"Kanpai!"
The Live was safely concluded and everyone was ready to celebrate in the after party. The room was fairly big to accommodate all the staff as well as all the girls. There were lights and balloons here and there, lots of juice and sake, cookies and cakes as well as other snacks. Music flowing through the air, people laughing and dancing.
Ding Ding
The S:RE President Hiroyuki-san asked for everyone's attention by lightly hitting a glass with a spoon.
"Etto, may I have your attention?" He started. "Today's event was successfully accomplished. I feel the students and all our viewers got powered up for the year to come. It wouldn't had been possible without the help of all our amazing staff and their hard work. The girls were also outstanding. I hope we continue to fire up people's hearts and dreams. Let's continue working hard, my friends!"
"Banzai!"
"Dareka... Tasuketeeee..."
"Eh, what's wrong Kayo-chin?" Rin and the rest of the girls were wondering what was going on.
"I'm so happy I think I'm gonna cry." Hanayo let out. "It was the first time in years we performed together. I missed being on stage with all 9 of us."
"Hanayo-chan! From now on, we'll always be together and we'll dance and sing to our hearts content!" Honoka followed Hanayo's words. "Lets' work extra hard, minna!"
"Hm! I promise I'll continue drawing cute costumes for us!"
"And I'll do my best to write the best lyrics!"
"Harasho! I'll do everything I can to make the most wonderful choreographs ever!"
"Rin will help with the dance practices!"
"And I'll do everything I can to support all 9 of us!"
"Nico will make sure you learn the best idol poses, Nico Nico Nii~!"
Everyone stares at Maki waiting for her encouraging words.
"Eh? I have to say something too?" All 8 nodded. "Hazukashi... But alright... I'll work hard to write unique melodies!"
The Muse girls were looking forward to working together again.
Some time had passed.
Duda approached Eli.
"Ayase-san, shall we?"
Eli agreed and made her way to pick up her coat.
Maki noticed and asked her where she was going.
"Ah, I'm gonna go grab a bite with Duda-san."
"With Duda...?" Maki glanced over at him. "Soka. Just make sure you don't stay up 'till late."
Eli smiled and, in a few minutes, her figure disappeared in the middle of the crowd.
"Maki, what's with that face? Does your belly hurt?"
"Eh? Ba-baka! Of course that's not it."
Nico looked puzzled.
"Ne, Nico-chan... What do you think of Duda-san?"
"Our manager? Hum, let me see... He seems like a reliable person. Why?... Huh?! Don't tell me you're interested in him?! Yada, yada! Maki-chan is mine!"
"Shhh! Keep quiet, baka!" Maki grabbed Nico and whispered what she had seen.
"Really?! Does Nozomi know?"
"I don't think she does..."
Duda opened the restaurant's door for Eli, just like a gentleman.
They sat at one of the best tables, near the window with a beautiful view of the city lights.
"Order whatever you want, don't hold back Ayase-san."
"Ah, thank you. And, please, you can call me Eli."
"Waaa, this feels like a dream! I'm truly happy you accepted my invitation. I had wanted to meet you for a long time. Ever since I saw you dancing as a child."
"Don't say those things, I'll become red!" Eli was embarrassed.
"You see... It's thanks to you I was able to become an employee of one of the most important entertainment companies in Japan."
"Harasho! How so?"
"When I was a boy, I had no particular interests. All I ever knew what to do was study and study. Then, one day, my mother took me to what I thought would be a boring ballet event. And I really hated it, at first. I just wanted to go home and shut myself in my room. But I quickly changed my mind when you came up on stage. You danced so brilliantly and your feelings reached me. After that night I vowed I'd, one day, help people with talent deliver their own feelings to the crowd with their performances. And now, here I am."
A waiter approached them and wrote down their orders.
"Ah, I said it. It's a silly reason, but... Eheh..." Duda was pretty flustered.
"It's not. It makes me happy. I always thought I wasn't a good enough dancer, but knowing I was able to at least inspire one person, makes me really happy."
"You were amazing. And now that you are with Muse, you shine even more brightly!"
"At first I didn't like the idea of becoming a school idol, ahah. But everyone was so good and worked hard for our school, I got a little envious. Then, Honoka and the others received me with open arms even after I opposed to them for so long. And when Nozomi told me she had seen everything in her cards... I feel great performing with the girls. Oh, and A-Rise too!"
"Right, A-Rise used to be your rivals. And now you're colleagues."
"They're good senpai. I've learned a lot by working with them, these past weeks."
"And you said Nozomi-san saw your developments in her cards? I didn't know she had a gift like that!"
"She does! It's amazing how everything she sees actually comes to pass!"
"There's actually something I'd like to know. I wonder if she could read my fortune..."
"I bet she would gladly do it." Eli stated.
"Or maybe I could just ask the person in question..."
The waiter came with their food.
"Nee, Ayase- Ah, no. Eli. Are you single right now...?"
Eli's eyes widened.
"I know this is really sudden. We don't even know each other well but... Would you consider going out with me?"
Eli was speechless. She never had anyone declare their feelings for her before.
"Of course, you can take your time answering! And I won't force myself on you or anything! We can go slowly."
"Hm, I'll carefully think about it."
Meanwhile, the other Muse members were still having fun at the after party.
"Minna! Let's make a toast together! Tsubasa-san, Erena-san and Anju-san too!"
"Where's Eli?" Nozomi asked.
Maki and Nico put on their best poker faces.
"I'll go look for her, nya~!"
Rin started running around the room but came back empty handed.
"Ah, maybe she went home already?" Nico covered up.
"Maybe! I can't see her coat near ours!" Maki helped.
"But would she leave without telling us?" Umi wondered.
"What if something happened and she needs us to help her?!" Hanayo thought.
"I'm going home and see if she's there." Nozomi announced.
"In that case, we'll all go." Kotori offered.
"Eeehhh?! But I wanted to play some more with everyone!" Honoka shouted. "Hm... Then, at least, let me bring some snacks and juice with me!"
After Honoka got what she wanted, all 8 girls went home.
Obs: Waaa, how bold of Duda! Asking Eli out on the first date! What will her answer be, though? Will Maki and Nico be able to cover for Eli or will their tongue slip? And how will Nozomi react?
Read the next chapter to find out!
Hope you enjoyed!