Fight Or Flight

Weekends were the time for relaxation for most, but µ's continued their endless training to produce results for all upcoming battles against the invading Avatars. Inside a gym attached to Phoebus Apollo, some of them were having a mock sparring among themselves.

On one side was Honoka, whose hands were wielding a shinai and armoured appropriately as a kendo fighter. Her opponent was Umi, similarly attired and also holding a shinai. The others cheered from the sidelines, looking intently at the battle before them.

Honoka charged in towards Umi, but the blue-haired girl took a step backwards to dodge the attack. Umi then took the chance and whacked her opponent's head helmet.

"Game over, Honoka." Umi declared, "How could you forget everything taught back in Kendo?"

"Uh, Umi-chan, that was during middle school!" Honoka reasoned, "I haven't touched these things since we graduated."

"That is no excuse. It is our duty to master one discipline and continuing honing our mastery," Umi asserted, shaking her head.

"5 seconds!" Hanayo declared, stopping her timer.

"Wow, that was actually quite fast…" Maki admitted.

"Fast? Nico's head cannot even grasp it in time!" Nico cried.

"Or Nico-chi just has a slow processing brain," Nozomi teased.

"Nyamazing… Umi-sempai's so cool…" Rin balked in awe, "Too bad Rin is bad at racket sports that involve swinging…"

"Maybe Clio is a waste of your talents, Umi," Eli remarked.

"Umi-chan's family runs a martial arts dojo. They train in kendo, kyudo and hand-to-hand combat." Honoka included the trivia, "Umi-chan's like a modern-day samurai! There is no wastage of her ability and power."

"Please Honoka! You don't need to tell everyone…" Umi exclaimed, clearly embarrassed.

While the rest of the girls were chatting away, Kotori was sitting in the corner and unusually silent and deep in thought.

"Kotori…" Umi called out, "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Kotori exclaimed, "Yeah… I'm alright… just a bit of…"

"Not feeling well?" Umi suggested.

"Kotori-chan, you have to drink more water! That's what Umi-chan always says," Honoka butted in.

"Uh… please excuse me for a while…" Kotori said, leaving the room.

"Please excuse me as well," Umi said, going after Kotori.

Later, in the hallways, Umi managed to catch up with Kotori. The grey-haired girl was in shambles, her face contorted with worry and uncertainty.

"Kotori, what is the matter?" asked Umi, "I am here to be your listening ear, if you want."

"Umi-chan…" Kotori mouthed.

"C'mon, we are, after all, childhood friends." Umi reminded.

"Last night…" Kotori began her recount.

"Really, I managed to get in that school!" exclaimed Kotori.

"I knew that Otonokizaka would be closing down soon, so I made preparations beforehand," her mother explained, "I know you always wanted this but… you know you have to leave for Paris. You have to leave Japan and your childhood friends."

"Honoka-chan… Umi-chan…" Kotori muttered.

"I know you three had been close since before kindergarten," her mother recalled, "I leave the final choice to you."

"Congratulations, Kotori." Umi congratulated, "You can become the famous fashion designer you dreamt of as a child."

"But Umi-chan… I don't want to leave you guys…" Kotori reflected.

"Don't worry, it is the age of the Internet." Umi comforted, "We can always call up or message one another."

"What will Honoka-chan say of this?" asked Kotori.

"If you're afraid of her holding you back, I'm here to stop her." Umi reassured.

"Frankly speaking, even Kotori does not know what she wants," Kotori confessed, "It's all so surreal. Kotori hates having to fight, but then… we found some purpose to fight on…. And then now…"

"Whatever your choice is, I will always be there for you." Umi promised.

After training, the girls were returning to their respective houses. For Rin, she was joining Hanayo for the night and followed her childhood friend home. At their doorstep, Mrs Koizumi was already there and greeting her daughter home.

"Hanayo… and Rin-chan, good to see you again!" Mrs Koizumi welcomed the two.

"Rin is happy to be here again nya!" Rin replied in her usual excitement.

"Hello Mum," Hanayo greeted in kind.

"By the way, your friend had sent someone to pick up the books," her mother relayed.

"Huh? What books?" asked Rin.

"Maki-chan asked for the reference notes I took of the Avatars." Hanayo explained, "She seemed quite intent on reading them, so I let her borrow the entire collection."

"The whole set? But that's a lot nya… Maki-chan must really like reading, not like Rin." Rin sheepishly concluded.

Nico's family had recently moved out for their new apartment in Chiba, with only Nico staying behind. For the evening, she was not alone; Maki had accompanied her home and Nero was unloading boxes full of books under the redhead's directions.

"That should be the last of them," Nero said, "But seriously, I'm a master detective. You can put me to better jobs than a glorified delivery man."

"Quit your complaining. You did do a good job, I suppose…" Maki snapped, "You may leave. The money will be in your account by midnight."

With Nero leaving Nico's house, Nico came out from her kitchen. Due to her small frame, the apron looked oversized and covered most of the petite girl's body.

"Nico-chan… that's so… No, naughty Maki!" Maki thought, upon looking at Nico.

"Geez, what's wrong with you?" Nico questioned, "Stop giving me that look. Nico has prepared dinner just for you since you will be staying for a few hours."

"Uh… thanks…" Maki said, regaining her calm, "But after dinner, we will get straight to our research."

"Using Nico's house for your private so-called research… Are you sure there is no ulterior motive behind all this?" Nico probed.

"Nico-chan, I don't understand and this is serious business!" I've discussed this with you already!" Maki exclaimed.

Nico, hardly convinced, picked up one of the reference books and browsed through them. It contained everything, from news clippings, handwritten notes, transcripts and even URLs to various news sites.

"Are these collection of dates gonna to help us?" she questioned.

"Nico-chan, Avatar manifestation has indeed become more frequent in recent times. The window between Hundun and Maya was barely a week." Maki reminded her senior, "Compared to the iDols' initial debut… you should know their frequency too."

"And you suspect a correlation?" Nico said.

Much later into the night, Kotori was contemplating in her bedroom. Her thoughts were still on that chance she had, the chance to fulfil her wishes yet at the cost of her friends.

For the moment, she was on the phone with Umi.

"Umi-chan, I still can't decide!" she cried, "I thought it would be simple, but it's all so…"

"Relax Kotori, this happens to many who went overseas to study. You will be perfectly alright in Paris," Umi comforted.

"I don't even know if I want to go abroad…" Kotori reminded Umi.

"There must be some reason behind it. What's stopping you?" asked Umi, "I'm sure your parents are behind this… Wait, the Chairwoman?"

"Mum was surprisingly supportive of me…" Kotori replied, "But what about Umi-chan and Honoka-chan?"

"You are able to fulfil your dream at long last, of course I will be happy for you." Umi answered, "And Honoka? Sigh, she's always such a burden…"

"This iDols business was her idea to begin with, but… To just leave it all behind for the safety of further studies… Won't Kotori leave a bad impression on the rest?" she wondered.

"Yes, I will not deny that possibility." Umi conceded, "But I will be there to correct their misconception. Don't worry. Just go for it."

"Thank you, Umi-chan." Kotori beamed, "But Honoka-chan…"

"Yes, I know she may be stubborn at times... but I can try to convince…" Umi suggested, "Wait Kotori, my Mother's calling me. I will end the call for now."

Over at Umi's house, her mother appeared in the courtyard to find her daughter. She was not alone, as Honoka charged in and hugged Umi at first glance.

"Honoka! Please!" Umi cried.

"Umi-chan! Who were you calling just now? A secret boyfriend?" Honoka spurted.

"This is absurd… let me go please…" Umi demanded, and Honoka let go, "What do you want?"

"Sensei, please teach me!" Honoka beamed, smiling at the strict blue-haired girl.

Following their encounter, Honoka and Umi went over to the mini-dojo built at the back of the house. Both had donned their kendo attire, with Honoka relentlessly swinging her shinai. Umi looked at her childhood friend closely, seeing all her strokes and blows.

"Honoka…" Umi muttered.

"What, sensei? Is Honoka doing it wrong?" cried Honoka, halting her training.

"Nothing, it is nice that you are retraining on your kendo. You were practically the star of the team back in middle school, and then you just quit…" Umi recalled.

Still in their middle school years, the atmosphere was grim in the kendo clubroom. Most of the other members were stunt by the tight slap that resonated in that very room. Honoka was still recovering from that surprise assault on her, inflicted by Umi who stood before her.

"What do you mean you quit?" Umi demanded.

"I have won the nationals, the star of the school team. I am at the pinnacle." Honoka answered, "…And it's boring…"

"You disgust me…" Umi cursed.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry for quitting…" Honoka apologised, "We hardly spoke with each other for three weeks. If not for Kotori-chan, I think we will be enemies for life."

"If not for Kotori…" Umi thought.

"Now that I think of it, I really caused quite a bit of trouble for you two…" Honoka admitted.

"A bit? Try a lot…" Umi blankly stated, "What about that time when we were in kindergarten…"

During their kindergarten years, Honoka wanted to see the sunset from the top of a tree. Roping in both Umi and Kotori, the trio climbed the tree that seemed so massive relative to their small bodies.

"Honoka-chan! This is too dangerous!" Kotori yelled.

"Come down before you hurt yourself," Umi nagged.

"If you want me to come down, then come get me down." Honoka dared the two.

"We were stuck on that tree for hours and if not for that officer, our parents would be worried sick!" Umi finished her recount.

"But that was a nice sunset to watch," Honoka said, "You do remember it?"

"That sunset…" Umi thought.

Goaded by Honoka, all three of theme ended up climbing on the tree. They settled down on one of the tree's branches, but it simply could not support the weight of these three girls. About to snap, they were lucky to grab hold on another branch… well, Honoka and Umi did, while Kotori latched onto Umi as if her life depended on it.

"Honoka-chan, this is all your fault!" Kotori screamed.

"Hey look!" Honoka exclaimed, pointing towards the sunset.

Looking at the sunset on the horizon, they saw a magnificent golden disk meeting with the land. The cityscape was darkened into shadows by the golden light.

"It was admittedly majestic…" Umi thought.

"You were thinking of it, weren't you?" teased Honoka.

"O-of course not! I… uh…" Umi stuttered, "Honoka, lay down your shinai. We need to talk."

Honoka dropped her shinai and sat down on the gym floor, as had Umi.

"Honoka, there was this saying… All things must come to an end." Umi began, "Do you think…"

"Umi-chan!" Honoka snapped, "The school's not going to end! We are doing a good job bringing our school forward for relocation! The Chairwoman said Otonokizaka's being considered for it soon."

"Not the school, I mean us… as friends…" Umi continued.

"That is not going to change, no matter how far are we apart." Honoka said, "We fell out many times before, but our bonds only grew in the end."

"Most of the time, as I recall, is because of you dragging us around." Umi said, "That had always been your style, to do something for the heck of it and then leave it behind once you are bored. That was also it when you practiced kendo, wasn't it?"

"Uh… nailed it perfectly… You really know me well…" Honoka admitted.

"As super childhood friends, it is second nature to me." Umi declared, "Wait, don't change the topic! I was talking about all things coming to an end."

"Umi-chan, don't worry." Honoka reassured, "You know Tsubasa-san from UTX, they fought on as iDol pilots and got their school relocated successfully. If they can do it, so can we!"

"How do you know about this?" asked Umi.

"Do not tell anyone of this." Honoka recalled Tsubasa's warning.

"Uh… I forgot…" Honoka answered.

"That's so like you, but I guess you had been watching videos of other iDols," Umi guessed, "But back to topic, this is not about the school. It's about us; all of us are reaching the point of our lives where we take on different paths as our future."

"Like me inheriting Homura, you inheriting your parents' combined dojo and Kotori-chan pursuing fashion," Honoka butted in.

"Indeed, I guess I should tell you the truth… Yes, no more beating around the bush," Umi said, "Well… Kotori…"

The next day was another day of training for µ's, with its members meeting up for their usual training. For the second-years, they were supposed to meet up in Kotori's house.

As Kotori was ready to leave her home, both Umi and Honoka were there to greet their friend.

"Umi-chan! Honoka-chan!" Kotori exclaimed, "You guys are early!"

"Honoka stayed in my house last night, and I managed to wake her up," Umi explained.

"Who on Earth wakes up at 5 in the morning!" Honoka cried.

"People who put in effort in their lives," Umi lectured, "The early bird catches the worm, as the saying goes."

"Anyway…" Honoka dismissed Umi's lecture and turned to Kotori.

"Kotori-chan, congrats!" she beamed.

"Huh?" wondered Kotori.

"C'mon, no point hiding it from Honoka!" she continued chattering, "You got accepted to that famous fashion academy in France! You have to bring back souvenirs for every summer break there, promise!"

"So… you are not mad at me…" Kotori asked.

"Mad? Okay, I was mad when Umi-chan told me last night… but we spoke about it for the whole night… and Honoka understood," she replied, "Honoka definitely wants all my friends to enjoy themselves. And Kotori-chan, you and Umi-chan are my best friends. Of course Honoka will support you."

"Honoka-chan… Umi-chan…" Kotori mouthed, tears streaming from her eyes.

"If only you told me earlier… Why am I usually the last one to know about these sort of things?" Honoka remarked.

"Because your role among us friends is to drag us into more problems and expect us to solve them," Umi replied, "And with Kotori no longer around, I have the monopoly over managing you… Oh the agony…"

"I will always be available online if you need me…" Kotori laughed.

"Oi, you two!" Honoka yelled.

Later on, during their break, the second-years opted to reveal the truth to everyone in µ's. Their reactions were kind of as expected…

"Big news! This is big news!" Hanayo exclaimed, "I didn't know you were so good in fashion design!"

"Could you make a hoodie with cat ears for Rin?" Rin asked.

"Congratulations for this wonderful experience," Eli smiled, "I remembered when I first came to Japan from the Soviet Union. I'm sure you will experience an equally delightful journey ahead."

"Hm… my cards have told me it will be quite unexpected for you…" Nozomi added, showing the girl The Wheel of Fortune card.

"Good for you…" that was all Nico could muster.

"All the best, Kotori…" Maki replied calmly.

Even so, Kotori was definitely uneasy and fidgeting about. Nico's crimson eyes kept on glaring at Kotori, like a panther ready to pounce.

"Okay, I can't stand this anymore!" Nico snapped, "You think you can just leave, after going through that much! How could you just… leave them, us, everyone behind?"

"Nico, if you need to blame anyone, I would take it." Umi confessed, "It was I who convinced Kotori to do what she wanted to do so dearly."

"And I agreed to it because I want Kotori-chan to be happy," Honoka followed up, "Isn't it our job to make everyone happy so that they can progress on their lives?"

"Even so, to quit…" Nico continued yelling.

"Nico-chan…" Maki whispered, grabbing onto Nico, "Just stop. We know it's for the best… Just do it."

At this point, Captain Minami entered the room and confronted µ's.

"Ah girls, I have important news for all of you." She began, "Minami Kotori, my daughter, will be…"

"We know already, Madam…" Nozomi said, and then turned to Kotori, "And like the Wheel of Fortune, Fate will definitely turn you back to us again~"

After that announcement, Nico and Maki had retreated to a private corner of their own and engaged in their private dialogue.

"Geez, what's with you?" Maki asked, "Play it cool, Nico-chan."

"Damn that coward!" Nico cursed while completely ignoring Maki, "Why does she get to go? Just because she's the Captain's daughter!"

"Nico-chan, settle down. It may not be so bad…" Maki reasoned, "If my hunch is correct, the manifestations may decrease."

"That is only your theory!" Nico exclaimed.

"We have the data to back up this theory, as we found out last night," Maki explained, "When A-Rise was the main iDol unit, Avatar manifestation was monthly. For us, it is almost every other day. Coincidence? I highly doubt that."

"Humph… so you intend to drive each of us away from µ's to get rid of the Avatars?" wondered Nico.

"No… it's just… they should know about this. They have decades' worth of data to analyse," Maki said, "Sure, Avatars had manifested before iDols exist but… there is something strange in Phoebus Apollo… A conspiracy, some would say…"

Meanwhile, Nozomi rested in her private quarters; assigned to all members within Phoebus Apollo. Seated on her desk, a set of Tarot cards was laid down as always.

Flipping up the facedown cards, she took particular attention at the various cards unveiled.

The Lovers. Upright.

The Wheel of Fortune. Reverse.

The Emperor. Reverse.

"Her mind is cleared and relations remain harmonious… but the false Emperor-kun…"

The lights for the mostly dark room were suddenly turned on. There was no need for Nozomi to turn around. She knew who was there to join her.

"Nozomi, you're not a vampire. Please turn on the lights," Eli pleaded.

"Nah, Eli-chi whimpering in the dark is a sight to behold," Nozomi teased.

"Sigh… you playing cards again…" Eli bemoaned.

"Not mere cards Eli-chi, they are the windows to the future," Nozomi insisted.

Days later, it was time for Kotori to depart Japan for her new school life in Paris. In the Tokyo International Airport, her mother and two childhood friends joined Kotori to see her off.

"Kotori-chan, you brought your special pillow with you?" asked Honoka.

"Of course, I double-checked." Kotori replied.

"It will be a long flight there, so be well-rested," Umi lectured, "Beware of pickpockets and burglars. They prey on young foreign girls like us."

"Okay, Umi-chan…" Kotori replied, "Will be super careful."

"Farewell Kotori, do send a message when in Paris," her mother said.

"And you better buy us some French food while there!" Honoka butted in.

"Of course Mum," Kotori answered, "and Honoka-chan, I won't be back until Christmas break, so bear with me. All of you are my most treasured friends."

"Kotori, you're next." Umi reminded.

Kotori stepped up, heading to the counter to register for the Paris flight. But then… she was stuck there for some time. When she turned back towards her friends and mother, a look of worry grew on Kotori's face.

"Uh… I do not have a flight to Paris…" Kotori said.

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Umi, "There must be some mistake!"

"Miss, her seat is empty under the records," the attendant explained, "Or rather, it had always been empty."

"How could that be possible?" asked Mrs Minami.

"Unless… No!" she thought.

After a failed trip to send off Kotori, she and her mother returned home and settled down at her own home again. While unpacking her many clothes, Honoka and Umi joined in and helped out the effort.

"An unexpected turn of events… I'm sorry for what happened," Umi apologised.

"Sorry? There's no need to," Kotori reassured, "I would love to stay with you two anyway, but you were kinda wanting Kotori to go…"

"What's important is that we get to stay together as childhood friends!" Honoka cheered, "That's why we're here, to help out Kotori-chan!"

"But I still don't get it…" Umi wondered, "Not only was the flight ticket voided, everything was as well… visa and even your placing, they simply vanished."

"Umi-chan, stop worrying!" Honoka exclaimed, "Maybe it's a sign from the gods that we must remain together… forever!"

"Forever… we are not married, and will never be…" Umi remarked.

"Umi-chan, I would need your help…" Kotori mentioned, "I want to know how to fight too. Kotori wants to be useful to those around her and match up to the Avatars and the rest of µ's."

"So you also want to train! Yay!" Honoka cheered, "Honoka has her first underling!"

"That's very forward of you, Kotori." Umi smiled, "Why?"

"I will continue our battles, the ones we haven't given up yet," Kotori answered, "And… the others may not have a high opinion of me since… They may be thinking me as a coward. Kotori hopes to redeem herself."

"Oh Kotori, you are always redeemed in our hearts," Honoka reassured her friend.

"And to leave one's homeland for a distant land to better oneself, that is no cowardly act." Umi added.

"But more importantly, when do we start the training?" Kotori asked.

"Tomorrow morning, 5 a.m.!" Umi calmly declared.

"What!" her two friends yelled.

Meanwhile, Mrs Minami was busy on the phone. Her face was notably uneasy as she clenched onto the phone, with cold sweat dripping down. The artificial distorted voice familiar to her spoke over the line.

"Captain-kun, I understand that you value your daughter. However, circumstances have chosen her as part of Fate. Nothing can stop the tide of Fate. Attempting to send her away… I will always get her back… by all means necessary…"

"I understand… Superintendent-sama." Mrs Minami meekly replied.

"Good. If similar problems arise again, do all within your limited power to eliminate the problem. If not, inform me and I will settle it. Understood?"

Okay, we are shaping towards the plot of the fanfic. Maki is becoming quite a conspiracy theorist.

The first flashback scene is slightly altered from the Love Live manga, where Honoka and Umi were part of a kendo club. Only difference was that their Otonokizaka club was originally kendo in the manga, while I place them in middle school for my fanfic.

A dose of Tarot symbolism

Chairwoman Minami: The Reversed Emperor (her role as a figurehead)