Episode 113 - The Fashionable☆Vivid Girl

The Fashionable☆Vivid Girl (オシャレ☆ヴィヴィッドガール) is the 113th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 12th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on December 18, 2014.

Story
''Akari Ōzora, Sumire Hikami, and Hinaki Shinjō are going to perform on Starlight Academy's Christmas Party's Aikatsu! Christmas Stage. For this event, Hinaki wants to perform in a Vivid Kiss Premium and sets out to obtain one. ''

Summary
Orihime chats with Johnny-sensei about Christmas, which is coming up in a week. As he is busy ironing some clothing they discuss how Sakura has been put in charge of the committee this year.

Meanwhile, various students are setting down boxes of decorations as Sakura joins them to introduce herself to everyone. She reminds them that they have just a week until Chrismas, but besides that there has also been an opening for the Aikatsu Christmas Stage for anyone who would like to perform. Juri brings up that she will be busy with the year-end special for Aikatsu Sensei, as well as rehearsals for an upcoming fashion show in January, so while she can't join in she will be able to attend the party. She takes off once Hinaki reminds her that she had plans that day, but before she leaves she insists the trio try out for the Christmas Stage.

The girls give it some thought and agree, but with Akari and Sumire already having a Premium Rare she would like her own to match them. The girls are surprised she still doesn't have one but Hinaki finds herself unsure of how to respond. They return to the dorms and Hinaki brings up the recent Great Starmiya Ichigo Festival and how well it went, and how she hopes they can work the same way as Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran are. She also mentions that there is something she wants to try- but rather than tell the girls she compliments the tea Sumire prepared.

For a moment they discuss how appealing the drink is until Akari recalls that Hinaki was about to tell them something. She confesses her desire to perform a "Heroine Appeal", and explains that among each brands fairy-tale themed coord collection is a heroine dress, based on each of the main characters of a story. With a complete set of Heroine Dresses a Heroine Appeal can be achieved, and this is her main reason for wanting the Premium Dress.

Later, Hinaki and Otome have just finished some filming when the Director comes by to compliment their efforts and tells them of the upcoming DVD release, then he recommends they spend the holiday season to unwind and take things easy. Otome grabs Hinaki's arm and begins chattering about a nearby hot chocolate shop down the nearby hill, suggesting they grab a drink. Before Hinaki can give a response she gleefully runs up the hill as Hinaki is left standing back to observe her. She then decides to join Otome.

After obtaining their drinks the girls head to a nearby park to enjoy them when Otome decides to bring Makoto a drink later. Hinaki asks her if it was hard obtaining a Premium Dress from him, mentioning how Akari and Sumire both visited their Top Designers to get theirs. Otome mentions that it is hard, then recalls the feeling she got wearing her first Premium, and Hinaki doesn't doubt her; if an idol was to wear a Premium from a Top Designer that means she approves of the person. Otome notices the troubled expression Hinaki makes and asks if she is alright, but when she insists she is fine she drops the subject.

Meanwhile, Akari and Sumire are setting up while discussing Kayoko, the Vivid Kiss Top Designer. They begin discussing Hinaki's plans of being on stage with them to perform a Heroine Appeal, and they really want to help her out. Sakura overhears them and joins the girls to recall how Mikuru had to raise a rare flower for Kayoko in order to obtain her Premium Dress, and this makes the girls realize Hinaki will have to show her earnest feelings to Kayoko about the brand.

The trio go to speak to Orihime in hopes of getting an appointment with her and Akari is teased by Johnny-sensei when she brings up the appeal. He compliments her efforts as of late however, while Hinaki confesses that she's been unable to find Kayoko and asks Orihime to help her track her down so that she can have a chance to speak to her again.

The girls are shocked by this, and Hinaki confesses that she met Kayoko in the park three years ago. She asked her then and she was refused, explaining that it began when she was seeking inspiration for an upcoming performance. The colorful appeal of Vivid Kiss caught her attention and she copied one of the looks she saw in the magazine, so then she discovered Kayoko was at the park and approached her in hopes of appealing to her and earning a Premium Rare then. Kayoko wasn't very impressed to see she copied the look -which she identified as being on page fifty-seven of Fashion Mini- and she explained that while there wasn't anything wrong with a little imitation, Hinaki is still missing something. Kayoko refused to tell her, but she tells her to return when she figures it out.

Orihime wonders if this means that Hinaki may have figured it out by now and Hinaki is very confident. Seeing this Orihime agrees to help her, and she brings up a party Kayoko will be holding the following day- but only those fashionable enough can enter. Johnny points out that her parties are known for strict fashion checks, while Orihime mentions that if Hinaki can be approved then there is a good chance she may be able to get her request.

Later the trio head out to go shopping to find something for Hinaki to wear. They try styles they think are special, like punk and something delicate, and when they try a third outfit Hinaki believes something is off. They decide to take a break and have some tea before going out to try some more shops, and Hinaki thanks the girls for helping her so much, stating its because of them she gained the courage to face Kayoko again. She was very shocked the first time she was refused, and she assumed from that day she would never have the nerve to try to get one again; but after meeting the girls Aikatsu became fun again. She points out that next week will be the first time they get to be on stage together after they have become friends, which is another reason she wants to obtain a Premium Dress. With that they get up and they resume their search.

The next day the girls arrive to the large boat that will be heading to the Party spot, but before they can step on it they must be checked. With each girl dressed in her best attire, Hinaki excitedly catches the eye of Kayoko as she explains the "fashion points" they represent, Flair, Fun with Akari, and Friendship with Sumire. Everyone admires the girls and their outfits, but suddenly, the trio slip over water that has spilled nearby and spill grape juice all over themselves. As Sumire and Akari panic, Hinaki suddenly gets an idea and she rips off the stained portions of fabric. Akari and Sumire are initially surprised, but they follow suit and the trio are able to create new, unique outfits from their sudden modifications.

Hinaki reveals this personal touch was the thing she was missing in the past, and Kayoko approves and lets the girls board the boat. But she stops Hinaki to ask her to help bring the party to its next level and points her out to a changing area nearby. Hinaki gets the idea and she changes into a coord, then appearing on stage she performs "Good morning my dream".

Afterwards, Akari and Sumire reunite with Hinaki and Kayoko approaches them to say she was inspired for a Premium Dress by the performance, so she warns Hinaki that she better be prepared for the Christmas Party as the one wearing it. Hinaki is delighted and the girls embrace.

Characters

 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * KAYOKO
 * Sakura Kitaōji
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Mikuru Natsuki (flashback)
 * Soleil (Ichigo Hoshimiya, Aoi Kiriya, Ran Shibuki: poster cameo)

Trivia

 * This is the first episode that focuses solely on an idol gaining the approval of a top designer for a Premium Rare dress without the idol getting the dress in the same episode.