Episode 135 - The Center of the World is Kokone!

The Center of the World is Kokone! (世界の中心はここね!) is the 135th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 34th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on May 28, 2015.

Story
''From the idol school in Kobe: Étoile Academy comes an exchange student named Kokone Kurisu. Kokone who is a popular idol in her hometown of Kobe is causing a stir of strong wind in Starlight School!''

Summary
The girls have come to say goodbye to Yuu. She is leaving for the idol school in Kobe, as part of the exchange program again. Matsuri says that while she will be lonely until she returns, she will cheer her on. The girls wish her well and she takes off. Akari explains how the idol exchange program works, using Miyabi and Yuu as an example when she switched with her a while back. Hinaki mentions that the girl coming is a friend of Miyabi's and mentions her name; Kokone Kurisu. The schools are far away but they've had multiple gigs together and became friends through it. Juri suggests they welcome Kokone with wide, open arms, and the others agree as Akari voices her excitement.

Elsewhere, Kokone skips up to the entrance of Starlight Academy. She seems to like it, but states that it doesn't really matter if the new world is there or not because it's entirely centered around her.

She heads inside and during class Johnny introduces their temporary new classmate, and he explains where she comes from. However, after striking a cute pose Kokone notices that the response isn't the same as what she usually gets, and she becomes annoyed when its complimented and feel encouraged to try to make their own. She sits down next to Akari and is quick to recognize her and Juri, but her impressed nature goes away after a moment- the world is centered around her.

After class the girls offer to show Kokone around. She takes them up on the offer and they show her the schools hotspots; including the room where statues of Starlight Academy Alumnae are. Kokone is able to recognize a lot as she recalls what Miyabi told her, and Akari brings up how close they must be. Kokone recalls how they met and when they became friends, and Juri points out the both of them are Kansai idols, so it makes sense that they share a lot in common. Kokone eagerly shows off when Hinaki and Sumire join them upon recognizing them, but once again the response displeases her. She asks if nobody knows of her here and makes a fuss.

In her office, Orihime and Johnny enjoy a snack and some tea while they discuss how popular Kokone is in Kobe. She is known as a local idol and only focuses her activities within a certain region. Orihime is sure that the girls of Starlight, along with Kokone will grow from this experience- then they go on to admire the deliciousness of the chestnut sweets they are eating.

Kokone takes a picture of herself standing outside of Otome Mansion, but Akari quickly corrects her by saying it's now officially the Sakura Manor. Sakura became the starlight queen, so now it is hers. They also bring up that before Otome, it was Mizuki Palace. Kokone remarks that Miyabi's info was out-dated, and she is greeted by some girls who walk by. She starts wondering if maybe this is a joke at her expense and she tries out her pose yet again, only for them to comment on how cute it is. Kokone angrily pulls out her CD in hopes it will trigger something after they leave, and Akari and the others confess to not knowing about it. They would like to listen to it but she's more concerned over why they never heard of it- at FM Mount Rokko it's played at least two hundred times a da. She then takes a small mascot keychain from her pocket; a squirrel that kind of resembles her. They find it cute, but think it is a mouse, causing her more frustration.

In tears Kokone runs off, unable to understand why she's so unrecognizeable here and she thinks about the attention she gets back at home. Realizing she was only popular there causes her much grief.

Coming to a lush patch of forest, Kokone lays down in a warm spot and wonders if perhaps everything doesn't focus on her like she thought. She recalls Miyabi something similiar prior to leaving, but she gets disappointed and quiets herself. It's then she spots a four leaf clover and sits up as Akari and the others locate her. She isn't very talkative, but when they realize she's hungry Akari suggests bringing her to the Cafeteria for some donuts.

She doesn't feel much better after eating one, but she agrees that they are good. She is alarmed to see Yotsuba join them and this melts into overwhelming excitement- she calls him Yosshun, surprising the girls as they never heard of this before. Kokone expresses her love and admiration for him and hands him the four lea clover she had as the others express shock, and Kokone is so flustered over having eaten a donut he made, she is surprised to learn that he works there. She confesses that he was her first love when she was little, and it was because of him that she wanted to become an Idol. She hadn't expected to meet him there though and immediately claims that Starlight Academy is the best.

Akari is surprised and asks Kokone why she didn't know about Yotsuba beforehand -assuming Miyabi told her abut him- and Kokone writes it off as not realizing Yotsuba and Yosshun were the same person. Kokone goes on to explain that she adores Yotsuba so much that she loved his name a lot, and even chose the brand Retro Clover in honor of him. The girls comment that it fits her image and Yotsuba asks if Kokone is related to the family that runs Chataigne in Kobe. After she confirms that she is, she happily listens as he explains to the girls that Chataigne is a famous restaurateur, and how great their chestnut pastries are. Kokone has brought some for Orihime and Johnny-sensei, so they go to see if any was left so that the girls can try them.

By the time they get to the office, it turns out that Johnny has eaten it all. He feels sad for them and offers to run to Kobe to get more but she tells him not to bother. As it turns out her family was preparing to open a new branch of their shop in town, in a few days actually. She's holding a performance to celebrate it.

Later, Kokone decides to spy on Yotsuba, but when she sees how troubled he looks she asks if he is okay. He explains that he has been trying to create a brand new donut but lacks inspiration; as a place for idols to relax and rest he wants something befitting of this- something he didn't get very much of back when he was an idol. To deal with such tough times he would usually have a sweet snack, and Kokone brings up something her father always says. Yotsuba agrees and comments that he wants a new donut to make everyone rejoice in happiness as they enjoy it, words that inspire Kokone. She tells him that she will be back and runs offi n a hurry.

All the way in town Kokone runs to the new Chataigne and greets her parents. They are quite surprised to see her so soon but she hurriedly requests borrowing a few items.

Around the school, multiple girls chat about the random event Kokone has been putting together. She gathers Akari, Sumire, Juri, and Hinaki, along with a few other students to help her put together a new donut. After they finish, Yotsuba tries it and instantly seems to like it. He comments on how well the chestnut works with the flavors, and adds that the dried fruit was a nice touch. This has inspired him and he thanks Kokone for her help, causing everyone to applaud her efforts. Akari repeats Kokone's catchphrase and pose, which makes her happy.

On the day of the shop opening, the girls have come by, along with a bunch of customers and other Starlight Students. As Johnny purchases many sweets Orihime chats with Kokone's mother, who explains how Kokone got her catchphrase and pose. When she was little they would say this as a form of encouragement; she was the center of their world. Since then she repeated it, but for Kokone it seems to have changed over time. She confesses that its embarressing now, but Orihime thinks it is lovely.

With that Kokone changes into her desired coord. She appears on stage and performs "Love Like Caramelize".

Afterwards, Yotsuba appears to congratulate Kokone's mother for her success. She is very flustered and excited to see him as he hands her a bouquet of flowers. Kokone thanks the girls for what they did, opening her eyes and making her see that there was a lot in the Aikatsu world to see- but she still believes the world is centered around her. To humor her, the girls respond the way she wants this time.

Characters

 * Kokone Kurisu
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Rin Kurosawa
 * Madoka Amahane
 * Yū Hattori
 * Matsuri Hasegawa
 * Miyabi Fujiwara
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Shun Yotsuba
 * Mizuki Kanzaki (cameo appearance)
 * Otome Arisugawa (cameo appearance)
 * Sakura Kitaoji (cameo appearance)
 * Kokone's Parents

Trivia

 * This episode marks the official anime debut of Kokone Kurisu.
 * It also marks the debut of Retro Clover.
 * The Candy House Coord coord makes its debut in this episode.
 * The song Love Like Caramelize makes its first appearance