Chapter 41 – A Sudden Summer Surprise
Azusa's POV
*SOUND OF ALARM CLOCK*
"*groan* Seriously? I thought I turned off this thing…" I complained to myself as I shut off the alarm on my clock (for, like…the 11th time). I had just gotten through exams the day before and starting today I was going to sleep in past 5:30 in the morning.
I hate living far from school…
This may be pretty lazy coming from me. But I don't have much to do this summer. A first for me, really. It's mainly because most of the others are busy with other things this summer.
What these other things are supposed to be are…
*LAST WEEK…*
"Huh? You guys are busy this summer?"
"I know, right?" Ritsu-senpai said to me as we sat in "Knock-Off McDonalds" eating some food after taking exams. "Usually, we all go on a training camp of some sort to Mugi's villa. But…I'm actually busy with something else this year."
"With what?"
"I got a summer job."
…
…
…
"Who the hell are you and have you've done with Ritsu?" The five of us asked.
"Oh, that's really funny." Ritsu-senpai retorted in an insulted tone.
"S-Sorry, Ricchan." Yui-senpai said. "It's just…you and "working" are rarely in the same sentence. At least in a positive way."
"As if you're one to talk, Yui! You're just as lazy as me!"
"Well, I'm working on that. Now that Himeko and I are together, I've been a lot more active lately. Though, nothing beats lounging around and cuddling with my Hime-chan. A whole summer with her is an unexpected dream come true. *giggle*"
You've also gotten a lot flirtier, Yui-senpai…
"I still can't believe you and Himeko-san are actually going out, Yui." Mio-senpai said. "I didn't even notice she had feelings for you."
"Yeah, me neither." Ritsu-senpai added. "It was a total shock when you told us earlier."
"Eh…I knew about it." Miharu-senpai said.
"Huh? What do you mean? How?"
"Himeko asked me for advice for how to confess to Yui. I showed her this technique that usually works in Paris…but she said it was too embarrassing to try out."
"It being from Paris, I can easily understand why…" Mio-senpai gained a sweatdrop.
"Hey, don't look so doubtful, Mio. I've heard that a girl in our class has a deep crush for you, too."
"Wh-What?!"
"Miharu…shush." Mugi-senpai said as she covered her half-sister's mouth.
"Anyway…what's this summer job, Ritsu-senpai?" I asked.
"Uh…s-some café in Harajuku. N-Not that well-known, either. So, it really isn't a big deal. Hahahaha…"
"I see…"
Why did she sound so nervous when saying that?
"You're going to Harajuku too, Ritsu?" Miharu-senpai asked. "That's where I'm going, too."
"Huh? For what?"
"I promised Zoé that I would take her to see her older sister. She's a college student from that same art school Rise and Iyo go to."
"Really?" I asked. "I didn't know Zoé-san had an older sister living here."
"She moved her last year, believe it or not. A few months before I did."
"And it's even crazier that they both come from the same town in France." Mugi-senpai added.
"Wow…" The rest of us were shocked by the sudden coincidences.
"But will you both be okay going to Harajuku on your own?" I asked. "Neither one of you have ever been there."
"Well, Ui's coming with us. So, it should be fine."
"Really, now? She never brought that up with me…" Yui-senpai said in a sad and quiet tone.
Her feelings for Ui are still lingering…Hopefully, Tachibana-senpai can truly help her get rid of them.
"W-Well, that's three. What are you doing this summer, Mio-chan?" Mugi senpai asked.
"Well…this may seem odd, but I'm actually going to Takaoka this summer."
"Takaoka?" Ritsu-senpai asked. "The same district in which you question its livelihood any chance you get? You're going THERE?"
"O-Okay, yes. That place often destroys my sanity whenever something happens there. But I have a good normal reason for going there."
"And that is…"
"I'm helping Furutani-san with her soccer training camp."
"W-Wait…what?" Yui-senpai and Mugi-senpai asked.
"Himawari plays soccer? Since when?" Ritsu-senpai asked.
"She started this year. Though, from what I heard, she's been into the sport since middle school."
"Geez…that's something I didn't expect from her."
"I thought she sucked at sports due to her ginormous chest." I said.
"C-Come on, Azusa. They're not THAT big." Mio-senpai said with a faint blush.
"Wait, how big are they?" Miharu-senpai asked.
"You remember Yuri-san from Okinawa?" Mugi-senpai said.
"Yeah…"
"It's rumored that she and Himawari-san have the same chest size. But Himawari-san never wants to compare them and Yuri-san seems to be oblivious on the matter."
"Which pisses us off beyond compare…" Ritsu-senpai, Yui-senpai, and I added. Still upset that a 13-year-old beats us all in chest size.
"I see…" Miharu-senpai gained a sweatdrop.
"So, what are you two doing since we're not doing a training camp this year?" Mio-senpai asked Mugi-senpai and me.
"Well…" Mugi-senpai said. "…I don't really have anything planned. A first for me since…y-you know."
"Right…" We all said.
"I don't have anything, either." I said. "My mom's going to be home this month so I'll probably just stay with her."
"What about Jun?" Ritsu-senpai asked.
"She said something about helping out a deaf girl with some competition in Kichijōji. So, she's staying there for the summer."
"Who does she know in Kichijōji?"
"Not sure. She said that Patty knows her."
"Huh…well, I guess we're all doing our own thing this summer. Can't wait to hear everyone else's stories."
"Let's just hope you'll even get to yours by passing the exams." Mio-senpai said.
"Ugh! Why'd you had to bring that up, Mio?"
"We still have three more days. Let us try to forget for a while." Yui-senpai added.
"And yet, you two wonder why you're failing…" Mio-senpai said with a facepalm.
*PRESENT TIME*
So, yeah…everyone's on their own this summer. Kinda sucks since…for one, this is my last chance to spend summer with the third-years. And second…I won't be able to spend any time with Miharu-senpai. I was kinda hoping to be as cuddly with her as Yui-senpai and Tachibana-senpai are.
*sigh* Aw, well…after summer break is the school trip. Maybe I can somehow sneak off with her to wherever the third-years are going. It'll sure beat going to freaking Kyoto. That cliché dump of a…
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Azusa…it's almost noon. When are you going to get up?" I heard my mom's voice from behind my bedroom door.
"But, Mom…it's summer. Let me sleep in, please…"
"Just because it's summer doesn't mean you can be lazy all day. You're not a freaking cat."
"Meow…"
"Quit screwing around and get out of bed! We have a visitor."
"*whine* Fine…"
I finally got out of bed and looked at myself in the mirror. My long black hair…not tied into its usual twintails…was messy as hell. but I didn't do much to it. Just brushed it a few times and called it quits. Very few people know this about me…but I can be very lazy when it comes to looking all cute and stuff. I'm not a tomboy or anything. It's just…unless it's for school or some important event going on, I couldn't care less about looking like a decent cute girl. If we as females weren't stereotyped to be this delicate proper cute & sexy girly-girl made to satisfy men, the world would be a better place.
…
As if that will ever happen, though…
"*yawn* Morning…" I said as I came into the living room.
"You sure took your time." Mom said to me.
"I couldn't help it. There were a few times where I almost fell right back asleep in the hallway. And I was having the sweetest dream about Miharu-senpai, too~. Why'd you wake me up~?"
"I swear…you are something else in the mornings, Azusa…" My mom gained a sweatdrop.
This is a common thing in the mornings here. I struggle to get out of bed, my mom gets me out of bed (multiple times), and I eventually get out of bed…not caring about how I look…and whine to the point where I annoy her. It's clockwork.
It may seem chaotic…but it really isn't that bad. After all, it's only us two who live in this 2-bedroom apartment. No one else, really.
…
…
…
Well, okay…I do have a father around. But I don't like bringing up that bastard. In fact, he can rot in Hell for all I care. And as to why I say that…
…
…That's a story for a later time.
"So, who's this *yawn* visitor you were talking about?"
"Oh, right. She went to the bathroom while I was trying to get you out of bed. You shouldn't keep your guests waiting, you know. Especially since this one was really excited to see you."
"Who would be excited to see…Gah?!"
"*giggle* So, I see that you're still a whiny baby in the mornings huh, cousin?"
No way…that voice…
After having my eyes uncovered, I turned behind me to see a girl with black twin-tailed hair with the tips being dyed green. She's a little taller than me…only beating me by 6cm…but the fact that I was looking at her face-to-face right now was rather shocking.
"Wh-What the…Yu?!"
"Hey, Azusa! Long time no see!"
This girl was named Yu Takasaki. She's my cousin that lives in Odaiba, an artificial island here in Japan…and thus, pretty damn far from Shiga. So, my mind is really blown as to how and why she's here so suddenly.
"Crazy, huh?" Mom said. "I was about to head to the store when I opened the door and there she was standing there. I was shocked myself."
"So, you have no idea why she's here either…" I gained a sweatdrop.
"Geez, I thought I would be welcomed with open arms. But instead, I'm getting sweatdrops and confused looks." Yu said.
"Because you're suddenly here in Shiga when you freaking live in Odaiba. How'd you even get through Tokyo so fast, anyway?"
"Easy. I YOLO'd the subway system and ended up here. Pretty lucky that I got it right on the first try. Those things are HUGE!"
"Y-You…YOLO'd the subway system?" Mom asked.
"*sigh* Yu, I swear…your protag luck is truly freaking ridiculous." I said with a facepalm.
"Anyway, as to why I'm here…I kinda need a favor from you, Azusa. Like, a big one."
"A favor?"
"Well, you see…I recently became fascinated with these performers called school idols after seeing one perform back home. So much so that I sought out my school's idol club and now I'm the manager and songwriter. Seeing those girls sing their hearts out like no other is a freaking dream come true. A recent one, but it still counts."
"Well, that sounds fun." Mom said.
"I guess…" I added. "…but knowing what school idols are, the idea of being one sounds really embarrassing."
"Oh, you're just saying that because you can't sing." Yu said.
"I-I can sing! Why else would I be in a freaking band?!"
"If you can sing, then let me hear a few notes."
…
…
…
"W-Well…I-I just woke up and all. I-It takes a while for me to be fully ready, you know? Don't want to break my wonderful singing voice, right?"
"You're a terrible liar…"
"I don't need your input!" I retorted my mom.
"So, what's this favor you need, Yu?"
"Well, you see…at the end of the month, we're having this event called the School Idol Festival. A huge concert that celebrates the existence of school idols and everyone's love for them. I'm in charge of gathering up as many of them as I can for this special concert. But…honestly…"
"But what?" I asked.
"…A-Aside from Ayumu, a first-year from my school, and a second-year from a different school that I know of, I don't know any school idols on a personal scale. And I've run out of people to call upon rather quickly."
"Wait, Ayumu's a school idol? What, did you force her into this recent passion of yours?"
"N-No! She likes them, too! In fact, she became a school idol all on her own! And I've been supporting her all the way!"
"Huh…"
Totally not like her to do such a thing…
"Anyway…I figured since you've done performances with your own band, I figured that you knew any idols that could help me out and take part in this festival. So…know any?"
"Okay…that's a pretty big problem." I said. "But honestly, Yu…I don't know any school idols. Or any idols, for that matter."
"Aw, what? But you gotta know SOMEONE!"
"I don't. I play guitar in a high school band that plays Pop Rock music that's mostly about being the girliest girl in the history of Japan. Thanks to Mio-senpai. I don't know anyone."
"But…But…But what about that girl?!"
"What girl?"
"That girl who did a last-minute solo performance at the music festival in Okinawa! She's one of your friends, right?!"
I stopped and thought hard about what she just said. I knew who she was talking about…but my mind was now in shock because she somehow knew about that.
"Wait…you mean Mugi-senpai? Yu, she's not an idol. We just did that for her because she was dealing with some life-altering issues."
"But she can sing, right? I was so mesmerized when I first heard her voice. It was like an angel possessed her soul or something like that."
"Wait, how do you even know about this? Were you in Okinawa?"
"No. Someone filmed her performance and posted it on YouTube. It was on the Trending page for a good while, too."
"What?" I then brought out my phone and searched up the video on YouTube. Once I found it…
Holy crap…1.8 million views, nearly 15,000 likes, and over 3,000 comments…most of them positive. I do think Mugi-senpai has a great singing voice…but to think that THIS many people believe the same thing…it's insane!
"Wow…I didn't think Mugi-senpai would become this popular after just one song."
"See what I mean? She's already being compared to actual idols like Lyrica and μ! Even being referred to as one of their rivals! It's made a HUGE stir in the school idol community!"
"I see…" I gained a sweatdrop. Still shocked about this massive popularity that one of my senpais has.
"So…can you like…convince her somehow to take part in this festival? C'mon, cousin. I'm in a dire situation here. I really want this festival to go well. To show everyone the true magical beauty of school idols. That…will truly make me happy."
"Yu…" I then went silent.
She really is passionate about this, huh? I've never seen her put so much love, care, and effort into anything else. Especially not that piano career she was forced into as a kid.
Plus…Mugi-senpai did look like she enjoyed singing up there. That smile she had when the performance was over was the biggest one I've seen on her in the nearly 2 years I've known her.
Maybe by doing this…both of them can be happy?
"*sigh* Alright. Maybe I can convince her…" I said as I started texting Mugi-senpai.
"YES! THANK YOU SO MUCH, AZUSA! YOU'RE THE BEST!" Yu cheered as she hugged me greatly.
"This is rather kind of you." Mom said. "And also rare of you. To be this considerate just minutes after you wake up. Shows that you really are only useless in the mornings."
"Again…I don't need your input." I retorted with a pissed off look.
*NOTIFICATION CHIME*
"She replied back." I looked at my phone. "She said she's on her way."
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
…
…
…
"Th-That was fast…" Mom said.
"Mugi-senpai's pretty athletic…but to get here this fast is…"
"Heeey! Azusa! Open the door! It's an emergency!"
"Aw, geez. I know that voice." I then got up to answer the door. And on the other side was my other cousin Aoi. The one who got stuck working for a sunflower for Golden Week.
"Azusa! Quick, gimme all your marshmallows! I just found the BIGGEST money-maker yet! *giggle*"
"It hasn't even been a full day of summer break and you're already concocting ways to make a quick buck. You really love scamming people, huh?"
"They're not scams! Just gimme marshmallows!"
"*sigh*" I facepalmed hard.
She just never learns…
"I thought I recognized that voice…Hey, there, Aoi."
"Wh-What? Yu? What are you doing here?"
"She came by to ask for a favor." I said. "Come in and we'll tell you about it."
"So, you'll give me some marshmallows?"
"I'm not giving you any marshmallows!"
"Why do you want marshmallows?" Yu asked.
"Simply put…if I get enough, I'll have ¥3,500 by the end of today. Easy money, baby! Hahahaha!"
"I-I see…" Yu gained a sweatdrop. "So, she's still into these quick buck schemes, huh?" She then asked me.
"Yep. Pretty much." I replied with a sweatdrop of my own.
Sumire's POV
"I wonder why Azusa-chan texted me saying she wants me over at her place."
"Maybe it is because you both do not have anything to do this summer." I said to Onee-chan as we were both heading for Nakano-senpai's home.
"Yeah, I guess…although, it rarely ever is just the two of us. We're usually with the other three. Or, four nowadays."
"There is always room for change, Onee-chan. Much like how we've been doing lately."
"*giggle* Yeah, that's true." Onee-chan smiled a little. "By the way, Sumire…is it okay for you to come along and leave Mikuru-chan with all the work?"
"It is fine, Onee-chan. From what Mikuru-san told me, the hotel is always closed during the summer for maintenance. She and Tamura-san usually use this time to take a vacation of their own."
"I see…well, as long as everything's fine. Now, where would Azusa-chan's place be?" Onee-chan went looking on her phone for the directions she was sent.
"Did she not say that she lives in an apartment? It should be around here, correct?"
"Yeah, it should…uh…Oh! There it is!" We then saw the apartment complex just a few meters away from where we stood.
"Wow…so this is an apartment. I've seen these a lot in the yuri manga back home. Used as the setting for the love-making."
"Yes, it is truly exciting. But...let's not mention the love-making while we're here. Azusa-chan might not like that. Considering that she's in a relationship."
"Oh, right. Sure thing, Onee-chan."
We reached the apartment complex and knocked on the door of the Nakano residence. And not long after, the door opened and revealed the black messy-haired second-year that we knew as a friend.
She looks like she just woke up…
"Mugi-senpai, you made it. And Sumire-san's here, too?"
"Neither one of us had anything to do. So, I brought her along. Hope that's okay."
"Sure, it's fine. Come in, both of you."
"Pardon the intrusion." We both said before entering the small residence. There, we saw two other girls talking with each other. One with long black hair (which was neater than Nakano-senpai's) and the other with black twin-tailed hair with the tips being dyed green.
And the conversation they were having was…rather odd.
"So, how exactly are marshmallows supposed to make you lots of money in a single day?" The twin-tailed girl asked.
"It's super easy." The long-haired girl said. "You gather tons of marshmallows, stuff them in a jar, and then take them to a special machine over in Akihabara and it'll give you money for them! It's so easy that it makes robbing a bank look like a joke!"
"Robbing a bank shouldn't be easy in the first place…" The former girl gained a sweatdrop.
"Uh…are these girls friends of yours, Azusa-chan?" Onee-chan asked.
"Well, no. These are actually my two cousins. Aoi Isurugi and Yu Takasaki. The latter of which is why I asked you to come here, Mugi-senpai."
"Really? What's this reason?"
"Well…"
*ONE EXPLANATION LATER…*
"S-Sing at an idol festival? I-In Odaiba?" Onee-chan barely said after Nakano-senpai had explained what was going on.
"This may seem like a joke…but it really is true."
"I didn't even know there were idols in Odaiba." I said.
"Yeah, me neither." Isurugi-san added. "Given how seclusive Odaiba is."
"It isn't that seclusive." Takasaki-san said. "We're still up-to-date with all the different trends people here on the mainland are into. We're just on a man-made island, that's all."
"I see…" Was all I said.
"Um…why even come to me about this?" Onee-chan asked. "I'm not even an idol."
"That's true, Kotobuki-san. But after your performance in Okinawa, people have been DYING to hear you sing again. It's all the idol forums could ever talk about nowadays."
"There are idol forums?" Nakano-senpai asked.
"Duh. There are forums for everything. Idols, anime, video games, music…even ones for stuff we can't bring up because of this story's current age rating."
"I see…"
So, she is aware of the 4th wall…
"You're bluffing, right? No way am I that popular. Especially after one single performance."
"Wanna bet? Look up your name on YouTube. Someone actually filmed your performance."
"Wh-What?" Onee-chan then took out her phone and searched up her name on YouTube. The video that popped up was definitely not what we were expecting.
"W-Woah…the view count…"
"And the number of likes, too…" I said. "…Onee-chan, you really are popular."
"And look at the comments." Takasaki-san said. "People are comparing you to the likes of Lyrica and μ. Easily calling you their rival."
"A-A rival?! T-To Lyrica and μ?! N-No way…"
"Wow…to be referred as a rival to Yui must be a pretty big deal."
"Aoi!" Nakano-senpai yelled at her cousin.
"What? Just sayin'."
"Who's Yui?" Takasaki-san asked.
"Someone we know. No big deal, really." Nakano-senpai said.
"Huh…okay, then."
She sure shrugged that off quickly…
"Anyway, Mugi-senpai…that's pretty much why I asked you to come here. Yu really needs help with this school idol festival and…well, you're the only one out of all of us who's, for one, free…but can also sing really good. And nearly 2,000,000 people seem to agree."
"Well, there's no denying that part…" Onee-chan said. "…But…I get rather embarrassed when I sing to people. Plus, I'm not a school idol. I wouldn't know what to do on a stage like that."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that part." Takasaki-san said. "Other school idols are taking part in it, too. So, you could ask them for advice."
"Well…okay, but…"
"Come on, Onee-chan." I said to her. "It would be rather fun to see you sing on stage again. Plus, it will give you something to do during the summer."
"That is true, Sumire…but even then…"
"Come on, Senpai. It won't be that bad." Nakano-senpai said. "Even with your lack of knowledge about school idols, I'm sure you'll have a great time."
"Well…I guess…"
"Please, Kotobuki-san!" Takasaki-san was now begging at this point. "You're the only person I currently know who can sing really well. I'm not just doing this for the hell of it. I want to show the whole country…possibly the entire world…just how great school idols are. And this festival is a huge step in making that dream a reality. So, please…help me out. This truly means a lot to me."
"It does, huh?" Onee-chan went silent for a good while. I can tell she was thinking long and hard about the sudden request she was given. To sing in front of a huge crowd once more…and to be labeled as an idol. Something that she had no knowledge or interest in for as long as I've known her.
And then…after a few seconds of silence…
"O-Okay…I-I'll do it. I'll try out this…school idol thing."
"YES! Thank you SO much, Kotobuki-san! You don't know how much of a lifesaver you are!" Takasaki-san cheered greatly.
"It's fine, Takasaki-san. All of this idol stuff does make me a little curious."
"I am sure you'll be a great idol, Onee-chan." I said.
"I think so too, Mugi-senpai. You'll do great out there." Nakano-senpai added.
"*sigh* Thanks, you two."
"So, we can meet up in Odaiba on Wednesday, right?" Takasaki-san asked. "That should give me enough time to add Kotobuki-san to the roster."
"That's fine." Nakano-senpai said.
"Wait, so…you're ALL going to Odaiba?" Isurugi-san asked.
"Well, I'm going to support my senpai and bandmate."
"And she is my sister." I added. "W-Well, not by blood. But it still counts."
"Well, then I wanna come, too. I got nothing to do this summer and I'm gonna be bored as hell."
"Weren't you just going out of your way to get a bunch of marshmallows?" Nakano-senpai asked.
"Yeah, but who knows how long that's going to last? I didn't plan anything after that and I'm almost out of people to ask for marshmallows."
"Why is she asking people for marshmallows?" Onee-chan asked Takasaki-san.
"Our cousin is the type of person who would do almost anything to make a quick buck. Even if it's completely ridiculous."
"I see…"
"*sigh* Fine. But only if Hiro tags along. I don't trust you roaming around Odaiba by yourself."
"What am I, a child?"
"A scamming one, yes."
"Ugh! Lame!"
"So…I'm going to become an idol. I can surely say that this is going to be the most eventful summer break I've ever had."
"I'm sure you will do fine, Onee-chan." I said to her. "After all…I will be there to support you."
"Thank you, Sumire. Hearing that makes me a little better about all of this." Onee-chan gained a small smile. And seeing it made me happy, as well.
…
But I can tell from her demeanor…she wants Miharu to witness this moment, as well.
I wonder what she is doing now…
Author's Note: The Summer Break Arc has begun! And it starts out with…Mugi becoming an idol? This will definitely be one summer she will never forget.
Yu Takasaki, Azusa and Aoi's cousin, is actually a character from the Love Love! series. Specifically, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club (I know. Long name). She, Honoka, and other characters from the series will make an appearance during this arc. But I can't say who, yet. You'll just have to be patient.
Next chapter will focus on Miharu, Zoé, and Ui as the trio make their way to Harajuku. And have some interesting encounters of their own. Thanks for reading. Later.
