Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable
Chapter 13: The Red Arrow (Part 1)
Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Hoshizora Rin here, nya! I'm so embarrassed, you all saw all that, really!? Well… my insecurities and secrets were weighing heavily on me and I had a bad breakdown, but now I'm back and better than ever! My confidence has returned and I'm not hiding anything anymore, nya! But I know there's still trials to come! The enemies of μ's are approaching, and it looks like it is gonna be a really big battle this time! So hold onto your seat, 'cuz things are gonna get really exciting!
As important as studying was, to the girls of μ's, they still could not neglect their dancing as well.
"Hanayo, you need to pick up the pace a little!"
"S-Sorry, Umi-senpai!"
In their case, with their entry into Love Live hanging on the girls passing their exams, vocal and dancing practice had severely suffered. As important as the exams were, there was hardly any point in trying to enter Love Live if their skills had completely decayed by then. "It's my fault for not pushing this more; I'll try to get more normal practice from now on as well…"
"We should like, totally practice every day and just study on the weekends!" Honoka suggested much to Rin and Nico's pleasure, only to be shut down by Umi's glare.
"Absolutely not! Your studies are important even if we were not trying to apply for Love Live! This is for nothing if we don't get in; and we still haven't actually saved the school yet!" Umi scolded, ignoring Honoka's pout a moment later.
"Oh, come on! Don't be such a hardass, we've been trying really hard and we're all improving! I'm doing way better on the practice math exams!"
"Yeah, and I'm doing a lot better in English!" Rin protested a moment later, clearing her voice. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog! Yes, I know where the nearest restroom is! I'm sorry; I don't know what you are saying! Please let me find someone else to talk to you!" Rin said in English with a smile.
"My… well… everything is improving too," Nico said, somewhat embarrassed. "I swear I'm going to do well on these exams!" It wasn't enough that she had been studying so much after school, but at home「Circus」was also hounding on her about her studying as well. She hadn't studied this hard in… well, forever!"
Umi pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "You're all doing so well because of your intense studying, and I don't want it to wear off but… we can definitely get in more practice now. Maybe… three times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. How does that sound?" The cheers from all the girls validated that decision. "But you all need to study when you get home, no matter how tired you are, alright?"
"No objections, Umi-chan!" Honoka said with a salute, the rest just nodding. Practice resumed as normal from that point onwards, if a bit more sluggish than anyone had hoped. And at the end of a hard day of practice came the secret practice only practiced by some of μ's: Stand training.
Rin and Maki had gone home, while Umi stayed behind. Although she could still not manifest a Stand, the fact she could see the Stands of others gave enough reason for her to stick around.
"You ready, Hanayo-chan!?"
"Read, Honoka!"
The two girls smirked as they charged, 「All Star」and「Momoiro Clover」manifesting once they were in range of one another, a quick flurry of punches quickly being exchanged between the two friends. Even though they weren't attacking at their hardest the blows were still devastating on their own right, their punches colliding in the air; any human or Stand caught in-between would have been utterly pummeled into serious injury. In the past few sessions, they had focused on evasion, and now the girls were trying to figure out the best approach to Stand rushes. Hanayo trying to get used to close-range combat without using「Momoiro Clover's」swapping, and「All Star」to get better used to its vibrations in battle.
Hanayo's Stand is about as strong as mine is, and just as quick too! She doesn't let you leave any openings either! Honoka thought. Her swapping power also means that if she had something on her, she could just throw it to my side and teleport her Stand right there! Man, sometimes I wish I had that power… nonono, don't get distracted! Think, Honoka, think!
If I keep up this assault,「Momoiro Clover」will probably find an opening! Hanayo thought. I need to think… If I was swapping this'd be easy, but I'm trying to avoid that for this. There's not much I can do… who'll get tired or slip up first, me or Honoka? Once one of us slips up, that is it! I just gotta keep my focus. It may sound mean, but Honoka is the kind who'd get distracted, so it should happen eventually. Then again, this is a fight… but would she slip up if it were just practice?
The debates in their heads continued, their Stands at a stalemate. 「All Star」couldn't vibrate when using its punches like that, so Honoka was trying to find the perfect opportunity to strike. Then, a plan came to mind; risky, but she thought it might work. Out of nowhere, Honoka ended her assault, forming a crossguard with her Stand's arms. "Huh!?" But Hanyo's attacks didn't stop, the safety word having not been said.
"Alright, here we go!" Honoka yelled as「All Star」vibrated its arms at its maximum intensity. When「Momoiro Clover's」fists collided with Honoka's defense it was thrown off balance, the impact from punching the vibrations throwing off her balance.
"O-Oh no!"
"There we go! All right, time to do this! It's my very own Jackhammer Punch!" And with that「All Star's」vibrating fist collided into「Momoiro Clover's」stomach, the impact like several dozen punches, enough to send Stand and user flying backwards a bit. "And that's game! You alright, Hanayo?"
"Y-yeah, don't worry," Hanayo said with a reassuring smile, groaning a bit as she got up. "T-that was a good one, senpai!"
"Ah, come on, don't flatter me! … Well, maybe flatter me a bit-" Honoka said with a grin, helping her friend back up. The attacks that once would have incapacitated them were something they had all gotten used to. μ's' training and sparring was paying off every time they did so for their future battles; their Idol routine practices were undeniably building their physical strength, stamina, and agility to use in their fights, and Stand practice (and the assaults of the Arrow Hunters) had made them more used to physical pain. "Ready for another round?"
"Mhm! Just give me a few minutes and let me drink some water first, and then let's go again!"
Meanwhile, Nico and Kotori were undergoing their own training. Although it might have been more accurate to say it was「Circus」and Kotori, considering Nico's lack of ability to control her Stand's actions. 「Kaze ni Notte」had taken to the air, and the whole experience was more like the two Stands trying to hit eachother.
"Stay still, birdbrain!" 「Circus」yelled, holding several marbles in her hand. "Repel!" She yelled, the marbles shooting towards the airborne Stand, who easily dodged. "Come on!"
"Emerald Strike!" Kotori yelled, her Stand only launching a few hardened feathers from the air. Using too many feathers at once rendered her Stand grounded until they regenerated, but she found she could control how many feathers were being launched at a time as opposed to the all-consuming Emerald Splash. While「Circus」did dodge, she did trip on herself.
"What's wrong with you!?" Nico demanded, tapping her foot. "Honestly! I hadn't done this Idol thing in two years and I was able to coordinate better than you!"
"I'd love to see you do this any better!" 「Circus」shot back. "Last time I checked, I fight, not you!"
"Yeah, that's the weird thing about it, you idiot! I don't even know why I'm here- you seem to have infinite range and I can't control your actions, so what's the point of me even coming to these things!?" Nico demanded, tapping her foot.
"It's good for you to see the rest of us in combat, and see where your Stand needs to improve!" Honoka yelled. "Even if you can't control her, this way we all get used to eachother's skills and stuff!"
"Fine fine… just… why can't I have a normal Stand!?"
"H-hey! That's offensive, take that back!"
"Make me!"
Nico and「Circus」bickered, as Kotori could only give an awkward chuckle and went to get herself some water. Meanwhile, Umi watched silently, trying to process everyone. And once again she looked at the hand once pierced by the arrow, sighing.
"Hey, Umi-chan, something wrong?" Honoka asked a few minutes later, walking over as she wiped some sweat off her brow with a towel. "You seem really down…"
Umi sighed. "I just… I don't even know if I have this power or not," Umi admitted. "It feels like a fluke. You were the one the arrow attacked, maybe I was just… an accident? I think so. Maybe that's why I don't have a Stand, I can just see them," she reasoned. "You, Nico, and Hanayo were chosen… and something inside Kotori I guess always existed that let her use it. I don't have anything like that. I can't do anything to help any of you out and… I hate it! I hate that you're all fighting so hard and I can't help!" Umi finally admitted, not making eye contact. "Its… so scary you all have to do this all by yourselves, and I can't help. We can't go to the police or anything, but at least you can support eachother fighting. I'm just… I'm just here."
Honoka went quiet for a few moments, before leaning down. And before Umi could react, Honoka's finger flicked against her forehead.
"Ow! What was that for!?" Umi asked, holding her forehead.
"What kind of dumb attitude is that!? You being here makes all the difference!"
"Eh?"
"You and Kotori are my oldest friends, like for forever and ever! You remember that day, don't you? I know you kinda forgot when we met Nico, but doesn't it ring a bell now?"
Umi went quiet, remembering that day with better clarity than before. She remembered being so small and quiet, watching those kids play from a distance; Honoka and Kotori, along with Fumiko and Hideko. And then Honoka looked at her, and she hid behind that tree, and then that moment occurred, changing her life forever.
"Tag, you're it now!"
Umi wondered how differently her life might have turned out if not for that exact moment they met, when her fate became tied to Honoka's and Kotori's. "What does that have to do with this, though?"
"It means we're destined to be friends forever, dummy! And something like Stands don't change that! Just having you by me fills me with strength and confidence I could never have anywhere else! You and Kotori… and all of μ's gives me strength! So… don't feel like you can't help just 'cuz you can't fight. Just being around you makes me strong!"
Honoka smiled.
"So cut that crappy talk out, alright?"
"… Alright, Honoka," Umi said with a smile, prompting Honoka to grin. "It is getting late though… maybe we should all head home?"
"Yeah! Girls, come on, it's time to go!" Honoka yelled out, clapping her hands.
"Hold on, just give me a few more minutes, I can totally hit her, I'm sure of it!"
"Shut up, idiot, it's time to go home!" Nico scolded her Stand. "I told Kotaro and Cocoa I'd cook something for them tonight, remember?" She whispered to her Stand, who finally relented and nodded. Kotori and Hanayo just said their goodbyes, waving and head off on their own. In the end it was just Honoka and Umi on the rooftop, Honoka leaving first.
"… You know, Umi-chan, I really think you got a cool Stand power inside, I just know it! But even if you don't… you'll always support me by giving me strength, OK?"
"Of course," was all Umi said, smiling and waving as she watched her best friend walk off, leaning against the walls and staring into the open sky. Do I really give Honoka power just by supporting her?
"Of course you do."
Umi's eyes widened in surprise, looking around. "Hello!? Is somebody there!?"
"The calm before the storm, you're resting in it. Be brave, because soon the ferocious storm will hit, and you and all your friends will need strength, strength in both spirit and body…"
Umi had not heard this voice in a month and a half, but she recognized it as the voice that spoke to her once. And now, with more clarity, she could hear how close it was to her own voice. "A… are you a Stand!? Are you my Stand!?"
"The boat will capsize in the storm if you don't all row and fight together. I have confidence though. You're a kind and strong master…"
"W-wait! I have questions! Just… don't go, wait!"
"Soon you will draw me, and all will be fine. Until then, I'm so sleepy, so very sleepy, I want to sleep more…"
"Wait! Don't just go, please wait!"
But once more the voice went quiet.
Maki had taken a detour walking home. Rather than heading straight home, she had decided to head over towards a local mall. She felt like she could have used some new headbands and towels for practice; the once she had were already over a year old, anyways.
Of course, Maki's tastes were not the cheapest; and it was the most expensive headband and towels she had gone for. The cashier seemed a little surprised, but a swipe of her father's credit card (to be used within reason) and she was already on her way.
How did I get wrapped up in all this crazy stuff, anyways? Maki asked herself. Its bad enough I had to go to a school I didn't want to go to, but now all this Stand stuff… It is crazy! Omine's probably all comfy up in Nagasaki living a normal school life at a national school, while my friends are all fighting for their lives, at first she thought bitterly, but then it became worry. What would happen if her friends were seriously injured? What if they were killed? It wasn't like she was worried or anything, but…
… Well, no matter how cold she acted, friends were friends. And she was worried for their safety. She sighed, ignoring her phone as she walked back towards her house, avoiding alleyways or any shortcuts; it was safest to just go on the sidewalks, she decided ever since she learned about Akeno and Miano. She took out her phone a few minutes later, reading a group text sent out by Hanayo. The moment she saw Honoka's correct punctuation she was concerned, and sure enough, it was a serious message.
[Honoka] Guys, this is serious. Umi heard a voice, we think it's her Stand. It delivered some kind of warning about a calm before the storm. Be on high alert, it might be Arrow Hunters.
Maki gulped and picked up her pace, wishing she wasn't alone right now. Rin had suggested going home together to be safe, but she had brushed it off as she needed to do her shopping. She tried to expel those worries as she just picked up her pace. Just get home and lock the door to her room, she figured. Just keep a close eye on the news and try to focus on homework. Just… don't be nervous or anxious. But Hanayo and Kotori were attacked even when they didn't have Stands! OK, don't panic Maki, you just gotta head home! She thought to herself. "You just got to go-"
And then it happened.
Something cut her arm and she gasped and jumped back, dropping her bag. What was that!? She grasped for her arm in alarm, frantically looking around her environments. Whatever it had been, it cut deep enough to cut through the shoulder of her shirt and draw some blood. But she looked around, and couldn't find any kind of weapon. Panic washed over her, and she frantically pulled out her phone to text the group.
[Maki] I THINK I'M UNDER ATTACK! WHAT DO I DO!?
[Umi] What happened!?
[Maki] SOMETHING CUT MY ARM OUT OF NOWHERE AND I CANT SEE WHAT IT WAS THERES NO BLADE IM FREAKING OUT
Maki tried to control herself by taking deep breaths, but it did not seem to do much. A moment later, there were new texts, but only a few in particular she paid much mind too.
[Hanayo] I'm not home! Where are you!?
[Maki] I just left the mall: I'm only a few blocks away, southbound! I'm only ten minutes from home, I'm gonna run there!
[Hanayo] I'm about twenty minutes away! Try to get to your home and I'll be there soon!
Maki began to run, even leaving her goods lying on the ground as she bolted towards her house. She was so paranoid she was nearly hit by a car running through a crosswalk when he had the green, ignoring whatever he had yelled at her as she continued to run off. Having been unable to see the supernatural, she failed to notice an out-of-place bird feather on the ground near her.
The terror was primal in her, ignoring everything else around her until she got home. Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod! What else could she do? She could not fight, or anything like that! She needed someone to be with her right now! She made it to her house faster than usual, gasping for breath as she entered inside.
"Ms. Maki, are you alright?" The housekeeper asked, approaching her. "You're out of breath!"
"I… I'm fine, sorry," Maki said, wiping sweat off her. "I-I'm going to lie down, OK? I'm expecting a friend over soon, a Ms. Koizumi. Send her to my room. Don't tell my parents."
"Are you sure you're OK, miss?" Ms. Waki asked, frowning as she approached. "Should I call your father?"
"No! Especially not him!" Maki's voice had gone from shaky to irritated.
Ms. Waki frowned, the older woman approaching Maki. "Are you sure you're not sick, Ms. Maki? I have no objections with calling your parents, they'll understand if you're not well. And your father is-"
Now Maki's voice went from irritated to angry.
"I especially don't want to talk to Feelgood! Just do what I say, jeez!"
She stormed off at her room, the older woman flinching at how Maki used her father's name. "Ms. Maki…" She sighed, looking over at a family photo of the three when Maki was still little. For many years the 68 year old woman had worked for the Nishikino family, even when Maki's father was still a young boy. It hurt, seeing the family quarrel like this, although she could not blame Maki for her discontent ever since the Otonokizaka situation. Still though, her hope was genuine; I hope you two can patch things up soon…
Maki threw herself on her bed, her face red. Now in addition to being scared, she was pissed too. Just mentioning her father had become a hot button with her, and the two seldom spoke when in the house. And frankly? Maki was fine with that. She didn't care much about speaking with her mother much, either. At least Ms. Waki was always around.
She stewed in her thoughts for a few minutes, until a knock came at her door. "M-Maki-chan? Its me, Hanayo! Are you OK!?"
"Yeah, come on in, and keep it quiet! I don't want Ms. Waki asking me a million questions!" Maki said, letting her friend in.
"S-sorry! I just… wow… you have a housekeeper…?"
"That's not what's important!"
"S-sorry! Let me see your arm!"
Maki rolled up her shirt a bit, showing her the cut on her shoulder. It had drawn some blood at first, but had already mostly healed up, the cut having been minor. "It came out of nowhere! I couldn't find anything else around that could've made the wound… It was probably nothing, huh? I got really scared and paniced," Maki said with an embarrassed blush. Had she really made such a big deal over nothing?"
"No, that's still really weird. It… maybe it was a Stand? But nobody followed you or attacked you, it seemed… Or maybe something fell? No… that is super weird. Kobayashi's Stand…? No, I don't think so," Hanayo thought out loud, trying to figure this out. It was she that sent out the group text:
[Hanayo] I'm at Maki's house. She has a cut, but nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. The circumstances are weird though. If you're at home, keep the doors locked and keep your guard up!
"I'll stay for a while, OK?" Hanayo offered, smiling. "If an enemy does come, I'll fight them off. I'm pretty tough now!" She said, making fists with her hands. "D… do you want to talk, or something?"
Maki sighed, lying on her bed. "This sucks. All of it, everything, it sucks."
"The Stand thing…?"
"My entire school life right now," Maki admitted. "… I like you girls and I like μ's, don't get me wrong," it was the first time anyone from μ's heard Maki being so sincere about that. "But this wasn't my choice, OK? If it had been up to me back then, I would've gone to Nagasaki with Omine, or at least a fancy private school like UTX."
"Huh?" Hanayo blinked at that. "It… wasn't your choice?"
Maki sighed. It had been pent up, so it was good to let it out. "If you didn't know, my dad is the director of Nishikino General Hospital."
"T… that really big one? That Nishikino Hospital!?" Hanayo was surprised. "I-I didn't think… I thought it was just a coincidence!" It did explain the big house, and being able to have a maid of all things.
"It's family-owned. We have had it for a few generations. Don't remember how long, but it was at least before the Second World War," Maki admitted. "I went to a really rich curriculum all the way up to 9th grade. Everyone knew it back then," Maki said. "Intelligence, rich, pretty, that's what everyone, always called me back then. It's all they ever called me: the Princess of Nishikino Hospital," Maki said with a sneer. "All dear dad's decisions. Even coming to Otonokizaka was his decision."
Hanayo bit her lip. "You are really well off… I-I wondered why you came to Otonokizaka instead of UTX or something…"
Maki sighed. She remembered that day once again, the day that "papa" became "Asahi."
"I want to go where Omine is! Papa, I know you want me to go to this school… but its a dump! I wanna go to Nagasaki with Omine!" Maki had pleaded with her father, tears in her eyes. "This isn't fair, papa! I don't… I really don't want to go to that school! Why do I have to go there!?"
"Because it will be useful to this family."
"… What?"
Dr. Nishikino did not show much emotion, if any, at his daughter's outburst. He looked at her, eyes narrowed and annoyed by the blatant disrespect.
"You understand you'll one day become a doctor and inherit the hospital, right?" He had told her, and Maki had just nodded.
"It will be useful for you to have connections. If you go to a normal school that those not as well off as us go to, it'll build a good image of you, as someone that didn't only know elites growing up," Dr. Nishikino told her. "It would also help you create ties to the Council of Education. Once you enter the world stage, they'll recognize that you went to this school as opposed to a private one, to see the world. Do you understand? I'm building yours and the hospital's future."
Maki's blood ran cold at her father's world.
"… A… Am I… am I just some chess piece to you?"
Mrs. Nishikino narrowed her eyes. "Do not disrespect your father like that! Take that back!" However, Dr. Nishikino simply waved a hand at her, ending her scolding.
"Only if that's how you want to view yourself," her father informed her. "I am doing what is best for you, and this family. Your future is better off there than a private school, I'm sure of it.
But Maki's face had become a glare, and Dr. Nishikino glared back.
"… I hate you." Mrs. Nishikino gasped, but Dr. Nishikino just kept up his glare. "Did you hear me!?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Say it again, I want to be sure."
The tears welled in Maki's eyes.
"I said I hate you, Nishikino Arashi!"
"T… that's terrible…" Hanayo said at the end of the tale, a hand over her mouth. Mrs. Nishikino had seemed so nice when she had met her when this all began. She had only spoken to her once, but still, it felt surreal someone that had been so nice to her could be so cold to her own daughter.
"Omine was the only real friend I ever had," Maki went on. "She didn't care that I was the Princess of Nishikino Hospital," she sneered as she said those words. "That I'm rich, or anything like that. I was happy around her. She was my best friend, and now she is all the way in Nagasaki. I cannot even visit her or anything… I've been writing her and she writes back, but it's not the same anymore," Maki admitted. "I could have gone to where she is in Nagasaki. I could even have gone to UTX or another school like that! But my father decided I need to build connections for the hospital," she was gripping the bedpost. "Like I'm a pawn on a chessboard!"
"Maki-chan…"
"I wish I was in Nagasaki, OK!? I wish I was where Omine is! I wish… I wish I was having a normal highschool life! I'd trade it over being a School Idol. My parents, they don't even know that, I'm scared of them finding out!" Maki confessed. "I want… I don't want to be scared thinking my friends might die fighting," she admitted. "I'm scared for you girls. I'm just… I'm scared for me, but I'm scared for you all more," Maki went on. "I'm scared…"
A moment later, Maki was pulled into Hanayo's hug.
"… For whatever its worth, I'm happy you're with us, and everyone else is too…" Hanayo assured, holding her gently. "… And even if you'd prefer to be somewhere else, we're your friends too, right?"
Maki went deathly quiet. "Yeah," she finally said, nearly a full minute later. "You're my friends."
Not much was said throughout the rest of the night, the two opting to do homework together to pass the time. While they did not discuss Maki's pent-up problems once more, the words spoken were sincere enough and was in their heads the entire time, and the comfort it had brought Maki could not be put into works. Eventually, though with the threat seemingly gone, Hanayo headed home.
That night, Maki dreamt not of regret, but of funny misadventures with the girls of μ's, and woke up feeling happy… happiness soon diminished by a stuffy nose. "Oh, man…" She felt her own forehead and she was warm, and had a headache. She would have had Ms. Waki call her in, but she was still concerned about Umi's prophecy, and did not want to be alone. Just gotta tough it out, Maki.
As she headed down the stairs, Ms. Waki bowed to her her. "Good morning, Ms. Maki."
"Good morning, Ms. Waki," Maki said. "Listen, I'm sorry I snapped yesterday… you didn't, ah…"
Ms. Waki smiled. "My lips were sealed," and Maki smiled in return. "I'm sorry, but are you sure you're not sick? You look worse than yesterday… let me call you in-"
"No, no, its fine, just a cold. I'll get medicine from the hospital later," Maki said, keeping her real worries a secret. "I'm sorry, but I won't eat breakfast this morning. Sorry to make you waste food."
"Don't worry, I'll just eat it myself," Ms. Waki said with a smile, heading back to the kitchen. "Have a wonderful day, Ms. Maki."
"You too," Maki said, heading out of the house. She wasn't hungry enough to properly eat breakfast, but she was a little hungry… she felt angry at herself for not grabbing at least a snack now. As she walked home though, she noticed something in the ground; a fat worm, borrowing out of the ground! For some reason she looked at it, blinking a few times before leaning down and picking it up. It struggled against her hand, but could not break free.
She blinked again before putting it into her mouth, slurping it and eating it whole without chewing. For some reason, that really hit the spot! Now decently full, she began to head on to Otonokizaka with a smile. Her cut shoulder itched a lot for some reason, but she just scratched it as she began to head on to school. She couldn't have noticed Wakaki watching her with a pair of binoculars, grinning as she sat on the roof of a building.
"Alright, all according to plan… Now it's time for things to really start getting interesting!"
"I can't believe I overslept, I really wanted to get a touchup from Aya-san before school started!"
Rin complained as she and Hanayo made their way to school, earning a soft giggle from the other first year. "It's not funny, Kayochin! I wanted to look super cute today, nya!"
"You're still cute, Rin," Hanayo replied. "Besides, I called you like three times to wake you up…"
"It was on vibrate! I totally forgot!" She continued to complain, sighing as she walked on. "Hmm… Oh, I got an idea! Let's have a race! Whoever gets to school first owes the other a burger, that'll cheer me up!"
"H-Hey! That's not a fair competition, Rin!"
"Too late! Here we go!"
"W-wait!" But Rin was already running off. "Watch out! There's other people!"
"Come on! Last one is a rotten egg who owes-" but sure enough Hanayo's words rang true as Rin bumped into a stationary figure, knocking herself to the ground. "Oww…"
"Oi! What's the big idea!? Watch where you're going, or I'll kick… your…"
It had been none other than Akeno and Miano the two had bumped into, the air growing heavy as the tension mounted. "Ahhh…" Rin began, starting to get up. "S… sorry about that…"
"N-no, just… forget about it, OK?" Akeno replied, as Miano stayed quiet. "I ah… shit, didn't think I'd meet you two again," she replied, rubbing the back of her neck. "This is… goddamn, that's awkward…"
"We're not here for trouble," Hanayo said, stepping forward. Even with the girls' word to not fight them again, she remained alert nonetheless, ready to bring out her「Momoiro Clover」in case the situation called for it. "Why don't we just go to school, Rin?"
"No, wait. It's a good thing we bumped into you," Akeno replied, motioning over to an alleyway. "I want to speak to you in private. Don't worry, we don't want to fight or anything," she tried to reassure, to little avail. "It's Stand stuff. We shouldn't talk about it in the open, and it involves the safety of your friends," she went on. That was enough to convince the first years to step forward, but Miano glare at Rin's direction.
"Doesn't she not have a Stand? I don't think she should be involved with this."
"H-hey! I know all about Stands and stuff, even if I don't have one, so I totally deserve to know what's going on!" Rin challenged, glaring back.
"Rin is as much a member of μ's as anyone else. If she can't be a part of it, then I shouldn't be either," Hanayo said, earning a sigh from Akeno.
"Pain in my ass… fine! Alright, just… hurry up!" And the four girls headed into the alleyway, although not as deep as their first encounter. "First of all, no, we're not the one that revealed you girls are Stand users or anything like that. I promise, we really didn't," Akeno replied. It felt good to Hanayo to finally know they didn't go back on their words.
"Then… who?" Hanayo asked.
"I think it was our second-in-command," Akeno answered, careful not to reveal Suzuki's identity. "Something about her Stand… lets her help gather information along with our boss'. I don't know how it works, and I wouldn't tell you even if I did… but I know this; it wasn't too long after she talked to someone from your student council. Some purple-haired girl with big tits."
"Nozomi-senpai?" Rin asked. "What does she have to do with any of this?"
"Hell if I know, but after an encounter outside of your school she figured things out and told the rest of us," Akeno answered, prompting a million questions in Hanayo's mind.
Is Tojo-senpai one of us? If she's a part of this, what about Ayase? She thought to herself, making a mental note to report this back to Honoka the moment she could. "Is there… anything else we should know?"
"One of us went AWOL. A girl we call Wakaki," Akeno replied. "Don't know her real name. That was what she called herself around us. Blue eyes, long-hair, bangs with a blue streak in it," Akeno said, pointing at her own red streak. "We have absolutely no idea what she's up to now. And everything we know, she knows," she informed the Idols.
"Honestly, I'm just surprised it took this long. Bitch always did unsettle me," Miano said. "There was always just such an… uneasy air around her. Like she was ready to fight Ya- the boss at a moment's notice. I'm just worried she knows where our bases are…"
"S-should we expect anything form her?" Rin asked, a little scared.
"Again, we have no idea. She just stopped returning everyone's calls and texts, and left our chat group and blocked us anywhere we had her added on. Would be usual drama BS if it wasn't for the fact we have Stands."
"W… what kind of Stand does she have?" Hanayo asked. "In case she tries anything!"
Akeno shrugged. "Never really saw it in action. I think it's an avian Stand, looks like a bird. That's what I saw a little of once. She was flying on it."
"What? No, it's a humanoid Stand," Miano said. "I only saw her recalling it, but that was definitely a golden humanoid Stand, like「Good Girl Gone Bad」is," Miano challenged, turning to face her friend. "What the hell do you mean it was a bird?"
"I mean it was a bird, dumbass! She was flying on its back! Are you saying I'm blind!?"
"I guess you are, 'cuz her Stand looks like a human!"
The two bickered, but it just rose more concern for Hanayo. Can Stands have more than one form? She asked herself. It didn't seem possible, but then again; Stands in general didn't seem like something that should be possible. "I… Wait, if I can ask. If… if you learned the Stands of your bosses, would—
"No," Akeno said immediately. "We promised we wouldn't fight you two or Kousaka again, and I intend to follow through on that word unless you give me a really good reason not to. But they're still our gang. We… we already betrayed them once," Akeno looked down at her feet in shame. "We won't do it again. And the deal only applies to you three, we'll fight the rest of your friends if we have to," she informed. "I just… I wanted you to be informed. You understand?"
Hanayo's smile was gentle. "Yes, thank you," she said, giving her former enemies a polite nod. "I… we should get going…"
"… Also, your music doesn't suck," Hanayo and Rin turned back to face Akeno, who looked away with a blush as Miano laughed. "I-I just wanted to say that, OK!?" When there were three people laughing her cheeks flushed even redder. "S-shut up, assholes!"
"We wanna put out a new song soon, nya! Keep an eye out for it!" Rin said as she began to walk off, Hanayo following before turning around to face them.
"Really… thank you for helping us!" And then she took off, leaving a flustered Akeno behind and a smug Miano.
"Dooooork~" Miano teased, linking their arms together. "Next thing I know you'll be going to an A-RISE concert or something! Or maybe you wanna go see μ's preform instead, hmmm?"
"I-idot! I'll kill ya!"
Miano just laughed, heading onwards. "Come on! The boss is counting on us looking for Wakaki, after all! I wanna ride in front this time!"
Despite it all, Akeno smiled once more.
But the walk towards school was still not over, with yet more surprised in store with them. A few more blocks down the two would soon pass by Cinderella. The two intended to just walk on by, already set back from their previous encounter, but it was Rin who noticed something from across the street.
"H-Hold on, Hanayo! Step back!"
"R-Rin? What's going on?"
"Look, over there! Cindrella!" Rin pointed at a figure that had just walked outside. She turned around, talking to somebody inside from outside the door, and even from a distance it was clear who it was. "The prez! That's the student council president!"
"A… Ayase-senpai?" Hanayo questioned, before getting a better look. "I… it is!" They were too far away to hear what was being said, but Eli had a serious look on her face before walking off. A second later Aya was in the doorway, watching the teenage walk off.
"Aya! Aya-san!" Once no cars were coming Rin ran across the street, Hanayo behind her.
"T-this is dangerous, Rin!"
"Rin? Koizumi?" Aya asked as the two approached. "What are you two doing here? Don't you have school, soon? I don't think there's enough time for a makeover—"
"We saw you talking to Ayase!" Rin asked. "She really has it in for us… and you're not open to the public, so… Was she talking about us?" Rin questioned on, confused. "Some weird things are happening, so we wanna know if it's a Stand thing!"
Aya's eyes widened. "I… phew… I-I'm sorry, I'm not really at liberty to say," Aya said.
"E-eh!? Aya-san!" Rin was about to go on, but Aya wouldn't have it.
"Please understand, I have my own problems and matters unrelated to the two of you," Aya said sternly. "Tonight I have a… important meeting with my new sponsors. That girl had a few questions related to this business, and that's all I can say," both Hanayo and Rin noticed the look on her face: like she was dreading this meeting, whatever it was. "I'm… I'm under a lot of stress right now, I'm sorry, phew. If you could please come back later, I'd appreciate it," Aya said, before giving a weak smile. "I'll give you all makeovers when I can, how does that sound? You and all your friends, before we officially open," Rin and Hanayo had many more questions to ask, but for the time being, they seemed to understand they would likely not get more out of her. "Please, take care, and stay strong," she said, waving at them as they left.
Heading back inside the salon, Aya buried her face in her hands. It seemed like every day this was getting more and more complicated now.
It didn't take long for the seven girls of μ's to all reach Otonokizaka, all concerned for Maki's well-being. Maki would have preferred if they didn't crowd around her in a hallway, though.
"You suuuuuuuure you're OK, Maki?" Honoka asked, putting a hand on her forehead, which she then swatted away.
"I-I'm fine, really!" Maki protested, with a sigh. "Just… coming down with something, I think. That's all."
"It's just that it happened after something cut you that has us concerned. Even if it's not a Stand, that sounds like an infection… and you sure it looks OK?" Umi pressed on.
Maki pulled up her sleeve, showing the scab the cut had left. "It just itches a little now. It's just coincidence."
"Go home if it gets worse just to be safe," Nico encouraged, earning nods from the rest of the girls. "At least the enemy won't come after you! You said it was a… Wakaki, or something?"
"Yeah!" Rin said. "That's definitely someone we gotta look out for! Well, you girls mostly…"
"Don't worry, we can take on anyone!" Honoka said with a grin, trying to assure the first years. "For now, let's just focus on school. Classes, study, then practice. How does that sound?" Honoka asked, earning some nods. "Alright then! Then let's just get through the day and worry about this other person later!"
"So carefree…" Nico said with a groan, as Kotori smiled.
"That's Honoka for you. No matter how bad it is, she always keeps her cool… or she's just too dumb to realize what's going on."
"H-hey! That's mean, Kotori!"
"Still, seriously, be alert," Umi warned. "I'm still really concerned about what I heard yesterday…"
"I think Umi's gonna awaken soon, and it'll be awesome!" Honoka replied, wrapping an arm around Umi's shoulders. "Soon you'll be kicking butt in no time!"
"Honoka, take this seriously!" Umi was about to chew out Honoka some more, but noticed the hallway around them was going quiet. Umi wondered if they were already late for class, before noticing the idle chatter had become matters, girls in the hallways making way for somebody else. And a two girls made their ways towards them; one that Hanayo and Rin recognized as Emi, and a giant of a girl next to her.
However, even in school, these girls wore the outfits that the members of μ's recognized as their opponents, the Arrow Hunters. The non-Stand users hid behind the Stand users as Honoka, Hanayo, Nico, and Kotori stood in front.
"Heeeey! I finally got to meet all of you! μ's! Oh man, I'm a huge fan of your music!" Emi said, rather eager and excited. "Hey, since you're all here, mind if I get some autographs? I so totally wanna keep them for part of my collection if you girls make it big! Oh! Oh! Selfies? Come on, I wanna take selfies!"
"Focus."
"Jeez, sorry, Jori-chan… you know I get really excited about Idols!"
"Jori…" Honoka repeated, staring up the tall, blond woman. Her outfit lacked the buttons everyone else had, and there was no dyed streak in her hair either. What also drew Honoka's attention was a leather jacket the tall girl had, not worn but draped around her shoulders like a cape. "You're… Yanigihori Jori?"
"That's Jori-chan, alright! … Jeez, no need to glare!"
"Are you the leader of μ's?" Was all Yanigihori asked, staring down Honoka. Honoka stared back but gulped; the third year's presence was incredibly intimidating, greatly surpassing Fuhai's.
"… μ's has no leader," Honoka said. "We're all μ's. All for one and one for all. Nobody is the boss, we're Idols who alternate being in the center. We're all the boss here!"
Emi gasped in excitement. "That's such an awesome way to go about it! I haven't heard of any Idol doing that in a long time, from before the Idol Crash in the 90s! That's sosososososossoooooooooooooooooooo cool! Oh man, I knew I made the right choice following you girls!"
"… Y-you really like it?" The gravity of the situation escaped Honoka for a moment to ask.
"Of course! It's like… you're your own bosses! In the past it was greedy labels and stuff, but even with the laws of protection in place you girls are totes bringing it to a new level! Is this gonna catch on!? Oh man, I loooooooooooove being alive in the internet age!" Emi went on. "I can just see it! The entire Idol industry being revolutionized by μ's! And I was there to see it firsthand! Oh man, the forums wouldn't even believe me I bet!"
Yanigihori sighed, shaking her head. "No leader, that's interesting," Yanigihori replied. "You'd never find a gang that governs itself without a strong leader that doesn't fall apart. At least not in my gang…"
"We're not a gang," Honoka replied, getting serious once more. "… Nor are we hunting for the arrow," and with that all the girls went quiet. "So, are we finally meeting the person that's been harassing us for weeks now?"
Yanigihori smirked. "What if you are? What will you do about it?" The aura of power began to envelop her, much to the shock of everyone around her.
"I-In school!? With people around!?" Hanayo took her position, preparing to summon her Stand alongside her friends. No Stands were brought out, but the auras around them glowed bright, ready to fight a moment's notice.
"What's wrong with you!?" Nico demanded.
"… So that's the limits of your resolve. You're concerned about the other students getting hurt," Yanigihori said, withdrawing her power. "So that's the kind of people you are. Even though you could overwhelm me and end it right here… you could end our entire conflict right here, right now."
"That's not the kind of girls we are," Honoka said. "It's not the kind of fighters we are, either."
Yanigihori simply narrowed her eyes further. "I overestimated the lot of you. A shame you didn't take Kobayashi's offer. We could've done some great things."
"Yeah, well, she kind of creeped us out," Nico spat. "And you know, tried eating us with bugs."
"I would like to offer you one last chance for power," Yanigihori informed the group. "To ally with us, and change this entire nation."
"After everything that's happened!? Dream on!" Honoka retorted.
"It is like Yanigihori said that she told the lot of you… 'Power' is a diluted, meaningless thing in this world," she began. "The strong are the rich and privileged, so often born with influence over others by right of birth, or by swindling others to steal such power for themselves. We want to change those things, with the arrow once it's in our possession," Yanigihori explained. "I do not expect any of you to agree with me in this moment. But we'll talk again, and I'll hope you'd all come to understand why we must do what we must do," Honoka was going to talk back, but two girls stood in-between the groups.
"That is enough!"
Yanigihori smirked. "Been a while, Ayase," she said, looking the student council president in the eyes.
"Glad to see you too, Nozomi-chan~" Emi cooed, only earning a glare from the other girl. "Sheesh, everyone's so cold today!"
"You girls head to class right now," Eli instructed. "We are going to have a talk with them."
"Prez, it's more complicated than you think!" Honoka pleaded. "These girls, they—"
"Go. To. Class," but it was Nozomi who instructed them. "We know they are not ordinary girls. Just go."
"N… Nozomi-senpai?" Honoka tried to press on. "Are you—"
"Go to class!" Eli snapped once more, as the School Idols backed off a bit. "Just go. Leave this to us."
"Eli-senpai…" Honoka started, only to see Eli glare back.
"This is not a world that should have involved you. Please, go."
And then Honoka remembered that other Stand, back in the fight with Fuhai. That this was a world where only the strong survived. "A… are you…"
"Let us talk in the student council's room," Eli offered, leading the two with Nozomi. "I'm sure you don't mind being tardy, do you?"
Yanigihori chuckled, following behind them. "I'll be reaching out to the rest of you soon enough. Until then, farewell."
"Keep making killer awesome music!"
The girls of μ's could do nothing as they watched the third years walk off, stunned.
"What the hell was that!?" Nico asked. "They… there's no way! They couldn't possibly be!"
"This is… complicated," Kotori replied. "This is bigger than we thought, I think…"
"I'm scared," Rin admitted, holding Hanayo's sleeve. "I don't like this. What are we gonna do?"
"… Go to class. I guess… we just gotta let the student council deal with it for now," Honoka said, starting to head off. "We'll have to deal with this eventually, but not this moment. Let's just get through our school day."
The only one not immediately reacting was Maki, who halfway had begun to look at a window pointing outside. A single red bird was staring intently at her, and she stared right back.
"We know you're the Cyan Stand user."
Yanigihori got right to it as they arrived at the room, sitting across from Eli. "Suzuki figured it out."
Nozomi glared. "So when I passed out the other day…" Emi didn't say anything, just playfully sticking out her tongue in response.
"You've been a pain in my ass, Ayase," Yanigihori said. "And honestly? It helps I've been dying for a rematch."
"I'm stronger than before," Eli said.
"As have I, since that day," Yanigihori replied. "Significantly so. Enough I feel confident enough to fight you once more. With every different outcomes."
"There's no point in any of this," Nozomi tried to reason. "You have nothing to do with us. We have nothing to do with you. μ's also has nothing to do with you except for your antagonism towards them! Just back off and leave and you can search the arrow all you want!"
"See, there's two problems with that," Yanigihori said. "First, Ayase very much wants something to do with us. She's determined to fight us no matter what."
"That I am."
"Elichi!"
"I don't trust them. If they're looking for the arrow, I'll keep fighting them until they give up," Eli replied. "I will risk anything and everything, for this town."
"You're only human," Emi said. "Look at the bags under your eyes… you're running yourself ragged! You'll let out eventually!"
"Not anymore. With this power, I will become justice itself. I will stop you."
"Ooohhh, cryptic!" Emi said with a smirk, unwrapping a lollipop.
"This is your absolute last chance," Yanigihori offered. "Join us, or be crushed."
"And once again, no," was all Eli said. And Nozomi nodded in agreement.
"How disappointing," Yanigihori said, getting up. "That's fine, though. I'm more used to breaking my enemies than getting them to join. Let's just hope those μ's girls are smarter when the final call comes. Let's go to class, Emi," Yanigihori said, the green-lipped girl waving as she walked behind her.
"Take care, Eli-chan, Nozomi-chan! And remember, the absolute living hell that's coming is something you brought on yourself! Don't blame God or anybody else for your own foolishness!" And with that the door slammed shut, Eli staring in its direction.
"Elichi… this is serious. What are we going to do?"
"Defeat them and move on," Eli said, bluntly. "I already know what we'll do once we've dealt with them…"
"The 'Yoshida Conglomerate?'" Nozomi asked. "Is what that Aya girl said really that trustworthy?"
"No, but it's a lead," Eli said. "There's something funny going on in that corporation, and I want to figure it out."
Nozomi went quiet, deep in thought. Honoka, μ's… please, be strong…
"Can't you feel it, Nozomi?" Eli asked, standing up.
"Hmm?"
"Everything with Yanigihori will come to an ending soon, I'm sure of it."
"… But that won't be the end of everything, won't it?"
"Not even close."
"OK, Maki, you're scratching that cut a lot now."
Classes had ended, and after much prodding from Honoka and the progress they had made, μ's had skipped studying to instead head to the roof to practice.
"I'm fine, I'm fine…" Maki assured, wiping her forehead before scratching at her cut. Honoka did not accept that answer, putting a hand on her forehead. "Maki, you're burning up now! This is way worse than before… you need to go home!"
"If you're sick you might overexert yourself," Umi said. "Please, Maki, go home."
"I… I'm fine… As long as I'm outside I think I'll feel fine."
"Hmm… oh, I get it! Kotori-chan, why don't you try healing her?" Honoka asked.
"Eh? Well… I guess I've never used「Kaze ni Notte」to heal something that wasn't a physical wound… Maki-chan, would you be OK with me trying that?" Kotori asked with a smile. "I haven't used any of my heals this week, so I could try something out…"
"I… no, I don't think so. Can you all just please get off my back?" Maki snapped, drinking some water. "I just feel a little hungry, is all… some food and I'll be back to normal, I'm sure."
"I'm worried about her," Rin said, facing the group.
"She may be a brat, but she can't perform like this! Why won't she just go home!?" Nico snapped. "This is getting kinda weird… and don't forget about yesterday…"
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind going home myself. It's kind of… creepy? What's with all these birds?" Hanayo commented, as they looked around them. There were birds of all kinds on the roof of Otonokizaka, a rarity. Even when they weren't playing loud music birds never seemed to rest here, yet they were all over the rooftops, no less than a hundred.
"Damn birds… they're just as bad as bugs!" Nico complained.
"Hey, I like birds," Kotori replied with a pout. "It is… kind of weird, though. It almost feels like… we're being watched?" As the Idols looked around, sure enough, their attention did seem to focus on the girls. "I.. I'd prefer just going home or going inside to study myself…"
"I hate to say it but I agree," Honoka replied. "Man… I was really hoping to work on my dancing too!"
The girls continued to bicker as to what to do, as Rin walked over to Maki instead. "Maki-chaaaan… Come on, go home. I'll walk you, how about it? … Maki?" Rin practically jumped. "M-Maki, what's that!?" The rest of the girls turned around, seeing Maki hold something fat and slimy.
"Oh, I caught it before we came up here," Maki said, holding the wriggling worm.
"Gross! What's wrong with you!?" Nico asked, as Maki looked confused, scratching at her cut some more. "I said I just had to eat, right?"
"E-eh? What are you…" But before Nico could react the redhead swallowed the worm whole, swallowing it in one gulp. "EW! WHAT THE HELL, NISHIKINO!?"
"Oh, I'm gonna be sick!" Honoka replied, covering her mouth. Kotori and Hanayo both felt a little nauseous at the sight, and Umi stomped towards her.
"M-Maki, what's wrong with you!?" Umi demanded. "T... that's filthy!"
"Mmm… what's the problem?" Maki asked. "I was a little hungry, so I helped myself to a worm… there's nothing wrong with that, I wasn't that hungry and it's what was around…"
"OK, she clearly has a fever that's getting to her brain! Forget her home, let's get Maki to a hospital!" Nico suggested, the other girls quickly agreeing.
"N-no… I don't want to be inside…" She was wobbling now, and Umi quickly grabbed her. "See? They all agree with me, I shouldn't go inside…"
"T… they? … Do you mean the birds!?" Umi asked, looking around. The girls went from being creeped out to alarmed by the birds now, especially as some seemed to advance.
"W-wasn't there some American movie made about killer birds?" Rin asked. "I-Is that happening now?"
"They're saying… you people aren't very nice to birds. I shouldn't talk to you anymore," Maki said, freeing herself from Umi's grip. And facing the birds she made a bird call from her throat, the rest of the birds all screeching and cawing in return.
"This isn't normal! This is… we have to be under attack! Honoka, try to heal Maki and let's get out of here!"
Kotori nodded, 「Kaze ni Notte」now at her side. "Alright! 「Kaze ni Notte,」heal our friend!"
"Sorry, but that isn't happening."
Before Kotori could react there was a horrifically loud screech. As the girls looked into the air a figure quickly approached, knocking Umi into the arms of Honoka sending them both to the ground. "A-are you OK, Umi!?"
"Yeah... what is…!?"
"I've been wanting to meet with you girls for a while. Glad to finally meet you all!" There was a large bird, nearly ten feet tall in front of them, what looked to be a black hawk. Its head however was a skeleton, except for what looked like a light that shone from within. Embedded within the bird's skull appeared to be the arrow that had caused so much harm, but something about it looked… different. The girl riding on its back jumped off, grinning as she faced the Idols. "Otonokizaka Idol Study Club, μ's! The pleasure is mine! And only mine, I guess, 'cuz you really don't seem to like what's going on…"
"You… are you Wakaki!?" Hanayo demanded.
"The one and only. I've been keeping tabs on you girls for a while, I'm excited to see what'll happen now…" Wakaki said, smirking. "Sorry I didn't reveal myself earlier. Needed to wait for the infection to spread before we advanced, you know?"
"So you did attack her!" Nico replied. "You… make her normal again, or else!"
"Or else what? The girl who can't even control her shitty Stand is gonna teach me a lesson?" 「Circus」manifsted, her whip ready. "Think you can kill me quick enough before your Center of the Ring wears off?"
"She knows how you work…"
"I have… a really bad feeling about this one. Everyone, don't let your guard down," 「Circus」instructed, taking a fighting stance. "I feel… like, REALLY uneasy!"
"Listen, listen, I know you're used to this fighting thing, but understand, this rooftop? It's a bit too small, cramping my style you know?" She asked. "So we're gonna regroup, got it? We'll do it… at the Yoshida Stadium! The new baseball field being build! Got it? 'Cuz I hate bitches who don't listen and make me repeat myself."
"W... what!? No! Who do you think you are!?" Honoka demanded, 「All Star」taking form and running forward. But with a whistle dozens of birds swooped in, surrounding her and her friends. "W-whoah! Hey! Nice birdies!" While the Stands of the girls swatted them away, they saw that Wakaki had mounted on her Stand once more, while Maki was tight in the grips of her Stand. "S-shit! Nico!"
"Center of the Ring!" And Circus activated her power on a nearby door, with even Wakaki's and her Stand's attention being drawn to it.
"Pain in my ass…"
Nico's Stand rushed over, unleashing a volley of whip strikes on the other Stand's leg, but to no avail. The Stand simply gripped onto Maki far too tightly, and even with its attention diverted could not be pried. "It's holding on too tight! And… shit, time's up!"
"You should have gone for the owner!" Nico snapped. "Y… you're worthless! I hate having a Stand like you!"
"L… like you're any better! I tried!"
"You tried, you failed, and now she's in danger! What good are you, goddammit!? I hate having you around, I wish I had a normal Stand like everyone else!" 「Circus」went deathly quiet at that remark. While Nico had said that many times, this was the first time it held such venom.
"Yoshida Stadium, got it?" And with flaps of its wings the Stand took off, Wakaki taking off with Maki. "If you don't, she's really gonna regret choosing the lot of you as her friends!" And as she took off, she noticed something in the corner and smirked. "Oi, still don't care enough to get directly involved?"
"No you don't! 「Kaze ni Notte!」" And Kotori's Stand materialized, gripping Kotori tight as they took to the skies. "I won't let you get away!"
"Get her, Kotori!" Honoka cheered on. "Don't let her escape with Maki! Ah shit… how can we watch her!?"
"I-I have binoculars! In the club room! For seeing Idols at really long distances!" Nico replied.
"That sounds really creepy, Nico!" Rin retorted.
"Save it for when our friends aren't in danger! Come on, come on!"
And with the rooftops cleared, a certain third year came out of hiding, having hidden from even the birds. "Yoshida Stadium…"
Eli glared as she looked at the two Stands flying off. "Got it," she said, opening up her phone. "Hello? I need a taxi. By Otonokizaka High School…"
And in the air, 「Kaze ni Notte」chased after Wakaki and Maki, the other girl grinning.
"Been a while since I've seen a Stand that can keep up with「Hawkwind,」" Wakaki replied, her Stand screeching in response. "This'll be really fun!" Gripping onto her Stand it did a loop in the sky, letting go of Maki before she landed on its back. "You hold on as tight as you can, got it!?" Maki simply nodded, following Wakaki's instruction, any hint of individuality seemingly gone.
"You're gonna pay for this!" Kotori said, launching a few Emerald Strikes at「Hawkwind,」careful not to use too many feathers so she could remain airborne. "Why are you doing this!? We know you stopped working with the Arrow Hunters!"
"Now isn't that the question on everyone's minds?" Wakaki asked with a grin, her stand soaring towards Kotori for a head-on assault. "Let's just say things are… more complicated than you think! That arrow, Yanigihori ain't the only one interested in it!" And Wakaki smiled a smile that bared her teeth. "Granted, even that is small time now… such a power can't go unregulated, you know?" 「Hawkwind」tackled「Kaze ni Notte,」before managing to cut the Stand's body with one of its talons, but Kotori quickly gained distance. "To think you would all be School Idols, too… the world just keeps on amazing!"
"What are you talking about!?" Kotori launched another attack, this time hitting one of the opposing Stand's wings: it roared in pain and briefly lost its coordination, but soon regained control.
"Keep on fighting, and maybe you'll get answers to those kinds of questions! Or maybe you'll just all be dead by then… kyahahaha! Come on, be honest! Isn't this just a little fun!?"
"F-fun!?"
"Soaring in the air! A battle between Stand users! The 'fighting spirit' has to lie in you… no matter how much you don't want to admit it, there has to be a part of you that loves this! You're all School Idols… that makes you all contestants for the Greatest Concert, too!"
"Greatest Concert… Love Live?"
"Well, that's what you'll all be calling it," Wakaki replied, going in for another tackle. But once more Kotori evaded, slashing the side of「Hawkwind」with hardened stones. "F-fuck!"
"This isn't a game to us! Just give us back Maki!"
"N-no way… I'm under orders here, ya know? I'm gonna see what all you girls are made of, even if it kills me… or more ideally, you!"
Kotori glared, flying full speed ahead. 「Hawkwind」attempted to dodge, but「Kaze ni Notte」changed direction. "Your Stand seems rather bulky… probably hard to change direction with someone as fast as my Stand, huh?"
But Wakaki didn't seem upset. "Interesting, interesting!" Even as her Stand took another head-on tackle, 「Kaze ni Notte」practically slamming into it like a rocket, her Stand attempted to gain altitude once more.
"I'm seeing it now… you control those birds, like Kobayashi controlled the bugs… but your Stand isn't meant for head-on combat, isn't it!? It's just like「Worker Bees!」"
"Don't compare「Hawkwind」to a Stand as gross as that! But… I guess I can't really complain too much," she admitted. "I love it for moving around and setting up sneak attacks like with Maki, but this Stand doesn't really suit me very well. Its fun, but not what I prefer for a fight… Honestly, I mostly just use this for moving around."
Kotori blinked in confusion. "I… It's your Stand… why ae you talking like that? Isn't it supposed to be a reflection of you?"
But Wakaki's smirk never faded.
"You have no idea what kind of tricks I have in store. Now then… I really need to resume this in Yoshida Stadium, so let's wrap this up, huh?"
She reached for the 'arrow' imbedded in her Stand's head, pressing a button. Wakaki's eyes narrowed in pain and she winced as a red electricity charged into the Stand, her「Hawkwind」roaring as well. But nothing could have prepared Kotori for what came next.
The opposing Stand grew. Right before her eyes! No flashes of lights or anything fancy, but before she could even react the Stand grew to a much larger size, looking more ferocious as well, the Stand's skeletal beak now full of razor-sharp fangs as well.
And the Stand looked at her, and instead of a bird's call, what Kotori could only describe as a roar was unleashed. "W… what is this!?"
"Now this is a Stand I can get behind!" Wakaki said, ignoring the blistering pain in her head as「Hawkwind」charged once more. Kotori launched a few more Emerald Strikes… but they seemed to not even phase the bird Stand, charging through the pain.
"Oh no!"
"This is the power of technology! Don't you know!? Every day the world changes in a billion different ways! Every day the world and society changes around us! And I have the privilege of being in the front row, seeing the changes to the world that everyone else is too far back to notice!" Wakaki said, 「Hawkwind's」tackle more than enough to damage both Kotori and her Stand. "Technology changes as well! And now, even Stands are changing! Human evolution is still a story in progress, and we're going to have front-row seats to the next great era of history! Well… I will, anyways!"
"F-flee!" Kotori tried to flee, realizing she could not physically overpower the Stand anymore, but「Hawkwind」was now simply too fast to evade, quickly closing the distance. Before she could react, the Stand held her and「Kaze ni Notte」in her talons, squeezing them both and digging the nails in, earning a scream.
"Come on! The party's not over so why leave us so soon!?" Wakaki said, laughing. "Hey, Nishikino! What do you think?" Maki gave a bird's coo in return, much to her amusement. "Yeah, that's what I was thinking too!"
Can't get free! Too tight! Kotori and her Stand struggled with all their might, but「Hawkwin」tightened its grip even further, and Kotori could swear she could feel something snap. I can't even heal myself like this!
She screamed as the talons dug into her leg, tearing and breaking something. "Anyways… This is starting to hurt my head, soooooo…" Wakaki grinned, her Stand throwing Kotori and her Stand to the ground. "See you around, maybe!"
Kotori's Stand had disappeared when Kotori's focus was broken, as she plummeted towards the ground with a heavily damaged leg. Even knowing she could heal it did little to comfort her, gasping as she saw the incoming ground. "S-s-shit! 「Kaze ni Notte!」" She cried out as her Stand barely manifested in time to save her. Even though it saved her she still crashed into the ground with a powerful crash, hitting the pavement before crashing through a fence. "H… heal…" Her Stand quickly healed the damage to her leg and torso, but in her disoriented state she could not focus enough to heal damage done to her head. "Ah… s-so I have to concentrate…" a crowd began to form around her as she passed out. There was a lot of talking, but she ignored it all. "I-I'm sorry… Maki… H-Honoka, save her…"
"This is bad! Badbadbad!"
The girls began to sprint as they observed the end of the fight, dropping the binoculars as they raced from the school.
"W-what happened!? It looked like she was winning!" Rin asked. Even though she couldn't see the Stands, she could have sworn it looked like Kotori was outmaneuvering her.
"I don't…her Stand just grew! I have… we need to get to that place! Yoshida Stadium!" Honoka said, sprinting ahead. "Dammit… I'll take forever, though!"
"I'll go check on Kotori! You girls go ahead!" Nico instructed. "Call me when something happens!"
"We'll come too!" Rin yelled, Umi trailing behind her.
"T-this is too dangerous!" Honoka tried to reason. Yet for once, it was Umi that defied logic.
"We can't just let our friend be kidnapped! I… I know I can't do much, but I'll help however I can!" Umi said, earning a nod from Honoka.
"Rin…"
"I'm not… I'm not useless! I have worth! Even if I can only cheer you on… I'm going, Kayochin!"
"… Wait, hold on. Isn't Cinderella around here!?" Honoka asked.
"Why does that matter!?" Rin asked.
"See if Aya can help give us a ride or something! At least she knows about Stands!"
"I… That's an idea! Hey! Aya-chaaaaaaaaan!" Rin nearly lost her balance as she suddenly changed direction, heading towards the direction.
"Rin? Children?" Aya was right about to get into her car, a jeep, before she noticed the girls rush towards her. "W-what's going on?"
"It's an emergency! A super serious emergency! Our friend is under attack! It'll take us too long to get there by foot… help us out, please!"
Aya stared in confusion as the girls surrounded her, each saying something else, but all with worried, desperate tones in their voices. She had a meeting with her new employers, and important one, but…
… She saw how determined Rin was to help someone even without the power of a Stand, and she nodded.
"… Very well. Get in my jeep, hurry!"
"There's no doubt about it! That's her Stand, I'm sure of it! It was fighting with that Kotori girl and everything!"
Yet another faction had its stake in whatever was planned in Yoshida Stadium, Akeno and Miano heading over as well. Akeno drove a motorcycle with Miano behind her, Akeno focusing on driving as Miano called Yanigihori. "I don't know where it's headed, but we're not gonna lose track of that bitch, either!"
"Good! Don't let up!" Yanigihori instructed. "Take her down, by any means necessary! Give her the reward a traitor deserves!"
"Got it, boss!" Miano said, hanging up. "This is weird, even for us, Akeno!"
"Damn right it is!" She speeded up, just barely making a yellow light. "I don't know what that bitch has in mind, but she's not gonna go down easy! I've been tired of this downtime, anyways… I can't wait to get back in the fray! Let's kick some ass and get some good ramen… how does that sound, my knight?"
Despite it all, Miano smirked. "Whatever her highness wishes, she shall receive! Any other commands, my lady!?"
"Yeah! Let's look cool doing this!"
Despite the gravity of the situation, the two couldn't help but laugh as Akeno did a wheelie.
"Yeah, yeah, they're all gathering in place, Kira," Wakaki said, resting in the bleachers of Yoshida Stadium. While still under construction, at least the field and most of the bleachers were already in place. "It's gonna be a big show. Shame you can't make it!"
"Just do your job and eliminate them," Yoshikage demanded. "If any didn't follow you, kill them later."
"You know your secondary bomb would be a lot easier for this, right?" Wakaki asked, her Stand next to her as she stroked the weapon imbedded in its head. "Why don't you lend it to me or something? I'd kill them all in a day at most."
"Because it is your job to eliminate threats to this corporation," Yoshikage replied. "Is that not the duty of the Yoshida's emissary? Especially one with the prototype Red Arrow at her disposal?"
"Yeah, yeah… just saying, it'd be a lot quicker if you did it yourself… hello? Ohhh, touched a nerve~" she said with a laugh as her superior hung up on her. She stroked the Red Arrow, grinning. "Killing and fighting may be fun at all…"
And she laughed to nobody in particular
"But it's just watching how everyone reacts that's the most fun of them all!"
And unbeknownst even to her, the first guest soon arrived. Standing atop the scoreboard was a pink and blackish, almost robotic figure. And within its hands, a bow and arrow.
"COURIER PROJECT #34231 UNDERWAY. PACKAGE TO BE DELIVERED: 'ARROW' TO ALL DEEMED WORTHY, MORALITY OF RECIPIENT NOT TO BE CONSIDERED."
It tilted its head.
It felt like there would be at least one person to be pierced, tonight. But whether it would or not did matter. It was a courier, intent on delivering its package no matter what.
Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Chapter 14: The Red Arrow (Part 2)
Now that's a long one! Alright, I got this done just in time before I go on vacation too! I hope you're all having a wonderful time~!
I'm freezing my ass off in the Midwest until tomorrow: I'm going on vacation to visit family in Colombia starting tomorrow to celebrate my birthday (March 5) and Carnivales, so its gonna be a week and a half of beach fun and carnivals to me~! Now, I wanted to say this because it means this month might be a bit slow, writing wise. I definitely want this arc done by the end of March, but I also have some midterms after I come back, and papers due while I'm there. While I might try to get a little writing in, almost assuredly there will be no updates next week, and March will be slow in general. Hopefully I can get a little something done though, but don't count on anything for next week most likely. But hey, ya never know how much down time you have even on vacation. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as it was a big one.
Anyways! May every road take you to memories of Great Days!