lychee-ran: As much as I want to start writing about the Aqours girls in general, I'm going to have to hold back and say no for now. I want to get to know them better first before I feel I'm ready to start writing for them.

*Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!

"Thank you for everything."

They stopped just shy of where their boat was docked and turned back around.

Given the situation and the little time they felt they were working with, the group unanimously decided to leave as soon as Kotori, Honoka, and Anzu returned.

"It is no trouble at all. It was nice to make some new friends after so long."

Anzu responded honestly with a smile. Before turning around she said one last thing.

"Good luck. I am counting on you all."

After exchanging goodbyes they went their separate ways, Anzu back to her place while the group boarded their ship. With information from Anzu, they set off for their next destination.

"Forever Forest. Not a very comforting name."

Rin repeated the name while remarking. Eli smiled while replying.

"It's not like the Creators would find a nice beach to hide at."

"I know, but still…"

"After being in a desert and then an ice land, at least we're going somewhere a bit more stable."

Kotori tried to help by offering her opinion. Though, she was met with an amused look from Honoka beside her.

"Do you really believe that?"

"Hey, just trying to be positive."

"What worries me is what little information we have to work with."

This time it was Maria who spoke up. Umi was the one to respond to the maid's concern.

"Considering the forest is located deep into Felgana territory, it's not surprising that almost nothing is known about it."

"Sure, but it's the fact that not even Anzu knows anything about it. And for the fairies she sent there to disappear without a trace…"

Everyone was silent for a few moments after Maria recalled the last bit of information Anzu revealed to them before their departure. After a while, Maki broke the silence with a question that had been bothering her since they had left.

"So why is it called the Forever Forest?"

"Well that's because-"

Rin started to answer but paused when she realized Maki's point. The others were brought out of their previous thoughts as well.

"Now that you mention it, there has to be a reason for its name right?"

Hanayo asked, causing the others to nod in agreement. Nico also chimed in.

"I guess that means someone found out something about the forest and was able to return to tell about it."

"I'm not sure it matters. It's not like we have the time to look for this person and ask them about it."

Nozomi reminded them of their current situation and the time they were working with. Honoka nodded as well.

"Nozomi is right. I think just knowing someone made it out of the forest is enough. If they can, then we can too."

Somehow, Honoka's confidence and positive attitude was enough to dispel the last of their doubts. Though, as their expressions started to relax, Rin spoke up.

"We still haven't come up with a plan."

"Well to start, we should probably head to Dahngrest. It'll put us as close to the Forest as possible before having to step into Felgana territory."

"Is it really that dangerous? After what we've been through so far, I feel like a couple of mercenaries or criminals aren't a big deal."

After hearing Kotori's suggestion, Maki decided to ask. Though, it was Nico who answered her.

"While I agree that we could handle them easily, I feel it's better to go with Kotori's plan. We don't need to go around picking fights if we don't have to."

"You also want to check on the situation there, don't you?"

At that moment, Honoka looked up to Kotori from beside her and asked. Although she could have asked mentally, Kotori knew her partner was explaining it to the others by asking out loud, so she nodded.

"Yeah. I know we don't have a lot of time, so I just want to pass by and see what's happened since we left."

Eli clapped her hands together, seeming to have made a decision.

"Then I think that settles it. Once we reach port, we'll head to Dahngrest and then the Forever Forest."

Once their meeting had ended, everyone had left the room to pass time until they reached Capua Torim. Aside from Nozomi, who was navigating the ship, only Nico and Kotori had stayed. Rather than following Honoka, Kotori decided that opportunities like this are too uncommon for her to pass up. After a few seconds of silence, Kotori turned to the couple.

"So, how does it feel?"

Nico looked at Nozomi for a few more moments, but no movement came. Her partner continued to focus her gaze out the window. Looking down at her hands, Nico responded to Kotori.

"Honestly, I don't feel much different compared to normal. But I'm guessing that's to be expected, since it only just happened."

"I don't think that's true."

Surprised by that, Nico looked to Kotori. She saw the girl looking back at her with a gentle smile similar to Honoka's.

"It's okay to be honest. You have been feeling a little different, maybe not physically but somewhere within. But you don't want to admit it."

As if ashamed of what she heard, Nico slowly looked away from Kotori and back down at her hands on her lap.

"… Yeah, I have noticed something. It feels like I'm directly connected with Nozomi now. But… it scares me a little."

"So you feel that way as well."

Both Kotori and Nico looked up to Nozomi after hearing her speak. Nozomi's head was slightly turned toward them, glancing at them out of the corner of her eye while still able to pay attention to the ship at a moment's notice.

"I've noticed the connection too. I realized right away that it was you, Nico. And, I was a little scared as well realizing that. I know we won't be able to see within each other as much as Kotori and Honoka are able to yet. Even so, how much are you able to see of me right now? Thinking that you might not see me the same if you find out too much just-"

Nozomi's confession was cut off when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind. She immediately knew who it was, yet the warm the started to feel was doing wonders for her anxious emotions to calm down.

"If that's what you're afraid of, then don't be. Although I was worried about that myself, hearing that you share the same fear makes it a little easier on me. You don't need to say anything you don't feel comfortable with, even with me, okay?"

Hearing Nico's words brought a smile to Nozomi's face. With an okay as a response, she nodded and put one of her hands on top of Nico's around her waist. Satisfied, Kotori quietly stood from her chair and made her way toward the door.

"And Kotori, thank you."

Kotori stopped at the door and turned back. Both Nico and Nozomi were looking at her with smiles.

"Just doing what I can to help."

Leaving that behind, Kotori turned forward and opened the door. As she stepped out into the corridor, she saw a familiar cat waiting nearby. She knelt down to stroke its head.

"They're all yours."

She whispered to the cat, and it seemed to understand. Kotori waited for it to make its way into the room before closing the door, then proceeded down the corridor.

"Somehow, I didn't expect to find you out here like this."

Hearing the voice approaching from behind her, Rin turned her gaze away from the sea to a more familiar sight.

"Honoka."

It still took a bit of effort for Rin to keep from addressing the princess formally, but seeing the smile that Honoka had made it worth the extra thought.

"Mind if I join you?"

"I don't mind at all."

Honoka walked up to join Rin at the rail of the ship. She closed her eyes and enjoyed as a pleasant wind blew by. The two enjoyed a few moments of silence before Honoka began.

"Maybe it isn't my place to say this, but it's probably better for you if you just told her how you feel."

"Huh, what are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about. I saw you staring at her throughout the entire meeting."

Rin couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise at the realization that she had been caught. She turned to Honoka, meeting a serious expression from the princess.

"You like her, don't you?"

Realizing she couldn't avoid the conversation, Rin sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, I like her."

"Then, why not just tell her how you feel?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why not?"

Rin hesitated, not sure if she should reveal the Honoka the thoughts that have been bugging her for a while now. Honoka waited patiently, the entire time not taking her eyes off the Knight. Finally, Rin decided it was worth getting her thoughts out and seeing if Honoka could help her.

"To be honest, I'm afraid of what happens if things don't work out. We're all back together again, and look at how well everyone gets along with each other now. I don't want to risk someone leaving and breaking our group apart because of me."

"I see. And, are you okay with that?"

"… Not really. When I see the way you and Kotori are together, or Maria and Maki, or now even Nozomi and Nico… Sometimes I wish for something similar. All this stuff about Soul Links has me wondering if I'll ever find someone like that for myself. And even while there's a chance, I'm afraid of doing anything about it and risk ruining things for everyone."

"Hmm… Well, for now at least, maybe that is for the best."

"… What?"

Rin was at a loss for words, completely caught off guard. She was expecting Honoka to counter what she had said, not agree with her. For a split second, she thought she might have misheard, but Honoka's expression never changed. Seeing Rin's hesitation, Honoka sighed and continued.

"Do you have a reason that she would say no to you?"

"I… Well, not really… But-"

"Because there isn't a reason. You're a loyal friend, a hard worker, always thinking about others. The only problem I see is that you don't seem to have enough confidence in yourself. She would have to be some kind of idiot to turn you down. And even if it came to that, I'd go up to her and personally-"

Honoka stopped midsentence, catching herself as she realized what she was about to say. She coughed into her hand to recompose herself, and cool down her slightly heated cheeks.

"Anyway, the point is that you're a wonderful girl and you need to have more confidence in yourself."

Still slightly shocked from such a rare display from the princess, Rin didn't react immediately. After a few moments passed and Rin finally realized what Honoka had said, she couldn't help but smile. Seeing her words finally reach the Knight, Honoka smiled in return.

"Thank you, Honoka. That means a lot coming from you."

"Anything to help a friend. Well, I'm going to head inside."

"Alright. I'm going to stay out here for a while longer and decide what to do."

"Okay. Remember no matter what you decide, we'll all still be together."

Seeing Rin nod, Honoka turned around and started walking back. Before re-entering the ship, she took one last look at Rin, who had gone back to staring out at the ocean. Though unlike before, she could see a faint smile still on the Knight's lips. Satisfied, Honoka continued on.

Eli made her way toward the back of the ship. She figured it was her best chance at finding some time to herself for a chance. However as she arrived, she found someone already there, apparently having the same idea as the blond Knight.

"Well what a surprise. I wasn't expecting anyone else to come back here."

Becoming aware of Eli's presence, the girl turned away from the rail, her blue hair swaying with the wind as she did so.

"Oh, hello Eli."

"Hello Umi. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

The archer shook her head. "Not at all."

"That's good. Do you mind if I join you?"

"I don't mind. There's actually something I want to talk to you about."

Eli nodded as she joined Umi beside the rail. A few moments passed in silence as they watched the waves break and retreat in the distance. Before long, Umi decided to speak up.

"How do you feel about what's happening with the others."

"Hmm, what do you mean?"

"This whole thing with the Soul Links."

"Well, I think it's kind of nice. From a strategic standpoint, it gives us a lot more to work with when we fight these demons. And from a personal standpoint, it seems to make those affected happier. So I don't really see…" Eli paused, realizing something in what she just said. She turned to Umi. "How do you feel about it?"

"… It's complicated. On the one hand, I'm also glad that it's bringing them together. But… it also makes me feel a bit lonely again."

Umi's saddened expression along with her response answered Eli's suspicions. She turned away from the archer.

"I see… So you feel that way as well."

It was Umi's turn to look at Eli. "Wait, you feel that way too?"

Eli nodded slowly.

"I didn't really think too much about it when it was just Kotori and Honoka. But after it happened again with Maria and Maki, and even again with Nozomi and Nico, it made me start to wonder… what my place is in all this..."

Hearing her same thoughts from Eli, Umi turned back out to the ocean.

"Yeah… It feels like we don't belong…"

"At first it did, but after some more thinking, I realized that wasn't the case at all."

Umi once again looked to Eli in surprise. This time Eli met her gaze, a smile on the blonde's lips as she continued.

"Honoka wants to fight for the Creators, she wants to help them. And the rest of us, not because of love, but because we're her friends, are together again to help her. That's what we're here for, to aid her in this fight."

Umi didn't respond at first, but a smile slowly crept onto her face.

"That was probably the cheesiest, most Honoka-like thing you probably could have said. But you're right. We're here for Honoka, and therefore we're here to help the Creators. There's no room for this useless self-doubt."

Eli smiled. "That's the spirit."

"Thanks Eli, that really helped."

"Anytime. Now let's get back to the others, where we belong."

Hey everyone, nobodD here!

I'm truly sorry that this is SO late. I'm actually about to leave for vacation soon, so the last month or so I've been working my butt off to save up as much money as I can so I have spending money for this trip. But because of that, I pretty much dropped all my free time, which included writing. It's not what you guys deserve though, which really upsets me thinking about it. I'll be away for about 10 days, so I'll try to make it up to you when I return!

To those that stick around despite how bad I am as an author now, I truly thank you for your support (heart)

Keeping it short because again, I'm leaving for a flight soon. Bye!~