Chapter 4: After That
A few days after μ's first concert, the trio still can't manage to find other students that willing to join their idol group. This is a big problem, because no matter how good or popular they are, they won't be able to create an official club without at least 5 members.
"Why don't you just join in Riku-San?" said Honoka lazily.
"First, I'm not even from this school. Second, I'm a guy. Third, why am I 'Riku' now?" Rikuo said.
"Because 'Rikuo' is too long" Honoka said.
The four of them are at their usual training spot at the temple. Having a break after an hour of training.
"How about Koizumi-San? She was so eager to see you guys perform, maybe she wants to join" Rikuo said.
"That's right, maybe we should ask her" Kotori said.
Suddenly, Rikuo's phone rang, and it says that he got a new text from his mother.
From: Mom
15:23 20/01/2016
Ri-Chan, can you please go get some medicine for your dad at mom's friend's house?
The address is xxxxxx
"Sorry guys, but it looks like I need to excuse myself now, my mom wants me to do something for her" Rikuo said to the three girls.
"Okay Riku-San, we'll see you next time" Honoka said.
"Right, Bye guys." he said before he starts walking to the address written in the text.
After walking for a few minutes, he finally arrived at his destination. The address his mom gave him leads him to a very big house. He pressed the bell and it connected to an intercom.
"Yes?" come a voice of a woman on the other side of the line.
"I am the son of Inoue Yukari, my mom told me to grab some medicine?" I said.
"Ah, of course. She said her son would come to get the medicine, please come in" she said.
He is now sitting at the long couch inside of the house. He glanced around his surrounding, seeing many trophies coming from different subjects displayed on the shelves.
"So… how old are you Rikuo-San?" the older woman asked him.
"I'm 16" answered Rikuo.
"Oh! Only a year older than my daughter, she's probably still at the hospital right now" the woman said.
"Our family runs a hospital and she will be the heir to that hospital" she continued.
"You're also the heir to your father's company aren't you Rikuo-San?" she asked.
'Inoue Industries' one of the leading company in Japanese technology right now. It is owned by Inoue Seto, Rikuo's father. His father never said it directly to him, but Rikuo knows his father well enough to know that his father has a great expectation in Rikuo taking the care of the company after him.
Before Rikuo got the chance to answer, suddenly he heard the front door being opened.
"I'm home" come a very familiar voice.
A girl with short, red hair came in to the, and she can't contain her surprised look after seeing Rikuo in her living room.
"Eh? Rikuo-San?!" She said.
"My, my, so you two know each other already? Why are you hiding this thing from me Maki-Chan?" her mother teased her.
"No, it's nothing like that! I know him because he has been helping my school from getting closed" Maki quickly says before her mother getting the wrong idea.
"Is that so? Then why don't you accompany him while I'll go get the thing he needs" her mother said before leaving them alone.
"So… why are you here?" asked Maki as she takes a seat on the couch across Rikuo.
"My mom asked me to get my dad's medicine here" answered Rikuo.
"Is that so…" She said.
She doesn't know anything about Rikuo other than his involvement in μ's. But hearing that his family would only take medicines directly from the hospital owner means that he comes from a high classed family. Which makes her even wonder why he would bother to use a big amount of his time to help a school idol group that's not even from his school?
The two of them then fell into an awkward silence, the two knows next to nothing about each other to be able to strike a conversation. Until Rikuo noticed something in her bag.
"So… you still don't want to join μ's?" He asked.
"No, I told you I won't change my mind" She said.
"But you did change your mind about not wanting to compose a song for them…" Rikuo grinned.
"I… did that just because I felt guilty after hitting your face! I don't have any interest to deal with them again!" Maki said.
"But I can see μ's poster in your bag" Rikuo point his index finger at Maki's bag.
"N-No! This is just… I collect posters from every club!" She said, all flustered.
"But μ's is not even a club yet" Rikuo rebutted.
"Uh… why are you so eager to help them anyway?" She said, trying to change the subject.
"I don't think I need a reason to help anyone who's doing something positive…" Rikuo quickly answered.
That is not the answer Maki expected from him. He seems like a nice guy, but she figured after seeing how often he helped them, he gets something in return for it. She's quite surprised to know that Rikuo doing all those works for no reason other than for the sake of helping.
"Seriously though, back to the subject. You have a beautiful voice and a knack in music, yet I don't see you joining any music related club. Why is that?" asked Rikuo.
"Actually… right after graduating from High School, I'm probably going to be enrolled in a medical school. I don't have any more time for music…" She said.
This time, it's Rikuo that didn't see that coming. It made him reflect on himself and the reason he stopped playing music on a more regular basis, which is one of the reason why working with μ's has been his highlight of the week lately. But even so, he doesn't want to see her or anyone fell into the same fate as him.
"Hey, you mustn't say it like that… You're still young, a first grader. Instead of putting too much time looming over the future, you should try to enjoy the present. Besides, it's such a waste if you don't use your skill…" he said.
Suddenly, Maki's mother comes into the living room. Behind her is a short, brunette girl wearing a pair of glasses. He instantly recognized her as the girl that was so eager to see μ's concert.
"Koizumi-San?" Maki said after seeing the girl.
"And here you go Rikuo-San" Makis's mother gave Rikuo a plastic bag filled with medicines.
"Ah, thank you ma'am. Then, I'll excuse myself now" He said as he stands up.
"You sure you don't want to stay around for a bit?" the woman said.
"I'd love to, but I actually have a lot of work to do" Rikuo declined politely.
"I see, then maybe some other time, and tell your mother I said hi." she said.
"I'll keep that in mind ma'am. Bye Nishikino-San, Koizumi-San" Rikuo bid the two juniors goodbye before he left the room.
Late Night, Inoue Residence, Rikuo's Room
It has now been 2 days after that encounter. Rikuo yawned as he closed yet another thick book. On the side of his desk are stacked various text books, ranging from Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, etc. Not to mention before this he was doing work for the student council, making arrangement and plants for the school festival, and doing some more research about showbiz, entertainment, and idol group management, basically anything that would help μ's. As talented as they are, he is aware that there is still a long way to go before they can reach their goals.
He was about to open for his Biology book when he suddenly felt lightheaded.
"Maybe I'm just tired… I should rest." he thought to himself.
Suddenly, his phone notification pops up and it says that he just received a new message.
From: Kousaka-San
22:29 21/01/2016
We finally made it! We have 3 juniors joined us this afternoon! They are:
Koizumi Hanayo
Hoshizora Rin
Nishikino Maki
Thanks for all your help Riku-San!
Rikuo laughed after seeing this, he knows she'll come around eventually. After all, she's willing to help them compose a song. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist since she has music pretty much flowing in her bloods. Hanayo also finally joined the group, he can see that she really interested in becoming part of an idol group since the day she promised the trio she's definitely going to watch their concert.
He glanced back at his text book, and decided to close it and go to sleep.
To Be Continued