A/N: Hi guys! Just a heads up, but… this may or may not be the final chapter of 'My Favorite Color'. I'm not sure if I'm up for an epilogue, but I'll just see. Well, after everything that we've been through, I'd just like to thank you. EVERY SINGLE ONE of you who has been supporting me. Aaronmcglashon, AbsoluteShadow, AkashiSeijuro-IA-4, Angel Veins, AxilS, ComandanteKami-sama, Dash24zappshift thanks for always reviewing… saw your account on youtube too (lol), Hibiki-Kitty, Kotopie, Major Mike Powell III you don't know how much I look up to you… haha… read a lot of your stories. Thanks for reviewing on every chapter, Pandah-chan 32- well, you're my buddy so… it's only natural to thank you,right? ;), Phoenixcookie07, Polar Cenit, Radiant Impulse, SooHonk, YuriChan220, anto334, antonio18, assassin101ist, cielo oscuro, darkmiyu13, fredf07, jaden4321, toyguy32, white Angel 246, CleideJam thanks a lot for those reviews, ElectroLucy, NyanHellcat18, revengermajestyliberator thanks for the tips and reviews!, Yuzukiis, psyche28, shygurl41269, the intertwined feelings for your reviews, you were the first one to review and to tell me to keep on going with this story, Satsuki Rin thank you for being the first one to give me helpful criticism. Thanks to that, I'm able to grow as an author. : And to all of you super cool and awesome dudes, I'd just like to show my sincerest gratitude for sticking with this lousy excuse of an author for all this time. From the beginning to the end of my story.
~Love, Shintori Khazumi
Disclaimer (that should have been here since the start): I don't own Love Live or any of its songs or characters. I only own this story.
MFC Chapter 12: A new color's finale… The sun.
Honoka gently stroked Kotori's hair as the girl slumbered soundly. All those nights she stayed up must've really taken its toll on her. Honoka sighed in pure bliss. She had finally obtained the one thing she wanted… for now. Nothing could be better than this. Honoka began to think back on everything that happened. Why had she reacted so badly after realizing some things? Sure, half of her expected Kotori not to return her feelings, but maybe more than half wished she would? 'Wait… I don't think that's possible. If it was 100%, would it be like 125? No, no, no… ummm.' Honoka sweatdropped at her own thoughts. The girl had her head on Honoka's lap, and because of the other's sudden movements, she began to stir.
"Honoka-chan?" Kotori mumbled groggily.
"Y-yeah?" Honoka replied, unaware that she had awoken the sleeping beauty. "What is it, Kotori-chan? You know, if you're still tired, you can sleep a bit more." Honoka smiled gently.
"Mmm…" Kotori shook her head from side to side. " I'd rather stay awake talking to you." She replied smiling, still a bit sleepy.
"Really?" a soft giggle escaped Honoka's lips at her friend- no girlfriend's antics. Ah… bliss…
"Yeah…" Kotori closed her eyes again.
"It's still early. You can catch up on sleep a bit more. You should." Honoka tried to convince the obviously tired girl. True enough the clock read 3:27 am.
"No." Kotori replied like a child who wanted their icecream now.
"Hah… fine." Honoka gave up. "So, you haven't told the others that I'm already awake?" Honoka asked, shifting the topic to their fellow members.
"Not yet." Kotori replied.
"And why is that?" Honoka tried to hold back her grin, having some idea of what the other would reply.
"Well… it is still pretty early in the morning and I wouldn't want to bother them…" Kotori looked to the side scratching her cheek as if she was still hiding something.
"Is that all?" Honoka raised a slender brow, knowing that that wasn't all there was to it.
"And I'm pretty sure they'd run straight here once they read the message… they probably are on alert and…" Kotori looked down.
"And?" Honoka pushed a bit.
"My time with you would…"
"would?"
"be less…" Kotori murmured while Honoka just squealed and pulled her close. "Com'ere!" They stayed like that for a few minutes just cuddling and chit-chatting when Honoka decided it was about time to call everyone else and inform them. Pouting, Kotori whipped out her phone as the doctors and nurses in charge of Honoka came in to check on her stats while Kotori told everyone over the phone, the news.
Not 15 minutes later, the door opened wide and… "HONOKAAAA!" All the members of µ's yelled pouncing on her, the doctors cautiously sidestepping to avoid getting caught in the humungous group hug of eight girls on one bed, Kotori not joining since she was busy chatting with her other classmates about Honoka.
"Why didn't you call sooner?" Nico wailed, tears streaming down her face and snot coming from her nose. "Super idol Nico-chan is gonna sue you for that, you know?" She continued to sob into Honoka's hospital gown.
"Mou… Nico-chan, dry off your tears for a sec." Honoka laughed as she took some tissues from her bedside table and wiped Nico's cheeks with them.
"It's because!" Nico tried to continue but it was drowned out by the others' voices of concern.
"Honoka! Thank goodness you're alright… I was starting to get worried there." Eri said relieved and a bit teary-eyed.
"Heh… starting?" Nozomi teased even though two streams were running down her face as well. "Still… welcome back Honoka. And I bet someone wants to talk to you even more than us." Nozomi spared a quick glance to Umi.
Umi quickly stepped forward, clearing her throat. "Ehem… Honoka, for your behavior, I-" she was cut off by a hug from Honoka which was quite tight. "Thanks Umi-chan… You really are like my mother, but… I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for worrying and I'm sorry for being gone for so long.." Honoka whispered into the girl's ears, effectively bringing Umi to tears. She broke down, her angry façade gone. "That's right… you should be sorry!" Umi continued to cry in Honoka's embrace. "Do you even know how worried we were?!"
"Shhh… I know, that's why I'm sorry." Honoka rubbed soothing circles on Umi's back. "It's ok now." Umi nodded her head making way for the first-year trio who looked just about ready to burst.
"Honoka-chan! We were soooo worried you know? Rin thought she'd never see you again!" The cat-like girl purred.
"Honoka-chan, I promise we'll go on another jog to look for good places to eat- I mean to look for beautiful scenery to exercise in." Hanayo said handing Honoka a loaf of bread which the latter accepted gratefully. (A/N: referring to LL:SIP season 2 ep7)
Finally it was Maki's turn, still in tsun mode, she planned to scold Honoka like Umi's previous attempt, but was cut off by Honoka's statement. "Thanks for the song Maki-chan, I really do love all your songs." She smiled a gentle smile.
"H-honokaaa…." Maki sniffed and went to accept Honoka's offered hug.
"Oi… we worked on it too y'know! A single for you, that is." Nico cut in. "Hmm… well then, I guess all of you deserve a pri-" Honoka cut off mid-sentence, spotting someone in the far corner of the room, just looking at her anxiously. She motioned for that person to come near her. That person gladly obliged and succumbed to Honoka's awaiting embrace. "Yukiho… how are you? Have you been well?" The girl just sobbed in reply. Honoka's parents just stood watching in the corner, knowing that their daughters and their friends needed some time together after so long.
"Onee-chan… you scared me so much… why did you make me feel lonely? Why did you leave me alone?" Yukiho cried.
"I'm sorry."
"We were all so worried."
"I know, and I'm sorry."
"Don't do this again, you hear me! Or else I'll be hiding your bread stash."
"Hai, Hai… Gomenasai… Yuki-chan."
"H-Hono-nee"
Honoka decided that that was the perfect time to give their "prize", well technically she was just going to sing the song they had given her. She had been listening to it while Kotori was asleep. She really liked it a lot. She started it softly, trying to get her Mp3 to play the accompaniment that Kotori sent her.
Ai wa Taiyou Ja Nai,the song that was given to her...
Shiawase o hohoemi o todokemashou…
(Let's deliver happiness and smiles to everyone...)
It was just like Honoka to deliver everyone smiles of happiness. It was part of her. And being in the idol group with everyone, this is exactly what they did and wanted to keep on doing.
Chotto wakatta mitai kara dani nagareru hibiki
Fui no deai janai youna
Watashitachi konnani hikareru kiseki
(I think I'm starting to understand the sound that flows through my body
Our meeting wasn't unexpected
It's a miracle that we're so attracted to each other)
Honoka remembered all her encounters with each and every member of µ's. It truly was a miracle for nine girls to come together and make something, a bond that could last forever.
Daijina koto wa ashita o shinjiru ariakeegao
(It's important to have a dazzling smile that believes in the future)
Before, this would have been impossible for Honoka. Believing in the future without a smile was hard. Harder than anything she could've known. Not letting go of the past was even harder, but… she finally managed to do it… to have that smile.
Ai wa taiyou ookina taiyou
Himawarigao agete oikakeru
Ai wa taiyou terashi tsudzukete
Onaji basho de saite itai
Minna minna shiawase ninare!
(Love is like a sun, a big sun
The sunflowers lift their heads to follow it
Love is like a sun, illuminating the world
I want to bloom with the sunflowers
I want everyone to be full of joy!)
It was kind of funny… wanting everyone one to be so full of joy, yet being sad all the more… but the promise:
Itsu datte hohoemi de utaimashou…
(Let's always be singing with a smile...)
Sou ne hashaide miseta anata no yasashii hitomi
Namida koboreru ippomae de
Watashi e to unazuku sutekina aizu
(That's right, your eyes were so gentle as you frolicked
Before the tears began to spill
You nodded beautifully at me)
Honoka inwardly chuckled how this described her perfectly in the sight of others. 'These guys… so spot on, and here I thought no one ever watched me.'
Ganbare kokoro ashita wa ikou yo atarashi sekai
(Do your best, my heart; tomorrow we'll be going to a new world)
That's right… she should do her best no matter what. Her heart could take it. "Haruto-nii"
Koi no kumo ga hikari o ukete
Fuwari to tsutsumu kara hajimaru no
Koi no kumo ga atatameru kaze
Kanjimashou soshite ima o
Minna minna dakishimeru junbi!
(The clouds of love bask in the light
And are softly enveloped in it
The clouds of love bring with them a warm breeze
Let's feel it together
And prepare to embrace everyone now!)
Embracing everyone felt like a distant dream while she was asleep. Waking up to find so many people caring for her, it warmed her heart more than anything else.
Ganbare kokoro daijina kotodesu
Watashi to anata to koko kara umareru mirai
(Do your best, my heart; this is important
Now, a new future will be born for you and I)
'That's right. I have a new future I'm looking forward to.'
Ai wa taiyou ookina taiyou
Himawarigao agete oikakeru
Ai wa taiyou terashi tsudzukete
Onaji basho de saite itai
Minna minna shiawase ninare!
(Love is like a sun, a big sun
The sunflowers lift their heads to follow it
Love is like a sun, illuminating the world
I want to bloom with the sunflowers
I want everyone to be full of joy!)
Shiawase o hohoemi o todokemashou…
(Let's deliver happiness and smiles to everyone... )
'Honoka, you really are like the sun. Keep on being one for me and for everyone…~ Love Haruto-nii'
Finishing the song, Honoka opened the eyes she hadn't realized, had closed. Everyone was crying, yes. But… regardless of that fact, they all had bright smiles on their faces. Next thing they knew, the sun shone through the open curtains. A new day, a new future, a new goal…
A new color…
My Favorite Color… Sayonara minna-san!
A/N: Well… don't I feel a bit sad… Ahahaha… didn't expect that. Well… to wrap up… I'd really like to thank you. It was a wonderful ride with you all and I hope I'll do another Love Live fic! I've got a new MGLN if you're ever interested. It's called 'My Power Over You' It's still in testing mode, but I hope… I can improve more as a writer. Welll… till the next story I guess.
~Shintori Khazumi… Signing off.