A/N: Ok… Hello again! I guess I'm not updating any faster than before so… haha… Actually, I've been a bit busy… both with housework and stuff since it is summer. Oh right… I won't be updating on April 19-25 because I'll be off at a camping trip with my onii-san. So before that time, I'll try to update as much as I can in all my stories. This is being updated on behalf of my friend… telling me to update this one. So Ok… I'll do my best in This chapter. Please enjoy

~Shintori Khazumi

Chapter 10: Nishikino Hospital works wonders; Good morning Honoka-chan?

Warning: I tried to make it a cheery one, but I don't know… halfway through happiness, I made myself sad? Dunno… guess you'll see for yourself.

After realizing that Honoka had been transferred to Maki's Family Hospital, The girls were very relieved. Also, it seemed that Honoka's state had improved rapidly. It had only been two weeks, but Maki's mother said that she might wake up very soon. The girls, overwhelmed by the great news, decided to up their writing and finish it. Honoka could wake up at any time.

Kotori sat beside Honoka's hospital bed. Everyone had gone home already and they had finished writing the song, the positive boost giving them all a great inspiration to apply the finishing touches to their song. Now, If only Honoka would wake up, everything would be right again. Kotori had taken the liberty of being the one who would watch Honoka for the night, Honoka's parents agreeing, because of the much needed rest. Kotori caressed Honoka's face lovingly. She started to talk to Honoka like everyone did when they visited. She told her about everything that had been happening recently. How everyone was done with the song, how they had so much fun, how they thought if there would be another Love Live, they would definitely win it. She even told her how Kotori and possibly everyone else, cried for Honoka to wake up.

The room was dark, the hospital quiet. It was around 11 at night. No nurses were checking on Honoka at the time. Kotori placed her head on the bed.

"You know, Honoka-chan, I always loved the colors green and yellow. They suited me, you know. Of course you know. I know how much you've watched me, watched everyone, and yet, no one really watched you. Haha… I know it sounds silly, but what I mean by watch is… really watch." Kotori said, her voice taking on a heartbreaking tone.

"You know, Honoka-chan?" Her voice quivered. "One day, in middle school, we walked home together. It was getting late. The sun was beginning to set. You and Umi-chan had class duty for the day. I had to wait so long for you, you know?" Kotori let out a sad chuckle. "That day, you were so happy. The teacher had given you a good grade in history class, the class you that you barely passed for years. Haha…" Kotori said letting a tear slide down. "You were practically glowing. Your smile was so big; I thought that your face might tear. Umi-chan was smiling. I could tell that she was really proud. She laughed at you when you tripped on a pebble on the way. You laughed too. Then, I saw it, Your beautiful blue eyes. I always thought they were pretty, but today it looked more bright than usual. They looked like sparkling gems. I immediately knew that it was a color that could not be matched. The sunset was highlighting your features making your eyes look like they had little fragments of gold. It looked… mesmerizing. I saw the ocean and the stars in those orbs, something I never really appreciated before, but now, I loved. I would always, always yearn to see it again. And I did. Every time you looked at the sky, the stars, I saw it. Sometimes, I even wished that we could go home late again, just to see it. Those blue orbs with golden sparkles. You were a treasure chest, hiding those precious gems to yourself." Kotori started sobbing.

"One day, we went home late again. But this time, you weren't bursting with happiness. Your sister had been admitted in the hospital. She had caught this sickness that was going around and you were especially worried. You didn't want to lose her too, right? You weren't concentrating in class or rather, you couldn't, so the teacher punished you." Kotori wiped her eyes. "The sun was setting again… I saw tears. Those orbs were shedding countless tears. When I asked if you were ok, you turned away from me, wiped those tears and faced me with a smile, one that did not quite reach your eyes. You said you were fine. You always say you are fine. Why? I just didn't understand. Then the sunset rays fell on your face. They seemed more beautiful. The remaining tears glistened. Your eyes had golden sparkles. It was more beautiful than when you were happy. That was when I felt guilty. I wanted to see this sight even more, but to see this, you had to cry. Something, someone, I had to make you cry. That's when it struck me. My Favorite Color. It was a cute baby blue color, shimmering with golden highlights. The sea reflecting the stars."

Kotori burst into tears. She felt so guilty. Honoka had cried a few times before, yet that golden sparkle would not show. Kotori always wondered. Why does Honoka watch us so intently? She may not look like it, but she is very observant. She always knows if something is off with anyone and everyone. That was the type of person she was, and yet, it was hard to read her. She never let you see her angry, she never let you see her cry, aside from those times, but it was different. She never really cried in front of anyone. It hurt a bit, knowing she couldn't trust even me. I had to know. I just had to… can't she trust anyone? Thinking about it now, even when µ's was formed, she remained cheerful in spite of all the challenges. I thought I needed to be the one you could cry in front of, the one who could comfort you. I wanted to be that person. Along the way, I realized how I always wanted to be by your side, I always wanted you to look at me… that was when I knew…

"Honoka…" Kotori said dropping the honorific. "I love you." She said unconsciously, letting her thoughts slip out.

While caressing Honoka's face, Kotori found her hand wet… wet with tears.

"Ko… tori.." Kotori bolted upright in her chair. Looking at Honoka's cringing face, she seemed to be in pain, or desperately trying to do something… what though? And then….

Honoka opened her eyes… Wiping away the tears from both their eyes,

"Good morning, Kotori-chan. I love you too."

A/N: So, how did you like this one, minna-san? I tried putting my feelings in, don't know if that worked. Breathing a huge sigh of relief… Haha… I didn't realize that I was holding my breath on that last part… woah… Well then, Have a nice day! It's really cool and relaxing today. Haha… Till next time,

~Shintori Khazumi