Aikatsu Crescent!

「Phase 06」The Power Of Three!

Since the 'Sweets Festival', life had quietened down for the first years in Celestial Academy. This was to the disappointment of many students, yet they quickly took it upon themselves to actively search for auditions. Included in this was Shimura Tsubaki, who was sitting in the cafeteria with a bored expression. She was flipping through a magazine, making the occasional comment under her breath.

"A brand reveal soon, huh? Seems interesting, I suppose," she briefly muttered, before flipping the page again. Across from the table, Mai gave a small, yet awkward, smile.

"A brand reveal?"

Tsubaki nodded, yet still appeared disinterested. The pink girl tilted her head to the side, surprised by her friend's lack of response.

"You aren't excited?"

The purple-haired girl shrugged. "I guess, but unless it's an audition notice," she started, still flipping through, "I don't have any interest. It's been a month since either of us have gotten to do any actual idol ac-" she paused, looking as if something had caught her eye on the page. Then, after taking a second or two to process, her face lit up. She slammed the magazine onto the table, and pointed at a bright announcement. "Look at this! They're currently looking for a group of three new idols to feature on the cover of their next issue!" She exclaimed, suddenly filled with energy. Mai nodded, an excited smile appearing on her face.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" The purple girl nodded, before pausing as she read on, "but the auditions are in trios, and there's only two of us." She sighed, returning to her more deflated form. "Guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up too high." A couple of awkward seconds passed by, until Mai clapped her hands together, her eyes shining brightly.

"We should audition with Hinode-san!" She exclaimed, not noticing that she had startled Tsubaki. The latter took a second to regain her composure, before shaking her head.

"I'd rather not."

"I think we'd really have a chance of passing with her by our side though!" Mai protested, "I promise she's really nice and funny too! I'm sure you'll get along!" Tsubaki raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I was under the impression you were scared of her."

"I was, and maybe I'm still a little scared of her..." The shy idol muttered, before shaking her head and picking up the volume, "But we spent time together in the Sweets Festival, and she's actually really nice!!"

After a few moments passed, Tsubaki sighed and placed the magazine down, giving in. "I don't have much choice in this, do I?"

Suddenly Mai's face turned red, as she shook her head.

"I- I didn't mean to come as pushy!!" She stuttered, flustered, "We don't have to if you don't want to! I just... thought it could be nice." She looked at the floor, embarrassed, when Tsubaki placed her hand on her shoulder.

"You know you've already convinced me, right? It's not like there were any other jobs available for first years like us, anyway." She paused, smiling, "But you're the one who's asking her."

Mai stayed silent for a moment or two, before giving a small smile and nod.

─── ｡ﾟ☽: * .♤. * :☾ ° . ───

Throughout lessons that day, Mai found herself glancing towards Hinata, wanting to ask her - yet, she could never find the time. Whether she'd get interrupted, or become too scared and back out at the last second, by the end of the final lesson of the day, she still hadn't asked. As each student packed their things away, the pink-haired girl instead stared at Hinata. As the blonde girl stood up, she began to panic, before taking a deep breath.