Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable
Chapter 24: LIVE & LIFE
Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
This is Honoka back again! We did it! We finally really, really did it! It's over... our fight with the Arrow Hunters has finally come to a close. And in the process, Eli and Nozomi have joined μ's! Now that the fighting is over... all that's left now is to focus on saving our school! The time for the open house is here!
The days following the final battle with Yanigihori had been both calm and chaotic, odd as it sounded.
The first major incident had been the discovery of a weakness that had not yet been discovered, but also one that the girls of μ's kicked themselves for not having discovered sooner through experimentation with their Stands:
"I'm trying my best, really! But「Kaze ni Notte」won't heal Honoka or Ayase-senpai!" Kotori had explained.
"But you were just healing us not too long ago!" Rin exclaimed. "I-Is something wrong with your Stand!?"
"Obviously not, since it healed up Emi and Takamaki just fine," Yanigihori said, μ's' former enemy looking at the healing Stand. "I would ask… have any of you attempted to see 'how often Kotori's Stand can heal?' Have you experimented with the limits of the ability; how much it can be used?"
μ's fell silent as Yanigihori sighed. "How the hell did these dumbasses beat us?" Takamaki complained, earning a little laugh from Emi.
In hindsight, it had been extremely dumb not to actually test this power. It was in this way they learned that「Kaze ni Notte」could only heal an individual once per 24 hours. While that was just a short wait otherwise for non-fatal injuries, there was now an issue for Honoka and Eli to explain their injuries to their families for the wounds they had sustained after battling Yanigihori.
… Well, it hadn't been hard for Eli that night, being able to climb her house's wall and sneak in through her window and make up a lie she wasn't feeling well and wished to be left alone. Honoka, however, was forced to lie to her parents about how the girl's day out with Kotori and Umi had grown into a whole thing and she'd be sleeping over at Kotori's house.
Umi and Kotori also made similar lies about sleeping at the other's houses, to stay by their best friend's side. All in all, they felt it had worked out. Unless one of their parents called the other, then things might get dicier.
"So, what? Are we all friends or something now?" Kobayashi asked, adjusting her glasses. "After all of that?"
"That's up to you. I'm not your boss anymore, you can do whatever the hell you want," Yanigihori said, leaning against a cargo container. While she could have been healed, she intentionally chose to sustain her injuries; her pride could not allow for anything else.
"Kyaaaa, I can be a μ's fan for totally real now!" Emi said with a clap of her hands. "You girls better let me know EVERY concert you're gonna hold! I'm gonna go to every single one of them, no matter what!" Oh, that delinquent was excited.
"Hmph. I don't care if she's made peace… I don't feel like hanging around 'those who destroyed Yanigihori's dream,'" Takamaki said, glaring at the School Idols (and Fumiko). Nico returned her look, but Nozomi smiled at her.
"I doubt any of us hold a real grudge… if you ever want your fortune read or help in school, I'll help you, Takamaki-san," Nozomi said, only intensifying the glare given to her as she chuckled.
"All I know is I want to take a reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long bath tonight, nya! And go to bed without setting my alarm!" Rin said. Hanayo smiled, nodding as well. The fighting had been long and hard, and μ's was quite eager to take a day of relaxing. "And then we gotta prepare for the open house…"
"Honestly, that sounds like heaven right now…" Maki admitted. "Just relaxing without a car ein the world…"
"We can worry about that later," Umi said. Even the one most serious about the rest being disciplined agreed that a rest was desperately needed. "Now that we'll have a new dancing instructor and two new voices, I'm sure it'll be great…"
"I can't wait!" Fumiko said with a smile. "Man though, nine members? School Idols don't usually have that many, right…? Won't it be a little hard deciding who gets the center each time or something?"
"I'm sure we'll work it out," Nozomi said with a smile. "After all, the muses are nine goddesses… so it only makes sense that μ's has nine members as well," Nozomi went on. "That is why on that day, I made the suggestion for your name."
"That was you!?" Honoka said, trying to get up, but wincing and staying where she was. "Wow, so then… you've been like, our ally from the very beginning, Nozomi! Even before we got our Stands!" And Nozomi responded with a wink and nod. "The nine of us together… There's nothing we can't do! We're gonna put on the best concert ever, and it'll save the school for sure!"
"I ain't gonna miss it for the world," Akeno said with a smile. "Right, Miano?"
"It still really isn't our kind of music… but yeah! I wouldn't miss this concert for the world either!"
"I'll have to make sure to see it," Yanigihori said, much to Takamaki's shock. "Come on, Takamaki. Don't be like that. The least we can do is be graceful losers."
"Well… If Yanigihori goes, so will I," Takamaki said. "I might as well."
"Hmph…" Kobayasahi twirled her hair. "It sounds dumb. Its not about bugs, so why should I care?" She spoke. "I was in this for my insectarium… If that isn't on the table anymore, I don't' see why I should keep talking with everyone else," the First Year admitted, not facing anyone directly. "I promise I won't use my Stand for anything that endangers people… I'll just go find stuff like coins under vending machines."
"Kobayashi-san…" Kotori frowned. Despite the fact the conflict with her is what had led to her own Stand awakening, she also understood that none of these girls were evil. "Is that really what you want?"
"I don't like people. They're mean to bugs and judgmental and never really understand," the youngest delinquent spoke. "I prefer being a shut-in. I'll go back to being a shut-in."
"You. You… Gah, you piss me off, you brat!" It was Nico that spoke up, storming over to her. She held no personal affection for the bug girl and especially did not regret coating her in fire ants, but perhaps it was because she had such little fondness for her that she could speak up. "Will you get over yourself already!?"
"G-get over myself!? You're the egomaniac out of μ's!" Kobayashi yelled. "Get outta my business! Y-you shouldn't talk shit to people taller than you! I saw the chart, I'm 7cm taller than you!" Nico's eyes twitched at that, but she didn't stop.
"Maybe we shouldn't, Yazawa-senpai?" Hanayo asked, but she kept marching towards.
"Come on, Yazawa," Maki said. "You're not gonna start something now, are you?"
"I get it- your life sucked! People suck! We get it! But you know? You suck too! You're creepy, your judgmental of other the same way you say everyone else is judgmental! It's not everybody else's fault you don't want to seek anyone else's company! Yeah… you're the root of your own misery, you know that!?"
"H… how dare you! You don't know anything about me! What's hurt me, what's made me this way—"
"Yeah, I haven't. And if you want to talk to some senpai about it, I'm sure there's plenty at your own school that'd hear you out!" Nico scolded. "… Go back to school. Make a damn friend already. I'm sure there's people who want to be friends with a bug girl like you! You can even make friends online!"
"You…!"
"You shouldn't waste away your high school years because of misery when you were younger," Nico said. "… That's something I only just finally started figuring out," she admitted, earning frowns from her fellow Third Years. "So, get your head out of your ass! Just seeing you be like this pisses me off! It's like seeing the exact same insufferable brat I was for three years! I'm sorry you were hurt so badly in your past; I wish it didn't happen… now do the world a favor and stop acting you're better than everyone for it! Or I'll kick your ass again!" Nico threatened, earning a glare from Kobayashi, who only adjusted her glasses but didn't say anything. 「Circus」did not say anything, but did nod in agreement.
"… I'll consider it."
"Good!" Well, if nothing else, Nico seemed satisfied.
"Despite it all… I think this all wrapped up perfectly," Umi said.
"I would agree, my user," the voice of「Sleepy Storm」said within Umi's head. "Such magnificent victories in both body and soul will help us reach our ultimate potential. As a Stand user, and as an Idol."
"Sooo… what now, nya?" Rin asked. "… I'm kinda hungry after all that, but I don't wanna leave Honoka behind…"
"Hey, it's fine, really!" Honoka said with a wave. "I'll be resting here overnight until「Kaze ni Notte」recharges again. "Besides, I think Yanigihori and the others are staying too. Even if something happens, we'll be OK!"
"Elichi, let me go home with you tonight," Nozomi said. "There is still one problem not dealt with, that girl…"
The entire mood dropped a bit.
"… Wakaki," Yanigihori said through gritted teeth. "We still don't know who she works for, or how she got that Red Arrow… Right now, she's still all our 'true enemy.'"
"I doubt she'll attack tonight, but at the least, none of us should be alone…" Nozomi reasoned. "Call out to any of us if there's an issue, though."
"Hmm… After lunch, I'll come back here," Nico said. "I wanna eat some sutamina-don and get extras. That could hold me out the rest of the day," said the president of the Idol Study Club.
"We'll come back too, then!" Hanayo said. "Until nighttime, at least…"
"So, it's a plan. Let's stay in groups for now," Eli said. "Even though the Arrow Hunters aren't our enemy anymore… Wakaki will definitely appear again one day. Remember… 'Stand users attract other Stand users.' Thankfully though, we don't need to worry about Yanigihori anymore."
"That's a promise," Yanigihori said. "I will not make war with any of you ever again."
"You know, you can still enjoy your day if you want," Umi encouraged.
"… Oh! Ohohoh! I should show all of you Cinderella then!" Rin was looking at Hanayo, Nico, and Maki. "Come on, you'll love it! You gotta see what a Stand user can use for beauty!"
"Well, there's no way they can create something more beautiful than me!" 「Circus」declared, earning a giggle from Rin and an eyeroll from Nico.
As everyone talked amongst themselves what to do, Umi and Kotori sat down by Honoka. "Honestly… Honoka, I thought everything was going to be a complicated disaster when you said we should become School Idols… I can't believe that actually brought us here," she had a scolding tone, yet did not look disappointed. "Stands… Idols…"
"That's how Honoka-chan has always been," Kotori said with a smile. "It's never easy or complicated for her… but it always works out," and honestly, she admired that in Honoka. "So of course, us becoming Stand users is going to work out. Of course, Honoka won in the end…"
"But I couldn't do it alone. Not without any of you," despite her aching body, she pulled her two dearest friends into a hug, and Umi and Kotori hugged Honoka back. "And that's why I know for sure… we're definitely gonna save the school, you two!"
"Yeah," Umi said with a smile. "We definitely will."
No matter what trials still laid ahead, the Second Years of μ's held hope and admiration in their hearts. Honoka had no doubt about their ability to proceed.
At last, that day was here. Otonokizaka's open house, and the last chance μ's would have to save the school by drawing in students.
They were nervous, how could they not be? Their first concert as nine members, and the day their ambition and dream would be put to the test. But it was OK. In their hearts, they would confidant this would succeed.
μ's was ready to move forward with the entire reason they had formed a School Idol unit.
The crowd before them was not massive, but it did not need to be. It would have been just as daunting with ten million people there. Of course, many would be watching a livestream as well through the School Idol Festival's website.
"Hello, everyone!"
Despite her heart beating out of her chest, Honoka smiled upon all those gathered. "We're Otonokizaka Academy's School Idol group, μ's! We love this school a lot! We were able to come together because all nine of us come to this school… So, we're very happy to sing our first song written after obtaining nine members! Because until now… we have been incomplete!" That got a few murmurs. "Yes… the muses were nine goddesses, after all! So, it is only now that we can say we are the truly complete μ's! So this is more than just a regular song to us… this is the song of our beginnings!"
Now the nine spoke at once. "Please listen to…"
"Bokura no LIVE, Kimi to no LIFE!"
Our LIVE, Our LIFE With You!
It was the song of their beginnings, and it was also the end of their struggle with the Arrow Hunters. Yes. As far as the girls of μ's were concerned; it was only now, after Yanigihori's defeat, that everything could now truly begin. After several weeks of bizarre fighting, the people of this community in Tokyo were beginning to regain their normalcy.
I definitely want to capture new dreams even more than I do now,
If I boldly jump out, my life will be O.K.
In the days that followed their defeat and disbanding, the Arrow Hunters had begun to return to their old yet new lives.
"So, you really don't ever care about getting that castle anymore, don't you, Akeno?"
After spending an afternoon at an arcade, the two old friends looked upon one another. "There's no way we can ever reach that dream now, I think, Akeno…"
Akeno smiled and hugged Miano. "Any place in this world is a castle so long as you are there… I'm a princess and you're a knight, right? So as long as we hold true to that… any place, even this arcade, becomes a majestic castle for my knight to defend," Akeno explained. "The only one who will always unquestionably stay by my side no matter what…" Akeno pulled on her sleeves, showing her tattoo. "You remember, right? We're tied together by an unbreakable string of fate."
"… Of course, I remember. I will never forget it," Miano said, smiling at her best friend. "We're bonded forever and ever, no matter what."
My hopes are huge,
Growing high and far!
"It's still a little embarrassing School Idols who never fought a day in their lives kicked our asses though," Akeno admitted, although she did not smile for even a moment. "I'm glad they did. I'd relive that ass-kicking a million times for this peace of mind, you know?"
"μ's really is wonderful like that… even if they punch you in the face, you wanna root for them," Miano said. "Maybe it's because they're Idols? … No, it's definitely because of that. There's just this air about it all…"
"In the end of the day it all worked out, that's all that matters," Akeno rationalized. "Doesn't matter why we like them even after kicking our asses, 'cuz we do. I ain't the thinking type on stuff like that…"
"Thinking about stuff… hey, Akeno, ya know, I had this crazy thought…"
Let's go embrace a dazzling tomorrow,
Let's make all of our dreams come true!
"Yeah?"
"Well, what if we went to college?"
"Really, college?" Akeno was surprised by that. "What brought that on?"
"I know our grades aren't the best, but like, I had this idea… maybe if we got better education and junk… like, we could make something for ourselves that's more than odd jobs, you know? I know we don't get good grades and stuff but like… it won't be 'a castle' like we dreamed of but… I was thinking, like. What if we got the money to build a nice little house? Not like buy one. We could buy a house and live in it together," Miano said. "With our Stands we could easily do it but… I just had this idea. What if we did it honestly?"
"… Fuck, I hate school and the idea of doing even more of it pisses me off," Miano nodded, ready to apologize. "But…"
"But?"
"Fuck it."
Akeno smiled at her.
"Yeah. It'd be nice, building something that's like a castle for you. I heard in America sometimes they build overtly expensive stupid houses called McMansions or something. Fuck it. Let's build a McMansion."
Miano smiled back. "Yeah. Let's build a McMansion. And the brains to get the jobs to do it!"
That's right! Just by believing,
You'll move forward steadily, yes, you will!
μ's was radiant as they danced and sung for those who had come to the open house, but there was another trick they had in mind as they danced. Something ran upon the stage… no, five things!
"Eh!? What are those…"
"Are those… no way!"
"Cats!?"
"… Oh my God, those cats are wearing little outfits too!
And that's how we do it, 「Cat Scratch Fever」style! Rin thought to herself with a grin.
μ's was more than 'an Idol unit consisting of nine School Idols.' It was also 'a gathered group of nine Stand users.' They understood that being a Stand user was now as integral to their identities as individuals as being a School Idol, even if the public at large would be unaware of that fact. And so, they had decided it was only appropriate; their Stands, too, should play a role in their performances. The cats created by「Cat Scratch Fever」ran across the stage in their adorable little outfits, controlled by Rin herself as they jumped in synchronization, even dancing in their own way! There was a cheer from the audience, and a clap; despite being in the middle of a song, they couldn't help but show love for the little show! And when Rin saw Aya in the distance, smiling as she watched the performance, her own smile widened despite not missing a beat of the dance.
You don't have to give an answer since I understand,
The place drawn in our hearts is the same!
When Honoka sung alone in that moment, a certain Automatic Stand appeared behind her. "Alright, you can take a turn to shine for now! Center of the Ring!" 「Circus」yelled, using her signature ability to demand all attention shine upon the girl who had started it all and brought them together, and the center of this song.
It was something that Nico had insisted, despite everything about her. "Next time you better believe the Center of the Ring is gonna be me! … But for now, since this is our beginning, I'll help out too! Honoka! Just this one time alone, I'll let you outshine me!"
I love being an Idol, Honoka thought to herself.
Never giving up, searching for it will be our challenge!
Our energetic temperatures won't go down!
"…"
Kobayashi Kaori was very quiet on her first day back in school physically. She spoke to nobody and made no attempts to answer questions when asked why she had been out of school so long, if she had been alright, so on and so forth.
Why had she let Yazawa's words get to her like that? Whatever. I'll come back to school for a week then go back to doing school from home, Kobayashi thought. That day during lunch she had decided not to eat, instead opting to read in the back corner of her classroom; a rather rare book she hadn't had a chance to catch up on lately with all her duties as one of the Arrow Hunters. If nothing else, she enjoyed that she could finally do some reading again…
"T-t-t-t-that book! Is that book what I think it is!?"
Kobayashi could barely blink as a girl she recognized as a fellow First Year practically ran up to her. "I-I-I-I'm really sorry to bother you! B-but, is that really, ahhh… that's Fabre's Book of Insects, right!? B-but that's an old version, right!? It looks vintage!"
"… Umm… y-yeah," Kobayasahi's voice was a bit quiet, not used to this kind of stuff. For… a while now, her only real interaction physically had been with the Arrow Hunters or taunting enemies. "I mean, it's kind of outdated, and it's in English, and its information is a little outdated but it's a real vintage edition of Fabre's Book."
"No way! That's so cool! I-I was going to buy one from a used book store once, b-b-but it sold away before I had a chance!" Kobayashi decided not to share where she bought this book. "T-that's so cool… you must be a real insect lover to have a book like that!"
"Y… yeah! I mean, I'm going to be an entomologist and arachnologist when I grow up! Although insects are my particular passion…" Kobayashi said, starting to speak up a bit more. "Bugs, insects, and spiders are my passion! I won't be happy not working around them for a living!"
"W-wow! You know, I-I-I-I know some other girls here who love bugs!" The stuttering girl said with a grin. "C-can I take you to them? We eat on the rooftop! T-they'll be so excited to see that book!"
"I… um… well, OK, maybe…?"
For the first time in as long as she could remember, Kobayashi Kaori was interacting with her peers her own age. That girl was friends with two others, also fawning over the book.
"That's so cool, Kobayashi-san! Who would've thought there was another girl like us who loved insects around here!?" One of the girls said.
"It's gotta be fate that you came here today and that we saw you in the classroom! This is soooo cool!"
"Ahh… t-thank you," Kobayashi said. "I'm used to being teased about this, so…"
"Hey, we'll never tease you! We're all people who love everything related to creepy crawlies!" One of the girls said with a grin. "I-In fact… hey, Kobayashi-san, this may be like way too sudden or something… but I just got a new pet! A Cyriopagopus schmidti!"
"Wait, from China!? Even though they're not rare, I haven't seen that spider in-person!" Kobayashi nearly shot up with excitement! "I've never seen one in-person!"
"Yup! I-I had to save up for such a long time 'cuz I make really little money to import stuff… but it was totally worth it! Would you um… e-even these two haven't seen her yet, but after school today they wanted to come and see her… h-hey, would you like to see her too?"
It's like seeing the exact same insufferable brat I was for three years!
You shouldn't waste away your high school years because of misery when you were younger, that's something I only just finally started figuring out.
"… Yeah," Kobayashi said, smiling as she adjusted her glasses. "I'd love to see her very much, if I can. O-oh, right, I'm Koba… Kaori. I'm Kaori!"
We feverishly flap our wings,
When you talk about your aspirations…
I love the unyielding expression in your eyes… I love it!
Before the crowd, 「Kaze ni Notte」took to the sky and flapped her mighty wings. The Stand created a refreshing breeze to wash over the crowd and also cool down the Idols singing and dancing. 「Kaze ni Notte」circled over the stage, like a bird free in the sky.
One day, dad will see one of my performances, Kotori thought to herself. And it'll be the best performance I'll ever give! Even better than this one!
And in Hokkaido, a man was smiling as he watched a stream on his computer.
"… You've grown up so much, I'm so proud of you…"
"Kakyoin-san? What's that?" A man asked Kakyoin. "Aren't those 'School Idols?' My daughter is crazy for them! Never pegged you for liking stuff like that, though!"
But Kakyoin smiled. "That's my girl on the stage. The older one that you haven't seen. Kotori."
"Oh! She's one of those Idols too? Hey, think I can get an autograph? My daughter would love it!" The second man said with a laugh, Kakyoin joining the laugh as he continued to watch.
And of course, in the crowd, the director was also watching. "You really do take after that man, I swear…" Kaede said with a smile, watching the performance. Even if it did not work and this school was not saved, she was happy to see this one live performance. No matter what, she would be OK with how things turned out.
Even when you cry, the sky will stay blue, the color never-changing…
I want to see you right away, O.K. sunshine!
I want to feel what it's like to line up with you,
I don't need a reason if I'm next to you!
I love being an Idol.
And I love being a Stand user.
Honoka did not allow her thoughts to disrupt her routine, but they were very much the thoughts running through her head. Yes. She was as much 'a Stand user' as she was 'a School Idol.'
So, no matter how dangerous it was, why not love being both in equal measure?
And in her heart, she believed the other girls of μ's felt the same. It was not a question she intended to ask physically to them; their hearts resounded and beat as one in passion and love, so of course, deep down they could understand how the others felt. Yes.
It was a thought that was being thought by all nine members in that moment.
I'll tell you right away,
Why our feelings are getting so close!
"Oi, Hiigiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii… why are you still using last names? The Arrow Hunters disbanded already!"
"Dumbass, it's about showing respect to Yanigihori-sama!"
In Yanigihori's Booze and Food, Emi sighed as she sat at a table on the verge of falling apart with Takamaki. "Come on… Just say it again! Emi, for old times' sake!"
"We're not little kids, so why does this matter to you!?"
"What the hell does being grown matter in this!?" Emi complained with a sigh, looking at the empty restaurant. "Blegh… well, at least we had fun, didn't we?"
"How can you say that when Yanigihori's dream was shattered?" Takamaki snapped. "You've known her longer than me, shouldn't you be more worked up about this than me!?"
"Blegh… Hiijiri. You know that's not what she really wanted in her heart," Emi said, her tone surprisingly serious; enough to shut up Takamaki. "Jori lives for her own strength… and it's disappearing right before her."
"…" Takamaki went quiet. "… Do you think… it'll really come out of remission…?"
"Jori thinks so. So, we should think so too," Emi said with a frown, noticing the pain on Takamaki's face. "But she gained something in there… peace. Understanding. Honoka's fists brought her that peace. Girls like us, things like that are the best way we can understand things."
"… I'm going to miss her," Takamaki said quietly. "I'm going to miss Jori so much, Emi…"
A tear made its way down her face. And with a sad smile, Emi wiped away that single tear with her finger. "I'm gonna miss her too… which is why I don't think we should be so overtly formal anymore. Well, you. If the time is limited, let's make the most of it. I wanna make as many good memories with you and Jori as I possibly can. Let's make them, together."
"I… yes."
Hiijiri smiled at Emi.
"So no more last names, alright, Hiijiri?"
"… Yeah, no more last names."
That's right! Everyone has a single,
Fragment of courage that they carry, even you!
We'll be together forever!
"… And so, I will uphold my end of this bargain. I will become your slaves."
Not long before μ's' concert, Yanigihori had summoned her former allies. When in the privacy of her bedroom, she prostrated before them, much to their shock.
"Y-Yanigihori!?" Kobayashi started. "W-what's this about!?"
"Ehehehe! Did you already forget, Kaori-chan? What she promised to all of you if we lost and couldn't remake Japan in our image?" Emi asked, enjoying a candy cigarette. "She's offering her servitude to you."
"Oh, damn, I almost… forgot about that…" Akeno said, scratching the back of her head. "Yanigihori…"
"You can use me however you wish with what time I have left," Yanigihori said. "Fight your enemies, make me carry your books, hell you can beat me up whenever you want to vent your frustration. But I can no longer make your dreams come true and build an ideal Japan you desire. So… I will resign myself to be your Servant, if you wish."
"… I don't think any of us want that," Miano said with a little smile. "Like, once upon a time, yeah, I would've loved this… you would've too, right?"
"I mean, shit, we were ready to betray you and everything," Akeno said. "But now… nah. This isn't something we'd wanna do, Yanigihori. Even if you'd do that for this traitor, I wouldn't want it. Those girls, μ's. I think they beat that shitiness right out of us."
"… I mean, I still want to build my insectarium. I'd love to do that, but… well, a regular one is good too… especially now that I have friends that also want to work with bugs and stuff for a living," Kobayashi said, smiling as she adjusted her large glasses. "These girls I met at school; I don't think they'd want to hang around someone who keeps a slave… we can't even stand people who oppress bugs! I'd hate to miss seeing Ami's new pet tarantulas next week for something so dumb."
"You girls…" Yanigihori began.
Emi offered her hand to the still prostrating Yanigihori. "Jori… everyone here is satisfied with how things turned out," she began. "I thought you were too. Why would we want what you're offering now?"
"I…"
"Besides, Otonokizaka's open house is soon," Miano said with a grin. "And there's a concert we just can't miss! It'd be so dumb if we missed it because we were discussing your conditions or something!"
"…"
Yanigihori was confused, and didn't know what to do… so she took her hand, and helped herself up. "You all still respect me, then?"
"I mean, if you can respect me after putting a knife in your back, I think I should respect you," Akeno said. "Hell… I'll be friends with all of you if you want."
"Friends…" Yanigihori began, looking at her hand, clenching a fist. "I… have always communicated through my fists. I don't know how to do this normally."
"Most of us don't too. We all kind of suck," Yanigihori, admittingly, was caught off guard by hearing Kobayashi say that. "But if Stand users attract other Stand users… well, even though I have nothing in common with any of you… I dunno. Maybe if you wanna see a movie… and this is a big maybe, I can tag along or something…"
"There's some punks form this all-boys school that's making issue at an arcade I love," Akeno said with a grin. "We oughta kick their asses. No Stands! Just a good ol' pummeling with our fists, Yanigihori!"
"… And I want to always stand next to you," Hiijri said, smiling. "That's always been my biggest wish…"
"And ya know what! I said this to Hiijri-chan, but this should apply to all of us! If we're all friends…" She was grinning wildly. "No more last names, got it!"
"Hmm… I guess that works," Kaori said with a smile, remembering telling her first names to her friends. "I don't mind that… but I'm still going to get really angry if you step on a bug around me!"
"No objections," Akeno said, but Miano just nodded in agreement with a smile.
"… Heh… yeah."
Jori smiled at her companions.
"We're friends, so no more last names."
It's a great plan, so let's chase after it!
And search for a place that makes our hearts dance!
We'll stumble, get back up and be able to gaze at each other on our joyous adventure!
I wonder how far our smiles will reach,
I don't need things like promises but,
I want to be with you no matter what!
Rushing by together, we shine… We shine!
And now, after all of this, the former Arrow Hunters stood in the distance at the concert of μ's at the Otonokizaka Academy open house. They were standing farther away from the rest of the crowd, but had not missed even a single moment.
"Shit, this kind of music is catchy… I still don't like it too much, but this is gonna get stuck in my fucking head," Akeno said.
"I really liked that song Honoka sung by herself… they oughta do more stuff like that!" Miano said with a grin. "Akeno would love it!"
"If they do a song about bugs, they'll be the greatest musical group in all of Japan," Kaori said with an adjustment of her glasses. "They should bring awareness to endangered bug species with one of their songs, I think! Or something about Yazawa's height!"
"Oh man, I think this one is even better than START:DASH!" Despite being out in the daylight and away from the crowd, Emi was waving glowsticks.
"It's nice, isn't it, Jori?" Hiijiri smiled as she felt a natural gust of wind wash over them, still seeing「Kaze ni Notte」dance about.
"Yeah… it's nice," Jori said with a smile.
I don't know how much time I'll have, but…
"I want all of us to keep making memories like this."
Nobody objected in the slightest.
You don't have to give an answer since I understand!
The place drawn in our hearts is the same!
Never giving up, searching for it will be our challenge!
Our energetic temperatures won't go down!
We feverishly flap our wings,
When you talk about your aspirations,
I love the unyielding expression in your eyes… I love it!
We love being μ's!
We love being School Idols!
We love being Stand users!
From the students who already attended Otonokizaka, perspective new students, and even the former Arrow Hunters all around clapped and cheered for μ's. It would take a few days to understand whether or not enough students had applied, but nothing would change the fact:
It had been, to say the least, a successful concert.
As she stood taking a breath at the cheering crowd, Honoka summoned「All Star」to her side despite there being no danger.
It was the beginning of the story, as far as she was concerned.
"They released survey results for which high schools' middle schoolers are interested in! Supposedly, far more students applied this year than last year!" An excited Hanayo reported to the rest of her friends about three days later.
And after a few days of rest, the answer had become apparent. It was the First Years of μ's that came to deliver the news to their senpais.
"W-we don't know about the year after that though!" Maki said. "But for now…"
"We're gonna have underclassman, nya!" An excited Rin said as she hugged Hanayo.
"We really did it…!" Honoka began, grinning from ear-to-ear.
"The school has been saved for now," Nozomi said with a smile, and hugged Eli, who then returned the hug.
"Kotoriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Honoka laughed as she ran towards her friend in the distance, hugging her. "We did it! We did it! All our hard worked paid off! The school is saved, Kotori-chan!"
"O… oh! That's amazing!" Kotori laughed as she hugged Honoka back. But something seemed a tad bit… off, but she kept it to herself. And later that evening, in their now larger classroom they celebrated! Kotori seemed a bit forlorn, but it did not appear to be noticed by others.
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Honoka said practically drooling at all the food! Croquets, sandwiches, rice (courtesy of Hanayo), bread galore and everything! The school had been saved and this was a time to celebrate! After all, at least for now, they could focus on just being regular School Idols once more, and something else around the corner…
Love Live! The School Idol Festival!
"Even though we can relax a bit, we still gotta work hard!" Honoka said after stuffing her face with a sandwich. Hell, wearing a party hat, even Nico gave an impassioned speech!
"First of all, Nico, nico, nii~! Does everyone have a drink!? The school announced that it wouldn't' be closing, so I'd like to say a word as your club president!" The girls except Kotori applauded, and Umi frowned at noticing this, although the others were too caught up in things to fully notice. "Looking back at things, it's been such a long time since μ's was formed and I was chosen to be president!" She said, ignoring the fact that the Idol Research Club had existed before μ's and she had simply never relinquished her position to anyone else, or the fact she had once been an active obstacle to μ's. "As the only member of the Idol Research Club, I stayed strong! And now I have so many members to whom I can reminisce—"
"Cheers!"
"AT LEAST LET ME FINISH!" Even her own Stand was laughing at her as she was forced to end her speech early to participate in a celebratory sip.
"So, with this… is our next target Love Live!?" Nozomi asked. "Now that we don't have to focus on saving the school…"
"That would make sense," Maki said. "We still don't know for a fact if the school will stay upon for the foreseeable future… if we do well at Love Live!, then the school might have a better chance even in the future," Maki finished.
"That makes sense! But like, we should still celebrate a bit more… hmm…" Honoka pondered this fact to herself, before hearing a knock at the door. "Eh?"
"Hey, everyone!" Fumiko said with a smile, waving at everyone as she entered the room. Even if she was not a member of μ's, as a Stand user, she was their companion-in-arms and a close friend. μ's could only consist of nine School Idols as a unit; but as a group of friends, she was one of them.
"Oh, Fumiko-chan! Are you here to celebrate too!?" Honoka asked with a smile.
"Oh, no! I-I couldn't!"
"No need to be shy Fumiko! You've been supporting us since the beginning," Kotori said, trying to take her mind off her own issues.
"Even so, I got somewhere I need to be! But, ah… I just wanted to ask, do you know what the deal with that guy is? The one talking to the director?"
The girls of μ's blinked. "What guy?" Eli asked.
"Someone's talking with my mom?" Kotori asked.
"Y-yeah! And since it's School Idol stuff, I was just curious… you guys don't know?" Fumiko asked, and they shook their head. "Someone from the Yoshida Conglomerate is talking with the director! And the Yoshidas are all involved with the School Idol Festival so… well, just curious!" Fumiko checked her time on her phone.
"… The Yoshidas!?" Nico and Hanayo yelled in unison. "This is huge!" Still in sync.
"E-eh?" Honoka asked, blinking.
"If someone from the Yoshidas are here, they probably do work for Love Live! Don't you remember that stream!?" Nico chastised. "This could be huge! What if they're here to personally ask us to perform or something!?"
"They're not going to let us just jump to the front of the line," Maki said. "But… it is kind of weird…"
Honoka was also excited now! "Oh! We should go see if we can talk to him!" Like an excited puppy Honoka began to head out, most of μ's following behind her.
"… Kotori?"
"O-oh!" Kotori's head shot up, as Umi had noticed she wasn't following immediately. "S-sorry!"
"Is… is everything alright, Kotori? You were zoned out, even though someone is talking to your mother…"
"I… I…"
"Kotori…?"
"Can I… talk to you about something for a few minutes, please? I can ask everyone later…"
When is it that a story began? There were many points Honoka thought it was possible that her story could begin. All the way back when they were children meeting Umi for the first time, the day she saw A-RISE sing and dance, the day the arrow pierced her. But to herself, she truly did view that song with all nine of them as the true beginning of μ's, the sign they had become truly whole.
Those were not the exact thoughts that Honoka had in her head in this moment as she rushed towards the office of Kotori's mother.
"W-wait! You can't just bother the director like this, Honoka!" Eli tried to scold, but went ignored.
As they got near the door, it was open just a creak! "Oh, jackpot!" Honoka said with a grin, leaning in to listen… as did Nico and Rin.
"… So ultimately, while we appreciate your offer, we must decline," they could hear Kaede said. "The future of this institution is not guaranteed, and it would be extremely improper to accept money from a major corporation. Futhermore… I do not wish to be rude, sir, but I do not like this attitude you have of seemingly being able to control my student's decisions."
Honoka frowned at the nature of this conversation.
"Are you sure? I am only asking you to bring this up with your own superiors. There are over fourteen schools now privately run by the Yoshida Conglomerate… if a respected director like you speaks up, I'm sure they will listen. It would guarantee Otnokizaka's future. Girls on the other side of the country can take the standardized entrance exam to head towards any school part of the network. Basically, it all but guarantees you will obtain the students needed every year to remain open. And you have quite the competition from UTX, do you not?"
Something about his voice seemed familiar to Honoka.
"With all due respect, we decline, sir," Kotori's mother with a harsh tone, one that Honoka had never heard before. "We are not interested. This high school is still private, and not only am I not the only one who makes these decisions, I am not interested in bringing this offer to our board of directors. If you want to contact them directly, I will give you a business card, although I will not pretend to advocate for this," she snapped. "Furthermore, I absolutely reject you interviewing the Idol Research Club on the premises of this school."
"Oh? It's that big of a problem…?"
"With the exception of my daughter, I cannot control what these girls do outside of this school. But I am its principal and I have the right to decline a non-school organization wanting to interview my students on our own premises. And while I cannot control it, as a mother, I highly object to this being done without their legal guardians present. Now please, I would like to ask you to immediately leave the school grounds."
"Thank you for your time, ma'm. I appreciate it sincerely," Kaede said nothing in regards to this, but the First, Second, and Third Year did back away from the door.
"What happened?" Nozomi asked.
"Kotori's mom… was really angry at someone…" Honoka said. "I've never heard her that angry before."
And a moment later, a man began to leave her office. "… Hm?" He said, looking at those gathered. "You're…"
There were multiple gasps. "N-no way!" Hanayo began. "A-are you… i-i-it's him, isn't it!?"
"T-that's the president of the School Idol Festival Association! And the executive director of the Yoshida Conglomerate's Tokyo branch!" Nico spoke up. "H-he's actually here!?" She wasn't even aware of how loud she was being.
But it was Honoka who was the only one to speak directly to him, if just his name.
"… Kira Yoshikage."
Her eyes met his. He said nothing, but in that moment, they stared into the eyes of one-another. Yoshikage was calm and collected. But Honoka was visibly nervous.
This is just like when I watched the stream… a feeling in my chest… this is…
The aura of her Stand energy began to surround her, but she did not summon「All Star.」Yoshikage said nothing else, before reaching for something in his pocket. "E-eh…?"
"Even though Love Live! is very soon, you've become up-and-comers," He looked over his shoulder to see Kaede glare at him, before taking out a business card. "If you want an official interview with the Yoshida Conglomerate done that can be hosted on the School Idol Festival's official website, ask your parents to give us a call," he said, giving her the card before walking off. "I apologize, but I cannot talk further."
"…"
Ordinarily, several of the girls of μ's would have been very excited, but the… unpleasant nature of things soured their mood.
Yes, the true μ's had been formed, all nine members. So, it was only natural that now, with their true beginning, there would be a new trial to overcome.
"… You girls go back to the classroom, I'll catch up with all of you," rather than debate or chase after the man, the rest of μ's did just that, returning to Umi and Kotori as Honoka dropped the business card.
"… Why didn't Kotori or Umi come…?" For some reason she didn't understand, Kousaka Honoka felt like an animal that had been chased.
Honoka left a minute later herself. As she walked towards the stairs, she did not pick up the business card, nor did she notice it smoke up and disappear.
Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Chapter 25: No Senpai Allowed!
Wooo, another chapter! I'm on a roll~! When the muses overtake you, they overtake you!
It feels so good to be writing this story again, thank you, sincerely! The conflict with the Arrow Hunters has ended... but of course, that main character tag was never for nothing.
May every road take you to a memory of Great Days!