Episode 78 - A Miracle Begins!

A Miracle Begins! (ミラクルはじまる！) is the 78th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 28th episode of its "2nd Season". The episode aired on April 17, 2014.

Synopsis
''Mizuki appears before Ichigo for the first time since her return, telling her that she is going to start a new Aikatsu. Soon after, Headmistress Orihime and Headmistress Tiara bring fourth a retired event known as "The Partners Cup".''

Summary
Akari shocks Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran one day in the cafeteria when she reveals cutting off her long hair. Aoi offers to brush it for her since its a little messy and she explains how she went and did it after her performance with Ichigo. She realized that she had to make herself more original, and she got so excited that she did it without a second though. She isn't really sure it works

Later that evening Ichigo has finished recording when she leaves the building and runs into Mizuki. They agree to sit down and catch up, with Mizuki remarking on how Ichigo has taken to Akari the same way she did to Ichigo back when she first joined the school. Flattered, Ichigo claims she isn't any where as good as a teacher would be, because every time she tries to help Akari she seems to be learning more about herself. Mizuki says this is okay though, because it happened to her too. She has currently been using everything she's learned in order to produce her own Idol agency and unit, and she begins to say something- only to suddenly stop and tell Ichigo that one day she will find her own, special partner. She then prepares to leave, but informs Ichigo that there is a special food truck that is difficult to track down. She wonders if Ichigo can find it and mentions that if she does, something special may just be there.

The next day, Ichigo informs Aoi and Ran of the news and quickly determine that her partner is probably the idol she scouted for her agency. Before anything else can come from this, everyone is asked to head to the auditorium, where Orihime announces the upcoming tournament known as The Partner Cup. The room is abuzz with excitement, and Aoi mentions that this was the event Masquerade entered and won in the past as Johnny explains the details; everyone will form together to make duo Idol units and compete with other teams, including those from Dream Academy.

As this is going on, Tiara is shown giving the same speech at Dream Academy. She tells everyone that they can enter with others from outside of the school and asks the girls if they can be expected to do really well. She then returns to her office while thinking over various details.

Outside, the trio think about how to choose their partners but find themselves with overwhelming curiosity regarding Mizuki and her partner. They consider trying to locate her agency out of curiosity to see this mysterious girl, but as Ichigo wasn't told a location- they have no idea where to start. She then recalls the food truck Mizuki mentioned and they do a little info searching to see that it can only be found before noon and how people enjoy eating waffles while being surrounded by the salt from the sea. Generally unhelpful, the girls are left at step one until Ran starts to wonder if the agency is near this food truck. Aoi agrees and brings up how it sounds like Mizuki was personally inviting Ichigo there to locate it, so they contact Ki in hopes of getting her help while making their way into town.

Eventually the girls manage to locate the truck and for their efforts they sit down to enjoy some curry waffles before noticing a nearby beach. They also see a brick warehouse and deem it impossible for Mizuki's agency to be in such a place, but as its the only building they decide to check it out. Seira, Ki, and Sora join them -explaining how Compy helped them find it- and together the six approach the building to find a sign labeled "Moonlight Office" and head inside. They find nothing other than some tall box piles, windows, stairs, and doors.

They remain doubtful before noticing Honoka, Mizuki's manager within a room through the window on the side of the building. They also hear music and wonder if it may be her new song and head up the steps to take a peak and find Mizuki dancing. As soon as she stops, they are surprised to see a ferret join her and quickly use this time to hide before she can see them. They hear another girl speaking, with Mizuki addressing her as "Mikuru" and they begin dancing together.

From their hiding spot, none of the girls recognize Mikuru, and even after Ki uses Compy to try to look her up, they find nothing related to her. They watch as the girls stop and Mizuki remarks on where Mikuru needs more work, with Mikuru admitting to how she didn't even notice. She compares her dancing to how she interacts with her flowers, casting a spell on them to wish that they grow up strong and healthy. Mizuki compliments her unique train of thought and the girls continue to watch from the windows again. They deem Mikuru not to be just an ordinary girl, watching as she takes to heart what Mizuki told her and asking for advice. It's then she notices something and she takes off.

The group is saddened not to learn anything else about Mikuru but they decide to carefully sneak away- unaware of Mizuki seeing them. Outside, the girls realize Mikuru has left already and they are unable to determine where she could have went. Sora gets distracted by a flower shop nearby and decides to observe it, only to be greeted by Mikuru who has changed for work and fixed her hair. She asks Sora if she needs something and is approached by an older woman who asks if they have any cactus in. Sora watches as she deals with the customer and the others step into the shop, having seen Mikuru. They all begin to wonder if she really isn't an idol then since they couldn't find anything on her, but Ichigo is left unsatisfied- wondering why Mizuki would choose someone like her. They are surprised when Mizuki suddenly shows up and tells the girls that their Surprive Live is coming up soon, and suggests they come to see and find out. While Mikuru isn't an idol yet she possesses a lot that none of them can offer her: the fact that nothing is binding her.

Sora returns to the group and introduces herself to Mizuki, as they have never formally met. They then quickly hide again as Mikuru sees off her customer and begins watering her flowers outside of the shop. Mizuki observes them for a moment and takes off.

Later a program is discussing Mizuki and her brand new plans of introducing a new girl to the Idol scene. A lot of people are very curious about Mikuru but nothing is known about her- other than that she uses a brand new Brand, Vivid Kiss, and was made by Kayoco, a designer from L.A. The man explains that Vivid Kiss is an extremely new, popular pop brand based on casual west-coast wear that can transcend genre.

Eventually the performance date arrives and all of the girls and headmistresses have shown up to see this amazing performance for themselves. Mizuki and Mikuru exchange words as Honoka then comes by to tell them that it's time for them to go onto stage and they change into their chosen unit coords and appear on stage to perform "Smiling Suncatcher".

A meeting is held afterwards with Mikuru giving a statement on this. She admits that initially she wasn't sure about this, but she felt that there was a great meaning behind their encounter and she plans on finding out what the answer is. She also plans on continuing her job at the flower shop and Mizuki asks everyone to continue to support them as they will be entering the Partners Cup as well. This causes everyone to worry that if an outside force was to win things may look bad for both of their schools.

Characters

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Mizuki Kanzaki
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Mikuru Natsuki (official debut)
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Ki Saegusa
 * Sora Kazesawa
 * Akari Ōzora


 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Tiara Yumesaki
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Honoka Tsukikage
 * Maria Himesato
 * Kyaku

Major Events

 * Mizuki approaches Ichigo for the first time since her comeback.
 * This episode marks the official anime debut of Mikuru Natsuki and her primary brand, Vivid Kiss.
 * This episode marks the debut of Mizuki's and Mikuru's unit WM
 * The Partners Cup is announced.
 * The song Smiling Suncatcher makes its anime debut.

Minor Event

 * Akari's new hairstyle is seen for the first time in the anime.