A few days passed, but the rain still hasn't lifted. Not only that; it just got heavier the day a funeral occurred near the shrine just a few minutes away from Otonokizaka. It seemed the rain followed the mood of that funeral.

Everyone who was considered as Muse's acquaintances attended the funeral, which is, to say, a few hundred people. Their families, friends, school mates, even fellow school idols, especially Erena and Anju. A group was crying and sobbing, while the others remained silent all throughout. Basically, all of them were sad because of their members has fallen in battle.

That member was Honoka Kousaka, the leader of Muse.

Even Muse themselves attended the funeral. They all tried really hard not to cry while looking at Honoka's photo adorned with flowers. Who wouldn't be sad? It was an image of their friend, and it would always remind them of how she died in that explosion every time they looked at it.

Along with the rain, it was a really solemn atmosphere. Well, at least it was supposed to be.

"Whose funeral is this?"

In the midst of tears and utter silence, a familiar voice asked. It was a surprise for all of them, because all of them knew whose voice that one was. They all turned to the source of the voice, and there they saw the very same image as the one being buried. They looked at the photo, and back at the person in front of them. Back at the photo, then at the person in front of them. Who knew they made a pretty good resemblance?

…

"Honoka / Honoka-chan / Honoka-san?!" all of them screamed in what seemed like a unison.

"Honoka! Is that you?" Umi exclaimed, in her own disbelief.

"You doubting my existence? I'm here, Umi-chan!" Honoka joyfully replied, twisting in position. I was asking around the neighborhood on where you guys are, and they all told me that you're attending a funeral. So! Whose funeral is this? I'd like to offer my condolences to whoever passed away."

All of them were speechless. How could it be?

"We-We thought you were dead…" Eli stuttered, but she broke the growing tension.

"We saw it with our own eyes," Nico followed Eli's thought.

"You got caught up in that explosion, didn't you?" Maki doubted.

All of them were raining their own disbeliefs at Honoka. "The one piloting that mech was you, wasn't it?", "There's no way you could've survived such a devastating explosion!", "And you don't even look injured!"

"… Eh…?" Honoka merely sounded, clueless of why people would worry about her. She was just as safe and clean as before.

"You owe us an explanation, Honoka-chan!" Rin caught Honoka's attention. "Tell us. How did you come out of that explosion uninjured?"

"A-Ah, that…" Honoka came to a realization. "I went Center Nova before the explosion took place."

"You went what?!" Umi practically screamed, as if still stunned at her best friend's image.

"That's right! I've achieved Center Nova, was transported into the other dimension, and came back here! Come on, guys. I know you-re—?!" She was cut off when she got slapped hard across the face by Umi herself.

"Don't give us your crappy lies!" Umi shouted, but was surprised herself that what she touched was flesh. She fully expected that her slap would pass through to convince herself that Honoka was dead, but the results told her otherwise. She gasped and was rendered speechless.

"… That hurt, Umi-chan…" Honoka teared up as she soothed out the pain in her left cheek. "Did you even know how much pain I was in all this time?"

"Th-That's because you made us worry too much!" Umi defended, tears already coming out of her eyes. "It's painful, Honoka! We already saw Tsubasa dead with our own eyes, then next came you! It's double the pain you're experiencing right now! Damn you, Honoka!" Out of impulse, Umi hugged Honoka tightly.

Honoka just stared at Umi, but then soon came to respond by hugging her back. The rest of Muse then joined in, getting their part in a hug with Honoka. The latter smiled to this and was grateful she had a talk with Sensei-sensei before she engaged into battle.

FLASHBACK: SENSEI-SENSEI

Honoka gained control of her sub-consciousness and got access into the dimension where she could talk with Sensei-sensei.

"Sensei-sensei," Honoka called out.

The entity gave out no particular response, but Honoka, much like Katagiri Tsubasa and the others, understood what he meant. "What is it, dear?"

"I… will achieve Center Nova in this very battle," Honoka announced. "I will get sent into the other dimension once again. I will surpass Yuuko-chan and Chieri-chan and become the very first member to attempt Center Nova two times."

Sensei-sensei remain silent.

"Which is why I want to ask one last favor from you," Honoka continued, her head high and her eyes filled with determination. "… I want to talk with Tsubasa-chan on the other side. I want to clear things up with her. Then after that, please… send me back to Earth. I want to keep performing with the rest of the girls from Muse. I want to keep making people smile right at my home."

Sensei-sensei glowed again. "A talk with Kira Tsubasa, you say... and then get sent back to Earth after that… What about AKB?"

"I-I'll make sure to make up to them for the lost time I failed to spend with them. Especially with Ryuko-chan," Honoka answered. "AKB was like my first home, so I can't abandon it. But Earth… is special. Of course I know there will be conditions, but this is very important, Sensei-sensei. Please."

After a few seconds of no response, Sensei-sensei finally gave his answer. It was a bright glow which never even needed translation for her to understand. "Very well. I'll grant your wish."

"Yes! Thank you very much, Sensei-sensei!" Honoka exclaimed out of happiness. "I'll do you proud!"

AKIHABARA, UTX ACADEMY

It's been a calm environment in UTX Academy, even after Kira Tsubasa passed away. Erena and Anju kept solemn faces, trying to act tough in front of their juniors before they finally left the school.

It was break time, and the two were just buying coffee before heading to their lounge room, where they made memories together with Tsubasa, as well as with Muse. It was quite the memorable year for A-RISE.

As they were entering the room, though, they saw Honoka seated on the sofa.

"Good day to you two, Erena-san. Anju-san," Honoka greeted, a calm smile on her face. "I kinda sat down while waiting for you two to get lunch. Sorry." She then giggled, which brought as smile to Erena and Anju's faces.

"It's okay. We don't mind," Erean assured and then set her coffee on the table.

"Did you want something from us?" Anju asked, following her partner.

"I want to share my experience while in the other side," Honoka answered, this time serious. "To tell you the truth, I… met with Tsubasa there."

"Oh? What did she say?" Erena calmly asked as she took her first sip.

"Oh? I thought you'd be surprised. I fail at surprising people," Honoka joked and laughed. "Anyway, it's a long story. Wanna listen?"

FLASHBACK: ALTERNATE DIMENSION

Honoka regained her consciousness and found herself in the same dimension she was in when she went Center Nova. She's succeeded in her plan. Honoka looked at the spiral staircase leading to the top. Yes, this was it. The first phase of her plan went by successfully.

"Yo, Honoka," a familiar voice greeted. Honoka turned to the voice with a big smile on her face, as she knew that the person behind the voice was the one she wanted to see and hear.

"Tsubasa-san! I missed you!" Honoka happily greeted back, and hugged Tsubasa. Well, at least she wanted to, if it weren't for a fact that Tsubasa was floating. She almost fell down.

"Calm down, Honoka," Tsubasa reprimanded, but seemed rather happier than she was supposed to be, for Honoka was before her very eyes. "I miss you too. As much as I'm glad we've been reunited, it's just for a short while, because this was just all of what Sensei-sensei could muster."

"Y-Yeah, you're right," Honoka confirmed and laughed a bit before curving her lips into a smile. "Anyways, I'm glad to see you, too. As much as I have so much to talk about with you, it seems we have limited time, so I'll get on to it. Have you been fine so far?"

"That's a rude question to ask a spirit. Of course I'm fine." Tsubasa pouted. "It's me who should be asking about you. How've you been? What about Anju and Erena?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine…" Honoka replied, somehow a bit shy. "It's been long since you… you know. I've been in for a mix of emotions after that. Erena-san and Anju-san went through the same thing as well. But we're fine now."

"… Sorry, Honoka," Tsubasa apologized and bowed before Honoka. "It's my fault for not being strong enough to defend and fight for myself. It even caused Erena and Anju trouble. Had I fought for a bit longer, all this wouldn't have happened."

"I-It's okay, Tsubasa-san," Honoka waved it off. "We've been blaming ourselves as well, but it's okay now. To be honest, it helped us become stronger." She then looked at her hand and gripped it. "You taught us to fight not for you, but for ourselves. We knew that bringing ourselves down would not help us get back up. We knew it would disappoint you, as your passing away would be for naught."

"… You've grown strong, Honoka," Tsubasa said subconsciously, with her signature smile. "Anyways, will you be pursuing being an idol?"

"I've always been ready to pursue that path," Honoka answered with all certainty. "I may have lost my way once, but I'm ready to go back and continue that path."

"That's the spirit," Tsubasa acknowledged Honoka's answer. "What about Anju and Erena? Are they still in the condition to continue?"

"Well, they've regained their passion of singing, so yeah, I guess they still are."

"If that's so, then tell them to pursue their own path. If they still want to become idols, tell them to pursue it. It's their right to do so," Tsubasa said.

"I will do just that," Honoka responded with a nod. "Tsubasa-san, wherever you will be, always be sure to guide us, alright?"

"I will do just that," Tsubasa answered, laughing at her own remark, which simply copied Honoka's. "Oh, it's time. It's just short-lived happiness we were in, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Honoka muttered. "Goodbye, Tsubasa-san."

"Goodbye, Honoka."

END OF FLASHBACK

"And that's how it ended," Honoka concluded. "Then everything went black, then I found myself back in my house. The end."

"… Tsubasa," Erena called out, her eyes facing the view of Akiba before her.

"To be honest, Erena and I decided to disband A-RISE," Anju confessed.

"Eh? Why so?" Honoka asked.

"It's just not the same without Tsubasa in it," Erena explained. "We'll just get through college and pursue our dreams. She then faced Anju, who looked back and smiled.

"O-Oh, I see," Honoka simply said before standing up.
"How's that girl, by the way?" Erena asked.
"That girl? Oh, you mean Ryuko-chan…" Honoka replied. "She-she's fine."
After the battle Ryuko was hesitant to approach the two. She did cause them a lot of pain, after all.

Anju finally talked. "Tell her we forgive her."
Erena nodded. "It's not easy, but Tsubasa will not want us to live carrying a grudge in her hearts."
Honoka breathed a sigh of relief.
"On one condition though," Erena added.
"What condition?"
Anju and Erena smiled. "That she continue being an idol," Anju replied.
"Of course!" Honoka said.

"Well, that's all I wanted to tell you. I'll be on my way. See y—" Honoka was about to step out when she stopped in her tracks.

"What is it?" Anju asked, tilting her head.

"By the way, the two of you suddenly got back to your spirits before the battle. How exactly were you able to recover from Tsubasa-san's death?" Honoka asked the very question that has been bothering her for so long.

"Ah, that?" Erena reminisced and smiled at the thought. "Someone named Chieri sang us a beautiful song!"

"Ah, I remember!" Anju exclaimed as she recalled the event along with Erena. "Her voice was just so charming that our hearts were soothed off the pain."

"… Damn those successors… They're so gonna get it…" Honoka muttered curses, with a comically dark expression.

"Wh-What's wrong?" Erena asked.

"I got slapped one by one by ALL the successors!" Honoka shouted and ran out of the Academy. "Damn this unfair recovery system! DAMN IIIT!"

AKB0048 BATTLESHIP KATYUSHA, PRACTICE ROOM 1

"I said I'm sorry already, senpai!" Yuuko was already on the verge of desperation as she pleaded for Honoka's forgiveness. "It was a spur of the moment, you know!"

Honoka played hard to get, crossed her arms and turned away from Yuuko with a "Hmph!" She still has not moved on from how she was slapped by the successors.

"Ahhh, they used to get along…" Yuki Kashiwagi chuckled softly as she looked at the two from a distance.

Acchan laughed and then said, "This is just their way of getting along. Look." She then ushered Yuka to look at both Yuuko's and Honoka's faces. While Honoka was pouting, she hid beneath it a smile. Yuuko seemed to be having fun as well.

All of a sudden, the door bursted, revealing a three membered team of Kanata and Mariko, led by Ryuko.

"Ryuko-chan, aren't you being a bit too reckless?" Mariko tried to stop Ryuko from going in any further, but the black-haired girl insisted.

"This is merely to deliver a message, Mariko-san!" Ryuko shouted with pride as she moved forward, to where Honoka and Yuuko were standing. "Honoka-san! Yuuko-san!"

The two faced Ryuko, curious of the latter's intrusion.

"I challenge you two! This coming Election, I'll make sure to do my best and surpass you two for the top!" Ryuko announced, her face proud and determined. "I hope you'll do your best as well! Maybe I can even make Yuuko-san here graduate and make me inherit the name!"

"Oooh, a challenge… Interesting…" Yuuko muttered, snickering a little bit. "Aren't you a toughie! Very well! I'll take your challenge head on! Be sure you don't fall behind very soon, a'ight?!"

"You got it! Be sure you won't stumble!" Ryuko shot back,

"Yeah, I'll take that challenge on as well," Honoka calmly accepted and smiled at Ryuko. "By the way, Ryuko-chan, how've you been? How's the captain of the Gusion… Nakajima-san, wasn't it?"

"Ah, if it's about me, I'm rocking like ever before! And Nakajima-sama has been fine. I'll need to bring him new clothes tomorrow, though," Ryuko informed. "He's been using the same clothes for five consecutive days, after all. He's making his cell stink."

"Th-That's good to hear…" Honoka laughed softly, as even Ryuko noticed her captain's smell getting stronger.

"As much as he was an enemy towards us idols, he was still concerned about us and even asked if everyone has been doing well," Ryuko continued. "He's like the father of all idols, and I admire him for that." She smiled as the thought, and Honoka did so, too.

So even DES has some good people inside of them, after all.

"Anyways! Don't forget my challenge, okay?! See you!" Ryuko waved her hand and ran out of the practice room.

"R-Ryuko, wait!" Kanata called out. She then turned towards the group and bowed. "Pardon our interruption. Ryuko just feels energetic today. Have a nice day ahead. If you'll excuse us." She then ran off to follow Ryuko. Mariko bowed as well before going along with Kanata.

Honoka sighed, feeling happy that Ryuko has found a place she truly belonged. Both Honoka and Ryuko became the 79th Generation Understudies, both aiming to succeed Yuuko Ooshima's name with a current one still standing with them. She was sure to have fun with three of them aiming for the same name.

A knock on them door interrupted her thoughts, and came in Tsubasa Katagiri, with a device at hand.

"Honoka Kousaka," Tsubasa called out.

"Tsubasa-san," Honoka responded, standing straight.

"Don't be so formal. You're technically older than me," Tsubasa giggled. "Anyways, I'm here to hand you this device." She then handed the tool to Honoka.

"What is this?" Honoka asked as she received the tool.

"It's a device for you to use as a distress call for AKB. You press that button here, a miniature Kirara Drive is sent through space and then a signal will be sent for us to respond to. In a short while, we'll be back here on Earth, your timeline."

"So you won't be staying for too long, huh…" Honoka muttered. "Does this device have anything for me to call and go to where you are as well?"

"I thought you'd ask that," Tsubasa smiled. "Yes, it has features so that you can get here and the get back whenever you wish, or make simple calls. We can also do the same to give you a distress call or call you here."

"Yes, I needed that, thanks," Honoka said before bowing. "It seems I'm just getting in the way. You can be off now. I'll miss you guys. I'll be going to Akibastar from time to time, though. Can't afford to miss the Elections and lose to Ryuko-chan at the same time!"

"Yeah! That's my senpai!" Yuuko praised and tapped Honoka in the back. "Be sure to call sometimes, okay?"

"I'll do just that," Honoka followed with a smile. "Good bye, guys."

She then disappeared before the group.

OTONOKIZAKA ACADEMY, GATES

When Honoka was brought down, she met Muse right at the gates.

"Hey, girls," Honoka greeted, and the girls returned the greeting. Well, it seemed weird, because there was a familiar voice that sent chills on her back whenever she heard that specific voice.

Why, it was no one other than Umi in her Demon Coach mode.

"Seems like you had enough fun up there, I assume," Umi deeply muttered, seeming scaring Honoka.

"U-Umi-chan, calm down… What is it?" Honoka asked, already nervous about why Umi was as mad as a demon.

"Math remedials, Honoka-chan…" Kotori answered Honoka's question in Umi's stead. "All of a sudden, Umi remembered that we missed quizzes for a decent amount of time, so she wants top grades by the time we got back."

"And we even have a story to tell our classmates," Rin added, seemingly excited to become the class storyteller.

"Surely you can't even tell the story in the correct order. Let me do it," Maki argued.

"Y-You two, calm down…" Hanayo tried to make peace between the two.

"And we have a live coming next week. We missed a lot of lives since," Eli added to the list of the things Muse needs to catch up on.

"We haven't even prepared a song yet!" Nico complained. "And a music to even boot with it! And practice, much less dance steps!"

"Calm down, Nicocchi. Surely we can prepare for all of them in a short amount of time," Nozomi assured. "We're a team here, after all."

"Fo-For now, why don't we all calm down? I just got back…" Honoka excused as she took a few steps back.

"Oh, no you ain't going anywhere! We need to study for the Math remedials, Honoka! Get back here!" Umi shouted as she started the chase.

"Umi-chaaan! Nooooo!" Honoka panicked and ran away, into the doors of the school.

"You two! Don't run while in school grounds!" Eli reprimanded as she jogged along with them. Kotori just laughed and ran along. Soon, the others followed along with the four.

This is the life of nine school idols with unsure futures, except one of them came from the future.

FIN