No Maki No Life

Since Maki's sudden announcement of her resignation, everything in µ's just changed. They did not know what to do, like lost lambs without their shepherd.

Club activities for the day were called off in light of this crisis, allowing the remaining eight girls to reflect on what just happened.

Nico remained in the clubroom, staring at the window and holding onto Maki's resignation letter.

"Not again… is this my fault again?" she thought, "Was I too hard on them again…"

"Nico-chi…" Nozomi's voice called out.

"Nozomi!" Nico exclaimed, turning to face her fellow third-year, "What are you here for? No club activities for today. Just go back to your lover."

"Looks like someone is in need of Nozomi breast rub~" Nozomi joked.

"I-I'm okay! She can go. She doesn't know what she's missing," Nico insisted.

"If Maki-chan were here, she will likely say some snarky comment to shoot you down," Nozomi said, "But all members of µ's are important. There must be nine of us, no more, no less."

"In the professional world, idol groups change numbers all the time," Nico shot back, "The show will still go on, even if one member were gone."

"But µ's is not your typical idol group," Nozomi replied, "We are special, a miracle."

"Some miracle we are," Nico said scornfully, "Members are leaving us… abandoning Nico…"

"Nico-chi, that was in the past. You have us now, µ's." Nozomi said.

In the hands of the spiritual maiden, she held the Tarot card: The Star.

"Do not lose hope yet, Nico-chi," Nozomi continued, "And it is not your fault and you need not be bitter about the past, Nico-chi~"

"Humph, who said I was?" Nico retorted.

Meanwhile, the three second-years were escorting Umi to the archery club site. Along the way, they chatted of what just happened.

"It is not far-fetched to say that Maki's parents found out about her school idol activities and forbade her from participating," Umi concluded.

"We are getting quite famous nowadays," Kotori added, "Everyone knows our involvement in µ's."

"But why? There's nothing wrong with dancing and singing," Honoka protested.

"Her parents may want Maki-chan to succeed them," Kotori added in, "Medicine is a super tough practice. They may want her to pass admissions exams to learn Medicine in university."

"Umi-chan has her parents' combined dojo to worry about! She needs to learn kendo, kyudo, and traditional Japanese dance on top of µ's!" Honoka cried, "Why can't Maki-chan do everything?"

"Honoka, my parents allowed me to be part of µ's since it is you who dragged me along… again," Umi explained, "We also adjusted my training schedule to account for µ's."

"If Umi-chan can do it, anyone can!" declared Honoka.

"We should respect Maki's decision for now," Umi said.

"But I wonder if Maki-chan really wants to leave µ's…" pondered Kotori.

Without realising, the three girls had already reached the archery range for Otonokizaka.

"We will continue this discussion tonight," Umi said, "Thank you for accompanying me here."

"Bye-bye!" both Honoka and Kotori saw their friend off.

Having changed into her kyudo attire, Umi continued her usual practice in the archery range. Her eyes focused on the distant bull's-eye of her targets, the young archer picked up an arrow to begin her self-training.

Clearing her mind, Umi just couldn't help to do some self-reflection on her own.

"Nishikino Maki eh…"

She let go the string. The arrow flew off. It went to outer ring of the target board.

"She also has a heavy burden and legacy to carry on. It will never be easy for her… no, for us."

She already had another arrow ready at hand. She nocked that arrow, focusing on that bull's-eye again.

"Honoka and Kotori could never hope to understand my burden. Not even my parents would… Yet a true warrior would always fight on…"

The arrow flew again. It missed the target board altogether.

"Why am I even comparing myself to her? Our situations are completely different."

Again, she prepared a third arrow. She readied her entire body for one good shot, but her mind was still too clouded for that perfect shot.

"No… we are fulfilling the filial piety towards our parents who gave us life. Perhaps they feel that they have Maki's best interests in mind…"

For the third time, she let go the arrow on hand. It flew across the range. This time, it hit the bull's-eye.

"What are Maki's true feelings in all this?"

Without any school idol practice after school, Rin grabbed Hanayo to a nearby Ramen shop for a after school meal. While Rin was downing the super-spicy Ramen, Hanayo ate hers much slower as she was more consumed in thoughts.

"Is Kayo-chin okay?" Rin asked, "If Kayo-chin eat hers too slowly, you are disrespecting the chef."

"No Rin-chan, I am fine," Hanayo said, "I'm just worried for Maki-chan."

"Maki-chan? She is always so reclusive, even after we become friends," Rin complained, "I don't understand her at all nya!"

"Being the daughter to a family of doctors is not something we can understand, Rin-chan," Hanayo consoled her hyperactive friend.

"Tomorrow, I should pester her every lesson and in between lessons until she gives in and re-join µ's…" Rin proposed.

"Rin-chan, that will only make matters worse," Hanayo warned, "Maki-chan is our friend. She felt bad enough as it is, with her family pressuring her."

"Oh, Kayo-chin is right," Rin admitted, "But speaking of family, what does Kayo-chin's family feel about you in µ's?"

"Me? M-my fam-family?" stuttered Hanayo, "My mother… uh…"

"Hanayo, I'm so glad that you followed my footsteps and become an idol. I'm so glad that you didn't give up on your dream."

"…Uh… she approves of it." That was her complete reply.

"Why can't Maki-chan's parents be like Kayo-chin's parents?" Rin commented.

"You and I know my mother used to be an idol once," Hanayo answered, "Maki-chan's parents are doctors; they have to study hard to get their medical license."

"But Maki-chan is so smart that studying hard is nothing to her nya," Rin said, "Rin wishes she is at least half as smart as Maki-chan…"

After consoling Nico, Nozomi resumed her regular volunteer work in the local Kanda Shrine. In her miko attire, the spiritual maiden swept fallen leaves from shrine grounds. Eli was just beside her, watching her friend and talking to her.

"How was Nico?" asked Eli, "She may act strong in front of others, but she's quite a vulnerable girl on the inside."

"Normally, there would be Maki-chan to comfort her," Nozomi said, "But I daresay I make a good substitute… in my own way of course."

"I suppose we will be finding a new composer for µ's," Eli said.

"Eli-chi…" Nozomi spoke gravely, "Do you remember what I said when I joined µ's? That a glorious path is opened only with 9 members."

"Don't be spoilt. We can still operate with eight members," Eli elaborated.

"No Eli-chi, µ's is us. Only with the nine of us can there be µ's," Nozomi explained herself, "There can be no other configuration or line-up to µ's."

"I think I can give up arguing with you," Eli surrendered, "But do you have a plan at all? These are her parents we are talking about, the Dean of the Nishikino Hospital and his wife."

To Eli's worries, Nozomi smiled at the Student Council President and flashed another Tarot card. It was the same card she showed to Nico, The Star.

"There is still hope, but we should rest first," Nozomi said.

"Always so easy-going, aren't you…" Eli remarked, taking her leave, "I have to fetch Alisa home soon. See you."

By nightfall, the remaining eight members of µ's finally got the time to discuss this crisis. Each with their phones on hand, they established a conference call to address the issue.

"µ's must have nine members; and by nine, I mean the nine of us to be specific," Nozomi said, shuffling her deck of Tarot cards.

"True, but if her parents really forbid Maki from school idol activities, this may be too big of a hurdle," Eli said, "Dr Nishikino is quite an influential member of society."

"I'm afraid Dr Nishikino's rationale is not flawed," Umi added on, "It will be difficult to convince him otherwise."

"But we can't let Maki-chan suffer!" Honoka exclaimed, "She clearly loves music. I see that in her eyes when I first met her in the music room!"

"Honoka-chan is right. We can't let Maki-chan regret her choices," Kotori agreed.

"But we must convince her father first," Umi cautioned.

"Don't worry. Nico's nico nico-nii will warm anyone's heart in one shot!" boasted Nico.

"So~ Does that mean Rin can pester her to ask her father otherwise?" Rin asked.

"Like I said, our approach to this must be careful!" Eli raised her voice, "And that means no stupid antics! If we come off as a bunch of ruffians, he's only going to complain to the school board."

"But don't we have connections with the school board's chairwoman?" Nico pointed out.

"Not even Mum can protect us if her vote is vetoed out," Kotori warned, "This club could be disbanded and we suspended at worst."

"And all our efforts to save the school wasted…" Umi concluded, "We have to approach this carefully and behave like mature young ladies."

"Then Nico-chi should be excluded from the negotiation group," Nozomi joked.

"Nozomi!" yelled Nico.

"Jokes aside, I think I should confront Dr Nishikino," Eli volunteered, "Since I'm Student Council President, maybe he may deem me credible. At worst, I will take the fall without implicating µ's."

"No… all of us should go together," Honoka suggested, "We are going to do as one µ's. That will make a good impact on Maki-chan's father."

"Honoka, life is not a shonen manga," Umi remarked, "But I understand your intentions. Let's go there together."

"One important question…" Honoka asked, "Where does Maki-chan live?"

There was temporary silence over the line…

"I know where they are!" Hanayo cried.

"Kayo-chin, you are alive nya~" Rin chimed in, "Why so quiet?"

"I w-was just… I had nothing to contribute to the conversation," Hanayo explained, "I once went to Maki-chan's mansion to return her student pass, so I know where her house is."

"Okay!" Honoka declared.

When the rest of µ's were heavily engrossed in their conversation just now, Hanayo was truly listening to it. Being less prominent than the others and shy to a fault, she really had little to contribute in conversation.

She was flipping through an old photo album, and looked through the old photos of her childhood.

"I wanted to be an idol since back then, like my mother before me. It's funny how we are all following our parents' footsteps. Maki-chan must have wanted to be a doctor, but she also enjoys µ's and music so much…"

She flipped another page, looking at a picture of herself singing to a toy mic and moving her body to music.

"What are Maki-chan's childhood photos? Her as a doctor or as a musician?"

Later that night, in the Nishikino mansion, Mrs Nishikino was strangely still awake in such ungodly hours. She was reviewing an old photo album, filled with the few family photos ever taken.

She stumbled upon the one where Maki took part in the Tokyo Piano Recital for Junior Category.

"She didn't won… but she was so happy nonetheless… Now what did I say back then…"

"Don't worry that you didn't win the recital. You were first in class again with well balanced grades; that is an even greater victory."

"…I was trying to cheer her up… compared to darling's remarks that day…"

"Consistency is key, Maki; wonderful work on your academia. At this rate, you will succeed our hospital and be an esteemed medical professional."

Mrs Nishikino paused to look closer at the photo of young Maki, who was definitely way happier than her current self.

"She hadn't smiled like that until recently… after Koizumi-san came to visit Maki… and it just stopped…"

"Dear, are you going to bed?" her husband called.

"Of course darling, just reviewing the old photos," she replied, putting the album away in the shelf.

As Mrs Nishikino was about to join her husband for the night, the Hospital Dean spoke to her.

"I understand your concern for Maki, but she will learn to get over it." Dr Nishikino said, "Once she graduates from that high school and Tokyo University, she will appropriate us."

"Darling, sometimes I don't even know what our daughter wants anymore."

"We should know. We are her parents, after all."

At the same time, Maki could hardly sleep. Her studies for the day were finished, and there was nothing else for her to do – other than sleep, of course.

The problem is, she just can't sleep.

"After all we've been through, I can't believe it has to end like this… No, I knew it right the start. They should be mad at me for this… I ruined her dream… correct that, everyone's dream."

So vexed by her own stream of thoughts, Maki resorted to her only comfort: music. She plugged in her headset and listened to one particular song on her playlist.

I say

Hey, hey, hey start dash

"My first song… the first I created… I made quite a few before… but this was the first made to be performed live…"

Ubuge no kotoritachi mo

Itsuka sora ni habataku

"If only they let me do as I wish… it's not like I am giving up doctor for idol… But it's Papa…"

Akiramecha dame nanda

Sono hi ga zettai kuru

"Gosh, is this song telepathic? Umi-senpai, what did you have in mind when you wrote this?"

Ashita yo kaware

Kibou ni kaware

"Tomorrow will only be more of the same… What a bunch of money-grubbing snobs…"

Kanashimi ni tozasarete

Naku dake no kimi janai

Atsui mune kitto mirai wo kirihiraku hazu sa

"Umi-senpai's lyrics with my melody are truly a deadly combination…"

Here's to another chapter. It turned out to be a massive self-reflection chapter full of everyone's somewhat ambiguous and cryptic thoughts. Inspirations for the various scenes are from all over the place in the Love Live franchise (or whatever I can fish out).

I suppose only the last chapter is left. The forgone conclusion of this fanfic, please wait for it.

As for song lyrics translation for Start: Dash!

Even newborn baby birds
Leave the nest and fly into the sky someday

Don't ever give up
Your day will definitely come

Let tomorrow change
And become a symbol of hope

Don't give in to sadness
Don't cry helplessly
Your heart, full of passion
Is sure to open up the future

As to why I put them in original Japanese, well... all of µ's songs are originally Japanese songs and their lyrics and melody are intended to be sung in Japanese. For the sake of fan fiction we will comprehend their dialogue, but the characters are ultimately communicating one another in Japanese.