With the International Music Club approved by the school, the members wasted no time preparing for their first meeting as Lina is on the phone making calls to her mother about what designs she is allowed to use for pop music week. Nate and Ken are currently deciding on what song to perform in an effort to promote the club from the list that Mark suggested.

"I got the white board and the school will allow us to use the music room as long as its part of club activities." Sayako told the other members as she brings the white board into the club room, which happens to be similar to a conference room in appearance as they have a large table to work on.

"Thank you Sayako. Jenny is still working on the design on the flyers. Why don't you take a break until then?" Nate suggested.

"Sure. Just tell me if you needed anything else."

"Of course."

Nate then turns his attention to Lina, who is currently waiting for the pictures of the outfits her mother promised to send her on her phone. She then turns to Nate.

"Sorry about this Nate, but it seems my mother cannot donate as much as she requested. Next week, she is going on tour to internationally promote her merchandise for various fashion shows and fashion magazines so her schedule is going to be quite full for the next month. She can do it for pop music week, but we only get eight full outfits to choose from so we might have to make some changes to our original plans."

"That's okay. I never did expect it to go fully our way. We can use the outfits as both decorations and props to fit the setting. We will also only need a couple to use for the video anyway, although we might need to change things even more in the coming weeks."

"Um, if its alright, I did learn quite a few things from my mother and I do have materials that I can make so if you don't mind me handling the costumes and outfits myself, I will gladly make them." Lina offered.

"I think that will work just fine. What do you think Nathan?" Ken turns to Nate.

"I'm okay with that as long as you don't overwork yourself, okay? If you feel overwhelmed, let us know if we can help in anyway."

"Yes, thank you."

"Alright, I think this design will do."

Jenny presents the concept of the club's new flyer on her notebook. The flyer shows various colors with silhouettes of a cowboy and rockstar performing side by side to the International Music Club title shown on the center. On the top and bottom, there are song notes along with a slogan written in Japanese, reading "Come join and get the full international experience with music and make great memories". Below the slogan shows the general summary of the club and a list of items for students to bring if they want to participate, including flash drives. Of course, they also put that bringing the items is optional to make it look less forceful.

Nate approves of the flyer after taking a good look at it. "Yeah. It looks a little too overstuffed, but people will ask for the details so I think this is fine. It looks like we will be spending the first meeting trying to promote our club in hopes for participation."

"I will get this copied right away." Sayako grabs the flyer and dashes out of the room, much to everyone's confusion.

"She really is eager to do this, isn't she?" Mark asked.

"Well, she is a fan of western music after all. According to her friends, she used to have posters of idols from the US and UK, including NSYNC and US5. Those two were big hits in the two countries." Jenny answered.

"I see. I just hope she comes back in time for practice." Nate has a sweat drop falling from his head.

"Anyway, shall we head to the music room and start playing?"

"Yes, Mr. President. I even got the laptop ready for the performance." Ken jokingly answered.

"I need to get used to being called President." Nathan said as he heads out of the club room.

The newly formed band, consisting of Sayako on the bass, Ken on the drums, and Nate on the guitar and vocals, head to the music room. As soon as the laptop and camera they connected with it started, they began recording their rendition of All or Nothing by O-Town, which started out rough due to lack of rehearsal, despite the instruments being set to play the song. Every time they messed up, either Nathan or Sayako would delete the recorded clip and begin recording again. After a couple more tries, they were able to finally perform the song correctly and had it recorded on the computer. Once the video was ready, they had it shown next to two Japanese student, one girl and one boy, who have taken interest in joining the club. With the laptop showing Nate's band performing the song, she passes out the flyers with some help from Mark after Sayako found herself too exhausted to continue.

"This boy has a great voice. Will he be performing if we join?"

"Why would we possibly need to bring our own flash drives and instruments to participate? Are we supposed to perform in the club as well?"

"Do you have enough costumes for everybody?"

Many students who are interested barraged Mark and Jenny with questions, which they have a hard time answering due to many of them asking at the same time.

"Easy! Easy!" Nate makes his way back to the clubroom.

"One question at a time! We won't be able to keep up if you guys keep crowding!"

With the crowd settled, the students start to line up to get their questions answered, much to the relief of Jenny and Mark. However, the crowd managed to attract the attention of a member of a certain idol group, currently spying on the club from the corner of a hallway intersection.

"Ghh! How can a club that just formed gather this much attention? Even their flyers are being given away as fast as if someone is giving away a plate of snacks." The black, twin tailed girl stares at the club with envy.

"Huh? What's this?"

"...It appears that a new club is being formed by foreign students. From what I've heard, their club is different from the clubs we usually have so everybody got curious."

Two more girls suddenly snuck behind the black haired girl without noticing.

"Wha-!? Rin-chan!? Hanayo-chan!?"

"Well, if it isn't Nico-chan nya~! Are you curious over the new club?"

"Hmph! Of course not! Why would I be interested in a western style club when we already have the very popular Idol Research Club!?" Nico goes into denial.

"Then why are you watching them while hiding in the corner?" Rin teased, knowing Nico's reluctant interest.

"B-Because I saw quite a bit of students going somewhere so I just wanted to know what is going on!"

"So in other words, you are interested nya~!"

"Ghh!"

After Rin caught Nico red handed, Nathan heard their commotion and saw Nico eye to eye. Before he can even react, Nico noticed that she was seen and retreated as fast as she could.

"Hmm? Is something wrong Nate?" Jenny asked.

"No, nothing. So it looks like we got enough students interested in participating in the club, right?"

"Actually, more than enough. We are going to have to find a way to divide so everyone can have their turn." Mark answered.

"Right." Nathan then proceeds to help pass out the flyers.

In the Hanamasa grocery store...

"Lucky!" Nico is seen eyeing the last rib eye steak for half off, but before she can put her hand on it, another hand places another rib eye steak back in the shelf.

"Sorry about that, but I was given a deal on some chicken so I didn't need it."

"That's good, I really need the steaks."

When Nico looks up, she becomes shocked, seeing the equally stunned Nathan shopping in the same area as she is.

"Hey, I remember you! You are that rude girl from the μ's! I believe your name is Nico Yazawa, correct?"

"Hey! I am not always rude and how do you know my name in the first place!?"

"Who hasn't heard of the μ's in this school? They are a significant idol group after all."

Nico then makes an arrogant pose. "Of course! After all, Nico is one of the members who helped form the μ's in the first place."

Seeing Nico's personality, Nate decides to tease her a bit. "That's an obvious fact. I guess there is one girl in that group with a questionable personality standing right in front of me."

Nate's remarks caused Nico to have a vein mark pop up on her head.

"What the heck was that supposed to mean? Isn't that being a bit rude for you to say?"

"Just a little payback for avoiding me in the hallway the last time we met. That's actually what I don't get, why were you avoiding me when you don't even know me?"

Nico becomes very hesitant and finds herself unable to speak. Nate decides to take a guess behind her behavior.

"Could it be that you are against the International Student Program, or the fact that the school became co-ed?"

Nico shook her head. "No...that's not particularly it."

"Then do you hate just me? Did I do something wrong in your eyes?"

Nico refuses to answer and makes up an excuse. "I have to go home now to make dinner. Excuse me."

Nico grabs both of the rib eye steaks and makes a dash to the cashier, leaving the confused Nate behind.

"Now I am really wondering if I did something wrong."

Nate continues shopping while thinking what is with Nico's reclusive behavior towards him.

The next day...

Nathan is currently spending his free period looking at sheets of the pop songs Mark selected for next week's performance. Honoka approaches him from behind and grabs hold of his shoulders.

"Hey Nate-kun!" Honoka yelled happily.

"Woah! Honoka? Why did you suddenly sneak up on me like that?"

"You seemed a bit too serious so I thought doing this would lighten things up. I heard that your club is going well from Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan."

"Hmm? The two other members of μ's? I didn't see them come by to the club."

"They saw other students crowding the area so they felt that it wouldn't be the right time to bother you."

Nate smiled. "How considerate of them."

"Hmm, I did notice that you are a bit too serious earlier. Did something happened?"

"No, nothing much at least."

"But something did, right? Do you mind telling me about it?"

Nate takes a small breath. "It's mainly your friend Nico. Her attitude towards me seems very strange. It is as if she has something against me, but I don't know what I did to upset her. Do you have any ideas?"

Honoka releases Nate's shoulders. "Yeah, Nico-chan isn't someone you can get along with that easily. I guess either she is uncomfortable with the fact that the school is now a co-ed or she might view you as a rival of some sorts."

"Couldn't be the former since her attitude appears to be only directed towards me."

"Hmm, I guess she must view you as a rival since you formed a club that can rival the Idol Research Club."

"Seriously?"

"Hai, you see, she tends to think highly of herself from time to time and tends to get jealous if someone takes her spotlight away like Eri-chan. Your club did cause a bit of commotion since it would be considered the first western influenced club at our school."

"She really thought of us as a rival club? Does she not know that the Idol Research Club was an influence?"

"That's just how Nico-chan is, at least on the outside. She actually has a caring side towards her friends so maybe once she knows you a little better, she will get along with you just as with us when we first met her."

"So that's it."

"Yup. Just give it some time for Nico-chan to warm up to you. You will see the caring side of her soon."

"I hope so. My life in Tokyo won't get any better if I have someone who hates me."

"Like I said, Nico-chan doesn't really hate you. You will see what I mean when you talk to her more. Come on, let's go take a walk while we still have free period. It won't be good if you get too focused on one thing all the time."

"Yeah, I could use some fresh air after spending most of yesterday and morning working on the club."

As Nate and Honoka walk around the hallway, the latter got curious about Nate's life in America and started a conversation with him about it.

"Hahaha! One of your friends actually landed on his butt, because he was singing!?"

"Yeah. He was part of the school choir and was worried over how he would do so he tends to practice a lot. Unfortunately, he gets distracted from his surroundings very easily, because of that and accidentally slipped on the wet floor despite a wet floor sign right next to him and landed on his bottom. There was even one time that his singing annoyed everyone so much, Ken actually stuffed his mouth with a whole donut just to get him to shut up. It is as funny as you imagine it."

Honoka could barely hold back her laugh as she imagined the situation. "You sure have some funny friends."

"Those were some of the good times I've had back in San Francisco. I quite miss my home there, but I am quite happy being in Tokyo as well. Its another adventure for me."

"I am glad." Honoka smiled.

"Ah, if it isn't Honoka-chan!"

"Hmm? Isn't that the boy helping out the club yesterday?"

Rin and Hanayo were walking in the opposite direction when they bumped into Honoka and Nate.

"Rin-chan! Hanayo-chan! I see you two are taking a break as well."

"Hai! Oh? It's that boy from yesterday nya~!"

"You know me?"

"Not really, but we saw you helping the other two students out since the new club got very crowded!" Rin answered.

Nate turns to Hanayo, who seemed to be having trouble talking to him as she hid behind Rin.

"Um...hello..."

"Hello there. My name is Nathan Calaway. You can call me Nate if you wish."

"...My name is Koizomi Hanayo...Um..."

Nate turns to Honoka. "Is she shy around boys?"

"She is like that towards everyone she doesn't know. It will be okay once she gets to know you a bit more."

"Like Nico?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"My name is Hoshizora Rin, but you can call me Rin-chan!" Rin wasted no time introducing herself.

"Nice to meet you two. I've heard of both of you since you two are part of the μ's. The Idol Research Club is one of my inspirations for forming the new club you saw yesterday."

"Really!?" Upon hearing that the μ's is one of Nate's inspirations, Hanayo immediately comes out of hiding from behind Rin.

"Yes. After seeing one of your practice sessions, it started bringing back memories of what I used to do. I had a hard time adjusting to Japanese society when I first moved here, but the performance I saw all of you girls doing made me realize that music makes me feel back at home so I gathered my friends from abroad and started the International Music Club, the first ever western style club in this school."

"Yes! Music, especially from idols, were what inspire me too. It was through idol music and the μ's that I am starting to open up. I am glad to hear that it has helped someone else as well."

Nathan was shocked over Hanayo's sudden change in personality, causing Honoka to giggle at his surprised face.

"Hanayo-chan may be shy, but when it comes to idols, she is very enthusiastic about them."

"No kidding."

"So Nate-kun, what exactly is the International Music Club? We couldn't go since it was too crowded!" Rin asked.

"The International Music Club mainly focuses on the theme of non-Japanese music, hence the title. Unlike most clubs, we don't plan to limit participation just to the club member, but we want everyone else interested to give it a try and make some good memories. They will be allowed to record themselves to sing, dance, or play an instrument relating to the theme of the club and each theme changes every week. If they want to have accommodations such as not wanting to be recorded, we can provide that too, but then making memories is one of the main points of the club so we would feel a little disappointed if they refused. Doesn't really matter to us that much though. If they don't want their performance to be made public then they also have the option to keep their performances in a flash drive for themselves. As for the music, although it is not limited to a specific category of non-Japanese music, western-style music is the main type of music the club will focus on, but we will try to be as diverse as we can."

"...That's fine! Its your club after all. I think it will be nice to have music from all over the world." Hanayo responded before going back to her shy self.

"That's what I was thinking. Eli and Nozomi seems to be interested in the club too though they were probably too busy to check it out. I just hope that our activities don't violate the school rules."

"I think it will be fine. You have support from the μ's anyway and I think its good to try something different." Honoka replied energetically.

"Yes! I will make sure to come check it out when I have time nya~!"

"...The next meeting will be on Tuesday, but all of you are more than welcome to visit or even participate if you like."

Nate wonders why Rin currently has a habit of saying nya half of the time she ends her sentences, but decides that it is better not to ask.

"If I had known, I would have tried to improve my English skills so I could learn how to sing, but only Maki-chan and Nozomi-chan seems to know the language better than the rest of us." Honoka sighs.

"Actually, there are many Japanese artists who makes covers of foreign language songs into their own language. We can allow that as well if you wish to perform."

Honoka becomes excited again in an instant. "Great, then I will be looking forward to check out your club!"

"Me too! I want to know what kind of music do foreign musicians play nya~!"

A sweat drop forms on Nate's head as Rin does not realize that modern Japanese music is heavily influenced by western music.

"So what are you going to do about Nico-chan? I know you still want to be friends with her." Honoka asked.

"I don't know. I am too busy with setting up the next meeting for me to think about it right now."

"...Um, if you want to be friends with Nico-chan...maybe you should try to attract her attention first." Hanayo suggested.

"Attract her attention? That's actually a pretty good idea. Whatever kind of club attracts a lot of attention, no doubt Nico will watch. I will see what I can do to get her to participate so that she can understand why we are doing this a little better. Thanks Hanayo."

Hearing praise coming from Nathan, Hanayo becomes embarrassed, but feels a little happy at the same time. Seeing this, Honoka notices something about Nate's personality that is helping him gain new friends very quickly, but is happy for him.

On Tuesday in the music room...

"Alright, everyone who wants to participate, choose a song from the list and ask whether you want to have your performance recorded to take home or uploaded! Don't worry if you don't get to perform with the band, we will do the same thing next week with a different theme of music. Once your decision have been made, feel free to hang out and watch the band perform the songs and we will provide a brief 20 minute lecture at the end where you can ask questions! Those who don't wish to participate, enjoy the show!"

Jenny is heard shouting as students line up to either participate or take their seats for the performances, while Mark gives them the song list. After Nate sets up and test the microphone, he tunes the guitar to the right setting before heading out of the room for a brief period.

"Oh hey Nate, looking for someone?" Mark asked.

"You can say that."

Nate is currently dressed in one of those colorful and shine attires used by many boy bands during the 90s provided by Lina, as were the rest of the band. Despite being well disguised, Nathan spots the person he was looking for as he recognizes the black twin tails. Nico refuses to participate and becomes an audience member instead as expected. With everyone in their seats, which was gathered with permission and had the other instruments moved aside for room, Nate heads straight towards the microphone.

"Hello everyone and welcome to the actual first day of the International Music Club, where music from all over the world is our theme, though we prefer western type of music due to the people running the club." Nate joked.

"Anyway, thank you for all of those who signed up to participate for tomorrow. Here is our first song, All or Nothing, by one of America's most underrated boy band, O-Town, one of the songs available for many who signed to participate for pop week."

As the house band started performing the song, students became very impressed by the band's original melody they added to fit their style into the song. While he had doubts that his vocal performance would not be as well-received in Japan compared to the American audience, Nate was proven wrong when the students started cheering for them, despite some who knew the song being initially shocked over the arrangement. Honoka, Rin, and Hanayo are also in the audience and are very impressed by the band's performance, while Nico still shows a surprised face, but keeps on telling herself that the μ's are better. Outside of the music room, Nozomi is spotted listening to the performance and is equally impressed.

"My my. It seems like Nate-kun's club is especially off to a strong start. Isn't that right, Maki-chan?"

Nozomi turned to Maki, who was secretly listening from the end of the hallway. Seeing that she was caught, Maki becomes embarrassed as she gets out of the corner.

"This is just like when you first heard the μ's perform in the auditorium."

"I-I didn't plan on coming here, okay? I suddenly heard that some music is playing so I was wondering what it was!" Maki makes an excuse, much to Nozomi's amusement.

After 5 more songs were performed, the mini-concert ended. The band takes a bow as the audience gave a standing ovation to their performance.

"Thank you very much! For the people who signed up to sing tomorrow, we will perform the music so we hope that all of you will give it your best! Thank you!"

Nate then takes a look around in the audience and saw Nico, making eye to eye contact with her a second time, but this time, she didn't run away. Curious, Nico decides to remain as the band's lecture begins with Sayako bringing out the projector.

"Alright guys, before we move on, allow us to tell you a little of our history and why this club was formed. We hope for all of you to understand."

Nate said as the crowd went silent.

Another chapter done. Originally, I wasn't going to do this until I finished one of my other fanfics, but I felt that it was the appropriate time as the Love Live movie is coming closer and I will probably be busy for the next couple of weeks. With the club finally off to a strong start, its only a matter of time before I focus on the relationship between Nate and the girls. Hope all of you readers enjoyed this chapter.