"Extra, extra! Big news!"

A few students from the newspaper club stood near Tomodachi's gates handing out some pamphlets and newspapers.

Everyone passing by took them and jumped in excitement.

"Ah, it's that time of the year again!" Chao had an unusual shine in her eyes.

"You mean...?"

"Yup! Love Live is finally starting!"

"So that's why everyone has been on edge and practicing like crazy, lately." Skip observed.

"Here, take a copy of the newspaper, Skip and Chao!" A girl offered.

Skip grabbed two copies, one for her and one for her friend.

"Are you participating this year, Chao?"

"Yes! As a solo unit."

"Why don't you join a bigger unit?"

Chao's eyes glanced to the ground.

"I'm too shy around people I'm not familiar with, you know that."

"I know, I know. But you promised you'd try to break out of your shell, on new year's eve."

Chaokumo remained silent.

"Come on, Chao! I'll help you!" A big grin was drawn on Skip's face.

"Fine!" The girl blushed. "What about you?"

"Hm? What about me?"

"Aren't you joining?"

"Huh?! No way! I told you I'm not skilled enough to become an Idol, ahah!"

"Hmmm?" Two piercing eyes stared at the photographer, teasing her. "I'm pretty sure I heard you singing High School Musical in the bathroom, the other day, though."

"Waaaa?! Draq?!" Skip covered her face. "I thought the bathroom was empty..."

"Technically, it was. I was passing by and heard 'Bop to the Top'. Obviously, I had to see where it was coming from."

"Skip, I had no idea you were a HSM fan." Chao joked.

"I'm nooooooot! But Draq kept humming that song non-stop during P.E. and it got stuck in my head."

"You're welcome, mufufu~." Draq put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "But you should totally become a school Idol. Your voice is pretty clean."

"I'll pass. I'm already too busy with photography."

"Right." Draq ended the topic while glancing over at Chao. Both girls knew it was just a cheap excuse.


When classes ended for the day, all students gathered in the auditorium for the official Love Live announcement.

Hotaru-sensei picked up a microphone and pointed to the image being projected behind her.

"This is it, the most awaited moment by everyone in this Academy. Love Live kicks out today!"

Claps and whistles flew through the room.

"Practice a lot, sing and dance to your heart's content, inspire people throughout the country, throughout the globe! But please, don't over exert yourselves and don't neglect your studies, either. I wish you all the luck, my dear idols! Dismissed!"

Needless to say, as soon as the doors opened, almost every student flashed out of the place to practice for the competition.

"Alright, back to the daily photo challenge!" Skip thought while pumping her fist in the air.

During her school rounds, Skip found Sveta under a tree surrounded by birds, again. However, she was singing instead of reading, this time around.

Without saying a word, she decided to take a break next to the girl.

Sveta offered a smile and kept on singing.

"Your voice is really sweet~."

"You think?" The girl interrupted her melody.

The happy-go-lucky girl nodded.

"I wonder if you're the only one who feels that way." Sveta showed a puzzled expression. "I've tried applying to a few Idol units but I was rejected..."

"Whoa, really?!"

The girls let silence settle in for a while.

"You know... I might have a clue as to why that happened." Skip moved to face her senpai. "I don't mind it; actually, I find it really cute~; but some people feel super overwhelmed by your strong presence. Some even misunderstand you, fueling false rumors."

"Rumors?"

"Yeah, there are a lot of students who are afraid of you and think you're evil because of your magic. They're afraid you'll cast them a curse."

"I would never curse anyone unless there is enough reason to. I just want to help people with my abilities..."

"I know." Skip grabbed Sveta's hand. "How about I help you getting your feelings across to others? I already committed myself to giving a helping hand to Chao in her search for a unit, too."

A fuzzy feeling filled Sveta's chest.


Obs: Special appearances this chapter~ Draq by Canadiandraqula and Hotaru-sensei by Makishima.

Writing the first part was hella fun! Draq (and Canadiandraqula) is a huge High School Musical fan so I had to make a reference to the Movies just for her. ^w^

Love Live is starting, yay! Chao and Sveta have now something in common: their search for a bigger unit and Skip is going to help them both!

Let's see how things develop from here on~!

Thank you for reading~! ^o^