Aikatsu Era!

S1 E41: Middle School Showdown Part 1

Syurina Tanaka 田中 珠里奈

I love being Hanairo Asia's muse. Hanamori-san is one of the most motivational people I've ever met.

  "Wonderful job today, Tanaka!" the photographer told me right after work.

  "Good work today!" I replied with a bow.

  I walked to Hanamori as she wanted to show me her latest creation. Together, we went to her office.

  "Creating your unit coord alongside Fujita-san and Mizuhara-san had inspired me to design another premium rare coord," Hanamori began as she unveiled the coord. "Here it is, the Zen Twilight Coord."

  "It's beautiful!" I spoke in awe.

  Hanamori handed the cards to me. "It's almost time for the Top Stars Cup, isn't it? At least for the high school division."

  I flinched involuntarily. That's right. If the Top Stars Cup is approaching, that means the Middle School Showdown is even closer.

  "You're right, Hanamori-san," I said. "I'm gonna have to prepare for the Middle School Showdown."

  Hanamori smiled warmly. "Ganbatte, Tanaka."

  "Thank you," I said before I left.

  I glanced at my cards again when I was on the van back to school. Time for some intense training.

—————

"What's the Middle School Showdown?" Reyna asked.

  I stared at her in horror. "What do you mean? The Middle School Showdown is what it is!"

  Reyna ate her dinner. "Sorry. People don't really talk about it compared to the Top Stars Cup. Plus, this is my first and last time to participate."

  "The Middle School Showdown is basically the middle school version of the high school's Top Stars Cup," Yana explained. "It's to hype people up before the Top Stars Cup begins. It also counts as our exam."

  Reyna's face turned red. "Thanks for explaining. I better put effort into it."

  Kiyoko jumped in excitement. "I can't wait! But I'm also a bit nervous..."

  "Kiyoko, stay put. You're eating," Sayako said.

  Reyna turned to me and Yana. "So how does the showdown work?"

  I sipped some matcha. "The Middle School Showdown is divided into three days, each year performing on each day. The first years will perform on the first day and the second years on the second day."

  "So we'll have to prepare for the last day..." Reyna concluded.

  "Well, we're a day earlier," Kiyoko added, glancing at Sayako.

  "We better begin training," Sayako said. "Tomorrow."

  I nodded. "It's important to rest in order to continue, am I right, Reyna-chan?"

  Reyna blushed again. "Right. Actually... I'm a bit nervous but I don't know why..."

  Yana patted Reyna's shoulder. "It's okay, Reyna-chan. You'll be fine."

  "You're strong, Reyna-chan!" Kiyoko cheered.

  Reyna smiled. "Thanks."

—————

Only a week left to the Middle School Showdown. My friends and I used our free time to jog, dance and sing.

  "Hanamori-san gave me a new premium rare," I told my friends while we took a break from jogging. "I'm planning to use it."