Chapter 54 – A Term Full of Changes
Mugi's POV
It's been two weeks since I became an idol. For the rest of summer break, I didn't do much of anything. Just stayed home and helped out with the hotel's maintenance work. It was a nice change of pace from what I was doing before.
But now it was September 1st. The first day of the 2nd term. Probably the most eventful term of any student's school life. And for me, it was no exception.
The School Trip, Sports Day, the Cultural Festival…all of that is happening in the span of 4 months. Not to mention that I need to start looking for a university to go to…
But for now, I should just play it off and live life like a normal high school girl. I've got nearly 6 ½ months of it left. Might as well use the time to lay low for a while…
"Ahh…that's good. Thanks for waiting, Mugi."
"Do you really need a Slurpee at 8:06 in the morning?" I asked Miharu after she had came out of a 7-Eleven with a Slurpee in hand.
"Hey, you know I can't go a single day without one." Miharu then took another sip. "And besides…when I heard from Himeko that they were bringing Fruitalicious Tropical Rainbow over from Okinawa, I had to try it ASAP! Mikuru said that it was the best thing she's ever had."
"Well, it did calm her anxiety for a bit…"
"Right?" Miharu then took a third sip. "Anyway…what are we doing at school today?"
"It's the beginning of the 2nd term. So, it's probably going to be a normal school day."
"Oh…well, that sucks. Kinda hoping that it was going to be as eventful as Ritsu said it would be."
"It may be boring for you, but I got my own problems to deal with."
"Huh? What do you…" Miharu then thought for a bit. "…Oh, right. You're an idol now."
"I'm pretty sure everyone saw it. Not just our circle of friends. I don't know I'm going to handle all the publicity I gained…"
"Don't worry, Mugi. I got you covered. We'll just explain that you rather keep your school life and your idol life separate. I'm sure people will understand."
"Wishful thinking, Miharu. But Japanese idol fans are much more passionate about the ones they follow. Sometimes, to the EXTREME."
"Extreme?"
"You'll see…" Was all I said as we continued walking to school.
Once we got there, I was able to show Miharu what I meant by "extreme". Not even 5 seconds after we stepped inside, I was bombarded with other girls asking me for my autograph. While others wanted to take pictures of me, befriend me on social media, get access to my nudes (I don't have any and I'll never will)…
It was a complete mess. And we both barely made it to class with just minutes to spare.
"*pant* *pant* J-Jesus Christ…freaking wild animals out there!" Miharu yelled.
"*sigh* See? I told you." I replied while regaining my own breath.
"So, it looks like the life of an idol is already getting hectic for you huh, Mugi?"
"Oh. Good morning, Mio-chan. Nodoka-chan." I then greeted the duo as they walked up to us.
"Can you guys believe this?" Miharu asked. "1 night of being an idol and all of a sudden Mugi's the most popular girl at school. It's crazy!"
"Well, being an idol in Japan is a pretty big deal, Miharu." Mio-chan said. "They're like HUGE icons in the entertainment industry. Along with the ranks of manga artists, voice actors, and…magical girls."
"Magical girls?" Miharu and I were confused about the last one.
"It's a popular thing amongst middle school girls." Nodoka-chan said. "I have a cousin whose a prime example of that."
"Huh…"
"In any case…it was quite the shock to see you on that stage, Mugi-san. Being an idol is something I would never expect from you."
"I've said the same thing myself." I said. "But with so many people convincing me to do it, I decided to just give it a shot."
…
"And it ended up being…really fun, actually. An exciting thrill that I've never experienced before in my life. Truly an eye-opener…"
"So, you're gonna continue doing it?" Mio-chan asked.
"Well…" I thought for a moment. "…sure, I might as well. I really did enjoy it. Plus, people do seem to love my singing."
"Including me!"
"Gah! Y-Yui-chan!" I yelled after Yui-chan had latched herself around me while shouting in my ear.
"Yui, get off her." Himeko-chan said as she pulled her girlfriend off of me. "Sorry, Kotobuki-san. She's still giddy about your idol debut."
"Still? But that was two weeks ago."
"But can you really blame me, Mugi-chan?" Yui-chan asked. "The fact that you're an idol now…singing and dancing and looking all cute…our band's gonna be bigger than ever!"
Band? Wait, is she gonna start making ME sing instead of her?!
"I couldn't have said better myself, Yui."
…
…
…
"Uh…who are you?" Yui-chan asked a girl who had walked up to us.
"What? What do you mean "who are you?"? Quit playing games, Yui."
"Huh? How do you know my name?"
"Wh-What the…we met on the first day of 10th grade, damnit! How much of a ditz are you in the mornings?!"
"Hey, you can't call me a ditz when we don't even know each other! Who do you think you are?!"
"Oh, my God…Himeko, talk some sense into your girlfriend."
…
"H-How do you know that Yui's my girlfriend?" Himeko asked.
"Wh-What?!"
"Um…are you sure that you don't have the wrong class?" I asked. "It happens a lot for new students. So, there's nothing to be ashamed of."
"Y-You too, Mugi?! What kind of sick joke is this?!"
"Wait, how do you know MY name?"
"Gaaaah!"
"Hey, hey. Nodoka. Since this girl seems to be a stalker, can I kick her in the entrejambe?" Miharu asked her.
"I'm assuming that means "crotch". So, no." Nodoka-chan replied with a sweatdrop.
"How do NONE of you recognize me?!" The girl yelled. Feeling angrier than before.
"*quiet giggle* *loud laughter* Oh, God! This is just too funny to watch!" Mio-chan said as she had broke down laughing.
"*whine* Geez, Mio! You freaking knew?! You've could've stopped all of this!"
"*giggle* Sorry, sorry. It's just rare seeing you upset like this. I wanted to take it all in for as long as possible."
"J-Jerk!"
"Mio-chan, you know this girl?" I asked.
"Guys…this is Ritsu."
…
…
…
"Wh-WHAT?!" We all shouted in pure shock as we looked at the girl. Now recognizing her as Ricchan with a different hairstyle.
"Geez…NONE of you recognized me? That actually stings like hell."
"Damn, Ritsu…you look like a completely different person with your hair down!" Miharu said.
"What made you change your look?" Himeko-chan asked.
"Well…I've had a bit of an eye-opener myself over the summer."
"Eye-opener?" We all asked.
"Basically…after having Matsumoto-senpai tell me that she never saw me as a girl with true feminine qualities…and having Zoé tell me that she thought I was a boy…"
"*snicker* Oh, my God…" Mio-chan almost broke into laughter.
"Sh-Shut up, Mio!" Ricchan yelled. "*sigh* Look, I just want to be seen more as an actual girl and not a full-on tomboy. Ditching the hairband and letting my hair down was the first step. Now, I plan on changing my personality. Although, that's gonna be tough. Not gonna lie."
Wow, Ricchan…you seem really dedicated to this." I said.
"All in the works for a new me, I guess. Hopefully, by the end of March, I'll be a brand-new girl."
"I see…"
"So, you're really not gonna do anything about your semi-lack of a chest?" Miharu asked.
"D-Damn you, French Girl!" Ricchan shouted in anger.
Looks like she still has a long way to go…
"I gotta say, Ritsu-san…you really look like Yui with your hair down like that." Nodoka-chan said. "If I didn't know better, I would've mixed you two up a lot."
"I had the same thought, oddly enough."
"So, we could possibly pass off as twin sisters!" Yu-chan cheered. "I would TOTALLY love being your sister, Ricchan!"
"Wh-Why? What about Ui?"
"What about her? She's not relevant right now, is she?"
"W-Wait, what? Y-Yui, that's…"
"Onee-chan!"
Right then and there, we saw Ui-chan walk inside the classroom. Having a mixed look of anger and worriedness.
"Tch! Damn, it's Ui…"
"Onee-chan! I've finally found you! Where have you've been?!"
"Hmph. Why the hell is that any of your business?"
"B-Because you were gone for the entire break and didn't even tell me! You kept ignoring my calls and texts…and you didn't even come home when the break was over! I was worried sick!"
"Tch! Were you really? I'm sure you had Zoé-chan with you the whole damn time."
"Onee-chan, please…if this is about what happened that night, I really am sorry. It's just…things happened…a-and…" Ui-chan then gained a light blush on her face.
"*agitated sigh* Whatever. Just leave me the hell alone, Ui. I'd rather not deal with you today. Or ever, for that matter…" Yui-chan coldly said as she walked past her younger sister. Refusing to even look her in the eye.
"*whine* Onee-chan please~!" Ui-chan nearly cried as she followed her big sister out.
"W-Woah…I've never seen Yui act so coldly towards Ui before. Or anyone, really." Ricchan said.
"Did something happen between them?" Mio-chan asked.
"It's, uh…complicated." Was all Himeko-chan said.
Something tells me that Yui-chan's situation got worse over the summer…
*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*
"Alright, girls. That's the bell. Everyone to your seats." Sawa-chan said as she came into the classroom.
…
But then stopped midway through and stared at Ricchan with the biggest look of confusion I've ever seen on her.
"Uh…is this another foreigner?"
"Wh-Wha…it's me, Tainaka!" Ricchan yelled.
"S-Seriously?!"
"Am I really that unrecognizable with my hair like this?"
"Yes. Yes, you are." The rest of the class said in unison."
"Ugh…"
She really does have a long way to go…
Azusa's POV
"WAAAAAA~! Sh-She still didn't talk to me~!"
Jun, Zoé, and I watched as Ui was crying on her desk after a failed attempt to talk to Yui-senpai. Basically taking it hard.
"I don't get it. So, Ui and Yui-senpai are fighting?" Jun asked.
"Well, kinda." I said. "It's more of a one-sided thing with Yui-senpai. But Ui's still partially at fault for this."
"I see…"
"I feeru rike this is mai faurt, tū." Zoé said. "Yui-senpai was veru mad at me as werru."
"For Yui-senpai to act all coldly towards you guys…what did you two do?" Jun asked.
"Werru...we were arone at Ui's house. And I had just gotten overu the pains of a stomach ache. So, Ui and I brought ouru bodies togetheru and..."
"Z-Z-Zoé-chan~! Th-They don't need to know that~!" Ui yelled in a panic while covering Zoé's mouth. And she was still crying, too.
"So…just to be clear…they boned, right?" Jun whispered to me.
"Yeah…they boned." I whispered back.
And I'm guessing Yui-senpai walked in on them and it pushed her over the edge…
"Well, Ui. If you want Yui-senpai to forgive you, the best thing to do is to just wait it out."
"W-Wait it out~? *sniff* B-But it's already been a month~! Sh-She didn't call or *sniff*…t-text me when she went to Odaiba with Himeko-senpai…a-and she didn't come back home *sniff* a-a-afterward~! SH-SHE'S REALLY MAD AT MEEEEEEEEEEEE~! WAAAAAAAAAAA~!" Ui then began to cry harder as her screaming scared us three and the rest of the class. Even gaining the attention of people walking by the classroom.
Ow, my ears…a heartbroken siscon is a dangerous one.
"Azusa. Juné. Wourd it be okay if I had a woru with you both in private?" Zoé asked us.
"Seriously. My name is Jun. How hard is it to say a three-lettered name?"
"Jun!" I quietly yelled as I nudged her on the side. "Uh…sure, Zoé. But would it be okay to leave Ui on her own?"
"Normarry, I wourd not dó such a thing. But in this sitsuation..."
"WAAAAAAAAAAAA~! ONEE-CHAAAAAAAAAN~!"
"…I dó not thinku Ui wirru notice us being gone."
"Yeah…good point." We both said with a sweatdrop.
Sumire's POV
Today was the beginning of the 2nd term of my first year of high school. And so far, it has been all-around good. Aside from the rough start I had with Onee-chan and Miharu, my first step as a high school girl was really exciting. And I could not wait to experience what the second one would hold.
…
Although…while I was pretty excited…
"*moan* S-Sumire-san…I-I want to go home…"
…The same cannot be said for Mikuru-san.
"Come on, Mikuru-san…this is the second term. You should be used to this by now."
"I-I know, but…a-all of these people around me…m-my anxiety cannot handle it all."
"Have you ever thought of curing it at all?"
"Y-Yes, I have. Pl-Plenty of times. B-But…" Mikuru-san then went silent for a bit to calm down. "*sigh* B-But every time I do, m-my anxiety gets the better of me. Wh-Whenever it is with family, fr-friends, o-or even with a lone stray cat. I-I have so many failed attempts…th-that I lost count. Th-Though I am pretty sure that…i-it is very high."
"I see. So, it really is a struggle for you."
"I-I have always dreamed…o-of being a braver…p-person. B-But it just…s-seems to get more…d-difficult the more I…th-think about it. I-I just wish…I-I could have more…c-confidence in myself."
"So~…you wish to be more confident, do you?"
"Meep!" Mikuru-san lightly squealed as she hid behind me. Turns out that voice came from a girl with long light-brown hair and light-brown eyes. She was not wearing the school uniform. So, she was most likely a visitor.
"Oh, did I startle you? *giggle* Sorry about that."
"Um…can we help you with something, ma'am?" I asked.
"Ha! Ma'am! *giggle* That's hilarious. Anyway, you got it all backwards. I wanna help YOU out."
"Huh?"
"Wh-What do you…m-mean?" Mikuru-san asked.
"Well, duh. I wanna help you cure your anxiety. A cutie like you shouldn't be scared of everyone you meet, you know~…*giggle*"
"Uh…" This girl was truly giving us a bad feeling. The way she just entered our conversation all randomly (despite us being in the hallway during lunchtime at the moment) and how she said that last sentence in a somewhat flirtatious tone…I feel like this girl has other motives for wanting to help us out.
Motives that may seem…um…illegal.
"Um…th-thank you for your concern, ma'am." I said. "But we can handle this on our own. We don't wish to trouble you with this dilemma. Goodbye for now." I then grabbed Mikuru-san's and tried to make a run for it.
"Aw, what? Trouble? You won't be troubling me." The girl said as she somehow managed to get in front of us. "In fact…spending the day with you two cuties would make this whole trip worth it~. *giggle*"
"Wh-Wh-What?" I gained a light blush.
"S-Sumire-san…I-I am highly…sc-scared right now." Mikuru-san said as she was trembling in fear behind me.
"*giggle* Come on~…I won't bite~. All I want is to…"
"Sokabe-senpai!"
All of a sudden in the distance, we heard a familiar voice. And the voice turned out to be Manabe-senpai as she was rushing up to us in an angered fit.
"Oh, Nodoka-chan. You've found me."
"*pant* *pant* S-Sokabe-senpai…*clears throat* I-I thought I told you to stay in the Student Council room!"
"Yeah, you did…but I mentally said "screw it" and left anyway. I just couldn't resist seeing all the cute innocent first-years new here~. Why would you hide them from me, Nodoka-chan~?"
"Knowing you, I had my reasons."
"Um…Manabe-senpai, do you know this girl?" I asked.
"Oh. Sumire-san and Mikuru-san…*sigh* I was really hoping you two would never meet her…this is Megumi Sokabe. The previous Student Council President."
"Woah…so, she's already graduated?"
"Wh-What is she doing here?" Mikuru-san asked.
"Pretty much a surprise visit. She wanted to check up on her old council members."
"*clears throat* Nodoka-chan~…" Sokabe-senpai said to her.
"*moan* You're really gonna make me admit that?"
"It's the responsibility of the President, Nodoka-chan. You agreed to it all the day you joined 2 years ago."
"I don't remember agreeing to THAT responsibility…" Manabe-senpai gained an agitated sweatdrop.
"What is she talking about?" I asked.
"*sigh Damn, I hate this…she also came to check up on the members of the Mio Akiyama Fan Club."
…
…
…
"There's a fan club for Akiyama-senpai?"
"Th-There is a fan club for Akiyama-senpai?" We both asked while being completely dumbfounded.
"Yep." Sokabe-senpai said as she wrapped her arm around Manabe-senpai's neck. "And this girl right here's the current president."
…
…
…
"W-Wow…Manabe-senpai…" I said with a light blush.
"I-I did not think you had such feelings for Akiyama-senpai…" Mikuru-san added with a light blush of her own.
"W-Wait a second! Y-You two have it all wrong!" Manabe-senpai shouted with a blush heavier than ours. "I-I'm only stuck with this job and I don't see Mio-san that way! Honest!"
"There's no need to hide your true feelings, Nodoka-chan~…" Sokabe-senpai said with a few giggles.
"Y-You shut the hell up!"
These two seem like they get along…
"W-Well, anyway…it was, uh…rather interesting to meet you, Sokabe-senpai." I said. "We must be getting back to class now. Right, Mikuru-san?"
"Uh…y-yes. W-We really must be going. S-See you around…M-Manabe-san."
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on a second, you two!" And once again, we weren't able to get far before Sokabe-senpai got in front of us.
Geez, this girl is speedy as hell!
"I was serious when I said that I wanted to help y'all out. I'm fully dedicated to it."
"R-Really?" We both said in shock.
"Senpai, what are you talking about?" Manabe-senpai asked.
"Before you showed up, she had offered to help Mikuru-san overcome her anxiety." I explained. "But based on her approach, we didn't think she was serious about it."
"Of course, I am." Sokabe-senpai said. "Forever in my heart, I'll always be Sakuragaoka's OG President. Helping out my fellow kōhai is my number one job."
"Wow…"
"Senpai, that's really admirable of you." Manabe-senpai said.
"Yeah…plus, I just can't ignore such a shy little cutie like Mikuru-chan. She reminds me of Akiyama-san~. *giggle*"
"*sigh* Figures…" Manabe-senpai facepalmed hard.
*INSERT CLASSIC JAPANESE SCHOOL BELL CHIME HERE*
"Oh, my…time sure does fly when you're talking to a bunch of cute little shy girls."
"Th-That sounded SO wrong…" Mikuru-san said with a sweatdrop.
"Anyway…" Sokabe-senpai then took out her phone and after a few button presses, the two of us received a message on our phones. Turns out it was her sending us her phone number.
W-Wait, how did she get OUR numbers?!
"…I'll keep in touch with you two on when we can truly get started on working together. Trust me, Mikuru-chan…by the end of the term, you'll be a HIGHLY confident cute little girl. Guaranteed!"
"Um…th-thank you…S-Sokabe-senpai." Mikuru-san said.
"We, uh…really appreciate your help, Sokabe-senpai." I added.
"Anything for my special kōhai. Oh, and by the way…just call me Megumi."
"H-Huh?! C-Can we really?!" We both asked in total shock.
"Sure, why not? I don't need all that seniority anymore. I'm a grown-ass adult."
"A grown-ass adult with a weird fetish for shy girls…" Manabe-senpai added.
"Grown-ass all the same!"
"Well…okay, then. Megumi-san." I said.
"I-I hope we…g-get alone well…M-Megumi-san." Mikuru-san added with a small bow.
"*squeal* SO CUTE!" Megumi-san screamed out. "*sigh* I'm glad that I already got my fill today."
"Your fill?" We both asked.
"J-Just get out of here, Senpai!" Manabe-senpai yelled.
"*giggle* Fine, fine. Later days, you two~!" This was the last thing Megumi-senpai said as she made her way down the hallway. Giving us all flirtatious looks as she got farther away.
How the hell was she Student Council President of an ALL-GIRLS school?
"*sigh* I'm so sorry about her." Manabe-senpai said to us. "Sokabe-senpai was always a peculiar girl."
"I-It is fine, Manabe-senpai." Mikuru-san said. "S-Someone with her personality…i-is something I am…a-already used to. A-After all…I-I currently live with…th-three of them."
"Huh? Three?" I asked. "But the only ones there are Onee-chan, Miharu, and…w-wait a minute!"
"*giggle* I see. Well, I'll see you two around. Hope you two have a good rest of the day."
"W-We…w-will."
"H-How am I a peculiar girl?!" I asked in an insulted tone.
"Come now, Sumire-san. We do not wish to be late for class, do we?" Was all Mikuru-san replied with as she began walking away from me. Letting out a few giggles along the way.
"H-Hey! Mikuru-san! Don't ignore my question! Mikuru-san! Mikuru-san!" I yelled as I gave chase.
I am not a peculiar girl!
Author's Note: It's a new term! And while some are looking to change their personalities, others are…well…wanting to change a certain family member. So to speak.
It was never planned to put Megumi Sokabe specially in this story. I just wanted one more character to add here and I just chose her out of random. She will be the last official character added here for a long while, though. If things go as currently planned, the next few will be added at the VERY END of the story. Whenever that comes.
Thanks for reading. Later.