Episode 119 - The Dance of the Nadeshiko!

The Dance of the Nadeshiko! (ナデシコの舞い!) is the 119th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 18th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on February 5, 2015.

Story
''Miyabi receives a fan's plea for help but she struggles to come up with a suitable answer to respond with. In this time she and Sakura are invited to perform in the "Yamato Nadeshiko Idol Festival".''

Summary
Miyabi is writing a letter to Nagaoka-sensei back in Kyoto, explaining how everything has been going so far. She mentions that because of Akari and the others she has began to finally realize what his words meant when he approached her to become an Idol. She thinks she realizes why he chose to send her there and promises to find her own Aikatsu before she returns. With that she goes to the mailbox to send it and runs into Akari, Sumire, and Hinaki. She greets them and explains how she has been writing daily reports to her old school when Hinaki asks why she just doesn't send email instead. Miyabi admits she isn't that good at typing, but she's always up for improvement and she asks Akari for help since it would be easier.

In a nearby building while Miyabi waits for her turn for a photography session she practices with Hinaki and Akari encouraging her. She worries she isn't meant to do this when Sumire returns to let her know its her turn, and Miyabi changes clothes and heads onto stage, where she shows everyone her samurai nature- a gesture that leaves a lasting impression on everyone, including one person in particular who observes her leave the room.

After changing clothes again, Miyabi informs the girls she will be heading out to the dojo that Orihime pointed out to her. Akari is surprised she isn't that tired yet with how busy she's been, but Miyabi states that she noticed she made a mistake in the routine and she wants to get instruction before she risks forgetting about it. The girls wish her luck and they see her off, deciding to invite her to hang out with them later.

As she heads to the dojo, Miyabi thinks about how different the roads are between her home and this area. She stops to look around when she hears noise nearby, but she sees nothing, seemingly unaware of a girl spying on her. The girl continues trailing behind her when Miyabi turns down a nearby path and pulls out her Naginata and surprises the girl, who falls back in fright seeing it aimed at her. Seeing as she's not a threat, Miyabi and the girl sit down and quickly Tomyo goes on about how much of a fan she is of her. She calls Miyabi cool and comments on how she can be cute too, which surprises Miyabi before she continues to explain how she is only seen as someone cool- but she can't be cute, despite wanting to be. She's worried she will look foolish for trying though, so she wanted to ask Miyabi for help. Miyabi is confused by this sudden request, and she's unsure of how to respond.

Later, Miyabi tells the girls what happened and admits to having no idea how to answer Tomoyo and she heavily regrets it and doesn't know what to do. She hardly understands what being cute is in the first place. Hinaki claims that she too would have struggled to come up with an answer, and Sumire wonders if taller girls have trouble when it comes to girlish clothing, but Hinaki insists otherwise since a full-length maxi-skirt can bring out the figure of tall girls. After Miyabi mentions the desire to try to help the girl, Akari suggests that look towards their idol predecessors for research.

The four girls head into the library and begin overlooking books related to the history of idols and various terms. But before they can figure out anything Sakura joins them to pick up Miyabi, who was requested to join her at Orihime's office.

Upon arrival they explain that the "Yamato Nadeshiko Festival" is approaching and both Sakura and Miyabi were invited to put on a performance together. She's sure their talents would be great for the festival given their traditional personalities, and Sakura happily agrees. She asks Miyabi to agree as well since they were the only two specifically asked for, and Miyabi accepts in order to repay them for welcoming her with open arms. She then curiously watches as Sakura busts out Kitaoji Theater.

Returning to the girls again, Miyabi reveals what happened and she decides in the mean time to focus on personal training after some encouragement from Sakura. She also decides that the experience should lead her to the answer she needs to Tomoyo, so she will be doing it on her own. The trio accept her decision and decide to just give her their full support to the extent they can.

With Sakura, Miyabi train dancing with paper fans. When they stop to take a break Sakura mentions how they have things planned for the event, then she compliments how beautiful Miyabi is to watch as she trains. Miyabi thanks her and mentions how she has been trying to in-cooperate her skills from the dojo into doing other things. She then admits that before now she never saw herself becoming an idol, and Sakura agrees. She explains how she always dreamed of being an idol and initially her family was against it, especially her twin brother Sakon, but she gathered up her courage to convey to everyone how she truly felt. Initially it was difficult, but because she was able to take the first step the world she longed to be a part of began opening. Miyabi seems to realize something in her words.

Later that night, Miyabi returns to the dorms and she looks over the Starlight Academy uniform, which she has been given if she ever reconsiders. She still chooses not to wear it but she begins thinking over what Sakura said.

The next morning she is disappointed to find out that it is raining. She had intended on visiting the dojo again and wonders if the gloomy weather will remain all day, just before noticing the time. She turns on Akari's weather program just as Akari mentions the time and asks Ozorotter to come out to reveal the weather for today. But when he comes out he suddenly slips and drops his shell, much to her alarm. She chases after it and picks it up, opening it to find a congratulatory message inside to celebrate her one month anniversary. Ozorotter gets up and seeing her daze, he begins poking her and Akari admits that initially she didn't think she would be able to keep up with this, but she chose to took the plunge and was able to find something she enjoys a lot. These words resonate within Miyabi and she continues to watch as Akari gives the forecast while tearfully expressing gratitude.

After the program, Miyabi sees the sun beginning to appear as the clouds part, and she comments on Akari's first step. She opens the email tab on her phone and begins typing out something on KiraKiratter, which Tomyo sees and notes the upcoming festival, and as she sees what else Miyabi wrote she realizes she is giving her encouragement and realizes that she too must take the first step to open her world.

At the festival, Miyabi reveals this to the trio and really hopes her message will be seen by Tomoyo. She is concerned it won't, but Sakura returns to let her know that its her turn for a solo performance now. Miyabi prepares to leave when Akari wishes her luck and assures her that her feelings will be reached by those she is sending them to. Miyabi feels relief and she changes into her chosen coord, appearing on stage to perform "Light Pink Day Tripper".

Afterwards, the girls surprise Miyabi as she returns backstage, revealing Tomoyo from behind them. At first Miyabi is surprised to see her wearing a cute outfit, but she quickly tells her how nice she looks. Tomoyo is very happy to hear this.

As the sun sets Miyabi speaks with Akari, Sumire, and Hinaki while they make their way back to Starlight. Miyabi claims that an idol who can fill someone with courage is amazing and tells them that she is happy that she became an idol. Which makes them feel happy too.

The following day Miyabi writes another letter. She admits that originally she hesitated when the idea of her becoming an Idol came up, but now she plans to return her feelings and show the gratitude she feels by following her Aikatsu until the end. She asks that Nagaoka-sensei continues to watch and support her, and she sends the email. She is joined by the others and they comment on how fast she has improved, wondering if she studied a lot since they first began, and Miyabi teases them by pointing out how vital blogs are in order to keep up with modern society, then she calls the way of idols to be busy, which makes the others laugh as she begins typing out something else.

Characters

 * Miyabi Fujiwara
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sakura Kitaōji
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Tomoyo Shirosawa
 * Sakon Kitaoji (flashback)
 * Toshio Nagasawa