Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!


[This chapter starts on Tuesday alongside chapter 8: "BiBi"]

Umi, Rin, and Nozomi left for Umi's house after getting their belongings from the clubroom. They started in silence, before Nozomi started light conversation to save the mood. Thanks to that, Umi and Rin loosened up a bit and they were able to relax by the time they reached Umi's house.

Umi led them to her room, and they set their stuff down. They unpacked a few things and settled in as Umi brought in tea. She handed Rin and Nozomi their tea and took hers as she sat down.

"So, what should we do first?" she asked.

"Well, we were formed to experience something similar to what Printemps did," Rin reviewed.

"Right. And we agreed to perform a song, so we should work on the song." Nozomi said.

"Alright. I've been wondering though.."

Nozomi and Rin looked at her curiously as Umi thought of how to explain her thought. Finally she decided to ask.

"Well, lyrics shouldn't be a problem with the three of us. And I can handle choreography. But, what about the music and costumes?"

"Ah.. you're right.." Rin realized.

"We're going to have to work around it," Nozomi said. "Printemps didn't have a choreographer or knew how to make the music, but they still managed."

"Yeah, but how?" Rin asked. "What are we going to do?"

Nozomi put her finger to her lips thoughtfully. "Well, costumes isn't a big problem. We can just put matching outfits together if we can't make them. As for the music.. I guess we're going to have to learn how to do it ourselves."

"We have to learn how to do the music ourselves?" Rin asked. "Why don't we ask for help?"

"Printemps didn't ask us for help for anything," Umi pointed out. "We probably have to figure it out ourselves, too."

"Mhm," Nozomi agreed. "How about we get the lyrics first? We can worry about the music after."

Umi and Rin nodded.

"Well then, what do we want the lyrics to be about?" Rin asked.

They started brainstorming ideas. They went into the night without much progress.


The next day passed, and the girls met up immediately after school and returned to Umi's house. They got straight back to work.

"How about someone who's uncertain about love?" Nozomi suggested.

"I don't know, we've done mostly love songs for Muse so far.." Umi pointed out.

"Probably for a very good reason," Nozomi thought.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"Well, why do you suggest that, Nozomi-chan?" Rin asked.

"It's a little different from our usual songs about already being in love. Besides, I think it's something we could all relate to."

"You.. you have a point," Umi said slowly.

"I guess it should be easier to write then if we all relate.." Rin said.

The three looked in different directions, realizing how far that went. Nozomi decided now might be a good time.

"Is there.. someone you two love?"

They turned back to face Nozomi, but neither wanted to answer at first.

"You don't have to say who, if it's uncomfortable."

Umi spoke first. "Yes.. there might be someone I'm starting to like a lot."

Rin didn't speak, she just nodded. Nozomi also nodded.

"And you aren't sure what to do?"

Umi just nodded this time.

"Guess that means we're all in the same boat."

"You too, Nozomi-chan?" Rin asked.

"Yes.. and I'm not sure what will be good to do, either."

"If I may ask," Umi started, "why did you ask?"

"Why? Well, I felt like it would be helpful for us to get to know each other better. Even if we might not keep this unit, bonding like this is still nice."

"That's true," Rin agreed.

"I may be both your senpai, but you shouldn't see me as distant or mysterious anymore. I'm still like you girls in some things."

"Well, you've always given us advice," Umi said. "It's still hard not looking up to you and thinking we're equal."

Nozomi smiled. "I don't mind that. Just remember I won't know everything, either."

Umi and Rin both nodded. Nozomi felt relieved, as she saw smiles return to the girls' faces. "Seems like it was a good idea after all," she thought.

With that, the three went back to working on the lyrics. They finished with the lyrics the following day, and spent the rest of the day learning how to work the music program. The next day was Friday, meaning they were able to work later into the night as they worked on the music. They worked on it for the next two days, finishing it Sunday late in the afternoon. Nozomi and Rin took a break, while Umi went to start on the choreography.

"Whew, that's finally done," Rin said as she fell onto Umi's bed.

"Yeah, the music took a lot, but we're not done yet." Nozomi said "While Umi's doing choreography, we should start thinking about the costumes."

"Nya~" Rin yawned a little. "Can't we have at least five minutes of break?"

"We're just discussing the costumes, it's not like you'll have to move much."

Rin sighed, but sat up again. "Alright, alright. So what are you thinking?"

"Well, our best bet would be to put something together, since we can't make them."

"Alright, but what? We still need to perform in it too."

"Right." Nozomi started thinking, but she wasn't getting anywhere with it.

"What would look good but we could still perform in?"

Nozomi shook her head. "I.. I don't quite know."

"Maybe we should go shopping to try outfits until we find something.."

"Heh, shopping again," Nozomi said, thinking back to her little shopping experience with Kotori, that led into their Valentine's Day single. "Those were some nice outfits," she thought to herself.

"..."

"Nozomi-chan?" Rin called. Nozomi suddenly went silent and stared, so Rin was concerned.

"That's it!" Nozomi suddenly said.

Rin fell a little back in surprise. "W-what is?"

"I might know an answer to our costume problem," she said excitedly. She looked out the window, remembering how late it was. "But, I think we have to wait until tomorrow."

Umi came in some time later, having finished some of the choreography. Nozomi told her they're going to Akihabara tomorrow after school. With nothing more they could do for the night, they went to sleep.


The next day, Muse meet as usual for Monday.

"So, how's it looking?" Honoka asked.

"I think we're ready," Eri said, though a little uncertain.

"We're not," Umi admitted. "We need a few more days, if that's ok."

"Eh.. but I was looking forward to you all performing.."

"Honoka-chan.." Kotori said.

"I know, I know. How much longer do you think you'll need Umi-chan?"

"We should be ready by Wednesday," Umi told her.

"Is that alright?" Honoka asked Eri.

"Yeah, that works out for us as well." Eri replied, realizing they could use more practice.

"Alright. You have till Wednesday. We'll meet in the theatre on that day then."

With that, Honoka concluded the meeting and everyone left. Nozomi, Umi, and Rin immediately went to catch a train to Akihabara. As soon as they arrived, Nozomi hurriedly pulled Umi and Rin along as she led the way down the streets. They made their way to the store Nozomi and Kotori entered before. Nozomi led them to the floor she and Kotori had found and tried on all those outfits.

Nozomi finally let go of Rin and Umi as they arrived. The two younger girls looked around in awe.

"Wow.. there's so much here," Rin said.

Nozomi hurried through, trying to find something close to one of the outfits Kotori tried that day. Umi and Rin finally caught with her as she found it. She handed the dress to Umi and started leader her to the changing room.

"Hey, wha-" she began.

"Try it on, try it on," Nozomi said.

Nozomi got Umi to one of the changing rooms and Umi did as she was asked. She came out of the changing room a few minutes later.

"Well?" she asked.

"Looks good," Nozomi said. "Now, is it ok to move around in?"

"It feels fine."

"Good."

Umi went back to change out of the dress while Nozomi took Rin back to find dresses to match. She found a light blue and light green one, handed one to Rin, and led her back to the changing rooms to change. They both tried them on to make sure they fit.

"These are nice," Rin said, spinning around a few times.

"I thought so too. So these will work?" Nozomi asked Umi.

"Should be," she confirmed.

Nozomi and Rin changed back out of the dresses. She led them to another part of the store and they looked through accessories to go along with them. Once they had what they needed, they paid for everything and headed for Umi's house.

Once they got there, Rin and Nozomi started practicing the vocal parts while Umi went to finish the choreography. They spent the next day practicing until night. Once they had finished, they returned to Umi's room.

"I'll be honest, I was a little worried we wouldn't be ready in time," Rin admitted, taking a drink from her water bottle.

"Yeah.. Luckily it came together in the end," Umi said.

"Let's take it as a sign," Nozomi said jokingly. "Anyway, we should sleep early tonight. Get rest for tomorrow."

They agreed, but had stayed up to finish some homework before finally going to sleep.


Wednesday came, and after school the nine of them met in the theatre. Eri, Nico, and Maki went backstage first, while the others sat down. They came out a few minutes later in their outfits.

"Wah, cool.." Honoka said, admiring the outfits.

"Thanks, they're my design," Nico bragged. Maki rolled her eyes and Eri gave a chuckle.

"Alright. Well, we'll start then. Please listen to Diamond Princess no Yuuutsu." Eri said. And with that, the song started.

The three of them performed the song without any problems. As the song finished the other girls clapped and cheered.

"Ah that was good, really good!" Honoka said excitedly.

"Mhm, good sound, good blend," Hanayo commented.

"Seems like you all came together nicely," Kotori added.

"Thanks," Eri said.

She along with Maki and Nico bowed before heading backstage to change back into their uniforms. Once they came back Umi, Nozomi, and Rin got up from their seats to go backstage for their turn.

The three of them changed into their outfits and stood to face each other.

"Well, this is it," Rin said nervously.

Nozomi took both their hands. "Just another performance. We'll do great," she said, smiling.

"Right. We worked hard like we always do. It'll go well," Umi said, reassured by Nozomi.

Rin smiled, also feeling better. "Then let's do this."

The three of them stepped out onto the stage. This time Kotori commented first.

"Ah, there's something familiar about those dresses," she said.

"Well, you tried a similar one on before," Nozomi said.

The memory clicked in Kotori's mind. "Ah! Now I remember. Ah I love what you did with them!"

"Thanks. Now we'll perform. Please listen to Shiranai Love*Oshiete Love."

Just like the first unit, they performed smoothly. The others clapped and cheered as the song ended.

"The song was different but I liked it!" Honoka said cheerily.

"It was lovely indeed," Hanayo said.

"Yup. Seems like you three work well together as well," Kotori said.

Nozomi, Umi, and Rin bowed before heading backstage to change. Once they reappeared, the nine girls gathered closer.

"So.. what did you think?" Eri asked the members of Printemps.

"Yeah, were we good?" Rin asked.

Honoka, Hanayo, and Kotori looked at each other for a few moments, causing the others to get a little anxious. Finally, Honoka replied.

"I don't think they were good... I thought they were amazing!" she exclaimed.

What almost turned into six disappointed girls turned into six relieved ones.

Kotori nodded her agreement with Honoka. "Yup, I definitely think this little project was a complete success."

"Indeed," Hanayo added in. "Almost like it was meant to be."

"So here's our question to you all," Honoka said. "Are you guys going to keep the units?"

They looked at their units, before turning back to Printemps.

"Yes," rang six voices. The three of them smiled.

"I'm glad," Honoka said. "You guys might be even more popular than us once we publish these."

"Eh? You recorded them?" Umi asked.

"Of course I did, Umi-chan. They have to been seen by Muse's fans as well!"

"Well then," Kotori said. "That aside, since you're going to keep these units, you're going to need names."

"Ah that's right. Now that they're official, you'll need to come up with names for your units."

"How about we let you three come up with the names for us," Nozomi suggested.

"Eh? Why us?" asked Kotori.

"Well, in a way we were formed because of you three," Maki pointed out.

"Yeah, and it was your approval we needed," Rin said.

"So it's only fitting you three come up with our unit names," Nico finished.

Honoka, Kotori, and Hanayo looked at each other.

"Are you sure?" Honoka asked. They received six nods in response.

A few days later, they announced on the Muse web page the formation of two more mini-units, and they published each song for the introduction. "Diamond Princess no Yuuutsu" by BiBi, and "Shiranai Love*Oshiete Love" by Lily White. Honoka was partly right, as both units gained popularity quickly. However, they all hovered around the same amount of hits. So you couldn't really say one was more popular than the other two. However, there was a comment that many people had for all three units, which somewhat reassured the nine girls as a whole idol unit.

We eagerly await Muse's next single


Hey guys, nobodD here!

I hope you guys enjoyed these chapters. Like I said, I wanted this to be calm compared to Printemps's formation. Still, Lily White seemed like a little less complete compared to BiBi, but it gives a chance for more bonding :3 But I couldn't really find a way to incorporate the lyrics like I did before.

Just a note, "Diamond Princess no Yuuutsu" means "The Melancholy of the Diamond Princess". And, "Shiranai Love*Oshiete Love" means "Unknowing Love*Teaching Love." Just thought I'd say it here cause I don't think it's that clear during the chapters.

Also, maybe you might be able to sense what's happening soon. Especially from some of the dialogue this chapter. Just a heads up, a little more story and a little less song writing coming up. Are you excited? I'm excited to finally start writing it :p

That's it from me. I'm going to get started on the next chapter ASAP! Until next time~