College classes started early in the morning.
All the girls attended school, some with seriousness and others half-asleep.
Even though Muse were quite well known around those parts, their classmates respected them and tried not to bother them too much with autographs and photos. Although there was one who actually encouraged them to do so.
Nico always made sure to attract a huge crowd around her whenever she set foot on school grounds.
Maki didn't enjoy it that much, but she knew it made the girl happy so she let it roll.
Besides, she had too much on her mind to pay attention to that sort of things and get jealous.
Ever since she saw her father, a storm of thoughts floated around her head.
Was she really right about the route she chose? Was it okay to let her father down like that when he wanted her to inherit the hospital? Was music her true passion?
And she didn't even tell her parents about her relationship with Nico.
Despite her family's riches, they were quite the traditional family. Her father was even planning on arranging her with a fiancé.
The third years didn't have any classes in the afternoon.
Nozomi was looking forward to go home with Eli and Nico but Eli rushed out of the classroom as soon as classes ended.
Eli was acting strange for quite some time and, whenever Nozomi asked her if there was anything wrong she'd make up some cheap excuses and run.
The medium girl consulted her cards. However, they didn't tell her anything useful.
So, on this day, she decided to tail her friend.
A couple of blocks away from the school grounds, Eli met up with Duda.
Nozomi was quite puzzled. Were they meeting for work related purposes? If so, why only with her? And why outside of the company's building?
She continued to go after them, watching them carefully.
People on the street would give her some funny stares here and there.
"Why did I have to disguise myself with Nico's sunglasses and mask..." She thought to herself.
Eli and Duda had a nice mood going on.
They were speaking to one another with friendly tones and laughing and smiling.
Sometimes, they'd stop in front of stores to look at the merchandise through the windows but not once did they go inside.
Around 13pm, they arrived at a nice family restaurant.
Nozomi sat at a table in the back with full view of where her friend and manager were.
A waitress walked up to their table and they ordered the same meal: Omu-Raisu accompanied with a soda.
After that, the same waitress approached Nozomi.
"Irashai! What will your order be?"
"A glass of water is fine, thank you."
When those words left her mouth, she realized how pathetic she was acting. It reminded her of the past when Nico would tail Muse, short after they had started the Idol Club.
She continued to watch them, despite that.
After Eli and the manager finished their meals, Eli stood up with her wallet in her hands, ready to pay her share. However, Duda stopped her by placing his hand on top of hers.
"I'll pay for both of us, don't worry." He spoke tenderly.
Nozomi felt anger building up from within her body.
"They look just like a couple, like this!" She thought.
As they were leaving the restaurant, Duda moved closer to the girl and shyly grabbed Eli's hand.
Eli leaned to the left, resting her head on the man's shoulder.
The mood was getting more and more like that of a couple's.
Then, Duda glanced intensely at the half-russian beauty and moved in to touch her lips.
That was the last drop.
"Eli-chi!" Nozomi shouted impulsively, interrupting them.
The couple jumped at the scream and turned around to face a very angry Nozomi with her right hand clenched into a fist.
Upon seeing her best friend's face, Eli's chest ached. She tried explaining the situation but the words weren't coming out the way she wanted.
"Toujou-san! Please, understand! I truly love Eli! I beg of you, please don't tell the president about us. I know it's against the company's policy, but I can't stay away from her!" Duda implored.
Nozomi remained in silence for a few seconds, a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I... I won't tell anyone, rest assured." She answered bitterly before turning around and disappearing.
Meanwhile, the rest of the girls were packing their books and notebooks to go home.
But they didn't go all together.
They were scattered all over the place.
Maki alone in a corner with her thoughts, Rin and Hanayo super lovey-dovey as usual and the second years in total silence and really fidgety. They were acting quite awkward towards each other ever since the day after the show.
Hanayo whispered in Rin's ear:
"What is going on? Everyone is acting a little bit odd?"
"Well, I can understand Maki. She has a lot on her plate concerning her parents."
"Yeah, I don't know all the details but her father is against her decision to continue with us, right?"
"Right... As for Honoka and the others, I don't have a clue." Rin made a funny face.
"And then there is Eli who's always disappearing and is barely at home. Nozomi is quite worried."
They remained in silence for a couple of minutes. Then, Rin had an idea.
"I know what we should do! The next time we have a day off, we should all go to that new amusement park! We could even invite the children and A-Rise."
Hanayo's eyes shone brightly at the idea.
Back in the house, Hanayo and Rin were in the kitchen preparing dinner together.
The cat-like girl was wearing a side ponytail and a cute yellow-ish apron with cat paws prints. Hanayo had a white one with onigiri prints.
"So, what should we make?" The rice goddess asked.
Her friend enthusiastically suggested curry.
They started out with washing and peeling the veggies.
"It's so much fun cooking with you, Kayo-chin!"
The girl smiled.
Not long after, Nozomi returned. Her eyes were devoid of her soul.
The second years, who were awkwardly in silence in the living room waiting for dinner, called out to her to break the ice.
The girl didn't even look at them and went straight upstairs, though.
Fifteen minutes later, Eli came in in a rush with a really pale face.
She immediately asked for Nozomi and Umi answered her.
"Did something happen with them?" Honoka wondered out loud and made eye contact with Kotori. Both turned they're heads sideways in embarrassment.
Dinner was ready.
It smelled so good, Nico came dancing down the stairs.
"Curry always brings a Nico Nii to everyone's faces!~" She sang.
Her optimism was completely shoved aside by the tense atmosphere in the house.
"Geh?! What's with the long faces?"
"Rii-right? Let's eat minna, it's curry! I promise I did good this time, with Kayo-chin's help!"
Maki came down not long after. But when she did, things got even heavier.
She had two suitcases beside her and made her way to the hall without a word.
"Shotto! Maki? Where are you going with those suitcases?!" Nico's smiley face turned dark.
A car's motor could be heard from outside.
The red-head opened the door.
'I'm sorry' was the only thing she voiced before getting inside her father's car.
Obs: Things have taken a turn for the worst! Everyone is awkward/mad with each other and the group is completely falling apart. Nozomi is badly hurt, HonkUmiKoto don't know how to behave together after that drunken party and Maki decided to leave without a single explanation. In the midst of so much angst, RinPana are still purely sweet, though.
How are they going to mend their broken ties? Is Muse going to be okay?
Tune in for the next chapter to find out!
Hope you're enjoying this story! ^w^