Author's Note

This chapter was hard to start but end up becoming really fun to write. Though this month… How many chapters is this now? Five? A little scared that I may burn out but I just can't stop at the moment. The song of this chapter is Limited Sky by Arthur Lounsbery. More people may know the song and him better as Kaito Tsukigami. I was surprised when I found out he and Kanata share the same voice actor. Either way, enjoy!

Also heads up, the next chapter with Ako's song will be from Love Live again.

Chapter 29: Muse and Interest, Ako's Own Importance

A few days after Mahiru became a Floral Idol, Ako hasn't managed to produce a new dress or song. While pondering for a solution in the S4 Garden, Kirara suddenly barges in.

Kirara "Ako! Let's to the amusement park!"

Ako looks at Kirara "Amusement Park? Why all of a sudden?"

Kirara "I got an offer to help to open the park and I want to do it with Ako!"

Ako looks at Kirara with a stern face "I would love to but…"

Kirara starting to give Ako puppy eyes and Ako quickly gives in.

Ako sighs "Only if I have time in my schedule."

Kirara leans forward "Then do you have time right now?"

Ako "Eh? I do but…"

Kirara grabs Ako's hand and pulls her "Then let's go! The owner is waiting for our answer!"

Ako blinks "Right now?"

Kirara raises one arm in excitement "Yep! Now to the park!"

When they reach the park, Kirara drags Ako right through the gate. When they enter, they see most of the rides and entertainment are mostly meant for younger kids.

Ako "Eh? This park… an amusement park for little kids?"

A man walks up from the side answers "Not quite. Only the front will be for kids. The back will be a regular amusement park for everyone. "

He then hands them a guide book. Ako and Kirara immediately take a look.

Kirara "The whole park looks fun!"

Ako "This is a really well thought out park. The front is mostly for children. There is also enough room for good security. Then the back is just as you said. Then the center serves as a resting area. It'll be a nice place for parents to take a break while not being too far from their child. The west side even got a petting zoo. Then the east is... a stage?"

He nods "Yes, I want to make this a place where idols can have regular live stages often. So… I was hoping you girls can do it. Ah, I'm the owner, Kazama Shin."

Ako greets and asks "Nice to meet you and I don't mind but what day is it?"

Kazama immediately answers "It's next week Saturday at one. The opening ceremony is at 10. So there is a three-hour gap in between. I understand this is quite a lot to ask but… is it possible?"

Kirara complains "Ahhh! I really want to! But I don't have time. I have a recording at noon."

Ako "Then I guess this is not possible…"

Kirara "No, Ako should go on stage."

Ako "Eh? But…"

Ako looks at that man and he is looking at her with high expectations.

Ako smiles "If you guys are okay with me, then I'll do it!"

Kazama looks relieved "Great, then can we talk about the plan in detail right now? Of course, I know this is sudden so it's okay if you are busy."

Ako "It's alright, I'm free right now."

Kirara then butts in "But weren't you trying to write a new song?"

Ako "Kirara!"

Kazama "Is it for the Floral Idol? If it is alright with you, we would love to have you use the stage for it."

Ako looks surprised "Is it alright?"

Kirara "Ako's new song while on the stage of a new park, that's amazing. Ah, but what about the dress?"

Ako "About that, instead of the song, I'm troubled by the dress a lot more. Everyone's new dress is amazing, a half baked dress won't do."

Kirara "Then leave it to me! I know Ako the best!"

Ako "What?"

Kirara continues "In exchange, I want Ako to design my dress when it's my turn!"

Ako "Wait, why should I…"

Kazama laughs and Ako stops while looking at him.

He apologizes "Sorry, you two really are close. As expected from the double muse."

Ako looks at him and then at Kirara "Alright, I'll leave it to you. However, my expectation is high!"

Kirara nods "Of course!"

Ako then turns to Kazama "Well, as you can see, I'll be standing on your stage for my Floral Idol Challenge."

Kazama "Wonderful, then should we talk about the detail inside?"

Kirara "Yes! But before that, is the park operational yet?"

Kazama dumbfoundedly answers "Yes."

Kirara grabs Ako and Kazama's hand and runs "Then let's enjoy ourselves first!"

Ako "Wait, Kirara!"

Kazama "Me too?"

The two of them follow Kirara and enjoy themselves in the park. While talking about the opening project and Ako's stage from time to time. Before they knew, the sun is starting to set.

Ako "Ah, the time! Sorry, I have a recording soon."

Kazama "Don't worry, we managed to go through everything. I'll let you know if there is any change."

Ako "Thanks, let's do our best! I'll be taking my leave now." Ako then runs off.

Kazama then looks at Kirara "You are really looking out for her."

Kirara "I just want to see Ako shine more, that's it. With that said… Let's go!"

Kirara then drags Kazama around his park and play for another few hours.

After Ako finishes his recording session, everyone starts to clean up.

Staff "Thanks for the good work."

Ako "You too, thanks for the good work."

Staff "Ah, that's right. Ako, are you also trying to become a Floral Idol?"

Ako nods "Of course! As part of the S4, there is no way I won't become one after Yume and Mahiru."

Staff "Hahaha, that's good. To be honest, my daughter is a big fan of yours. She keeps asking me if you will become one."

Staff then proceed to show a picture of him and his daughter in a cute dress.

Ako smiles "She is cute."

The staff puts up a big grin on his face "Right? She even said she wants to become an idol like you when she grows up."

Ako "I'm sure she'll be able to reach her dream. I'll look forward to it."

Staff laughs for a bit "I'll make sure to let her know. My daughter will be overjoyed. Ah, sorry for holding you back. You must be tired."

Ako shakes her hands in denial "No no, I'm okay. There is still some time until my next job too."

Staff smiles "Well, you should take a rest. This recording did take longer than expected."

Ako nods "Alright, then I'll be leaving."

As Ako is walking down the hall, she tries to think up lyrics for her song. However, nothing comes to her and sighs. Then a man with familiar voice complains from behind her.

Man "What's with the sigh? This isn't like you."

Ako turns around and as if she already knew, it is Kanata.

Ako complains "Serious, why do you always show up at the worst time?"

Kanata "Who knows, maybe it's just fate."

Ako "And this is just a terrible fate."

Even though Ako retorts like always, she didn't have the energy she usually has.

Kanata asks seriously "What's wrong?"

Ako reluctantly answers "It's just my new song, I'm not sure what to write."

Kanata "Just write what you want. If it is important, it will become a song."

Ako sighs "Look, if it is that easy, then we would have tons of songs already."

Kanata retorts "I did say if it is important. If it is not something important enough for you, then it won't click with you."

Ako "You say it as if that's how you write your song. But you haven't write any."

Kanata "I did."

Ako screams "When!" then lowers her volume "I know you never wrote anything for M4."

Kanata "That's right, it's something Subaru and I decided to do for ourselves. I got mine ready first though."

Ako "No way! Subaru will be having a solo debut?"

Kanata "Well, that's how it is. Here…"

Kanata hands out a ticket and Ako receives it.

Kanata then says "I'll have my live stage in a few days. If you haven't managed to write any decent lyrics, then come see my live. I'll be sure to show you what I mean."

Ako stares at Kanata "Haan? Why should I see your live? If anything, I want to see Subaru's!"

Kanata "Subaru won't be completing his song anytime soon. He is getting way too distracted lately. Either way, make sure you come. I guarantee you won't regret it."

Kanata then turns around and begins to walk off. Ako try to stop him but didn't pursue him.

A few days later, Ako is still struggling with her lyrics in the S4 Garden.

Ako "Ahhh! Why can't I think of something nice? I don't want to go to Kanata's live."

Ako takes out the ticket and looks at it while leaning on the table "But… Maybe it will help me."

Rola walks in "Ako? Are you okay?"

Ako sits up and looks at Rola "Yeah, I just don't know what to do."

Rola walks towards Ako and sees the ticket "What's that?"

Ako gives monotonous answers "Kanata's live."

Rola then teases Ako "Heh? When did you two get so close?"

Ako "Close? Don't joke around, Me and Kanata? I have no interest in him!"

Rola looks surprised "Eh? I never said anything about being interested in him. Ako, are you…"

Ako cuts off Rola's sentence "Anyways! I need to go somewhere! I'll see you later!"

Ako runs off and leaves Rola with a misunderstanding.

Ako goes into the city and finds herself at the stadium Kanata will be having his performance.

Ako "In the end, I'm here."

Kanata then pets Ako's shoulder "What are you doing out here?"

Ako jumps aways and begin point finger at Kanata "Wha, What are you… Don't scare me like that!"

Kanata looks at Ako for a moment and laughs.

Ako starts to get mad "What are you laughing about?"

Kanata "Hahaha, it's just, every single time, your reaction is just amazing. Seeing gets my mood up every time. To be honest, I was a little worried about my new song. However, you helped me get over it."

Ako "Eh, well… I guess that's good."

Kanata smiles and grabs Ako's hand "Alright, let's hurry in."

Kanata then drags Ako in.

Ako "Ah wait, why am I keep getting dragged around? Seriously!"

After Kanata drags her in, he shows her the stage. It is a decent size with a capacity of about 3000 people.

Kanata asks Ako "What do you think?"

Ako "This is quite big. I can see why you get nervous. Especially when this is a solo live in such a long time."

Kanata nods "But I'm alright now, all thanks to you."

Ako looks away "I guess… You are welcome."

Kanata "Alright, people are starting to come in. I should get ready. Ako, watch me okay?"

Ako blushes "Wha? Of course! Since I'm already here, I'll at least do that."

As Kanata walks away, he curses and gives thanks to Subaru.

Kanata thinks "Subaru, your suggestion to write a song ended up making me remember my past. Seriously, you knew how much trouble I had to go through to convince my parents for letting me be an idol. But…"

He takes a glance at Ako and then looks forward happily "I'm glad all of this end up become more meaningful than I expected."

As Kanata stands on the stage, he is dressed in a fancy schoolboy outfit. The music starts to play and Kanata dances on the stage for a while.

Kanata "To the cloudless sky. I reached out my hands as a child. Before I knew it, with these hands I could not reach the distance, so I gave up."

Kanata stops his dance and sings calmly "I was always chasing after someone's back and all the things I had. Slowly, they started to look fake."

Immediately after, his wild dance resumes "No matter how much I walked, there was a place I couldn't get to. The picture of myself that I imagined was rejected. Screaming and crying, praying with all my heart. Releasing my hoarse voice into the infinite sky."

As Kanata's performance goes on, the fans are getting more and more heat up.

Ako looks at Kanata closely and thought "Kanata… Is this what you mean by important? Your struggle to take the first step to become an idol, it is all in the lyrics. But for me, the important things are…"

Ako then remembers the staff with his daughter. As well as every time the children that go to see her live stage.

Ako smiles and looks at Kanata carefully and thinks "Seriously, you really are an annoying guy."

As soon as the performance ends, Ako leaves.

After Kanata goes back to his waiting room, his phone rings with notification. He picks it up and takes a look. It is a message from Ako with a single word "Thanks."

Kanata smiles and chuckles "Such a short message, I guess I still a long way to go."