Episode 99 - The Flower's Tears

The Flower's Tears (花の涙) is the 99th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 49th episode of its "2nd Season". The episode aired on September 11, 2014.

Story
''The Twinkle Star Cup has officially begun with WM and 2wingS facing off on the ultimate stage. But, just before the competition opens, WM makes a shocking announcement...''

Summary
As Ichigo, Seira, Kii, and Aoi are eating out they watch an Idol program about the upcoming Twinkle Star cup, with Mizuki and Mikuru having been invited to chat with the Announcer. They observe their gorgeous outfits they are going to be wearing until Mizuki reveals that both she and Mikuru have an important announcement. They came up with a decision together, and that is that they will be disbanding after the Twinkle Star Cup regardless of the outcome. The news appears to shock everyone, and causes the four discouragement and concern.

That evening back in their dorm room, Ran joins Ichigo and Aoi and they begin discussing the news. However, they aren't too worked up since Ichigo is sure they have a good reason for it. Being reminded of how important it is for 2WingS as well, Ichigo promises not to let Mizuki down when she goes on to perform- but even then she still wants to know what made her come to such a decision, with Aoi and Ran agreeing.

The following day Ichigo and Seira head to the arena of the Twinkle Star Cup and admire how large it is, then they head onto the stage area to overlook the audience section. They remark on how happy they are to get to perform here, but they remain curious and a little saddened by WM's plans; especially as their final performance will be taking place in a while. Seeing that they both feel the same way, Ichigo and Seira make the decision to pay the unit a visit at their staying place, where they find Mizuki and Mikuru having just finished training. Neither of them are surprised to see them, and they can only assume they came to ask about the disband.

After being brought drinks, Seira and Ichigo remark that despite how somber of an image disbanding usually is, neither of them seem effected by it. Mikuru reveals it was her idea, and she brings up the Gardeners World Cup. It's held once every four years -something Mizuki claims even she didn't know at the time- and because her passion has always been flowers and gardening, she wants to focus on it. She wants to be the first one from Japan to win it in order to make gardening more popular here, and she plans on giving it her all. Seira and Ichigo show support, and Mikuru promises to keep going for it until she wins, even if it's not the first time. Mizuki admits that she felt a little bad for pushing her dream onto Mikuru like this, but Mikuru claims that she chose to become an Idol because of how inspired she was by Mizuki, and the girls recall how Mikuru was a gardener prior to joining Mizuki. Mizuki recalls how excited Mikuru was back when she first joined her, and even then it was obvious she had a passion for things like flowers. Mikuru explains that Mizuki reminded her a lot of her flowers, but seeing how depressed Mizuki looked she couldn't help but want to cheer her up. She didn't think of anything but flowers until meeting Mizuki, and for that she's grateful.

It's then Ichigo asks Mizuki of her plans after their last concert, but she claims not to have any real idea yet. She's been focusing her everything for the Twinkle Star Cup, finally being able to stand on the ultimate stage for all top Idols. Feeling better with these responses, Ichigo and Seira decide to take off and express their feelings regarding what they were told. They realize that having more than one dream is a good idea and realize that while the Cup might be their goal for now, their idol careers don't have an end in sight.

Back at their place, Mikuru thanks Mizuki for not trying to stop her plans of disbandment. Mizuki claims she could never do such a thing and she recalls how she recently caught her observing a Gardeners magazine, which had an article about the Gardeners World Cup. Mikuru mentioned that she would have to wait four years if she missed this one, and she really wants to participate in this years theme. She thanks Mizuki for understanding, but she points out that before they do anything they must focus on the Twinkle Star Cup.

Later, Ichigo and Seira reveal what they learned to Kii, Ran, and Aoi when Johnny arrives with Orihime. She reveals they also learned what happened, and while it's not expected she is supportive, and she encourages the girls to do their best as well. They agree and get straight to training, stopping as evening arrives. Akari has arrived to give them towels and water, and she excitedly explains how she has been feeling watching them and how much its inspired her, and she's very happy to be with them now. Ichigo and Seira notice her anticipation to someday stand as high as they are and they encourage her, happy to see how they have inspired her.

Mizuki and Mikuru are also shown training when they are interrupted by Honoka, who suggests they get to bed. However, she doesn't expect them to listen, with Mizuki and Mikuru agreeing with her.

Characters

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Kī Saegusa
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Mizuki Kanzaki
 * Mikuru Natsuki
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Yurika Todo
 * Kaede Ichinose
 * Sakura Kitaoji
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Satsuki Miwa
 * Hikari Minowa
 * Michelle Tachibana
 * Asami Himuro
 * Yū Hattori
 * Noeru Otoshiro
 * Sōta Otoshiro
 * Takako Otoshiro
 * Raichi Hoshimiya
 * Ringo Hoshimiya
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Tiara Yumesaki
 * Honoka Tsukikage

Trivia

 * This is the first episode in the anime to use the 2nd verse of a song as the insert.
 * The Summer Night Miracle Coord and Summer Night Moon Coord make their debuts in this episode.