Disclaimer: I don't own Love Live.
"Umi-chan! Why is it so cold today!?" Honoka cried out as she jumped onto Umi's back seeking warmth.
"Honoka stop messing around!" Umi yelled as she was trying to push Honoka off, earning a few giggles from Kotori.
It was a typical winter morning with the sun shinning bright as the three childhood friends made their way to school, and Honoka was up to her usual antics.
"Awww. But Umi-chan it's so cold outside, and you're super warm." Honoka had a small pout on her face as she attempted to bring Umi back into a hug.
"Maybe you should have dressed warmer." Umi continued to push Honoka away as she began her lecture. "You don't even have gloves or a scarf. You should have known it was going to be this cold and prepared."
"It's not my fault this time though! Yukiho-chan took my scarf this morning when she left without telling me, and I didn't have time to get another one."
"Well that explains the scarf. But what about your gloves?"
Honoka didn't say anything and simply started scratching the back of her head with a few small laughs. She knew it was hopeless to argue with Umi once she started a lecture.
"See this is your own fault. If you had just prepared properly this wouldn't be a problem."
Honoka let out a groan as she looked over to her other friend for support
"Kotori-chan, please help me. Umi-chan is being mean again."
"What did the big mean Umi-chan do this time?" Kotori asked. Earning a small chuckle from Honoka and a loud groan from Umi.
"She won't let me hug her to keep warm. I'm going to freeze if she doesn't help me."
"Is this true Umi-chan? Were you going to let our dear friend freeze?"
Honoka couldn't control herself anymore and started laughing. Causing Umi to turn her head away from her two friends with a small huff.
"You two always pick on me like this it's not fair. I'm just trying to help Honoka be more responsible."
Hearing that, Honoka and Kotori each latched onto one of Umi's arms in an attempt to pacify her.
"We're sorry Umi-chan we didn't mean it. I know you're just looking out for me." Honoka said while leaning onto Umi
"Yeah we were just having a little fun is all." Kotori added while also leaning into Umi.
"Jeez, what am I going to do with you two." Umi cried out with a small smile on her face
With that the two separated from Umi as they approached the front gate of the school. Honoka noticed Eli standing alone near the entrance and ran up to her.
"Good morning Eli-chan."
"Good morning you three."
Both Kotori and Umi gave quick greetings as well before Honoka started again.
"So what are you doing out here by yourself Eli-chan?"
"W-well I was actually waiting for Umi. I wanted to talk to her before school started today."
Both Honoka and Kotori noticed that Eli was noticeably embarrassed by whatever she needed to talk about. That made Honoka's heart sink.
"Well she's here now. So what did you need to tell her." Honoka's voice came out with a slight edge that she hadn't intended. She didn't like where this was going.
"I-It's kind of private." Eli had a noticeable blush on her face as she turned to Umi. "So could you just come with me before class starts. It won't take very long."
"O-okay let's go." Umi stammered out, than turned to her two friends. "You two can go to class ahead of me I'll go with Eli." With that Eli and Umi left, leaving Honoka frozen in place.
Honoka was lost in her thoughts, she had a pretty good idea what Eli wanted to talk about with Umi, and it filled her with sadness. Honoka had known about Umi's affection for Eli for some time. It was Kotori that first pointed it out to her, the way that Umi would always go to Eli for anything she needed help with. How Umi seemingly looked up to Eli more than anyone else Honoka had ever known. She noticed the way Umi would blush and get nervous anytime her and Eli would be partnered for idol activities. Most of all, Honoka noticed the way Umi would talk about Eli in a way she wouldn't talk about anyone else, with affection.
Honoka had also noticed the signs from Eli as well. She was just as easy to read as Umi was when it came to embarrassing things like love. The way Eli would try and act even more mature in front of Umi . Or the way she would always try and find ways to help Umi with her new student council duties. It was all simply to obvious, Eli loved Umi and Umi loved Eli, but Honoka also loved Umi.
When she first noticed Umi's feelings for Eli she decided to try and bury her feelings and try and forget about them. She thought that if Umi would be happy with Eli then she wouldn't try and get in the way, even if it meant hiding feelings she had ever since they were kids. She thought she had been doing a good job with it. She didn't get as jealous when Umi went to Eli for help with dance steps, or when Eli would come to the student council room to help Umi. She seemed to have had finally gotten her feelings under control.
This was a different situation though. Honoka was sure Eli was going to confess to Umi, and no matter how hard she had been pushing her love away, it still hurt. All these feelings she had been suppressing were seemingly coming back all at once. She had known Umi didn't love her, but knowing she would end up with someone else hurt her so much more than she thought it would.
She was broken out of her thoughts by Kotori who placed her hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Kotori had known about Honoka's love for Umi for a while, and it hurt her to see her normally bright friend so sad.
"Maybe it's not what you think. Maybe she just needed her advice for something." Kotori said while flashing Honoka a reassuring smile.
Honoka didn't respond and simply gave her a blank stare that said she didn't believe her. Kotori didn't blame Honoka, she didn't even believe it herself.
"Well how about we just head to class. We wouldn't want to be late."
Honoka simply nodded her head before they started heading to class.
They arrived before Umi and they both took their seats. Kotori took this as a good time to attempt to help Honoka out.
"Are you sure you're okay Honoka-chan? You know we can just say that you are sick and go to the nurse if you want. I'll stay there with you." Kotori finished with a bright smile in an attempt to bring Honoka's spirits up, even if it was just a little.
"I think I'm going to be fine for now. But thanks Kotori-chan." Honoka's voice was devoid of it's usual cheer, and it broke Kotori's heart.
Before Kotori could say something to try and help Umi entered the class obviously flustered, but noticeably happy.
"So what did Eli-chan need to talk you about?" Kotori asked hoping maybe it wasn't what they thought.
"I-I will tell you guys later. Class is about to start." Umi told her, obviously flustered. That was really all the confirmation Kotori and Honoka needed
As if on queue the teacher entered the classroom and began the days lessons.
Classes went by in a haze to Honoka, her mind was preoccupied with to many thoughts, none of them particularly good. Umi's reaction to Kotori's question was all the confirmation she needed, sometimes knowing someone as well as Honoka knew Umi wasn't always a good thing. She knew no matter how she tried to bury these feelings, they were still there.
Her mind wandered from depressing thought to depressing thought all throughout class. Her thoughts were broken by the lunch bell and Umi trying to get her attention.
"Honoka!"
"Ahhh. What is it Umi-chan."
"Were you spacing out that badly? You weren't even paying attention all class were you?" Umi started to scold her friend.
"Sorry Umi-chan I just have a lot of stuff on my mind is all." Honoka was trying to avoid this. She really wasn't in the mood for one of Umi's lectures.
"Umi-chan just let Honoka-chan off this time, please." Kotori jumped in trying to placate Umi.
"Fine. I guess I don't really have the time today anyway."
"What do you mean you don't have the time? We were about to go to lunch." Honoka asked, a bit surprised, the two of them ate lunch together everyday lately.
"I-I was going to eat with Eli today."
"Why are you going to eat with Eli-chan today. Is that what she wanted to ask you this morning?" Kotori asked noticing that Honoka was having trouble keeping herself together.
"W-well not exactly." Umi's face turned bright red and she took a deep breath before she continued. "She actually confessed to me, and I accepted her feelings."
Honoka wasn't sure why hearing it out loud like that hurt her so much, she already knew it was going to happen. Maybe hearing it out loud from the girl herself was simply to much.
"Well congratulations Umi-chan. I'm really happy for both of you." Kotori wasn't really lying, she was really happy her friend had found someone.
"Thank you." Umi said then turned to look at Honoka. "I'm really sorry Honoka I know me and you normally eat lunch together."
"I-It's okay Umi-chan. I understand go spend time with Eli-chan." Honoka was obviously barely holding together and Umi noticed.
"Oh I know. You can just eat with me and Eli. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"It's alright Umi-chan, really it is." Honoka told her while mustering up a hollow smile.
"I really am sorry Honoka. Maybe we can spend some time together later." With that Umi stood up gave a few quick goodbyes and left.
Honoka silently began to gather her things to go find a secluded place to eat lunch before she noticed Kotori was still there.
"Why are you still here. Aren't you going to go find Nico-chan." Honoka's words came out very harsh and she quickly regretted it. "I-I'm sorry Kotori-chan I didn't mean it like that."
"It's alright Honoka-chan I understand you're upset, it's okay." Kotori than stood up and went over to put a hand on Honoka's shoulder. "Nico-chan messaged me this morning that she was going to spend lunch with Nozomi-chan. She said Nozomi-chan isn't taking this news very well either."
That made sense to Honoka. Everyone knew how close Nozomi and Eli were, so this news couldn't be easy on Nozomi. Maybe she had someone who would be able to understand what she was feeling right now.
"So does that mean we can spend lunch time together." Kotori simply smiled and nodded her head. Honoka got up from her seat and enveloped her in a bone crushing hug.
"You're the best Kotori-chan!" Honoka shouted while letting go of Kotori. "So where should we go?"
"Well I don't think anyone is using the club room so we could use it."
Honoka nodded as they gathered their things. They were both silent as they made their way to the club room. Kotori noticed that Honoka had seemed to have lost the little cheer she had in the classroom. Once they arrived they took seats at the table next to each other, Kotori took out her homemade lunch while Honoka had her sweet bread.
"Is that all you're going to eat?"
"Yeah. Umi-chan never lets me just eat bread for lunch, but she isn't here so." Honoka's eyes were downcast as she munched at her bread.
"You know Honoka-chan. It's alright to be sad, I don't mind." Kotori gave her a reassuring smile hoping maybe to get through to Honoka.
"I-I'm fine really." Kotori noticed Honoka was holding her emotions in and just pulled her into a hug.
"You know you don't have to hold things in Honoka-chan."
Honoka didn't say anything and simply buried her head into Kotori's shoulder letting out a few sobs. Kotori didn't say anything and simply rubbed her friends back urging her to just let everything out. They stayed this way for a few minutes until Honoka broke away from the embrace wiping away her tears on her sleeves.
"I didn't think it would hurt this bad Kotori-chan. I thought I could give up on her, but knowing she is with someone else just hurts a lot more then I thought it would."
Kotori didn't say anything and simply kept on rubbing her back doing her best to help her friend feel better. Honoka looked up to Kotori and gave her a small smile.
"Thanks Kotori-chan. For being here with me. It really helps a lot."
"I'll be there for you anytime you need me Honoka-chan." Kotori than glanced at the clock and noticed lunch was almost over. "How about we go to the bathroom and wash your face before heading back to class. You wouldn't want to worry Umi-chan."
Honoka answered with a smile and a nod as the two friends gathered their things and left the club room. Honoka had a small smile on her face, she knew she wouldn't be able to get over her love that quickly, but she knew she didn't have to do it alone.
"It's so cold outside! What are we even doing eating lunch on the roof in the middle of winter!?" Nico complained as she tightened her jacket and scarf searching for warmth.
"I didn't ask you to come eat with me you know."
Nico didn't answer as they sat on the roof eating their lunch. Neither really saying anything to each other. Nico was growing impatient and decided to jump right to the point.
"Are you alright Nozomi-chan?" Nico asked a bit shyly
"I'm fine Nico-chi. Why wouldn't I be?" Nozomi replied in her usual tone, getting a glare from Nico.
"You know what I'm talking about Nozomi-chan. I know that you've loved Eli-chan for a long time now. You're hurting you don't have to hide it."
"I-I'm not hurting. I'm actually really happy for her that she found someone that makes her happy." Nozomi said without her usual calm and composure. Nico noticed this immediately and simply put a hand on her friends shoulder.
"You don't always have to be so strong for everyone. You know that all your friends are here for you if you need us."
"It really is fine. You don't have to worry about me." Nozomi was simply staring down at her lunch box as she talked, this made Nico furious.
"How many times do I have to tell you that you aren't alone you idiot! Stop trying to be so strong for everyone and let me help you for a change! It's so obvious that you're hurting and it hurts me to see you like this, so just let me help you!" Nico was shouting at Nozomi. She wondered if maybe she was being a bit to harsh.
Nozomi didn't answer and simply put her head in her hands and started to cry. Nico noticed and moved closer and wrapped an arm around her friend, pulling her in closer.
"See that wasn't to hard was it. Just let it out it's no good if you just keep it all bottled up like that." Nico kept her arm around Nozomi and leaned against her, just letting get all her emotions out.
Nozomi wasn't really thinking now and was just letting all the days emotions out. Finding out that Umi had accepted her confession just as Nozomi thought she would, and seeing the sheer joy on Eli's face caused her so much sadness. Now she was simply letting all that out in the arms of her friend, and she felt relieved. It felt so different then when she cried alone in her room, to have someone there for you and comforting you made the pain so much more bearable.
Nozomi stayed in Nico's arm and simply cried for a few minutes. It was a nice release and Nozomi was thankful for that.
"T-thank you Nico-chi. I guess I really did need to let some stuff out." Nozomi said while still leaning into Nico.
"I told you it would." Nico told her with her usual arrogance before her face softened. "I mean what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you through this."
"I guess you're right." Nozomi let out a small laugh. "What about Kotori-chan though. Don't you two eat together everyday."
"Oh, she had someone she needed to comfort to."
"So Honoka-chan probably isn't taking this news to well either." Nozomi had noticed that Honoka loved Umi around the time Muse formed, and knew she would be just as heartbroken.
"Probably not. But she has Kotori-chan there so she should be fine." Nico sneaked a peek at her phone and noticed it was almost the end of lunch. "Well we should probably start heading back to class now. You'll be okay right?"
"Yeah I feel a lot better now. Thanks Nico-chi."
The two separated and gathered up their things as they than made their way off the roof and back to class. Nozomi felt a bit lighter and happier, maybe opening up to your friends wasn't to bad after all.
A/N: Welp friends can be pretty great can't they. I wanted to get this chapter out before the weekend since I ain't gonna be able to do any writing over the weekend so I got this out a bit quickly, hopefully it turned out okay.
As always let me know what ya think or what you'd wanna see in the future. Hopefully I can get through these sad chapters and get to some happiness here soon. I've been drowning myself in Honoka and Nozomi fluff ever since I started writing this to make up for it.
Chapter Album – Black Messiah by D'Angelo
