I.

Let's be clear: when Maki finally confessed to the girls how she felt about the founder of μ's, she also asked them to keep it a secret from her, that she one day would tell her herself. Everyone was okay with that, and even more, were eager to help her conquer the heart of clumsy lovely Honoka.

II.

They all went to eat together, there's a place where Rin loves to eat ramen, and she took all of them there. Each member ordered their ramen with their preferences. Not too salty for Kotori. Prioritize a balanced flavor for Umi. A ramen with everything for Honoka. "Add a portion of rice to it please!" said Hanayo. Rin wanted hers with some ornaments which looked like kittens. Eli didn't know what ramen was, so Nozomi ordered for her and herself a basic ramen. Nico asked for a diet version but that didn't exist, so she just said "give me the same as this girl please" pointing to Rin. Rin had a really thin waist, so Nico figured that whatever she ate, it surely wasn't going to put that much weight on herself. Maki wasn't used to going to "commoners" restaurants. She felt a bit lost as the only restaurants she attended were much more classy than this one. Umi taught her the basics and ordered for Maki the same as herself. When taking seats, Honoka was surrounded by Kotori and Rin.

"Maki-chan, Maki-chan."

Maki was seated with Umi at her side.

"Can I switch places with you, I want to talk to Umi-chan about something."

Maki's face was now a little more red.

"Wh-what would you possibly want to discuss with Umi?"

"It's something suuuuper important nya~"

Rin gave Maki a mischievous smile, and Maki didn't know to accept or decline her petition. For one, she wanted to be as close to Honoka for as long as she could. But at the same time, her heart had been working at full throttle today, first for the dance and then because of Nozomi's antics. Still, Maki's love was stronger.

"Okay, if you insist that much."

Meanwhile, Honoka:

"...and our costumes? Kotori-chan made a great work don't y'all think? They're so beautiful! I will treasure mine forever!! Ah, Eli-chan, the way you dance is just so great!."

Kotori thought: "with you supporting me, Honoka-chan, I can make the best designs ever." And Eli said in her mind: "I've once again discovered the joy in dancing again, and it was thanks to you."

Honoka continued.

"Umi-chan's lyrics are also so inspirational..."

In her mind, Umi thought: "No you're the inspirational one. I was so scared to even write for you two to read it, but you pushed me to write a song and I'm glad people liked it."

Honoka's speech went on.

"the part when it says 'When you talk about your aspirations, I love the unyielding expression in your eyes… I love it!' is my favorite aaaahhh~ We truly have the best lyricist in the world!"

Umi was so, so happy to hear this. She actually wrote that thinking about Honoka, who rambled and rambled.

"Rin! Hanayo! You just nailed that part so well! Rin's voice is so angelic! Hanayo's dance has improved a lot! We make a great group, don't we?"

Rin thought: "I adore the fact that you like my voice."

Hanayo said to herself: "I'm so glad I get to learn from Eli, I'm so glad Honoka noticed that I improved. I'm so happy!"

Honoka can't stop talking.

"Nozomi dances just great, I didn't think you were that good!"

Nozomi had a strong desire for the performance to be a success so she asked Eli for extra practice, but she wouldn't say it out loud.

"Nico-chan, your presence on stage is soooo great! You shine so, soooo much! I'm glad we have you in μ's!"

"Huh? Obviously you do! I'm the greatest ever, the idol among idols! Yazawa! Nico!" Nico replied.

Honoka's natural ability to attract gazes to herself made Nico a little jealous of her, as she tried really hard for people to notice her too, but she was defenseless against praise from her "rival". After all, the one thing she's the best at, is cheering people up.

"Maki-chan! Ueehh"

Honoka looked for Maki, and was surprised to find her next to herself. Maki was a little upset that she didn't notice her being closer.

"Ah, Maki-chan, I've said this before but I'm so glad we have you here! Your song was so great! I could listen to it till the end of time and..."

Maki was enjoying herself with the praise. In her mind, she was thinking: "more, more, please Honoka!".

Then came everyone's orders.

Honoka was about to start devouring her food when Kotori interrupted her.

"Please wait a second Honoka-chan! It's still too hot, I don't want you to hurt your tongue."

And just like that, Kotori proceeded to cool Honoka's ramen, blowing with her mouth some cool air to it. Then, what she always does.

"Honoka-chan, say aaahh~"

"Kotori! I'm not a baby you know?" Honoka said pouting.

"But we've always done this! Plus I love feeding you, pretty please?" Kotori had a thing for begging. Her voice, her beauty and the gesture she made would make any man or woman fold instantly.

Honoka gave in, a little embarrassed. While savouring her ramen, Kotori put Honoka's ramen bowl in front of its rightful owner, and now she was about to take her chopsticks to eat on her own, when she saw another hand trembling furiously taking them away from her. She followed that hand with her gaze, and saw Maki trying to hold them and failing over and over again, because she was extremely nervous.

"Maki-chan?"

Maki then used all her self control to do as Kotori did. She took the time to choose the little piece of pork meat which seemed the most delicious and endured Honoka's attention while making sure she was going to feed Honoka the best sip of ramen from her very own hands.

"S-s-s-s-sayy aaahh"

Maki's normally not so high pitched voice suddenly resembled Hanayo's squeaky voice, her intense blush and eyes trembling with little tears on them making the view a feast to the eyes.

Umi put her hands on her red face, making some space for her eyes to both see and not see. Rin and Kotori were surprised. Hanayo stopped eating her rice abruptly and her chopsticks were on the floor, just like Eli's because their hands suddenly stopped working in front of such a scene. Nozomi was enjoying the view way too much. Nico couldn't believe her eyes. Honoka was confused, and didn't move until she saw that Maki was about to cry from embarrassment (and because Honoka apparently refused to be fed by her). She then took Maki's offer.

"Ah, eh, thank you Maki-chan, it was delicious! For realsies!"

Maki was about to pass out.

The phrase "why did I do that" repeated a thousand times in her mind, together with "I fed Honoka, I fed Honoka!". She then gave Honoka her chopsticks, her fingers touching each other for a split second. Honoka didn't mind, Maki did. They all ate together after that with no major incidents ocurring again. The only thing was that Maki was overly happy when eating her ramen, it was almost unnatural seeing her smiling that much, her smile was only comparable to Honoka's. When the time came to pay, Rin was in the bathroom, so everyone was waiting for her in the door of the establishment. When Rin got out, she looked for the manager so she could pay for her food, but found out that someone already had freed her from her debt.

"That girl insisted."

Rin looked to the person whom the manager was pointing to.

Maki looked her back and made a peace sign accompanied with a shy smile.

Rin thought: "Honoka is so lucky."

And also said this to Maki, who blushed again. "How could she blush so much? How cute!" thought Rin.

"Do... do you really think so?" Said Maki.

"I do! I will make sure Honoka notices how cute you are!"