Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!
Umi and Kotori had approached Honoka as soon as the lunch break started. Immediately she knew she had no way to avoid it this time.
"So, what happened to you yesterday?"
"What do you mean?" Honoka asked, doing her best to look confused.
"You didn't show up to the clubroom yesterday. We had to meet, remember?"
"Oh, right." Honoka put her hands together. "I'm sorry, I got distracted and forgot."
"Distracted?" Kotori asked. "By what?
"Well.. I wanted to get something from home, but when I got home there was a book waiting for me. And I started reading... so..."
"Honoka..." Umi looked very displeased.
"Eheh.. I'm sorry..."
"Honoka that's very irresponsible. Especially as the center. You can't just forget things like this. We've been doing these daily meetings and practices for months now."
Honoka was a little annoyed now, but she did her best not to show anything.
"Umi-chan, I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. It was just an accident. I'll try hard not forget again."
"There, she said she was sorry, Umi-chan," Kotori said, sympathizing with Honoka. "She didn't mean anything by it, so go a little easier on her."
"Kotori-chan..." Umi sighed. "Alright. Just don't miss any more practices."
Honoka nodded. "I'll do my best."
"Well that's that." Kotori stood up. "Come on, let's go see if Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan are on the rooftop again. We can all have lunch together."
Kotori walked to Umi and they held hands. Honoka flinched slightly at the sight. They started walking to the door, then stopped and turned to Honoka again.
"Honoka-chan, aren't you coming?" Kotori asked.
"Uh.. sorry. I have to take care of something else actually. I'll just see you later."
"Oh.. alright. See you later."
Umi and Kotori left the classroom. Honoka sighed to herself. She waited a little, then grabbed her lunch and left the classroom as well. Let's see if there's a quiet spot to eat at again today.
"Today was the worst."
Saying that to herself, Honoka got into the bathtub. Dance practice today was tiring for her, though not because of dancing. She had caught the others trying to kiss or getting distracted with their lovers often while they were practicing. It took Honoka a lot of effort to not react or anything during their practice. As she sat in the tub, though, she felt herself starting to relax.
"Jeeze, they could have at least waited until practice was over..."
Thinking again about practice earlier started to make Honoka feel a bit lonely. Just then, her phone started ringing. Luckily for her, she had this random urge to keep it near her while she was in the bath. She dried her hand and answered her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey there, Honoka," came a much needed voice.
"Tsubasa!" she nearly yelled before calming herself down again. "Ah, hey. What's up?"
"I read the manga you got me yesterday. So, how soon can I borrow the other books."
"You can come today. I just got home from Muse practice, and I'm free the rest of the day."
"Good, because I'm already on my way."
"What do you mean by already?"
"As in I'm already walking over right now."
"W-what?" Honoka was a little panicked now. "How close are you?"
"Just a few minutes away."
Oh crap, Honoka thought. She quickly got up. "A-alright. I'll get them ready."
"No need, I want to stay over for a while, if you don't mind."
"O-oh. That's fine with me, too!"
"Great. See you in a bit."
With that, the call was ended. Honoka looked at her phone for a moment longer before she put it down. Today is a very busy day, she thought to herself as she hurried to get ready.
"So this is your room," Tsubasa said as they stepped inside.
"Yeah.. It's nothing special like Anju's, but it's still nice," Honoka said, recalling her visit a few days ago.
"No, but it's still nice.. Oh wow."
Tsubasa spotted Honoka's book case, filled with many different manga and light novel series. Most were complete sets. Honoka saw the surprised look on Tsubasa's face, and smiled to herself.
"Only expecting a few books, huh?"
"Sort of.. So you weren't kidding before, huh?"
"Nope. Even though I don't have as much time anymore, I still like reading these."
Honoka walked to her bookcase and grabbed three books from the shelf. Then she walked over and placed them on her desk.
"They'll be here for you whenever you're ready to leave."
"Thanks. Are those the rest of the books?"
"Nope. There are twelve books in total for this series."
"Twelve? Why are you only lending me three more then?"
"I figure you'd need an excuse to come over more, right?"
"Ah-" She thought about it for a second. "Alright you got me."
Honoka smiled, then went back to the bookcase and grabbed one more book. She put it into Tsubasa's hands. Tsubasa looked at the book, confused. She looked over at the stack of books on the desk.
"Book four through six? Why were you lending me them out of order?"
"Because." Honoka grabbed Tsubasa and pulled. They fell onto Honoka's bed together. "You're reading the two books here, of course!"
"Oh? Is this payback for interrupting your bath?"
"W-what? How did you know I was taking a bath earlier?"
Tsubasa grinned. "I heard the water from the tub in the background over the phone."
"Hmph. Well this makes us even."
Honoka made a little pout which made Tsubasa giggle. Eventually, Tsubasa rolled over and opened the book so that they could both see. They started reading while laying on the bed.
As they finished the first book, Yukiho came by to tell them that dinner was ready, with extra prepared for Tsubasa. They took a break to eat and then returned to the room.
"I should come by to eat dinner more often," Tsubasa said with a satisfied smile.
"Sure. Though maybe next time you won't eat my portions as well."
"Eh? But you didn't say no."
Honoka sighed, knowing Tsubasa was right. She joined Tsubasa on the bed. "Fine. So how about we start the next book?"
"Sure! I can't wait to -"
Just then, Honoka's phone started ringing. She pulled it out and looked at the ID, and then sighed again. Tsubasa looked over. Minami Kotori, is what was on the screen. Once again, Honoka let the call drop without answering it.
"You know you're going to have to talk to them about it eventually," Tsubasa said.
"I know." Honoka put her phone onto her desk. "But after earlier, I think I'll need more time still."
"Earlier? What do you mean?"
"Nothing.. Just.. everyone was try to be intimate with each other, in the middle of practice."
Tsubasa looked surprised. "You mean... kissing and everything?"
"Yes. While we were dancing." Honoka shook her head. "I thought they would at least hold off, since it was practice."
"I see... I can understand how that feels to see."
"Is it the same with A-Rise?"
"It used to be. But after a few talks I got Anju to control herself more."
"Ah... must be nice."
"You see, though? Just try talking with the others. It's worth a shot."
Honoka sighed. "I guess you're right.."
"Alright, alright. That's enough of that." She checked her phone. "Ah, it's starting to get late."
"Aww.. Can you stay longer? You still want to read the next book right?"
"Well.. yeah. But.."
"Come on. I'll walk you home later if you'd like." She grabbed Tsubasa's hands. "Please?"
"Well..." Tsubasa looked away, but it didn't help. "Alright, I guess I can stay a bit longer."
"Yay!" Honoka tackled Tsubasa onto her bed in a hug. "Hehe, thanks."
"For what?"
"For visiting me today."
Tsubasa smiled and hugged back. "Any time."
They lay still together for a few minutes. Eventually, the thing on Tsubasa's mind finally got the better of her.
"So.. when can I start reading? I'm really curious what happens next."
"So, how do you like it so far?" Honoka asked as they walked through the quiet streets.
"It's really cute. I can't believe how oblivious the main characters are, though."
"Right? And there's plenty more awkward moments for them in store."
Tsubasa laughed at the thought. "So, will they find out about each other? Or not until the end?"
"Oh, I don't know.. Guess you'll have to read and find out!" Honoka teased.
"Aww, come on you can tell me. I don't mind knowing a little early."
Honoka shook her head. "No can do. You need to find out the same way everyone else does."
"Heh, fine." Tsubasa stopped them. "Here's my house."
Honoka looked over. "Oh?" She looked around to find signs to help her remember the area.
"Yeah.. Well, thanks again for the books. I'll let you know when I finish these."
"Great. Next time I'll come here then with a few more books."
"H-here? And spend some time here?"
"Well, yeah. I definitely want to see your reactions when you read the next few books after those."
"Alright.."
Honoka heard the hesitation in Tsubasa's voice. "Is that not okay?"
"No, no it's fine!" Tsubasa quickly answered. "I'd love to have you over some time."
Honoka smiled. "Great! One last thing, though."
"Hmm?"
Honoka turned and gave Tsubasa a tight hug. Tsubasa was surprised at first, but hugged Honoka back. They stood together for a minute before they let go. Honoka smiled and turned to start walking.
"See you next time!" she called back.
"See you!" Tsubasa called back. She watched as Honoka walked away. "Let's see if we can make tomorrow be that time," she said to herself before she turned to head into her house.
Hey guys, nobodD here!
Nice, simple chapter. Aside from the first scene, I wanted another light-hearted chapter as things start to get going. Also, Honoka's family is pretty friendly, aren't they? Haha. And these two seem to like teasing each other. Or at least, in this story they do X3
So, any guess what's happening next? How things will go with Muse? Let me know your thoughts on the chapter, if you'd be so kind :3 I thank you all for your feedback so far and hope to hear more.
Alright, that's it from me. See you around~