Author's Note: This is the final volume in my 'Songs of Muse; Songs for You' series. It is not volume 4, or even part of the first arc. In fact, it's probably best to treat this simply as a standalone, though I may reference things from the previous stories.

The chapters do not mark passage of time either, incidentally. Anachronistic order once again, but this time not even the chapter numbers will tell you what order it happens in. (Clearly, I'm writing this without an outline fuehehe)

Finally, this fic is something I planned from the start, even before writing the other volumes. =) I hope this vision can come to fruition in the end, and that you will stick with me till then. *bows*

Credits to LLSIF Wiki for the song translations.

Chapter 1: Our Never Ending Stage

"Cheers!"

The atmosphere in the clubroom was upbeat and cheery, with streamers strung from wall to wall. Also decorating the walls were Hanayo's cute drawings of the club members, alongside posters for the singles and albums they had released up to date. Though the room had been dominated by other school idols' posters when they first took over it from Nico's sole fandom empire, their own hard work had gradually built up enough to slowly overtake the other groups.

Right now, it was definitely no mistake to say that they were the biggest school idol group in the nation.

"To have come this far... Nico, you've finally made it!" the twin-tailed girl proclaimed to herself at her corner of the table, looking away with an over-dramatised dreamy look.

"... Nico-chan, you say the same thing every time we release a new single," Hanayo giggled. Set before her was, as always, a large bowl of freshly cooked white rice, which she began eating with gusto. Beside her, Rin was already busy stuffing sandwiches into her mouth.

"Mogu mogu... Eyaa, today's bread is delicious as usual!"

"Honoka, how many times do I have to tell you, stop talking with your mouth full!"

"It's okay Umi-chan, I won't choke this time!"

The party was off in full swing, with a whole variety of dishes on the table. Piping-hot croquettes, fried chicken, sandwiches, a salad topped with plenty of tomatoes, and an apple pie were all present, filling the room with a savoury aroma that only incited its occupants to dig in further.

Over at the end closer to the door, Eli smiled wistfully as she fiddled with her plastic cup of green tea. It was great to see everyone in such high spirits, and somewhat of a relief after everything they had been through up till now - the blonde found herself wincing in pain at the thought. But they were here, they were happy, and that was all that mattered.

"Uuoooh! We forgot!" Honoka shot up in her seat, reaching behind her to switch on the radio, which crackled to life as it got ready to play their latest single.

"Muse, music..."

"Start!" the chorus of their voices rang strongly within the clubroom, unified as one in spirit.

"Welcome song! Our hearts are together as one
That's why this will be our never ending stage"

Plopping herself back onto her seat, Honoka resumed tearing into her sandwich like the ever-ravenous girl she was, while Umi's eyebrow twitched at her lack of manners. "Honoka..."

"Mou, stop fussing, Umi-chan! Start eating too or there won't be anything left for you!"

Their brunette childhood friend let out a soft chuckle. "Don't worry so much, Umi-chan, it's just like Honoka-chan as usual after all."

With a long-suffering sigh, the blue-headed archer started helping herself to the food as well.

"I want to experience lots of wonders
I want to experience them with you
A miracle will make that wish come true, la la la love live!"

"Here Maki, have more of the tomatoes you love."

"Nico-chan..."

"How is it? Delicious? Juicy?"

Maki's cheeks were starting to match the tomatoes she was nibbling delicately on. "... Sweet..."

"Hah, you ate it! Now you're obliged to make sure Nico is the centre for the next single!" The twin-tailed girl's sudden declaration made Maki nearly spit out her tomatoes in surprise, sputtering at the same line she had heard once before during their camping trip.

"... What are you even talking about, I was the one who made the salad in the first place!"

"I'm thankful that I was able to meet you
I'm thankful for the power to believe
Our courage will change the future"

"The rice-cooker Kotori-chan won cooks really well..." Hanayo commented between spoonfuls in an euphoric voice, clutching at her cheeks in an expression of pure bliss.

Her orange-haired best friend tilted her head in confusion. "Really?.. Rin thinks it tastes just like normal..."

"Normal?! This texture, this taste, this fluffiness! How can this ever be normal?! This is the rice-cooker to complement Japan's proud tradition of rice! The epitome of a Japanese household!"

"If Kayo-chin says so, it must be true then nya!"

"How come I still can't be honest with myself?
Music! Listen!
It's time for us to all dance together
Let's go! It's starting!"

"Hmm? Not eating, Eli-chi?"

"Ah!" Caught daydreaming by Nozomi, the blonde only smiled sheepishly before taking a sandwich for herself. "Just thinking about some matters."

"And there I thought you were waiting for me to feed you~"

Not to be outdone, Eli leaned over. "Maybe later..." she murmured slowly in a seductive tone that sent shivers down the spiritual girl's spine, her breath tingling Nozomi's ear.

"... When did Eli-chi get this dangerous?" The normally unflappable Nozomi was averting her gaze while the faintest tinge of red dyed her cheeks.

"I guess I learned it was the only way to discipline this naughty shrine maiden of mine. Anyway, it's about time we told them."

"If you say so, Eli-chi~"

"After all, the party will never end
The party will never end
There's still time for us to sing with all our might
After all, the party will never end
The party will never end
I'm filled with thoughts of fun miracles and invincible smiles!"

After waiting for all the other conversations to enter a lull, the blonde third-year stood up to draw everyone's attention.

"Everyone, I have something to announce."

"Eh? What is it Eli-chan?" Honoka questioned as she reached behind her to pause the music. All other chatter in the room ceased completely as everyone's eyes focused on Eli, waiting in anticipation for what she had to say.

"About a week ago... Nozomi and I started dating."

The room fell into silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop. And indeed, there was a clattering sound a moment later when Hanayo's chopsticks slipped out of her limp fingers to land on the table. As if it was a starting pistol, it caused the room to erupt into chaos.

"Congratulations Eli-chan!"

"About time."

"That's good to hear nya!"

"Well, they do suit each other..."

For a moment, Eli just stood there adrift in the outpouring of congratulations, her mouth agape at the reaction. "You all... aren't surprised or anything?.."

"Why on earth would we be?" their ginger-haired leader asked in return.

"Well, it could've been anyone else... I mean, no one else here's started dating yet..." Even though they really should, the blonde added mentally as an after-note.

Honoka rose to her feet as well, gesturing wildly in her excitement. "But but... it's Eli-chan and Nozomi-chan. You two just belong together."

As Eli's eyes scanned around the room, the other girls only shrugged or nodded in agreement. Was it really that obvious?.. They act as though it was set in stone. Not that I'm unhappy about being with Nozomi, but...

Just beside her, Nozomi flashed her tarot card between her fingers. "I told you Eli-chi~ My cards told me we were fated to be together."

With a serene sigh of resignation, Eli took her seat once more, only to find a smile coming to her face as her girlfriend's leg snaked its way over under the table to rub against her calf teasingly.

I really have to find a way to punish this shrine maiden later, Eli tried to glare at Nozomi but found it ineffective due to her uncooperative smile that only grew wider the higher Nozomi's leg wandered.

Looking at the pair of third-years exchanging passionate looks with each other, Honoka only shook her head in amusement and flipped the music back on.

"Okay everyone! Back to our party! Our never ending party!"

"Honoka, if you think that gets you out of needing to do clean-up later, you're wrong."

"Eya, Umi-chan caught me there~"

"Hehe Honoka-chan, no matter how many times it's been you never manage to escape Umi-chan~" Kotori chirped cheerfully.

After another minute of shovelling food into her mouth, the ginger-haired girl paused for a second to watch the rest.

Nico and Maki were arguing over something undoubtedly inconsequential as usual, with the third-year using her teasing tone while Maki's cheeks were growing redder by the second.

Hanayo was rapidly firing off words at Rin with a fire in her eyes, while her childhood friend had a sheepish grin and a gaze that betrayed what she really was thinking instead of listening to Hanayo.

Eli and Nozomi were clearly still playing with each other under the table as though they thought no one else could figure it out, exchanging lovers' gazes that made Honoka feel awkward and avert her own eyes.

Umi and Kotori were discussing something she couldn't quite make out, but the gentle smiles on their faces were the same ones she had seen growing up alongside them all these years. Smiles she wanted to protect and make sure they continued having opportunities to show.

Looking at them, these girls she had come to know and love so well, she couldn't help but find a wide grin forming on her face.

That's right, there was clean-up to be done later. But for now, she could indulge herself...

In this never ending party of theirs.

"Welcome song! Our hearts are together as one
That's why we'll dance here together
Welcome song! Our hearts are together as one
That's why this will be our never ending stage"