33: Love Live Days

It was early in the morning when I arrived at Nijisaki, the sky in transition between night and day. The air was fresh, and I filled my lungs, heartbeat slightly faster than usual at the thought of the upcoming battle. I clutched my guitar case tightly and pulled my new green jacket tightly over my chest.

"Oiii! Derrick!" Setsuna waved me over, and I spotted the girls loitering about in the courtyard, clutching their uniform bags and makeup supplies, chattering and eating breakfast.

"Hey!" I rushed over with a hop and high fived the girl before me. "You ready for today?"

"You bet." Setsuna smiled. "I've waited years for this day. Today, my dream comes true."

"I'm sure it will. World famous idol, Setsuna-sama!"

"Well, being famous isn't what my dream is about. It's about the chance to touch peoples' hearts all around the world. To tell them to never give up on life. And things like that."

"Wow… you're such a good person," I complimented, setting my guitar case down and sitting on a planter.

"No, no, I'm just doing what normal people should do!" Setsuna laughed, patting me on the shoulder. "But when we win, you can be famous too. Then you'll get all the fangirls you want! You'll never have to be lonely again!"

"Bruh… that sounds crazy… but then again, I wouldn't mind just being with you guys."

"There you go again with the sweet talk," Setsuna said, sliding her hand over mine. She intertwined her fingers and lifted her eyes. "But I don't mind just being with you." Her pink cheeks caught me off guard, and I felt my heart lurch out.

"Setsuna-chan… if we win, d-do you wanna go out again?!" I blurted suddenly. "We can go to Akiba again, b-but this time, I won't be all depressed, like last time, okay?!"

Setsuna giggled and leaned her head on my shoulder, her long black hair sliding down my arm.

"Sure thing, senpai. When we win." She closed her eyes and sighed. I could feel her racing heart.

"Oiiii! Leader! Why are you flirting with Derrick again!? The bus is gonna be here soon!" Yu interrupted, hands on her hips.

"Bruh, can't you see we're having a moment here!?" I said, annoyed.

"Y'all can make out after we win, okay? Don't get all comfy yet!" Yu reached out and patted both of us on the head. "Setsuna-chan, you look so beautiful today! Wow… no wonder Derrick's falling for you."

"E-ehh? I haven't even changed into my costume yet…"

"Your hair is so smooth!" Yu grabbed a lock of Setsuna's hair and stroked it in admiration.

"H-hey, Yu-chan!" Ayumu appeared, pouting. "You're flirting too!"

"Oh my gosh, you guys are too cute," Ai laughed from behind us, mid-conversation with Karin and Kanata.

"Not as cute as meeee!" Kasumi announced, planting her foot on the planter. Everyone looked at her for an unamusing split second, then returned to their respective activities.

Ayumu sat down next to me and poked my guitar.

"You've become so good in such a short time," she commented, swirling her finger on the black faux leather.

"Well, it's all for the dream, right?"

"Yeah. I knew you could do it." Ayumu smiled, sweet and solemn, and I felt my heart so close to her, even if she had a thing for Takeshi. I patted her little bun, causing her to blush and touch it in embarrassment.

"Is Takeshi coming to watch?" I asked.

"Y-yeah!" she replied, suddenly full of energy. "I can't let him down."

"You'll do fine! We practiced a million times."

"Hopefully. He said that after we win, he's gonna take me on a trip to the amusement park!"

"Wow, how romantic! Are you gonna confess to him then?!" I asked.

"W-what!? Confess what!?"

"Stop playing dumb, Ayumu-chan! We all know you like my brother," Yu laughed.

"Ehhhhhhhhhh!?"

"D-don't be jealous, Derrick!" Emma joined in, hugging me. "Hey, you still have Shizuku-chan! Remember when I set you two up on that date? You guys had a great time, right?!"

"Wh-why are you bringing that up now!?" I shouted.

"Emma-senpai!?" Shizuku blushed, overhearing our conversation as she was chatting with Rina and Kasumi. She covered her face and turned away.

"I-it's a joke, alright!?"

"W-well, it- it wasn't a date!" Shizuku protested. "But I did have a great time." She looked at me shyly for a second.

"Heheh…" I chuckled awkwardly.

"Bro… how are you such a playboy!?" Yu remarked, shaking her head. "By the way, why aren't you wearing the cowboy hat we picked together?"

"I was hoping you would forget," I replied, pulling the hat out of my bag and plopping it on my head. "There. Happy now?"

"Yayyyy! You look cool now!" Yu jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

"Uhhhh…" Karin put her hands on her hips, examining my Yu-picked fashion with disapproval.

"I think he looks cool," Ayumu retorted, putting an arm around me.

"R-really? Thanks, Ayumu-chan! I mean, I don't think it looks cool…"

"Have some confidence in yourself," Emma advised, punching me in the shoulder. "Girls can tell a guy's confidence just by the way he looks."

"Okay? So?"

"The reason you think it looks bad is because of the way you carry yourself! Back straight! Eyes up!" Emma whacked me in the back.

"O-okay, I got it! I got it!" I hopped to my feet and did a stupid twirl. "Alright, girls! It's time for the final battle!" I clapped my hands together. "Today, all of our efforts will pay off! All those long nights... all the tears we shed, today, we make them a rainbow! Let's get out there, and win Love Live!"

The girls cringed hard in silence at my sudden speech, but Setsuna let out a cheer, and soon everyone joined in, clapping and laughing, a mixture of second-hand embarrassment and the warm-hearted camaraderie that we have all come to share, together, as we set out towards our ultimate goal.

The coach bus arrived, and we boarded, Yu, Ayumu, and I once again at the back, all together.

"You nervous?" Yu asked, to my left.

"Of course. Are you?"

"Yep… Ayumu-chan?"

"Kyaaaaaaaa!" Ayumu grabbed Yu's hands. "I'm sooooooooooo scared!"

"Don't worry, Ayumu-chan, I already told my brother to hide in the back of the audience so you won't get nervous!"

"What? But I kinda want him to get a front seat view…"

"You can give him a front seat view in your room," I joked, raising my eyebrows suggestively.

"Eww, what the heck?" Yu slapped me in the face.

"Owww! It was a joke!"

"Ehe…" Ayumu blushed, looking out the window. "It doesn't matter. We have no choice but to try our best, right?"

"Yeah," I agreed. "H-hey…"

"Hmm?"

"Do you two wanna take a picture?"

Yu smiled. "Derrick, you've changed, haven't you?"

I shrugged.

"Okay," Ayumu agreed, and I took out my phone. The two girls leaned into me, holding up peace signs, and I snapped the picture of the three of us.

"Yay!"

I posted the photo, tagging the two.

"Off to Love Live with my two favorite people in the world," I wrote in the caption.

Yu gagged in surprise and amusement when she saw the notification on her phone, but she reposted it; Ayumu did so as well, and without a word, we all looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The dome was massive, and I could see the lines of the audience stretching and winding around the block. The bus dropped us off in a back parking lot, and we lugged our bags into our designated prep room. On the way there, I caught glimpses of the other groups, getting made up, warming up, and burning with determination. Their frilly dresses and shiny jewelry were intimidating; cute faces fierce with the sole desire to achieve victory.

"Umm, since you're already changed into your outfit, senpai, could you go outside while we change?" Setsuna asked, approaching me.

"Oh, yeah, sure…" I agreed, shuffling out the door.

I waited in the hallway, dodging suspicious glances from random girls passing by.

After what felt like a lifetime, the door opened, and Yu came out.

"Hey perv, we're done changing," she said, smiling.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw her in the green dress I had gifted her, its length coming down above her knees. Her bangs were neat and cute, and her pink lips were pursed in a pensive smile, large eyes pure and shining. Emerald earrings glistened behind jet black locks, and the cheap green ribbons fit her outfit perfectly, holding up her two ponytails which hung below her shoulders.

"So, how long are you gonna stare?"

"Oh, s-sorry!" I facepalmed myself and shook my head. "Alright, I'm coming back in. Can't stand all these random girls glaring at me like I'm some sort of pervert."

"Well, you are. But not after we win this! They'll be all over you."

"Hahah, sure thing. By the way, you look beautiful."

"Th-thanks…" Yu avoided my gaze, turning back to enter the room.

"Did you have fun imagining us changing?" Kasumi asked, as I followed Yu in.

"No, I don't have to imagine that, because you're always trying to strip in front of me," I shot.

"Hey, stop making me seem so loose, okay?" Kasumi complained. "I'm actually really wholesome, but you keep making those comments!"

"What the hell do you mean!?"

"Yeah, I think I have to agree with Derrick on this one," Setsuna said, laughing. She was dressed up in her idol outfit, dashingly beautiful, long eyelashes batting as she approached me.

"Ughhh, no one will ever understand," Kasumi complained.

"Yo, it's fine, Kasukasu," I chuckled. "I really enjoy your jokes. But acting unamused is what makes it funnier!"

"Ugh, whatever you say…" Kasumi looked down at her feet, and I suddenly realized for the first time that she was actually really cute. Like, super cute.

"KASUKASU!" I ran up to her and picked her up, swinging her around in the air.

"AAAAAAAAAAAWAWAWAWAWAW!" Kasumi squealed, surprised and disturbed. I set her back down, and she stumbled around, dizzy. "What was that for!?"

"Nothing! I just realized that you were actually really cute."

"W-what!?" Kasumi blushed, covering her flat chest.

"Sorry for never accepting your advances," I said jokingly, bowing. "If you ever want to give me fanservice again, I'll gladly take it all in."

"N-no thanks!" Kasumi ran away and hid behind Shizuku.

"You guys are literally the cutest thing ever," Ai laughed.

"ANYWAY," Setsuna clapped, "let's begin warmups now, okay?"

We reluctantly agreed, and for the next hour, we practiced until not a single error could be made.

The roar of applause could be heard from the auditorium, as the first groups began to perform.

I could feel my heart beat faster and faster as our turn was rapidly approaching.

"Setsuna-chan," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder as she sat on a chair, taking deep breaths."

"Y-yes, senpai?" I could see the fear on her face.

"I believe in you."

"Th-thanks…" she smiled weakly, breathing sharply.

"I don't think there's anyone in the world as strong as you, Setsuna. You're our leader, our big sister, and the one who'll win Love Live for us. I'm sure your dream will come true. Look, it's already beginning to come true! You've touched all of our hearts already. I'm sure you'll touch the hearts of the judges, the audience, and the world." I looked deeply into her eyes.

"Th-thank you, senpai…" A tear escaped from the corner of her eye, and I was quick to wipe it away.

"Ganbatte, Setsuna-chan!" Yu cheered, appearing at my side.

"You can do it, senpai!" Shizuku encouraged.

"Yeah! You're the best in the world," Ayumu said.

"LET'S GO, SETSUNA-CHAN!" We all shouted, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Okay. I'll do it. Tonight, the after party's all on me!" Setsuna jumped to her feet, grinning. "Because I'm gonna win Love Live!"

All in good spirits, we took a final group picture, Yu and I crouching in the center front, because us two managers were the only ones with different uniforms from the white dresses of the rest.

Group after group performed before us, and with each round of muffled applause, our racing hearts beat faster, and faster, until the time to prove that everything, everything we had worked for during these Love Live days was for this moment. The Love Live days that I loved so much.

"Hey, everyone! I'm Setsuna, from the Nijisaki Academy School Idol Club!" Setsuna stood in the sparkling spotlight, strong and determined, unfazed by the thousands of eyes upon her. "We've all worked so hard for this moment. Some, a few months, some many years. But it doesn't matter how long we've been together, working for this goal, because all of our hearts have become one." She looked to the left and to the right, at her sisters by her side. "From the deepest depths of my heart, I only have one wish- to touch the hearts of all that hear this song, and that all may realize that the tears of today will become the rainbow of tomorrow. So please listen to our song, 'Melody'."

Setsuna took a deep breath, and sang.

The applause was deafening, and I could see the exhausted, elated faces on the girls as they bowed and filed off the stage. I felt so much pride in my heart. The audience, the judges, they were all shaken by Setsuna's powerful voice, as well as the unified strength of all my people. I high fived all of them as they passed, sweating, breathing hard, but smiling.

Then Yu tapped me on the shoulder, lips pursed.

It was time.

I nodded.

Ayumu wiped the sweat off her forehead with a towel, and took a sip of water. She nodded as well.

I picked up my guitar, and the three of us headed out to the stage.

My eyes were blinded by the shining light, and the sea of faces before me.

But for some reason, my heart was calm, and I knew exactly what I had to do.

"Hello, everyone!" Ayumu said confidently. "We're Nijisaki Jonetsu, the subgroup performing for the Nijisaki Academy's bonus round."

"The three of us started this trio, not really knowing where it would take us," Yu said, taking the mic.

"Yeah," I joined in. "It all started on a cold November night, when I happened to meet these two at my brother's wedding."

"Things happened, and we ended up in the same club," Ayumu continued.

"I received this guitar as a gift from Ayumu, just because I said I had some interest in the guitar…"

"Yeah, it was a stretch, but I believed in him! After all, guys with guitars are so cool, right?" Ayumu laughed.

"And we had a manager who did nothing but flirt," I added.

"No, I wasn't flirting!" Yu said, and the audience chuckled. "But yeah, I wanted to perform too!"

"So you started a Youtube channel, right?" I smiled.

"Yeah. It didn't go so well at first, but I didn't give up."

"You did eventually."

"I didn't give up, I just decided that I didn't need that popularity to achieve my dream. Besides, those haters were giving me a hard time." Yu shrugged.

"But in the end, here she is!" Ayumu cheered. "And sure, the three of us fought, we cried, and there were many times when our group seemed to fall apart."

"Yeah. Because of a bunch of misunderstandings, oversensitive hearts, and, well, hormones," I continued, eliciting another chuckle from the crowd.

"But we're always together in the end!" Yu pumped her fist in the air.

"Yeah!" Ayumu and I agreed in unison.

"So now, we're gonna perform a song for everyone, sung by the two nicest girls in the world!" I said grandly. "Listen to the passionate cry of Nijisaki Jonetsu!"

Yu sat at the piano they had rolled out, and put her fingers in ready position.

I hoisted my guitar and fingered the starting chord.

Ayumu smiled and breathed.

What is a story without conflict?

What is a happy memory without an end?

What is a struggle without hope?

What is a winter without… spring?

Through the fall we met, yet we kept falling out

Through the winter we cried, but our tears quickly dried

Because spring came, and like a flower, our friendship blossomed anew

And soon summer, with all its warmth, will bring out our true passions

Hey! Hey! I just wanna say

That today, you're gonna make my day!

If there's a word to describe you, if there's a phrase

I'd say, you're my light, you're my way

'Cuz I'd spend all my time with you, all the time I can

If there was a way

To make this day

Last forever, I'd give everything away

But by and by, we've got to go

As the scent of the sea fades, so does the season of summer

Thousands of stars as we stare at the sky

Slowly walking to the next corner, where we'll say goodbye

We stay side by side, wanting to stay, or wanting to say-

Something

But the moment has passed, like the day, and we part ways

Sleepy eyes, but something struck in my heart

I turn back, running to the corner we had left

You thought the same thing

Our embrace, our kiss, I will always remember- It made this day last forever

The applause was deafening, Yu and Ayumu's connected voices resonating through the chamber. I swore I cried, though I couldn't remember if it was just the sweat pouring down my face.

Ayumu looked back at us, tears in her eyes, and smiled. Yu and I smiled back, hearts moved beyond understanding. As we took our bows together, Yu held both of our hands, and kept holding them until we had disappeared behind the curtains.

We stood upon the stage once more, waiting for the awards to be announced. Group after group was called, and the building excitement was too much for us to handle. All of us, hands intertwined, wished, hoped, worried and listened, listened for our place to be called. I looked over at Setsuna-chan, the soon-to-be world famous idol. Hey, I would be one too!

Setsuna looked over at me, anxiously smiling and tapping her foot.

Third place was called.

It wasn't us.

We all held our breaths, eyes wide, hearts about to burst.

Our dreams were coming true.

Everything that we had worked for.

After everything that had happened, our efforts were finally coming to fruition.

Yu and Ayumu were holding on so tight that their fingernails dug into my skin.

"Second place! Nijisaki Academy!"

After the cheer and applause, we took a moment to register what had just happened.

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOO! LET'S GOOOOOOO!" I screamed, jumping up and down in the air.

The other girls were hit by a sudden wave of disappointment, but it was quickly gone as we realized the award was more than we could ask for.

"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH! NIJISAKI, LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!"

We hugged each other, tears of pain and joy at the exact same time.

No matter what the result, these would still be the Love Live days that I love so much.

But we looked over at Setsuna-chan, who stood motionless, a blank expression on her face as her dream crumbled before her. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, and none of us heard which school got first place, nor did we care, as the world became a blur, as the world came crashing down for our beloved sister.

End of Arc 6