Hey guys and girls, Azure here! So… yeah not sure what to say just that I really appreciate the support and kind reviews so far. Honestly with a series like this I was sure that I was gonna get hate for this type of story, because male insert into an all-female cast yeah so original. However no one seems to be ill will about it, hell some of you are asking when the next chapter is out and that puts a smile on my face that you guys all enjoy it. Well I guess time for the next installment of Love Live: A New Path.
Chapter 4: Nightmares and Trouble Ensues
Third Person POV:
It was regular winter morning. Snow was falling gently on the ground, kids and teens playing and jumping outside. One teenage boy who was playing with his friends and had to head home for a bit.
"Hey dad?" The teen boy called out as he entered the house. He wore black boots, blue jeans, and a red wool sweater covered by a navy blue goat.
There was no reply so he continue to enter. He passed by a mirror and notice snow was all over his head. He wiped it off to reveal his dark blue hair with a small sectioned that he dyed a lighter shade of blue a while back. His violet eyes could see how red his nose and cheeks were.
He laughed. "Maybe I should put on a hat and scarf before I go out again." He said. Suddenly he heard the sound of a piano playing. "So that's where he is."
The boy rushed down the hall to a room in the back of the house. He opened the door to reveal a middle-age man playing the piano in a carefree manner wearing nothing but shorts and a t-shirt. The boy walked over to the man.
"Hey pops." He said.
The man stop playing and turned to him with a smile on his face. "Hey Takuto. What's up?" He asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted to play outside with and the guys." Takuto said.
"Sure why not." He replied.
"Great, but could you play one song before that? I really love your music." Takuto asked.
"Sure thing kiddo. Take a seat" Takuto's dad said making room for his son.
Takuto took a seat and his dad started to play one of his old songs. Takuto closed his eyes and let the melody flow into him. For as long as he can remember he always enjoyed the sound of a piano especially when his dad plays it. After a few minutes the song ended.
"That's great as ever dad!" Takuto said opening his eyes.
When he looked toward where his dad was sitting there was no one there. He looked around the room to find it was empty.
"Hey dad where are you?" he called out. There was no response. Takuto ran towards the door leading out to the hall. As he turned the knob he felt a cold gust of wind, and the next thing he knew he was out in an alleyway. He was a lot taller now, still wearing the same outfit. He was scared and didn't know what was going on. All of a sudden he saw his father and ran towards him.
"Hey dad there you-"Takuto was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot. He notice a spot of red on his dad's white shirt that only grew larger in size. Takuto was stunned at the events that occurred with tears running down his face. As his father fell backwards he saw a man standing behind his dad with a small pistol pointed outward. He couldn't see the man's face at all except for a small crooked smile.
"That's what happens when you cross me." The man said.
Takuto just fell to his knees in horror at the scene before him. He didn't what to do, he couldn't run, he felt alone scared, and empty. All he could do was scream.
"DAD!" Takuto yelled.
Takuto's POV:
I lunged forward on my bed with sweat dripping down my face and I was breathing heavily. I looked around and saw that I was in my bed in my room. I looked at my hands that were shaking and covered in sweat.
"Just *pant* a *pant* dream." I said between breaths.
I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to place cold water on my face. As I dry my face I saw my reflection in the mirror. All I saw was a boy whose eyes seem to be devoid of life. I slapped my cheeks to get my mind off it. I head back to my room to get ready for school.
"I have to forget about that already." I tried to convince myself. "If I keep thinking about it I won't be able to move forward. Things are different now, I'm back with my friends and my family." Tears started to run down my face. "But why do I still feel empty then?"
I wiped the tears off and left for school without Ren this time. As I was walking to school I heard a familiar voice called out.
"Hey Taku-kun." The voice said.
Crap! Got to mind off this thing before they notice. I turned with a smile on my face to see the girls run up to me.
"Hey girls! Good morning." I said to them.
"Good morning." They greeted in unison.
"You're early this morning." Kotori said to me.
I scratch the back of my head embarrassingly. "Yeah I guess I am." I said sheepishly.
"No Ren today?" Umi asked.
"I told him I was leaving earlier than normal. He'll be fine on his own he's not a kid anymore." I told her.
"That's true. Well let's going don't want to be late after getting up early." Umi said.
"Can we stop for a quick bite first?" Honoka asked holding her stomach.
"No." Umi said coldly.
"Aww, but I'm hungry." Honoka whined.
I chuckled. "You're always hungry. I guess getting a quick snack won't hurt." I said.
"Really?" Honoka asked with joy in her eyes.
"Sure, but only one thing then straight to school." I told her.
"Yeah!" Honoka shouted while jumping in the air.
Umi sighed. "Don't encourage her behavior Taku-kun." She told me. Then Umi's stomach growled and her face turn red. The rest of us laugh while she pouted. "It's not funny!"
"I'll buy you something for your empty stomach too then." I said wiping the tears from my eyes from laughing so hard.
"No! That's fine you don't have to do that." Umi declined.
"If you say so. How about you Kotori?" I asked my gray-haired friend.
"I'm fine, but thank you anyway." Kotori declined politely.
"Ok then. Well let's get little miss bread lover here something to snack on." I said pointing to Honoka.
"Hey!" Honoka shouted annoyed.
"Oh boy." I said. I sprinted off toward the store with Honoka chasing me.
After calming down an anger Honoka with some bread we arrived at school. The girls went on ahead since I had to help Ren with his tie. Somehow he ended up making 3 knots in the damn thing. Third times the charm my ass.
"Sorry about this bro." Ren apologized.
"It's fine man, but next time try not to come to school looking like a circus clown." I teased.
He glared at me. "Well if someone didn't leave me behind; I wouldn't be in this mess now would I?" He said.
"Touché." I said rolling my eyes. I fixed the mess that was Ren's tie. "Ok done. Well we better get to class see ya later." As I walked up stairs I heard worried voices. What's going on?
"Honoka!" I heard Umi's voice.
"Honoka-chan!" That was Kotori.
I bolted up the stairs to the hall and saw Honoka passed out in Umi's and Kotori's arms. I ran over to them.
"What happened?" I asked worryingly.
"She passed out when she saw that the school was closing." Umi informed me.
"Well let's get her to the nurse's-wait what?" I stopped mid-sentence. "She passed out from seeing that the school was closing?" I asked making sure I heard her right.
"Yeah." Umi said.
"Oh for the love…whatever let's just get her to the nurse's office to lie her down." I said squatting down. "Put her on my back." Umi and Kotori helped get Honoka on my back as I carried her to the nurse's office. Kotori informed the nurse of what happened and she said to let Honoka rest here till she woke up.
The 3 of us headed back to class. Some of the other students asked questions about what happened, we told them she's fine and should be in class later on. I leaned back in my chair and sighed.
"Has she always been this dramatic?" I asked the others.
"Pretty much." Umi said nonchalantly.
"Yeah, but I've seen her actually pass out." Kotori added.
"That's true. I wonder why she did though." Umi said curiously.
"Maybe she thought the school closing meant she would need to transfer." I said shrugging my shoulders.
There was a silence for a few seconds. We made exaggerated faces. Yep that was the reason.
"These next 2 years are gonna be eventful that's for sure." I said.
"With Honoka-chan every day is fun." Kotori said with a smile.
"With Honoka every day is stressful." Umi retorted.
"It's both." I added.
The 3 of us looked at each other and laughed. Just then Honoka walked in a sadden look on her face. As walk over to us I waved at her.
"Morning Honoka. You feeling better now?" I asked her. She walked over to face me, but didn't respond. "Honoka?" Just then she latched on to me and starting bury her face in my chest. "What's wrong now?"
"I'm DOOMED!" She shouted.
"Why?" Kotori asked.
"Cause I don't know what I'm gonna do. I haven't been studying at all. There's no way I'll pass an entrance exam." Honoka whined.
"Wow I was joking when I thought she be upset about that." I said jokingly.
"It's not funny." She pouted punching my chest.
"You know they won't close the school until all current students have graduated right?" Umi asked her.
"Really?" Honoka asked tears in her eyes.
"Yes." I told her.
"YAY!" She screamed ecstatically.
"Yeah definitely eventful." I said in a low voice.
The rest of classes went by normally. Honoka was in a much cheery mood now, which made it easy for the rest of us. We decided to have lunch in the courtyard under a tree.
"At least Honoka doesn't have to worry about transferring." I said.
"Now I can enjoy my delicious bread." Honoka said munching or her meal.
"You're going to get fat." Umi told her.
"Though it's too bad that starting next year they'll be no more new students." Kotori said with a sadden face.
"Yeah it'll only be second and third years. Meaning the freshman now won't have any under classman." Umi added with sadness in her voice as well.
"Yeah." Honoka was also upset by this.
This is really bothering them huh? I thought it was just Honoka. Wait wasn't the school trying to test a co-ed experience to help? Why would the school make a decision so early in the school year?
"Excuse me." A familiar voice spoke.
We turned to face the girl it came from it was Eli. There was another girl beside her. She was Eli's height wearing the same uniform as her meaning she was also a third-year, she had deep violet hair, and green eyes, but to be honest the first thing a guy would notice wouldn't be her eyes but a certain other feature a bit further down. Wow she definitely has…stop thinking about that dumbass.
I turned to Eli. "Is there something we can help you with Eli-sempai?" I asked her.
"Well I need to ask Minami-san something." She said turning to Kotori. "You're the director's daughter right?" She asked her.
"Yes I am." Kotori answered.
"Has she said anything regarding the school's closing?" Eli asked.
"No not at all." Kotori said.
"I see." Eli said looking slightly disappointed. "Thank you." She said as she and her friend started to walk off.
"Is it true the school's closing?" Honoka asked.
Eli stopped and turned around. "That isn't something you need to concern yourself with." Eli said and continued to walk off. What was that about?
The 4 of us went back to class as well. We found out the reason behind the decision is the lack of applications, even with the male students that enter that still wasn't enough. During breaks we decided to figure out what might help get kids interested in the school. However this school's only notable features is its history and almost achieving clubs. We were now back in class, and school was over.
"Well that figures. If this school had something worth people's attention this wouldn't be happening." I admitted.
"Well there's nothing we can do about that." Umi added.
Honoka started to get really depressed. The 3 of us were getting worried about her.
"I'll see if I can get my mom to tell me anything." Kotori said trying to cheer Honoka up.
"You know, I really love this school." Honoka said in a sadden tone.
"You're not the only one." Kotori said in a comforting tone.
"She's right." Umi agreed.
After we all went for the day, I was at home eating dinner with mom while Ren was over at a friend's house. I was picking my food in little pieces. Mom took notice and spoke up.
"Takuto is something the matter? You're not eating much." Mom asked worried.
"Sorry it's just that last night I had a dream about dad and it's been bugging me all day. To top it off I find out the school's closing after the current students graduate." I told her.
"I see. Well at least that means you and Ren are fine, and regarding your dream maybe you should just forget about it. You have to move on." She said putting a hand on my shoulder.
"You're right and it helps when I have my friends to help take my mind off it. Regarding the school however I'm not quite sure if I really even care. I mean I'll still be fine regarding graduating so there's no reason for to care right?" I said in a low voice.
"Do you really feel that way?" She asked me.
"I don't know but the girls were really upset by it, especially Honoka. I've never seen her so depressed before. I know for now I just want to help them out. I hate seeing them like that." I said determined.
Mom giggled. "You know you're definitely your father's son. He would always help others first before himself." She said. I took a sip of juice and then mom added. "That's also way he charmed girls."
I choke on the juice and my face turned red. "*couch* MOM! *cough*" I shouted.
"I'm only teasing you." She said patting my head. I groaned in embarrassment. "Just do whatever you think is right." She finished and headed upstairs.
I finished cleaning my dishes and headed to my room. I laid in bed and toss a ball in the air and caught it repeatedly as my mind wandered.
She's right, what happen in the past needs to stay there. My friends need my help them keep the school open. And that's what I'm gonna do. I just need to figure out how.
And done! Well that was a bit longer than the others…I think. Yeah no detouring anymore now we're going into the actual anime story. Wooh! Well not much to say other than thanks again to all who enjoy this. Leave a review, favorite, follow, whatever. Oh and one more thing go check out the English dub of the series if you haven't yet I highly recommend it. It may sound bad to some people but personally I enjoyed the every living hell out of it especially because I've heard all this voices in pervious shows I've seen and I love these voice actresses. So if you're a true fan go give it a chance you won't regret it. This has been Azure piece!