Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Otonokizaka Highschool

1:00 P.M.

It was starting to look like another fairly unenthusiastic day for the President of Otonokizaka Highschool's Idol Research Club, Hanayo Koizumi. Ever since the idol unit, μ's, disbanded not too long ago shortly after winning the School Idol Competition, Love Live, the excitement had died down for most of the students of Otonokizaka High school. Though they still are treated as celebrities among their peers, she couldn't help but long for those days spent practicing in preparation for lives.

She still couldn't believe that she had been part of μ's given that prior joining the aforementioned idol group, she had the confidence of a shrew.

Well, their initial goal in forming μ's anyways was to save the school from closing. Thanks to their efforts and achievements, there had been a great rise of student enrollments this year alone. What they experienced in their time as School Idols was just a bonus and a very sweet one at that. Not only did she get to become the very person she used to admire with such endearment in the past, but she formed friendships with people she could have never thought befriending and forged strong bonds with them. But since the third years graduated last year, they had to disband μ's.

The club remains intact, however, and there are new members such as Ayase Alisa and Kosaka Yukiho, Ayase Eli, the former Student Council President turned school idol, and Kosaka Honoka, the school idol, turned Student Council President's younger siblings respectively. They too are planning to trace their older sisters' steps and become school idols themselves. Numerous applications are always present everyday. As Club President, it's her job to filter these applications and find out which of the applicants share the same passion as all of the current club members when it comes to school idols.

She had just finished sifting through today's batch of applicants and was certain that another lazy day would pass them by. Out of sheer boredom, she opened the spam inbox of their email whilst nibbling on a rice ball. What she saw was an entire wall of mail from a single sender and all of them basiclly said the same thing. The contents of the messages were so mind boggling that she was rendered immobile, jaw hanging and all with a few pieces of rice glued to her face. She even dropped the rice ball she was munching on, which was quite rare for her given how much she treasures rice so much.

"Eh... EHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" When she was finally able to make use of her voice, those were the only words she could shout out loud. The sudden cry of astonishment was so loud that it drew the attention of the other club members.

"What's wrong, Kayochin. Eh? You dropped your rice ball. Don't worry. I'll get you a new one!" Her fellow μ's member and long time friend, Hoshizora Rin, said in a gentle voice in an attempt to calm her down.

"Yeah, what's wrong, Hanayo? It's just a rice ball. If you don't have enough money to get another one from the cafeteria, I could always lend you some." Another μ's member and a fellow second year, Nishikino Maki said in a tone that suggested disbelief.

"Huh? Why does Hanayo-chan look like she saw one of those jump scare videos that are rampant nowadays in the internet? Ohh... rest in peace, Onigiri-san. " Minami Kotori, the costume designer of μ's, and the daughter of the current principal of Otonokizaka High school muttered before closing both of her palms in prayer.

"Huh? Hanayo's feeling down... Ohh she dropped her rice ball? Quick, Rin-chan, go to the cafeteria and get her a new one. They're almost sold out!" Kosaka Honoka exclaimed to Rin urgently.

"STOP! Please stop and hear me out" Hanayo shouted at the top of her lungs just to get everyone's attention. "Please read the mail on the screen!"

At once, all of the club members shifted their focus on the screen of the computer and they reacted virtually the same way as Hanayo did.

"Hanayo... don't tell me you just read these a while ago?" Maki said incredulously.

Hanayo gives a small nod in response and everyone's faces darkened simultaneously.

"The latest email says that the guy is scheduled to arrive today. He thinks that our email's been compromised so he'll talk to us in person... he already talked to the principal about it..." Sonoda Umi says in a dumbfounded voice.

"The first email arrived a few days after we won Love Live. Don't tell me you did not check the emails for that long? No wonder he became impatient." Maki added.

"But is this guy really serious?" Kotori wondered.

"Kukuku. Of course he is. To offer us such a thing, surely he noticed just how much we can shine, specially me. After all, I am the greatest idol, Yazawa Nico!" A familiar voice interjected which caused quite a lot of uproar among the club members.

"Nico? Wha... since when did you arrive? What are you even doing here anyway?" Maki shouted in an alarmed voice..

"Muu. Is that what you're supposed to say when a friend you haven't seen in a while drops by to check on you? I may be petite but I'm not invisible!" Nico protested.

"Nico-chan! It's been a while!" Rin exclaimed as she hugged the black haired μ's member a little too tightly.

"Waah... Rin... too tight... I can't breathe!" Nico cried.

A collective laugh came from all the club members present including Alisa and Yukiho. After exchanging greetings, two more familiar faces appeared which prompted another collective gasps from the club members.

"Nozomi? Eli? What are you two doing here? Don't you have classes of your own? I can understand Nico cutting classes but not the two people that were once part of the Student Council." Umi said in an inquisitive tone.

"Well, it's the foundation week of our university so we wouldn't have any classes for the entire week. Instead of participating in the school's events, Nico suggested that we drop by and see what you guys are up to." Eli said as she breathed a tired sigh

"More like she wouldn't stop talking about visiting you guys so we had to comply but who cares about the details." Nozomi said with her trademark mischievous smile.

"Well we just need to meet him and find out. Let's hear out what he has to say before we decide on anything." Honoka suggested.

As if on cue, a series of gentle yet urgent knocks came from the club room's door. They weren't expecting anyone else since virtually everyone was already present so they were curious to see who the next visitor is.

With nervous hands, Kotori and Honoka grabbed hold of the door knob and slowly turned it. The mechanism that operated the knob seemed to click louder than usual adding to the anxiety in the air. Upon finally opening the door, mixed waves of worry and relief washed over each of the nine μ's members when they saw two people waiting by the door. One of them was Kotori's mom, Principal Minami while the other was an unfamiliar guy that looked only a few years older than the former third years. The guy sported jet black hair, gray piercing eyes and a composed businessman's smile. He was dressed in formal attire comprising of a black Armani suit, matching black trousers, and top quality Italian leather shoes. Even without an introduction, everyone was already aware that this guy is the man they've been anticipating.

"Everyone. I'd like you to meet Nakai Motoharu-san. He's a very successful Producer even at his young age and he has taken an interest in all of you after you won Love Live last year. He personally asked for permission to meet all of you and I'm quite pleased to see everyone already gathered." Principal Minami said in a very enthusiastic voice.

"It's a pleasure to meet such talented girls. As Principal Minami had said, my name is Motoharu Nakai and I'm a freelance producer that aims to give school idols a chance to gain not only national but also international recognition. My job is to give you all a stepping stone to launch your career as idols. Currently, I'm planning to start a company with a few other talented gentleman in the industry and I'd like it if μ's were to reunite and become the first idols we'll manage under our company." Motoharu said in a calm and gentle voice.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Was the response the young producer received from everyone in the room, excluding Principal Minami who had already been informed beforehand of his intentions.

"Are you serious?" Nico immediately asked eagerly.

"I'm completely serious." Motoharu replied with a composed smile.

"Bu... but why us? There are other promising school idols out there that are just as talented. A-Rise for instance." Umi muttered.

"Ever since I first watched your performances when your group was just starting out, I immediately saw the passion you displayed. Do you know the most important role of an idol? It's not just to sing, dance or perform in a crowd. Anyone can do that. The most important role of a school idol is to bring happiness to those who hear them sing and watch them dance. That's what seals the deal and completes the full package of the idol experience for the audience's perspective. It is quite a rare trait to have and that trait is evident in all your performances. Watching each of your performances delivers a feeling of genuine happiness that I have not experienced in a good long while ever since my early days in the industry... Oops... I sounded like an old man for a second there, didn't I?"

The remark sent everyone in the room laughing for a bit, serving as a reprieve from the seriousness of the situation.

"Ahem. Anyways, I am not asking you to make a decision right this instant. I know that you, as students, value your education too but if I may add, should you choose to accept my offer, we will immediately hire a capable instructor to teach you in your free time so you would not fall behind on your lectures. In addition to that, You could sign a contract with us for a year, so you could test the waters. If you like what you experience, you can sign up for another contract with us. If not, then right after your contract period, you are free to leave. This is a very great deal. If you truly wish to become Idols, then this is your gateway to that life. I want you all to think about this decision very carefully. I'm giving you a week to reflect on my offer. Now are there any more questions?" He says in his calm and gentle voice.

"We're going to get paid for this, right?" Nico immediately asks with a quizzical look on her face.

"Why, of course. That's a given. We won't ask you to go on tour for free, heavens, no. That would be unfair on your part and it would be a disgrace on our part." Motoharu immediately replies, barely losing any composure when asked by an unusual question.

"And this won't be detrimental to our education?" Umi asks with the same look on her face as Nico.

"I guarantee it. Think of it as a glimpse into the adult working world. You'll get valuable experience from this endeavor." He replies in a reassuring tone.

"Can I call you something else other than Motoharu-san? It's a bit long to pronounce on a regular basis." Nozomi asks with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Call me whatever you want. I understand that my name is quite long."

"Then it's fine if I call you Toharu-kun?"

"Feel free. If it's to your convenience. " Toharu replies nonchalantly. "Any more questions?"

"Where do I sign up?!" Nico perks up, her eyes brilliantly shining like jewels.

"Huh?"

For the first time since his arrival, Motoharu Nakai's composure crumbles like a deteriorated building demolished by a wrecking ball that was Yazawa Nico's inquiry.

"Waah.. Nico-chan, that was sudden!" Honoka exclaimed.

"Yeah. Shouldn't you think about his offer first? Don't just jump into his offer all of a sudden without weighing your decisions carefully. " Maki chastised bluntly.

"What? There's no need to think about anything. This guy has offered us a chance to become μ's again? I'm sure all of you guys miss doing live shows? Isn't this what all of us want?" Nico said in rebuttal.

This time, nobody countered her argument which prompted her to smile smugly in victory.

"I actually need all 9 of you to accept my offer. Just one, two or even eight won't do. The contract is for the idol group μ's. Not just one of its members. It wouldn't be μ's if anyone of you is missing. So you need to reach a consensus and decide as a group about your coarse of action." Toharu said politely but upon hearing his words, Nico's expectations crumbled.

"B... but..." Inaudible gibberish was what left the black haired girl's mouth as she looked down on the floor with a crestfallen expression.

"I'll come back in a week. Hopefully by that time, you can give me your response. " Toharu says as he straightens himself out and gives a respectful bow to the girls. He then turns to leave when suddenly, Principal Minami tugged at the sleeve of his suit.

"May I ask you something before you leave, Nakai-san?" Principal Minami asked in a calm yet stern expression.

"If it is something that I can answer, then you may go ahead, Minami-san."

"Can you guarantee not only my daughter but everyone's safety in the event that they accept your offer and all of their respective guardians approve of them going on tour?" She asked in a worried voice. "When my daughter joined μ's and started performing in live shows, she not only learned to make decisions for herself but she also felt the greatest happiness of her life thus far. I was hesitant at first about what would happen if I allowed my daughter to enter in such competitions but after seeing the love and support different people have given her when she's performing and how happy she was to get that support, I had decided to let my daughter choose her own path. If being an idol makes her happy then I will not stand in her way. But, like any loving parent, before I give my approval, I need to make sure that this endeavor won't put her in harm's way."

"Safety is an illusion, madam. It is a term we humans have come up with to feel secure from threats to our lives. Nobody can be truly safe. You must understand that. However, rest assure that we have taken appropriate measures to ensure the safety of your daughter from any threats be it external, internal or accidental. I've already implored the help of the best Security Agencies in the country. They're sending their elite agents to assist us. I can guarantee the safety of these girls 99.9% of the time. Please have faith in our words." Toharu replied.

"Then should my daughter choose to accept, she has my full support and approval." Principal Minami says, fully convinced, after breathing out a sigh of relief. She turns back to the Idol Research Club Room and the two go on their seperate ways.

The Idol Research Club Room, who was already starting to look a bit gloomy due to the lack of activity and enthusiasm just a few days ago was a different image to the excitement oozing from the small room now. Everyone was chattering to each other about the same thing: Motoharu Nakai's offer to debut them as Idols. There was all sorts of emotions present. Some felt anxious and uncertain about the life that awaits them once they become full time idols. Others were already coming up of scenarios and dreams of grandeur in the event that they do become a big hit as idols.

"A week to decide is a decent amount of time but I don't know if my parents would give me permission within that time span." Honoka said with an almost melancholic look on her face.

"Well, mom's been very supportive of you when μ's was competing in Love Live. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to convince her this time around." Yukiho says in order to comfort her depressed sister.

"I'm still not so sure about this, though. Love Live was one thing, going on tour is an entirely different story." Eli said in an uncertain voice.

"But Sis, you've always been saying that you miss being a school idol at home. You should abandon all your doubts and grab this opportunity!" Alisa cheered.

"Eh! Alisa, don't go saying those things all of a sudden!" Eli exclaims while trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Ara. Elicchi, you also miss performing in front of a large crowd? " Nozomi asks in a whimsical tone.

"Kinda, yeah. What about you, Nozomi?"

"Well, if we can be μ's for a bit longer then I'm not opposed to accepting Toharu-kun's offer." She mused.

"You've already gotten familiar with him, huh?" Eli said with a suspicious look on her face.

"Well, if we're gonna be working together from now on, then we need to be familiar with our co-workers, right?" She replies earnestly.

"Waah, Nozomi-chan! You're also agreeing to accept his offer? " Hanayo asked, clearly astonished at Nozomi's doubtless response.

"Well, when μ's was still competing in Love Live, I really had fun performing Live Shows with all of you. The times we spent together practicing, the tears we shed in our difficult times and the smiles and laughter we shared during our happiest moments will always be engraved in my heart. But, if I could do that all over again with everyone, then I'll gladly accept Toharu-kun's offer. Plus, he did say that if we don't like what we experience after a year then we can just quit, right?" Nozomi said enthusiastically.

"Whoa! You really are amazing, Nozomi!" Nico cheered. She was clearly pleased to see someone on the same page as her.

"Yeah. I have to agree with Nozomi-san! I want to sing, dance and do all sorts of stuff with everyone again." Kotori said in a determined tone. She then turned to her mother who was watching the proceedings quietly with a smile on her face. A single reassuring nod from Principal Minami was all that was needed to remove any more doubts in her mind.

"Whoa! Nice, Kotori! I also have to agree. I wanna have fun with everynyan all over again." Rin announced.

"Me too. I want to become an Idol all over again. Being an idol may be a bit more difficult than being a school idol but with everyone's support, I feel that we can realize our dreams and overcome any obstacle!" Hanayo declared in a timid voice that was filled with all the courage and conviction she could muster.

"Rin... did you just say everynyan? Geez... If you guys are agreeing then I'll have to accept too. It's not like I don't want to feel left out or anything." Maki said after sighing vehemently.

"That leaves only Honoka, Umi and Elicchi to decide. Do the three of you need more time? Don't worry. We were given a week to think about this, remember?" Nozomi asked.

"Well, if it were completely up to me, sure. I'll accept. But I'll need mom's permission first." Honoka said in a disappointed tone.

"Nee-chan. You know what? I'll help you convince mom, okay? So stop sulking already. It's very uncharacteristic of the person that has an infinite supply of energy among μ's." Yukiho chided lightly.

"Really? Thank you so much, Yukiho! I love you!" As if a crate of damp fireworks being struck by a a sudden jolt of lightning, Honoka's expression suddenly lights up and she immediately glomps a startled Yukiho affectionately from behind out of appreciation.

"Waah... Onee-chan! Don't! Everyone can see!" Yukiho protested in an alarmed voice.

"Kukuku. Does that mean that we can do this when we're alone~" Honoka said in a playful voice. She was just about to start tickling her defenseless little sister when suddenly, Alisa hugs an already flustered Yukiho from the front.

"No. Stop, Honoka-senpai! Yukiho-chan is mine!" Alisa exclaims with unrestrained conviction.

"Ehh... Yukiho... don't tell me..." Honoka was giving her sister a flabbergasted and incredulous look and Yukiho was returning an alarmed and confused one.

"Sis, don't look at me like that. I'm just as surprised as you are!" Yukiho cried.

Laughter filled the small club room once again for a brief moment. Even Principal Minami could not help but chuckle after seeing the bond these girls have formed after only such a very small time period. It reminded her of her own childhood and her old friends.

"Well, I can't say that I don't want to return to being an idol... but being one of the senior members of the Archery Club, I'll be participating in this year's National Archery Competition... I don't think I can choose from either of them..." Umi said with a wistful look on her face.

Tension filled the room once again as everyone eagerly awaited Umi's response. If even a single one of them is not alright with Motoharu Nakai's proposition, then μ's wouldn't be the same.

"Then I'll just have to balance both. I cherish both being in the Archery Club and being an idol. If I have to choose between the two of them, I'll just have to pick the third option and do both. " Umi said enthusiastically.

After hearing her response, Honoka immediately released her grip from Yukiho and dive-bombed Umi. She was so driven with emotion that she kept fawning over her, much to the dark blue haired girl's discomfort.

"Kyaa! Honoka! No! You know I'm really ticklish... why are you becoming like Nozomi all of a sudden!" Umi complained.

"Well, that leaves only one of us... What do you say, Eli? " Maki asked nonchalantly.

After a long, nerve-wracking pause, Ayase Eli sighs in defeat and smiles in a contented manner.

"Count me in as well, then. I'm not missing out on any of the fun." She replied.

The entire room erupted in celebration after the final part of their group agreed to becoming an idol. There was cheering, there was excitement and there was nostalgia present in the atmosphere. Seeing the happiness that her decision brought, Eli could say that she won't regret this choice. After all, everyone, including her, wants to experience the fun, the challenges, the hardships, the laughter, the tears and the happiness all over again.

-

Author's Note

Hello! Thank you for sticking around after reading the Prologue. Since the Prologue mainly focused on Original characters, it is only rightful to direct the spotlight on the Canon Characters in this installment. Here, we saw the unexpected reunion of the Nine μ's members which seemed highly convenient and coincidental. More so, since an Original Character, Motoharu Nakai, and also precocious producer makes an appearance to give μ's a once in a lifetime offer which would let them follow what their hearts truly desire once more. Upon the consensus of all the Nine μ's members, they are now ready to step again into the world of idols. But with the added pressure of going on tour and performing for an entire nation, will their resolve be enough to endure the challenges ahead of them? Find out in the next chapters!

Now it's time to put down my pen for now and work on the next installment.

I hope we'll see each other again in the next chapter!