Love Live
Rising From the Bottom
I do not own Love Live, or anything associated with it whatsoever. All rights belong to the author, as well as Sunrise for the anime.
I also do not own any of the songs mentioned in this fanfiction!
P.S. This is POV (Managers POV to be more specific)
From the Bottom
January 3rd, 2014
"Look… This is your last chance. I've talked with another principal from another school, and if you're able to pull this off… We'll let you graduate. However if you fail… You will be expelled."
After remembering that little talk with my principal I sat down on a bench, in a park nearby my school. My name is Yukimura Ren. I'm 178cm tall and I weigh about 59kg. I'm 18 years old and in my last year of high school. You might be wondering, why in the world I'm probably going to get expelled? Well that's a story I'll share later on. But basically I've been tasked for a certain a job… A job that I resent more than anything else.
*Bzzt* *bzzt*
"Hm? Whats this? An e-mail?" I unlocked my phone and looked at who sent me an e-mail. I looked at the sender, however it wasn't anybody I knew. "Who? Principal Minami of Otonokizaka High School? Well that was a mouthful…"
I continued to read on, and the e-mail said, "Hello Yukimura Ren-san. I am the principal of Otonokizaka High School. I have been told by Principal Yamato, that you are to help our school. I would really appreciate if you could come in today to discuss this in more detail. Sincerely Principal Minami."
"Otonokizaka high school huh?" I turned off my phone and placed it back in my pocket. I laid down the bench and slowly dozed off as the tree above blocked the suns blinding rays.
*bzzt* bzzt*
"What the? Another one?" I took my phone out once again and saw it was the same person, with same message. Feeling annoyed I completely ignored it and went back to taking a nap.
*bzzt* *bzzt* *bzzt*
"Are you serious?!" I angrily took out my phone and looked at it once again. Except my phone kept on vibrating and e-mails from this principal kept popping out second after second.
"What the hell? Screw this!" Feeling extremely irritated I turned off my phone and placed in my bag, hoping that nothing else pops up. Once again I laid down on the bench to take a nap… But…
*tock*
"Ah… What the heck?" I felt something prick my head and got up from the bench again. I looked at the ground and saw a paper plane, which said… To Yukimura Ren.
"N… No way…" Completely mind-blown I opened the paper plane and… "IT SAYS THE SAME GOD DAMN THING"
"Huh?" I looked up as there was some sort of sound coming from in front of me. I squinted my eyes just in case…
A huge pack of paper planes came flying towards my face?!
"What in god's name is-?!" My voice was buried as the tsunami of paper planes rolled over my body. "All right! All right! I get it! I'll come! So please stop it!"
I screamed from the top of my lungs, and the tsunami of paper planes had stopped. I looked completely terrified and I took a deep sigh when…
*tock*
…
…
…
"Yeah, why not?! Wanna throw anything else at me?!"
I stood in front of the gate of Otonokizaka High School. Luckily everyone was in class so I wouldn't have to handle the stares of curiosity. However when I walked inside the gate, I could feel people staring at me. I looked up at the windows where the classes were taking place, and I noticed that everyone was looking at me… Even the teachers.
"Just go back to studying… Didn't any teach you that staring isn't polite?" I said walking towards the entrance of the building. When I got to the door I was already greeted by a woman. Probably in her mid-30's? She was happily smiling at me and even took out her hand.
"Nice to meet you Yukimura-san. I'm the principal of this school, but you can call me Minami-san." I took and shook her hand and she quickly walked me towards he office. While passing by the class rooms, everyone was still staring at me. I thought to myself… Is there something on my face?
"I heard a lot about you Yukimura-san. Yamato-san spoke very highly of you… He told me about your previous work wi—"
"Don't say anymore." I cut off Minami-san rudely, without even knowing. I knew what she was going to say, and those words automatically shot out. I didn't want to hear it, just thinking about it makes my blood boil/
"I'm sorry Minami-san, but if we're going to do this, I ask you respectfully to not talk about my past at all."
Minami-san looked at me with sorrowful eyes, and I couldn't meet her eyes with mine. I didn't want any pity, not from anyone, I've been pitied enough.
"I'm sorry Yukimura-san, I didn't mean to pry into it…" Minami-san apologized genuinely, and I felt sort of guilty making her say that. I know she was just trying to start a conversation but… My heart couldn't take it.
"Here is my office. Please come in" Minami-san opened the door to her office and I must say it is a really nice one too.
"Pardon the intrusion…" I pardoned myself as I entered the room and waited for Minami-san to walk ahead of me. Minami-san sat down at her desk and gestured for me to sit down on one of the chairs or sofas. I bowed politely as I took a seat in front of her desk.
"Um… I'm pretty sure you already heard this from your principal, but I would like to repeat him once again if that okay with you"
"It's okay, I have no problem with it"
"As you know our school was on the verge of closing down, but was saved by a group of people. I really don't know how they did it but because of them, this school was saved. This group u's saved us, and in order to completely guarantee this schools safety they have to—"
"They have to win Love Live, correct?" I blurted out.
"Yes that's correct… Though I'm not sure I mentioned this to the principal though"
"!" I said something I shouldn't have, however it just happened that way. I had to quickly change the topic.
"You want this group… Um… u's? Correct? To win Love Live?"
"Yes"
"Minami-san, I as well as a lot of people in Japan know this isn't some petty competition. Just saying you want to win, doesn't seem enough." I had to say this. Love Live is no joke. We're talking about idols from all over the country, you're going to need more then wanting to win, and having a reason for it.
"Yukimura-san, these girls are well aware of that. I guarantee you, these girls will not disappoint you" Minami-san sounded extremely confident about these girls. I wasn't sure if this was just out of desperation, but I decided to give it a shot. I shouldn't quit when I haven't even started.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Yukimura-san?!" Minami-san looked unbelievably happy hearing that I agreed. Though I'm not sure whats going to happen down the road. I shouldn't get my hopes up, but nonetheless, I'll do what I can.
Info Session Break #1
Yukimura Ren
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Blood Type: O
Height/Weight: 178cm/65kgs
Hair/Eye Colour: Black/Hazel
Favourite Food: Ramen
Disliked Food: Anything with strong Cilantro flavour
Charm Point: His Stare
Appearance:
Short black hair swept to the right, with his bangs short to long from left to right (right bangs are slightly above his right eye). He usually wears a fitting black hoody (the hood itself is grey) over his white dress shirt and red tie (which is a part of his school uniform). He wears a simple pair of black faded ripped jeans as well as high kicks. Other accessories include one stud on his left ear, and a locket around his neck. He usually wears a bored face, and is looks disinterested in anything and everything. Apparently his stares are very charming, as it gives a sudden surge of charisma.
"So she told me to wait at the rooftop… I've been here for an hour already…" I walked towards the fence tiredly, and sat down, continuing to wait. I decided I should kill time with something, and I took out a small notebook and a pencil. I began to do some random sketches before a large shadow covered my page. Obviously out curiosity I looked up, and I saw a girls face literally three centimetres away fro—Wait what the?!
"WHOA" I screamed!
"Kyaaaa!" She screamed too!
"W-What the heck!? W-Who are you?! W-Why were you so close to my face?!" I panicked and began to talk nervously. Although the more I take a closer look… She was quite cute.
"A-ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Um… My mother told you were up here, and she told me to bring you to meet the others" The girl seemed really shy, she was even playing with her fingers.
"Your mother? Wait… Is your mother the principal of this school?" I asked out of curiosity… And well fear. I don't want another paper plane Armageddon.
"Yes! My name is Minami Kotori! Nice to meet you!" Kotori bowed upon introducing herself. She seemed like a very nice girl. Out of respect and manners I did the same.
"My name is Yukimura Ren, nice to meet you um…"
"Ah, just call me Kotori, or Kotori-san, whatever you like!"
"I see. Then please look after Kotori-san. You can also call me whatever you like as well."
"All right! Then Yukimura-san, shall we go now?"
"Lead the way."
Kotori-san walked me through the school. I kept getting looks from everyone, be it female or male… Well the males were slightly more terrifying… The both of us ended up on the second floor where the Student Council room was located.
"Here we are." Kotori-san stood in front of me and opened the door for me. Upon opening it, eight other girls were sitting down chatting. Just like Kotori, all of them were cute. I hate to say this, but for an idol group they need to be attractive they got that down perfectly. I walked into the room, but the eight didn't notice, they seem to busy talking. Adding on, by the way they're talking, they all seem like very good friends.
"Everyone! Everyone! Here's the person my mom got for us!" Kotori walked past me and towards her friends. All them turned to face me, and looked at me particularly.
"Hmm… He doesn't look impressive…" A crimson haired girl suddenly blurted that out. I already have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time getting along with her.
"Don't be rude Maki-chan… I'm sorry about that" This time a girl with ginger hair tied up in a side pony tail spoke out. Judging by her expression... She seems very energetic.
"Nice meet you. My name Kousaka Honoka, please look after me!"
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Sonoda Umi. I look forward to working with you"
"N-Nice t-to meet y-you… M-M… Hau…" She suddenly stopped talking to me. I looked at her waiting, but she only got redder.
"Um… Do you have a fever or something? You look kind of red" I walked closer to the red faced girl whom began to look woozy. Suddenly her face puffed out steam, "What the?!"
The other girls didn't seem too surprised as one of them held her, and another one began to fan her face. Well judging by this, they are a very unique group, with a very unique comic-relief character.
"Ahaha… Sorry about that. That's Koizumi Hanayo. She's a shy and timid girl, and doesn't talk much. It's even worse when it's a boy." A girl with short orange hair spoke and stood beside me, which did surprise me a bit.
"Um… You are?"
"Ah! Nice to meet'cha—"
Meet'cha? What?
"—my name is Hoshizora Rin! Hope we get along!" This girl seemed just as energetic as Kousaka-san. Not that I don't mind it… However she seems like a real tomboy.
"Nice to meet you manager-san! My name is Yazawa Nico! I'm sure we'll get along great!"
"Nice to meet you manager-kun!" I suddenly heard someone's voice right beside my ear, as well as hands on my shoulders. I turned around to see another girl near my face…
"Dear lord!" I jumped as she did surprise me a bit. The girl simply giggled as she hopped back.
"My name Toujou Nozomi, and bust size is—"
"Nice to meet you, my name is Ayase Eli. Please ignore Nozomi… She tends to do that a lot."
"No, it's all right" I replied back to her ignoring Toujou-san.
"You two are horrible!" Toujou-san looked quite upset… However she came on a little too strong.
"Last but not least… Um… You are?" I asked the final girl, whom blurted out that I was nothing special. She looked more than discontent with me for some reason.
"I am me" she answered like that and walked away. Is she for real? I've got to give to her though… She's witty.
"Kousaka-san?" I looked at Kousaka-san so she could tell me who is little miss crimson is.
"Ah, that's Nishikino Maki. Sorry about her, she's usually like this, even with us. She means no harm though." Kousaka said. That gave some relief as these girls seemed genuine.
"Well since you guys introduced yourself, it'd be weird for not to. Nice to meet you all, I'm Yukimura Ren and I'm here as your new manager appointed by principal Minami. I hope that we can work well together."
"If I may ask. Do you guys usually have a time schedule?" I asked. This is quite basic for an idol group to have.
"Yes we do" Sonoda-san walked over to her bag and took out a large binder full of pages. To be quite honest, I was surprised. I didn't think they thought of this so thoroughly, "Here"
"Thank you" I thanked Sonoda-san and took the binder from her. I began to do quick skim over their schedules. I could feel them staring at me… Like they were waiting for something… Maybe praise? However the more I looked into this, I could see a lot of errors.
*sigh*
I placed the binder down and slouched back on the sofa. I looked at all them before opening my mouth.
"It's no good… No good at all. I'm going to have to change it. All of it" I said, and as expected garnered negative reactions. Especially from Nishikino-san.
"What do you mean it's no good?!" Nishikino-san walked towards me angrily yelling at me. The others tried to stop her, but she shook them off furiously.
"When I mean it's no good, it's no good." I said standing up, towering over the little crimson haired girl. However she looked right into my eyes, seeing no sense of backing off, "I'm am to be you manager I—"
"I don't care who you are! You have no idea how hard it was for us to come to where we are now! You can't just randomly come here and start changing everything!" Nishikino-san said cutting me off completely.
"I see… I got an easy solution. Leave this group" I said bluntly, once again getting shocked looks from everyone. Nishikino-san also seem surprised to what I just said.
"What did you say?"
"I said, why don't you leave the group? I don't need a person who can't accept change. If you honestly think that following this schedule is going to get you far, you're very mistaken." I wasn't going to sugar-coat it for them. If this is a group that wants to save their school, and become big in Japan, this much should be basic.
"I was in this group way longer before you… If anything you should leave!" Nishikino-san yelled back at me furiously and stomped out of the room.
"Ah! Maki-chan!" Hoshizora-san and Yazawa-san ran after Maki, and I was left with the remaining six members. I didn't even have to think about what they were going to say.
"I'm guessing you want to ask, why I said that." I asked the six remaining members, and they were surprised that I managed to ask what they were thinking. Though the six did not answer, they just gave me a nod.
"I don't really mean what I said. However, if Nishikino-san really wants to save yours and her school, things have to change. I'm not saying this because I hate you guys, however the path to an idol is not easy. Only one of ten million make it. I'm here to help you guys win Love Live, so you have to trust me on this" I said to them looking right at them with my eyes. They noticed that my eyes did not falter once, and looked at each other.
"Yukimura-san. Is it okay if we talk about it once more when the three are back?" Ayase-san asked.
"Yes, of course." I answered, "Also…"
I continued on with my sentence after talking out a ten small pieces of paper from my back pocket. I opened it and gave it to Ayase-san.
"T-This is?" Ayase-san looked shocked, as did the other members, "Yukimura-san… How in the world?"
"I will cut you guys a deal… Those pieces of paper you see there, are a special audition ticket for a medium scale competition between bands, idol groups, and solo singers. You will be facing off against the best in Tokyo, using my own written schedule. If we lose… I will continue with your original schedule and not interfere whatsoever. If we win, you guys will follow my open written schedule. Also for a bonus, if you I lose… You can choose whether to fire me or not." I proposed this other that shocked some of the members. However I just sat their smiling as I leaned back on the sofa, "That should suffice wouldn't it? Nishikino-san?"
Nishikino-san was near the door way looking at the back of head, glaring at me. Yazawa-san and Hoshizora-san stood behind her scared to say anything.
"No… If we lose… You will leave u's and never have anything to do with us again? Can you agree on that?" Nishikino-san asked.
"Maki-chan!" Kousaka-san yelled at her angrily, but she did not flinch.
I turned towards the angry crimson haired girl, and stared back at her. It seemed quite interesting so I couldn't help but agree.
"All right." I answered. Not only surprising the eight members, even Nishikino herself was surprised that I took the option. She looked back at me as if I was getting overconfident. However I don't mind either way.
"Y-Y-Yukimura-san there is no need for this" Kotori-san said, trying to make me change my mind. Sadly my mind was already set. Whether we lose or win, doesn't matter to me. When it comes down to it, it's all in these girls mentality.
"We have two weeks until The Tokyo Music Pop-Fest. Until the day comes, we are going to be using my workplan, is that all right with you guys?" I asked all of them. Some of them didn't like the idea of me leaving because of a little change, but they knew nothing was going to change my mind.
"I see… Then I wills see you guys tomorrow…" I got up off the sofa and left an envelope on top of the coffee table, and left. When I closed the door behind me, my phone went off.
"Who is it this time?" I took out my phone and read the senders name… I immediately turned my phone off, completely ignoring the message sent to me. That was the last thing I needed on my mind…
END.
Next Chapter:
Do You Really Want This?
D
