Episode 124 - The Queen's Flower

The Queen's Flower (クイーンの花) is the 124th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 23rd episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on March 12, 2015.

Story
''With the Starlight Queen Cup approaching everyone is working hard. In this time Sakura deals with a mysterious burden while the girls learn more about the Queen House.''

Summary
An important meeting is called in Starlight Academy. This isn't an every day occurance and everyon is ovrerflowing with excitment and confusion. The girls watch as Orihime steps up onto the stage to announce a big, upcoming event: the Starlight Queen Cup. It will be held in Spring, and she is hoping that they will all consider entering it as its open to everyone.

As this is going on, a reporter is also covering the event around town. She mentions that it is usually held in Fall, but for a change they have decided to hold it now to make way for a new tradition.

In the Cafeteria, Akari, Sumire, and Hinaki discuss this and look through a magazine article about the prior Queens, like Mizuki -who held the title for three years- and the current Queen, Otome. Ichigo gave Mizuki a run for her money in her third year, and they begin discussing how both of them are currently on top of the Idol world right now. This leads the trio to wonder if they're ready for such a goal, but they still want to try and quickly get to work training.

They run by the school grounds and discuss who they think may stand a good chance at winning; with Hinaki bringing up how Sakura is the top contender this year because she's really popular. They confess that losing to her wouldn't be so bad, but they are surprised when they realize Sakura is ahead of them on the path. Seeing them, she stops to take a break and chat with them after she comments on how motivated they seem to be. After they tell her they will be entering the Queen cup she reveals she plans to also and wishes them good luck, but just then Otome joins the girls to tell Sakura that Shion has arrived. Because her title will be going to someone else, she has been at the Starlight Queen House packing up in order to return to the dorms after the new Queen is announced. She confesses to feeling a little overwhelmed due to how large the place is, which is why they were helping her, and she invites the girls back to check it out.

The trio is amazed by the building before them, although Hinaki confesses that she has been in before this moment. They follow Otome inside but Sakura stops, deciding to train further. Otome agrees to this and wishes her well, and the girls express surprise by her dedication before noticing Shion inside. She explains that she was recording earlier, but she offered to help Otom knowing she wouldn't be able to finish on her own. Otome decides to give the girls a tour, first with a very slippery hallway, followed by the bath with a Ga-tan rubber duck, and waterproof Ebi-pon she stole from Ran. Then she leads the girls to the bedroom and she reveals that everything packed consists mainly of magazines she's been in. They admit that they expected to see more and Otome finds herself unable to resist looking at them- causing them to realize that she's taking so long because she keeps getting distracted.

The girls thank her for the tour when Otome decides there is still one last spot to show them, and she leads them to the lesson room she uses to reveal strange markings on the floor; remnants of Mizuki's dance practice. They offered to fix it when Otome moved in but she insisted that it was left the way it was, so that she could remember how much work Mizuki went through.

The girls sit down for some tea and discuss the house. Otome mentions that she has been able to focus a lot more since she's lived there and points out that it isn't just a reward she gained from winning, but something very special. However, she's been a bit concerned over Sakura lately, and Akari recalls how Sakura backed away and refused to step foot in the place, wondering if its a lack of comfort keeping her from entering.

Sakura continues to train late into the evening and she is shown thinking about the same thing. But to her it didn't feel right entering the house unless she becomes Queen.

As the girls are leaving they spot Sakura run by. This makes them wonder if they weren't taking this seriously enough.

Sakura continues to train throughout this time, practicing her poses and dancing. She also remembers to go out running but finds herself too worn out and stops for a rest. Otome approaches her with a basket for a picnic and she pours them some drink, but she incidentally spills it. Sakura cleans the mess and they discuss how nice the drink is before she thanks Otome, claiming that because of her a burden is gone. She thinks about how she always had a friend and upperclassman to rely on during her time there and thinks back to when she first joined the school and how Mizuki inspired her to become an Idol. At some point she wished to become an admirable mentor, just like Otome, and she reveals her wish to become the Starlight Queen. She doesn't want to triumph over other idols, but because she wishes to become an idol of respect. Sakura promises to do her best and they soon pack up and begin to walk back to the school as Otome reveals she still has a lot of packing to do.

Eventually the Starlight Queen Cup approaches. Otome gives the announcement for the competition to begin, where a man reveals that even Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran have attended. Even Mizuki is keeping an eye on the event from where she is.

Everyone begins taking their turns, and Akari, Sumire, and Hinaki have all been eliminated in the first round. While they are a little sad, they put their everything into it and aren't unhappy by the event; they especially feel better knowing Sakura has made it to the final round.

Sakura heads back after the announcement and thinks for a moment before she chooses which cards to use. She changes and appears on stage and performs to "Blooming♡Blooming".

After her performance the finalists step back on stage, where the announcement is made that Sakura won. Everyone cheers for her and she thanks everyone after the surprise fades away. Ichigo compliments her for winning and she is given the official Queen tiara from Orihime and she is given flowers from Otome, and she tells Sakura that this is a responsible job she has, but she has full confidence in her to know she will do well. Sakura thanks Otome and everyone embraces her.

That night, Sakura approaches the Queen's Home and opens the gate with her ID Card. She hesitates before taking her first step and comes inside, then looks around in curiousity. She is surprised to find out her friends have set up a party for her.

Characters

 * Sakura Kitaōji
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Shion Kamiya
 * Yurika Tōdō
 * Kaede Ichinose
 * Mizuki Kanzaki
 * Orihime Mitsuishi

Major Events

 * As of this episode, Sakura Kitaōji replaces Otome Arisugawa as the Starlight Queen.

Animation Trivia

 * For the Starlight Queen Cup, the crown symbol on the center of the Sun Paradise Stage has been replaced by the Starlight Academy crest.