Aikatsu Crescent!

「Phase 05」 Yay! Sweets Festival!

"Good morning, lovelies~!" Kaoru exclaimed as he walked into his classroom, grinning. "I have a big announcement today!" Many students exchanged glances, confused at their teacher's statement. There were various mutterings throughout the room, as they tried to figure out what this announcement could possibly be. Nobody had heard of any auditions that would be open to first years any time that would be coming any time soon. Kaoru's grin grew wider. This was the exact reaction he was hoping for.

"For those of you who don't know, every year a small village close by holds a 'sweets festival', which Celestial Academy's first years are always invited to," he started, only to be met by blank faces by the majority of the class. However, Mai couldn't help but notice that the girl who sat next to her, Hinode Hinata, was suddenly smiling. Shaking it off, Mai turned her attention back to the teacher, who was desperately trying to hype up his students.

"The aim of the event is to gather as many sweets as possible from the local villagers! However, gathering sweets won't be an easy task, you'll have to impress the villagers to get any at all," he continued, but aside from a handful of students, there was a distinct lack of interest. "But wait, that's not even the best part!"

Mai couldn't help but notice Hinata giggle slightly. She definitely seemed to know something. Kaoru cleared his throat.

"Whoever manages to gather the most sweets will be allowed to perform in front of the entire village! For many of you, this will be your first public performance, which could result in a huge boost in the ranking if you manage to make a good impression!" Suddenly, the entire class was excited, happily squealing and discussing with their friends. However, Hinata simply smiled. She didn't seem even remotely surprised, which caught Mai's attention.

─── ｡ﾟ☽: * .♧. * :☾ ° . ───

"It sounds so exciting, doesn't it?" Mai gushed to Tsubaki, as the two sat in the cafeteria eating lunch. Tsubaki's homeroom had also been told about the Sweets Festival, and the two had quickly begun discussing it as soon as they had the chance. Tsubaki nodded.

"The festival itself is a bit dumb, but the chance to perform in public is an important step to becoming top idol!" Tsubaki's eyes lit up, even beginning to lean over the table as she passionately spoke about the event. Mai smiled at her friend's passion, before pulling a more serious expression.

"It was weird though, Hinode-san seemed to know a lot about the event before Chisaka-sensei really had the time to explain anything."

This took Tsubaki by surprise, but she quickly regained her composure, sliding back into her seat in a thinking position.

"She really seems to know her stuff, even holding the position of the top first year, despite the rumours that she doesn't try. She truly is interesting..." she turned her attention back to Mai, "What's she like in class?"

"In class?" Mai asked, as Tsubaki nodded. "Hmm... I think she does the work?"

"What do you mean, you think?"

"Well," Mai sweatdropped, "despite sitting next to each other, we don't talk," she paused, before muttering under her breath, "she's kind of scary."

Tsubaki sighed, setting her frustration aside before she had the chance to do anything she'd regret. She rested her head on her hands. "I wonder how we're supposed to beat her in this event when she's such a mystery."

"The Sweets Festival isn't that complex you know," a familiar voice spoke, causing Mai's face to light up.

"Fuyuki-senpai!"

Aya grinned, standing behind Tsubaki's seat. "The one and only!" She exclaimed, ignoring Tsubaki's look of total disinterest.

"Is this going to turn into a 'Rina lied her way into winning the Sweets Festival using her advanced knowledge of how to hack the Aikatsu System but if not for that you would have totally won' speech? Because we really don't have time for that."