us, we've been idols for how many years now? She has nothing on us."

"Well, I wouldn't say that either," Rina said, "Since her debut, every performance Akiyama-san has been in, she's performed extremely well. She's climbing the ranks even faster than Sachiko-chan did last year..."

"No way, she's totally going to become Hoshizora-san's muse then...!"

"Designers don't usually replace their muse that easily."

"Besides, aren't you a living cute turned sexy idol or whatever?" Aya asked, resting her hands behind her head, "If you fit the brand, you fit the brand. Besides, you're the best dancer ever. Akiyama-san hasn't even bloomed yet."

"Isn't that because she doesn't - wait, that's a good thing! If Hoshizora-san won't give her a Premium Rare that must be a good thing!" Minako beamed and Rina pushed a strand of hair back.

"Similarly, Kawaguchi-san from Rosebud Academy is apparently friends with her. She's a Passionate Starbeat user, right?"

"...Ugh."

"Isn't that fine? If she doesn't have a Premium Rare-"

"I'm pretty sure she does. And anyway, why did they have to use those two brands specifically?" Aya complained, "Watch, there'll be a third friend that appears from nowhere and uses Crystal Ribbon."

"I'd quite like that. I haven't found a muse yet, after all."

Minako closed her eyes, furrowing her brows. "Maybe I should retire too. Then I could be calm about this like Rina-chan."

"Weren't you the one worrying about Kizuna ending? It can't live as a one-person unit!"

"Kizuna ending would be bad!" Minako yelped. She sighed. "I guess I'll just have to Aikatsu even harder than before!"

"That's most likely the best idea," Rina agreed, "Ever since becoming a designer, I've heard a lot about different muses. I've also seen a lot of different idols perform wearing my clothes," she explained, "And, well, this new generation of idols isn't one you should take so lightly. It wouldn't surprise me if someone bloomed within these coming months - whether that be Akiyama-san or anyone else."

"..." Aya bit her tongue. "Okay. We'll do our best."

A while later, Aya and Minako headed back to the academy.

"Minako?"

"Hm?"

"I think it's about time we gather everyone together again," Aya proposed, putting sunglasses on. "And see just what Rina means."