Hello I'm back for another update, could have posted it sooner but my computer turned off before I could save my progress, so I had to redo everything for this chapter. After this chapter I might take a while to update, but it won't be too long since I am already working on the next one
Again thanks for reading my story
I don't own LoveLive
Chapter 7
"MAKI-CHAN NYA!" Rin excitedly called out as she pounce on the unsuspecting girl
"RIN!" Maki exclaimed surprised by the sudden weight on her back
"Rin-chan…" Hanayo laughed at her friends antics
"Hanayo! Stop laughing" Maki blushed as she tried to get away from Rin's hold, when Maki got out she gave a glare but it did nothing to the cat-like girl "Mouu…"
Rin gave a wide grin, she took Hanayo's hand and pulled her to the direction of their club room. When Rin turned to talk to Maki, she noticed Maki was walking to the other direction.
"Nya? Maki-chan clubroom is this way!" Rin shouted and pointed at the opposite direction Maki was walking to.
"…" Maki stopped walking and turned to her two friends "I'm not going…"
"WHAT NYA!" Rin quickly ran to Maki's side dragging a startled Hanayo with her "Why not nya?"
"Rin-chan" called to her friend, Hanayo understood why Maki would want to skip practice, after what Nozomi and Eri said yesterday Maki must be full of conflicting feelings.
"I'm sorry but I'm skipping, I already told Honoka" Maki begun to walk away not bothering to hear out her friends. She knew how caring they were, she didn't want them to be dragged in her emotions.
"Maki-chan!" Hanayo Hanayo yelled as loudly as she could "R-Rin and I we're here for you! s-s-so talk to us… when you're ready…" Hanayo whispered the last words, Maki almost didn't hear them.
Maki blushed, but smiled "thank you" Maki gave them a wave goodbye and begun to walk again. Encouraged by Hanayo and Rin Maki decided she wanted to get better as soon as she can, she didn't want to keep her closest friends waiting after all.
The rest of the U's gathered at the rooftop, when Rin and Hanayo entered Honoka turned her attention to Umi "Okay, let's start practice"
"Eh? but Maki isn't here yet Honoka" Umi stated
"Ehehe… did I forget to mention…" Honoka laughed wearily
" .KA." Umi glazed at the girl "What did Maki say yesterday?"
"U-Umi-chan I'm sure it just slipped Honoka-chan's mind" Kotori reasoned
"YEA! That's right I just forgot"
"Mou… But this was urgent Kotori you're way too soft on her…" Umi sighed and gave up there was no point at lecturing Honoka right now "But what did Maki say"
"Honoka-chan you talked to Maki-chan" When Nozomi heard Maki's name be mentioned by Umi she immediately walked up to the group to join the conversation.
"Yea" Honoka scratched the back of her head, now that she had everyone's attention she was getting nervous "She… uh… she said she needed some time off"
"Eh? she's not quitting is she?" Eri asked her usually calm face showed panic and worry I should have tried to talk to her sooner! "I should go talk to her"
"NO! Eri-chan" Honoka grabbed Eri's wrist to stop her from going "She's not quitting"
"Idiots" Nico muttered "She clearly just want time to herself" she glanced at Eri and Nozomi "Maki-chan is trying to pick herself up for her and for all of us"
Honoka nodded "That's why I told her to take as much time as she needs, so let's do what we can here while wait for her okay?" Honoka smiled trying to ease the worry from everyone
"NYA!" Rin jumped "Maki-chan is working hard! So let's do our best too!"
"Rin-chan is right" Hanayo agreed.
"Yes, let's do our best today!" Umi agreed "Let's begin"
Maki-chan is doing her best Nozomi had a sad smile Everyone is right, Maki-chan… thank you and I'm sorry we hurt you, but please come back soon Nozomi though and soon she took her place and practice started.
Anju
We don't have practice tomorrow, would you like to meet up at a café in Akiba?
Maki stared at the message Anju had sent her yesterday, after making up her mind to consult Anju she didn't think the older girl would meet her so soon. So here she was waiting in front of the café Anju told her about, she was currently waiting for the older girl to arrive.
"Maki!" Anju walked she picked up her pace to reach Maki sooner "Sorry I hope you didn't wait too long"
"N-no I just got here" Maki blushed, lying she got here fifteen minutes earlier. Sensing that Maki was lying Anju giggle the intensifying blush on Maki's face only confirmed her suspicion.
Deciding to give Maki a break Anju spoke "Shall we go inside?" Anju gestured for Maki to enter and she followed, they took a seat at a more secluded area of the cafe. Anju hoped Maki would be comfortable openly talk to her.
"I'll get us our drinks what would you like?" Anju asked as she stood
"Eh? I asked you to come I should treat you" Maki begun to stand from her seat when she was held down by Anju
"Consider it a bribe to be my friend" Anju winked, she giggled when Maki stuttered for a reply
"Mou… f-fine, a café latte is fine" Maki said as turned away from Anju as an attempt to hide her obvious blush
Tsunderes are so cute Anju thought then she made her way to the counter to get their drinks, after a few minutes she returned to Maki with a tray. "Here's your latte" Anju took a sip of her tea before speaking "So, What happened?"
Maki held her cup with both hands "I-I… I ran away from them again… yesterday I mean, today Honoka knows I wouldn't be attending practice"
Anju nodded and waited for Maki to continue
"I don't know how to do it…" Maki stared at her drink as if it would somehow give her the answer she was looking for "Everyone in U's they… they want to help me, but I don't even know where to start." Maki looked at Anju with confused eyes, pleading for help "How did you manage?"
Anju intently listened to Maki, she remembered this, feeling lost and not knowing what she had to do to. "At first I acted the same to forget…" Anju sadly smiled at Maki "I had nobody to talk to, I believe that if I just forget and acted the same it would all go away… but every time I saw them together I was reminded of what I lost… then I realized that I was just running away and I never accepted what happened"
"What do you mean?" Maki tilt her head confused
"I never faced the truth, I had to accept that it was over Erena was with Tsubasa. When I realized that, I cried so much I had to pretend I was sick so I didn't have to attend school for a while. It was painful, but after that it, slowly became easier" Anju took another sip of her tea before she continued
"My only regret was that I never told her how I felt" Anju took a long pause "But when I began to see how happy they were, I thought 'Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea that I didn't confess' after all I didn't want to be the one who stood between my best friends' happiness. Eventually I stopped being jealous and instead I was truly happy for them after that I learned to focus on myself." Anju paused to let out a short giggle "the amount of costumes I designed during that time was insane, but I knew then that I was going to be okay" Anju took a bold step and reached for Maki's hands and gave a few slow caress, Maki blushed in turn but she didn't pull away "You might have to learn on your own, I think accepting it is the hard part, but you have so many people willing to support you. Don't push them away, I'm sure it'll take a while for you to get better. I know you'll be okay, because I'll be here for you" Anju gave Maki a sweet smile that made Maki's heart flutter, there was something about those last words that made Maki believe.
"W-what about the regret?" Maki voiced out the last of her concern, even now she was still wondering what would have happened if she hadn't told Eri and then confessed together to Nozomi "I still think about it… it's not often but you know…"
Anju nodded "It's only been a few days, but like I said you'll just have to accept it. you can think about the past but you have to know you can't change it, you have to look forward and make the present count" Anju pulled one hand from Maki and wagged her finger "You know what they say in those movies 'learn from you past' right? Besides..." Anju took a moment to appreciate Maki's features. "You're a beautiful girl I'm sure someone will fall for your cute charm" Anju winked at Maki a little bit of teasing never failed to lighten the mood.
Maki pulled her hands away and blushed even harder "M-Mou… don't tease me when we're having such a serious conversation!" despite the pout and the blush Maki was happy Anju was able to change her mood.
Anju giggled "I'm sorry Maki but I couldn't help it"
"Mou…" Maki crossed her arm slightly irritated, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging on her lips. "Thank you Anju" Anju was right she can do it, Nozomi and Eri had each other, in time she would be able to say it out load without hurting so much. for now she had to focused on taking care of herself. Wait a little bit everyone I'll be back in U's again. I promise
Another step into Maki's recovery. I can't say when but soon we'll have real AnjuMaki/MakiAnju moments. It's slow I know but I don't want to rush it and mess it up TTwTT
