*Disclaimer: I do NOT own Love Live!
"How could you disappear like that without telling anyone, again? You realize how important the next few weeks are, right? Were you even thinking before running off like that?"
Honoka sat as still as she could. She knew Eli was at a point beyond reasoning, and would just have to sit where she was and take all the criticism and lecturing the blond had in store. If this was when the two had first met, Honoka would probably be on her feet challenging her right now. But something in the back of her mind told her that would be far from an ideal way of handling this.
Nozomi, who stood a little off to the side of Eli, could only wear an apologetic look. I'm sorry I can't do more, it said. Honoka managed the faintest of smiles toward her spiritual senior. She knew Nozomi was being honest, and she appreciated it. Even Nozomi hasn't had to deal with Eli this angry before, so there was no telling what to do to calm her down.
The other Muse held silent while Eli's lecturing continued. On the one hand, they felt bad for Honoka, just sitting there and letting Eli have her way. Yet on the other hand, they knew Eli had every reason to feel like this, and Honoka had kind of earned this lecturing in the first place. They were also a bit annoyed with Honoka themselves, only if their reasons were that the searching yesterday had interrupted all their date plans afterwards.
"Do you know how much trouble you caused for us yesterday? We couldn't practice because we were out looking for you. How could you be so irresponsible?"
How ironic... Usually being able to keep a part-time job is considered responsible. Honoka thought bitterly.
"We can't be wasting any more time. You're our center and leader, Honoka. Why don't you start acting like it?"
Honoka finally snapped. "Why don't you act more like a Student Council President then?"
"What did you say?"
Honoka got to her feet. "You don't even know what's going on. And yet you're here just making assumptions. I could be suffering, you know. I could have lost my family. I could've been in the hospital. I could have some deadly disease. Yet, you don't care at all, do you?"
Eli was caught completely off guard by Honoka's outburst, and Honoka saw the hesitation in Eli.
"The old Student Council President, the old Eli, was much more caring about others than this. What happened to her? She would've made sure I was okay. She would have asked if something bad had happened. Instead here you are. Here you are lecturing me and just assuming I have no good reason for doing anything. Leader you say? Center you say? I don't even want to be part of Muse right now if this is what I have to deal with now."
Honoka picked up her bag and walked to the door. She opened it and stepped halfway out before turning back. While somewhat addressing the whole room, her next questions were aimed more at her long standing friends.
"What happened to making sure I'm okay? What happened to looking out for my happiness?"
She left the room. It might be because she slammed the door, because some students and teachers poked their heads out of their rooms. However, by this point Honoka had hid the anger bubbling inside her behind a rather normal expression, and they had lost interest in the ginger walking through the hall.
Honoka walked without stopping until she reached the school gates. She sighed, letting the last of her hateful feelings leave her. She felt a little disgusted in herself for acting like that.
I probably deserved it all in the end.
Once she calmed down enough, she decided it'd be bad to try and return to the others now. Instead, she started walking again while pulling out her phone. She dialed some numbers and touched the call button on screen.
"Hello? Cocoa-chan? Hey something came up. I'll be going to work early today."
The air was still following the loud thud of Honoka leaving. The other Muse were too shockd by the sudden outburst to react right away. All except Nozomi, who just sighed.
"Looks like you've done it this time," she said simply.
"W-what just happened?" Hanayo asked nervously.
"Do... do you know something, Nozomi-chan?" Kotori asked.
"Do you not see how much pressure you're all putting on her?" Nozomi asked all of them.
"What do you mean?" Maki asked.
"Honoka is dating A-Rise's center, the leader of our competition next round. You may have shown her your approval of their relationship, but that fact still remains. That's extremely confusing for her to deal with. One the one hand, you're all saying you're happy for them. But on the other hand, you keep emphasizing how we need to beat A-Rise. How does Honoka simultaneously try to make her girlfriend happy and work towards going against that happiness? Even while you say otherwise, it's essentially like telling Honoka to choose between us or Tsubasa."
Everyone was quiet while they reflected over Nozomi's words.
"Why couldn't she just tell us that, then?" Umi asked.
"Have you known Honoka to ever put her feelings before anyone else's?"
Rin shook her head. "No... Honoka-chan always thinks of others."
"Exactly. She obviously wants t make Tsubasa happy, since they're dating. But she also wants us to be happy. Yet trying to balance that eventually cornered her."
"And she took off yesterday... to try to get some space?" Nico guessed.
"Exactly."
The room was quiet again, as all heads turned to one, witnessing something strange. It was almost as bad as Honoka being angry. Tears slowly rolled down Eli's cheeks.
"Did... did we really put her through all that?" Eli's voice shook. "Were we really that blind again? Did I really change like that?"
Nozomi hugged Eli from behind, trying to comfort her.
"She probably hates me..."
"She doesn't hate you," Nozomi reassured her. "I think she just felt hurt, going through something she thought we've moved on from."
"But she said-"
"Everyone says some things they don't mean when they're upset or angry. Weren't you saying some exaggerated things to Honoka as well?"
"Well... yeah..."
"Just give her the space she needs. She'll come around. You know she'd never abandon any of us, no matter what."
She smiled sweetly to try and reassure the group. Well, I did promise not to reveal her job. I guess saying her outburst is because of being pressured is a good cover story, she thought.
Anju stepped through the front door of The Rabbit House. She was quite surprised to see Honoka already in uniform and working.
"I came in early today," Honoka told her.
Anju proceeded to the back to dress into her uniform. Cocoa walked in while she was in the middle of changing.
"Ah, Anju-chan!" Cocoa said happily.
"Hi, Cocoa-chan."
"Hey..." Cocoa lowered her voice. "Do you know what's wrong with Honoka-chan?"
"Something is wrong with her? I had no idea."
"Oh. Well it seems she didn't go to practice today. And she looked really upset when she came in."
"I see..." Anju did her best not to worry. "Well, we'll help her out after then, won't we?"
"Of course!"
Cocoa rummaged through her locker until she found what she was looking for. Once she pulled out the hairpin, she walked back out. Anju had been slightly distracted, but had quickly shook off her thoughts to finish changing and rejoin the others outside.
Honoka has something bothering her... huh?
Anju had watched Honoka working for the last hour. If she really was upset by something, she was a master at hiding it. Not once did a smile leave her face. She handled her work perfectly. As far as Anju was concerned, Honoka was acting the same as always.
Or maybe that's exactly the point. After all, Anju only has a little bit of experience with Honoka. And according to Tsubasa, Honoka had all of Muse fooled before. If those who were her best friends were tricked by Honoka, then Anju may very well be seeing that same game.
Well, it's not like I'm Tsubasa. If she wants to tell me, she can. But I shouldn't go snooping into her life.
Satisfied with that, Anju went back to focusing on working. Or at least, she tried to stay focused. But every so often she caught sight of Honoka, and the questions started coming back. Was she faking it? What happened? Will she be okay?
Luckily there was enough customers that she couldn't dwell on the thoughts for too long. Eventually they would go away each time as she wrote down orders and carried drinks around. She just happened to walk by the door as a familiar face entered.
"Ah, Toujou-san. Welcome," She greeted.
"Hello, Yuuki-san," Nozomi greeted with a smile. "Just one again, please."
"Right. This way."
Anju led Nozomi to the same table she sat at yesterday. Nozomi ordered a cafe latte, and asked that Honoka draw something in it for her. Anju brought the drink order back, and called Honoka over. She told her Nozomi's order and then pointed out the table. Anju barely caught a flash of fear on Honoka before it turned to a typical surprised look.
Well, I guess that answers that question, Anju thought.
She watched as Honoka brought over the latte to Nozomi. Nozomi was smiling, and had a few things to say to Honoka before Honoka came back behind the counter.
"What was that all about?" Anju asked.
"Nothing really," Honoka replied. "Nozomi-chan says she wants to talk to me about something after our shift is over."
"Is it about what's bothering you?" Anju realized too late what she just asked, but she covered her mouth as if that'd help.
"So you noticed?"
"...Cocoa-chan pointed it out. Sorry."
Honoka shook her head. "You don't need to apologize. I'll tell you about it when I talk with Nozomi-chan, afterwards."
"Alright.."
With another smile, Honoka went back to work. Whatever guilt Anju had been feeling about a few seconds ago was instantly replaced with curiosity. She watched the ginger clean up a table, wondering what on Earth could upset such a happy girl.
Nozomi was allowed to wait inside the shop as the five went about the closing procedures. Honoka, Nozomi, and Anju left together, walking through the empty nighttime streets. Anju listened while Nozomi recalled the events that took place in the clubroom earlier in the day. She cast a side glance to Honoka, who was walking between the two of them. Her eyes were focused on her feet, a guilty expression across her face.
"I-I see..." Anju said once Nozomi finished explaining.
"Yeah... Anyway... I told them that you were just under a lot of pressure," Nozomi told Honoka. "They seemed to believe it. So your secret is still safe."
"Thanks, Nozomi-chan," Honoka said, still staring at the ground.
"Hey, everything will work out," Anju said, trying to cheer her up. "We just need to earn what we can, and take Tsubasa and Erena out somewhere nice with what we have before we all start practicing hard for Love Live. Then we won't have to be keeping secrets anymore."
"Yeah... You're right..."
"Don't be so worried," Nozomi said. "If you're still upset with what happened, just apologize tomorrow for yelling. You won't need to mention this yet, and they'll apologize to you as well, I can tell."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Honoka had gone quiet into her thoughts for a few moments. Their words finally seemed to work, as Honoka smiled for the first time since they left.
"Thanks, Nozomi-chan. And you too, Anju-chan."
"That's what I'm here for," Nozomi said, relieved.
"You're quite welcome," Anju said. "Looks like your escort has arrived."
"What do you mean?"
Anju pointed ahead, and Honoka followed her finger. They saw a lone figure under one of the street lights.
"Tsubasa-chan!"
As if she's never known sadness, Honoka found the energy to run up and hug her girlfriend. The amount of force that went into it nearly knocked Tsubasa over.
"Well, at least she seems better now," Anju said as she and Nozomi looked onto the two.
"Mm... I wouldn't say that just yet... I feel like there's still much in store for her..." Nozomi said.
Though she was curious as to why Nozomi answered so vaguely, Anju once again told herself not to pry. So she left it at that, and they all went their separate ways.
Hey guys, nobodD here!
I really don't know what to say about this chapter. Consider it a preview of what's to come. I apologize in advance, if you don't like dramatic endings. Cause we're going down that route :X At least there's some time, right?
Uhm, let me hear some feedback. This chapter is... definitely surprising in context of the story. It is pretty necessary though. Nozomi doesn't realize how much truth her words really have here.
Nozomi: Oh? How right was I then?
I can't tell you, it'll ruin the surprise.
Nozomi: Aww, that's no fun.
Anyway, I hope people stick around, and I'll see you next time~