SORRY for the huge delay ;-; I was a bit busy and lost this chapter... so I had to rewrite it... and here it is!


Next song

I had to use an umbrella and a coat on my way to school… I sighed loudly, seriously? It had to rain today of all days? The day of our concert? Way to go, sky! I thought as I walked under the pouring rain towards the school building, I could see Hanayo and Rin waiting for me at the entrance. Of course they had a very troubled face.

"Maki-chan, what can we do?" Hanayo asked as I took off my coat.

"There's not much we can do…" I couldn't hide my pessimism.

"We should go check the roof nya! Maybe we can swipe the water later… rain can't last forever!" Rin grabbed Hanayo as they walked upstairs, at least someone is optimist. I just followed them in silence, how can we do a concert like this?

We arrived to the roof floor and I leaned my back against the wall while the other two first years looked through the window door… I flinched when I felt pain in my left shoulder, Ugh, I guess our fall was pretty hard after all. I half smiled at the memory of our fall as I rubbed my shoulder, then I leaned against the wall again but this time with the weight on my right side. I kept looking at the two first years… they seem devastated by the rain. I hear some steps coming that made me turn around, it's Eli and Nico. The blonde gives me a sad smile as Hanayo and Rin dare to open the door.

"Today doesn't seem like our lucky day, right?" I nodded at Eli's words.

"Don't say that! This is just a test, true idols should be able to perform in any circumstances!" The blonde just smiled at Nico's words.

"But it's pouring, nya…" Rin exclaimed as her and Hanayo peeked outside.

"And there's no one here…" Hanayo voiced with worry, Eli just crossed her arms.

"It can't be helped, it's because of the rain." I explained the other two girls.

"We will have to attract the audience with our singing." Eli said calmly… then I could notice Umi and Kotori were talking secretively just a few steps down.

"I'm feeling bumped already!" Nico shouted with excitement as Eli giggled… I just kept watching the two second years, they don't seem to be talking about something nice. "Nico Nico-Ni!"

"We can swipe the water away when the rain stops nya! Right, Kayo-chin?" Rin said with the same excitement as Hanayo nodded in response… I see Kotori leaving Umi behind. Eli seemed to notice I was paying attention to something else so she turned around to see what it was, Umi froze there for a few seconds before she walked downstairs too.

"We should go to the club room to get ready, right?" Hanayo said softly as Nico and Rin nodded, then the three girls started to walk downstairs. Eli gave me a concerned look as we both stood there, I separated myself from the wall.

"What's going on with Umi?" Eli asked when we couldn't hear the others anymore.

"I don't know… She was taking with Kotori about something that didn't seem like good news." I voiced with some distress as I turned around to peek outside the window door. "To make this day worse, I don't think the rain is stopping anytime soon." I glanced at Eli, I was fully expecting her to say something optimistic. She gave me a soft smile.

"We will figure something out… We always do, right?" I giggled at the blonde.

"Yeah, at least you don't have an injured shoulder." I joked as I rubbed the painful spot again.

"W-what?" Eli gave me a very concerned look. "Are you okay?" ugh, I shouldn't have said that.

"I-It's was a joke, I'm fine Eli-"

"Let me see it." I blushed intensively as she gave me a serious look. "Come on." She voiced and I knew just by looking at her eyes that she wouldn't take a no for an answer.

"I-It's just a bruise…" I rolled my sleeve up and we saw a bruise there. "See? It's nothing." Eli came closer to give a better look at it, she placed her fingers softly on my shoulder. I had to stop myself from shivering at the touch as Eli sighed.

"Yeah, it's just a bruise… I'm sorry." Eli voiced with pure guilt, I just giggled at her while I fixed my sleeve.

"It's a low price to pay for beating you." I gave her a reassuring smile and she chuckled silently in response.

"Well, it's not like I didn't paid a price too…" Then she carelessly pulled her shirt and waistcoat up. I opened my eyes wide at the look of Eli's perfect stomach… except for a nasty bruise on her right side.

"E-Eli!" I grabbed her hand and pulled it down to cover her body again as I looked around to see if someone was watching, I notice my face was burning as Eli just giggled nervously when she realized what she just did. For some reason it was very embarrassing, it's not like I haven't seen her stomach before but still… I cleared my throat to regain my composure. "S-sorry… for the bruise I mean!" She shook her hand, dismissing my words. "Are you sure you are fine?" I tried to hide my concern but her bruise looked more painful than mine.

"It was a low price for kicking your butt." She winked at me and I grinned at her words. "I'm fine, Maki. We should go prepare with the others." She started to walk downstairs and I followed her.

"Kicking my-? Oh! You mean in your dreams?" I corrected as she giggled. "And don't go around showing your stomach to everyone!" I said with a half-joking half-scolding tone, if someone else watched Eli… I blushed at the thought, it made me very uncomfortable. The blonde's cheeks got red with embarrassment.

"I-It wasn't everyone, it was just you!" Eli suddenly opened her eyes wide. "Not that I don't care if I show it to you, I-I mean it's still embarrassing… I mean! I just wanted to show you the bruise! I'm not showing around anything!" Eli muttered and I just laughed out loud at her troubled words. "Shut up…" She voiced with her face all red as we walked down the hallway, towards the club room.

"I was joking at you." I pointed out, we giggled but we were still flustered.

"We will worry about the second years after the concert, alright?" She voiced with sudden seriousness and I nodded in response as we entered the room.

"I was about to look for you two! Go get ready, sheesh!" Nico shouted, she was wearing her costume already. "Nico Nico-Ni!" The girl practiced and I glanced at Eli, we rolled our eyes simultaneously.

"Ah, I was wondering where were you two…" Nozomi said with a smirk as we entered to the changing room, I ignored her usual teasing as Eli sighed. Nozomi, Rin, Hanayo and Kotori were already dressed. Umi was probably changing in one of the small fitting cubicles we had so Eli and I entered to the other two empty ones when Kotori gave us our respective clothes.

I looked at the costume and I flinched when I noticed it was one that left our belly… This is kind of uncovered, especially for a rainy day like this… I kept changing my clothes until certain stomach came to my mind. "Hey, Eli…" I whispered to the curtain next to mine. I guess there was no point in worrying about someone else seeing her- wait, that doesn't concern me.

"M-Maki? What's up?" I hear Eli whisper back.

"Your bruise is going to be noticeable…" I pointed out, I felt my cheeks blush at the memory. Sheesh, it was just Eli that pulled her shirt up carelessly like that… she shouldn't do that!

"A-ah… it's okay, I'll cover it up." She answered with a low voice. I shook my head as I smiled. I put on my vest and belt, I think I'm ready… we are going to freeze outside. "Are you dressed?" I hear the blonde whispering once again.

"Me? Y-Yeah…" I muttered, then silence. "Why?"

"Can I move the curtain? I need you to check if the bruise it's still noticeable…" Eli asked shyly, making me flush.

"S-Sure…" I answered and the blonde rolled the curtain. I looked at Eli… the small touches of sky blue fit her very well, it matches her eyes. And her body-

"S-So?" Eli asked as she moved to show me her right side… the bruise wasn't covered, it was visible... the blonde had a makeup cream on her hand.

"I'll do it…" I voiced and Eli nodded shyly in response, then she passed me the cream she had and hugged her body so her arms wouldn't get in the way. I put some of the makeup cream on my finger and I placed it softly on the bruise… the blonde shivered. "S-sorry… did that hurt?" I guess her bruise is worse than mine, I gave the older girl a concerned look and she looked away with embarrassment. I gulped as my cheeks got red.

"N-No…" She muttered, I just nodded and then I pressed the cream very carefully on the damaged skin.

"Sorry about it…" I voiced with guilt giving Eli a quick glance, she seems blushed. This just feels… embarrassing.

"Sorry? You soften the fall." We chuckled as I leaned back to give it a better look.

"I think is done." Eli moved to check it out… I kept looking at her. I shouldn't be nervous I'm going to be a doctor someday! But I gulped once again. Brain, stop it.

"Yeah… T-thank you" Eli said shyly and I had to look away. Why does it feel so embarrassing… is not a big deal right? I even helped stich a wound in someone else's abdomen before but this felt- "You forgot your ribbon for the neck." Eli pointed out simply as she grabbed a ribbon on the floor.

"W-What-"

"I'll help you out." I blinked in surprise but then I nodded timidly as she wrapped the ribbon around my neck… For some unknown reason my heart started to beat faster.

"Just don't strangle me." I joked awkwardly, making the blonde laugh.

"Don't worry, we are not at that point yet!" She said jokingly and I chuckled in response. "Done." She took a step back and looked at me. "You look good." She voiced simply like she was thinking out loud, it made me look away with embarrassment. I look good? Have you seen yourself-

"Are you two ready?" We flinched at Umi's voice. "We need to start our stretches! And where is Honoka?" The second year voiced with frustration. Eli opened the curtain and we stepped out of the fitting room, I gave Eli a quick glance… was she a bit blushed too or…? Nah. I shook my head.

"Honoka is not here?" Eli asked with evident worry, the others were doing some stretching exercises as Umi keep her eyes on the door. It's weird, even for Honoka, to not be here already… it's almost time to start the concert! "She will be here soon, let's just get ready." Eli voiced in an attempt to calm the other two second years… That's just when someone opened the door.

"G-Good morning…" It was Honoka.

"You are late!" Nico complained as the girl entered the room.

"S-Sorry... I oversleep just a bit… he-he." Honoka walked in but then she lost her balance, Kotori had to grab her by the shoulders.

"Honoka-chan, are you okay?" Kotori asked softly, I noticed Honoka's face seems unusually red.

"Sorry, sorry." The girl muttered in response and then she grabbed her throat. She sounds-

"Honoka your voice sounds strange." Eli pointed out, reading my mind.

"Y-You think so? I'll drink some medicine…" This time the girl covered her throat pain well. "I'll go get ready!" She voiced and rushed into one of the cubicles. Umi and Kotori exchanged some concerned looks. I looked at Eli and she glanced at me. "Where are my clothes?" Honoka asked, making Kotori hurry to pass her the costume.

"It just keeps raining nya!" Rin pointed out making the rest of us to turn around to look through the window. Kotori and Umi were still waiting for Honoka.

"And it's not slowing down…" Eli observed as I hear Umi is passing Honoka some medicine. And if Honoka is sick… this isn't good.

"It just keeps getting stronger!" Nico voiced with frustration.

"Even if anyone comes to see us…" I glanced at Eli and she looked down. This concert doesn't seem like a good idea now…

"Let's do it!" Honoka suddenly said with excitement, making us turn around to face her.

"But Honoka…" Eli tried to stop the second year, but she had that passionate look in her eyes.

"Our first concert was like this! But we came this far because we never gave up, right? We can do it, I'm sure we can!" Honoka said with her head lifted up. Sheesh, this girl can't be stopped… I smiled.

"We have been practicing so hard…" Hanayo voiced shyly as Rin nodded.

"We need to do our best nya!" The girl pumped her fist in the air.

"We will see the results of our hard work after our concert." Eli commented.

"Let's do the best we can." Nozomi said with a soft smile, I guess we are doing this concert no matter what. I shuddered my shoulders.

"Let's show them how better we got." I voiced as I couldn't stop myself from joining the excitement of the others, we have been working hard, after all…

"Our audience awaits us! Nico Nico-Ni!" Nico shouted happily.

"Kotori…" I could hear Umi voicing behind me. "Let's focus on the concert from now on, right?" Kotori just nodded. Then Umi looked at Honoka with evident worry. "But Honoka, are you-"

"Come on! We can't have people waiting for us in the rain!" Honoka ran out of the room and we did the only thing we could: we followed her lead, she is our leader after all.

"I don't think the makeup is going to survive this rain." I said with a low voice to the blonde next to me.

"It hope it does, it's an ugly bruise…" We giggled silently.

"If it does fade, just pretend it part of your character, a Russian assassin or something." Eli and I chuckled as we all stepped into the roof, there were some people with umbrellas waiting for us. I noticed Eli's little sister was here and waved at us with excitement, it made the blonde next to me smile… and I smiled too. We walked directly to the stand and each girl stood in their respective spot, even if the rain was pouring all over us.

"Welcome to our concert! I hope you all enjoy it… just ignore the rain!" Honoka voiced excitedly and made the audience giggle. Then we turned around, we were ready for our new song to start. Music started playing and we followed the choreography.

...

We stood in our final pose as the public clapped happily. One song down. We performed really well, considering the ra- suddenly Honoka fell to the floor.

"Honoka!" Umi shouted as Eli ran towards the girl on the floor.

"Honoka-chan!" Kotori voiced with worry. Did she fainted?!

"Honoka, are you alright?" Eli placed her palm on the girl's forehead. "S-She has a fever."

"Onee-chan!" Yukiho joined us on the stage. W-What do we do-

"Elicchi…" Nozomi voiced to the blonde, making Eli flinch and stand up.

"Maki, Umi, take her to the club room." I nodded quickly as Umi and I grabbed Honoka by the shoulders, she was like dead weight but we managed to lift her up. We started to walk towards the building with Kotori and Yukiho behind us. I glanced at the sick girl… Honoka… An umbrella suddenly covered us, it was Arisa. Eli stood facing the rest of the audience. "We are very sorry, but one of our members is not feeling okay… Our concert is cancelled… Thanks for coming, you all should cover yourselves from the rain." The blonde explained and I could hear some murmurs as we sheltered ourselves in the building, Honoka could barely walk even with Umi and I's help… We need to grab her better if we are going downstairs...

"We need to lift her up…" I grabbed as much of Honoka's weight as I could, I notice Umi was frozen looking at Honoka. "Umi!" I voiced making the girl snap out of it, she nodded and pulled Honoka up, Rin came to help too and then we started to walk downstairs.

"I knew it was a bad idea, she wasn't feeling well! Onee-chan…" Yukiho muttered.

"She will be alright, Yukiho." Arisa's voice tried to calm the other girl, we walked as fast as we could down the hallway and into the club room. We sat Honoka on a chair and I placed my hand on her forehead… she is burning!

"I-I'm alright…" Honoka muttered before she rested her arms and head on the table. "T-The concert…"

"Forget about the concert!" Umi said in an outburst, she was almost tearing up.

"I'll get her a blanket or something…" I grabbed two towels I could find in the other room and I placed them over Honoka just as the rest of the girls entered the room. They had a very concerned look on their faces.

"Yukiho, can you give me your parent's number?" Eli voiced with authority, Yukiho nodded and gave the older girl her cellphone… Eli walked out of the room.

"Onee-chan… why are you so stubborn!?" Yukiho voiced as she tried to dry her sister's hair.

"Honoka-chan…" Kotori muttered between her silent sobbing. It did not take long for Honoka's parents to arrive, they rushed her to the hospital and Arisa took care of taking Yukiho to her house.

...

We were just standing around our club's table… Kotori wasn't crying anymore, instead she just stared at the floor. Umi suddenly crunched on the floor and started sobbing… Hanayo and Rin went to the other room to look for some towels for the rest of us. I crossed my arms nervously… what a mess…

"I-It was my fault…" Umi muttered between sobs. Eli crouched in front of the girl and placed a hand on Umi's arm. Hanayo gave me a towel as Rin covered Kotori with another one.

"Umi, it wasn't-"

"It was!" Umi shouted with anger as she took her face out of hiding. "I knew she was sick! I should've stopped her!" Rin tried to cover Umi with a towel but the girl refused. "I don't want that!" The blue haired girl yelled.

"Umi! Listen to me!" Eli placed her hands on Umi's shoulders to make her look right at her eyes. "It wasn't your fault. Honoka is going to be alright, okay?" Umi's eyes watered once again and Eli just pulled the girl on a hug, she just kept crying on the blonde's shoulder. Eli gave me a quick glance and I placed one of the towels above Umi…

"Kotori-chan, let's go change our clothes, alright?" Nozomi said with her usual soothing voice. Kotori just nodded slowly as the third year helped her stand up, Nico followed them to the other room. Umi eventually stopped sobbing and just kept her face on the blonde's shoulder, with Eli still rubbing her back. I exchanged some concerned looks with Hanayo and Rin. I turned around to see Nico returning with Nozomi and Kotori behind her, they were back in their school clothes and the third year had an arm around the second year.

"We will go…" Nico glanced at Kotori with concern. "We will walk home together, there's no point in staying at the festival anymore…" She voiced with certain sadness as she walked towards the door.

"We will see you all tomorrow." Nozomi said with a soft smile as she and Kotori followed Nico and left the room. Umi leaned back, away from Eli and wrapped herself with the towel. I quickly grabbed the one towel left and extended it to Eli as she stood up.

"T-Thank you…" She just grabbed it and avoided my eyes. "You three should go change your clothes too." Rin and Hanayo followed her orders and entered to the other room, I stood there looking at Eli… I knew how guilty she felt and how hard she was trying to keep her composure.

"Eli-"

"Please, I don't want you to get sick too." Eli voiced looking directly into my eyes, I noticed hers were a bit watered… then she looked away. I just nodded slowly before going to the other room to change my clothes. What a disaster… we shouldn't have performed like this! I know Honoka will be alright, but…

I stepped out of the fitting room wearing my uniform again, Hanayo and Rin were shyly waiting for me. I lead the way back to the other room. Eli was sitting leaning on her elbow and lost in her own thoughts while Umi hasn't moved. Eli glanced up to look at us before she stood up.

"Umi, let's go get changed too…" Eli voiced softly and extended her hand to help the other girl stand up.

"O-Okay…" Umi said as Eli pulled her up. "We should call Honoka's mother…"

"We will, don't worry." Eli said softly before they entered to the other room, I just kept my eyes on the blonde…

"Nico-chan is right… we should just go home." Rin voiced with unusual sadness, Hanayo just nodded. I was trying to peek inside the other room, those two worry me…

"Y-you two go ahead… and use an umbrella." I voiced before rushing back into the changing room. I saw Eli with her arms crossed, just looking at the pouring rain with an expressionless face. Eli, this is not your fault… it is OUR fault…

"Eli…" I voiced as I step closer to the blonde. She gave me a quick look in my eyes before she returned them to the window.

"I'll take Umi home..." I noticed her voice cracking a bit. "Go with Rin and Hanayo, tell them to take a hot bath as soon as they get home. You do the same." She said the last words looking into my eyes, I was about to refuse, I knew she was just keeping it together for the sake of staying strong. "Please…" Eli said returning her eyes to the rain when they started to get watered again.

"I'll stay-"

"Please, Maki!" She begged with her cracking voice, locking her eyes with mine. "I don't want you to get sick too…"

"O-Okay…" I muttered softly trying to calm her down as she cleaned her eyes and took a deep breath. "Text me when you get home, okay?" I nodded and I covered her shoulders with another towel as I noticed she didn't seemed worried in drying herself.

"Hey!" I voiced as I shook her shoulder to make her look at me again. "Dry yourself and get changed too, you hear me?" Eli seemed about to protest. "Eli, please." I voiced with pure concern with my hand on her shoulder. I kept my eyes on hers until she nodded, I gave her the warmest smile I could.

"Fine… but you go-"

"Yes, I'll make sure Rin and Hanayo get home." Eli was about to talk again. "And I will take a hot bath. You too, deal?" She gave me a little smile.

"Deal…" She proceeded to walk to one of the fitting rooms. "I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled at her as she closed the curtain while looking at me… I sighed, then I ran out of the club room. I was able to catch up to Hanayo and Rin and the rain was finally slowing down.

"Poor Honoka-chan…" Hanayo dared to end the silence of our own steps.

"Yeah…" I voiced as I looked down to the floor. "But I'm sure she will be alright very soon, she is strong." I voiced to ease the concerns. Or try to.

"We should do something to cheer her up, right Kayo-chin?" Hanayo and I smiled at the always optimistic Rin. "We could cook her some rice balls nya! She is going to love it!" Hanayo nodded with a little smile.

"That's a good idea Rin-chan." I smiled, these two can light up any day… I escorted them to Hanayo's house, Rin was going to stay there. They tried to make me stay but I said I couldn't. I thought about returning to the school… but I was sure Eli wanted to take Umi home as fast as possible so they were probably not there, I just walked in my house direction. I stopped my steps when I reached Eli's building entrance… I sighed with sadness… What a mess! We all worked so hard, Honoka worked so hard… I pressed my fists with frustration. This sucks! I looked up to the building… I know how bad Eli is feeling right now, but I also know she isn't going to show that to anyone. Ugh, if I knew her apartment number… I sighed. We shouldn't have let this happen…


Lots of awkwardness... and sadness. sorry for the delay again :(