Chapter 9: Our Name
After that eventful/uneventful day I got some well needed rest. The next morning I got ready and headed to school with Ren. We talked about random things here and there along the way. He mentioned that even though he's used to being in a class with girls it still feels awkward since it still gives off that private girl school vibe. Although I feel like I got it worse since I'm the only guy in the whole second year class. The girls greeted us at the shrine and the 5 of us made our way towards school. Kotori and Ren small talked, while Honoka would have her usual outburst about how she's gonna convince Maki to help us, and Umi would scold her as a result of her about being too pushy. Seeing this put a small smile on my face; it felt like it was back then just the 5 of us hanging out and being friends.
"I'm glad I came back." I said in a low tone so they wouldn't hear me.
"You say something Taku-kun?" Kotori asked.
"Nothing Kotori." I said with smile.
"You're quite cheery this morning." Umi pointed out.
"Really? Pretty sure I'm being normal." I said tilting my head.
"Come on guys! If he's cheery let him be cheery; it's better than being sad and moody." Honoka chimed in.
"Moody and sad?" Ren asked. "Have you been making the girls worry? Jeez keep that up and none of them will be your girlfriend."
The girls and I paused. I could feel my face heat up.
"Ren what are you talking about, I don't have that type of relationship with any of them." I explain.
"Really? Cause all four of your faces are lit like Christmas trees, which means you all want that type of relationship." Ren said with a smirk.
"Ren you got 5 seconds." I said cracking my knuckles.
"That's my cue." Ren said darting off towards the school.
"GET BACK HERE!" I yelled chasing him.
He made a sharp turn pass the school gate, and as soon as I made the turn I ran into someone. I landed on top of them and the first I noticed was a familiar soft sensation. There is no way. As I stating pushing myself I saw a familiar purple-haired girl.
"Geez that's twice in only 3 days. I'm starting to think you doing this on purpose." Nozomi said teasingly.
I bolted back waving my hands in front of me with my face flush. "N-no I'm not; Ren just decided to mess with me and I ended chasing him. Then as I turned I ran into you by accident honest."
She giggled. I could still fill the blush on my face. Damn this girl is seriously cute. "My my you're still blushing, am I that appealing?" She teased.
"Come on don't tease Nozomi!" I said with a groan. She just continue to giggle and the Honoka and the girls walked up to us.
"You ok? Oh good morning senpai." Umi said with a bow.
"Good morning girls. Hope everything is going fine with the idol activities." She said with a smile.
"Well…" Kotori said in an awkward tone.
"We only just started; we have the lyrics and the dance routine done, but we don't have a completed song yet. We're actually planning on talking to a first year who's an incredible pianist to help us complete the song." I informed her.
"A first year? Oh you mean Maki Nishikino." She said.
"Yeah. You know her?" I asked her.
"Not personally, but as the vice president I do have to know about our students." She answered sweetly.
"Speaking of which shouldn't you be up there with Eli? I'm sure she could use the help." I said in a snarky tone.
"Are you implying I can't handle myself?" A familiar voice said from behind me. Ah crap. I turn to see Eli standing behind with her arms crossed and cheeks puffed.
"You know the face you're making looks more cute than menacing." I teased. As if on cue her cheeks turned red. "I'm just messing with ya. Anyway we better get to class come on you 3. Later Nozomi, Eli." Me and the girls made our way to the school and headed to class. We spent the next few hours in class learning, and for some reason the girls kept giving me the cold shoulder and going hmph at me. Jeez what happen to all that cheeriness from this morning?
At lunch we decided to go see Maki with Honoka leading the way. This should be fun. When we entered the classroom I noticed Maki wasn't in there. Did we miss her? As I was about to tell Honoka that I didn't see Maki she was already at the podium at the front of the class. Wait what is she planning?
She cleared her throat. "Hello everyone!" She said in a loud tone earning the class's attention. Is she serious? "I'm a member of your school's adorable idols, Honoka Kousaka!" She finished with a cute smile. It was so quiet I think I could heard the crickets outside. "Huh? You guys act like you don't know who I am." She said pouting.
"Of course they don't know who you are. We're not even an official club or group yet." Umi informed her.
"Ok before you 2 go at it, in front of our underclassman, let's get down to why we are here." I told the 2 of them. Knowing these 2 they'll have a back and forth discussion, and wouldn't get anywhere. My eyes drifted towards the back and I saw a familiar girl with glasses. "Hey Hanayo." I called out to her.
"Y-yes senpai?" She answered quietly.
Gotta admit that shyness is really cute. Wait Takuto not the time, focus. I gave myself a mentally smack and went back to talking to her. "Have you've seen Maki?" I asked her.
Suddenly the classroom door open and a certain red-head walked it.
She looked towards us with a confused expression. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked.
"Perfect timing. We need to talk to you Maki." I answered.
We walked up to the roof, and asked Maki if she would be willing to compose for us and the answer was…
"No way. I refuse." Maki answered sternly.
"Oh please, won't you be our composer?" Honoka pleaded.
"I said I refuse didn't i?" Maki said with annoyance in her voice.
"Oh then you can only sing and play, but you can't compose?" Honoka asked. Now I can't tell if that was supposed to be snarky or she really wasn't sure if Maki could compose at all.
"Of course I can compose." Maki exclaimed. She suddenly lowered her head and look away. "That doesn't mean I'm gonna help you so give it a rest."
"Ms. Nishkino, we really need your help. We're trying to attract new students if you would just please-" Honoka tried to reason.
"Not interested." Maki said as she walked off.
"No way. Not gonna happen. Great she sounds like you Umi." Honoka pouted.
"Seems normal to me." Umi defended.
"Kinda have to agree with Umi here. You did just springe this whole idea on Maki." I try to explain.
"Yeah, but Umi made these awesome lyrics." Honoka said pulling out a sheet of folded paper.
"Why do you have that?! Give it back!" Umi yelled trying to get the lyrics back.
"Whats the big deal? We're gonna sing them for the whole anyway!" Honoka yelled holding the lyrics out of Umi's reach.
I snatched the lyrics while Honoka was distracted. "Ok that's enough you 2. I'll hold on to this for now so stop fighting." I said putting the piece of paper in my pocket.
"Eh hem." I heard a voice from behind me. I turned to see Eli.
"Is there something we can help you with Eli-senpai?" I asked.
"Mind if I speak with you 4?" She asked in a serious tone.
Back in class Honoka's POV:
As the teacher was instructing the class my mind started to wander back to what the class president said. "We might have the opposite effect." I said in a low voice.
Flashback start:
Eli looked at us with a stern and serious face before she spoke. "I understand you're all determined to save the school, but think for a moment. Our school has never had idols before. If we try and fail miserably it could cause more trouble than what we already have." She spoke with confidence, but then her expression soften if only a little. "I want to save this school as well believe me. That is why I hope you all understand the magnitude of what you're trying to do." With that last word she walked back into the school leaving us stunned.
Flashback end
"Maybe I haven't really thought this through." I said a sadden tone.
At lunch the girls and I went to the courtyard to eat and chat. Taku-kun said he wanted to go for a stroll to clear his head. Why is he keeping to himself so much? I thought after we told him that we knew about his dad things would go back to normal. I guess I was hoping for too much.
"Hey guys I'm starting to think I that haven't thought this through completely." I told them.
"Took you long enough to realize that." Umi pointed out.
"I know, but it's not like I planned this entire thing as a joke." I started. "I followed the practice schedule you and Taku laid out. My body is totally sore because of it."
"I believe Honoka, and I'm proud of you for it. But you have to understand the president's point in all of this." Umi said in a sympathetic tone.
"Yeah I know." I really do understand, but I can't just do nothing.
"If we're really gonna do this we really need a song." Kotori pointed out.
"That's true and we ran out of time for a composer." Umi added. "We'll just have to use a song from another group."
"I guess you're right." I agreed.
When school let out I went for a walk through the halls. This isn't working like I hoped. What am I gonna do? I made my way over to the poster and box I put out for the students to decide our group name, and a small smile soon formed on my face. Maybe someone gave us a name.
"Hey how's the training going?" I turned to one of my classmates.
"Just let us know if you need any help." Another said.
"We're counting on ya. Go and save our school. We'll help you guys anyway we can." The shortest one said.
"You mean it?" I asked stunned.
"You bet every one of us want this school to keep going we're behind you all the way." The tallest one said.
"Thanks guys!" I said full of joy. As they walked off my eyes darted towards the box again. I picked it up and opened it. What I saw inside made me jump for joy and rush back to Umi and Kotori.
"Guys we got one!" I said holding up the piece of paper.
"We got a suggestion for our group?" Umi asked surprised.
"Mhm!" I smiled as I opened the folded piece of paper. It said "Muse".
So hey guys and gals. I want to start off with major apology with no updates for a while and well this (IMO) crappy chapter. A large portion of this chapter had been written for about a month or so now and I just now decided to finish it, at nearly 3 in the morning. There are several reasons for this, family issues, work issues school issues, the fact that my laptop screen is busted so im using my tv as a screen which annoys the hell out of me to do anything now, playing persona 5 like a hyped fanboy (I am one thank you very much and wear that title with pride.), there's a vanguard regional coming up in june that I've been preparing for and just overall lack of motivation and writers block. Some ay say their excuses others will understand, and some simply won't give a shit. So again I am deeply sorry for my tardiness and I appreciate the support and kind words you all put in your reviews. So as always review, follow, and/or favorite and have a splendid day, night, evening which ever applies. This is Azure signing out.
PS: I would really appreciate no massive negative comments. This chapter is a bit of story progression but mainly an update on me and the lack of content. And instead of just a short update I thought to give you guys something at least. Here's hoping I don't get chewed out.