Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!

Once lessons were over for the day, Kotori and Umi hurried to the clubroom. Although they didn't have an official meeting for Muse today, the eight of them agreed that it would be best to meet as quickly as possible. They wanted to fix things with Honoka before they have practice the following day. Otherwise they risk an unbearable two hours if Honoka didn't skip.

The others were a little nervous when Kotori and Umi entered the clubroom. None of them got any ideas for fixing the situation. But that nervousness was washed away as Umi told the others of her idea. Their time alone yesterday gave them time to reflect on their actions. And now Umi was bringing an idea that was their best shot at making amends.

"Are you sure about this, though?" Eli asked.

Umi nodded. "Her reactions were very telling. I have almost no doubt."

"I hope you're right.." Maki said uneasily. "As great as this plan could be, if you're guess is wrong, we risk making things ten times worse."

"You're right, it's a huge risk," Nozomi pointed out. "But, it's really our only option at this point. We have no other ideas. But.."

"Hm?" Umi looked over curiously.

Nozomi met her gaze. "I trust Umi-chan on this. She would know Honoka-chan the best along with Kotori-chan. And they both think this will work."

Kotori smiled, easing a bit of her own nervousness. "Thanks, Nozomi-chan."

"Should we go now, then?" Nico asked. "After all, we don't even know if they are available right now."

"Well, we aren't doing much ourselves anyway," Eli answered. "Even if they aren't free right when we get there, we have time."

"We should all go together then, huh?" Rin asked. "It would be better that way."

"Exactly. Come on, let's get going."

"Hanayo-chan, are you alright?" Nozomi asked.

The others had started getting up and moving, but stopped when they heard Nozomi's question. They all turned to look at Hanayo, who was looking to Umi and Kotori.

"Will she really be happy with this?" she asked.

Happy...

The others gazed at the two second-years, realizing the importance of the question. Kotori and Umi both looked to each other for a second, before both looking back to Hanayo and smiling.

"Yes," they said in unison.

Tsubasa collapsed onto one of the seats in UTX's auditorium. She opened her water bottle and barely managed to bring it to her mouth for a much needed drink. She slowly felt the feeling return to her body, her energy slowly returning. As she closed the water bottle and set it back down with her bag, Anju walked up to her with a towel, offering it to Tsubasa, who gladly accepted.

"Thanks," she said, starting to wipe away sweat from her head.

"You're welcome," Anju said, smiling. "Sorry to be extra hard on you today."

"I guess I do deserve it for cancelling practices for selfish reasons."

"Oh please. You weren't the only one who got something out of it."

"Then why was I worked hard as well?" Erina asked as she joined them.

"So Tsubasa didn't feel alone. And for my enjoyment as well."

Erina gave Anju a look. "Seriously?"

Anju nodded. "Yup! I had no reason to do that to you except because I wanted to."

Erina brought her hand to her face. "I don't believe this..."

Tsubasa laughed, while Anju went over to give Erina a big hug. Not letting go of Erina after, she turned back to Tsubasa.

"Well, we're done with practice now," she announced.

"Yeah..." Tsubasa knew where this was about to go.

"Why don't you go see her already?" Anju asked.

"Don't I get a little time to collect myself first?"

"Collect yourself? Didn't you do that at lunch already?"

"Anju.."

Anju smiled innocently. "I just want you to be happier, that's all. We both do."

"I know.. Just give me more time, alright? I'm not as comfortable about this as you are."

"Alright, alright."

Settling that, the three of them cleaned themselves up and changed out of their sweats and back into their uniforms. They locked up the auditorium and returned the keys in the teacher's lounge, then made their way outside the school.

"Ah, the sun feels good right now," Anju said, her eyes closed as she took in the fresh air.

The other two A-Rise members looked at her in amusement.

"She's in her own little world again," Erina said.

"That she is, that she is," Tsubasa agreed.

"Kira Tsubasa," a voice called out.

The three looked to their left to see who was calling out. Their eyes widened in surprise, as eight familiar faces made their way toward them.

"Ah, it's Muse," Anju pointed out. She waited till they were all close. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"We have a favor to ask of you. Well, to ask of Kira," Eli announced.

This should be interesting, Tsubasa thought. After what had happened yesterday, she definitely wasn't expecting the other Muse to look for her, let alone ask a favor.

"Well, let's hear it," she said.

"First," Umi said, stepping forward, "We would like to ask something."

"Alright."

"What do you think of Honoka?"

Tsubasa's eyes widened in quick surprise again. Hearing that question, Anju realized what was happening. She backed away and stood by Erina, just behind Tsubasa.

"That's an interesting thing to ask out of the blue," Tsubasa pointed out. "Why so sudden?"

"Answer us first," Umi said firmly.

Tsubasa sighed. She didn't want to create any conflict, and responded. "She's a special girl. Very nice, energetic, funny."

"And, do you like her?"

"I don't. I love her."

"Good, that's what we needed to hear."

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow. "Meaning...?"

Kotori stepped to Umi's side. "Kira-san, we want you to ask Honoka-chan out."

That completely caught the three members of A-Rise off guard.

"W-wha?" Tsubasa stuttered.

"We want to apologize to Honoka properly. And we also want her to be happy," Kotori said.

"And you seem to be able to make her the happiest," Umi added. "We believe she also shares your feelings."

"We really messed up. If it wasn't for you, we would have never known, and Honoka-chan might still be depressed. We'll help, of course. So please.."

"Please... go out with Honoka."

Behind Tsubasa, Anju smiled slightly, noticed by only Erina. This is getting interesting, she thought.

Tsubasa took a little time to consider their request. She promised Anju she would confess soon anyway, and now the other Muse are asking her for it. Whether or not she planned this, Anju really is an expert, she thought. She almost couldn't believe how things were working out right now.

"Alright," Tsubasa finally responded. "I'll do it."

A wave of relief swept over the other Muse. Smiling, Umi and Kotori both took a hand of Tsubasa, and started leading her.

"W-wait, where are we going?"

"Honoka's house, of course," Eli said in amusement.

"W-what?"

"That's right." Nozmoi smiled. "Sorry but we need you to confess tonight."

"But, she said she wanted to be alone tonight.

"Well, guess we'll have to ignore her one last time then," Kotori said.

"It's for her own sake, after all," Umi chimed in.

Tsubasa looked helplessly to her two friends, who both smiled in amusement.

"Hey, we're coming too," Erina called out.

"Go ahead," Nico answered them. "Might as well, right?"

Anju smiled, taking Erina's hand as they walked behind the struggling Tsubasa and the rest of Muse.

Honoka was laying on her bed, just staring at the ceiling. She thought she'd just lay there for the day, rest for a day. She also thought she would be alone, but having her sister sitting on the bed with her wasn't that bad either.

"You know, I thought you would be with Kira Tsubasa right now," Yukiho said.

Honoka hugged her teddy bear a little tighter. "No. We might see each other tomorrow. I just wanted to be alone for today."

"But why? You've spent so much time with each other last week, from what you told me."

"Yeah... but I might have a made a big mistake yesterday..."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... remember that manga I let you read before... the one with the forest fairies?"

"Faries... Wait..." Yukiho's eyes lit with understanding. "You didn't kiss her did you?!"

Lucky for Honoka she's just been staring at the ceiling, because she couldn't look at Yukiho in the face right now. Yet the guilty look told Yukiho all she needed.

"Onee-chan.."

"I-I know it wasn't a smart idea. But I couldn't help it! I've been wanting to for a while now... and then she did the same thing that happened in the manga... I got carried away."

Yukiho sighed. "Did she say anything after?"

"Not really... we just talked about hanging out tomorrow."

"Maybe you're still okay then..."

Honoka sighed now. "I don't know..."

Just then there was a knock at the door. Honoka and Yukiho looked to see their mother peaking her head in.

"Honoka-chan," she said. "There are a few girls here to see you."

"O-okay.. thanks."

Their mom disappeared behind the door again. Honoka and Yukiho looked at each other before they both got up and walked outside. They were in for a bit of a surprise.

"Everyone..." Honoka said as they stepped outside of the store.

"Honoka.." Eli said. "We... we came to apologize for how we've been."

"Oh.. is that so.."

Honoka had gestured behind her for Yukiho to go back inside. Yukiho quickly moved, not wanting to be around in case things got to tense. When she heard the door leading to their house close, she turned her attention to the other Muse, waiting.

Eli continued. "We've done a lot of thinking. And, we realize that that our actions have been unacceptable."

Nozomi nodded. "Also, as one of your seniors, I want to apologize for not noticing that you were in pain, as well as distracting Eli-chi during practice."

"I want to apologize for not preventing these actions during practice, and being a bad role model for the others." Eli said.

"We're sorry that we didn't notice you were sad," Rin said first.

"And for not honoring what you've done for us by abandoning you," Hanayo finished.

"I'm sorry as well," Maki said. "For not noticing that you were troubled, as well as for being irresponsible during practices."

"I'll apologize as well," Nico said. "For not being a good senior by making sure that you were okay, and for making practices hard for you to be around.

Kotori and Umi stepped forward to Honoka.

"And as your best friends," Kotori started. "we're so sorry."

"For missing all the signs, for abandoning you, for making you feel left out... for everything," Umi said

"We were terrible friends. You helped make us happy, yet we left you alone."

"And worse, the only thing we noticed was that you skipped practices, and we called you selfish and irresponsible."

"So.. from the bottom of our hearts.."

All eight of them bowed their heads.

"We're really sorry for what we've done," they said in unison.

After a few moments of quiet, they all looked up. There were tears forming in Honoka's eyes, something they were somewhat expecting. What exactly she was feeling though, they still couldn't tell. They just hoped what they did was enough.

"You all..." Honoka wiped a tear from her eye, trying to smile. "I'd like to accept all your apologies, I really would.. But I-"

"You're not sure if you can trust us again?" Nozomi guessed.

"Don't take it the wrong way..." Honoka said guiltily.

"We understand," Eli answered. "That's why we brought you something."

"Eh?"

"Honoka," Kotori said. "We promise we'll do better from now on for Muse. But especially, we'll do better for you."

"We promise things will be different from now on," Umi said. "And as both proof of our apology and our promise, we brought something we think will make you happy."

Honoka was a little bit nervous. "W-what would that be?"

"I think that would be me," said a voice behind her.

She instantly recognized the voice, and quickly spun around. Her heart was racing, almost unable to believe what she was seeing.

"Ts-Tsubasa?! W-what are you doing here?"

Tsubasa wanted to laugh at Honoka's reaction, but she knew not to, at least not yet.

"Well, I did a bit of thinking of my own," She said. "Okay, well I did have a bit of help. But, I've come to realize a few things."

"L-like?"

"Well for one..."

Tsubas put one hand behind Honoka's head, and brought her closer, placing her lips onto the surprised ginger's. She held them together for a few moments before she separated, smiling.

"I finished the last books. It was quite unfair of you to keep all the fun to yourself, right?"

W-why is she setting up that scene? Honoka gulped, unable to speak. A mixture of excitement and nervousness welled up inside her, getting an idea of where Tsubasa might be taking this.

"The truth is... Even if your friends didn't come to me and ask me for this favor, I would've been here anyway. Because, I just really wanted to see you again. I know we've only been real friends for a little while, but I can say this confidently now."

Ah.. it's exactly the same. Which means...

"Honoka."

"Y-yes?"

"I love you."

S-she said it.

Aside from a few things, Honoka felt like she was in a dream. She felt a surge of emotions, and instantly she started tearing up again. Tsubasa almost reacted, but had no time. Honoka threw herself back onto Tsubasa, giving her a sweet kiss on the lips. She pulled away and, threw teary eyes, gave a big smile to Tsubasa.

"You don't know how much it means that you just said that."

Tsubasa smiled. "So does that mean..."

Honoka nodded. "Yes. I love you too, Tsubasa. And if you'd have me, I'll gladly be your girlfriend."

"Great. But first." Tsubasa wiped away the tears from Honoka's face. "What did I tell you about staining this face?"

Honoka just continued to smile as she rested herself against Tsubasa. Tsubasa in turn held Honoka tightly. From where she stood, she looked to the on-looking Muse.

"Apology accepted. And, thank you so much, everyone."

Finally, the eight girls waiting with baited breath finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"I hope you all will stick to your promise," Honoka added happily.

"You got it," Eli said.

They all smiled and looked on to their center, cheerful once again. And hopefully, they all thought, she'll stay that way for a long time to come. They couldn't let anything happen to Muse, or any of its members.

"How sweet," Anju said, walking up beside the other eight Muse.

"It sure is," Nozomi agreed.

"Here's an interesting thought," Erina said. "What will this mean for our groups, if our leaders our dating? There's still the Love Live competition."

"We can worry about that later," Umi said, turning away from the new couple to look at the others. "Right now I think they need some time alone."

Hey guys, nobodD here!

I really focused to get these last few chapters out. But after this point it'll probably slow down again. This was a big chapter though, so as always let me know your thoughts and all. They're very appreciated :3 Also, let me know what you'd like to see. I may add some of those ideas into future chapters.

Also, don't be confused by the chapter title. This definitely isn't the end. I hope to continue this story for a lot longer. Hope you stick around as well.

I'll see you next time~