Hey guys, I'm sorry this is extremely late. With the seasonal change, my allergies have been causing me so many problems DX I keep getting sick and feeling weak and worn out, my eyes keep hurting and don't want to cooperate with me... it's been so hectic.

Anyhoo, I'm glad I made myself sit down and watch this episode. I actually thought it'd be terribad; and it was actually pretty good. I know I was instantly one of those who turned on Yume after hearing what some other members said, but having watched it now, I'm glad to say I'm over my bitterness. I suggest if you didn't watch it yet, you should, maybe you'll feel better too. 

Okay, as a warning there aren't pictures for this one. There was very fw on the episodes page and I didn't feel like hunting through the wiki image gallery for them. I know there are more here.

With my Aikatsu (and hopefully the energy left in me at the time I right this), let's review!

With the Idols reaching their second semester (and the approach of Fall, apparently), the students of Song Class will be getting their chance at a debut CD. Hikaru and a strange man, the director, Sashida (is it da, or ta? I swear I saw da at the end...) enter the room and talk to the students. Not only does Sashida handle work for S4, but he is the top person in charge of choosing which Idol gains her debut. Last year it was Yuri, and the year before it was Hime. The girls are dismissed once he informs them they have three days before the Audition.

In the Cafeteria, Yume and Laura catch up Koharu on what happened in class. They show a moment of their competitive sides seeping out- but to Koharu's surprise they're not really that bitter with each other at all.

(This scene came off like the most cutest Yura/'Laume date ever! The awkward-ness, the fry sharing~)

After lunch the girls head out to join the rest of their class outside in the training area. Anna reveals the large mountain of exercise clothing they must wear, with the girls noticing how heavy and hot the attire is (along with two background girls getting their second of spotlight). To encourage the complainers she brings up how well Hime did in such attire and after they change, she starts by having them play a round of Red Light Green Light and explains the importance of a model managing to always pose, no matter the outfit or conditions set against her.

Meanwhile, in Hikaru's office, he and Sashida speak about their plans. Sashida was set on choosing Laura and asks why they need to bother to mislead the rest of the students in such a manner, but Hikari believes this is important towards their growth.

With that the students jog, climb tall structures, hang from bars, and even have a small rest before approaching the finish line, back in the training area. Only Laura and Yume seem to be left and they are neck-and-neck, consistantly surpassing the other until they cross the line in a tie. Anna decides the girls should head straight into their next lesson, followed by a third; which turns out to be a massage and a bath before they head to bed.

(See, that just goes to show you that even in the jaw of training heck- there will most likely be some form of relief; be it a bath or massage, or fainting until the training session ends.)

Wiped out, Yume and Laura lay around in one of the rooms when Yuri manages to locate them. She came to speak to them, but starts by autographing two copies of her CD and giving them to the girls. She warns them that Sashida isn't someone to be taken lightly, just because of his seemingly easygoing nature. He is very choosy with a real ear when it comes to choosing a suitable Idol. Laura is excited by this, happy that someone will fairly and fully assess her singing abilities. As Yume begins to worry, Yuri compliments how confident Laura looks.

Laying in bed a bit later, Yume excitedly observes the CD in her hands before imagining what she would put herself doing on the sleeve of her own CD; but she frets after seeing Laura instead. In hopes of calming herself she goes for a jog the following morning. She stops upon hearing piano music playing and heads into the nearby building to find Hime there. She asks for some singing tips, but Hime expresses a moment of concern and asks why she even sings to start with. After confusing Yume with her vague reaction, she is quick to tell her that she should just focus on being herself.

(Which seems to be the answer for everything here... although it IS a pretty good one.)

When the Audition arrives Sashida decides that before they get to performing the Idols will have to compete in several tasks. Those remaining past the final will be the ones to perform. He has them climb a tall rock wall, followed by tongue twisters, then requesting they show him a dress worthy of the audition itself. Yume chooses the Melty Flower Fairy coord, while Laura chooses the Water Race coord. They move onto the fourth task, an eye exame, followed by the fifth, where the Idols must concentrate and walk down two lines, never slipping out of them.

Eventually only Yume and Laura are left. Sashida decides now they will go on to perform and lets them go on together, but after a short rest in the waiting room. There, Yume remains worried and offers to grab Laura a drink, as she wished to get one as well. While in the hallway searching for the drinks, Yume can't help but eavesdrop after she hears Sashida and a few of the staff members having a chat. She listens in as the man asks if the audition is fixed, as they wanted Laura to begin with. He claims that it is, but they need to pretend to give them both a fair chance (leaving out the fact that it was Hikaru who told him to do this, as well as the importance behind doing so).

Feeling dismayed by such words, Yume slowly heads outside to have some private time. While she was aware that her skills aren't as good as Laura's, she felt what they said was a bit too much for her. Realizing she has started crying, Yume quietly chastises herself and tries to calm down after she spots Koharu approaching. Koharu expresses confusion when she spots Yume looking so down, and to her surprise, Yume asks which one of the two is a better singer. Koharu admits that in terms of ability and skill its Laura, but she brings up Yume's strange "change" that takes place on stage, and whenever it happens, it somehow manages to surpass Laura.

Just then, Anna comes outside to warn Yume that its time to go onto the stage. She thanks her confused friend and runs back in to greet the frustrated (concerned Tsundere~) Laura. They share a few words and go back to change, with Yume mentally wishing that whatever this change may be, that it occurs while she is up on stage so that she can defeat Laura and gain her CD. Changing into their chosen coords the girls appear on stage and perform to "POPCORN DREAMING♪".

(and of course, as she performs Yume's "special unique ability" magically appears... *rolls eyes*)

Suddenly, Sashida has changed his mind. While he initially planned to choose Laura, he has decided it is Yume who deserves the CD (because calling out a "special ability" to aid you and magically win people over isn't cheating in any shape or form). Yume is left speecheless but full of delight as Laura gently congratulates her. As their classmates and Koharu surround Yume to congratulate her she takes off. 

Hikaru begins to express concern, having once against witnessed Yume's strange ability rear itself. He is reminded of a past incident and decides now is the time to focus on it and try to figure things out.

Yume suddenly begins to cough, but claims to be fine as the girls continue to congratulate her win.

In the end, I still wish Laura would have won. She earned it, deserved it, etc. I kind of wish maybe Yume had tried to speak to her though, instead of just letting her walk off. I admit that I'm no longer mad at Yume for resorting to this, but technically she DID call on her "special ability" to help her and I still consider this to be cheating. You can't convince me otherwise. 

After watching this episode, I'm not feeling resentment or anger anymore. At this episode. I do hold frustration towards a few of you members though, who said things like (I can't directly quote them, I don't remember it all) "Laura was so confident and smug", stuff like that. Confidence is not a crime either. I SAW what happened and I saw no sign of those accusations and it really ticked me off that you easily tarnished Laura by saying she deserved to lose for being CONFIDENT, something Yume (and myself) lack. 

So with that I'm done. Remember, we're not arguing here, I don't want another dispute to erupt like last week.