Episode 97 - Secret Letter and Unseen Star

Secret Letter and Unseen Star (秘密の手紙と見えない星) is the 97th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 47th episode of its."2nd Season" The episode aired on August 28, 2014.

The script was written by Yoichi Kato.

Story
''Akari stresses out as the final test approaches and she still can't perform a Special Appeal. Unsure of what to say to her kouhai, Ichigo recalls the letter Aoi wrote to her and seeks out its advice. ''

Summary
As Akari slowly prepares for the day she feels hopeless as she gets breakfast. She runs on the track and realizes that she has two more days until the camp's final test and begins to worry over being unable to perform a special appeal.

Meanwhile, Ichigo is shown observing her from a distance and wonders if she can do anything to help her.

Eventually, Akari approaches a tall stone wall and quickly climbs to the top- only to fall before she heads back to the trampoline. She grows anxious as she thinks about her past failures and the countless times she's tried. She wonders if such a thing ever happened in the past and she recalls when she struggled to learn her time tables. She did so badly that she cried, but she never gave up and eventually got it. But math won't do anything to help her clear the hurdle anytime soon, and she recalls how she performed the appeal with Ichigo and was always able to keep going because she knew she wasn't alone. But it's different now that she needs to push herself to success.

Later Ichigo walks through the Academy while trying to figure out what to do to help Akari when she gets the idea to speak to her. She sees her exiting the trampoline building and greets her, mentioning that she heard about the problem she's having. Akari explains how she needs to improve her practical skills and joined the training camp. She has been working very hard and is sure she can do it though. Ichigo expresses concern after noticing her bandaged arm, but she says nothing of it and takes off after promising to root for her.

That evening Akari returns to her dorm exhausted. She is very happy Ichigo worried about her, but now she's only encouraged to work harder. Before she can finish her thoughts she soon falls asleep.

Meanwhile, Ichigo is saddened as she returns to her dorm room to find herself alone. Aoi won't be back for five more days but she could really use her help. She is frustrated when it dons on her that she hasn't struggled as hard as Akari before, and recalls that it's been two years since she went to America. She would become anxious and worried at times, but then she would think about the letter Aoi gave her and she kept going. Opening her drawer she finds the letter to realize she never opened it. But seeing it makes her feel like Aoi is still there, and she thinks about how Aoi told her to open the letter whenever she was in a pinch. Now is as good as time as any though, and she opens it to find Aoi's number, along with a message that she can call her whenever she needs to, she will always be there to listen. Ichigo also spots a letter behind the note and expresses surprise after reading it.

The next morning, a sore Akari gets up and her mood has worsened. She only has a day until the test and she heads straight to the trampoline to resume practice. She is able to do well but she still can't appeal. No matter how many times she poses and jumps, nothing comes until she eventually gives up, getting off of the trampoline in tears. But to her surprise, she sees Ichigo has shown up to speak to her again, and Ichigo warns her that she shouldn't work herself too hard. Akari barely listens, disappointed with her lack of progress, and she begins to cry as Ichigo offers to listen to her if she needs to talk. She recalls Ichigo's words back when she chose her to join Starlight Academy and by now she thinks she was wrong because she can't succeed. She doesn't know why she can't do it and by now all she knows is that she can't be an Idol.

Ichigo approaches Akari and attempts to lead her away, only for her to trip as Ichigo attempts to pull her outside. Ichigo quickly helps her and brings up how today is a nice warm and clear summer day, however, the stars are still visible. Curiously Akari looks up to the sky with Ichigo as she goes on to compare Akari to the stars. She works really hard and is unable to achieve her goal and she loses sight of her light, but it's still there, and her hard work makes it shine even brighter. Even if others don't notice, she can see how bright Akari shines.

Akari is encouraged and she runs back inside to resume training as Ichigo wishes her luck. She observes Akari in order to offer her advice, suggesting she fixes her posture because her height is perfect. She just needs to learn how to time her poses right at the peak of her jump. Akari listens and continues with her training.

Later they leave the training area as Akari thanks her for helping. Ichigo recalls that Aoi's letter inspired her, the words in it spoke of the stars and the sky, and how she was always watching Ichigo. No matter what, even if she loses sight of her light she will always be shining. She also knows that despite all of the pain and injuries Akari may go through, even if she goes it alone she will always have supporters with her.

The next day a hopeful Akari awakens bright and early. She excitedly meets up with the others, full of energy and ready for her final test. It is announced that the special appeal test will begin and eventually her turn approaches. She recalls what Ichigo told her and heads inside after choosing her coord, and she changes, appearing on stage to perform "Melody of Heart". To everyone's surprise and delight she is able to use Cute Flash and passes.

Afterward, she is greeted by Ichigo and she congratulates her. Akari thanks Ichigo and they continue to chat as Orihime and Johnny observe them a distance.

Characters

 * Akari Ōzora
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Seira Otoshiro (flashback)

Major Events

 * Akari's idol aura finally becomes full-fledged.
 * Akari becomes capable of performing a Special Appeal by herself.
 * Ichigo finally opens Aoi's letter.
 * The song Melody of Heart is seen for the first time.