It was a normal day, or at least for me. I was awoken by the noise of my alarm clock, the slight sunlight that basked in my face and the incessant sound of 'Honoka' resonating through my door.
"Oh no, Umi-chan still not giving up huh." I overslept and like to sleep more but i couldn't make the blue overlord waited any longer. Times like these made me wished that a robot cat from the future would come and fix all my problems, i could totally use the 'Dokodemo door' right now. Leaving me with no choice, i stopped my procrastination and left the bed to fixed myself immediately, put up my uniform and just picked bread for breakfast. It was a typical shoujo romance stereotype where the girl was running late then suddenly bumped on a boy and we know the rest after that. However, in my story there was a plot twist, i was not the heroine but more of a side character.
I opened the door just to see the faces of my two childhood friends, the one with a calm and kind demeanor was my childhood friend Minami Kotori, she was also the designer of muse's costumes. While the other one who had her arms crossed and angry expression was my childhood friend too, her name was Sonoda Umi and she was our resident lyricist.
"Honoka what are you doing? We are going to be late because of you." I did it again but honestly it was much better if they just went without me.
"Hehe i'm sorry there was a new anime that aired last night, i ended up watching it." I quickly put my i-am-an-airhead face and smiled brightly.
"Seriously you!" Oh no! this was bad Umi's rage had increased to 100%, it was only the beginning of my story and it was proceeding to a 'Bad end' already.
"Umi-chan please don't be so angry at Honoka-chan." Kotori saved me like always. With a simple touch in the hand, she pacified the bluenette's anger.
"Then let's go!" I said it energetically. Umi was about to say something but my remark shrugged it. And with that, we started to walk to school. I purposely lagged behind for the reason that i couldn't do the things that i usually did to us, those friendly hugs and casual holding of hands were nothing more than a thing of a past. There was a invisible space that preventing me to enter anymore after all Umi and Kotori were dating now.
It all started after the incident of Kotori almost left the muse. I stopped her in a nick of time after that we decided to get closer to each other to avoid another scene like that. At first, i was happy knowing everyone's stresses and circumstances like Nico's siblings, Nozomi's loneliness and Rin's feminine anxieties. But from that day on, it turned to something more intimate than that. It was only a matter of time when Eli confessed her feelings for Nozomi. Obviously, i couldn't be happier to see them together. But from that time forward the other members except me of course formed a pair with each other.
"Seriously girls this is not a trend or something. Don't join in because of the bandwagon effect."
And with that i gained another title apart from being the leader of muse, that was the 'Ninth wheel' of muse. As i unlocked this achievement, the rate of my interactions with the rest of the group diminished gradually. Well, it was expected anyway but know this, i am not jealous or anything. If i had to pick between eternal love life and eternal food, i would pick the latter without hesitation. Kirby was my spirit animal after all. But with all that said, there was an indescribable feeling deep in my heart, like asking how the universe made in the first place, there was a black hole that slowly voiding my-
"THERE IT IS! My two childhood friends are holding hands while walking in the middle of the morning. Hey Umi what happens to the 'This is so shameless' act of yours."
To start with, this scenario was not new for me. In fact the rest of the muse did this frequently too, so i just smiled and dealt with it. But it not that i hated it or something, it was more like-
"Yeah i get it, you love each other hurry up and get a room you two. You don't need to rub it in my face every time."
With all my complaining, i didn't notice that we already arrived at Otonokizaka. I excused myself from the two, saying that i forgot some classroom duties. But the truth was, i just wanted to escape their lovey-dovey atmosphere. And the girl's bathroom was the perfect place for dealing with my brooding.
"Kousaka Honoka you can do this, Faito dayo!" I fixed myself in the mirror and exercised my smile. The truth was, i never expected that i would have this mentality in the first place. It was unknown what caused me to be like this. I recalled my memories of the past like it was just yesterday, i was just a stupid girl doing my stupid things without a care in a world, but everything changed when the love nation attacked.
I looked myself in the mirror one last time and smiled. "Everything is going to be fine." These words was like a magic word to me, i couldn't count how many times these words saved my sanity.
With the class over, I found myself in the idol research club as usual. The love live was already over but we were still practicing. It was funny, considering that the chances that there would be another love live was incredibly slim, but it was not a bother me because we were more than an idol group, we were friends that was bounded by a special fate called muse.
The rest of the group were busy, doing their things, Hanayo and Rin were in a deep discussion on something, Maki and Nico were bickering as always, Kotori and Umi were just sitting quietly enjoying each other's company, Oh we were missing the power couple here. With the end of semester already coming, they were probably busy wrapping things up in the student council. Then, of course there was me silently minding my own business and watching them in a corner.
I noticed a figure slowly approaching me, it was Koizumi Hanayo one of the first year trio and a passionate endorser of rice. Based on her fidgety behavior, i bet she had a question for me. "Umm...Honoka-chan, Rin and i were talking if you have superpowers what will it be?"
This was a nice changed of pace, they were trying to include me in their conversation. "Superpowers huh...well for me it's going to be super speed hehe."
"Why?"
"The thing about being faster than the speed of light is the fact that you can only live in the world of darkness," I said it with a cold tone.
"What?" This was bad, i accidentally turned off my normalcy for a second; she was looking at me with this puzzled look.
"Ack! What i really mean is...if i have super speed...i will never be late for school, i...can also travel across japan...and taste different kinds of bread in the world...ahahha." Normalcy on! I laughed awkwardly hoping that she would believe this Honoka-like answer.
I waited for her facial expression to change before relaxing. "Wow that was good answer and really convenient power."
"I know right?" I smiled brightly.
"Safe dayo!"
"Well Kayo-chin, how about ask Honoka-chan that nya?" It was suggested by a cat-like girl, this girl was Hoshizora Rin a ramen lover and another one from the first year trio.
"What no, its so embarrassing." Hanayo replied while she flustered and covered her face with her hands. Her strange actions only piqued my curiosity more.
"Well what is it? I can't promise that i can answer everything but i will do my best," I said it while in the 'Faito dayo' pose. It was nice to be a good senpai for a change, i just hoped that i could really help whatever their problems were.
"The thing is, we are having trouble on picking my date spot nya? We are stuck between going to Akihabara or the newly built amusement park nya," She said that to me casually.
"Rin you shouldn't have said that." Hanayo was blushing deep red.
Being the ninth wheel had some obligations and skills too, think of it like a job from some RPG game where the healer would heal, the tanker would tank some damage and the ninth wheeler would...ninth wheel. This time my role was called the 'Final arbiter' one of the main duties of the ninth wheel. They were in need of a third party opinion to settle their own indecisiveness, that was why the best way to answer it was to consult the third party itself.
"But Kayo-chin we already talked for hours and we still can't decide nya. I just want to spend my time with you nya."
"Rin..." Hanayo was giving her a longing look. Oh no, i had to solve this fast before they went full lovey-dovey in front of me.
"Well for now, why not go to Akihabara first then go to the amusement park later. The ferris wheel at night is so romantic plus there will be fewer people there too." I gave them a generic calculated answer. I knew there would come a time where my knowledge of the dating sim games could help me in real life.
"But the amusement park is so far away from Akibahara."
"Not really, you can spend your time in this cafe after that it will just a walking distance from there." I showed them a map through my cellphone; i could career this whole date planner and stuff.
"That's really a good answer, why we didn't think of it before."
"That's right, Honoka-chan you're a genius nya."
"Hehe i'm just glad i could help." I gave them my signature smile. That was just a simple time management from me, but i braced myself because i already knew what would happen next.
"Umm...Honoka-chan can you excuse us for the moment? We are just going to plan our date today," She said while her hands in the praying position.
"You don't have to excuse yourself to me, good luck on the date though." I didn't even need to own a future diary to predict what was going to come afterwards. This scenario apparently was like a routine for the two. Hanayo and Rin both had a tendency to be hesitant on picking an answer to avoid arguments. Speaking of arguments, i knew a couple who were rich in that category.
"Hey! I told you she was just my friend okay, why won't you listen," It was stated by the president of the idol research club and the number one idol in the universe? Yazawa Nico.
"Th-then why did you pick her instead of me!" The one who replied was Nikishino Maki, the last of the first year trio and the music composer of muse.
"Arghh! You told me to go to her remember, i even asked you if you would be angry and you said you no right." She had a point in my opinion if her lover was not a tsundere. Based on those little information, Maki must have put a little tsundere act, wanting Nico to choose her instead of some random friend. But it backfired as the raven-haired girl took her words literally.
"That's because i want you to pick me! I'm your girlfriend right?"
As i watched these two, i couldn't imagine how these two became lovers in the first place. I didn't know the full story but it was Nico who declared her feelings to Maki and surprisingly Maki accept the president's confession. However, nothing much changed between these two, they were always at each other throats. To be fair, they had their moments too but that didn't stop them to argue more. Well it was time for me to intervene, i changed my role this time to 'Peacemaker' another duty of the ninth wheel. This was a job that only i could do because the third years would pick Nico's side, the first years would pick Maki's side although they were lovers Kotori would choose Nico because she was helping her in costume making while Umi would choose Maki because of the lyricist-composer relationship. To be honest, i rather diffused a time bomb than to enter this crossfire but their situation were getting out of hand.
"Hey Honoka nice timing please tell her that i'm right. I'm already tired explaining this to her stubborn brain of hers." Nico noticed me silently creeping to them and immediately asked for my opinion.
"And here i am thinking that my sneaking will level up today."
"No Honoka i was right, i am her girlfriend so it's only natural that i want us to be together."
I was silent for a minute as their mediator, i must pick the right words. This process was called 'Breaking the ice' and for me it was the hardest part. Both of them were on the edge already if i selected a word that would partially take Nico's side it would increase Maki's anger, and vice versa.
"If you are always like this then i think its better for us to-" The raven-haired girl stopped for a second. I believed she was starting to realize the weight of her words.
"What! Its better for us to what!"
"...Break...up..." I had to forget about breaking the ice, they were about to break their hearts.
"So that's what you want all along then fine let's break up see if i care!" That was a fine show of bravado my friend, but it was not the time for me to admire that. I had to think of something that would repair their relationship fast.
"Then it's official then, from this time onwards we are not-"
"Nico-chan!" I shouted. Goodness, why both of these girls were so stubborn, there was only one thing for me to do and that was-
"Please go out with me!" I said it, i really said it but i had to do it. The only thing that could defeat chaos was to become a greater chaos itself. In an instant, i became the center of everyone's attention, but i ignored their judging gazes and focused on these two. I changed my attitude towards the devil girl type as i chatted with Nico.
"Wh-what are you saying Honoka, please if you are joking stop it now."
"Do you think these eyes are joking to you?" I gave her a seductive gaze and a tempting smile.
"Honoka! I never expect that you are that type of person. You! You are the worse!" Those words sounded familiar to me. I turned my head for a moment and saw Maki bursting into tears.
"I'm sorry Maki-chan i have to help you even if i turn out to be the bad guy."
"Honoka-chan...please stop this they are many other girls out there. So please don't do this," Hanayo pleaded to me. Both Hanayo and Rin rushed and comforted the redhead while Umi and Kotori were on my side, watching my next move.
"Yeah nya, if you want we can arrange some blind date for you nya."
"Well, you are single now after all so what's your answer Nico-chan." I disregarded their pleas and said it with a smug face.
"Honoka you!" Umi rushed to me. She grabbed me by the collar and stared straight through my eyes.
"Honoka-chan, Umi-chan please stop! I don't want to see my childhood friends hurting each other again."
"Hey Umi-chan stand back, i'm talking to Nico-chan here." I was amazed on two things: First, i could totally dig this villain stuff. And the second, it was just an act but no one bothered to side with me. Was this what they called 'Camaraderie of fellow couples'. Even, Umi and Kotori who i thought that could see through my guise, were siding at the couple's side.
"I-i can't, i'm sorry."
"Why?" I pressed her for the answer. Depending on her next reply would determine the fate of her relationship with Maki.
"I just can't okay, i'm happy you ask me that but i can't. I really don't know why but i can't." She was on the verge of crying when she said that to me.
"Then everything is fine in the first place." I smiled brightly and reverted back to the normal Honoka. This left everyone puzzled for my actions.
"What are you saying that everything is fine, can you elaborate?" Umi slowly released her grasp in my uniform.
"I just confirmed now that Maki-chan and Nico-chan truly loved each other," I announced it with a cheerful voice. Honestly, i wanted to give a bit by bit explanation but i had to stick with my stupid demeanor.
"Being stupid is hard but pretending to be stupid is harder."
"Maki-chan, Nico-chan listen to me, love is a good thing but it has a bad side also, you two will face some problems in the future and test your faith together, but when things going rough just remember one thing that both of you truly love each other and you two will be fine," I lectured them while holding their hands. The two were like they hit a reset button and became lovey-dovey instantly. As much as i hated these type of things, for me it was better than the alternative so i made this an exemption for now.
"I-i'm sorry Maki, i promise to be a better girlfriend from now on!"
"I'm sorry too, i have some troubles expressing myself but i will try harder for our sake." We watched them both hugging and crying to each other until both of them calmed down.
"I'm glad you two finally reconcile."
"Yeah don't make us worry like that again nya."
"All's well that ends well"
"Yeah i'm glad Umi-chan."
"..."
"..."
"..."
WAIT! What happened? Was this another episode of 'Kousaka no basket', so did i become the phantom ninth member of the generation of muse or activated my misdirection. They completely forgotten about my heroic deeds as soon as i finished helping them, i even got myself to be rejected on purpose for this. But surprisingly, it didn't bother me. Actually, i was more amazed on how they swiftly forgot my presence. With the 'NicoMaki' conflict resolved, i returned to my seat and thought of ways to pass time.
Several minutes had passed, a blue haired girl reluctantly approached me. "I'm sorry i didn't know that was your scheme." My blue haired friend apologized while bowing her head.
"Oh no it didn't bother me at all, i just glad that everything is alright now." I said it with a lighthearted voice but deep inside i was disappointed in her. First, her sorry was five minutes late. Second, she messed my uniform. Third, she took their side not mine, her BESTFRIEND. And finally, the reason why i was totally crestfallen to her was she automatically assumed that i would really date Nico just because i had no special someone.
"Actually i have something to ask to you?" So this was related to the one she was going to say the early morning.
"You can ask me anything i mean we're bestfriends after all right." If there was one thing i was truly good at, that was concealing my real emotions. Not like i didn't trust them in fact it was quite the opposite. I didn't want to ruin my social circle just because of my petty reasons. Surely, in any group there was always someone who made hard sacrifices just to keep their group together and that was me in my group.
"Well do you want to go to the movies after this? I was happy for a second with her kind gesture but i knew the catch to this.
"Kotori is busy with her job today and we already bought the tickets."
"Kotori is busy to her job today and we already bought the tickets."
I could read her like an open book. When i became the ninth wheel, my senses heightened to a great extent. Generally, i easily recognized any body language especially if they were my friends. Furthermore, i could perceive their thoughts based on their actions. Finally, i was able to read their moods that was why i always knew when they had a problem or not. So being the ninth wheel had its perks too.
"Of course, i would love to. What's the movie anyway?" It was a romantic movie for sure.
"Really! The movie name is 'Love and Forever' a romantic movie. A tale of two lovers who stand the test of time." I wanted to say no right away but her eyes were gleaming since when did Umi like this genre anyway.
"Haha that's sound really good, i can't wait to watch it."
Once again, i changed my role from peacemaker to 'Absolute substitute' another ninth wheel duty that only i was capable of. As lovers naturally they wanted to stay with one another but reality was unforgiving. Each and one of us had their own responsibilities and circumstances like Nico tending her siblings, Kotori's maid cafe works and Nozomi's shrine duties so of course not at all time they would always be together physically. That was my part in the picture. I was like a wild card to them, because of my cheerful and carefree attitude i could be easily paired up with anyone but because i was the joker, my count was zero. I had no lover so it would eliminate the fact that someone would get jealous on my side plus my friendship meter was maxed to them. That was the reason why they always magically remembered my name in these scenarios making me the 'Convenient choice' to them.
"Really, then i will tell Kotori right away, thank you Honoka." She hastily excused herself after that.
"Yeah, i'm looking forward to it Umi-chan."
A few minutes had passed the power couple arrived. I was slightly happy seeing them exhausted, meaning the practice was cancelled today.
"I'm sorry girls there will be no practice today," It was announced by a quarter russian senior and the student council president Ayase Eli.
"We packed up all the student council works today so rest assured there will be no interruptions tomorrow." The one who gave the long explanation was our senior Toujou Nozomi, the big sister of muse and Eli's girlfriend.
"Yeah the only thing that was left now was to pick a successor, the one who will become the next council president for the next semester." For some reason, Eli was looking at me while she announced that.
After the announcement everyone fixed their things, Hanayo and Rin were going to their planned date, Maki and Nico were inseparable together, i overdid it to them but let see how long their lovey dovey mode would last. I didn't need to mention Eli and Nozomi, they were the pinnacle of yuri couple. Umi and Kotori were just waiting for someone, i wondered who was that? The two were staring at my direction.
I was about to celebrate this small victory of enjoying no practice when i recalled the promise to go with Umi-chan at the movies.
"Seriously after all i have been through this day it is not yet over. I propose to change the name of this fanfic to the 'Melancholy of Kousaka Honoka' at least that one is better."
"Honoka! Honoka! We are going now."
"I-i'm coming, please wait Umi-chan, Kotori-chan."
A part of me was asking how long i could continue this but it didn't matter to me. As long as i could preserve the happiness of the nine of us, i didn't care how many times i had to break, cry and to be forgotten. If would be always known as 'The leader who always smile' then that was fine with me.
"Everything going to be fine." I muttered my magic word again. Needless to say, i never expected that the time would come where i couldn't smile anymore.