Episode 167 - The Sketchbook of Dreams

The Sketchbook of Dreams (夢のスケッチブック) is the 167th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 15th episode of its "4th Season". The episode aired on January 14, 2016.

Story
''Akari Ōzora, who is thinking hard everyday on what kind of stage she will have to create in order to please the audience, decides to consult Tsubasa Sena, who has once said that designers and idols are a team. However, Tsubasa has caught a cold...?''

Summary
Akari starts her weather program and announces that today calls for clear skies, but the cold weather won't be going away any time soon. She warns the viewers to dress warmly before speaking with the hosts of the idol news program. She promises to try her best to become Starlight Queen.

Hinaki and Sumire leave for work while discussing how much pressure the Starlight Queen will have. But they agree that it is also an important step for any serious Idol to try taking.

Akari thanks everyone for their help with the program for that day. One of the workers wishes Akari well and promises to cheer for her before leaving, causing Akari to recall the importance of the Starlight Queen Cup really is. She recalls there are only two months remaining until the competition and decides to get a special dress for it.

Meanwhile, at the Dreamy Crown Studio, Tsubasa suddenly falls ill.

Akari walks down the corridor when she spots Orihime. They exchange words when Akari brings up that she is on her way to an interview with Madoka as the unit Skips. While she has been preparing for the Queen Cup she is struggling over how she can entertain everyone. Orihime voices confidence in her and Akari walks off as Naoto and Johnny join her. As she smiles, Johnny happens to notice and she explains that Akari was trying to think about the audience instead of herself as an Idol. Johnny sheds a tear of joy over noticing how much she's grown as an idol.

During their interview, Madoka and Akari chat about the Queen Cup, having a snack as they discuss how much preparations go into the Queen Cup. Madoka mentions that she plans on using her Angel Alice Coord, with her grandmother agreeing on the choice. They spent a lot of time talking about it, and the more they chat, the more good ideas flowed through them and onto the paper. Madoka then recalls how her Grandmother says an Idol and their Designer must fit together very closely in order to create wonderful things, as they are a team and suddenly Akari realizes what she can do to get past her momentary slump. She apologizes for leaving so suddenly and runs off.

Outside, Akari dials Tsubasa to try discussing things with him. But she gets no answer and assumes he is too busy. A moment later he calls back and after she remarks that he sounds strange, he apologizes and mentions that he was asleep. This worries Akari and she asks if he is okay. He mentions that he got a cold recently, but he assures her its nothing. She decides to let him get back to sleep and hangs up. She runs inside and prepares for the cold weather, with Hinaki and Sumire stopping her before she can leave to give her a hat and some herbal tea to keep her warm.

As Tsubasa tries drawing he finds it too hard to focus and quits. While pacing around the room he happens to spot Akari from a distance and dlooks out of his window. To meet with her, he steps outside as she reaches the door, much to her surprise. She asks how he is feeling as he lets her in, expressing surprise that she would be concerned over him. Akari takes out the items she brought with her; some apples, ginger, herbal tea, and vegetables. She tells him to rest and offers to make everything for him, starting with the herbal tea. She takes a while to find his utensils, with the sick Tsubasa proving he is still more capable than her when he manages to get a few things done within seconds. He convinces her to let him assist and they get to work, with him peeling the apples while explaining this is something his mom used to do when he got sick. Akari agrees and recalls that her mom did as well, while her dad would read her books based on soil, given his career. Having her parents with her put her to ease. Akari prepares the tea and insists he take things easy, then she asks about his pots. Before she can climb the counter Tsubasa quickly grabs them.

Eventually the meal is finished and they sit down, with Akari feeling guilt that he had to help so much. Tsubasa assures her its fine because the illness is mostly gone by now, and together they eat while making conversation about her dress. Akari confesses that this is why she called earlier, but she wants to wait until he gets better. Tsubasa states they should just do it now since he wanted to anyway, and he asks if she has any ideas. Akari asks Tsubasa what type of performance she could do that would make her the Starlight Queen, and she explains how important this is for her as she really wants to bring joy to everyone. Tsubasa recalls when they first met, saying that she was very eager and energetic. She kept trying to get him what he needed to complete the Odette Swan coord, and because of her help Dreamy Crown got its start in the first place.

Suddenly, Akari realizes Tsubasa has fallen asleep and she gets up to grab a blanket for him. Spotting his sketchbook she picks it up to look through it, touched that he is working so hard for her sake. Remembering he is sleeping, she puts it down to grab the blanket and thanks him for being so kind before leaving.

Tsubasa wakes up a while later to notice that Akari has left. In her place is a note, expressing her joy that they spoke to each other, and that she hopes he gets better and put away the leftover soup. Tsubasa observes his sketchbook again and realizes that since meeting Akari, his passion for making outfits has grown a lot.

At Amahane's, Madoka gives her grandmother a little massage as thanks for her hard work. Amahane assures her that while she may be busy and do a lot of work, she never grows tired of it. She's happy to have Madoka and Ichigo favor her brand, and she is sure the other designers feel the same way.

Tsubasa spends his time observing some coords in a magazine; including two modeled by Ichigo and Madoka, made by Amahane. Tsubasa mentions that its because of them that the brand is able to thrive so well, and he observes a coord Akari modeled for him and he realizes that they are a great combination. If Akari could become the Starlight Queen it would be a big leap for the both of them to achieve their dreams.

That evening Akari returns to find Sumire preparing to do some evening run to calm down a little. Sumire asks how Tsubasa was and after explaining what happened, Akari decides to change and join her. Hinaki follows shortly after, with Akari pushing forward to run ahead of her friends.

Later, Akari prepares for her performance as Madoka ends her own. She chooses the Ruby Blossom coord and changes, appearing on stage to perform "Blooming♡Blooming".

Afterwards, Akari leaves and gets a message from Tsubasa. Madoka is heading off and they exchange farewells when Akari asks Tsubasa how he is feeling. She's very happy hearing that he's a lot better now, and he reveals that her new dress is finished. He asks if she would like to see it, but Akari trusts his decisions and decides to wait.

Characters

 * Akari Ōzora
 * Tsubasa Sena
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Madoka Amahane
 * Asuka Amahane
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Naoto Suzukawa