~Stick by My Side~

The warm summer breeze blew through Hanayo's hair as she stood alone on Otonokizaka Academy's rooftop, in her training clothes. Normally, the rest of μ's would be with her, but the brown haired girl was all alone. Hanayo wondered where her friends were at as she was stretching and dancing to Bokura no LIVE Kimi to no LIFE.

I think Eli-chan and Nozomi-chan is busy with student council work… Hanayo thought as sweat was coming down her forehead. Umi-chan's probably working hard at the archery club, Maki-chan's working on the new song, Kotori-chan and Nico-chan are probably making the costumes… Hanayo continued as she finished dancing. But what about Honoka-chan and Rin-chan?

The brunette sighed then left the rooftop, walked into the School Idol Research Club room, changed into her summer uniform, and left the school grounds.

"It's still pretty warm outside," Hanayo looked up at the sky. "Maybe I should-"

"Kayo-chin!" Hanayo heard a familiar voice from behind and saw Rin, her best friend. Rin looked at Hanayo and asked, "Did you practice again?" Hanayo nodded and Rin nervously giggled, causing her friend to look confused. "I guess no one told you, but all practice sessions have been cancelled until further notice."

"How come?"

"Everyone's busy, including me."

Hanayo looked down. She didn't know that. Nobody informed her beforehand and now she's hearing this? Guess things can't be helped at times.

"Ah. I see." Hanayo muttered out with a small smile. "Rin-chan, let's go home!"

"Okay!" Rin nodded and then she started running.

*10 minutes later*

Hanayo opened the door to her home and yelled out, "I'm home!"

Her mother came from around the corner and said, "Welcome home Kayo-chan."

Hanayo smiled at her mother then walked upstairs. Her smile faded away as she entered her room. It was the perfect time for her to get the information that Rin told her previously processed.

"No practices until further notice…" She mumbled to herself then looked out the window. "Maybe I should go take a little trip tomorrow."

Hanayo yawned loudly then slowly closed her eyes and curled herself into a ball, slowly falling asleep.

*The next morning*

It was a bright Sunday morning and Hanayo was on the train that is heading South. She thought that maybe she can do a little shopping while she was out of town to clear her head a little. The brunette was drawing in a notebook that she brought with her. The drawing was mini versions of μ's in their Natsuiro Egao 1,2,JUMP outfits and Hanayo smiled, feeling the memories of joining μ's embrace her soul.

I feel like I changed a lot. Hanayo thought as she put her pencil down. Her purple eyes gazed out the window. She saw that she was now in a city, close to the train station. "I wonder if shopping will help me come up with costume designs for Kotori." She smiled as she gathered her belongings.

After the train stopped, Hanayo stepped off the train and headed out of the train station. She was now in an unfamiliar city. The brown haired girl looked around as she started walking.

I wonder where I should start first… Hanayo thought to herself. She then saw a group of girls running off somewhere with smiles on their faces. She saw another one and she grabbed the girl's arm. "Um, what's going on?" Hanayo asked politely.

"Oh? I guess you're aren't familiar with the festival," The girl replied which confused Hanayo even more. "You're not from here huh?" Hanayo shook her head as an answer to the question. "Well there's a school called Yumenosaki Academy, and they're holding a festival."

"Is there a reason?" Hanayo asked and the girl shrugged.

"Who knows. I heard that there's only one girl at the school and she's the only girl in the producer course." The girl said then started walking. She turned around and asked, "Want me to show you the school?"

"Y-Yes!"

*15 minutes later*

"Well, this is the place."

Hanayo looked up at the academy building. It was facing away from the ocean and it's placed close to the school, but it was on a hill.

"Amazing…" Hanayo said in awe. "Otonokizaka Academy isn't like this…"

The girl heard the school's name and she looked at Hanayo with wide eyes. "Wait, you know Otonokizaka Academy?!"

"Y-Yes!" Hanayo was taken back by the girl's sudden question and she nodded.

"I heard that a group named μ's attends school there," The girl's eyes started sparkling. "So far, I've seen every performance from the three member version of START:DASH to the full member version of START:DASH!"

Hanayo smiled at the girl, knowing that she's a fan of μ's. Since she's a fan, the brunette didn't want to tell her that she's a member of said school idol group. All she said was, "I support μ's as well."

The girl smiled widely and nodded. She then perked a little when she remembered something then ran off.

"Sorry! My friends are waiting for me!"

Hanayo waved the girl goodbye then walked inside the auditorium. What she was welcomed to was a 4 member group finish their performance and they were walking off stage. The audience was cheering as Hanayo was walking along the side.

As Hanayo slowly made her way to the front of the stage, she heard music playing and a group singing a song. She looked up and saw a 4 guy group and her eyes widen.

Hokuto: Go way! Starting from here (Trickstar: starting the line)
Subaru: With this light called possibility
All: Go as you compose the future, Rebellion Stars!

Hokuto: Goodbye to the days flowing by
Mao: Open your eyes
Makoto: The borderline that needs to be overcome is inside of me

Mao: There are no clever ways to escape this path
It needs to be done

Trickstar: step by step
Subaru: Let's go to discover a sparkling scenery

Hokuto: I spoke

Makoto: as I bumped
Mao: Yesterday's plan

Subaru: of the future
Trickstar: Guiding us through like today's starry night

Go! Further than anyone else (so higher star)
Right after we spread the hope (reach for the star)

Hokuto & Makoto: You can shine because

Subaru & Mao: you're not alone,

Trickstar: Trickstar
Go way! Starting from here (starting the line)
With this light called possibility
Change the future, Rebellion Stars!

After the song ended, Hanayo was standing in awe. Various thoughts crossed her mind as the audience cheered and slowly made their way out of the auditorium.

S-So...amazing… Hanayo thought to herself, staring out into space.

Fortunately, one of the members of the group saw Hanayo staring at them with wide eyes and he looked at his friends.

"Hokke, someone's still here." One of the members with bright orange hair looked at his friend with short black hair.

"Does anyone know her?" The guy with black hair asked his fellow friends. Two members shook their heads while one stared at Hanayo with wide eyes. The black haired guy looked at the brunette then back at his friend. "Akehoshi, do you know her?"

"Koizumi… Hanayo…?" The oranged haired guy spoke Hanayo's name then smiled. "Hana-chan!"

Hanayo snapped back into reality after her name was called. She looked around and saw that no one was in sight and she started panicking.

"Hana-chan!" The oranged haired guy hugged Hanayo from behind with a smile. "It's nice to see you again!"

"W-Who's hugging me?" Hanayo asked then turned around and her eyes widen a little. "Su...baru-kun?"

The oranged haired guy nodded then let go of Hanayo. He grabbed her hand and he started dragging Hanayo towards the stage.

"Hana-chan, you gotta meet the others!"

"S-Subaru-kun, d-don't pull on my arm so roughly! S-Someone help me!"

A few seconds later, Hanayo and the man, Subaru were standing in front of Subaru's friends. Hanayo kept her eyes down, afraid of talking to them since she was always the shy girl in μ's. The other three guys looked at each other with confused looks.

"Hokke, Ukki, Sarii," Subaru spoke up then looked at Hanayo. "This is Koizumi Hanayo-chan!"

"N-Nice to meet...you…" Hanayo bowed, but her eyes were still looking down at her feet.

"Still shy huh?"

"S-Subaru-kun, I've always been the shy one!" Hanayo looked at Subaru and lightly scolded him.

"Akehoshi," The guy in black hair spoke up then looked at Subaru. "How do you know Koizumi?"

"We used to go to the same elementary school," Subaru replied. "And our family lived next door to Hana-chan's family before we moved."

"Is there any reason why she's here?" The guy with violet hair asked Subaru.

"U-Um," Hanayo spoke up as she slowly looked up. Her purple eyes looked at all 4 boys then looked directly at the one with violet hair. "I heard that there was a festival, so I came and I saw your performance… I couldn't help but to look so happy!"

Subaru placed his hand on Hanayo's shoulder and he smiled at her. She looked at him and he asked, "Still spending time with Rinny and with μ's?"

"What's μ's?" The guy with black hair asked his friends.

"μ's is a new school idol group from Otonokizaka Academy." The guy with blonde hair replied to his friend's question.

"Mind singing us a song?" The guy with violet hair asked Hanayo and she nodded.

Hanayo breathed in, and then she let it out by singing one of the songs that Maki made for her.

Hanayo: It seems us meeting each other changed me.
I found the me I want to be.
It was always, always, in my heart,
slowly being nursed.

Everyone jumped over a jump rope…
but I was too scared to join in…
While I was hesitating like a child
I kept waiting for you…

You always supported me when I was about to give up.
I love those gentle hands and that cozy warmth of yours.

I'm filled with gratitude towards you.
My dream is closer to getting realized.
I'm filled with gratitude towards you… Thank you!
I'm so happy, so happy
that I'm crying… I'm sorry.

After Hanayo stopped singing, she looked at the guys and asked, "Is it...good?"

"Hana-chan, that was really good!"

"It was cute." The guy with violet hair smiled at Hanayo. "Good job Hanayo."

"It was good!" The guy with blonde hair also complimented which made Hanayo smile with a slight blush coming onto her cheeks.

"Before we forget," The black haired guy said then looked at Hanayo. "My name is Hidaka Hokuto, the leader of the group, Trickstar."

"I'm Isara Mao," The violet haired guy introduced himself. "Nice to meet you."

"And my name is Yuuki Makoto!" The blonde haired guy introduced himself with a smile.

Hanayo smiled at all four boys then bowed. "It's nice to meet you all." At that moment, Hanayo's phone started ringing and she answered it. "Hello?"

"Kayo-chin, where are you at?" Rin asked on the other end.

"I'm with Subaru-kun and his friends."

"Subaru's with you?!" Rin asked in a happy and cheery voice.

Hanayo smiled then handed her phone to Subaru. "Rin-chan wants to talk."

Subaru smiled then took Hanayo's phone and he started talking with Rin.

"Koizumi," Hokuto spoke up and Hanayo looked at him. "How exactly did you meet Akehoshi?"

"O-Oh. Um…" Hanayo said then thought about it for a moment. "I was...5 at the time. My mother told me that we have a new neighbor and told me to introduce myself. That's how I met Subaru-kun." She said then smiled a little. "The next day, he transferred into my class and the two of us hung out with my best friend, Rin-chan."

"Sounds memorable." Mao smiled at Hanayo and she nodded.

"Here you go." Subaru handed Hanayo her phone back.

"Thanks." Hanayo thanked her friend then pressed her phone against her ear. "Rin-chan, why did you call me?"

"Oh yeah. Nico-chan wanted you to come with us to Honoka-chan's house and discuss next week's training."

"We're gonna try and convince Umi to lighten up our training or else we might have to run a 10k like last time…" Nico grumbled on the other end.

Hanayo's perked up then jumped off the stage. "Okay. I'll come back soon." She said then hung up. The brunette turned around and looked up. "S-Sorry… I have to go home."

"Do you mind if I spend time with you and Rinny next week?" Subaru asked Hanayo and she nodded.

"I'll let Rin-chan know when I get to Honoka-chan's house."

"Okay! See you later!" Subaru waved goodbye to Hanayo.

"Bye Hanayo." Mao waved goodbye to Hanayo.

"Come back anytime Koizumi." Hokuto smiled at Hanayo and she nodded.

Hanayo bowed then turned around and walked out of the auditorium. Makoto watched Hanayo walk out of the building and he felt his heart ache a little.

Mao looked at Makoto and he asked, "Are you okay?"

"Could Yuuki possibly…"

"Be in love with Hana-chan?!"

Makoto flinched and he blushed while he shook his head. "That's impossible! Hanayo's a girl and… I wouldn't be able to last even a minute if I talked to her alone…"

"Ukki, I can help you!" Subaru said with a wide smile.

"It better not be anything weird…" Hokuto sighed.

*The next day*

It was the start of summer break for μ's and they spent it by spending after school time by catching up on practice sessions. After about 10 minutes of stretching and exercising, the 9 girls took a 5 minute break.

"Ahhhh~ I feel like eating bread now~" Honoka smiled as she wiped sweat off with her towel.

"Honoka, bread makes you fat…" Umi sighed at her friend's words.

"We can always grab a bite to eat after we're done." Kotori suggested with a smile.

"Sounds great." Eli nodded with a smile. She looked at Hanayo, who was staring off into space. "Hanayo?"

"Kayo-chin." Rin shook Hanayo's body and she snapped back into reality. "Are you okay?"

"You're staring off into space." Maki pointed out then sighed. "It's not like you to lose sight of reality."

Hanayo looked down and said, "Sorry…"

"What's wrong?" Eli asked Hanayo and she looked at the blonde Russian.

"It's...about yesterday…"

"You saw Subaru right?" Rin asked and Hanayo nodded.

"U-Um… He had three other people with him yesterday and um…"

Maki sighed then said, "Hurry and get to the point."

"I'm in love with one of his friends!"

Everyone grew silent at the sudden confession that came out of Hanayo's mouth. Honoka smiled then looked at Hanayo and placed her hands on her shoulder.

"I have an idea that'll bring you together so you can confess!"

"Geez Honoka…" Umi sighed.

"The cards have spoken." Nozomi spoke up, causing her friends to look at her. Nozomi lifted up a tarot card that said "The Lovers" on it. "I see good fortune with love in Hanayo-chan's future."

"In that case," Honoka said then pulled out Hanayo's phone from her bag. "I'll text this Subaru person and tell him-"

"H-Hold on Honoka-chan!" Hanayo stopped Honoka then looked down. "I'm not even sure if...he feels the same way… I can't be hasty on my decisions…"

Everyone fell into another long silence until Rin spoke up.

"I think Honoka-chan should tell Subaru." She said, "Maybe if we tell him a plan that'll get them together, maybe he'll come and Kayo-chin can tell her feelings for him!"

"I like it." Nozomi smiled and nodded.

"But how will she do it…?" Nico asked, seeming disinterested by the idea.

"A song!" Kotori suggested and everyone looked at Maki.

Maki looked at the gazes of her friends and she frowned. "I guess I can do it… Just this once though!"

"Alrighty! Honoka and I will call Subaru," Rin said then looked at Maki, "Maki-chan will write the song," then she looked at Hanayo. "And Kayo-chin will write the lyrics."

"Okay!" Everyone but Hanayo cheered.

The said girl got up and left the rooftop. She clutched her chest as she walked back to the Idol Research Club room.

Why must this happen…? Hanayo asked herself as she opened the door to the clubroom. Do I really...stand a chance…? She sighed, picturing Makoto with another girl. Her heart dropped and she shook her head. "Hanayo, pull yourself together."

Hanayo lightly slapped both of her cheeks and she started writing the lyrics to the upcoming song.

*20 minutes later*

A half hour has almost passed by the time Hanayo finished with the lyrics. She sighed in relief then stretched her arms and legs. The brunette stood up and changed really quick before she left the clubroom to find her friends.

She searched for a while, but saw no sign of anyone.

"Did they go home already?" Hanayo asked herself as she walked towards the front of the school. When she arrived, she saw a familiar blonde guy standing by the front gate. Hanayo blushed when she saw that the guy was Makoto. "M-Makoto-kun?"

The guy walked towards Hanayo, not facing her. His face was flustered and he looked nervous. Slowly, Makoto grabbed Hanayo's hand and gripped it tight.

"W-Want to...go on a...date?" He asked Hanayo and her eyes widen.

Despite that, Hanayo slowly nodded and the two started walking, leaving the school grounds.

I hope that the training that Akehoshi made me go through yesterday works…

*Last Night*

"So Ukki here is in love with Hana-chan…" Subaru crossed his arms and started thinking.

"Is that a bad thing?" Mao asked the oranged haired boy and he shook his head.

"It's not that. I'm actually kind of worried on the outcome."

"Why's that?" Makoto asked, looking completely nervous.

"Hana-chan's super shy. It took her time to open up to me and when she did, she was still somewhat shy around me." Subaru told his friends then looked up. "I remember that Hana-chan allowed Rinny to make decisions for her."

"Why?" Hokuto asked as he was fixing his tie.

"That I don't know," Subaru replied to the question then looked at Makoto. "Right now, I wanna help Ukki plan a good surprise date for tomorrow!"

"You think that Hanayo will like it?" Mao asked Subaru and he nodded. "What are you planning on having Makoto do on the date?"

"I don't know!" Subaru smiled happily and his friends sighed. "Maybe Rinny and the rest of μ's can help us out."

"Speaking of μ's," Hokuto spoke up then looked at Subaru. "Other than Koizumi, who is in μ's?"

Subaru pulled out his phone and show Hokuto, Mao, and Makoto a picture of μ's that Rin sent him.

"Hana-chan and Rinny are next to each other," Subaru said, pointing at Hanayo and Rin. "Rinny told me that these two are Ayase Eli and Tojo Nozomi, the student council president and vice president," He pointed at Eli and Nozomi, who were at the back of the photo. "This is the composer of μ's, Nishikino Maki," He pointed at Maki, who was next to Nico. "That's Yazawa Nico, the president of the Idol Research Club," and lastly, he pointed at the three second years who were next to each other. "These three are the founders of the group. Minami Kotori is the costume designer, Sonoda Umi writes the lyrics and is also the physical trainer, and Kousaka Honoka is the leader of μ's."

"Kousaka looks like you," Hokuto said then looked at Subaru. "Personality wise."

"Sonoda-san looks like you," Mao looked at Hokuto with a smile. "Personality wise."

Hokuto blushed a little then cleared his throat. "Anyway," He said then looked at Makoto. "Do you think you can handle a date with Koizumi?"

"I'm not so sure…"

"You can practice with us!" Subaru suggested with a smile.

"Are you sure that's a good idea…?" Mao asked the oranged haired guy and he nodded. "And how are we going to do that?"

Subaru just smiled then looked at Makoto. The blonde drew some sweat as Subaru dragged him away.

"W-Wait, Akehoshi-kun!"

*Present*

Now in the present, Makoto and Hanayo were walking together, hand in hand. Although there was an awkward silence between the two. Nearby, the rest of μ's of Trickstar were hiding behind a tree.

"Do you really think this is a good idea…?" Umi looked down at Honoka and asked her a simple question.

"I'm sure it is!" Honoka nodded with a wide smile. "Subaru-kun think it's a good idea as well."

"Hana-chan and Ukki are good friends of mine. I wanna see how this plays out!"

"Good grief… Akehoshi-san is acting an awful lot like Honoka…" Umi sighed.

"But it looks like they make a good team." Kotori told Umi with a smile.

"I guess so…"

"I hate to be in situations like this," Mao spoke up then sighed. "But Makoto is terrible at talking to girls alone, so I'm a little worried…"

"I think Kayo-chin will be just fine!" Rin smiled, watching her friend intensely.

Back with Makoto and Hanayo, things were still awkward and silent. The spies are still watching them, but Nico slowly got tired of spying of them and started becoming bored.

"Can't we just tell them to seal the deal already?" Nico asked while frowning.

"Shouldn't we just leave it to them?" Eli asked and Nico shook her head.

"I'm getting bored!"

"I got an idea!" Honoka spoke up then looked at Maki. "Maki-chan, do you remember that song you played when I first saw you?!"

"Eh? Well yeah but-"

"Kousaka, what are you planning?" Hokuto looked at Honoka and asked her, looking slightly worried.

Honoka saw that Makoto and Hanayo arrived at an empty park and all the ginger can do is smile.

She stood up and ran towards the two and screamed out, "You guys!"

It obviously startled them because the next thing you know is that they turned around and stared at Honoka.

"H-Honoka-chan?! What are you doing here?!" Hanayo asked, completely taken aback by the μ's leader's sudden scream.

"Hanayo," Honoka looked at the shy brunette and she flinched a little. "Just be yourself. I'm sure it'll all turn out okay!"

"But…"

"Want us to help you out?" Honoka smiled then looked at the rest of her friends.

I love you, hooray!
I'm glad we're here,
I'm glad the both of us are here!
I love you, hooray!
This just started, so treat me well tomorrow too!
This isn't our goal yet.

Come!
I love you, hooray!
Have the courage to not give up!
Let's enjoy ourselves here right now!
I love you, hooray!
You can work harder now so wave good-bye to the past
and face forwards!

The girls sang a cute song to push Hanayo to have courage and confess. The boys, on the other hand, were in awe by the performance by the 8 members of μ's. It was something that they haven't seen since Hanayo sang to them yesterday.

"Kayo-chin, you can do it!" Rin encouraged her best friend.

"You know that it was one of the things that helped you join μ's." Maki reminded her friend.

Both Rin and Maki walked towards Hanayo and pushed her back so that she can move forward. Hanayo blinked a little and when she turned around, she saw that both μ's and Trickstar left.

"Eh?!" Hanayo's eyes widen then she sighed. "They left…"

"I wonder why they were spying on us…" Makoto wondered and Hanayo shrugged. "I wonder if Akehoshi planned-"

"I love you…" Hanayo confessed as her cheeks grew red. She turned around, squeezed her eyes shut and said, "I-I love you!

Makoto's cheeks quickly turned red, taken aback by Hanayo's sudden confession. His heart was beating rapidly. At that moment, Hanayo turned around and breathed in. She let her breath out by singing a song.

Hanayo: "I'll get on first, okay?" I smiled from inside the train
while my lips tremble a bit
and a painful feeling runs through me.

I want to at least convey my feelings for you.
If I could do just that
I won't need to write your name
on the window with my breath.

I want to be a clear blue me.
But as long as we're friends I won't be able
to hide my beating heart when I'm in front of you.
I don't want anyone to notice.
Let me go back to being a clear hearted me!
You're my friend, but I came to love you
and I can't hide it anymore… I can't forget it!
Keeping this a secret, I lean on the window…

The day we first met will never disappear,

why does it shine so brightly from my memories?

I love you!

I want to a clear blue me.
As long as we're friends I won't be able
to hide my beating heart when I'm in front of you.
I don't want anyone to notice.
Let me go back to being a clear hearted me!
You're my friend, but I came to love you
and I can't hide it anymore… I can't forget it!
Keeping this a secret, I lean on the window…

After the song, Hanayo looked down and said, "I'm sorry…" She looked up and started walking. "I-I'm gonna go find-"

"Hanayo!" Makoto called out Hanayo's name as he grabbed her hand. He pulled her close to him and tightly embraced her. "Don't go. I love you too."

"E-Eh?"

Hanayo blinked a couple of times and before she can say anything, she felt something warm come crashing onto her lips. Her eyes widen, but she slowly closed them, slowly enjoying the sweet feeling.

A few seconds later, the two pulled away and then hugged each other.

"Thank you, Makoto-kun." Hanayo thanked the blonde with a small smile. "I hope that this isn't...awkward…"

"I-It isn't," Makoto told the brunette, slowly smiling like Hanayo. "I'm terrible at talking to girls alone. But hopefully that'll change soon."

"I can help you." Hanayo said and Makoto nodded.

"Thanks, Hanayo."

The two exchanged smiles then they held hands as they walked out of the park and to wherever their friends were at.