Aikatsu Era!

S1 E13: Combat Duo!

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"Today's the day!" said Ashikawa-san in excitement. "Are you excited for the Combat Duo audition?"

  "To be honest, I don't feel any different," I replied indifferently.

  The two of us watched as the lights and cameras were set up in the studio. I read my lines for the seventh time today.

  "This will be a good opportunity for you to open up to more people, don't you think?" Ashikawa-san asked.

  "You're only going to select one person out of all the participants," I reminded. "I don't want to get close to anyone until I get to observe them better."

  Ashikawa-san chuckled. As he stood up, he said, "Looks like it'll be hard for you to open up very soon. Many idols from Pearl Star and other idol academies are going to participate. Along with your current ranking, I have faith that this television series will be a blast!"

"I'd like to see the abilities of these idols," I told him.

——————

Reyna Harusame 春雨 レイナ

"You're not going anywhere!" I yelled, pretending to handcuff Kiyoko.

  "You're so determined, Reyna-chan!" Yana said in awe as she watched me act.

  I nodded. Today was the day of the Combat Duo audition at Seiza Studios. If I passed the audition, I'll be able to fulfill my dream of being an actress.

  "I bet Reyna-chan will do a great job," Syurina added.

  The four of us were staying in my dorm room so that I could pack my bag for the audition. Kiyoko suggested that I practice a bit more while I still had time.

  "You're a good fit, Reyna-chan," Kiyoko told me after practice. "I bet I'm gonna see you on TV with Onii-chan!"

  That's right, I thought. Kiyoko's older brother, Shibagaki Gin, was an actor at Seiza Studios. Along with his sister, the two have been acting since childhood before Kiyoko decided to become an idol.

  Syurina looked down. She had a bond with Shibagaki-san when she tried to become an actress at Seiza Studios, only to end up getting hurt by the relationship.

  "Don't worry Syurina," I assured.

  "I'm alright," she said. "It's just that seeing you train to be an actress reminds me of my past with Kiyoko's Onii-chan. But I'm glad I'm getting better. After all, I have you guys with me."

  "That's great to hear!" Yana said cheerfully as she hugged Syurina.

  I smiled. I'm grateful for having such optimistic friends.

  "Um, Kiyoko," I began, scratching my head. "Is it okay if I get a bit more information about your brother?"

  Kiyoko nodded eagerly. "Yeah sure! Onii-chan has a lot of fangirls. And he also doesn't easily bond with people. He's shy, so he might come off as mean."

  Keeping that information in my head, I smiled. "Thanks, Kiyoko. I'm gonna go now."

"You can do it, Reyna-chan!" My friends said in unison.

  My friends had faith in me. It's time to chase my dream!

—————

Seiza Studios was a lot bigger than I expected. As I walked inside the building, my heart began to beat quickly.

  "This is it," I told myself, my hand clenched near my chest.

  A lot of girls were waiting outside the studio room. Some of them were from my school but I didn't know who they were.