/author's note

i did say that each chapter would be focused on one character's current life..

this is Honoka's chapter, the next would be Kotori's.

i want to note that kotori's personal chapter may have sensitive topics (hints of abusive relationships both mentally and slightly physically, hints of mental illnesses) so i want to remind everyone that if such events trigger things, please discontinue reading this! i wouldn't want to cause anything harmful. the rest of my fics are not triggering :)

i've also decided to switch the rating to M due to such topics being handled here. rest assured, for everyone else who will continue to read buried memories, i will try my best not to make things too much! and while i won't be posting my responses for your reviews in this story (to give things a different atmosphere ig) i am reading each and every one :D also, reviews do make my day so please leave one if you can!

With that said, let's go!

Disclaimer: I do not own Love Live. This series is purely fictional, any similarities to reality is purely a coincidence and not intended.

Chapter 002

in·tu·i·tion - noun.

• the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.

- for honoka, it feels as though kotori's relationship is more than just protectiveness and smiles.

μ's wasn't the first group Honoka led, that's a fact. Since kindergarten, Honoka became the 'unspoken' leader of the trio, leading Kotori and Umi in their mischevious adventures -- one is them hanging on a tree, but putting that aside.. Honoka has been with them since she could remember, and if anyone noticed anything peculiar about one of them, it would be her.

Seeing Kotori fidgety, easily startled and sound dull was the complete opposite of her natural personality. It felt as though Kotori's natural self was fading away, and it irked Honoka that she was the only one who noticed it, that she couldn't do anything about it.

She isn't as smart as Umi or Eli, nor is she great at playing detective like Nico, but she is observant at times. Honoka already met Kotori's partner, Kento, a handful of times but never had a full conversation with him. He'd always drop off and pick up Kotori from the hangouts they'd have before, and she thought it was sweet, really,

until on her birthday, she decided to bring Kotori to a nearby club -- and when the latter was picked up by her partner, he didn't seem pleased by it.

Honoka was beyond tispy, yes. As wasted as she was, though, she still remembered the way Kotori flinched when Kento gripped her wrist tightly, the way those amber eyes showed fear, but, like usual, Kotori stayed quiet and simply waved goodbye to Honoka before Kento yanked her out of the bar.

The day after the her birthday, she had to go to the pharmacy to pick up more pain relievers -- and that was when Honoka saw Kotori. The ashen-haired girl wore heavy makeup -- unusual at 8 AM -- a jacket and leggings, and had a small bandage on her cheek. When asked, Kotori simply responded that she fell the morning after they drank.

Now, Honoka was never the brightest, hence the reason she fell down her staircase multiple times, hangover or not -- but regardless, she never suffered enougu injuries to buy medication for bruises and such. She didn't flinch in pain when someone hugged her goodbye. And she most certainly didn't have bruises on her shoulders.

That was the last time Honoka went out with Kotori for more than an hour or two -- afterwards, she barely saw Kotori and when she does, the latter kept checking her watch, going home exactly after two hours, before sunset. Any plans made after sunset were automatically rejected by Kotori, with the reason being 'Kento-kun is concerned about my safety.'

Honoka shook her head with a sigh, slapping both of her cheeks lightly to snap her out of her thoughts. She spent an hour baking various desserts and hot bread, taking in a deep breath before flipping the store's sign to open.

Though she was busy in the kitchen, as soon as she heard the door's chimes, she perked up and went towards the counter to tend the morning customers.

"Good morning! Welcome to Homura Bakery, how may I help?"

A few customers later, she was in a heated conversation with Yukiho, who had promised to take her shift today so Honoka could fetch Tsubasa from the airport, but noooo, her sister had business to do elsewhere.

"Yukiho! What'd you mean you're not comin' today?! I need someone to cover my shift, Tsu-chan is coming home! Mou, you meanie!"

Yet again, Yukiho ended the call on her. Heavens, doesn't she know about respecting your elders? Honoka was older than her for two years! Now realizing it.. it's not much of a big age gap, but still!

"Geez, since she moved out and Mama and Papa moved to Osaka, she's always ignoring me..."

"Um, hello? Is the store open?"

Crap. A customer was there? They heard her ranting? Crapcrapcrap. Mentally facepalming herself, Honoka turned to face the customer and bowed immediately.

"Ah, I'm so sorry! Welcome to Homura--"

Her sentence was cut short as she stared into amber eyes she knew all too well.

She made her way to the bluenette, tackling her into a bone-crushing hug. She couldn't help but grin when Umi returned the hug, but of course, she had to pull away to talk to the bluenette.

"Umi-chan! I missed you sooo much! You've grown taller!" Honoka exclaimed as she pulled away from Umi, looking up at her and letting out a gasp "Whoaa, you're much more taller than me now! Ah, did you just finish your jog?"

"I missed you too, Honoka. And yes, I was about to head home but I decided to pay you a quick visit here.. I'm not yet done unpacking so my place is just a little messy now.." Umi trailed off, letting out a little sigh as she noticed Honoka was barely listening to her and made her way back to the counter.

"I have some fresh manjuus here! Well, I'm supposed to sell it, but I can make new ones! Hey, do me a favor and flip closed on the store door, please!" Honoka grinned, ignoring Umi's frown.

"Hey- Honoka, are you still ignoring your responsibilities?!"

"Mou, they can wait! I'll have to pick Tsu-chan up later, anyways! So come onn, flip it so we can tell each other stories upstairs!"

Honoka's Room

The two childhood friends talked about the recent events of their lives, and though it was mainly Honoka who would switch topics to one thing then another within a span of minutes, it was evident in Umi's eyes and smile that she relished the moment she was in.

Slowly though, Kotori invaded Honoka's mind again, and if anything, Honoka knows Umi would be the one to understand her worries.

"Hey, Umi-chan.." Honoka started off at first with a frown, staring into her teacup "you don't know much 'bout Kento-san, no?"

"Kento..? Kotori's boyfriend, right?" Umi responded, setting her teacup down the tonkatsu table.

"Yeah, they started dating while Kotori-chan stayed at France. Kotori insists he's kind, but like.. he gives me creepy vibes, y'know? He's so controlling of Kotori-chan," Honoka started off as she chewed bits of manjuu, stopping to chew after Umi gave her a glare. With a gulp, she continued "he picks her up and drops her off to work, doesn't let Kotori-chan out alone.. One time though, I saw Kotori-chan at the near pharmacy, and her makeup was sooo heavy! Like she was tryin' to cover something up! And she had a few bruises, too! Well, she tried to cover it up but, y'know, clothes move sometimes. She says she tripped and fell, but, really now?"

"I'm sorry, what? Bruises?" Umi raised an eyebrow, setting her teacup down.

"Yeah.. somethin' like, came from a hit or a punch-- Whoa, whoa, careful, don't break my teacup!"

"Act like that one more time and I'd think you're into Kotori-chan or something.." Honoka pouted as she thought.

"A-Ah, apologies.. When was that?" Umi sighed, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Sometime around last year, a day after we went to a bar on my birthday.. makes me wonder if it's related to that. After that day, Kento-san didn't even let Kotori-chan hang out with me anymore!"

"He sounds controlling and abusive," Umi commented.

"He probably is, but ehhh, Kotori-chan is just so in love with him, I don't know how to convince her to leave him!" Honoka groaned in frustration, gripping her hair "And they live together, which makes it even harder..! They're probably planning to settle down, but oh my God, I don't want them to marry! I don't want our Kotori-chan to stay with him at all..! Say, Umi-chan, will you object their wedding with me?!"

As Honoka gripped and shook Umi's shoulders, she swore she saw a glimpse of agreement in the latter's eyes -- but Umi was quick to look at her suspiciously.

"Honoka.. hold on, you and Nico love to make things dramatic.."

"...okay so maaaybe she was hiding her eyebags underneath the heavy makeup," Honoka started, pulling away from Umi "and maaaybe it was because her company was busy releasing new clothes for the season, but still..! Those bruises were there!"

"Whatever you say, Honoka.." Umi uttered, ignoring Honoka's constant claims.

When Umi went home after hours of them catching up, Honoka finally got ready to pick up Tsubasa from the airport -- well, technically, taking a quick break before getting ready is part of her routine.

She sat on her bed, hugging the smiling sliced bread plush that Kotori gave her a year ago, trying to recall the events that happened on her birthday.

"I was drunk, so my memory is a bit of a blur, but.."

August 03, 2022 -- Honoka's Birthday last year

"Kotori-chaaaaaan! Oh, Kento-san's here already?" Honoka slurred, stumbling her way towards a stunned Kotori.

Kotori set her drink onto the table, her wide amber eyes gazing at her partner.

"K-Kento-kun, why are you here..? I said I'll be fine--"

"I didn't tell you you could drink, nor did I allow you to go to a club."

"Kotori--"

"Today is Honoka-chan's birthday, and it's not like I intend to do something wrong--"

"We're going home," Kento gripped Kotori's wrist rather tightly, judging by the way the ashen-haired flinched "now."

"Kotori-chan..?"

"A-Ah, Honoka-chan, happy birthday again..! Um, I'm..a bit tired, so Kento-kun and I will be heading home now," Kotori waved, letting out a small squeak of surprise when Kento dragged her away "T-Take care and head home soon too, Honoka-chan..!"

"Kotori-chan.. looked scared.." Honoka muttered to herself, staring at the floor as multi-colored lights lit up the dim room.

"There you are!"

Honoka looked up after hearing a familiar voice, grinning and reaching up as she noticed it was Tsubasa. Perhaps it was because she was drunk, or simply because she chose to ignore it -- but it didn't seem like Honoka noticed how disappointed Tsubasa looked.

"Tsuu-chan!"

"Let's get you home now.. I saw Kotori-san outside with.. a guy, by the way," Tsubasa replied, helping her partner through the crowd "It seemed as though the guy was yelling at her.. Honoka, I don't think bringing Kotori-san here with you was a good choice.."

"Oh, c'mon, Tsu-chan! Everyone.. everyone should have time to relax and have fun..!"

Tsubasa simply rolled her eyes in return, letting out a sigh.

The next morning..

"What a pain.. and Tsu-chan had to rush to the company, too.." Honoka groaned, entering the pharmacy store, still clad in her pajamas "Now, where's the pain relievers.."

"A-Ah, Miss, what is the.. best treatment you have for swelling bruises..? Also, do you have ointments for wounds?"

"From what I know, wrapping with an elastic bandage and an ice-pack would help, and some pain relievers could help. As for the ointments, I'll be back with you in a second."

"Thank you. I'll take an ice pack and bandages along with the ointment, please."

Honoka let out a yawn as she rubbed her eyes, making her way towards the counter.

"Um, one bottle of Advil, please," Honoka requested, turning her head to the side "Kotori-chan?"

"H-Honoka-chan! W-What a coincidence, you're here, too?" Kotori gasped, embracing herself as Honoka soon approached her after the latter got her item "What's up?"

"I still got a hangover last night.. You're here for--"

"Miss, here's the bandages, pain reliever and ice pack for swollen bruises, as well as the pain relievers," the pharmacist handed Kotori a plastic bag, giving her a soft smile.

"A-Ah, thank you!"

"Ehh? Bruises? What happened?" Honoka asked, staring at Kotori with an eyebrow raised up as they went towards the exit door.

As Kotori opened the door, Honoka saw her cardigan move slightly, letting Honoka see a purple-shaded bruise on her shoulder.

"A-Ah, the bruise? I, um, tripped and fell down the staircase at home.. hence the wound on my cheek too, eheh.." Kotori reasoned, scratching her nape.

"Ehh, alright, then! I'll get going now," Honoka smiled, giving her an embrace -- though she found it odd that Kotori seemed to flinch in pain "See you around? Last night was fun!"

"It.. it really was. See you around, Honoka-chan! I'll send you a text later~"

Back to the present

"Hm.. that's all I can recall.." Honoka frowned, lifting the sliced bread plush up into the air and staring into its eyes "If only.. if only Kotori-chan isn't so selfless, I'm sure I'd know by now how she really is.."

Kotori was barely selfish, Honoka knew that all too well. The ashen-haired would prioritize others over herself, and would always listen to others' opinions and commands. It was only Umi who helped the latter do what she truly desired, and if Honoka were to choose, she'd choose someone like Umi for Kotori, not some.. scumbag who would take advantage of Kotori's personality.

"I should get ready to pick Tsubasa-chan up.."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Call it whatever you wish to call it --

a god, a sixth sense, or simply a gut feeling,

it knows something your mind and heart chooses to ignore.

andd thats the second chapter done!

writing buried memories is.. more difficult than writing my other stories. it feels heavy, and the plot is heavy, so it's my job to make sure it is portrayed the way it should be.

writing buried memories also gives me a chance to appreciate every character. i'd write situations and i'd have to figure out how would the character solve it, how would they react -- it's a nice thing tbh :D

now, back to grinding gems for the teru teru kotoumi urs.

see yall next time!!

- zumi