Hello! Thanks for reading. I enjoy making this story in my spare time. At this point, it is a build-up of what is going to be revealed later on in the story. I do want to mention that I forgot Japan has a different school calendar. I made this based on my calendar, where August is the beginning of the school year, December is winter break, Mid-January is where they begin school again and summer break is comprised of June and July.

A/N: I'll say this every chapter, but I apologize if there are any grammar and/or comprehension mistakes. Let me know if there is something I need to clarify or re-write. I always like improving my writing skills because I am not a professional writer.

- I do not own any of the Love Live characters

Chapter 2 – Questioning the Unknown

It was 22:00 (10pm). The time had moved incredibly slow for those who were still thinking about Honoka's disappearance. The parents ushered home while the former μ's members along with Yukiho and Arisa decided to stay at Maki's house given that the next day would be Saturday. Maki offered Tsubasa and her members to stay but they were reluctant because they weren't close to any of the other members, so decided to take their leave as well. Maki's house was giant and certainly had enough places for all of them to sleep. They may not all be rooms but there were couches and living rooms for them to crash when they decided the night was over.

For the most part, they all came in comfortable clothing because they were called to the Nishikino's household after school hours. The college student were the only ones that needed a change of clothes because Eli and Nozomi had night classes. Nico was the only exception because her classes were early rather than later in the day.

After arrangements of rooms were made and established, the girls headed into the main dining hall so they all talk about the pressing events. The hall was a beautiful dining room that had shiny wood flooring and white walls with pictures of certificates/family photos. The room came with a full cabinet of fancy glasses for wine that her parents would use whenever guests from the hospital would come. The chandelier that was hanging, lit the room beautifully with its decorative design and placement. The table was able to expand to a 10-seater because of the extra leaves of the table that are easily placed. Maki brought her desk chair knowing that there is one extra individual. After they all sat and got comfortable, they all settled down and waited for the first person to speak.

Umi was quite over the quiet atmosphere because of the numerous amounts of questions that had been floating around in her mind since the news arose. She shifted in her chair and leaned forward with her elbows on the wood table. Her voice was quiet and sharp, "I can't believe that this happened." She spoke.

The orange-haired girl purred as she was in deep thought. Rin spoke for the first time tonight inputting a question that made them all think, "Why do think she hid all that she hid from us?"

After 10 minutes of silence, Yukiho asked, "Can you explain how my sister was acting after the meeting?" She asked with no one in mind but had her eyes planted on her sister's two best friends.

"Well, I didn't meet her right after the meeting but - " Umi started

Flashback

Umi

Umi got to school early because she needs to do some vice-president duties. She walked on campus with her bag on her shoulder while clutching her jacket. It was starting to get a bit chilly but it wasn't time for winter clothes. She passed the gate and up the stairs with the trees to the side leading to her school. Umi was fairly proud of her school and the accomplishments that were made in her past year. She headed straight to the student council room and as expected, there was no one there. She set her bag on the table and put her pack on the table. She reached in her pack and took out reports that were for the school dispensary and budgeting. Umi began to read the reports and write her notes in silence. The ticking of the clock accompanied Umi as she scribbled away and flipping pages back and forth. After 30 minutes of non-stop working, Umi yawned widely and stretch her limbs outward to the sides. She decided to get up and get coffee. The walk to the vending machine was somewhat lonely Umi thought while she looked to the sun that was finally in the sky. She loved the morning because it gave her a warm feeling of being alive and a sense of happiness because she gets to spend the day with her girlfriend.

When she thought about Kotori, she can only smile and internally giggle because she wouldn't dare let Honoka see this side of her. With that thought, she immediately pictured Honoka and her recent behaviors such as severely lacking in energy and always looking really sorrowful. After her meeting with the school board meeting about two days ago, she's been distant.

'I wonder what happened?' Umi thought to herself as she was sipping on her canned coffee. She then proceeded to look at her class from the ground. Her classroom was on the third floor so she had to crank her head to be able to see it. She looked up and the sun was shining so bright on the window that Umi almost didn't notice the face that was looking out. Umi's eyes widen to get a better look at the face but it was too hard to tell who it was so she decided to walk up the stairs to take a look.

'No one should be here right now… I will give them a warning.' Umi thought aggressively in her mind as she was stomping loudly up the stairs.

She finally got to her classroom and shouted around the corner before she saw the student, "Unless you have morning duty, what business does a student have early in the morning?" Umi shouted as she entered the room with an authoritative stance. She was prepaid to tell them off with the rules but stopped when saw the silhouette.

The person was facing the window, her elbow was on the table letting her head rest on the hand that cupped her face. The window was slightly open, letting in a breeze that whisked the orange hair ever so gently. The girl slowly responded to the voice by sitting up straight and facing this person. She looked at the blue-haired vice-president and put the best smile that she could on her face.

"Umi. Uh, sorry." Honoka responded.

Umi unfolded her arms and let them rest to the sides, "Honoka. What a surprise. What are you doing here?"

Honoka adjusted her body so now all of her was facing Umi. "I couldn't sleep. I decided to come here and just, hang out I guess." Honoka said while slowly pointing her gaze to the ground.

Umi stepped forward and took a seat next to her. While sitting down she felt the breeze go past her which felt really nice in the cold atmosphere that Honoka was emitting. She looked at her best friend's face and saw that her eyes were red. They didn't look like crying red, more like extremely tired red, so Umi made the assumption that Honoka was telling the truth about not being able to sleep.

She rubbed her hands together and took a big breath. Umi had been wanting and thinking about asking Honoka questions ever since summer ended but never got the chance because, well, she was doing well in school and in her duties. She shook her head to shake out her extra thoughts and proceeded, "What happened?" Umi demanded. "Why are acting this way?" There was a minute break where Umi was expecting an answer but Honoka did not speak up, so Umi continued, "Did something happen with that school board member? Did he do something to you? What is it Honoka? - Lately, I have been noticing that all you are doing is sighing or spacing out. Is this your way of getting attention?"

Umi was a blunt person. Her questions hurt sometimes because they are straightforward but sometimes, straightforwardness was necessary. Though in this case, it didn't help with getting the answer or not creating an awkward ambiance.

Honoka was listening carefully to Umi while watching her face. She noticed Umi's motions of shaking her head before asking her many questions. After the final question was asked, she lowered her head to think. After a minute she lifted her head to face Umi eye to eye and said, "Why is that I must be seeking attention? Can I not be sad?" Honoka was asking this question in all seriousness. She had a flashback to a girl that used to accept her of all of her faults and never expected her to be anything than who she was.

Honoka continued after Umi stared at her blankly, "What happened with the board member, you'll understand due in time because as of right now the answers are unclear even to me." Honoka finished with a tightened jaw. She didn't like the way that Umi asked the question because of the lack of delicacy. She knew that answers will eventually surface but in order to keep them safe, she has to keep quiet.

Umi was stunned by how complicated Honoka's answer was because normally it was not as elaborate or well thought out. Umi responded, "Well if you won't tell me what it is Honoka, then stop acting like that. You need to go back to your old self, minus your failing grades and lack of attention. Whatever happened in summer should not affect your schoolwork and presidential duties." Umi didn't like the way that she put it but she thought this was the best way to get her opinions across. She got up and crossed paths with Honoka's eyes before leaving. The blue orbs of Honoka laid to waste as they were dark and soulless.

As Umi walked out she heard Honoka say something in a low-toned voice, "The old self. Which one?" Umi did not stop to think about what she said because she didn't want to understand this dark version of her clumsy best friend.

Present

Everyone had the same thought when Umi was finished her story but Nico was the first was to verbalize it, "Even for childhood best friends, that was a pretty terrible thing to say Umi." The twin-tailed girl looked at the third-year high school vice president.

Umi shifted in her seat and leaned backward, "I know. I wish I didn't put it that way but with Honoka, you need to put things simple for her to get the idea." Umi crossed her arms in front of her fully understanding how rude the way she put the last sentence. Umi was showing clearly showing a face full of regret but her stubborn personality would not let her sad because of it.

"So, what we know from that is that something did happen between them. Why can't we just speak to this guy?" Maki asked.

"My mother had already requested another meeting with him but he has declined all meetings until further notice," Kotori replied.

"'Suspicious. That must mean they have some sort of relationship if you think about it… Maybe he really did do something to her?" Nico contributed.

"Well, my mother said that he has a reputation to be a harsh man but when I looked him up, he doesn't have any harsh interactions. His interviews are incredibly straightforward and blunt to the point it's almost insulting, but they are fact and research evidence-based. Other than that, he is a pretty decent man. He is a widow and has no children himself." Kotori told the group.

"Why do you know all of that?" Maki asked with a questioning look on her face.

"I just wanted to help Honoka out when it came to her meeting but she didn't want to hear any of it. Not even his name. She told me that if she learned about him, she would get nervous and the school will pretty much burn down because of her." Kotori replied.

"That's a little dramatic but I understand the part about getting nervous…" Maki commented.

"Strange," Nozomi added. "So, he is a reputable man that I am guessing wouldn't do harm to an 18-year-old girl. There must be a hidden connection. What other encounters did you have with this different Honoka?" She inquisition the group for further details.

Maki spoke up this time, "I mentioned that day she said, I failed her… - "

Flashback

Maki

Two weeks have passed since the meeting with the board meeting. Honoka was progressively getting quieter and quieter. She doesn't smile much and does not talk much either. This is Honoka's way of protecting herself and others. Last night was hard because the official news about Miyafumi Chizu had been released. It was a long day that seemed to drag on and on. The teachers talking sounded muffled to her and her sight was always on the blurrier side as time went on.

The last class of the day finally came and Honoka was relieved that there was no student council meeting today. She packed her things and Maki stopped her before she went past the doors that let them in the school.

"Honoka, can I talk with you? Meet me in the music room." Maki shouted a few feet away from Honoka and walked off.

Honoka huffed because she knew where this was going because Umi had the same attitude. She obliged and turned herself around to walk to the music room. As the hallways were still emptying out, Honoka could hear the laughter of high school girls making plans to go eat and shop. As she closed the distance between and the music room, she heard the piano playing. The tune was their first song as a group but the tempo was a bit faster than what they performed. Honoka sped up her pace and walked through the music room doors.

Maki quit playing the piano and said, "I thought playing it faster would get you there quicker." She glanced at Honoka for a reaction but all she got was a blank stare.

The red-haired girl got up from the seat and started walking around. She stopped by the window and leaned on it while playing with her hair. "Hey, Honoka… Are you ok?"

Honoka wasn't in the mood today because of multiple reasons and responded, "Yeah. Just. Tired."

"Tired," Maki repeated. "Bull crap. You know you can't fool me with that. I know something is up because -"

Honoka cut her off by saying, "because I'm not acting like my usual self? My old self? I know Umi already talked to me."

Maki was taken back but she was not going to budge, "Well? Can you blame us for thinking that? All of a sudden you started acting weird and different… I don't know the right questions to ask because I know you won't give me any answers which is infuriating, but I can try with this one question. If you don't want to answer I can't help you." Maki paused for a few seconds to formulate her question and came up with, "What did being in an idol group mean to you, Honoka?"

Honoka did not expect this question to be honest so she couldn't immediately reply but eventually in a distant voice retorted, "What does being in an idol group mean to me…? I guess, that, even if you are at your weakest, you'll try your best. You'll save one another, though; I couldn't save her. The conversation ceased because of the information that Maki took in. Honoka then nodded and turned around to go home for the day. Little did both of them know that Honoka would disappear the next night.

Present

When Maki finished, the group of girls didn't know exactly what to say or do. Everything was happening so fast.

"I am pretty sure that interaction was the night before she disappeared. Something was weighing on her shoulders but again, she wouldn't say anything to me." Maki finished her sentence with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

The silence didn't last long, Eli broke it by saying, "Well, it's late. I know this is shocking for all of us so I think it's best if we sleep and do our research tomorrow."

"What research?" Hayano was intrigued.

"The research between her and the school board member, summer, Tsubasa, and Chizu," Eli told everyone while looking directly at Hayano.

"Tsubasa?" Rin questioned.

"Yes. I believe she isn't telling us everything. For her to cry when we haven't even, means that they had more of a connection than we thought. That's what I believe." Eli concluded.

The silence was back but this time Eli's little sister spoke this time with her voice shaking, "I have a confession."

All of the girls' eyes rested on which made her sink in her chair. "What is it?" Eli asked her sister.

Arisa's eyes were wandering around the room so she could avoid their intense gazes. "I'm sorry everyone…" She paused because she was getting really nervous but she continued, "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to bring it up earlier because of the constant conversation but, I saw Honoka during the summer when I was out one time." She looked at Yukiho and stood up. She bowed her head as an apology.

"What? Where?" Umi enticed. "Also, why didn't you mention you saw her when I asked her mother?" Umi added.

Arisa was a shy girl that didn't speak much unless she was spoken to directly. She was the opposite of her sister who naturally draws people in. She hated the fact that she was like this, but she's gotten better since she has been friends with Yukiho. Because Yukiho can speak her mind, and because of that, she has gotten better at showing more facial expressions and conversing fluently once the conversation had started.

Arisa lifted her head; her eyes were planted to the ground but slowly rose to meet eyes with the group. She purposely avoided Yukiho's and Eli's gaze because she felt ashamed. She began, "Because I don't know Honoka very well except the love live promotion videos, I felt like I didn't have a place to speak even when Yukiho's mother asked." Arisa took a breath and continued, "During the summer one of my friends needed support… Her father died last year and she wanted me to go with her because she felt like didn't have the courage so I went with her to do a grave visit. Upon arriving, we reached the stone and she immediately started crying and asked for a minute alone. Of course, I gave her wishes and walked around thinking about how many tombstones there were, and then I saw Honoka."

Everyone looked at Arisa as if she had something on her face which made her extremely uncomfortable. "You are sure that was her?" Umi questioned.

"At first I wasn't sure but I snuck around and confirmed it was her. It was extremely inappropriate for me to do that, I know, but I am hundred percent that it was her because of the yellow ribbon that she wore." Arisa went back to sitting down because her legs felt weak. "I saw her face after I looked at her ribbon."

"A grave? What was she doing there?" Kotori probed.

"I'm not sure because I didn't talk to her. She was with this girl. Looked about the same age as her but there was something about her that it seems like she was important." Arisa stammered.

"Someone important…?" Umi grilled Arisa.

"Well, her body was very feminine and she was dressed as if she was also attending a grave visit. Based on their tone and interaction, it seems like they knew each other and she happened to meet Honoka there. I didn't stay to listen to their conversation because I needed to get back to my friend, but before we left, I went back to see if Honoka and the girl were still there. When I found my hiding spot again, they were arguing and the girl started crying. Honoka shouted the same thing that she told Maki but this time the gender was different. She said I couldn't save him and because of that it's my fault that he's dead." Arisa clarified for the group. She cleared her throat and carried on, "I remember her saying that because her voice cracked in the middle of the sentence. It was heartbreaking to her like that… After the girls calmed down, they both hugged and looked at the grave. The both of them left together after that outburst."

"Do you remember the person's name on the tombstone?" Arisa's sister pressed her little sister.

"No, but I can probably remember which tombstone it was because I was behind this tree that was blooming purple flowers and had white stone's circling around it." Arisa's face lifted as she told everyone that.

"They may not be blooming right now, so hopefully that isn't an issue." Nozomi chimed in.

"I don't think it will because the tones circled around the tree and also because I remember getting a glimpse of the color of the nameplate. It was this bright sky blue almost like it was reflecting the sky color like a mirror. I am certain I can find it." Arisa declared.

"That doesn't really tell us why you thought she was important?" Eli hissed slightly. Eli wasn't mad at her little sister she just felt uncomplacent with her actions.

Arisa caught her sister's eyes on her and internally shrunk. "Well, she had a professional idol's face. It was slim and she had make-up that complimented her eyes that I only saw momentarily. I know that sounds weird." Arisa rasped.

"No that sounds valuable and right. Idols generally are skinner than your average Japanese girls. But based on that we can't tell who this person is…You said you didn't recognize her?" Hayano squeaked in confidence.

Arisa smiled at Hayano because she wasn't being harsh. She softly replied, "No. I didn't recognize her. Maybe one of you knew her because you knew her better. I am only here for support which I feel like I didn't do very well. Sorry." Arisa glimpsed at Yukiho who is currently sitting down with her arms across her chest. She didn't look mad but she didn't look happy. That scared Arisa because she refused to lose her best friend due to her inability of talking.

Eli sighed and surmised, "There is probably a connection. Though for now, we will ALL go to sleep and check out the grave tomorrow." Eli hovered over them in an invisible form.

While everyone dispersed, Yukiho grabbed Arisa's shoulder and squeezed it. Arisa tensed up but she expected her to yell at her or slap her because she held valuable information that could answer many of their questions. Arisa turned to face her best friend and met in a deadlock with the burgundy color hair girl. Yukiho honestly didn't know how she should feel about the information that her best friend held within. She wanted to be mad, but she also knows about her friend's trouble when it comes to talking but this felt like betrayal. Yukiho decided to give her grace by squeezing her shoulder one more time and walking away. Arisa felt the second squeeze and felt immensely guilty. She felt Yukiho's hand let go and drop to her side as she was walking away. Arisa watched her best friend's back and thought to herself, I really don't deserve her.

The girls broke into their respective rooms and/or couches. There were a couple that shared a room which was made of Maki/Nico, Eli/Nozomi, and lastly, Umi/Kotori. The other girls were in close proximity of each other while they slept on an extra futon or couch. Arisa was slightly relieved that she didn't have to sleep with Yukiho or Eli because it would have been incredibly awkward.

The lights in the house started turning off one by one. The mood of the house made it unnerving for all of the members, but none of them could gather up the courage to speak against Eli. With that being said, conversation ceased and they all went to sleep.