Episode 22

1 0 0
                                    

Rotasu: I'm aiming to become the top idol in all the world! Rotasu Awadatsu is entering the stage!

---

[The episode opens with the girls of Aikatsu Start gathered in their dressing room, discussing their upcoming schedule.]

Rotasu: (focused) Let's get ready for the next performance.

Flora: Hey, Rotasu? Can you give me a bit more time to get prepared? My coord cards are in the other room.

Aika: Please be careful, we all really need you.

Flora: Okay.

[Flora nodded and left the dressing room, closing the door behind her.]

Nini: (thoughtful) Speaking of being careful, do you ever think about... love?

Kabe: (curious) Love? What brought that up, Nini?

Nini: (hesitating) Well, you know, we're idols, and there's this unspoken rule that idols can't fall in love.

Rotasu: (confused) Where did you hear that, Nini?

Nini: (serious) It's something I've read online, and some fans have mentioned it too. They believe that idols should focus on their careers and not get romantically involved, as it's impure and taboo to do so for one.

Rotasu: (shocked) Unthinkable!

Seiko: (thoughtful) I've heard those rumors too, but I always thought it was just a stereotype.

Aika: (concerned) Nini, are you worried about this because you have feelings for someone?

Nini: (blushing) N-No, it's not about that! I was just thinking about our futures as idols.

Aika: (supportive) Well, it's important to focus on our careers right now, but that doesn't mean we can't think about love in the future.

Kabe: (encouraging) Exactly. We should follow our hearts and not be bound by stereotypes.

Nini: (relieved) I guess I was just overthinking it, then.

Kabe: (smiling) Love is a beautiful thing, Nini. When the time is right, it will happen.

[Flora came back to the dressing room, but they already left.]

Flora: So... what did I miss? H-Huh... did you all already go? Oh man!

---

[Insert singing scene.]

---

[As the days pass, Nini continues to ponder the idea of love and idols. She spends her free time reading romance novels and watching love stories, trying to understand her own feelings.]

Nini: (thinking) Love is such a complex and beautiful emotion. It's like a melody that makes your heart sing.

Flora: (walking in) Nini, what are you reading?

Nini: (blushing) Oh, just a romance novel. It's nothing, really.

Flora: (grinning) A romance novel, huh? Are you falling for the dashing hero?

Nini: (stammering) N-No, it's just fiction!

Flora: (teasing) Well, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a good love story.

Nini: (thoughtful) I know, but as idols, can we really experience love like in these stories?

Flora: (reflective) It's true that our careers demand a lot of our time and energy, but that doesn't mean we can't have love in our lives. It might be challenging, but it's not impossible.

Aikatsu Start!Where stories live. Discover now