Muse was on a roll. They had defeated their opponents both at the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals, leaving only the Finals. Their popularity was also soaring; indeed, there were more people hearing about the school thanks to the Gunpla Battle Club.
Eli had to admit, for a bunch of beginners she was impressed. However they would need more than that to defeat their opponent at the finals; their opponent was skilled and was one of A-Rise's competitors during the last regional tournament.
She didn't know why she tried playing Gunpla battle again, even after what happened in the past.
All this was on her mind as she went to pick up her sister, who was waiting for her at the school gate.

Umi was rushing towards the school. She had realized that she had forgotten her notebook, and she had to hurry before the school closes.
That's when she noticed a young blonde girl waiting by the gate.
The girl noticed her too.
"Hey, aren't you…. Umi-Sonoda-san? From Muse?"
"What? Ah… yes, yes, I am."
"That is so awesome! I am a huge fan!" the girl said. "Your Rising Gundam is well built!"
"I see. You've been to our fights?"
"Yes! My sister takes me to them."
"Arisa! It's time to go home."
Umi looked for the source of the voice and saw none other than Eli Ayase, the student council president.
"You…"
"I think we need to talk."

"So you've seen all our matches?"
"Yes," Eli replied.
They were at a park. Arisa was buying bread from a store with displays at the storefront.
"I admit, I did not expect for you to win. But your perseverance and teamwork was able to gain you victory."
"Let me ask you something, President. How come you were so opposed to us when we first approached you about forming this club?"
"It's just l said. Club activities should not be used to recruit students."
"Is that all?" Umi asked. "When you said that, I sensed something more personal in your tone."
Before Eli could reply, Arisa arrived with some bread.
"Here," she said.
"Oh… thanks, Arisa," Umi said.
"As I was saying, there was nothing personal," Eli said.
"You tone back then sounded different."
"It's none of your business." She looked at her sister. "Arisa, its time to go."
Arisa nodded, and before going, waved good bye to Umi.
"I wish you luck!" the younger Ayase said.

Umi was walking home now, her conversation with the Student council president on her mind.
"It seems you have a lot to think about."
Umi saw that Nozomi was waiting for her.
"No-Nozomi-senpai!"
"I take it that you had a conversation with Elicchi?"
"Yes. It seems to me like there was a personal reason why she was initially opposed to her club. But she acknowledged our efforts."
"Did you know that Elicchi used to study in the Gunpla Academy?"
"What?"
Umi had heard of it from Nico and Hanayo. The Gunpla Academy used to be run by PPSE, and was famous for producing top players.
"However Eli quit the Academy, despite a promising start. I think it's best that you hear that from her yourself."
"Why did you tell me all this?"
Nozomi only smiled. "It's up to you to decide what to do with this information," she said as she walked away.

Eli thought about her conversation with Umi.
Had her motivation been more than than just rules?
Maybe. She didn't know, but after seeing those girls fight, it made her want to play Gunpla battle again, after all this time.
"Onee-chan."
Arisa was on the doorway. "Your door was unlocked."
"Oh… I see. Why are you here, Arisa?"
"I know that you want to fight again, Onee-chan. What's stopping you? You could also help Muse."
Nozomi is saying the same things, she thought.
"I don't know, Arisa… I don't know."

Umi decided to reveal it to the others the next day.
"What?" Hanayo asked.
"Are you kidding? The Gunpla Academy?" Nico said.
"Then… she's really skilled, then?" Rin asked.
"Yes," Umi replied.
"Then maybe she looks down on us?" Maki said.
"No," Umi said. "She said to me that she acknowledges our efforts, but we'll need more than that to win."
"Then… maybe we can get her to help us?" Honoka suggested.
"What?" Was the reply of the rest of Muse.
"Why not?" Honoka said. " We've got this person who we know is strong, right? So why don't we ask her for help?"
"That's easier said than done," Umi said.
"Still, I think Honoka-chan has a point," Kotori said.
"See! Kotori-chan agrees with me!" Honoka said.
"I don't see this going well," Nico said.
"For the first time, I agree with you," Maki said.
"Well, no point dwelling on the matter," Umi said. "We can decide later. But for now, we need to practice."

Muse went to the battle room, however they found a surprise waiting for them inside.

Please set your GP Base
Please set your Gunpla
Eli heard those familiar words again. Granted, it was a bit different when she last played-the game was still under PPSE then.
She did as the machine told.
Field, Ruins
Battle Start
"Ayase Eli, launching."
The red mobile suit that has become Eli's favorite launched and landed onto the city. It was inside a colony-in the far side of the field was a huge pillar. However the buildings were a wreck, and the colony has holes in it.
Releasing targets
Four Hi-Mocks were released.
"Hmm…. Aegis, Duel, Buster, Blitz, huh…"
The Duel Hi-Mock attacked. Discarding it's beam rifle and shield, and blue armor-clad Mock grabbed both its swords.
Eli prepared to attack, but suddenly she felt it again. Fear. Hesitation.
Eli froze, giving the the Hi-Mocks an opening.
She did nothing as the Hi-Mocks attacked her suit again and again.
Battle Ended
"I still… can't do it, huh."
Eli picked up her Gunpla with a sad look on her face. It wasn't scratched, thanks to the damage level being set to C.
"I'm sorry…"

"Is that it?"
Eli turned and saw Muse at the doorway.
Crap, they saw her.
Nico was the one who spoke. "Is that the power of the one who came from the Gunpla Academy?"
"Nico-senpai, you shouldn't be so rude…" Hanayo tried to calm down her senior.
"Why? She has been opposed to us from the beginning. She's from the Gunpla Academy, but we can fight better than her! What right does she have to go against us?"
Eli tried to get out of the room, but Muse blocked her way.
"What happened in my past is nothing but my own personal business. Please stay out of it."
Eli managed to get through, and the rest of Muse just stared at her.
"What's her problem?" Nico immediately said.
"I think Elicchi is reminded of her younger self, whenever she sees you guys."
Nico saw Nozomi at the corner. The student council vice president had an uncanny ability to appear and disappear at a moment's notice.
"Really?" Honoka asked.
"Just like I told your friend, Elicchi had a promising career inside the Academy. However after a school tournament she left. Perhaps when she sees you fighting, she is reminded of the days when she used to enjoy Gunpla battle."
Honoka nodded. "Alright then…" she dashed off.
"Where are you going?" Kotori called out.
"I'm gonna look for Eli-senpai!" Was all Honoka could say as she ran.
"Well. That's Honoka for you," Umi said. "Always acting out on her emotions."
"That is what has gotten you this far," Nozomi said. "Trust in your friend."

Eli just kept on running. Soon, she got tired, and she saw that her feet had brought her to the Gunpla hobby shop.
She might as well enter; there were seats inside. She could take a short break before heading back to school.
She took a seat at the builder's area and sat down. She placed her gunpla on the table, too.
Two young children approached her.
"Excuse me, onee-san. Is this seat taken?" The one who spoke was a young girl with brown hair.
"What? Oh, no. Sure, you can take a seat. I'm just resting here anyways."
"Thanks!"
Both kids enthusiastically opened their kits.
The other child, a young, blue haired-boy wearing glasses, noticed her gunpla.
"Wow, one-san! That is an awesome build!"
"Ah.. thank," Eli said.
"The Neo-Zeon gold details are even painted! How awesome is that!"
The girl spoke up. "Please forgive my friend. Yuu-kun gets excited when he sees a really great build."
The younger boy blushed, obviously embarrassed. "Fumi-chan!"
"It's nice to see you kids getting so interested in Gunpla at an early age," Eli said.
"Are you a fighter?" Fumi-chan asked.
"Well… I guess you can say that. What about you? You're planning to become fighters?"
"Yeah! We're going to win the championships!" the girl-Fumi-chan-proclaimed.
"That's a nice dream," Eli said. "But the path to victory won't be easy."
"We know that," Fumi-chan said. "But we'll just keep trying out best."
"Yeah! And even if we fail, we can always try again!" Yuu-kun added.
At that point Eli felt ashamed of herself. Here were two kids who knew the risks, the obstacles in their dream, yet are still willing to go with it. And then there is her, one who is a coward, running away from her fear. Well, she won't fear any longer.
She stood up and picked her Gunpla.
"Thanks," she said. "You've taught me something important."
The girl replied. "Well, I don't know what we did, but we're happy that we were able to help you."
"Yeah!" Yuu-kun said. "Good luck with Gunpla battle, miss!"
"Make sure you two reach for your dreams," Eli replied. "I'd like to fight you two when you get stronger."

Honoka had already searched the entire school for Eli and still no luck. Muse even tried to help with the search, but still nothing. The whole group decided to head home. As they were exiting the gates, though, they saw Eli.
"Hey! Eli-senpai!" Honoka called out. She ran towards Eli.
"Eli-senpai! Please join Muse!"
"Wait, what? We never agreed on that," Umi said.
"But that's why we were looking for her, right?" Honoka said. "To ask for help. So I thought, why not let her join us, too? That would be better, right?"
"She has a point you know," Maki said.
"We know that you have problems, Eli-senpai," Honoka kept on talking. "Even though you haven't told us yet what it is. But once you decide to tell us, we will support you with it. Because that is what Muse is all about; supporting and helping each other!"
"You're right, I do have problems," Eli said. "I am stuck in the past; but no longer. I realized that I must go forward. So… yes, if it's okay, I will join you."
"Yay!" Honoka said. "Now we are eight!"
"Nine."
Nozomi held up a gunpla. It was purple, and had the similar markings as Eli's gunpla.
"Muse, named after the nine goddesses of music. It would only be complete with nine members, no more, no less." She faced Honoka. "That is why I gave you that gunpla, after all."
"Oh, I see! That's awesome, Nozomi-senpai!"
At that point Nico had to give it to Nozomi. Girl seems to have planned for everything.

Yay, Muse is finally complete. More on Eli's backstory on the Gunpla Academy to be revealed soon.
The finals is coming up! With it, Muse is only one win away from fighting A-Rise.
The field Eli fights in is the Heliopolis stage from Gundam Next Plus. Also, the store where Arisa buys bread is supposed to be the same one from which Reiji accidentally steals bread from in Build Fighters.

Anto334: Thanks for the review. Don't worry, Muse will fight A-Rise soon….
Random Viewer: Thanks for the review!
Don't worry about it; the list of teams was listed in Japanese, and I only found out what the team names are on TV tropes.