This little ficlet came about from the scene where Maki told Nico that they'd continue being school idols even after disbanding µ's. That, along with my natural love for KotoHono, inspired this story. In case you're curious, Awaji is what the manga said was the name of where Honoka lived.
"Normal" = Talking
"Italics" = Thinking / Internet comments
"Bold" = Emphasis on word
Bold Italics = Setting
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Love Live, nor do I own anything related to it. All I do own is one of many thousands of downloads of School Idol Festival. As such, I am not profiting off of Love Live, and am instead losing money over it due to the nature of gacha.
Awaji, Tokyo - Honoka's Room
Honoka sat on her bed with her laptop, humming the tune to their latest song, their first song, as she was reading through fan comments of it. Having disbanded µ's after the third year girls graduated, the remaining six decided to keep on being school idols, as Maki had promised Nico. µ's was the 9 of them, together, so with 3 of them gone, they could not stand the thought of still being called µ's, and they created a new idol group.
The fans, while sad over the loss of Nico, Nozomi and Eli, still supported them just as strongly. It showed in the comments Honoka was currently reading.
"It's not really µ's without all 9, but even so, you girls are still the best!"
"I'll miss them, but I'll still support you guys no matter what! Long live µ's!"
Comments like these lifted Honoka's spirits. Needless to say, Honoka missed her seniors more than anybody, apart from Maki-chan anyways, so said the part of her mind that liked teasing others, but seeing all the support from the fans made Honoka happy.
"Yeah, I'm really gonna miss them too. But think about it this way, now that there's only 6 of them, that's an even number. Now, there's absolutely no problems in shipping them! None of them will be left out!"
"...eh?"
Not understanding what she just read, she tilted her head in confusion. Seeing that this particular comment had a lot of replies, Honoka started reading them.
"What are you talking about? That means NicoMaki can't happen now."
"I too love NicoMaki. But there may be some truth to what he says. Just think about it, now the relationships between the girls are only going to get stronger. KotoUmi, RinPana, and maybe even HonoMaki. These bonds are going to deepen, and we'll probably even see a deeper chemistry between them in their concerts!"
"That's a good point. NicoMaki will always have a special place in my heart, but my OTP will always be KotoUmi!"
"That's right, KotoUmi is the best! They belong together!"
Reading these, Honoka just became more confused.
"Huh? I don't get it. What are they talking about? Why are they putting our names together like that?"
Deciding to search it up, Honoka started by typing 'KotoUmi' into the search bar. What showed up was a bunch of pictures of her two childhood friends.
"Oh, so they're just saying they want to see how friendly we are to each other? That's silly. We're all super close ever since forming µ's! Although it kinda sounds like they're talking about something else."
Deleting her previous entry, she typed in 'define shipping'.
"Transport of goods? That doesn't sound right." Skipping over that definition, Honoka moved on to the next. "Ah this looks right. To support a romantic...relationship between...characters..."
Honoka sat there, taking it in, before thinking about what this meant.
"...eh!? Th-then this means that the fans have been thinking of us like that?"
Looking over these comments with her newfound knowledge, Honoka couldn't help but blush knowing what the fans wanted.
"B-but we're not like that at all! Although...NicoMaki, I guess that would be Nico-chan and Maki-chan. Yeah, I can see that. They are always acting like an old married couple after all."
Honoka nods to herself before realizing how weird that could look. Looking around, she breaths a sigh of relief. Remembering what she was just thinking, the blush returned to her face.
"Wow...so the fans think of this kind of thing when they see us huh? Kotori-chan...and Umi-chan huh?"
Thinking about her childhood friends in that kind of light, Honoka didn't know why, but she didn't like it. Feeling a kind of pain in her heart, she grasped at her chest.
The next day...
"Honoka! Are you gonna be late again!?"
"Ah, coming!" Hearing Umi call out her name, Honoka speeds up in getting ready for school. Once finished, she heads out of the house to see Umi glaring at her.
"Sorry Umi-chan."
"You can't keep doing this Honoka! Geez, this kind of thing is why I worry so much about you." In the face of Umi's wrath, all Honoka can do is give out a nervous chuckle.
"Now now Umi-chan. Honoka-chan has taken longer before."
Having put her hand on Umi's shoulder, Kotori managed to placate her. Normally, Honoka would have hugged Kotori in appreciation. But now, all she could think of was how Kotori and Umi was standing so close together. Her gaze lingered where Kotori was touching Umi. That pain was back.
"Honoka-chan? Are...are you alright?" Kotori's voice snapped her out of it.
"Oh, yeah I'm fine Kotori-chan! Now, we shouldn't be wasting anymore time here. Let's head to school!"
With that, she takes off, running ahead of them.
"Wha- Honoka! Wait for us!"
Throughout the rest of the day, Honoka seemed to be hypersensitive when it came to Kotori and Umi. She noted every little touch, every little glance between the two. Every single interaction was noted by the ginger.
Sitting alone in the club room, Honoka sighed, and put her head down on the table.
"What's this weird feeling in my chest? It happens everytime I look at Kotori-chan being so friendly with Umi-chan. I don't like this feeling. I've never had the urge to stalk Kotori-chan like this before. Geez, I feel like a total creep."
"Why is that Honoka-chan?"
Shocked, Honoka turns around, jumping out of her chair, coming face to face with Kotori herself. Bewildered, Kotori tilts her head, blinking.
"Kotori-chan looks so cute like that. But then again, she always looks cute."
Honoka pauses, taking in what she just thought. A blush finds its way onto her face, and she shakes her head in an attempt to get rid of it.
"What was I just thinking? Where did that come from all of a sudden?"
"Honoka-chan? Are you sure you're alright? You've been acting weird all day."
"Ah, yeah, I'm fine Kotori-chan! No need to worry about me!" Laughing nervously in an attempt to convince her everything is ok, Honoka can tell she isn't buying it. "Nevermind about that, how much did you hear?"
"I just heard you saying that you felt like a creep. Why? Is there something more?"
"N-no, of course not. That's all there is to it! Now, isn't it time for practice? We should get going then, don't want to keep everyone waiting!"
"Wha- Honoka-chaaaan!"
Honoka takes off for the rooftop, with Kotori chasing after her.
"Just what is this that I'm feeling?"
After school, Honoka was hanging back, while Kotori and Umi walked ahead in front of her. She was glaring at the space, or lack thereof, between her two childhood friends.
"Honoka-san!"
Taking a moment to look away from the two, Honoka is shocked when she's gazing at a pair of green eyes.
"Ts-Tsubasa-san?" Before she can ask why she's at Otonokizaka, Tsubasa grabs her hand, taking her away somewhere.
"Sorry, but I need to talk to your leader for a bit!"
When they stop, Honoka realizes they're at the same park bench where Tsubasa asked Honoka why A-Rise lost to them.
"So Tsubasa-chan, what did you want to talk about?"
"Well first...I wanted to tell you something." Tsubasa pulled out a rose. Kosaka Honoka. I like you. Will you go out with me?"
"...eh!? W-w-what are you talking about!? This is so sudden!"
Scratching her cheek, Tsubasa had an air of nervousness about her. Something out of place in the ever calm and collected leader of A-RISE.
"Well, to be honest, I've been mesmerized by you ever since I saw your first live. Your smile was so dazzling, and now that I've gotten to know you better, I can say without a doubt that I have fallen for you."
"I...I'm sorry Tsubasa-san!" Honoka bows in apology. "But I cannot return your feelings. I'm sorry!"
A pause. Tsubasa clenches her fists, before unclenching them with a sigh. "It's fine. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but it's not like I can just make you return my feelings."
Honoka raises her head back up to look at the leader of A-RISE.
"I really am sorry Tsubasa-san. This was so sudden. Geez, between you and Kotori-chan, this is probably the most flustered I've ever been in a day."
"I see, so the reason you can't return my feelings is because of Kotori-san then?" The heat instantly returned to Honoka's face.
"I-it's not like that! Kotori-chan is just...just..."
Thinking about it, Honoka wondered just exactly what it was that she felt towards her best friend.
"Kotori-chan..."
Honoka thought about all of the time they've spent together, everything they've been through together, how Kotori has always been there for her, and how lost she felt when she found out Kotori was moving overseas. Tears started flowing down her face as she realized what's been plaguing her ever since she discovered there might be a chance Kotori and Umi could become an item.
"Yeah...I'm sorry Tsubasa-san. I cannot return your feelings. I'm already in love with my best friend. But, I think she might already be in love with my other best friend. As their friend, I should probably just let them be happy."
Tsubasa clenched her fists, and wiped away any tears before they could form. Shoving down her own pain, she gave Honoka a smile.
"Don't say that Honoka-san. You're amazing, I'm sure Kotori-san can see that. All you have to do is confess to her, as I just did. I'm sure your confession will end up going much better than mine."
Seeing Tsubasa trying so hard to be strong and comfort Honoka when she was the one in pain right now, Honoka wrapped her arms around her.
"I'm sorry Tsubasa-san. Talking about this after I just rejected you, I'm a terrible person aren't I?"
"N-no, not at all. I've said it so many times now, but I think you're amazing." Tsubasa felt Honoka shaking her head.
"I think you're the amazing one Tsubasa-san. You're so strong. You're trying to help me out with my problems despite your own pain."
"...I just want you to be happy. If that means I have to suffer for it, then so be it."
Pulling apart from their hug, Honoka gave her a heart-wrenching smile.
"I really am sorry Tsubasa-san. If I could control my own feelings, then I'd be able to give you what you want. But I can't, and you deserve better than me leading you on. But...thank you for trying to support me. I suppose that if I don't confess, it will mean you'll have suffered for nothing. Thank you Tsubasa-san, you're right. I should just confess, rather than just living with this idle jealousy. Thank you, and once again, sorry."
They sat there together in silence, taking in everything that just happened. Eventually, Tsubasa broke the silence.
"There was something else I wanted to talk to you about. What do you say to doing a collaboration concert with A-RISE?"
Word Count: 1842
Yeah, it's a cliffy. This is just gonna be a two parter though, so hopefully I'll have the rest up by tomorrow. No promises though.
Man, I feel bad for Tsubasa. I didn't even mean for that whole confession scene to happen, I just started writing and it came out like that. I feel like she was OOC here too. Honoka as well for that matter. But still, I kinda liked how it turned out.
Thank you for taking the time to click on, and read through my story. Please leave a review, it's always nice to see what people think of my stories, and whether or not they appreciate it. And if not, then criticism is always welcome as long as it's constructive.
