New chapter (roller-coaster alarm) Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them! PS: first chapter after the final live...


Nothing

The day started and it was like nothing had changed: Honoka was back to school! She was feeling a bit down because of the Love Live, but she was eager to practice with us once again. If I'm being honest, I kind of missed our school idol practice too… but no one needs to know that, Maki. Also, today I spent another lunch break working as the 'official student council stamper', that's what Eli and Nozomi said at least, I shook my head with a smile. I was walking down the hallway with Rin and Hanayo, we just finished our classes so we were excited to go to the roof with the others. Wait, did I said 'we' were excited? Not-

"H-He… help!" Huh? Rin and I turned around… Hanayo was frozen reading something from the school billboard. Great! Now what?

"What's going on, Kayo-chin?" The other second year walks next to Hanayo… "Nya!" Rin shouts in front of the paper, I sighed loudly.

"What's wrong with you two?" I had to see what was going on… it's just some school news. I snorted but I decided to read too: 'A notice for next year applicants. We are happy to announce our survey result: the new potential applications were overwhelming-' W-what!? The… what!?

"We have to tell them, nya!" Rin ran away and we quickly followed her. It was like we were flying upstairs, I can't believe we did it! "Ah!" We screamed when we opened the door.

"What's going on?" Honoka asked as they walked towards us, they were certainly confused.

"So- someone… help us!" We were panting heavily, this looks so dramatic! We shouldn't have ran like this… but… we did it. I managed to catch my breath.

"Follow us!" I voiced running downstairs, the rest of the girls followed my lead. I got to the news billboard and I smiled… I can't wait to see their faces! But... they just stood there looking at me with a worried face like… I am not crazy!

"Maki are you alr-"

"Read this!" I pointed at the informative paper: they were still confused but came closer to read the news. Sheesh, these people…

"Notice for next year applicants…" Honoka stopped reading and gasped loudly.

"Honoka, I can't read!" Umi tried to move the other girl.

"I-Is this what I think it is?!" Nico asked as she, Eli and Nozomi turned around to face us. I crossed my arms, giving them a smile.

"There are way more applicants than last year." I explained simply as Honoka and Umi turned around too.

"S-so-"

"The school?-"

"Won't be closed!" Nozomi exclaimed in realization.

"W-We did it!" Nico voiced happily as they exchanged the enthusiasm with some looks.

"So we are having juniors, nya!" Rin hugged Hanayo.

"Well… I'm not sure I'm happy about that-"

"Maki-chan, stop lying to yourself!" Nozomi smirked at me, why would I want more people-

"Kotori-chan!" Honoka suddenly ran as Kotori just appeared down the hallway so the girl pulled the other into a big hug. "We did it, Kotori-chan! We saved the school!" We smiled at the scene… we did save the school after all… we? Mostly Honoka, actually. I glanced around to see Eli cleaning a tear, sheesh Eli… I smiled at the blonde, she did her best to save the school too. Even though she was pretty stubborn at first.

...

"I'm so happy nya!" Rin, Hanayo, Nico and I were walking together, we all decided to meet at the entrance after today's practice to 'celebrate' "Huh? But where is Kotori-chan and Umi-chan?" Hmm… there's only Honoka and Eli here. "And Nozomi-chan nya?"

"Nishikino Maki-san!" Huh? Ah… I didn't see Arisa behind Eli until now, the younger girl is giving me a big smile.

"A-Ah… Arisa-chan, how are you?" I blushed at her happy reaction, she was way too excited. Rin and Hanayo glanced at her with curiosity.

"Hanayo, Rin, this is my little sister: Arisa-"

"Hoshizora-san, Koizumi-san! I am a huge fan of Muse's and I'm so happy to be able meet you." Arisa voiced politely but with excitement, making Hanayo blush heavily and Rin smile wide. I glanced at Eli, she just sighed.

"Nya! A f-fan? We are more than happy to meet you! Right, Kayo-chin?" Hanayo nodded nervously. I moved around with embarrassment. "Don't worry, they are just shy nya!" Rin explained, making Arisa smile again. I-I'm not shy! Eli giggled.

"Well… Nozomi had to go to the shrine, Umi said she was busy and…" The blonde glanced at Honoka, the second year was unusually quiet. "Kotori had to go shopping, so… I think we should postpone our lunch." Honoka shook her head.

"Hmm… alright then… we can go tomorrow, right?" Honoka voiced with a sudden smile.

"Sheesh… alright! First years." Nico gave us a serious look, first years? First years what? Then glanced at Honoka and Eli. "We will see you tomorrow." Then she grabbed Hanayo and ran inside the school.

"S-someone… save me!-"

"Kayo-chin! It was nice to meet you, Arisa-chan." Then Rin grabbed my arm as she quickly followed Nico and Hanayo.

"W-What's going on!?" I barely muttered as Rin was making me run, I look back to see Arisa waving happily at us as Honoka and Eli seemed... at least as confused as me. Why is Nico running away!? This is-Nico suddenly stopped, Hanayo sighed in relief next to her.

"Why are you kidnapping Kayo-chin, nya?!" Nico gave us a serious look, then she glanced to the entrance… we couldn't see Honoka and the others. Nico returned her eyes to us.

"What else? I need some help from the three of you!" Sheesh, this can only mean one thing: trouble… "As the president of our club I need to make sure we have the correspondent victory party."

...

And… that's how Hanayo, Rin and I ended up in a store with Nico. "We are having a celebration tomorrow… and you can't stop us, Nishikino!" I gave Nico an angry look.

"I wasn't going to-"

"As the president, I'm responsible for lifting up the spirits after a huge achievement like this, Nico Nico-Nii! Having a positive party will only take us closer to the stardom-"

"Don't you think you are exaggerating?" The girl just ignored my comment.

"We need to focus on our next Love Live, but we first need to appreciate our accomplishments if we want to succeed later! Team! Let's go, I'll get the snacks!" Then Nico quickly ran away as Rin and Hanayo exchanged some exited looks, of course they had to be excited about a party…

"I'll go get the rice, I can even bring my rice cooker!" Hanayo suddenly ran away too. Rice, of course.

"We will need some decorations too, nya!" I blinked in surprise. "And ramen!" What's. Going. On?

"I…" Now… now I'm standing all alone. I crossed my arms as I sighed, I wasn't going to stop them but maybe I should have! "Sheesh…"

After a couple of minutes? Hours? I wouldn't know how long it took, but the four of us were reunited again.

"Rin-chan, I was starting to get worried!" Hanayo complained to the other girl.

"I got some balloons and party decorations! Also colored chalk and… some noodles!" I noticed the amount of things they had in their hands… this is a lot of stuff for a party for nine people.

"Well, I got the glasses and snacks, I'll make some of my famous sandwiches too." Nico was checking out the list she had on her hand. Well, she did planned all this…

"And I got the rice!" Hanayo voiced happily.

"Don't you think that's too much... f-forget it?" I thought about it better: never mess with Hanayo and her 6 pounds of rice.

"Well… we have everything! Let's go to the cashi-oh." Nico stopped suddenly… then she exchanged concerned looks with Rin and Hanayo.

"Great, now what?" I crossed my arms, more decorations? More snacks? We definitely don't need more rice…

"How are we going… to pay for this, nya?" They all glanced down with the realization… They really got way too much stuff for just a small celebration. They were looking around thinking about what they could leave behind… but everything seems essential for their 'party'. I sighed loudly, alright then…

"I'll pay for it." I voiced simply as I walked past them… Who am I to burst their happy bubble? Huh? I turn around. They were... frozen there, until they suddenly smiled and I blushed intensively. "W-what? Come on, I-it's not a big deal!"

"Maki-chan!" Hanayo and Rin ran to hug me, making me blush even more. "You do care about our party!"

"I knew accepting your application for joining the Muse's will come handy someday." Nico cleaned a tear dramatically.

"I-I was part of the Muse's before you even-Ugh! Forget about it! Let's just go." I turned around with Hanayo and Rin still grabbing my arms… I rolled my eyes but I couldn't stop a silly smile from showing up. This is so stupid…

"Hmm, hmm." Hanayo was humming cheerfully while drawing some stuff on the club's blackboard, I rolled my eyes.

"And why are we the only ones decorating the club-room if it was Nico-chan's idea?" I was standing on a chair, putting some decorations on the walls.

"Nico-chan said she needed to practice her speech for today." Like that makes sense... I sighed loudly.

"She left the hard work for us! I should have guessed it." I snorted but then I continued with my work. "And where's-"

"What's going on here?" I flinched and stumbled on the chair. "M-Maki-" Someone grabbed me by the waist just in time. T-that was close… I felt my face get hot with embarrassment as I saw Eli still with her hands on me. "Be careful! What are you even doing?" I could see Nozomi smirking behind her.

"Clumsy Maki-chan." I flushed even more at Nozomi's words.

"I-I'm not-Y-you can let me go now Eli!" Eli took a step back from me as the two girls took a look around smiling. I crossed my arms and sighed, what a successful surprise.

"I decorated the Alpaca barn nya!" Rin voiced happily as she entered the club-room. "It's… Oh." She voiced as she noticed Eli's and Nozomi's presence.

"Are we having a party?" Nozomi asked cheerfully, I sighed for the hundred time today.

"Well, I guess the 'surprise' is ruined." I attached the last decoration before turning around.

"S-Surprise?" The blonde asked as I jumped out of the chair. "Maki be careful-"

"I'm not a baby, Eli…" I complained to the blonde as I blushed, it was their fault for entering so suddendly!

"You almost fell-"

"But Elicchi saved you." Nozomi said calmly as she stood in the center of the room, looking at the blackboard. Shut up, Nozomi… "Nice drawing, Hanayo-chan." Hanayo smiled happily, Eli took a look too but then she shook her hands.

"Okay, okay, why are we-"

"What's going on?" Success! It was Umi's voice this time as she, Honoka and Kotori entered the room. "What's this? Isn't time to practice?" Honoka smiled wide.

"Are we having a party?!" Honoka asked with excitement, Nozomi nodded in response. I gave myself a face palm… And where is-

"The president is back! Are you done? Should I go look for the others-w-what!?" Nico took a step back in surprise as I gave her an unamused look, the third year opened her eyes wide and gave me an angry look. "Why are they here?! This was a surprise, Maki!"

"W-Why are you blaming me? What took you so-"

"Okay! Fine!" Nico took a deep breath. "Let me explain the situation: As the president and founder of this club… I, Nico Nico-Ni, invite you all to our first victory party!" I sighed while the rest of the girls smiled or laughed.

"I think it's too late to call it an 'invitation' nya!" Rin giggled this time.

"So Nicocchi was the mastermind…" Nozomi voiced, smiling at the girl.

"L-Let's just fill our glasses!" Nico muttered as the others laughed. I had to giggle too… this has to be the worst surprise party ever… "Nico Nico-ni!" Sheesh, is time for the famous speech I guess… "As the club president, I would like to say a few words…" Nico voiced solemnly, I just rolled my eyes while Eli and Nozomi smiled. Hanayo, Honoka and Rin just clapped with excitement. "It was my great idea to have this party, as the president, it was my responsibility. I still remember when you all came to me… I think it's thanks to that moment that we achieved what we achieved today." Nico glanced down with her eyes closed dramatically. "We are here reunited after just a few months of forming the group, thanks to-"

"Cheers!" We all voiced with our glasses up.

"Hey! I wasn't finished!" Nico shouted but she put her glass up too. We all giggled at our own silliness. I smiled at the scene: I still can't believe we managed to save the school. I look around... Sheesh, we are such a weird group of people. I drink some juice to hide my smile.

...

Eli's POV:

"Rice is ready!" Hanayo voiced happily. That's… that's just a lot of rice, Hanayo. I smiled wide at the girls sitting around the table, eating and chatting.

"It's a relief, right Elichi?" I glanced at Nozomi, she was sitting next to me.

"You are right… it's like a weight has left my shoulders… our shoulders." I look at my glass with a smile.

"Aren't you glad that we joined the Muse's?" Nozomi grinned at me.

"You do want me to admit it, don't you?" Nozomi smiled, I just took a glance at the rest of the Muse's members… "Honestly, I think they would have succeeded even if I didn't joined them."

"You are wrong there. The cards tell me we needed nine members exactly, we made it because we worked together." She gave me a tender smile. "Nine Muse's is what we needed." I giggled as took a sip of juice.

"I guess you are right…" I couldn't stop myself from smiling wide.

"But still…" I glanced at Nozomi… she had that worried face again.

"Our school is not going to close! But we still need to work hard…" I could hear Honoka muttering to herself. Honoka deserves so much credit, I thought as I smiled at the girl. She did proved me wrong. "Kotori-chan?" I followed Honoka's glance… apparently Umi is... comforting Kotori? W-what's going on? They don't seem happy… like, at all. I blinked… something is definitely not right.

"Kotori…" Umi stood up to face us. This is… I notice Maki giving me a concerned look over her shoulder.

...

Back to Maki's POV:

"We are sorry, but there's something we need to talk about…" I returned my eyes to Umi.

"You knew about this?" I could hear Nozomi whispering Eli... I peek behind my shoulder to see the blonde shaking her head. I look at Umi once again, this… looks like bad news.

"I know this is sudden but… I'll be clear: Kotori is leaving." Umi paused for a second, there was pure silence. "She has decided to study abroad… she will be leaving in two weeks." I blinked in surprise… Kotori… leaving?

"Is this a joke nya?-"

"W-what do you mean?" Nico asked with seriousness. Kotori looks down to the floor…

"It's an opportunity I had that is related to fashion design… I-I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you sooner but…" Her words didn't came out.

"Kotori wanted to tell you after the school festival." I decided to turn around, Honoka was just behind me… I couldn't see her face since her hair was covering it, I gulped. I… what…

"You are not coming back, are you?" Eli suddenly asked.

"No… not after I graduate from high school." This time I was the one looking to the floor… The Muse's without Kotori? That's… not right.

"Why…" I flinched when I realized Honoka stood up just behind me. "Why didn't you told me? Umi-chan knew! Why…" Honoka walked slowly to Kotori and crunched in front of her, grabbing the other girl hands. "We have been together for so long! Why are you-"

"Honoka." Umi voiced, trying to stop the words coming out from Honoka. But it didn't work.

"Why are you leaving us?! I-I don't understand!" Honoka muttered helpessly.

"Honoka-chan..." Nozomi said softly.

"I-I tried to tell you… plenty of times… but you were too focused on…" Tears started to fell from Kotori's eyes. "I wanted your advice, but then you got sick and…" Her voice just cracked.

"We are best friends, why-"

"I wanted to talk with you! So many times… I tried, Honoka-chan. You are my very first friend but I… of course I wanted to tell you!" Kotori shouted as she ran away from the room with tears falling from her eyes.

"K-Kotori-chan!" Honoka voiced, tears were coming out of her eyes too.

"Kotori really wanted to tell you, Honoka… but after the concert she just couldn't. She felt like she didn't had any other choice… please try to understand her." With that said Umi just left the room… at that point, it felt like time stopped. Honoka cleaned her eyes just for more tears to fall again.

"W-wait!" Honoka ran out of the room too. We exchanged some worried looks as we stood there, frozen.

"What are we… we need to do something!" Nico shouted with frustration, breaking the silence and looking at Nozomi and Eli. Instinctively we all looked at them… but they were as shocked as us.

"I guess… This is what my cards have been trying tell me for a while…" Nozomi looks down too.

"Nozomi… T-Then I'll go talk to them!" Nico left the room in a hurry.

"Nicocchi… w-wait." Nozomi tried to stop the girl, but it was no use. Eli stood up too.

"B-but… we can't stay here! Let's go Kayo-chin!" Hanayo was sobbing silently but Rin pulled her up and left the room with her, following Nico… I felt my body was frozen, I was looking at Eli… she had her fist pressed and I could almost see her brain trying to figure this out. They are eager to fix this but… but can it be fixed? I-I… don't think so... Kotori is leaving?

"What are we going to do, Elicchi?" Nozomi stood next to the blonde.

"W-we can figure something up, right?" I dared to ask… even though I knew the answer already.

"I… I don't think there's something we can do." Eli voiced simply, then she took a deep breath. "If it's decided then… we have no say in this." Nozomi glanced down only to look up at the girls entering the club-room again.

"They are nowhere to be seen!" Nico shouted angrily with Hanayo and Rin behind her. "We need to do something!"

"Nicocchi…" Nozomi voiced helplessly… I glanced at Hanayo, she was close to tears again. Our group… I woke myself up from my shock as I stood up too, so we were all standing around the table. Eli was the one who broke the silence.

"I… Kotori made a decision, Nico… and she is our friend, so we need to be there for her. That's all we can do: be there for her." Eli crossed her arms, looking down to the floor… Nico kicked with frustration a plastic glass.

"But we need to talk to them… or do something, right?" Rin asked even though the situation was… really bad.

"I propose we do a concert with her… it's the least we can do and we only have two weeks." Eli looked around. "I know it's sudden…"

"I think is a good idea." Nozomi agreed with a sad smile.

"We can talk to them tomorrow nya! I'm sure Kotori-chan will be happy... She deserves the best farewell, nya!" We all nodded in agreement. Farewell? I guess this is it… there's nothing else to do.

Next day we were all reunited in the roof… well, everyone except Kotori and Honoka.

"So… you all want to do a concert for Kotori?" Umi smiled even though her eyes were watering. "I… She would love that… but Honoka-"

"I'll go look for her!" Eli offered cheerfully and left the roof.

"I don't think Honoka is feeling good." Umi explained with concern. I don't think any of us is feeling good… but I can't quite picture how Honoka and Umi are feeling right now.

"Then is our job to cheer her up! We are school idols after all, that's what we do." Nico was in a good mood… but I had a bad feeling in my gut. I glanced at Nozomi… she seems down too. Don't tell me her cards are expecting more bad news? Is that even possible? Eli came back with Honoka, so the blonde explained the plan to her.

"A concert?" Honoka asked simply.

"We want to do a concert before she leaves-"

"And make it the best concert ever for her!" Rin tried to spread some cheerfulness. Honoka just kept her eyes down to the floor.

"Honoka… are you okay?" Umi asked the other second year.

"We need to keep our spirits up, Honoka. This will be our last concert with nine members." Eli said that with a half smile but… are we even the Muse's if we only have eight members? I shook my head to forget about the thought.

"If I had done something… this is all my fault-"

"Hey, Honoka!" Nico stopped the other girl.

"This is not your fault, Honoka-chan." Hanayo said nervously.

"If I had done something this wouldn't have happened! Don't you see?" The second year said angrily, it's so unusual to see Honoka like this… I could almost feel her pain.

"What good comes out of blaming yourself?" Eli asked sharply. "Nothing, Honoka."

"A-and we still have a chance in the next Love Live, right?" I thought the mention of 'love live', the words Honoka shout happily a thousands of times, will have a positive reaction in her. Nico smiled… but there was no change in Honoka's face.

"That's right! We will definitely perform next time-"

"Why? We already saved the school, so what's the point now?" We all flinched at her words, Honoka…

"W-What? What are you saying, Honoka!?" Nico asked angrily. "Tell me you are joking!"

"It's impossible, we will never be good enough-"

"You can't be serious!" Nico was ready to end with Honoka right there, I managed to stop the girl just in time. "Let me go!" Nico voiced, trying to escape from my arms, enough bad things are happening… we can't have more fighting too! "You told me you were serious! I joined because you never gave up, so what are you doing, ah?! What kind of school idol are you?!" I could hear Hanayo gasping. "I gave you my hopes and dreams, for what!? For you to just give up?!" The girl suddenly stopped moving but I wasn't going to let her go, I kept my arms around her. Nico… I know how important being a school idol is for her, and to see Honoka like this… this is just painful.

"What do you want to do, Honoka?" Eli asked seriously… I turned around but I kept my hands on Nico's shoulders.

"I quit." W-what? I held my breath in shock. "I quit being a school idol." Then Honoka proceeded to walk away until Umi suddenly stopped her, she grabbed her wrist and… slapped her. I opened my eyes wide, don't fight like this! Please…

"I would never… you are the worst, Honoka. You are the worst!" Umi muttered, almost crying. We all just stood there… shocked by the harshness in Umi's voice. Honoka touched her cheek for a second…

"T-That's what you think? Fine! I'm done!" And… just like that, Honoka left. I took a step back. H-Honoka… Umi… Tears were falling from her eyes now.

"I… I have archery practice." Umi left us too… is that it? This is how our group is going to end? We just stood there in silence but this time we all avoided the other girl's eyes… This can't be happening…

"I'll go to the club room." Nico was the one walking away this time. She punched the door on her way out, she was definitely upset.

"Nicocchi…" Nozomi quickly followed Nico. I turn around to look at Hanayo… she was crying, Rin tried to comfort her... but Rin was close to tears too. I bite my lip as I turn my gaze to Eli, she was looking down. Seeing Honoka and Umi fighting like this… I felt a pain in my stomach.

"We will… go to the bathroom, nya." I have never heard Rin talking with such a sad tone… so Hanayo and Rin walked away too. That's when I realized what I was feeling: I felt true fear… are we losing ourselves? Are we losing the friends we made? Kotori… Honoka… Umi… I gulped.

"I will go to the music room-"

"Maki." I turned around to look at Eli, we locked our eyes. "Can I go with you? Music helps me think... and I need to think fast right now." I blinked… but then I just nodded. There's nothing we can do… this is just bigger than us. We walked silently to the music room… The memory of the slap sound between two best friends almost made me shiver. I walked to the piano until I noticed Eli stood there next to the door, lost in her own thoughts.

"W-what do you want to listen?" I asked simply, trying to distract my mind from what just happened.

"I need to figure this out…" But there's nothing to figure out… "I-I…"

"Eli… just sit." If there was something I could do right now… that was playing some music. Eli hesitated but then she sat in one of the chairs, facing the piano. I sat down and I took a deep breath... Then I just started playing whatever music came to my mind… mostly sad music, but I couldn't help it. I let myself get lost in the tunes for a bit, I played a couple songs. But then… Muse's… my throat started to shut. We are… that's when I stopped playing. Kotori is leaving, Umi and Honoka are fighting… I gulped as Eli stood up.

"I could talk to Honoka and Umi. That could help, I don't think she was thinking clearly, right?" I shuddered my shoulders as I avoided her blue eyes. I didn't wanted to be the pessimist but… "I mean, they are best friends…"

"We still need Kotori, though… I can't picture the Muse's with one less member. And I think they can't picture themselves without her, too." I voiced with honesty… The Muse's… we are over. We are done.

"Then I could…" The blonde was moving impatiently. "I could try…" I glanced at her this time… her eyes were watered and I had to look away or mines would get like that too.

"I can't picture our group without Honoka, or without Kotori… or without you, or anyone, actually. I just can't, I don't think that would work." I placed my eyes on the piano keys. "It just doesn't feel right, we all need each others." I voiced with honestly, still trying to keep it together.

"I… Yeah… I-I think you are right-" I glanced at Eli for a second… she was barely holding her tears and I had to look away once again. "We should go-"

"I will stay for a bit." I turn my back to her, I couldn't look at her blue eyes… I just couldn't. I needed to stop my thoughts right now.

"Are you sure-"

"Yes." I sat down and I quickly placed my fingers on the keys, I just started playing… I was decided not to cry. Eli hesitated… but then she walked away. She close the door behind her and I just kept playing… I closed my eyes. Everything is a mess, that's for sure. But Maki… you are not crying. I started to play once again.

...

Eli's POV:

I closed the door but I could still hear Maki music… I rested my back against the wall… then I slowly sat down there. I couldn't hold the tears anymore, so I just wrapped my arms around my knees and rested my head on them, then I cried... I just couldn't stop. I feel so close to all of them… and I don't want the Muse's to end but, what can we do? Without Kotori or Honoka… or Umi. I couldn't even picture how the second years were feeling right now, I just kept listening to Maki's piano. It's terrifying to see them arguing like this… And I just wish I could do something. I took a deep breath. But we need nine members to be the Muse's. I definitely need to talk to them, but… we were doing so well! We just saved the school-

"E-Elicchi… what are you doing?" I hear Nozomi's sudden whisper. I turned around, there's no point in hiding my tears to her… her eyes were watered too. She sat next to me so we just sitting there, shoulder to shoulder, listening to Maki's music… 'It just doesn't feel right.', 'nine members exactly, we made it because we worked together.' Maki and Nozomi were right.

"I have decided… that we need to take a break. Without Kotori, Honoka and Umi… there's no Muse's anymore." I hated the words that just came out of my mouth, we exchanged some looks.

"I… I think you are right. There's nine Muse's, no more and no less." I nodded. "But Nicocchi…"

"How is she? I know, she is not going to take it well. But we will still be there for each other, we also need to be there for Umi and Honoka." Nozomi gave me a tender smile as she cleaned her tears, soothing music still playing in the background.

"She was… upset. But yes, we will always be there for them… and now you need to stop crying Elichi or I won't be able to stop too." I giggled as I cleaned my face.

"You know I can be a crybaby sometimes…" Nozomi giggled too.

"Sometimes?" We laughed silently.

"It's just that… seeing them in an argument like this after the sadness that will come without Kotori…" I couldn't say more. When did things started to go downhill?

"I think is because of that same sadness… but the sun always comes after a storm, Elicchi." I sighed deeply… her piano sounds so beautiful, though. It's the only positive thing I feel right now. "At least we have Maki's music, right?" I nodded slowly.

"Is calming isn't?" Nozomi nodded this time. "I know she wants to pretend she is strong and all, but I know she is hurting too." Nozomi laughed a bit. "Huh? What did I said?"

"Nothing, nothing. I just think all of us are hurting right now… I guess the spirits are testing us." Both of us rested our heads against the wall. "But I know we all have an unbreakable friendship now, Elicchi." I nodded at her words, Nozomi is always right, isn't she?

"I think you are right… I just want to protect them." I voiced in a low tone.

"So do I… I'm sure things will get better." I sure hope so, Nozomi… "Oh. Music stopped." We flinched for a second, she is right.

"Well, time to cheer up." I voiced before we giggled together. I hope we don't look like we were crying that much-that's when certain redhead opened the music room door, she is looking at us with her eyes wide open.

"W-what are you two doing here?!" Maki blushed intensively… so of course I smiled. "For how long have you two-"

"Long enough, Maki-chan." Nozomi and I stood up, facing Maki. "Long enough."

"Have I… I-I don't like you two!" I giggled at Maki crossing her arms with embarrassment. I was trying to figure if she was crying too… but I think she just expressed her feelings with the music. She is a tough cookie.

"Where you expecting us to leave and not listen to your concert? That's not our style Maki-chan." Maki inflated her cheeks with frustration. "Besides, it was free."

"I have no privacy at all! Sheesh…" The redhead looked away as we laughed. Thanks for the music, Maki…

"You are right about that, we do want to see you in your nurse clothes-"

"I don't wear nurse clothes, Nozomi!" I laughed out loud this time… these two… they make me smile.

"She is a pianist doctor, Nozomi. Have some respect." Maki rolled her eyes at my joke as I smirked.

"I'm just going to ignore you two…" She voiced, biting her lip.

"You shouldn't hold your laughter Maki. " I pointed out with a smile.

"It's bad for your soul, Maki-chan." The redhead exchanged some looks with us. I smiled at the younger girl… I do loved watching her playing the piano.

"You two are dumb." She walked past us and we followed her.

"We are your seniors, Maki. Have some respect." Maki chuckled at my words as we walked away from school.

"I thought there were no seniors between us?" The three of us giggled at our silliness.

"You are right, there's just one junior and that is you, Maki-chan." Nozomi voiced calmly.

"That doesn't even make sense!" I had to laugh again… and just like that we kept walking and talking stupidly. No more tears, at least for today. "Have some respect, Nozomi." The three of us laughed at Maki mocking me.

"Maki learns fast…" I giggled again as Nozomi just smirked.

"Does she?-"

"So…" I had to cut Nozomi's words right away. I guess is time to talk about it. "I'll go talk to all of them tomorrow. I think the group needs to take a hiatus… It will do more harm than good to force things when the situation is a mess like this." I wanted to hear Maki's opinion on this so I looked at her.

...

Back to Maki's POV:

"Yeah… I think it's for the best." There's nothing left to do right now, but for some reason… the situation was scary, at least for me.

"We need things to cool off. I will consult my cards today…" We were now close to Eli's house… so I guess Nozomi is staying with her.

"Don't you consult your cards every day? I'm starting to think they give bad luck, Nozomi." I smirked at her as she gasped, Eli giggled nervously.

"How dare you, Maki-chan. We saved the school thanks to them…" Then Nozomi glanced at Eli. "Have some respect." This time it was Nozomi's turn to make fun of Eli, so we laughed out loud.

"Yeah, you two keep laughing… I'll wait here." But Eli giggled too, at this point we were in front of Eli's building.

"Well… I need to go buy some groceries. I'll see you two tomorrow." Nozomi gave us a... sad smile. So the depressing atmosphere was back.

"Goodbye then…" I voiced as Eli waved slowly. Tomorrow's mention made the situation sink in my brain… it's going to be another bad day, isn't? I didn't noticed Nozomi was walking away already. Officially the first day without Muse's…

"Hmm… are you alright, Maki?" Eli was looking at me but I avoided her blue eyes.

"Of course I am, bye Eli." So I walked away too… I knew Eli stood there looking at me, that's what she does. She worries too much. I sighed deeply as I walked. Having eight amazing friends and tons of happy moments? It was too good to be true… When I joined, I remember myself thinking that this wasn't going to last, but all of them made me slowly forget about that thought. Maybe I shouldn't have… I entered to my house, no one was there. Without Muse's… I'm just lonely Maki once again. I guess there's no use…


Yeah, this was a tricky chapter for me to write... it ended up longer than I thought (surprise!) and I went a lot of back and forward with it... I know is an angst-humor roller-coaster but I couldn't help it. It was a coincidence having so many parallelisms with the final live, I guess. Again: any thoughts are welcome! Btw, good luck in the SIF events if any of you are participating and I hope you are having a great day.

Now, answering a few review questions: yes, the story will definitely continue after s1! Going through the s2 I'll add more things of my own... and after that I have a couple of things in mind, but we will see then! About Honoka: I totally understand the situation, her hard decision made a lot of sense given the circumstances imo.

ALSO: the Elimaki UR pair is here! I REALLY wanted to post this chapter that day... but like i said, it was kind of tricky.