Chapter 02: Memories

"Papa, are you serious?!" Maki exclaimed on the man in a white coat in front of her.

"Yes, Maki. We're serious." He answered. "Now, just be a good girl and come with him. Your Mom and I still have things to do in the hospital, alright?" The two turned their backs and rode another car and left the school grounds, Maki stood in shock. Oh dear god, they are serious and making me marry this… kind of guy? She was frozen.

"Hey, you alright?" Masato waved his hand in just an inch away from Maki's face which made her startled.

"What now!?" Maki glared at him. "And why do you seem to be so calm about this matter?" she added.

"Simple, I've been engaged a few times with two different people in the span of… three months?" He raised a brow. "Well, the previous one lasted for two months, while the first one didn't even last a month, about 2 weeks or so?" crossing his arms, he tried to think it over and over.

Two different girls? In just three months? Just who is he? Maki thought to herself.

"By the way, I am A-RISE's Composer and Lyricist. Yuuki Masato. A pleasure to meet you, Nishikino Maki. µ's composer." He introduced as he offered his hand for a shake. "I apologize for my momentary ungentlemanliness." Masato smiled at her. "I look forward to being with you, maybe you can surpass the record that my previous fiancé did." Those were the last words Maki heard after entering his car. During the trip, they barely talked about themselves, or anything. Until they arrived at the Nishikino residence, they both stood silent.


The next morning, Masato woke up normally. He was looking at the engagement ring he was forced to wear—again. "I swear I really loved that last girl. If only I didn't get overboard." He covered his face with his pillow, then throwing it on the side and quickly standing up to get ready for the day—cooking breakfast, ironing uniforms, and fixing up things for school. Masato then made his way to a door with a plate written "Anju's room", he turned the knob and went inside.

There was a sleeping princess on the gigantic bed inside the room. He sat at the side of the bed and lightly tapped the girl's left cheek and she woke up instantly.

"Good morning Masa-nii." She sat on her bed and rubbed her eyes a bit. It was not surprising for him to hear his little sister's sexy voice in the morning, after all, it's morning and it's her voice, he doesn't have the power to change it at his own will, and if he is to change it, her singing voice would surely change too.

"Good morning, Anju. C'mon take a bath, or we're gonna be late for school."

Anju snorted. She stood up and went to her room's shower.

On their Unit's living room, Masato sat on the sofa as he drank his coffee. He was watching the morning news as he wait for his little sister to dress on her uniform.

Latest Single sales! µ's surpassing A-RISE's sales? This is new, huh?

He quickly turned the TV off.

"Masato-nii?" Anju just finished combing her hair when she saw her big brother looking a bit angry after the recent news.

"Come on, I'll still discuss the new single with you three." He made his way to the unit's entrance to unlock it. "Anju, hurry up." With the kindest voice he could make, he called out Anju.


"Serves him right!" It was rare for µ's to see Maki this way.

"What? You're still not over from what he said yesterday?" Eli sighed at the sight of her co-member.

"Of course! I'm a girl, and those aren't appropriate to be said to girls…" Maki evaded everyone's eyes.

Her phone rang, it was from her mother.

"Uhm… Yes mama? Un.. Yeah… I'm going to tell them." She hung up.

"Er… Guys, would you like to go on a cruise?" Everyone in µ's had their eyes sparkling, with just those, Maki didn't even wait for their replies and instantly e-mailed her mother about them. "Come with me then, I'm buying you lot of dresses." She breathed heavily, "I-It's not like I really wanted you all to come with me or something, it's just that my mother told me to buy you formal dresses suited for that party… y'know? It has this thing called… Theme or something…" She was blushing while twirling a few strands of her hair on her fingers.

"Maki-chan… so rich…" Rin can't help herself but to look at Maki on a different light.

"Not just that, but she also have herself this rich guy from UTX as her boyfriend! Waaa, I'm so jealous~" Honoka added.

"C-Cut it out, everyone. I-I don't even like that guy…" Maki had her cheeks puffed up, which everyone found cute of her. "And, Mama said the car is waiting outside, let's go everyone." She grabbed her bag and quickly went out of the club room.


"So, how long do we wait here?"

It's been thirty minutes since they arrived in front of Otonokizaka High School. A huge limousine was where they were leaning on as they wait for their guests. It was Masato and the members of the A-RISE. All of them are all on the same level but different sections, Erena and Anju are on the same class, and Tsubasa and Masato are on one of the Star Sections.

"Well, until they arrive?" Erena crossed her arms, thinking of a better answer to give the currently annoyed composer.

"Masato, patience is a virtue. We should be polite to wait for them, though they just stole the number one position in the charts from us." Tsubasa leaned beside Masato, she then looked at him in a kind of lecturing look.

"Now, now. I'm sure they'll arrive soon." Anju reassured them.

Masato then sighed, he placed his arm around Tsubasa to pull her closer to him. The sudden movements made the girl blush, then with his other hand, he started rubbing her huge forehead. All the redness on her face disappeared, all that remained was her eagerness to flip him upside down. Even so, she tried it.

"Hey, what are you doing?" She asked. The other two, Erena and Anju, wanted to stop Masato from rubbing Tsubasa's forehead.

"I've actually heard some rumors in UTX that if you rub Tsubasa's forehead three times, or more, a genie will come out to grant your wishes." He answered while still rubbing her forehead. "I'm up for wishing Tsubasa to grow taller!" Masato enthusiastically added.

"Stop it!" Tsubasa tried moving away his hand from his forehead. But all of them fell silent when Erena brought out something.

"If the genie from Tsubasa's forehead is true and is granting any wishes, what will you wish for?"

"Of course, it's for that girl to comeback."

Soon, there was a group of nine girls walking towards them.

"Took you so long, huh?" Masato raised a brow as he looked at Maki.

"So?" She retorted.

Meanwhile, Honoka and Rin, had their jaw dropping on their first time seeing a limousine. "W-Wow… Maki-chan, are we really going to ride this?" with eyes sparkling of excitement, they looked at Maki.

"Of course. W-We're gonna ride that."


On the ships forecastle, Maki felt the strong wind past her face. It's been a while since she last rode a cruise ship, and it's also been a while since she last had a time alone with the seas. There, she started singing Mermaid Festa vol. 1, a song not centered by her, but a song about a mermaid. She was singing her heart out when she heard someone clapping.

She turned around to see a young man dressed in a black suit, his red hair combed over in a classy formal style, the red orbs that shone in the dark night—it was Yuuki Masato. He could be handsome at times, huh? She thought to herself.

"You wrote that?" He leaned forward on the forecastle's railings and looked at Maki.

"Yes." Maki figured out that there's no need to be stubborn at this time, since he's not showing any signs of being harmful at the moment—unless he starts to become one hell of a blunt monster again.

"You know, your voice reminds me of someone." He then turned to look at the stars, "At first, I thought you're that girl, but now that I've thought about it, maybe you're not that girl." Masato continued.

Maki watched him look at the stars, she doesn't know why but she has this kind of weird attraction to him. It was as if it was not her who's attracted, but her heart.

"I almost forgot the real reason why I went here."

Maki looked at him in confusion. "Real reason? What's that?" she asked.

"Do you know why our parents arranged us?"

"Not really, why?"

"Well, we've been arranged not just because of plain business. But because we're the composers of the two highest ranking school idol groups. Since the Love Live requires original songs from the idols, they figured out a way to disband µ's and A-RISE. They want us to stop composing for the two groups." He said in a serious voice. Maki's eyes widened, is he joking? I know they wouldn't force me to quit music again, why is he telling me all these…?

"Y-You're joking right? That can't be happening!" She exclaimed.

"Believe me, I'm not lying. If I say it's happening, then it's happening!" Masato retorted.

"Anyway, I don't believe you." She tried to slap him, but he quickly got hold of her wrist.

"Then do as you wish, don't come running to me with tears on your eyes once you've learned of the truth." Masato released his grip from her wrist and turned his back to leave the forecastle. Maki stood frozen, she was at lost if she's going to believe what she heard. That's not true, Mama and Papa are supporting me. Her fists, clenched as tears dropped from her eyes to her black backless ball gown.

Masato made his way to the dining hall, someone pulled his arm and cornered him to a wall. He was surprised to see that it was someone small—Tsubasa. "Sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation with Nishikino earlier but, are you serious?" her emerald-green orbs looked at his eyes directly. There was no way from escaping her. He let out a sigh. "Serious about what?" He retorted as if he had no knowledge of what she is talking about.

It was only the two of them in the dimly lit halls of the cruise ship, no staffs, no guests, just the two of them.

"About the disbandment of µ's and A-RISE." Tsubasa leaned her face closer despite the man being taller than her. The more Masato heard the word disbandment together with A-RISE, he can't help himself but feel the most pain. He composed songs for them, he managed them as far as he could, and then everything would just go down to this. He doesn't want to cry in front of the captain he trusted the most. Masato tried to smile despite the things they had to go through.

He stood silent as he looked at Tsubasa, as if already telling her that they can't do anything.

"That… Can't be…" She understood him.

"I'm sorry, I can't do anything beyond my powers. But at least, can you keep this a secret? I don't want Anju to feel sad, she loves A-RISE very much." Tsubasa fell on her knees as she heard those words come out from him. She cried, and cried. Masato knelt and hugged her, she continued crying on his chest.

"Masato, why is this happening?" She said between her sobs. A-RISE was something she cherished, it was one of her dreams to do things she and her friends can enjoy. Now, she can't believe that it might come to a possible end.

"I don't know. But, whatever happens, I'll try to make them stop. Even if it means to lock myself eternally on these shackles they've put on me ever since." Tsubasa looked at him, he was smiling despite the tears welling up at the corner of his eyelids. He wiped the tears off her face and helped her stand up.

"Stay here for a bit, until your eyes aren't swollen anymore, okay?" Masato left and returned to the dining hall.


On the table near the VIP section, Masato sat beside Maki. Despite the area being dim due to the orchestra's performance on stage, he noticed that she was shivering a bit, he removed his blazer to put it around her. "Feel better?" he asked.

"Un, thanks." She thanked, "About what you told me earlier, is it true?" she whispered.

"Yes. If you're still doubting me, then go on." He retorted.

"I-Is there any way of preventing it?"

"I don't know."

"I don't know if this can be of help, but…" Maki began whispering on his ear. Things that Masato thought could be helpful, it was surprising of a first year student to come up with those.

"Those are nice, eh?"

"Told'ya."

They smiled at each other, which the members of µ's and A-RISE found weird, as just a few hours ago, they are fighting like forever.


"And now, a violin performance from the heir of the Yuuki Group of Companies!" The lights dimmed, and as the hall's stage brightened again, there stood a young man dressed in a white dress shirt with a midnight blue vest, matched with a black slacks and brown leather shoes, he stood in a cold manner, as he wait for his accompanist.

He can play the violin? Maki thought to herself, she also noticed the grand piano a few steps away from Masato. That must be for the accompanist. She continued.

Five minutes passed and the accompanist still hasn't arrived, Masato was ready to play despite his pianist not being present on stage. He positioned and pressed his chin hard on the chin rest to prevent it from falling, just when he was about to play the first note…

"Wait!" a girl dressed in a black backless ball gown came running towards the stage, Masato was surprised to see Maki making her way to the grand piano.

"What are you doing?" he turned to look at the girl who sat by the piano seat. "Come on, I'm going to be your accompanist." Maki retorted as she looked at the notes placed on top of the grand piano.

"Thank you." For some reason, a smile grew on her face when she heard those words from Masato. When he started playing The 4th Movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony, Maki had a hard time synchronizing with his skill, but soon enjoyed playing with him. It was a time that she wished, could never end—she found someone who can be on par with her in music.

They were greeted by the loud applauses from the audience as the twelve minute-long classical music came to an end. The two made their way to the backstage to rest for a bit. They both cringed when they heard the host spouting nonsense like "What a wonderful couple!"

"Nishikino, thanks again." Masato thanked her again as he closed the cold water bottle that was handed to him.

"I-It's not really of a big deal, y-you shouldn't even thank me from the start." She was blushing red as a tomato again. "Even so, thank you for being my accompanist for tonight." Maki thought is there something on that cold water? Why is he suddenly warming up to me like this? She stood up and made her way towards him, she looked at him closer.

*slap*

Maki slapped him as hard as she can.

"What the heck was that? Did I say something I shouldn't say?!" Masato exclaimed.

For the first time, he saw Maki laugh. The way she sounded was very nostalgic, once again, just like what happened on the ship's forecastle, he thought that this girl in front of him was the girl from his childhood, the one he made a promise with. Watching her gave him more nostalgia. Both of his hands, he grabbed her shoulders

"Are you that girl!?"

Maki stopped laughing, she felt pain with Masato's tight grabbing on her shoulders.

"H-Hey! It hurts! And what're you even talking about?" Hearing her reply, he decided to let go of her.

"I'm sorry." He fell silent. Maki saw the loneliness in his eyes, with those, she decided to play a few on the grand piano backstage. She started playing START: DASH! While singing.

"Do you really think they'll stop if we started acting as if we get along with it each other? Wouldn't it worsen the whole situation?" Maki stopped playing, "I think so too, but it's better than not doing anything, right?" she added.

"You're probably right." Masato smiled and walked away. When he was nearing the door, Maki grabbed his wrist which made him stop.

"Can you tell me about that girl, when we see each other again?"

"I'll think about it."

The door closed and she was left standing.


"Too bad, we missed Maki-chan's performance." Honoka felt sad about falling asleep during the program, she didn't get to watch Maki performing classical music.

"That's your fault for sleeping!" Umi glared at Honoka.

"But, Umi you're also peacefully asleep during her performance—" Umi cut Kotori's words, "I fell asleep because the music is too good, it sounds peaceful." She retorted.

Nozomi and Eli just laughed at the sight of their juniors, and even more at Nico who continued to pretend like a rich lady on the halls. It was not long when they heard someone familiar—Tsubasa.

"You see, I have someone I love." The girls knew that eavesdropping isn't a good thing, but they still went on with it. What they saw was kind of intriguing, it was Tsubasa confessing on none other than Maki's fiancé.

"Is that why you can't accept my feelings?" Tsubasa took a breath, "Is it Maki?" she added.

"No. The same person from the past." He turned his back and walked away, ignoring Tsubasa's eyes brimming with tears.

The girls were surprised to hear things from the two, moreover, with something they discovered that Masato doesn't like Maki, but likes someone from his past.


The doors to the backstage opened, Maki was surprised to see that it was him.

"I'm going to escort you to the dining hall, come with me and let's eat dinner." So he's still following the plan, Maki thought to herself.

"C-Can I call you Masato? It'll seem so suspicious if we still call each other by our last names."

"Do as you like, Maki."

She followed him until they reached the dining hall, they sat on the same table with their parents.

"Masato, you seem to like her." his mother smiled at him.

"Come think of it, you look good together." His father added.

"Maki," he called, "You've got sauce on your cheek." Masato wiped Maki's left cheek, Maki turned red due to him being close.

"A-Ah, t-thanks…" She thanked.

After having a meal, the two went to a nearby lounge—they received an e-mail that µ's is with A-RISE in that lounge. They walked with Masato's hand around Maki's waist, as they neared the twin door to the lounge, Masato quickly entered and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.

"How rude!" Maki exclaimed at the young man wiping his every finger.

"So you mean, you liked my company?" He smirked at Maki, which made her creeped out a bit.

"H-Huh? N-No one likes to be accompanied by someone like you! Duh!" She spat.

"So, what's with the gathering?" The red-head young man raised a brow.

"We thought we'll come and congratulate you two because of that fantastic performance." Eli said while looking at the two with a smile drawn on her lips.

"Hmmph, you're good in playing, but you couldn't have played so good without our Maki." Nico exclaimed.

"Excuse me, Miss." He leaned in to get a closer look on Nico. "I can play even without an accompanist, as long as I have my instrument." He sighed and looked at her again, but now in an arrogant manner.

"What do I even expect from a little girl from a little less fortunate family?"

"What did you say!?" Nico gritted her teeth.

"I said you're a—" he was silenced by a slap from Maki.

"I know you're far more experienced than me in terms of composition, I thought that your ugly personality's just for bit, but I was wrong." His left cheek was red out of the slap he received from her. Maki then turned her back to leave the room.


She walked and walked, until she was far from that room.

"Conference room?" She read a plate on top of the twin doors, soon, she heard talking. There were familiar voices, one was from her dad. Maki stuck her left ear on the locked door to listen to what they were talking about—she figured out this might be related to what Masato was talking about.

"They're doing good, the arrangement's settled. When do we get the new supplies for the Nishikino Hospital?" Papa? Maki covered her lips as she fell on her knees.

"Oh no, no. You won't get it until their marriage."

"Is that so? Sigh, my little girl Maki just can't leave music. It's annoying me every time I hear her making noise on our grand piano."

"My daughter Kotori as well, how can she inherit our business if she continues doing things such as that, ugh. This is so tiresome." Chairwoman Minami?

"Now at the very least, we have something to break their playtime." It's some manly voice that sounded Russian, Is this man related to Eli on any manner? She thought.

"Do you now believe him?" When she turned to look at who is it, it was Tsubasa.

"I… I didn't expect…" She was at lost for words.

"I've been in this situation too," Tsubasa took a short breath, "He knew this even before A-RISE started participating in the Love Live. He chose to keep it to himself, he endured getting arranged to different girls by his parents." She explained.

"Why does he need to be arranged?"

"For him to remove his attention from composing music for us." At that point, Maki felt scared. She felt scared that what happened to Masato might happen to her as well. Tsubasa left before she knew it.

"What are you doing here?" She saw Masato walking towards her. "Geez, this place is dangerous. Come with me." Just like the first time she met him, he grabbed her and in a few runs, they were in the ship's open-air terrace.

"I suppose you've learned the reality now." He removed his grip from her.

"I'm sorry for not believing you when you first told me about it."

"It's alright." Masato then again, removed his coat and placed it over Maki. "Take this, you might catch cold." He sat at the railings and looked at her. "I just remembered, you wanted to know about the girl from my past, righ—" The ship, as if bumped into a small rock which caused it to shake for bit. Having sat on the railings, Masato fell on top of Maki and their lips accidentally touched.