Set in AU. Possible OOC, foul language, lots of kisses, cheese, and sexual tensions

I still don't own Love Live

The insides of her brain felt like a nuclear warfare. Her feet were numb; hands squeezing a tuft of ginger hair tightly and she knew that the number of alcohol she had consumed last night was beyond her approved standard.

It was that time of the year again. The time where summer came and everyone was going out partying, taking everything out the system. Honoka loved having fun, and she admitted that she was a bit overboard last night.

Honoka slumped against the door. Screw it.

Now's the perfect time to have fun, to rebel, to get crazy; it's about being young and free.

Fumbling with her keys, Honoka tried to open the door. Her eyes were burning, and she desperately wanted to get something to ease the hammering in her head. She bit back a curse when she missed inserting the key for the third time.

"Rin!" Honoka finally retorted to banging the door, calling her roommate's name. "Hoshizora Rin! Open up!"

No answer. Honoka groaned.

"RIN!"

She almost resorted to kicking down the door—although she knew she 's just going to hurt herself—when a soft click and grumpy face of Hoshizora Rin appeared in front of her.

"What took you—agh…!" Honoka grimaced, holding her head. All those screams did nothing good to her. Ignoring the pain, she dragged her feet into the room and unceremoniously throwing herself to the couch.

"You're lucky Eli's not on guard duty. If she saw you like this, she'll definitely roast you."

Ayase Eli, Honoka scoffed. Of course, Eli would put up a good name, just like any other goddamn girls in this goddamn academy. Think she could fool everyone with her strict attitude, but Honoka knew. She knew she saw Eli last night in that house party. The house party that Toujou Nozomi hosted where only elites could go there and Honoka—unfortunately—wasn't one of them thus her appearance was entirely unwanted. But who were they to forbid her? Honoka kept coming because Toujou Nozomi was a good host and her party was always fun.

Although it would need a thousand of jury to convince her, Honoka actually loved being around Eli. When Eli finally shed her calm, controlling exterior and the tightness of her lips replaced with a sly smirk as Honoka began throwing insults at her, the latter could easily decide this wild side of Eli as her favorite.

"Here again, Eli? Why don't you get some sleeping pills and put them in her drink? You know, to make things easier."

Honoka was already drunk and she's a second too late to dodge Eli's punch. That explained why her right eye hurt. Honoka breathed slowly. Now that her head had cleared, the realization slowly came to her. Eli never hurt anybody although she could act like she owned the world under her heels. Her attitude was just for those who annoyed her. And those people were kleptomaniac, junkie, douches, or some foreign exchange students whose their basic knowledge of Japan's culture were limited to anime and dakimakura.

Honoka winced. Never, ever try to insult Nozomi in the presence of Eli. Honoka was lucky she only had to pay with one black eye.

Honoka tilted her head. "Where's Umi?"

"She didn't come home last night."

She felt soft hand pull her wrist from her face. Something cold and wet pressed on her forehead and Honoka finally exhaled a relieved hum. Not long after that, a familiar fragrance of coffee entered her nostrils. Honoka opened her eye wider.

"You can make coffee?" Honoka quipped as she eyed the orange mug. "You didn't put salt in there right?"

"Gee thanks for that Honoka," she answered curtly. The girl was sitting on the floor, controller in her hand, and busy shooting some zombies. "Drink it. And take a bath! You stink."

"Thanks," Honoka grumbled.

Honoka finally could feel relax. Watching how Rin easily blasting heads off felt somewhat therapeutic. Lips pressing on the rim of the mug, she took slow, deliberate sips, feeling warmth surging through her. She tried to remember how she got home. By train? Hitching a ride? Crawling her way from Nozomi's place? Or Eli—

"No way," Honoka quickly dismissed the thought.

"What way?"

Honoka waved her hand. "Did Umi tell you where she's going?"

"Yeah. She said she's going to—uh…" Rin looked up as she tried to remember that particular piece of information. "Nishikino, I think? Said she's going to tutor her or something."

"Maki? Needs tutor?" Honoka chortled. "Am I dead already?"

"What's wrong with that? Everyone needs tutoring once in awhile."

"When it comes to you and me, yeah. We need tutoring because we're idiots," Honoka quipped. She took another lazy sip. "That Maki is smart. And she's a bitch."

She received a raunchy laugh from the girl. "That's a universal consensus," she looked through her shoulder. "Yikes. What's wrong with your eye? Did you fight with Eli again?"

Honoka shrugged. Eli packed a good punch, and for a good reason too. Sipping her coffee, Honoka leaned back to the couch. Once she felt better maybe she'd pay Eli a visit.

"It's really great though."

Rin grinned as she stretched her arms, obviously satisfied with the huge, golden S appeared on the screen. "I bet it was."

"Leaving already?"

Umi squeaked and stopped abruptly. Her underwear was only past her knees.

Maki was sitting by the windowsill, wearing oversized shirt and probably nothing underneath. Her after-sex hair was only making her more attractive and Umi had a hard time to contain her blush.

This woman was beautiful and she knew how to use it.

Umi didn't need any distraction right now. She never liked to stay in the morning, basking in the glow after spending the night hours making love. She didn't want anything more than this.

Her life wasn't a telenovela with cheesy lines and sappy romance. And truthfully, she didn't want any of that either.

"You're wearing too many clothes," Maki began as she looked at Umi with distaste. "Why are you in a hurry anyway? It's Sunday."

Umi didn't answer. She tried to focus dressing herself although she felt overly conscious at how intense Maki's eyes on her.

"Rin called me," Umi sighed, feeling another headache coming. "Said Honoka has concussion."

"How old are they? Twelve?" Maki huffed with a shake of her head. "Seriously. You're not their caretaker."

Umi wanted to believe that but Honoka and Rin were special cases. Honoka was impulsive, prone to trouble, and probably had a slight case of ADHD. Rin, on the other hand, was practically a hermit. The only time she went outside was when she had classes. Other times, Rin preferred to sit in front of the television and playing games all day, much to Honoka dismay.

Finally buttoning her blouse, Umi turned around to face Maki. She learned not to get flustered in front of the younger girl. Maki was like a hound. One slip and Maki would happily bite her in the neck.

Umi realized this, painfully so. At first, she was so ecstatic when she got a text from Maki or a fleeting conversation at a party. And then there were dates, kisses, subsequent hookups, and Umi realized that she couldn't do this any longer.

Dating Maki had its benefits, but after some time, Umi quickly got tired. She's not a dreamer, but Umi didn't want to live in constant uncertainty either.

"Let's have a breakfast first."

Umi crossed her arms as she gave Maki a hard look.

"What? You're not hungry? We worked really hard last night and you still have the energy?" A smirk formed on Maki's lips when she caught a faint blush covering Umi's face. "God, I never know you're that feisty."

Realizing that Maki was only messing with her head, Umi stomped to the door but stopped abruptly when Maki quickly hugged her from behind.

Maki's arms were around her waist. Hot breath caressing her neck.

"I know you can't stand me, but please don't just go away like this." Maki ran her finger along Umi's collarbone and spoke out what's on her mind when she realized that Umi wanted to go. "There's a research out there that loneliness can kill people."

"And what you're trying to say is…?"

Maki huffed. "Do you want to die young?"

"Rin and Honoka are not going to be happy if I die. They probably will drag me out from hell and scold me," Umi swiftly replied.

Maki was stubborn. She didn't like it when Umi debunking her. "I think you're spending too much time around them. Their idiocy is rubbing off on you."

"At least it's better than living in a huge apartment alone," Umi insisted and she held back a grin when she saw a defeated look on Maki's feature. "How does it feel to be lonely, Maki?"

"It sucks," Maki pressed her lips on Umi's neck. "I hate it."

Umi sighed and indulged herself in Maki's hug. She was about to open her mouth when a familiar ringtone blared from the other side of the room. Both of them stiffened. They knew who it was.

"Nico's calling," Umi mumbled. Looking to her side, Maki was already burying her face to Umi's shoulder, seemingly trying to block the unwanted noise.

The ringtone was persistent. Umi shifted on her feet. "You better answer that."

Maki shook her head. "Nooo."

Umi smiled thinly. Maki was adorable. Well, sometimes.

She pulled Maki's arm away, but Umi didn't have the heart to let go so she thread their fingers together. Umi held their clasped hands at her chest. "I'll… see you again later"

Maki replied by smoothing her thumb against Umi's knuckles. "Will you give me a lap dance then?"

Umi laughed and knocked Maki lightly on the forehead. "Why don't you give me one?"

But Maki wasn't in the mood for joke. Looking straight at Umi, Maki pressed her lips on the latter's wrist. "You know I'll do anything."

If Umi was swooned, she's glad she didn't show it. However, Umi was reluctant to open her mouth, afraid her voice would echo the insane beating of her heart.

So she just nodded.

The door closed behind her. Umi expected that she would feel a bit better now that she's away from Maki but as she dragged her feet through the hallway, she realized that her heart was getting heavier in each step.

Since when did love become so taxing?

Damn that Maki! Was it really that hard to answer her call? She just wanted food. Just food for this morning! But of course Maki didn't answer her call. Probably too busy with her new toy.

Eh, whatever.

Nico stuffed her phone to her cardigan. Her nose scrunched in distaste. How could she be this stupid? Last night was the worst night she ever had. Nozomi and her damn spiritual bullshit! Who would've thought Nozomi was good at handling liquor? Ten glasses and counting, still smiling like those toothpaste model as she chugged her drink, and happily taking all of Nico's money when the latter finally passed out.

Nico contemplated to call her mother to send some money but she remembered that she just received her allowance last week. Asking for more only resulted in a screaming mother and probably some more unwanted problems.

Here she was, sitting like a fool in a family restaurant, staring at the empty table while having the worst hangover she ever experienced in her life. Peering up from the newspaper she's currently holding, Nico eyed her surroundings. Her table was close from the exit. She could order something. And once she's finished, she just ran. Yeah, she could just do that.

Nico craved for something heavy. Something like steaming bowl of rice with meat, chicken kaarage with tartar sauce, and cup of hot green tea, just like what the young girl on the counter had ordered.

The girl. That first year. Koizumi Hanayo. The docile, stuttering first year who preferred wasting her time mostly in alpaca's pen. And for the first time, Nico finally let out a smile.

She silently praised herself not wearing heels last night. Sneakers provided her with more agility as she pranced through the restaurant. Nico was quite infamous for her antics and the employees were used to have her around.

She sat on the table beside where Hanayo was sitting. Clouded glass stood between rows of tables as a separator with a medium-sized gap (enough for an arm to slip into) dividing the surface. Her stomach protested in hunger when the delicious aroma entered her nostrils.

Now she only had to wait for Hanayo to get distracted before taking action.

"Hello?"

Nico's ears perked. Now was the time.

"Oh Rin-chan? What's up?"

She carefully slipped her hand through the gap, reaching to the plate where the kaarage was waiting. Germs can kiss her ass.

"You want me to go to your place? Is Umi-san not around?"

Nico sent all praises to the gods above as she chewed the chicken— all tasty, juicy and chewy at the same time. The tartar sauce only made the taste thousand times better. She took another. Another one. And another. Finally, she reached for the tea.

"No. I'm not busy. Yeah. I'll go to your place once I finish my breakfast."

Two sips warmed her nerves. Three sips were slowly dulling the headache. Another four sips was making her feel like she's wrapped in warm sheets during winter nights.

Putting the glass down, Nico stood up from her seat, fully content. She leisurely walked to the door and not long after that, Hanayo's surprised shriek chorused across the room. Nico was already out.

Once again, she found herself walking along the pavement with people bustling around her. Licking the sauce off her lips, Nico looked up to see the blue sky.

"Thanks for the meal."

A knock came to the door. Kotori almost dropped her pencil and hurriedly went to the door before finally slowing down. She's desperate, yes, but not that desperate. Or maybe she was.

Her brain was like a dry sponge. Nothing good came out from her. All of her designs were either flawed or just plain boring. Kotori was neither talentless nor lacking in creativity. It's just not today. The eraser shavings indicated how successful her attempt was.

"Hello, Honoka-chan." The said girl smiled once Kotori opened the door. She stepped into the loft in white shirt, black skinny jeans, and a patch covering her right eye. Kotori frowned at the sight. "What's wrong with you?"

Honoka replied with a shrug as she treaded over the plushy carpet. Kotori always kept her room clean. Neat bookshelf, makeup sets, shoes, picture frames, sewing machines on the low table, and other trinkets stored neatly inside the drawer. The walls painted in a soft, baby pink, adding to its homey feeling without being too cute.

"Got a fight with Eli. I was being an asshole as usual."

"Is it still hurt?"

Honoka took Kotori's sketchbook, stopping at each page to marvel at the beautiful sketches, marveling at every detail. "No. Umi had patched me up. Not without scolding me though."

Kotori was frowning. "And why are you wearing eyepatch?"

"Rin said I'm going to look badass like that legendary fictional soldier in the game she's currently playing. Like…" Honoka paused to remember what Rin had gleefully told her hours ago. "Big Boss? Yeah. Just like Big Boss."

"I know you dislike Eli, but you should stop picking at her."

"What I feel for her is mutual," Honoka finally put the book down, groaning loudly as she stretched out. "And I believe neither of us wants to change that."

Thank god Honoka was turning her back on her. Kotori was trying not to stare every time Honoka bent or stretched out, but it wasn't her fault that Honoka's body was too much for Kotori to handle and did strange things to her sex drive.

"You sound like you're obsessed with Eli."

Honoka scoffed. "Why should I?"

"Well, it's because you always talk about her."

Honoka saw the pout. The same pout that always messing with her head. Smiling, she opened her arms wide. "Come here."

Kotori slowly scooted to Honoka, snuggling to her and rubbing her cheek against Honoka's chest. Just like a cat.

"Hard day?"

Kotori replied with a slow nod. "I'm always clingy when I'm sad. Don't you know?"

Kotori was always a small person, and anyone who had the privilege to hold her definitely would agree to that. Unfortunately, that privilege was limited only to one person: Kousaka Honoka. Kotori was friendly but she had this defense mechanism to keep herself from the filthiness of outside world. Born and raised in a reputable and conservative family had taught her to be extra careful.

So what makes Honoka different? She's just a normal university student, a marauder, a troublemaker. Honoka was everything that Kotori was trying to avoid.

Maybe those glimmering blue eyes and innocent smiles were the reason why Kotori couldn't look away.

"I really envy you, Honoka-chan. You can go anywhere you want, attending parties, even picking fights with someone."

Honoka laughed at that. "If you called my clusterfuck of life exciting, I believe yours is just painfully boring."

"Yeah," Kotori mumbled. "I sometimes just want to run away."

Closing her eyes, Honoka slowly rocked her body with her arms around Kotori's waist. "Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere as long as I'm with you."

"Oh boy. Isn't too early for extra cheese?"

Kotori looked up to glare at Honoka. "It's called romantic."

Although Kotori was glaring, Honoka knew it's just an act, but she'd play around with Kotori because… well, Honoka was an idiot and she's a bit too in love with Kotori.

"How about traveling the world? You and I, just the two of us. One ticket to nowhere?" Looking at Kotori's attentive face, Honoka was getting more enthusiastic. "And we'll sit on top of strawberry hill and have a lunch there. I will lie on your lap while listen to your singing."

Kotori laughed at the idea. "I don't think I'm that good of a singer. And why on top of the hill? What if it's raining?"

"Oh I don't mind," Honoka replied with a gentle voice. She held Kotori's face in her hands. "You're there with me. It'll be fine."

Kotori kissed the tip of Honoka's nose softly. "That would be nice."

"And then we can eat lots of food, drink till we drunk, laugh till we cry," Honoka stopped and stared at Kotori for a moment; hands slowly caressing along Kotori's smooth cheek and lips peppering slow kisses. "And kiss until we can't feel anything but ourselves."

Kotori smiled, taking Honoka's hand and pressed it on her chest, so close to her heart. Eyes fluttering shut, she tilted her head and met Honoka's lips. Every time they kissed, it always tasted like the first time: warm, inviting, careless, tender.

"Oh God," Kotori gasped when Honoka's hand slipped underneath her dress. "Oh Honoka. This…" she kissed Honoka chastely on the lips, trying to suppress her moan. She's glad her mother rarely at home. "This is not right."

Honoka nodded. She, too, didn't feel any different.

"Yeah," she whispered, breathing slowly. "maybe we're just that crazy."

Kotori couldn't agree more.

There's something alluring about Nozomi that made Eli always had her eyes on her. Her openness, her overflowing charms and attractiveness. And now when she's sitting inside a cafe, huddling her laptop, and her books cluttered around her, Eli could still see her.

She picked up her latte and made her way to the table. Nozomi didn't even flinch when Eli took a seat in front of her. She's wearing her glasses (something that Eli rarely saw), her long hair was tied in a loose bun, and her ears were plugged. Obviously she didn't want to be distracted, but Eli never liked being ignored.

Putting her cup, Eli reached out to pull one of the earplug. Ignoring Nozomi's annoyed yell, Eli listened to the song.

"Stairway To Heaven?" Eli commented as she looked at Nozomi's flustered face. "Never know you like rock music, Toujou."

Nozomi leered at the statement. "Takes one to know me."

"So, good student in the day, a host at night?" Eli began.

"Unlike you, I entered this academy by scholarship. If I don't study, I'll fail. If I fail, I'll have my ass kicked. And if I have-"

"Let's just agree that you're in a deep shit if you fail."

Nozomi smiled sweetly. "That's correct."

"You haven't answered my question."

Nozomi held the straw between her lips, chewing at it while keeping her green eyes locked at Eli. "Because girls just want to have fun."

Eli's eyes were focusing at those plump lips. If she didn't know better, Eli suspected Nozomi was trying to seduce her. But of course both of them would never do anything lecherous here. Eli had an image to maintain and Nozomi probably didn't want to tarnish her good girl status.

"So you're studying even though it's Sunday and you just had a party last night?"

Nozomi was writing something on her notebook. "Always."

"Wow… so diligent."

"Intelligence will make anyone curious," Nozomi husked as she propped her chin with her hand. The look in her eyes was sharp, undeterred. "And as for you, dear Eli, I believe you're always up for a challenge."

"What challenge?"

Nozomi tilted her head. "Seriously you're asking me now?" She had to hold her smirk when she noticed Eli was visibly stiffened. "You're interested in me."

Eli crossed her arms. Nozomi was perceptive, she gave her that. And Eli, being Eli, would never give Nozomi that satisfaction. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Nozomi shook her head and sighed as if she'd experience a tragedy."I appreciate it but you really didn't need to hit Honoka you know? She was drunk and you know how smart a drunk person is"

Eli bit her tongue but kept her cold facade intact. "What I did to her was a retribution for her incapability to keep her mouth shut."

Nozomi made a face. "I'm sure she didn't mean that."

"Enough about Honoka," Eli quickly dismissed the topic. She could feel her mood slowly went sour. Her intention here was to talk to Nozomi, not talking about the human trash that's Kousaka Honoka. However, Nozomi didn't seem to care.

"I kinda like Honoka. Did you see how she do cha-cha last night? I mean, that's just hilarious!"

At Nozomi's hilarious attempt to copy Honoka, Eli slowly cracked up a smile. One thing that she could tolerate from Honoka was her contagious energy.

"Seeing you easily kicked Nico's ass in a drinking match is also hilarious," Eli quipped. "She should've known that you're way over her level."

"She's too proud to beg. That's very endearing."

"Sure you do. You took all her money," Eli chuckled at her own words. "She must be really upset right now."

"That's just a game." Her smile changed into something more solemn, something that Eli couldn't describe what it meant. "Just like we're doing right now."

The air reeked of coffee and sweet aroma of baked cookies. People were talking but neither Eli nor Nozomi paid any attention. The world revolved around them but in Eli and Nozomi's world, it was only the two of them.

Eli looked Nozomi's piercing viridian eyes, seeing the other girl staring back. They held gazes for a while until Nozomi giggled to herself, blushing.

"You really are something else, Eli," Nozomi commented as she tapped her fingers on the table. "You know what? You're just a dork."

"I'm not a dork," the blonde protested.

"You're a barbie, you have blonde hair, you always try to look serious, intimidate people left and right. Trying to be as stoic as possible. You do ballet although you don't want people to know. You have an unhealthy obsession with chocolates and even try to eat plastic chocolate."

"Nozomi," Eli said firmly but the tone in her voice was nowhere near dangerous, "it's rude to analyze people without their consent."

"I believe it's also rude to stalk people around, right Elicchi?"

Eli laughed; she didn't deny or confirm Nozomi's accusation. Another silence fell between them as both girls stared at each other.

"Say," Eli began, slowly. "Are you free this evening?"

"Another party?"

A smile pulled at Eli's lips. "Not really, but we can have one. Or…" the girl moved from her chair with her hand reached out to pull Nozomi's glasses. Eli wore it and wasn't surprised when the glasses had normal lenses. "Maybe a study session?"

Nozomi didn't even flinch at Eli's suggestive tone. "Just like how Maki asked Umi to tutor her?"

"Would you like to?"

Keeping her eyes locked to Eli's piercing blue, Nozomi leaned closer; her body was looming above the table. Faces inches apart, Nozomi observed for any telltale of discomfort from the other girl. She inched closer. And closer…

"I prefer to study alone."

As quick as it happened, Nozomi pulled back. Books and laptop in her hand, Nozomi sent a wink to Eli. "Goodbye, Ayase-san."

Nozomi left, taking Eli's latte and leaving her glasses. And when she realized that, Eli chuckled to herself.

"This is why I'm interested in you," Eli mumbled to herself. "You don't bore me."