Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable
Chapter 9: Korekara no SOMEDAY
Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Since us first years joined, we of μ's had had a lot of problems. Not only were there complicates relating to an arrow and some of us awakening as 'Stand users,' but we had a lot of problems trying to become an official club.
That's when we met Yazawa Nico, who was not only an admirer of School Idols for years, but also another Stand user. But after convincing her to join after Honoka-senpai had a brief fight to her, μ's is now finally an official club, integrated into the Idol Study Club.
Man, I didn't sign up for all this…
"Um…"
"Come on, smile for the camera."
"Strike a pose, nya!"
"This is Kousaka Honoka, the leader of μ's- Otonokizaka High's School Idol group… Yes, her."
It was the beginning of a hectic day for μ's, to say the least. Still though, Rin smiled as Honoka finished posing for the camera, a smiling Nozomi next to her.
"Um, what's going on…?" Kotori asked, approaching the first and third year. But Rin didn't answer her, instead turning the camera back on.
"Let's see, next is… Umi-senpai!" It took the second year a few moments to realize what was going on, flustered as she noticed the camera pointing at her.
"H… huh!? Wait, what are you doing!?" But Rin just zoomed in more, further annoying Umi. "I-Its rude to film people who aren't aware! Stop that!"
"Ooo, Umi-senpai is scary like that~!" Rin teased, while Nozomi just kept on her demeanor.
"I'm sorry. The student council wants to make videos about all the school's clubs, as well as their members, so we want to interview you all," Nozomi explained. "And now that the Idol Study Club has expanded, I thought it'd be appropriate to make a video about the rest of you as well," Nozomi explained… even if Eli was opposed to it.
"Doesn't that sound awesome!?" Rin asked. "I wanna be interviewed, nya!"
Nozomi giggled a bit. "With School Idol popularity on the rise, I felt this would be a good thing for μ's," Nozomi explained. Honoka still didn't understand why Nozomi supported them so much when Eli did not, but she was happy to receive it. "Filming you just seems like the natural solution."
"I-I don't like it! I would rather not be filmed at all!" Umi declared.
"Interviews…" Umi turned her attention to Honoka, who was practically fawning over the idea. "Such an idoly thing to do!"
"H-Honoka? Get a grip!"
"Oh, come on, Umi-chan! You gotta be cool with it! This can be huuuuuuuuuuge for us! Everyone who watches it will remember μ's!"
"Honoka's right," Kotori went on. "It'd be silly of us to refuse."
"Nozomi-senpai said we could even borrow the camera, as long as we agree to do the interviews!"
"And that way, you can shoot a promotional video," Nozomi explained.
"… A what now?" Umi groaned at Honoka's question.
"A PV, Honoka!" Rin said. "The only PV of μ's only has you three. The rest of us need to be in one, too!"
"Ohhh!" Honoka replied. "Ya know… we still don't even know who took that video of us…" She admitted. "I thought for sure it was Fumiko, but she denied it. "I really want to thank them, you know?"
"… Speaking of songs, Umi, didn't you say its time you started working on a new song?" Kotori asked.
"E… eh?"
"Come oooooooon, Umi-chaaaaaaaaaaan!" Honoka pestered on, earning a sigh.
"Fine! I'll start writing something for all seven of us," she said, much to Honoka's joy.
"Huzzaaaaaah!" She was so excited, even「All Star」materialized to show her joy, jumping around. Nozomi forced back a frown, smiling as if nothing was wrong at all, and happy Eli was not around. Honoka…
"I'm gonna go tell the rest of the club the great news! See ya around, everyone!"
You must learn to be more careful, if I was your enemy…
"This is like, totally the best news ever! This is gonna be the best!"
"This is the worst! How could you take a video like this!?"
Honoka practically despaired as she watched the secret recording of her at her class, looking bored as she tired to sit through the lesson, barely awake.
"Although she's a School Idol, she is still a student. Unlike professional Idols she is not allowed to take classes outside her normal time, nor is she allowed to leave early," Nozomi narrated, as Honoka was asleep. Then, it showed her awake, happily eating her sandwich for lunch. "Then after a hearty lunch… the nap continues, that is, until she is caught by her teacher, which then raps up her day," Honoka's eye twitched as she saw herself asleep, her teacher waking her up and going so startled she actually fell out of her chair. "School Idol, yes. Teenager girl… absolutely."
Nozomi smiled as she saw Honoka's reaction. "This honest account of Kousaka Honoka has been brought to you from the Otonokizaka Student Council."
"A little TOO honest, if you ask me! This is like, a total invasion of my privacy! When did you film that, anyways!?"
Rin laughed. "You got that footage good, Kotori-senpai!"
Kotori blushed. "Thank you. Getting this footage in secret was really exciting…"
"What!? You filmed me!? You traitor!"
Umi sighed. "Its your own fault, Honoka. If you weren't so lazy, this would've made you look good. Maybe now you'll-"
"Look at Umi!"
"W-what!?"
The rest of μ's watched Umi at her archery practice, practicing hard. "Umi-chan looks so serious when she's practicing archery!" Honoka exclaimed, before they saw Umi look into the mirror next to her, putting on a rather… cute look. "Oooh, she's practicing her super-cute Idol smile! At least its honest!"
"A little TOO honest, if you ask me! This is like, a total invasion of my privacy! … Wait a minute…" Umi exclaimed, pausing for a minute. "… Don't you say a word," she scolded Honoka, who seemed ready to say quite a few things in response before pouting.
"… Anyways!" Honoka got up, heading towards Kotori's bag. "Its only fair we get to invade Kotori's privacy too!" She opened her bag, before blinking at a photo inside. "Huh? What's this…?"
Kotori quickly zipped her bag up, giving a nervous smile as she backed up. "Kotori, what's wrong!?"
"Ahahaha… nothing wrong! Nothing at all! Nothing interesting in here! Nothing's wrong, ahaha! Nothing interesting in here!" It freaked out Honoka for a bit… but Nozomi spoke.
"Once we're done filming, we'll have all the clubs check their footage… then they can edit it however they want."
"Yeah! But if Eli-senpai sees this first, then…" Honoka frowned at the thought.
"Absolutely unacceptable! Thanks to you, our school looks like a breeding ground for slackers, now! I'll never accept you!" She declared in Honoka's fantasy.
"True…" Nozomi considered. "Well, good luck with that."
"W-what!? You're not going to back us up!?"
"I wish I could, but my role as vice president is limited to… moral support, really," Before she could go on though, Nico burst into the room, out of breath,「Circus」behind her. "Oh, Niccochi. How nice of you to join us."
"Are we… really being interviewed!?"
"Yeah, she's already here," Kotori said. "We're-" but before she could continue, Nico regained her composure and took a few steps forward.
"Nico nico nii~! I'm Yazawa Nico, here to brighten your Nico-Nico day! Let me think! Uuu… My favorite food is—"
"Sorry, we don't need any of that."
"Huh!?" Nico and「Circus」exclaimed.
"They're trying to capture candid footage of club members, nya!"
"Candid!? That's so stupid! It should be us at our most brilliant!" 「Circus」declared, crossing her arms, and leaning against the wall. But Nico didn't seem to mind.
"Candid, huh? OK, OK, I got it…" Nico smiled, undoing her pigtails and letting her hair fall, her hair not unlike「Circus'」now. Her entire demeanor changed in a second.
"Girl, you should always keep it like that!"
"Honestly, this is what I really look like every day. When I work as an Idol, I'm completely different. When I tie my hair up, its like I'm flipping a switch! Huh? Oh, right. You know, I don't normally call myself 'Nico…'"
When she finally looked around, the room was empty.
"Hey, where the hell did they go!?"
"They left about ten seconds into it."
"And why the hell didn't you tell me!?"
"It was funnier this way."
"Umm… Oh boy… Someone rescue me…" Hanayo said, looking into the camera. For some reason, this was much more nerve-wracking than a Stand battle.
"Stop being nervous, Kayochin! You'll be just fine!"
"We'll be editing the video, so take as much time as you need…"
"R-right…"
"And Maki-chan! You need to get involved as well!" Rin replied, Maki twirling a finger in her hair.
"Yeah… no."
"If you're really against it, we won't force you to do the interview…" Nozomi winked at Rin, who then nodded and rose her camera."
"Maki over there is the only member who refused our interview request… When not working as your school idol she's your typical impressionable, and rather moody 15-year-old girl. It's perfectly natural for her to—"
"Hey! I said I'm not doing it!" Maki said as she stormed over, hand quickly covering the camera.
Before long even Maki caved though, standing alongside the other first years as they were interviewed.
"To start, I'd like to ask what you all find most appealing about being an Idol… how about you, Hanayo-chan?"
"M-me!? Well… umm… i-its like… Oh boy…"
"Kayochin has loved Idols ever since she was a kid!" Rin answered for her. "She loves the singing and the dancing!"
"Y-yes, that's right!" Hanayo paused. "Also… because…" She took a breath. "… My mama would have been an Idol if it wasn't for me," while Rin knew this story, Nozomi and the rest of μ's seemed rather surprised. "I… I wasn't a planned pregnancy, but my mama had me and loved me every step of the way! So, I… I want to make her proud of me! I want her to see me dance and sing and be proud of it!"
"And that's why you became an Idol?"
"Yes. Both for my own love of Idols… and my love for my mother! Those are what drives me as an Idol!"
Maki was the one most stunned by the revelation. The second years started this to save the school, Rin seemed to want to do it to support her friend and prove something to herself, but…
… Why was Maki doing all of this, anyway? It wasn't for her parent's approval, that was for sure. If anything, she knew this would be a problem; if her parents found out… well, her mom would be apathetic. But her father?
He would probably demand she quit. So why was she here, when she acted like she was so above it all?
"… Maki-chan?"
"H-huh?"
"What do you find most appealing about being an Idol?"
"I… I… ah… erm…" Maki wasn't used to being like this, speechless. She narrowed her eyes at the funny face Honoka was making, covering the camera once more upon noticing Hanayo laughing. "Stop doing that! You too, Kotori-senpai! Take off the mask!"
Both girls giggled. "Sorry, you just looked so tense, I just wanted to lighten it up a bit!"
"You're going to give everyone the wrong impression of us! You're gonna make μ's look like a bunch of idiots!" Maki snapped, earning a smile from Honoka.
"Maki-chan… do you actually care about μ's' image?" Honoka teased. "You sound like you actually care about μ's, Maki!"
"I… I don't! I don't care about this! I… I just…"
Was that her answer, deep down?
Do I do this because I care about μ's?
She blushed when she saw the camera back on her. "Stop filming me!"
"After a full hour of dancing… the girls are finally taking a much-deserved break. They're all drenched in sweat and out-of-breath, but nobody is complaining."
While most of the day observing μ's made them look like lazy slackers, it was during practice that they truly shined. While only Kotori nailed it down to a T, they gave nothing less but their absolute all while practicing, giving the group just the image that they needed. This was it; the footage that would make μ's look good.
"So, that's it, right?" Maki asked Nozomi, wiping off sweat with a towel.
"Indeed, but… if I may ask, shouldn't practice be conducted by the group leader?"
"Well…" Maki began. "We don't—"
"Alright, everyone! After our break, let's go over our group choreography, step-by-step," Umi commanded the rest of the Idols, giving instructions and taking full command of the practice. "Be sure to review outside of practice, too!"
"… Huh…"
"Moooooooooom! Seriously, its not gonna be that long! You don't have to overdue it like this!"
Nozomi and Rin had come to Homura to interview Honoka's family, but it wasn't going as planned to say the least. "It's the principal of it!" Mrs. Kousaka assured. "If I'm going to be on camera, I want to look my best!"
"Come on, mom! Its not like you look any different with makeup on or not…"
That earned her a box of Kleenex to the forhead, much to Nozomi's and Rin's amusement. "O-Owww!"
A small interview later and they made their way upstairs, Honoka smiling as they made to Yukiho's room. "Yukiho! Are you in there? I want you to…" and the three were immediately greeted to Yukiho trying to tie a belt around her waist as hard as possible.
"Just… a little… tighter…!"
And the three proceeded to, quite bluntly, hightailed it before Yukiho even noticed them, making their way to Honoka's room.
"I asked my dad if he wanted to do this too, but well…" Honoka pursed her lips. "He just kinda waved. He's not much of a talking guy…"
"Hmmm… so, does μ's meet here often?" Nozomi asked.
"Yeah!" Rin asked. "Well, mostly Kotori-chan and Umi-chan, there here all the time!" Rin went on. "They also have lots of snacks!"
"Only Japanese sweets though," Honoka said with a nervous laugh. "What I'd give to have those chocolate peanut butter cups here…"
"Hmm…" Nozomi looked over a notebook. "Is this where you write down your lyrics?"
"Yeah, this is where Umi-chan keeps them!" Honoka proudly declared.
"Umi…?"
"Yeah! Umi-senpai comes up with most of our lyrics!" Rin explained.
"And your choreography?"
"That's what Kotori does!" Honoka explained.
"So… what do you do, Honoka?"
"Well…" Honoka paused. "I eat a lot… I watch TV… I watch videos of other Idols and think about how cool they are… oh! And I give lots of support, too!" Honoka said with a smile.
It didn't really encourage Nozomi any, to say the least. Especially once the news had spread. "Honoka… why are you the leader of μ's?"
"… Eh?"
"I should have thought about this immediately when our clubs merged…" Nico announced, once all of μ's met in their club room. "Who is best suited to be our leader? Who's going to be our center?" She announced, eyes narrowed.
"I still wouldn't mind if it was Honoka-chan…" Hanayo said quietly, but Nico shook her head.
"No way! That interview made it painfully clear she's not fit to be our leader," Nico announced. "This girl is just not leader material."
"Yeah, true fact," Maki agreed.
"Wait a minute-" Umi began.
"We don't want our PV to suffer because of it."
"The PV?" Kotori asked.
"Understand that if we change our leader, we change who stands in the center. In our PV, that spot is reserved for the leader."
"Makes sense," Maki said, and Nico smirked.
Now's my big chance!
She flipped the whiteboard over, with notes written all over it. "You know…! The leader must be charismatic, and liked and well-respected by the group! An excellent leader must be passionate to inspire everyone else! She must also possess an open-mind to be the pillar of the group! And the only one here, the sole member, who has all of these qualities are…" Wait for it! Next they'll be begging me to-
"… Umi-senpai maybe?" Rin suggested.
"W-w-w-what!?"
"Me!? The leader!?" Umi exclaimed.
"Yeah! I bet you'd be a great leader, Umi-chan!" Honoka encouraged. "Why not?"
"And you're OK with this, Honoka?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Honoka blinked a few times.
"Y-you're about to lose your own position of leader! You might lose your position as the center!"
"Oh… oh well!" Honoka said, still grinning. "I mean… I'll still be a member of μ's, won't I?"
"H-Honoka! Again! You'll lose the center!" Hanayo exclaimed.
"Hmm… whatever!" It shocked the entire room, even those who knew her best. "I don't really care about that stuff!"
That's why you can't be the leader! Nico thought to herself.
"I… I can't do it, I'm sorry," Umi said.
"So much for that…" Maki suggested.
"What about Kotori-senpai?" Rin suggested.
"She seems more like a secondary leader," Maki responded.
"And I think an upperclassman should be the leader…" Hanayo admitted.
This is my chance to take it back! Nico thought with a grin. "Well, if I must, I must…"
"I still think Honoka is the best choice," Rin said.
"Well, if I must, I must…"
"I still think we should get Umi-senpai to take command," Maki persisted. Nico's smile faded.
"If I must, I must…"
"Maybe we should vote on it?" Hanayo suggested.
Having had enough, Nico grabbed a small megaphone she had won from an Idol-related giveaway. "WELL IF I MUST, I MUST!"
"… So, what are we doing?"
"Good question…"
Her patience fed up, nonetheless, a devilish idea came to Nico's brain.
"Karaoke!"
Not even an hour later μ's had gathered into a karaoke room, one frequently visited by Nico. Even though her Idol days had ended two years ago, Nico still enjoyed singing and dancing to feel closer to the Idols she loved so much. "We're going to settle this through song and dance! Whoever is the best will take the center spot in the video… we'll let talent decide who our leader is!"
"I don't know, I've never been good at karaoke…" Umi said. "It makes me nervous…"
"Yeah, I'm not a fan either," Maki replied.
"That's just fine!" Nico replied. "You don't have to do it… you're just forfeiting your right to be the center!" And she kneeled and turned around, chuckling as she looked into her notebook. Little did they know… this song is my specialty! It's a really hard song for people new to karaoke, but… It's my favorite song! I can easily score high on it… this is in the bag!
"Alright, everyone! You ready!?" She groaned at noticing them goofing around. "Hey! This is serious!"
But things didn't go quite as Nico expected.
"Thank God that's over…" Umi said as she finished her portion, her score soon coming up at 93.
"You did great, Umi-senpai! Nya!" Rin encouraged, the rest of the girls applauding.
"We all scored over 90, thanks to our daily practice routine," Kotori observed.
"I never noticed it, but we're all improving a lot!" Rin admitted. "All of our singing strength is good! Even though Honoka-chan scored just a bit lower than the rest…" Honoka stuck out her tongue and laughed a bit.
Nico wasn't quite so amused, looking up from her magazine. "These girls are… hardcore…"
But she was still undeterred! "Next up is dancing! We'll be playing on this machine, on Apocalypse Mode Extra! This isn't gonna be a cakewalk like the last part!" She grinned, before noticing Honoka, Kotori, and Rin distracted by trying to win a prize. "I-I said this is serious, you idiots!"
"I know I'm athletic and all, but dancing isn't my strong suit…" Rin admitted, making her way over to the machine, wanting to get the poison out of the way early.
And of course, this is my best song! I got worried on the karaoke fo ra second… but this is different from our usual dancing! There's no way these amateurs can-"
"I cleared it, nya!"
"…"
And once again, everyone scored high. Rin didn't do as good as the rest, but her singing score was up there! Everyone scored high, around her level… "These girls… they're hardcore!"
But still, there was one ace in her sleeve. One she was sure nobody could beat her out!
"This next test will be on our auras! There is nothing more important to us Idols than charisma! Yes… even Idols who can't sing or dance to save their lives can sometimes draw in large audiences! And its because of their charm and charisma! So we'll be passing these out to prove our worth! That something in them that just attracts people!" Nico said with a grin. "Whoever can hand out the most fliers in an hour has the strongest aura!
And back when it was just three of us when I was first years, I was a pro at this! This time I'll win for sure! I will be the center, just like back then! With my unmatched Nico smile… Nico wasted no time running up to a man, making her signature smile and had gesture. "Nico Nico Ni~! Can I please give you this flier~?" But the man kept walking off… until she grabbed his arm, frowning. But then regained that smile. "… Nico Ni!"
But in the end, there was only one clear champion, within only twenty minutes of the competition. "Thank you, sir!" Kotori replied, giving away the last of her fliers.
"Kotori, you're amazing!" Honoka replied.
"You really gave them all away?" Rin asked.
"Yeah! I ran out before I even noticed…" Kotori replied, much to Nico's dismay.
What the hell are these girls made of!?
"We're right back where we started…" Maki replied, the rest back in their group.
"Rin scored low on her dancing, butKotori had a low karaoke score, but she passed out fliers better than everyone else."
"I guess we all have the quality of a leader," Kotori replied, smiling.
"I'm super impressed by you, Nico-senpai! You haven't been practicing nearly as much as us, but you still scored high up!"
"O-oh… you don't say…"
"I still think an upperclassman should be the center…"
"Well… if I must, I must!"
"… I still say Umi should be the leader," Maki asserted.
"Jeez, it's like I'm not even here…"
"What do you think, Honoka?" Umi asked, as Honoka tapped her chin.
"I was thinking… maybe we don't need a leader?"
"… EH!?" Nico asked. "What the hell are you talking about!?"
"Well! I was watching some Idol videos at home, and I thought… what if we took turns being the center in our songs?" Honoka suggested. "That way nobody is left out! And maybe… our next song could have all of us rotating as the center!"
"That's crazy! There's no such thing as a leaderless group that works!" Nico criticized, the rest of the room quiet.
"I think we can handle things on our own… after all, we've been doing this without a leader!" Honoka replied. Even Nico couldn't criticize that. "All of us… I want us all to be the center. Is that possible, Kotori-chan, with the dancing?"
"It might be hard… but I can do it!" Kotori replied.
"At the least, its not impossible," Umi said.
"Songs like that do exist…" Maki replied.
"Then it sounds perfect to me! Everyone gets to sing, and everyone gets to be the center!" Honoka replied, as everyone looked around.
"I guess it can't be helped," Maki said.
"I can have my own solo, nya!" Rin said.
"D… Do I get one too?" Hanayo asked, before everyone faced their club president. For the first time that day, Nico's smile was genuine.
"Alright… but make sure my par tis cool, OK?"
"Alright, now that that's settled, let's get to practice!"
"Can we really do this without a leader, though?" Kotori asked, as the group headed to the rooftop, Honoka racing ahead.
"I think we already have one… even if she doesn't realize it. After all, she made this big decision for us," Umi said with a chuckle. "Never distracted by anything, unwavering, absolute in her pursuit of that which she loves and her dreams. She sets her mind to something that captivates her interest no matter what… Honoka might be the only one on earth with these qualities."
"Strong enough to overcome anything, even in the wake of physical pain…" Hanayo said, remembering their fight against the delinquents.
"Able to drag people out of cynicism to become part of something again…" Nico admitted.
"She's so energetic, it goes to you as well!" Rin replied. "Like its overflowing out of her!"
"I feel safe with her," Maki replied. "I feel like… she could save me, if something bad happened."
"My best friend," Kotori said quietly. "I'd follow her to the ends of the earth, honestly."
And before long, their PV was finished.
And as the video went live, μ's actions resonated among those they had touched.
If we combine our feelings together,
Perhaps we can manage somehow or another!
Our power is tiny but
We have dreams that we want to nurture!
"I still can't believe Honoka tried to fight that man," Mrs. Kousaka said, lying next to her husband. The man was stoic as always, but he held her hand gently, Mrs. Kousaka frowning as she gently traced over her husband's scars.
"… Proud of her."
"Huh?" Mrs. Kousaka asked, looking up at her husband of few words.
"Protected you and Yukiho better than I did…" When he spoke, it was always serious, with how solemn he usually was. "Don't want her to be in danger… but I'm proud."
"… Yeah… I'm proud to, love. How did people as uninteresting as us give birth to such amazing kids?"
There's so much we don't comprehend,
There's nothing like road maps in our pockets!
It'll be okay even if we just progress bit by bit,
Let's stick our chests out proudly and push forward!
"So, we're fighting yakuza this time?" Miano asked Akeno, who nodded.
"Ex-yakuza. We're taking their warehouse. Its gonna be a new base, apparently. We'll have a much safer location now to coordinate the hunt for the arrow," Akeno replied, as she put on her leather gloves. "They'll have guns… but we have Stands. And they don't have support from the main organization anymore. No fear of retaliation…"
"Dumbasses. It's what they get for not being loyal," Miano scoffed. "… Speaking of which, we're not telling the boss about what we did…"
"… Emi-san is going to find out, you know she will," Akeno said. "Something about her Stand ability… I don't know what it is exactly, but we can't keep secrets from her… but fuck, we gave our word, you know?"
Miano nodded. "I'm OK with it… facing the music, you know. Are you?"
"Of course. We're not pussy first years," Akeno said with a laugh. "God though, she's probably gonna be the shit out of us…"
"At least we'll buy those girls a little more time," Miano replied, grabbing a crowbar as her best friend grabbed a baseball bat with nails. "Come on, lets raise some hell."
What will you do when you mess up?
Why not try smiling? With a smile, shout "Yay, yay, yay!"
We'll be fine singing with genuine and honest voices,
One, two, three, four!
Everyone, over here!
"What did you tell them?" Eli asked, facing Nozomi.
"Not much, just whatever came to mind," Nozomi said, grinning at her. "Unlike a certain someone I know… if you were to join up with them, you'd help them a lot. Think of what they could accomplish! If you could be true to yourself-"
"Why don't you just join them?" Eli asked. "In case you forgot, I'm too busy defending Tokyo from wayward Stand users to do such a ridiculious thing!"
"This isn't about me… the cards keep saying…" The top card floated from Nozomi's deck, landing in front of her. "Is you."
Eli glared down at the card. The Star. "I don't care for things like divination… My actions are based into reality, Nozomi. And with the Arrow Hunters ready to finally make their move, I have to worry about that instead."
"You should be careful, Eli, even with my support, and even with your reputation… there's only so much even the feared Cyan Stand user can do. You're only human, Elichi. Especially, if what Emi did was what I think it is…" Nozomi closed her eyes, thinking of an incident at the temple. "They might know… You need help. You're only human, Eli."
"Not anymore."
SOMEDAY, someday, our wishes will come true one day!
SOMEDAY, someday, let's have faith that they'll make it one day!
There's no point in crying like that, after all,
The fun has only just, only just begun!
It was a rousing success on the School Idol Festival website, to say the least.
But, the success would soon be followed by even more excitement.
"Emergency, emergency!" Hanayo yelled, running through the hallways. "S-sorry! Oh! Maki! There you are!"
"Hanayo?"
"Emergency! Hurry up, come to the club room!" She practically dragged her fellow first year into the club room, where everyone except Nico was gathered. "H-help me!"
"Hanayo…?" Honoka asked. "I… Is it a Stand attack!?"
"N-no, I mean emergency! Well… actually no, its not much of an emergency… but its important! Its been announced… its going to happen!"
"What's going to happen!? You're freaking me out, Hanayo!" Honoka asked.
"Love Live! Its going to happen- another Love Live! Its been years… they're finally doing it again!"
"The Love Live!?" Honoka asked, standing up. "… Uh, what's that?"
"Love Live is the event to end all events for School Idols!" Hanayo explained, quickly getting on the website. "The top 20 School Idol groups who enter will preform in a tournament style, to decide who the best is! There hasn't been one of these since the lawsuits that almost destroyed the old, corrupt Idol industry! We've finally come far enough we can do another one… we're so lucky to be born in this time! Hold on…" Hanayo gasped. "T-they're about to stream something! Hold on!"
Hanayo wasted no time getting the stream ready as the rest of μ's (sans Maki, who was content to listen from the club's desk) leaned in, greeted to a rather energetic woman with heart-shaped glasses on the screen.
"You heard it from us, a new Love Live will finally be undergone!" The reporter announced. "As a veteran of this industry ever since the last era of Idols, words can't describe my personal excitement for it! From what we understand, it is the Yoshida Conglomerate primarily driving the push for this tournament! We're waiting for the president of the School Idol Association… ah here he is now!" The reporter happily announced, as a man stepped up to a podium.
He was a somewhat slender man who appeared to be in his late 40s, wearing a nice purple suit with a striped shirt underneath it. His hair was slicked pack, and appeared to be prematurely greying; Honoka assumed it must have been the stress of whatever job he had… but what got her attention was his tie. There was a design on it that… unsettled her. She couldn't view it that well but…!
I feel… something weird…!
"Introducing the president of the School Idol Festival association, and the executive director of the Yoshida Conglomerate Tokyo branch —"
"… Honoka…?" Hanayo looked back, eyes widening as she noticed the Stand aura of Honoka manifesting, as did Umi.
Something about this man…!
"Mr. Kira Yoshikage!"
Yoshikage's expression was serious as he took the microphone, speaking to the crowd gathered.
"It is my honor and privilege to formally announce to you, lovers of Idols, the first Love Live in nearly a decade," Yoshikage began. "I apologize that I cannot answer all your questions today, as this briefing will be quick. However, this is no lie or joke; we are fully committed to reintroducing the Love Live back to this great nation, and the fans of Idols who have waited for many years to see another."
"Mr. Kira-san! For what reason does the Yoshida Conglomerate wish to begin the tournament again?"
"I would like to remind the crowd watching this that the School Idol Festival Association consists of more than just the Yoshida Conglomerate. This has been a plan of the School Idol Festival Association since it officially launched several years ago, it is just now with the Yoshida Conglomerate's immense funding that such an endeavor is possible once more," Yoshikage explained. "Ever since the Yoshida Conglomerate's investment one year ago, to create another Love Live quickly has been a major goal as a corporation."
"Kira-san! Why does the Yoshida Conglomerate have such an interest in Idols, anyway!?"
Yoshikage seemed like he was debating answering that one, but chose to answer anyways. "The Yoshida Conglomerate may be an international business, but we have always cared immensely for Japan. We know how much the crash of the Idol industry affected so many, both Idols and fans alike. We wish to play a role in the culture of our nation, helping build this industry once more. We do it for you, citizens of Japan and lovers of Idols, so that we may reclaim this part of us once lost." Yoshikage was ready to speak more, before a woman approached him, whispering into his ear. "I apologize, but I cannot answer any more questions. We apologize for how brief this announcement was, but tomorrow I will be answering an interview that I hope will reveal much more about this tournament then, and our visions for the future," with that, Yoshikage bowed to the audience. "Again, my apologies. I hope to answer many more questions soon." And as he began to walk away, Honoka noticed something.
He opened his coat, seemingly… talking to something within. Normally, such a thing would not have faced Honoka, but today…
Hanayo and Umi gasped as「All Star」appeared, as if ready to protect its user.
Something in Honoka's stomach was telling her something she knew in her heart.
One day, I'm going to have to confront this man.
Yoshikage Kira was an immensely successful, if busy man.
"What's the status of the Evolution Project?"
His secretary, a Ms. Asuka walked next to him, adjusting her glasses as she read off a tablet. "We've made no new progress in the last few days. Even the diluted 'evolution virus' does not seem to be weakening anymore, without extreme weaknesses to the results…"
"So basically, no progress?"
"No, sir."
Yoshikage groaned. It was bad enough Stand users were appearing throughout Tokyo, his jurisdiction, and that the Yoshidas were breathing down his neck for it, but now he had no new results either. It had taken years to get the project to this point, yet his superiors, once so patient were now demanding immediate and extreme results. What was he supposed to do? Magically produce scientific results?
He never wanted a life like this. A nice, simple, quiet life is what he had yearned for, but ever since those days in Morioh years ago, he had been roped into this. He supposed he could not complain. He was an immensely powerful man, one of the top employees of one of the strongest corporations in Japan. He lived in a lavish penthouse, had enough wealthy that even if he was unemployed, he could live in luxury for the rest of his days…
But, he could not help but yearn for something quieter.
"Regardless, start the next experiment.
"Yes, Mr. Kira," Ms. Asuka said, pressing a few buttons. Underground in the Yoshida Conglomerate Tokyo HQ was different than the rest of the nation. Laws did not apply in this place. If people were to find out what happened in this bunker and secret research facility…
He only narrowed his eyes behind the one-way, bulletproof glass as he saw a man in a straightjacket and gagged, struggling against his restraints. "Do it."
Another push of the button and a door opened, a man in a labcoat approaching the man, injecting something into the neck. He tried to scream, but his restraints did not let him. He went quiet before falling to the floor, thrashing like a dead fish, attempting to scream in agony. While the rest could not see it, Kira and Ms. Asuka could; the aura of power around him, and the materializing Stand above him… Stable for only a few moments fore even the Stand screamed, bleeding profusely from its eyes before it began to crack apart, blood seeping from all its wounds before shattering entirely, the man going limp immediately afterwards.
This is still better than two years ago, Yoshikage thought bitterly. But unless a 'perfect virus' is produced soon… it's impossible!
"Where are the other bodies? And how many?"
"Five, sir. We were going to incinerate— "
"Are you an idiot? You know its best to let me do it," he seethed as he walked further into the complex. Making his way into a large, secure room. And in it sat dozens of scientists, scurrying around and typing at their computers, as Yoshikage looked up. A treasure worth more than anything imaginable was in this room, and even the majority in the complex had no idea of the true worth of this object. "The first Love Live must proceed perfectly," he instructed Ms. Asuka. "It is one of the vital components of the 'World of Individuality' after all. Once it, along with the Evolution Virus are fully ready…"
He looked upward to see a large container filled with a green kind of goo, within it, one of the all-powerful arrows in suspension.
"The 'Greatest Concert,' will begin," Ms. Asuka finished. "We're working around the clock. Ah, by the way, one of the doctors killed himself from the stress and guilt of it all…"
"Replace him," was all Yoshikage said, heading to wear they kept the corpses. "Just toss his body with the rest. I'll erase it as well," he said, his Stand aura manifesting. Such complications, and so much stress…
But, if all went well, he would reclaim the quiet life he had in the days of his youth. He would be forever relieved from this burden, and he could no longer wait for that day.
But until then? He would be whatever was needed of him. Executive director, president, assassin, a loving boyfriend… and above all, a Stand user. He showed no emotion as he approached the dead innocents, kidnapped, all their eyes wide open in agony from their final moments. "I'm so sorry you have to see this, love…" He whispered into his coat, before approaching once more. "But you understand, right? One day it will be just us… but until then."
He glared at the bodies before him.
"「Killer Queen.」"
"To think, this is how weak the former Yakuza are!"
A group of nearly thirty men had recently defected from the Yamaguchi-gumi, eager to think they had the power to take on even their former masters. Quite bold, but youth had that tendency on the weak and greedy. They had hoped that this warehouse would help them lie low until the day came to act publicly once more…
But against all odds these men, feared killers and criminals, could not stand a chance against his onslaught from highschool girls.
What the fuck is this? One of the ex-Yakuza thought. He coughed blood as he writhed on the ground, noticing all his former allies were knocked out or in a similar position. Something was wrong. These girls were all freakishly strong, but… nonetheless, there was something. Like an invisible power… these girls had 'powers' of some kind, and he could do nothing to fight against them!"
Emi giggled, going as far as sitting on one of the downed men, ignoring his screams as she sat on his broken back. "Honestly! None of us even got hurt… that was no fun! I was like, totally hoping for a better fight!"
"For how much the Yakuza talks about honor and shit, they're just gangsters with more numbers," Akeno said, stomping on a man who tried to crawl away. "There's nothing about them worth fearing. Men like this only rule through intimidation."
"All I'm saying is we should kill them," one delinquent girl from the shadows said, glaring. "My Stand would make it impossible for anyone to find out! Let me— "
"We are not murderers, Wakaki," an imposing voice boomed from above. "That's what makes us better than this dishonorable garbage. Don't ever say that again in my presence," even the feared 'gang killer' as she was once called shivered at her boss' voice. "We don't murder. We can cripple and break them… but I refuse to let our honor be besmirched like that."
Emi giggled. "That's Jori-chan for you! She's our boss, so we do what she says, got it?"
"Don't call me that, Suzuki…"
"Oh, come on! We're like, childhood buddies! You gotta make an exception for me!" She pouted, before laughing.
"It's been a while since we were all under one roof like this instead of texting," another delinquent girl said, stepping out of the shadows. "Been a while since all seven of us were like this together. So, its time to get serious for us, eh?"
"Yeah," the boss said, standing up. From the top of several old, metal storage boxes she had made her 'throne.' A simple lawn chair, but higher than anyone else. "We're going to meet up here as our base. We're going to find the arrow, and make our dreams come true."
"And we even go out first leads on new allies~!" Emi sung out, taking out her laptop before looking around, seeing a few more goons burst in, armed with bats. "Eh? They don't even got guns…"
"Let me deal with them," the boss said, standing up. And then she jumped down, landing on her hands and feet.
"Ehhh? Not gonna use your Stand on them?"
"Why would I waste my Stand's power on them?" She asked, approaching the men with a glare. "I don't need to waste a power as brilliant as a Stand on people like this…"
The man took a step back. At 6'4 she towered over everyone around, muscular to boot. She wore the same modified schoolgirl outfit they all wore, but without any pins or buttons on her uniform, and a heavy, black trenchcoat trailing behind her. Her hair was short and messy, a scar under her left lip. "I don't need any help…"
"G-get the fuck back!" The leader of the goons yelled. "We… this is ours! You can't… you can't just…!"
"Tell them who I am… and why I don't need help."
Emi laughed. "The toughest of the tough, and the baddest of the bad, but with a code of honor! Despite not even being 18, she's been fighting grown adults since her early teen years! A behemoth in every sense of the word! The fact you're not all pissing your pants is all we need to know you're all dumbshits!" Emi went on, before unwrapping a very large lollipop, taking a long lick. "One of the only few girls ever worth mentioning from that shitty schools…"
The man sweated before charging forward, raising his baseball bat high. But it was a fatal mistake to do so instead of swinging for her side, the boss easily catching it… and with a single punch he was on the floor, gasping for air. A man with a switchknife charged forward, grinning as he felt his knife seep through flesh and blood…
… but his joy ended soon, seeing no reaction from the girl. The knife was embedded into her arm, but she didn't so much scream, ripping it out a moment later. A second later the knife was in his own shoulder, followed by a punch to dive it further into him. A swipe of his legs and he was on the ground, before the girl's kneecap collided with his forehead.
"Introducing, the one and only! Otonokizaka High School third year student…"
The last man gasped, before charging forward. Rather than the element of surprise he screamed, swinging a baseball bat that she easily dodged. "I can tell… you weren't a combatant, were you? Probably crunching numbers on a calculator…"
In fear, he dropped his baseball bat, taking a step back. "I… I'm sorry… I… I'll leave! Please!"
"No…" The boss said, stepping forward. "When a fight begins… you have to 'finish it,' no matter what. That's one of my rules," she did not permit him to say anything more, as a powerful punch collided with his skull, the force also sending his head crashing into the wall, immediately slinking over, knocked out.
"Jori Yanigihori!"
Yanigihori narrowed her eyes, about to scold her for saying her first name first, before sighing. "I want to establish an image, Emi…"
"When we have the arrow, that stuff wont' matter! 'Cuz nobody will fight us anyways…" She said with a chuckle. "Not to mention, once we get our cutest members on our side!"
"How can pansy-ass Idols be Stand users? It doesn't make sense," Wakaki asked, narrowing her eyes as Emi began to play the PV of Korekara no SOMEDAY for all to hear.
"At the absolute least… there's Kousaka, Yazawa, and Koizumi!" Akeno and Miano were glad their looks were hidden under their facemasks. "We've already known about Tojo for a while, but now we finally know our archenemesis' identity… The Cyan Stand user, Ayase Eli!"
"We should attack her in her home," another delinquent said. "We can catch her off-guard. It's important she doesn't know we know her identity, or how she found out"
"For now, I want to focus on these School Idols, μ's," Yanighori said. "Tojo and Ayase are experienced Stand users. I want to focus on these newly awakened Stand users. Either they join us, or we crush them, that's all there is to it. We're done being on the defense," she declared. "We know who the Cyan Stand user is now. We know all the Stand users in this school. No more hiding. No more running. Now, we attack. And we'll start off with you, Kobayashi.
One of the delinquents, Koybasashi stepped forward. Her hair was curly and messy, with her dyed streak being black against her brown hair. A drawing of an ant was on her mask, but most noteworthy about her was her large glasses, like those of an old woman. She took off her mask, revealing a freckled face and grinning. "Its finally my turn, eh?"
"Your Stand may not be good for direct fights, but its overwhelming when used as a sneak attack and against people who don't recognize it… Its perfect for you. Just keep a distance from them."
"Hehe… Finally, I get to show my worth~" She rose her right arm, large holes appearing in it as many giant ants of the Siafu family crawled out, snipping their mandibles that could slice through even steal. In moments nearly thirty ants had crawled out of the holes in her arm, and even some from her mouth.
"My Stand is lethal, but I have restraint… We don't murder, but crippling them for life is acceptable, right?"
"Absolutely," Yanigihori replied. "If they don't join us, take them out of the game for good. As Idols and Stand users."
Kobayashi grinned. "Rest assured,「Worker Bees」won't let you down."
Yanigihori nodded, taking out three cigarettes and smoking them all at once. She looked at a few photos that Emi had printed up, of each of the girls of μ's. In particular, she glared at Honoka's, Nico's, and Hanayo's photos. Exhaling smoke, she decided she didn't care very much if they joined or not, although she'd prefer it. Just defeating three Stand users would send a message to Ayase and Tojo. That their time was coming, too.
Taking a drag, she used her cigarettes to burn Honoka's, Nico's, and Hanayo's faces.
Tomorrow, the coordinated offense would begin.
And that night, most of the members of μ's slept safely and comfortable in their beds, excited (if nervous for their grades) as they studied for their exams, unaware of the danger that loomed, unaware that this would mark the true beginning of the war between the School Idols of μ's and the delinquents of the Arrow Hunters.
But of all those girls, one did not sleep well.
"What do you mean you won't be able to come if we preform for the Love Live?"
"I'm sorry, Kotori, but I can't just drop everything for something like that…"
Kotori clenched her pillow, listening to her father. "That weekend was the first time I got to see you in months. I miss you, papa…"
"I miss you too, love," Kotori's father said, sighing. "You know… this has nothing to do with them, right? I'm really hoping I can take the rest of my family to Tokyo for Christmas. I want all of us to spend it together."
Kotori flinched at the thought of spending Christmas with her stepmother and half-siblings. "Its…" They had never been a normal family. Her parents had never lived together, but at least back then, he didn't have another family as well. Kotori knew she could not complain, that he was a good father. Child support always paid, and always coming from her birthdays and the New Year (most of the time), and calling with her often. But it didn't make any of it less painful. "I'm sorry, papa…"
"I'm sorry, too. I know the past two years have been rough with this new job especially. I… I'm going to try to make more of an effort to see you more, OK?"
"Yeah…"
"I love you, Kotori."
"I love you, papa."
She hung up first. She sighed, staring at her own reflection, still dressed in her maid outfit from her job. She tried to smile, to put on the appearance she had in Akiba, to try to lift her own spirits.
"Welcome home, master…"
It didn't work.
Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!
Chapter 10: Wonder Zone (Part 1)
Happy new year! I hope the wait was worth it!
I had a lot of fun writing this one... the first half of this chapter and the last one were somewhat "stations of canon," those annoying parts of a fanfic that has to basically adapt a scene from the source closely. But now, the big ones are out of the way~! I know Wonder Zone happens later in canon... but, well, this is a fanfic! My aim isn't to straight adapt DIU or LL... So I really hope you love the status of the story!
I hope you all have a wonderful 2019!