School has been really crazy so I apologize for the delay of this chapter! I hope you enjoy!

Dear Diary,

Today I was doing some research on idols like I've been doing recently. And I've come across an interesting decision I will eventually have to make. Do I want to be a solo artist, or do I want to be in an idol unit? Both ideas seem fun! I feel like people will know my face better if I was a solo artist, but at the same time being in a group can attract more attention. Which one will be better? Which option will allow me to spread my smile across Japan? Idol groups are just as popular as solo idols, but I feel like the members of the group are hardly ever recognized individually. Even I have had some trouble memorizing the names of the all members in a unit! Although, the sound an idol group creates when they sing together is one of a kind. I'm not sure if a solo artist can really pull off that same sort of feeling. But a solo artist's voice can reach out easier than a member in a group's voice can…It's all so overwhelming! Oh well! We'll see what the idol industry has in store for the great Nico Nico Nii!

The crowd's cheers were deafening as the auditorium was lit up from the countless colored glow sticks littered the audience floor, each stick being thrust up into the air in time with the beat of the song. It was no different than a Muse concert, except for the fact that it was another idol group performing. Hanayo had two glow sticks in each hand, all four sticks being green in color, in sync with the rest of the crowd passionately singing along to the music. Rin only had two, and she had chosen yellow sticks and was just yelling "Hey! Hey! Hey!" aimlessly shaking her glow sticks like they were maracas. Maki only had one and she had chosen red, and she was simply tapping the side of her leg with it along with the beat of the drums.

The concert was exciting, it was full of energy, and Maki couldn't help but notice the smiles on the audience members' faces. The adrenaline was contagious, it filled the room with excitement as the whole auditorium moved along with the song, responding to every action the singers executed. This reaction was every idol's dream, it was their purpose. It was Nico's purpose. Maki knew that their own concerts were always as exciting, she always noticed how the crowd cheered them on and sang along to their songs, but being in the audience was a whole other experience. As the idol group performing finished their last song, the entire group gave a bow together, causing the crowd to go wild all over again. Maki recognized the performer's heavy breathing and glowing faces as they waved good bye to the cheering fans. The red head could relate to the feeling, so taking a deep breath to push through her embarrassment, she lifted her glow stick into the air and cheered along, showing her support.

"George was amazing! I think all the singers sang beautifully! Their choreography was so complicated and intense! We should try using some stunts in our own choreography!"

"Stunts would be so much fun nya!"

"No. Honoka and Nico would probably just hurt themselves." Said Maki

Hanayo and Rin hummed in agreement, both knowing that this was exactly what would happen.

As they walked away from the concert hall Maki observed the many fans that were also leaving the building. Many held posters of the group name and wore shirts and other merchandise of the performers. Something caught her eye though, a poster with the name 'Naru Fujioka'. It seemed out of place in the sea of 'George' merchandise and fans.

"Hey Hanayo?"

"Yes Maki-chan?"

"Who's Naru Fujioka?"

"Naru…Fujioka?" Hanayo frowned, "That name sounds very familiar…I know it…I know I know it…mmmm…" The brunette closed her eyes in concentration.

"Maybe she's an idol nya?"

"Yes! An idol! She's in George! That's it!"

"In George? The idol group we just saw? Of course…it makes sense now…"

"Yes! Sorry, it's a bit hard to remember the names of all the members in a group." Said Hanayo scratching her sheepishly.

"It is? They're not all equally popular?" Maki thought back to the diary entry she had read that morning. "So it's difficult…to be recognized as an individual when you're in a group?"

"Well yes, I mean, idol groups are known for the group. Of course, that doesn't mean each member isn't important and that they don't have their own set of fans. It's just a little more difficult to get their name out there in comparison to being a solo artist who is literally known by their name."

"I see…what about Muse then?"

"Us?"

"Yes…do people know us by our names? I mean I admit I've gotten asked if I was a part of Muse and those who asked knew me by name but…" Maki paused, trying to find the best way to word what she wanted to say. "Does everyone else in Muse get recognized equally too? Do people know all of us by name?"

"Well I'm sure they do nya!" Rin jumped in front of Maki, causing the red head to gasp in surprise. "Everyone in Muse is too cute to not notice! Maybe we'll just emphasize our names a little more so people can learn them!"

"Mention…our names more?" Maki closed her eyes in concentration. "That…isn't a bad idea…but we…we can do more…"

"What do you have in mind Maki-chan?" asked Hanayo, slightly worried about Maki's serious expression.

The girl in question opened her eyes again and gave a small smile. "I think I know the perfect idea for our next concert."

"No…no…no…this isn't right…" Maki sat in front of her piano scribbling notes on some empty staff paper.

She stopped then plunged into a melody, her fingers dancing across the keys as she hummed a possible melody to go along with the accompanying chords. She closed her eyes to help her concentrate on the notes and imagined corresponding harmonies.

"Is this key too high for Nico-chan?"

She imagined the petite third year singing the melody and smiled. There was no need to worry, it was perfect. After writing out the notes on staff paper she paused at the blank lyric space of the paper. She needed lyrics.

"I could ask Umi…but who knows how long it will take her…and will she really be able to write a song perfect for Nico? No…it's something only she can do…" Maki's eyes lit up "Of course!"

The young girl hopped off the piano bench and ran to her room pulling out the only thing of Nico's she owned. Her diary and idol notebooks. Flipping through the pages of the notebooks, she began to write phrases that Nico would put in a song, things that would make a person smile, make her smile.

"Well…one things for sure…it has to say her signature 'Nico Nico Nii'…" Maki's cheek flushed in embarrassment over the lyrics she had written. "But it's perfect."

Now it was back to the piano again. She was determined to finish writing everything before school on Monday, before the meeting with Muse that would most likely finalize all plans for their upcoming concert. She had to have everything done by then. She needed at least three, no four songs done by then. Taking the set of idol notebooks as inspiration, she threw herself into writing lyrics, forcing herself to swallow her pride as she did so. After completing the words to a song she would take it to the piano and fiddle with the notes as she came up with melodies. It was the perfect plan. All she needed to do was get the approval of the other girls and she would be all set.

She was going to get Nico's name out. She would make sure that people knew her name.

"Alright. Nobody leaves this room until we've come up with some epic concert plans." Nico crossed her arms, trying to look like an authority figure.

"I have to agree, I think we've procrastinated enough." Said Eli, also crossing her arms. However when the blond third year did it, she really did look like the authority figure she was.

"We need to do something different, something amazing," added Nico. "Everyone has high expectations of us."

Umi frowned. "I understand that every concert needs to meet a certain standard but…what's wrong with just singing a couple new songs? I don't think we're expected to do anything different."

"But different is FUN!" burst out Honoka, "It'll bring some excitement to the fans!"

"Fun isn't necessarily feasible…" mumbled Umi.

"So Maki-chan, Umi-chan, is it even possible for you two to write a few songs with enough time for us to practice them?"

"I'm not so-"

"Already done." Interrupted Maki, twirling a strand of her hair with her finger.

"EHHHHH?" Honoka jumped up from her seat, slamming her hands on the table. "Maki-chan…you're AMAZING."

Hanayo giggled. "So was this a part of that idea you mentioned on Saturday?"

"What idea?" asked Nozomi, watching Maki intently.

"I was a bit inspired the other day," began the first year "So I started working on some songs on my own to go along with this…this idea I had."

"Oh my gosh Maki…" Nico wiped a fake tear away "You've grown so much."

Maki rolled her eyes. "Anyways, don't say anything until I finish explaining…" she took a deep breath. This was it. "I'm suggesting that we all have songs within Muse…without all of Muse…I'm suggesting each one of us to debut a solo song, in addition to sub units within Muse. However, I'm thinking of doing this in the span of two concerts. The first one can be for the debut of each of our solo songs. Therefore, we can begin the concert singing a song together, have the each of us perform a solo song, and end it with a song together. That way the fans won't freak out and misunderstand that we're each going solo, and that we're still an idol group. Then we announce the next concert in which we will debut the sub units, which will consist of three units, each with three members. This concept will give our music more diversity as each subunit will have a considerably different sound than the others. So in the long run, it will make our concerts more diverse and exciting have the additional subunits perform along with our usual group songs."

The room was quiet. The eight girls took in the information, thinking of the idea of performing alone, without their friends. It was definitely different, but it was exciting.

"Wow Maki…did you think of that all on your own?" said Eli, being the first one to actually speak up after a long moment of silence.

"Yes…I thought it would different…something not done before, or at least not commonly done."

"You've really put a lot of thought into this haven't you?" said Nozomi smiling.

"Singing…by ourselves…" Umi's eyes were wide. "I couldn't possibly…"

"Of course you can Umi-chan! You would be wonderful!" Kotori chimed in.

"That's a bit scary…but exciting…" whispered Hanayo.

"You would do great Kayo-chin!"

"It would give everyone a chance to see Nico's cuteness!" added Nico looking smug.

"Well, that is the overall point…" thought Maki, pleased that Nico seemed to approve of the idea.

"Singing by ourselves though? I love performing with all of you though…" said Honoka looking conflicted as she stared down at the table, "But this idea is great, it's different, something no one would expect." She lifted her head, her eyes glistening with excitement, "But it would be so much fun to see how great everyone sings on their own! It'll give everyone a chance to shine and I just can't help feeling excited for all of us!"

"So…is it a yes?" asked Maki tentatively looking around at her eight friends who had begun to chat amongst themselves with excitement.

At once everyone stopped talking. Honoka grinned.

"On three, everyone say either yes or no. Ready? One…Two…"

Maki closed her eyes to calm her nerves.

"Yes!" chorused the eight girls.

Her heart lifted, her eyes opened, her purple eyes lighting up happily.

"Ok, let's get started!"

"So, how are we going to get nine songs done so quickly? I mean it'll be easy for us because we only need to learn one song each, but what about writing the music and lyrics for each song? That's really overwhelming for Maki-chan and Umi-chan. I don't think making the clothes should be a problem, because they don't need to really match one another, so I can just make something that would look best on each person. Although that does mean nine different designs…" Kotori trailed off, looking lost in thought.

"Well…actually, I've already started on the songs. Like I said, I was a bit inspired," answered Maki "I managed to finish the music for all nine songs, but was only able to finish the lyrics for four of them."

"Lyrics too? You're amazing Maki-chan!" Hanayo grabbed Maki's hand in excitement.

The red head first year blushed, "It wasn't too difficult…"

"So…" Nico leaned forward towards Maki, "Whose did you finish first?"

Maki's face burned from embarrassment. "I-It's not like I chose favorites or anything! I just made them in random order."

"So, whose do you have done?" asked Eli, "Or are they just songs that we can pick and choose to sing?"

Maki shook her head, "No, they're specific to each person according to which key would suite them best. The melodies and notes are all there, the only thing each person needs to do is arrange the speed and the style of their songs. The ones I have completely done with lyrics include your's, Rin's, Nico's, and my own."

"So we basically only need five more full song lyrics?"

"Yes, I think I should be able to get them done soon…it didn't take me too long to write them."

"What a liar Maki-chan," teased Nozomi, smiling mischievously at the younger girl, "I can see those dark circles under your eyes. Plus you were yawning a lot during lunch today." She winked at Maki who had already begun to blush furiously, "It's ok to admit you were working hard you know."

"N-no! It's not that! I just haven't slept much because…because my pillow was uncomfortable!"

"Nozomi's right, we need to acknowledge your hard work." said Umi smiling gently, "So thank you Maki, this whole plan is essentially your creation. We're all really thankful."

"But that doesn't mean we can just let her continue to do all the work," added Nico frowning, "I mean, it wouldn't be fair for all of us to just sit here doing nothing."

"Then why don't the remaining people write their own song lyrics?" suggested Hanayo "And those who already have their song lyrics done can help Kotori with the sewing."

"That…that could work." Said Maki thoughtfully.

"OH! And no one show anyone their songs! That way it can be a surprise for all of us!" Honoka squealed in delight, "It'll be like we're also performing for each other!"

"Performing for eachother?" Eli blinked then grinned, "Harasho!"

"Oooh! Does that mean that this the final plan nya?"

"Seems like it." Turning to Maki, Umi added, "Is that alright with you?"

Maki smiled. "It's perfect. Everyone still needs to work with me to finalize the finishing touches of songs and when they have their lyrics ready so I can arrange the songs accordingly."

"Hmmm, so Maki-chan is going to be the only person who will know all our songs." Nozomi's striking eyes looked thoughtful, "You're going to be like an all seeing goddess of music for this project won't you?"

"Don't be weird Nozomi." muttered Maki.

"Hehe. No promises!"

Maki groaned, throwing herself on her bed. It was three in the morning and she was exhausted. She was spending a lot of hours after school working with each muse member on their songs, and while she was happy to do so, it was tiring and left her very little time to do her homework. However, whenever Rin or Hanayo, whom knew exactly how much homework she had, voiced their concern Maki would simply wave them off lying to them by saying she had miraculously already finished the work. This left her in her current situation, staying up late to finish the work every night. She had taken to drinking coffee in the morning before school in order to keep herself awake. Her father had offered to start driving to school so Maki could sleep in a little without the worry of time it took to walk to school. Knowing that her father was already busy enough as it is, she turned down the offer and instead relied on caffeine to get her through the day. In the end she knew it would be worth the effort. Not just for Nico, but for the entire group. She couldn't help feel a surge of pride listening to each member sing their own songs and just hearing how good they sounded. She couldn't wait for all of them to perform their songs.

"I should probably start practicing my own song…" she felt her cheeks heat up, "But it's so embarrassing….I still have time to change the lyrics but…according to the notebooks…I think these lyrics will do."

She sat up on her bed. "I should practice a bit now…but it's so late…I know, I'll get back to my original goal…to find Nico's father."

She picked up her laptop that was placed beside her bed, and opened to review her findings. Checking her email, she was pleased to find a response from an email she had sent when she first created her list. She looked over her original to do list.

1 Speak to the man in prison. Ask him about his family.

2 Try to get a hold of the people who filed the missing person report in Tokyo

3 Talk to musician who released the demo.

Maki took a pencil and crossed out the last item, speaking to the musician. Maki had emailed under pretense that she was a professional composer and was interested in writing a song for him. She asked him for his family background, saying that she preferred to work with someone she knew a little about. His response was that he actually lived out of the country for most of his life and had come to Japan again to try to make it as a musician.

"I'll just email him a short melody to make up for his time." She quickly wrote a few lines of staff paper, took a picture of it, and sent it to the man. "That should do it."

"Only two more to go…and I'm back to square one. At least the release of Nico's song might attract enough attention to bring her father back."

Maki sighed and put her stuff away. This was enough for one day.

"I hope you're having sweet dreams Nico-chan."

"You really need to get some more sleep, you're beginning to look unhealthy even." Dr. Nishikino eyed his daughter from across the dinner table. "And believe me, I would know if you were looking unhealthy."

"It's just until Saturday, after that things will slow down, I promise." Maki twirled her fork distractedly, "Will you and Mama be there?"

"Of course, we wouldn't miss our daughter's first solo performance for the world." Maki's mother leaned over to squeeze her hand affectionately, "There will be another concert too won't there? Do you know which two girls will be in your subunit thing?"

"Yes I do, but I haven't told the rest of the girls yet."

Dr. Nishikino grinned. "Is Yazawa-san going to be in your little group?"

Maki blushed and picked at her food, "Yes she is."

"That's wonderful dear!" said Mrs. Nishikino clapping her hands together.

"It is?" Maki blinked in confusion.

"Did you finish her solo song? How does it sound?"

"It's finished…it sounds good, Nico-chan really like the lyrics I wrote for her so that's good." She frowned, "No offense, but why do you two care about Nico-chan so much?"

"We care about all your friends dear."

Dr. Nishikino nodded, "Plus she goes to our hospital so that makes her even more important to us."

"O-oh…ok….I guess that makes sense. Nico-chan's really excited about the performance too, I mean this idol thing is really more her thing than it is any of ours. She's an expert when it comes to anything idol like."

"Well then, its good thing you're helping her with your dream then! I'm proud of you." Maki's father smiled warmly, "I'm happy for all you girls! Just don't work too hard ok? Otherwise you're going to have permanent tired eyes."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"Ok, I am NOT fine…I don't think I can do this." Maki paced in her dressing room, her heels clicking the floor with each step she made. "I can't sing the song…alone…what was I THINKING?" The red head stopped in front of the mirror, slapping her cheeks lightly in an effort to calm herself.

It didn't work.

"Deep breaths. Just keep taking one breath at a time."

*Knock Knock*

"Maki-chan? Are you ready yet?"

"We're all waiting nya!"

Maki took another deep breath and forced herself to smile as she opened the door, revealing her fellow first years.

"I'm ready, let's go meet everyone else!"

They had all decided to perform the entire concert in their single solo outfit. It would make the transitions between songs easier, and it would serve as a mini introduction for what was to come.

"Uwaaaaa! You three look so cute!" Honoka jumped excitedly, "This is going to so amazing! I'm so excited I can hardly breathe!"

Honoka stood with Umi and Kotori, with the third years still absent from the group.

"I can hardly breathe for an entirely different reason." Thought Maki and she forced herself to appear calm and collected.

"I'm so nervous…" whimpered Umi, who was tugging at her skirt length.

"I'm sure everyone will do great nya!"

"So, everyone knows the order right? No one has any last minute objections? We've already set the screen to display the names of each performer so if any of you want to change the order we have to do it now." Eli, who had just appeared and was followed Nozomi and Nico, spoke to the underclassmen seriously scanning their faces for any hint of doubt.

"No! Let's get this show started!" Nico beamed, it was impossible to miss the happiness that was radiating from her. "So, just to clarify one more time, the order is me, Nozomi, Kotori, Hanayo, Honoka, Rin, Eli, Umi, and Maki?"

"Yes!"

"Alright guys, let's go!" Honoka began running to her position for the opening song, closely followed by Rin.

"Good luck everyone!" said Kotori, pulling Umi along who was still muttering to herself about how nervous she was.

"Make was for the great Nico nico nii!"

"Are you ready Maki-chan?" Nozomi whispered in Maki's ear causing the red head to jump in surprise.

"Nozomi!"

"There you go, hopefully that little scare shook off some nerves." The third year smiled, her hair was slightly disheveled from her own performance. Since she was one of the first ones to perform, her breathing was even again and looked as energetic as ever. "Umi-chan's doing wonderful out there despite her nerves."

It was true, once Umi had stepped out onto the stage to perform, it was like she was an entirely different person. She was currently singing her song to which the crowd was eagerly thrusting their glow sticks in the air to the beat. It was interesting to see how the fans had somehow on their own decided on a single color for each girl that performed. At the moment, the entire auditorium was filled with deep blue glow sticks. Each of the girls had had the same experience, although with different colors. Nico's had been pink, which she was thrilled about, stating that it was 'the only color cute enough'.

"I wonder what color you'll be Maki."

"It doesn't really matter."

"I'm sure the color would be the one that suits you best."

The crowd suddenly roared as Umi finished her song and took her bow, and walked off the stage.

It was time.

Maki took a deep breath and felt Nozomi gently push her forward. Maki turned to the older girl and smiled gratefully. Walking to the center of the stage, she was greeted by a sea of red. The red was striking and the bright color made Maki's eyes widen at its beauty. Behind her, a large screen displayed her name 'Maki Nishikino'.

"Nico, I hope this works."

She smirked at the crowd and turned around that her back was facing them placing a hand on her hip, causing them to roar in excitement. On cue with the start of her song, she spun around, her face flushed with excitement and adrenaline, feeding off the energy of the crowd.

"Daring! You'll be wild!"

I apologize again for the delay! It's just been really crazy these days!

And in case you haven't guessed already or haven't played the Love Live! mobile game, each of their solo songs are the songs used for the school idol diary events of each girl.

Here is a list of each song:

Nico - Mahoutsukai Hajimemashita!

Nozomi - Junai Lens

Hanayo - Kodoku na Heavan

Kotori - Blueberry Train

Honoka - Someday of my Life

Rin - Koi No Shigunaru Rin rin rin

Eli - Arifureta Kanashimi No Hate

Umi - Yuuki no Reason

Maki - Daring!

Anyways, thanks again to all who have read/followed/favorited this story so far, it means so much!

Please review!

I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible!