Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!

One morning, Honoka was woken up earlier than she was used to. She sat up in bed and stretched until she was more awake.

"Good morning, Honoka-chan."

The sudden voice finally made Honoka aware that someone else was in the room. She jumped slightly in surprise.

"Umi-chan... You surprised me..." she said, hand on her chest as she calmed herself down.

Her blue-haired friend smiled. "Eheh, sorry."

Honoka looked out the window, noticing the sun wasn't quite up yet. "What are you doing here this early?" She asked Umi, but quickly added, "And no, I'm not asking because I don't want you here."

Umi gave a little pout after the last bit. Honoka smiled sweetly, knowing she stopped one of the few things Umi could've said against her.

"Well, I thought I'd just spend some time with you this morning, while the others are still sleeping." Umi smiled. "So, here I am."

"Oh? So you were the one that woke me up?"

"N-no. You just happened to wake up when I got here."

Honoka caught Umi's stutter. "Oh.. That's too bad. I wonder what Umi-chan would have done to wake me up."

"W-what are you saying all of a sudden.." Umi's face turned slightly red as she thought about what she could have done.

Honoka gave an devious smile. "Do you know how I would have woken Umi-chan up?"

She crawled from her spot to where Umi was sitting on her bed. Umi didn't move, nervous and uncertain of what was going to happen. Once Honoka reached Umi, she put both her hands gently on Umi's shoulders. She got Umi to relax before she closed in, kissing Umi's cheek. Umi was speechless. She looked at Honoka, surprised.

"That's how I'd wake you up." Honoka gave a gentle smile.

Umi put a hand to her cheek. "Wha.."

"And this..." Honoka interrupted Umi before she finished. She got close once again, and gave Umi a kiss on the lips. She held them together for a few moments before separating. "That's a 'thank you' gift."

"Thank you?" Umi looked at Honoka, confused.

"Mhm. Thank you. For helping me all these years. No matter what it was, or how much trouble I was to deal with, you and Kotori still helped out and looked after me. So that was my thanks for your help, and for being one of my best friends."

The early morning light shown through the window. It was similar to what she and the rest of Muse saw when they first arrived a few days ago. Between what Honoka just said, and the way she looked in the light right now, Umi lost herself, Almost without thinking, she pulled Honoka close to her. They shared a deep kiss which lasted for a couple of minutes. They were only stopped by the sound of doors opening and closing in the hallway as the rest of Muse woke up.

"So... how does it taste?"

Honoka took another bite from her cookie. A pair of red eyes stared at her expectantly as she finished the cookie.

"Nico-chan.. These are delicious!" she finally said with a smile.

A sigh of relief escaped Nico. She smiled. "Thanks, Honoka-chan."

Honoka ate another cookie from the plate. Honoka had wandered into the kitchen sometime after lunch. She found Nico, who was baking the cookies for everyone. Or, at least that's what Nico had said. At first, she had been baking with one person in mind.

Honoka noticed that Nico had been looking at her still. She let out a little laugh, which caught Nico's attention.

"What's so funny?" Nico asked.

"Worried that I wouldn't like them?" Honoka smiled.

"N-no, of course not." Nico crossed her arms, looking away. "This is Nico we're talking about."

Honoka laughed. "Yeah, that's true. The food Nico-chan makes is always really good."

Nico felt herself blush at Honoka's compliment. It wasn't the first time she made anything for Muse, but such a compliment from Honoka directly wasn't what Nico was expecting. She kept facing away, trying not to show Honoka her reaction, but Honoka had already caught it.

"Anyone to have Nico-chan would be lucky." Honoka said, getting Nico's attention like she wanted. "A great chef, and even a great idol."

"W-wha-" Nico felt her face get hotter.

"I think Nico-chan would make a lovely wife for anyone," She looked to Nico. "Don't you think so?"

"I..." Nico couldn't answer. Instead, she asked, "Do you think so, Honoka-chan?"

Honoka nodded. "Yeah, I do think so."

"Why?"

"Why?" Honoka smiled. "Well, because of when you helped me out before. When I was thinking of quitting, you knew what to say to help me figure things out. Even if it was a little mean. I just think, that kind of support would make you a great partner."

"Honoka-chan..."

"Though, there are other things as well.."

Nico was confused by that. "Like what?"

Honoka walked up to Nico without saying anything, and took hold of both shoulders. Nico wanted to step back, but as she tried, Honoka leaned in and kissed Nico on the lips. Nico was locked in place, surprised. The kiss lasted a while before Honoka pulled away.

"You're not that bad at kissing, either," she said with a smile both sincere and playful.

Nico finally got a hold of herself. "N-not bad? I'll show you."

She wrapped her arms around Honoka, and stood up on her toes, kissing Honoka on the lips. Nico put as much into it as she could. The kiss lasted longer than the first, and when it ended, Honoka found herself against the counter.

"Well?" Nico looked at Honoka expectantly. "How was that?"

"It looked quite nice if you ask me."

The sudden voice caused Honoka and Nico to freeze in surprise. They both turned toward the kitchen entrance to find Nozomi stand there, an amused expression on her face.

Later that night, Honoka made her way to the beach. She found a small note on her bed, asking her to be here after dinner. There was no name on the note, but she recognized the handwriting, and had a good guess who it was.

She stood on the beach, arriving first. She looked out to the ocean, and the way the light from the moon and stars reflected off the water. She heard the sound of footsteps against the sand coming closer, and turned around to see the slightly taller blond she was expecting.

"Eri-chan," she called, smiling.

"Good evening, Honoka-chan," Eri responded, smiling back.

Eri stopped a few feet apart from Honoka. Though it was dark, they were just able to see each other from the light from the moon. Eri had wanted to say something, but was caught up taking in the image of Honoka bathed in moonlight. Honoka knew, and let the moment last a little.

"Eri-chan.." she called again.

"A-ah, right." Eri pulled her eyes away, looking out to the ocean. "It's a lovely night, isn't it?"

"It is." Honoka followed Eri's gaze. "Did you want to do something while we're out here to enjoy the night?"

"Yes. Actually, that's why I asked you out here. Would you like to dance?"

"Eh?" That question completely surprised Honoka.

Eri just nodded, looking to Honoka. "Yeah. Dance here, on the beach, in the moonlight. I've kind of wanted to try it since we came here."

Honoka thought it over for a few moments. Then she turned to Eri.

"Sure!" She replied. "It sounds like fun."

Eri smiled. "Great."

Before Eri could take a step, Honoka had already closed the distance, and took Eri by the hand, and with her other hand held Eri by the waist.

"Wha-, Honoka-chan?"

Honoka gave Eri a smile. "Oh, you didn't think I'd let you lead first, did you?"

"But-"

Eri didn't get a chance to say anything, as Honoka had already started them off. Eri resigned to follow Honoka. She was quite surprised to find that Honoka seemed to know what she was doing. Their movement was smooth, and they kept a nice, even tempo throughout. Honoka had stuck to simple moves, though.

Eventually Honoka decided to stop. The sudden energy from excitement was calming down and she couldn't think of anything else to do. As they ended, she took a step back, hands behind her back, and looked to Eli.

"So? What did you think?"

Eri spoke a bit slowly, finding the right words.

"That was... not bad actually. I didn't think you would've know dances like that."

"Eheh, well, that's probably because of you, Eri-chan."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Well, you are our choreographer after all. I've learned a lot from watching you, and those videos of your ballet dancing before."

"Y-you saw those?" Eri asked, surprised.

"Yup! But don't worry, I didn't laugh. You were really cute back then."

Eri was really thankful it was dark, because she felt the heat from her cheeks that told her she was blushing, quite hard.

Honoka continued. "You know, I didn't know how to dance at all before. But with Muse, I started to. And then when you joined, even though it was hard, I got to learn a lot more. And it was always a lot of fun. You even helped out to promote Muse. You've been such a big part of Muse ever since you joined. I don't think I got a chance before, but thanks, Eri-chan. Thanks for all your help."

"Y-yeah.."

Honoka walked closer to Eri again. "Here's your reward," she said as she brought their lips together for a kiss. After a few moments, she felt Eri's arms wrap around her, and pull her close. She in turn placed her hands on Eri's shoulders. They stayed together like this for a few more moments before the kiss ended.

"Now," Honoka said, smiling once more. "How about you lead me this time?"

"Okay, but you better be ready," Eri responded. She matched Honoka's pure and playful smile.

Hey guys, nobodD here!

I'm sorry this is very VERY late. I've been busy with final exams, and a serious case of writers block. However, it feels really good to finish this chapter finally.

There's a certain idea with Honoka I'm trying to get with these chapters, which is why I have the scenes kind of happen the way they do. If nothing else, Honoka is quite something during this trip.. X3

A few more chapters, then I think I'll wrap this little project up. What else is in store for our little queen?

Hope you'll stick around to find out~