Nozomi: Can you all come to the clubroom? I need to talk to everyone

That was the only message the members of μ's received. Nothing else came of it despite the countless texts asking for more information. Even if it was only a message, it was easy to tell the mood wasn't normal. It didn't hold the same happiness Nozomi tended to have around her.

That made them all a little concerned. Just what had happened? It didn't take long to find out. They had all practically rushed to the room. It only took minutes for everyone to arrive. They all sat around the table. All eyes were focused on Nozomi.

Nozomi looked... bad. She had a sorrowful look on her face that she was failing miserably to hide. Her eyes were red and puffy, leading everyone to assume she had been crying not too long ago.

"Nozomi, what's wrong?" Eli was the first to speak the question they all had on their minds.

"I... I'm leaving."

"Leaving what?"

"The school." Nozomi was talking in barely more than a whisper.

"Eh!?"

"Why!?"

Nozomi didn't seem like she really wanted to elaborate. She stared down at the table. Nobody said anything for a while. They just exchanged glances. It almost seemed like nobody wanted to be the next one to speak.

"After the recent events at... other schools... they decided we should also join their ways." Nozomi said.

It took a minute for the words to sink in. Once they did, everyone just stared with wide eyes. They didn't know how to react.

Recently, a lot of schools had been kicking out transgender students. It started with a petition in one school and others followed in fear. No one wanted to deal with that negative attention.

"They can't do this!" Honoka stated.

"They can. It's not like they'll easily change their mind." Umi responded, "I don't really see what all we could do."

"Yeah... going against the school isn't the wisest idea... is it?"

"There has to be something we can do." Honoka stated firmly.

"Thank you for caring, Honoka... but, it's alright. I'll be fine." Nozomi did her best to smile.

"No. I won't just sit back."

"Honoka, please calm down. I get it's hard, but there isn't much we can do." Eli said.

Honoka sighed as she slumped back down into her seat. She didn't like the answers she was getting. She was sure there had to be something they could do.

"How long do you have until you're forced to leave?" Nico asked.

"The end of the week." Nozomi replied.

"I got it!" Honoka suddenly jumped up.

"Honoka, sit down. I get you want to help, but-" Umi started saying

"Just listen." Honoka cut her off, "The school is kind of relying on us to bring in new students, right? If we quit, what will they do then?"

"That... actually has some backing to it." Umi was surprised.

"So, what exactly are you suggesting?" Eli asked.

"We tell them that if they make her leave, the group is over and we won't help them recruit students." Honoka replied.

"Are we going to give it a shot?" Maki asked.

"Well, what's the worst that can happen? Are they really gonna kick out more students when they really need as many as they can get?" Nico shrugged.

"It would be foolish for them to even be doing this. There may be others who aren't third years yet. They've just lost more students." Umi nodded.

"Are we doing it?" Kotori asked.

"I think we are."

"Guys... thank you..." Nozomi smiled, though tears were falling down her face, "It makes me happy to know you all care that much about me."

DIVIDER--

Later that day, most of the members were gathered to talk. The school director didn't seem to interested. Honoka took the lead. She stated exactly what she had said earlier. If they wanted μ's, Nozomi was staying.

It became a bit of a fight. The director did not want to let Nozomi stay. Honoka refused to back down. She wasn't leaving until she got something out of this.

"She will not remain in this school. That is final."

"Fine. Then we're done. Good luck getting more applications without us." Honoka huffed.

"You're going to be joining her. I don't appreciate this attitude."

Honoka gaped in shock, "What?"

"Do not return on Monday. You are no longer a student here."

"You can't just do that!" Umi stepped in.

"I can. You seem to be forgetting I run the school. I can do as I please."

"Then I'll transfer too." Umi stated, "I wouldn't want to go to a school run by someone like you."

"Very well. Do as you please." The director didn't seem bothered by that.

"You can count me out too." Eli added, "I'm not going to sit back while you insult and hurt my friends."

With that, they left. The others were all waiting for them outside. They were greeted with shaking heads.

"He won't listen." Umi sighed.

"He expelled me for arguing with him." Honoka complained.

"What?" Everyone stared at her in shock.

"We both quit. I suggest you also leave this school. Don't give him what he wants." Umi stated.

"You're all transferring?" Nozomi asked.

"We aren't gonna let him get away with hurting you. Maybe this'll show him." Honoka said.

"We can hurt him, right? If we announce we've left the school because of him, wouldn't that drop the applicants down?" Hanayo asked.

"Yeah! Let's use μ's to our advantage."

"Are we still going to be idols?" Kotori asked.

"Unless anyone has a complaint, I don't see what the problem would be, right? It's not like we belong to this school anymore." Eli said.

"Yeah. μ's is still a thing. We'll just not be associated with a school for now." Honoka nodded.

"Well, shall we leave?" Umi questioned.

Everyone nodded. They left the building. The ones who hadn't quit yet sent emails stating they were pulling out. They weren't too sure what they'd do now, but they knew it would be okay. They believed they had done the right thing. That was all that mattered right now.