Aikatsu Start!

Season 2 episode 19

The episode begins with the sunlight streaming through the windows of the music room at Saku Academy. Miss Mihara stands at the front, explaining the next big event—a solo singing showcase where each idol will perform a heartfelt song.

Miss Mihara: (with a warm smile) For this showcase, I want each of you to pick a song that represents who you are as an idol. Something personal. It’s not just about showing off your vocal skills, but about expressing your emotions. Remember, when you sing, your heart should be heard just as much as your voice.

The girls listen intently, some excited, others nervous. The camera pans to Rotasu, Miho, Rizela, and Sayo, all seated near each other.

Miho: (clapping her hands in excitement) Yay! I can’t wait to choose my song! Singing is my favorite part of being an idol!

Rotasu: (nodding thoughtfully) It’s such a great opportunity to show the audience who we really are… through our voices.

Rizela: (smiling softly) I’ve always loved singing. It’s the one time I feel like all my worries disappear.

Sayo, sitting quietly next to them, looks less enthusiastic. She’s still grappling with the events from the last episode, where she was told that joy and emotion matter more than perfection.

Sayo: (thinking) A song that represents me? What does that even mean? Singing is about hitting the right notes, nothing more.

After class, the girls gather in the common area, discussing what songs they might choose.

Miho: (grinning) I think I’m gonna pick something fun! Something that makes everyone smile!

Rizela: (laughing softly) That suits you, Miho. I think I’ll go for something calming, a bit more dreamy. I want to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Rotasu: (thinking out loud) I’m not sure yet… Maybe something uplifting that tells a story.

Sayo: (cutting in, her voice sharp) It doesn’t matter what kind of song you choose. What matters is how well you sing it.

The other girls exchange uneasy glances, sensing Sayo’s frustration. Rizela, who has been trying to understand Sayo since their first encounter, steps closer to her.

Rizela: (gently) Sayo, why are you always so focused on perfection? You don’t have to be the best all the time. Sometimes, it’s enough just to sing because you love it.

Sayo crosses her arms and looks away, clearly uncomfortable with the suggestion. Her pride won’t let her admit that she’s struggling to find meaning in her performances.

Sayo: (defensive) I am the best. That’s all that matters.

Miho: (frowning) But don’t you… like singing? Don’t you feel happy when you do it?

Sayo opens her mouth to respond, but before she can say anything, Miss Mihara approaches the group, sensing the tension.

Miss Mihara: (calmly) Sayo, may I speak with you for a moment?

Sayo follows Miss Mihara into the hallway, looking both confused and annoyed. Miss Mihara gives her a patient look, leaning against the wall.

Miss Mihara: Sayo, I’ve noticed that you’ve been struggling lately. You’re so focused on being perfect that you’ve forgotten something very important. Singing isn’t just about being flawless. It’s about sharing a part of yourself with the world.

Sayo crosses her arms, her expression guarded.

Sayo: (grumbling) I don’t need to share anything with anyone. I just need to be better than everyone else.

Miss Mihara: (sighing softly) That’s not what being an idol is about. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you sing? Why you chose this path in the first place?

Sayo falls silent, her eyes narrowing as she thinks. She doesn’t respond, but the question clearly hits her deeper than she expected.

The scene shifts to later in the evening. All the girls are in their rooms, practicing for the upcoming showcase. Rotasu sits by the window, strumming her guitar softly as she hums a gentle melody. Miho is twirling around, singing into a hairbrush, full of bubbly energy. Rizela is quietly practicing in front of her mirror, her voice soft and melodic.

Sayo, however, is alone in the rehearsal studio. She stands in front of the microphone, staring at her reflection in the window. The music starts, and she begins to sing, her voice strong and pitch-perfect. But something’s wrong. There’s no emotion in her singing—no life. It feels flat, hollow.

Sayo: (thinking, frustrated) Why does it feel like this? I’m doing everything right…

She tries again, but the same thing happens. No matter how perfectly she sings, it doesn’t feel right. She remembers Miss Mihara’s words: “Why do you sing?” The question echoes in her mind, and she grips the microphone tightly, her frustration boiling over.

Sayo: (angrily, to herself) Why do I sing…?

Suddenly, she flashes back to when she was a little girl. In the memory, she’s singing for the first time in front of her family. She’s smiling brightly, her voice filled with joy. It’s clear that back then, she sang because it made her happy. But somewhere along the way, she lost that feeling.

The memory fades, and Sayo stands in the present, breathing heavily. For the first time, she realizes what’s been missing in her performances—her joy, her passion.

Sayo: (softly, to herself) I used to sing because I loved it…

The next day, the showcase begins. The girls take turns performing their solo songs, each one showcasing their unique style and emotions. Miho’s performance is bright and playful, bringing smiles to the audience. Rizela’s song is soothing and serene, creating a calm atmosphere. Rotasu delivers a heartfelt, uplifting song, her voice carrying a deep emotional connection.

Finally, it’s Sayo’s turn. She steps onto the stage, her usual confident demeanor replaced with uncertainty. She takes a deep breath as the music starts. This time, instead of focusing on being perfect, she closes her eyes and lets the music guide her.

Sayo begins to sing, her voice softer and more vulnerable than ever before. She sings not for perfection, but because she finally remembers why she started in the first place—because she loves it. Her voice carries an emotion that wasn’t there before, and the audience can feel it.

Rotasu: (whispering to Miho) She’s… different this time. Can you hear it?

Miho: (nodding) Yeah… it feels like she’s finally singing from her heart.

As Sayo finishes her performance, the audience erupts into applause. For the first time, Sayo feels something she hasn’t felt in a long time—true joy. She smiles softly, stepping down from the stage, feeling lighter than ever before.

After the showcase, the girls gather around Sayo, all of them impressed by her change in performance.

Rizela: (smiling) That was beautiful, Sayo. I could feel the emotion in your voice.

Miho: (grinning) You were amazing! I knew you had it in you!

Sayo blushes slightly, her usual bravado nowhere to be seen. For the first time, she seems genuinely touched by their words.

Sayo: (softly) Thanks… I guess I finally figured out why I sing.

The episode ends with the girls walking back to the dorms together chatting. Sayo, though still quiet, walks alongside them, feeling more at peace than she has in a long time.