"I am Honoka Kousaka, your friend..."

As soon as my cat-like friend caught a glimpse of my face, tears unconsciously ran on hers. She had a blank stare while her hands kept pinching her cheeks. "Hey Rin-chan, this is real. I'm really-"

"HONOKA-CHAN!" Rin-chan tackled me for an embrace, shaking. "HONOKA-CHAN, HONOKA-CHAN, HONOKA-CHAN!"

It was then, when i noticed i was crying too, the tears began to cloud my vision. "I'm sorry Rin-chan, i'm sorry, sorry, sorry..."

And so, the next moments were filled with us hugging, crying and calling each other names like idiots.

...

...

...

After both of us had calmed down, we sat on a boulder and watched the sky painted dark. To be honest, i had no idea how things would go now after this, yet i would never regret this decision. It might be only Rin-chan, but i was glad in the end i faced her as her friend. "So why did you leave us nya?"

"Ugh, seriously Rin-chan, you're like the others. Do you really want to know?"

"Of course, nya."

"Listen Rin-chan, i-" I paused. Again, a part of me was hesitating. I never knew opening up to others was such a hard thing to do. "...I can't...smile anymore..."

"How? You said you're fine and-" She gasped, eyes widened. "Is this our fault nya?"

"NO, don't ever think like that, geez." Her eyes were beginning to water, so i patted her head. "You know, meeting you girls were the best thing that happened in my life."

"Then, come back to us nya. Everyone here is waiting for you, i'm sure will be more happy to welcome you nya," Rin-chan said while wiping her tears. Then, she stood up and extended her arm. "Please, Honoka-chan nya..."

If i accept this hand, i could definitely return to them. Pretty sure, they had a lot of questions. Umi-chan might be angry at first while Kotori-chan would rush me for a hug, followed by the clingy duo and the RinPana couple. On the side, i could see Maki-chan and Nico-chan smiling, they were always too tsundere to join events like these. Of course, the scene wasn't complete without more crying and hugging. And with that, the Muse was back to its nine members, all set to compete for the Lovelive once again. Yes, that moment would be perfect, yet... "...I can't, sorry Rin-chan..."

"Why nya?" Her voice was broken. She just stopped herself from crying but from the look of her, she was about to wail again.

"I don't really understand it myself, but after i lost my smile, i had this feeling like i was searching for something..."

"And what is that nya?"

"...I..don't know..."

"Then, we will help you look for it, the nine of us together nya."

"No, i think it's something that i have to do myself."

"Honoka-chan nya..."

"Don't cry, we are friends, right? Even though we're apart as long as we believed that we're friends, our hearts will be always connected to each other."

"Yes, we're friends forever nya..."

"Sorry for being so unfair, Rin-chan." We were both locked in an embrace, waiting for my cat-like friend to stop sobbing. She kept mumbling 'Honoka-chan don't go' as i caressed her hair. In the end, i chose to be a cruel person. Even though Rin-chan was begging like her life depended on it, i still held to my decision. I didn't understand it myself, but maybe it was related to the 'Someone that's waiting for me' that the voice mentioned. A minute went by for her to calm down, but she still had a hard grip on my body.

"Honoka-chan nya..."

"Mm...what is it?"

"It only hit me just now, but why did you tell me all of this nya? I mean isn't it something that Kotori-chan or Umi-chan should know first nya?"

"Don't get me wrong Rin-chan, i feel equally guilty for deceiving you all, however..."

"However nya?"

"However, seeing you made me realized i should've trusted my friends more. It's kinda funny, isn't it? After all, i'm the one who suggested the idea of getting close to each other."

"No, it's not like you just don't want to trouble us...and we..."

"When everyone became busy with their relationships, i felt there was a distance between us. We hadn't talked or bonded like we used to do. Everyone seemed eager to move forward and before i knew it i was left out, i became lonely. But instead of trying to close the gap, i only strayed further relying on myself."

"I'm sorry nya..."

"No don't be. Rin-chan, i told you didn't i? Meeting you girls were the best thing that happened in my life."

"But you..."

"Even if i can't smile anymore, i never regret being with you, with everyone."

"Honoka-chan nya..."

And so, for the third time, we had gotten emotional again. Minutes passed by, both of us cried our hearts. I had never felt so relieved, i managed to tell Rin-chan everything...everything except for their impending doom with my Bankai. Of all things, i had to forget why that? Quick, i must warn her about The Project: Honoka Requiem. "Rin-chan!"

"Wh-what is it, Honoka-chan?!"

"About the Lovelive. Listen, it's going to be-"

"..Honor-chan, Rin-chan, Umi-chan where are you?" Mother of all wrong timings, the voice was close. It was my spiritual ex-senior calling for us. This was bad, but just like with Eli-chan, Rin-chan moved toward the direction of the voice, stalling for time. I whispered her a 'thank you' as i frantically equipped my magical school idol gears back.

"Hono...r-chan and i are...wa-watching the stars nya.."

"Ah i see, i just woke up without everyone, so i thought something had happened."

"...No-nothing happened nya.."

"Well, care to tell-"

"Magical school idol Honor-chan, here to catch your heart teehee~" I cut their conversation with my magical school idol catchphrase. Rin-chan was bad at lying, but she did promise me she wouldn't tell the others at least until the time that i was ready to tell them myself.

"Oh, Honor-chan."

"Good evening Nozomi-chan, had a good sleep~?"

"Yeah, the best one i had for weeks, so where's Umi-chan?"

"She left alone nya. We tried to stop her but insisted nya."

"Umi-chan did?"

"That's why we need to follow her, everyone let's clean up now."

"Hai..."

The three of us returned to our campsite. We dismantled the tents, picked up the trash, and packed their bags. We had no self-made map like Umi-chan did, but my spiritual ex-senior assured that she remembered the path home. With her in the lead, she flicked open a big flashlight as we began trekking down. The mountains may be scary at night, but since i had Dark Honor-chan within me, we were going to be fine. Along the way, i tried to sneak a conversation to Rin-chan, but Nozomi-chan's constant stares were preventing me to do so. She was curious about our sudden closeness. Yes, in the short time that Rin-chan learned my true identity, she had never left my side. She was clingier than Eli-chan and made a habit to rub her cheeks against mine.

...

...

...

An hour passed, and we were almost at the base of the mountain. The journey was exhausting, but at least we had the cool breeze of the night as a compensation. In the end, i never had a chance to tell Rin-chan about the secrets of my final form. I sighed. Well, there would always be another time, right? Yes, as soon as we arrived at the Maki's vacation house, i planned to take her away and confide it.

...

...

...

Another hour had passed, and that moment was soon would be realized. We were almost there, in fact i could see the figure of the mountain house now. I locked Rin-chan's hand, ready to drag her away. However, when we arrived in the living room, the rest of the group were waiting for us. Like Umi-chan said, the two other groups were finished with their tasks and with her going in an earlier time, they might finish the song too. Those were my expectations, but the reality was something i never expected.

"Oh Honor-sama, you must be tired. Here, have some of this." Nico-chan politely handed me a sandwich. I think this was what people called Reuben.

"Hey Nico-chan, what about me nya?"

"Oh please, i only made this appetizer for Honor-sama. And besides, we're going to eat dinner soon."

"Eh, no fair nya."

"Well, if this will make you feel better, she didn't make one for me either, HER girlfriend."

"Hey, you know it's not like that, i just run out of ingredients."

"Wow, things are getting livelier here...like the old times..."

"Yeah, i kinda get how you feel, Nozomi."

"Umm..." Hanayo-chan stood right in front of us, fidgeting. Of course, her actions easily garnered the attention of everyone.

"What is it, Kayo-chin nya?"

"I've been wanting to ask, but...where's Umi-chan?" Hanayo-chan's question made it click why i was so anxious earlier. Could it be? My stomach knotted as the conversation continued.

"What are you saying nya? Didn't you meet her before we nya?"

"No, we don't..."

"Hanayo-chan, let me clear things up. Umi-chan left before us to meet with Kotori-chan and Maki-chan. But if you didn't meet her like you said, then it only means..."

"Umi is missing..."

"WHAT?!"

Aside from Eli-chan, Nozomi-chan, and me; the rest of the group had surprise faces. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. Arghh, how did i let this happen? Did Umi-chan lose her way here or intentionally hiding? Maybe she got involved in an accident while trekking down the mountains or encountered some bears in the forest, not to mention the riverside had a harsh current too. Stupid, stupid Honoka, i should have stopped her back then. Kotori-chan flipped her phone and tried to call her girlfriend, but the archer's phone was off. This was bad, it was almost pitch black outside, not to mention we were in the middle of nature. The time was 7:44 pm for god's sake, she could be anywhere now.

Procrastination wouldn't solve our problem, so we started a split-search while Kotori-chan remained in the mountain house in case Umi-chan returned. First, the NozoEli couple was assigned to the mountain area. As aforementioned Nozomi-chan was familiar with the place, plus someone had to be Eli-chan's hug-buddy since they were going to tread the dark. Second, the ramen and rice lovers volunteered to patrol the forestry area. Hanayo-chan was so worried since Rin-chan just got back from our hike, but the cat-like girl managed to convince her with a few words. Third, the hot and cold pair was left down in the river area, which was the largest. Even so, i didn't hear any complaints from them, and left briefly after packing some flashlight and necessities. And the last pair was...me, myself, and i; the best OT3 left alone to explore anywhere. Well, it wasn't like i could complain either, i had no cellphone with me plus no one to pair with. So i just bitterly wished them good luck as i ambled alone.

...

...

...

...

...

"...Hmm...i think i passed this tree before. Am i going in circles now?" I scratched my head, realizing i was in the middle of nowhere. At night, the scenery was different, the trees looked the same and the occasional rustling of harmless animals somehow built tension. If this was a horror movie, it wouldn't be a surprise if something would jump on me behind these bushes.

"Umi-chan!"

"Umi-chan! Umi-chan, where are you?"

"Umi-chan, if you're there please answer." I felt like shouting in the void. Maybe i should change my approach to this. In the first place, why did my bluenette friend leave? She was a person with great sense of responsibility, the one who wanted to participate in the Lovelive more than anyone else. So why someone like her was missing in times like these? It didn't make sen- Wait, this scenario happened before. It was that time...the time when she...ahh!

"I know where Umi-chan is!"

Activating the strong flashlight in my wand, i moved my tired legs faster as i searched my way towards 'that' place. How come i hadn't noticed it before? Her face that time, Umi-chan was stressless not because she completed the lyrics, Umi-chan was stressless because she gave up. If it was like before, then pretty sure she was hiding at 'that' place.

Along the way, i munched the meat sandwich Nico-chan gave me, hoping to recover some HP, but game mechanics were different to real life. I was panting, my body was nearing its limits. Heck, i had no idea if i was still running the right direction or drifting further. The light from my wand was slowly fading too. Even so, i persevered and grasped this tiny bit of hope in my hand because Umi-chan...she was crying...alone...in the dark...with no one to turn to...

The next moments were a blur, but i finally arrived at 'that' place, the big storage room that Eli-chan and i got trapped into. I thanked the gods, no the heavens for making me reach this place. Seeing the door ajar, i entered inside and heard a faint sobbing. Strangely, my body moved on its own as if autopiloting me towards her.

"Umi-chan, found you." She was sulking near the equipment area, the ones where Eli-chan got the tent with.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" She was shocked. Her face looked so haggard, hair disheveled, and eyes red from all that crying. It was just like that day...

Back when we were kids, Umi-chan participated in an official archery tournament. Because it was quite an achievement back then, she received a lot of support from everyone: The teachers, our classmates, and even the people in the neighborhood. In fact, we even made a banner of 'Good luck, Sonoda Umi' as a group project. Everyone was hyped, my bluenette friend was winning here and there. She even reached the semi-finals and won against the crowds' favorite. Everyone thought our archer had this competition in the bag. However, in the finals...her opponent won by default...

The next day, Umi-chan was absent. When i paid her home a visit, her mother told me Umi-chan injured herself during practice, therefore unable to compete and now resting, however that wasn't the true story at all. I was a pretty adventurous kid back in my olden days, so adventurous that i used to sneak into her room. Using my 'secret spot', i crawled myself in and made my way to her room. The Sonoda household was the epitome of traditional Japanese homes, at least for me. It was big filled with tatami mats and wooden doors. Their bathroom was pretty traditional too, not to mention they had a dojo connected to the house. I arrived at her room just to find out that she wasn't there. The me that time was so carefree, i explored the house more not aware of the dangers. And by dangers what i meant was, Umi's mother finding me out. Thankfully, she wasn't angry at all, in fact she showed me where Umi-chan was: in an empty equipment storeroom near to the dojo. Running my way there, the kid me didn't even think it strange about what my bluenette friend was doing in there or why she was there in the beginning. I just casually entered the place and surprised to hear sobbing noises. I walked towards the direction of the cries and found Umi-chan crying.

Now that i recalled it, she had the same surprised look back then. I tried to console her, telling 'it's not her fault' and 'things like that happen', yet it seemed that i only made her mood worse. Remembering how naive i was, i repeatedly asked her why and in the end my stubbornness prevailed. My bluenette friend confessed that she got injured and could still participate, but chose not to...

Unlike me, Umi-chan was smart. While not a genius, she would study every day and she placed high in the tests. The same notion was applied in archery, she was strict but stricter to herself. My bluenette friend had never skipped an archery practice and trained harder with extreme discipline. However, in the end she was still human, and humans had their limitations. When faced an opponent with skill difference too high, she couldn't help but trembled, feared and escaped which precisely what happened. If it was me, i would fight even though it would humiliate me. But because Umi-chan was smart, she knew she had no chances of winning from the start. However, at that time the one who wanted her to win the most wasn't me, or her parents, or the whole class. It was Umi-chan herself.

"Mou Umi-chan, everyone is looking for you, so let's go hom-"

"NO!"

"C'mon Umi-chan, do you want to keep them waiting? Eli-chan is afraid of the dark you know." I extended my hand, but she wasn't budging from her position.

"...I-i can't face them..."

"Umi-chan, of course you can face, they are your friends." Ugh, that line sounded so ironic to the core coming from someone like me, nevertheless i had to help my bluenette friend.

"Can't you see i failed everyone. We only got a week before the Lovelive preliminaries and we still don't have a song. This is the last chance of the third years, our best shot for reaching Honoka yet i failed them. I tried so so hard to scrape anything from my mind, but it's not working, i couldn't make the lyrics. At this rate, we are going to-"

"Then failed them."

"What?"

"It's not like you can always win in life, so fail them. Trust me, after the 50th time, it wouldn't make a difference anymore. The only thing that matters is, have you really done everything?"

"Huh?"

"You didn't actually fail them yet, am i right? You still have time. Failure only becomes failure when you stop trying."

"...Honor-chan..." That was the first time, she spoke my fake name.

"So please let's go home, Umi-chan..."

Umi-chan was reluctant and took a minute to answer. Eyes downward, she bit her lips before she accepted my hands. "...Yeah..."

And so, both of us returned to the mountain house, which was a very walking distance from our location. At the living room, we were then greeted by Kotori-chan, who hugged her girlfriend as soon as she saw her. Umi-chan was crying and apologizing the whole time. My little bird friend thanked me. She called the others and happy to inform that they were not too far. Me, i was just glad this whole crisis was over. Glancing at them one last time, i silently made my to the kitchen and scavenged for food. Hey, i was hungry okay, aside from that Reuben sandwich i hadn't really eaten anything else. Luckily, i saw the dinner Nico-chan made and wolfed it down in one seating.

And so, my hunger was solved. However, i still had another problem, my muscles were aching. Well, even if my body was physical trained, i pushed it too far this time. But then, like a lightbulb flashing i remembered one crucial detail: A hot spring! Back before i parted with the BiBi group, I heard Eli-chan saying she stumbled a hot spring on her way back. That was soon confirmed by Maki-chan, telling me their family constructed an onsen too since they privately owned the land. At that time, i shrugged it off, after all i had an identity to protect with, but now the timing couldn't be perfect: Everyone was away, these two lovebirds here were busy to themselves, and the location of the hot spring was just nearby. A little dip wouldn't hurt, right?

Yosh, with a goal in mind, it was about time to put it in action. Returning to the living room once again, it seemed Umi-chan calmed down and now resting in Kotori-chan's lap. I muffled my footsteps, careful of not ruining their heartfelt moment. Though, my ashen-haired friend was smiling at me for no reason. Well, i didn't put much thought into it, i was in a hurry after all.

Dragging my exhausted body outside, it only took some short steps before i found it. The onsen was big and beautiful, its motif truly fitted the whole mountain area theme. Surrounded by nature the water and steam seemed so natural. It had some wooden fences to drive away animals and potential peepers, not to mention a large changing area complete with bathing supplies. Not wasting any more time, i stripped naked, grabbed a towel and soaked myself in.

"AAAAaaaaaaahhhh~" I felt revitalized. Just as i thought, hot springs went best with tired muscles. This might be the best thing that ever happened to me on this day.

"I want to stay here forever~" I might sound like an old man, spouting something like this. But whatever, it wasn't like there were people here anyway.

"Ahh~ this is the best~"

...

...

...

...

...

"...Uuaahh~ i wanna marry this onsen...no, bread-kun i'm not cheating on you, onsen-san just feels good outside my body, but in my heart, in my stomach, you're still my number one. Am I conceited? No, bread-kun don't leave me, i'm begging you, BREAD-KUUUUUUN! NOOO-" Noises interrupted my onsen-bread love triangle stupor. Huh, were those footsteps? Ah, this might be bad, i may have stayed here for too long, i was starting to feel lightheaded. Everything in my surroundings was swirling and swirling...

The noise was getting louder like it was a conversation of some kind. Ugh, it was making my head hurt. And those voices, they seemed familiar, i mean VERY familiar. The whole place was steamy, but i was starting to see silhouettes, human figures slowly approaching me...closer and closer...until...

"Sorry, Honoka-chan..."

In an instant, a short monologue appeared in my mind narrated in Morgan Freeman's voice.

It was at this moment, Honoka knew...she's already dead. The end.

Umi P.O.V

After the whole drama i had caused, Kotori and i waited for everyone to come back. We were in the living room as i reposed my head on my girlfriend's lap. I couldn't count how many times i apologized to her for making her worry. But Kotori, being the understanding and caring person she was, forgave me with a condition that i would never do anything like that again. In the end, i was still weak, my distance was miles away from Honoka and now that distance meant literally. After all, she left us...

"Thinking of Honoka-chan again?" Kotori's voice pulled away from my thoughts, smiling at me as she played with my hair.

"Kotori...how?"

"Mmm, you're face is always so easy to read..."

Am i really? No wonder i've always lost in card games.

"...Yeah..." I knew this was a recurring topic that only Honoka had the answers to. But my mind couldn't help but to worry, she was always so reckless and insouciant. Also, inside me, there was a fear, fear that Honoka might... "Kotori, why do you think she left us?"

"Hmm, i don't know, but for sure wherever Honoka-chan is, she's doing her best. She's our Honoka-chan after all."

"Right..."

"Don't worry, Umi-chan, she might not be far as you think." For some reason, Kotori's warm smile was redirected towards Honor-chan who entered the room and now sneaking to the hallways.

Honor-chan, i hated her...at first. Not because she was a stranger who cosplayed and freeload for food, but because i kept getting Honoka vibes from her. That reason alone might be the answer why everyone accepted her so naturally. Even without saying, i knew she helped everyone, including me who was mean to her. But the thing that i was weirded the most was how did she know us so well. She even had knowledge of my sulking place that no one except Honoka knew. Of course, when i asked about it, i got answers like "I read your memories with my magical, celestial, love power charge: Heartslip remember." And of course, i didn't buy it, the whole idea was preposterous. Anyway, why was i putting so much thought about her? She was just a leader for a day. Now that Eli gained her own footing, she was going to leave us soon...

She was going to leave us soon, huh. Why was i so anxious about that?

The time passed and the first group to return was Hanayo and Rin. They weren't panting like Honor-chan did, but they were certainly exhausted. I apologized and told them everything from how being stumped about the lyrics and wanting to escape to Honor-chan finding me and waiting for them here. "So that's how it is, sorry Umi-chan for not being any help."

"Me too nya."

"No, please don't apologize, it's me who failed you all. Everyone was making progress so smoothly while I was still stuck and...couldn't handle the pressure. So, umm..sorry..."

"Don't worry, you're going to think of the lyrics soon. I'm sure of it nya."

"That's right, take your time Umi-chan. We are going to compete in the Lovelive together..."

"Thanks..."

The second group came minutes long after. Similar to Rin and Hanayo, Maki and Nico were tired. Their eyes had slight anger, but soon softened when i repeated the whole story. "Honestly, you should've told us, we're worried, you know."

"As if you're an honest person here." Nico retorted in a low voice, but that didn't go unheard from her red-haired girlfriend. To be honest, i didn't get the nature of their relationship, one thing they were fighting, then the other thing they were sweet with each other, vice versa.

"Wha- are you trying to pick a fight, Nico?"

"No, not at all, i'm just stating. Anyway, like Hanayo said, 'take your time'. I mean the Lovelive is important, you are importanter, understand?"

"Nico, i don't want to break your cool facade, but there's no such thing as 'importanter'."

"Ah, i knew that! I-i'm just trying to make Umi laugh."

"Sure, sure, anyone would believe that," Maki said with a sarcastic tone, which of course her raven-haired lover wouldn't let pass.

"Hey, what do you mean about that?"

"Girls please." I felt things were about to go real, so i intervened. It got awkward fast as their amethyst and ruby orbs turned their attention to me. Usually, it was Honoka's job to do these things. "Ah..umm...thank you for worrying about me.."

"...Just don't do something like that again, if things got worse talk to us."

"Yeah, i don't want to lose any more of my friends..."

"Maki...Nico..."

After that, the two trod away towards the kitchen to meet with Hanayo and Rin. The dinner was postponed because of me after all. So i wouldn't blame them, if they were starving. Come to think of it, i hadn't eaten anything either.

"Hungry?" Kotori asked, reading me again.

"Yes, but i will stay. I made this, so let me apologize to everyone first."

"Hehe, that's the Umi-chan i know."

The third group took a much longer time to arrive than the others. And just like i imagined, the two were dead tired. After all, they patrolled the mountain area, which was the farthest. Leaves stuck out on their clothes and their shoes left traces of dirt as they stepped. I could only bow my head and say sorry as i told them everything.

"I see, it's only natural to be scared and felt pressured, Umi-chan."

"Yeah, we are at fault too, we shouldn't let you carry these burdens alone."

"Thank you, Eli...Nozomi..." Tears were in the corner of my eyes, threatening to come. This might be a small thing for others, but i was relieved that i managed to ask for forgiveness, Kotori holding my hand the entire time helped me too.

"Hey, don't cry, you're reminding me of some blond quarter-Russian i know."

"Nozomi!"

"Ahaha sorry, you're just so cute, Elicchi."

"It-it's your fault anyway, you keep turning on/off the flashlight. Ugh, but enough of this, i'm tired. Good thing, there's a hot spring nearby..."

"There's a hot spring here, Elicchi?" Nozomi asked, eyes shocked. Me and Kotori were surprised too. I mean we were in the mountains but...

"Yeah, it's more like an onsen just a few steps from here. Maki said it was part of the mountain house."

"Wow, that's...amazing. Let's go there after dinner." I had the same eagerness expression as Nozomi. The hot springs were perfect for tired muscles. For sure, everyone would recover their stamina after they used it.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan."

And so, the four of us met the other four in the dining area. We chatted as the four of us ate our dinner. Maki told more about the hot springs and how it was constructed. We also discussed the theme of our song and brainstormed some ideas for the lyrics. Time passed, our conversation drifted to Honor-chan who hadn't returned yet. Nico and Eli were worried, while the rest were sad, thinking she may have left us already. I was the same as them too, after all i hadn't even said my thank you yet. But with a strong conviction, Rin assured us wherever Honor-chan was, she was going to be fine.

A couple of minutes and more, we were ready to bath to the hot spring. As Maki mentioned, there were bathing supplies waiting for us, plus a reception and changing area like normal in onsen establishments, so all that left for us was to go there.

A few walks and we arrived at the said establishment. Like how we first saw Maki's mountain house, everyone was astounded at how big it was. It was extravagant but leaning towards nature's side. Excited, we entered and the place was spotless clean. It had everything that could be found in a regular onsen only bigger and better. Maki revealed the Nikishino family had resident caretakers here who cleaned and prepared everything beforehand.

"It was quite a day, isn't it?" Hanayo said. We were in the changing area now, so everyone started slowly stripping with the exceptions of me who was too self-conscious to show my skin, and Rin and Nico who were the most excited of the bunch. Those two raced towards the bath area, tossing their clothes anywhere. How shameless...

"It's my fault, sorry for hiding to you all. Sorry, sorry, sorry..."

"Don't be, Umi. We all agreed to help you with the lyrics now. It's either we win together or lose together, so don't be so glum okay."

"...Thanks Eli..."

"But Honor-chan is really something, to think that she would find Umi-chan. I mean we've never really thought you were hiding in the storage room."

"It's...an old habit of mine."

"Huh, there's already someone here, this dress...it's Honor-sama's!"

"HONOR-CHAN NYA?!" Rin screamed with surprise. The voice was deafening that it got everyone's attention.

"Why are you surprised Rin? I told her about this. Well, i'm not really fond of bathing with strangers, but since she really helped us, i'm going to make an exception this time." Maki explained. So she was still here huh, that was good to know. At least, i should express my thank you or some kind.

"No, no, no, let's go back nya! We need to go back nya!" Rin quickly retrieved her clothes and wore it again. Her reaction, she was in panic. I wonder what was wrong?

"HUH, what are you saying Rin? We're already here, plus this is my chance to rub the glorious back of Honor-sama's."

"You don't understand, you must never see her true identity nya!"

"Ah so you saw her true identity then, i knew it. You two became so close all of the sudden." Nozomi said.

"NYAA!"

"Hey Rin, is this true? Answer me!" Nico was shaking Rin's shoulders, demanding for answers.

"Yes, she...let me see it nya..."

"How come, she told me her human identity was interplanetary space secret." Great, now even Eli joined the conversation and she fully believed Honor-chan nonsense too.

"Well, i-"

"Enough of this, so are we going to bath or not?"

"Hmm...the hot spring doesn't matter, i'm just curious at Honor-chan's true identity. Rin-chan can you at least give hints?"

"...So..sorry Kayo-chin, i-i can't..do that."

"Ahh it's such a shame but if that's what Rin-chan wants, then i will respect it."

"I promise Honor-chan i won't do anything funny anymore, so count me out too."

"Yeah, i get how you feel, Honor-chan has been helping us all this time, so at least we should give the girl some privacy."

"I think this thing should be done with the other party's consent," I voiced my opinion too. Well, as much as i was curious about Honor-chan's true identity, there was still a right way to do things.

"Well, we can always return to use the bath in the house, just saying."

"Everyone, thank you nya..."

"Umm...i don't want to interrupt but where is Nico-chan?"

"NICO!" "NICO-CHAN!"

Respecting Honor-chan's privacy or not, we entered the hot spring to mass search for Nico. The bath area was bigger than i thought and covered in thick steam. As a matter of fact, we could only see our silhouettes as we ventured further. Honor-chan's true identity huh? What kind of person is she? Is she a someone we know or a complete stranger? Maybe she was an Otonokizakan student and a hardcore Muse fan like Hanayo conspired. However, before these questions could be answered, someone had found Nico already, killing the suspense.

"Gotcha! You've been a very bad girl, Nicocchi." We gathered at where the voice came from and saw three figures. The two were easily recognizable as Nico and Nozomi because of their body frames while the other one who was a bit far away was...Honor-chan. What a calm person, she wasn't moving from her position, even though we were so near to her, not that we could see her face anyway.

"Ge-get off me, Nozomi." Nico pleaded. Nozomi was holding her in the shameless washi-washi position.

"Hey Nico, aren't you being ungrateful? Didn't your 'Honor-sama' help you too?"

"It's not like that, Maki. I swear."

"Well, you better have a good explanation or else~"

"...I-i just want to be close to Honor-sama too. It's not fair that only Rin saw her face."

"Seriously, you need to tone down this 'Honor-sama' obsession thing, you just met the girl today for goodness' sake."

"Ooh~ Maki-chan is jealous."

"Wha- don't be stupid, Nozomi, i'm just telling it for her own good."

"C'mon girls, let just get out of here."

As i watched the rest conversed, someone with another petite body frame moved towards Honor-chan. "Honor-chan, are you alright nya? Oh..."

Rin and Honor-chan kept their murmuring to themselves, which only increased Nico's jealousy. Meanwhile, i found it strange that my girlfriend Kotori hadn't uttered a word, instead she had a serious stare as if she was sizing the whole situation. "Umm...Kotori, are you alright?"

"Oh yeah, yeah. I just thinking about 'some' things."

"See that, see that, that's so unfair. Why it's only Rin? I want in too."

"Hey stop that, you're only making yourself pitiable."

"I don't care. Honor-sama! Honor-sama! It's me, Nico. Honor-sama!" Nico started squirming forcefully that it needed Eli's assistance to stop her. She and Nozomi were holding her on both sides now as Nico kept wriggling.

"Uh, girls...the steam...it's starting to disappear..." Hanayo said and she was right. Well, the steam was still abundant in the area, but our proximate vision was getting clearer. And the first thing we did was to glance at 'Honor-sama's face' only to find Rin blocking the view.

"Hey Rin, get your ass off Honor-sama's face!" Nico shouted with anger, seeing what literally she just said. Rin was standing in front of us with her back or more precisely her 'behind' on Honor-chan's face.

"No, you mustn't see it nya. Everyone, please leave right now nya!" Rin-chan spread her arms. In her eyes, there was seriousness which we never saw before.

"Rin-chan..."

"We get it. Nicocchi, it's time to stop. Rin-chan is serious. Do you want your Honor-sama to hate you?"

"No, i...i just want to get closer..." Seriously, what spell did Honor-chan cast to these girls? Why Nico was so obsessed with her? And why Rin would go such lengths to protect her?

"Arghh, do what Nozomi told already. Nico, you might be annoying and abrasive at times, but right now you're being so uncool and i don't want to see my girlfriend so uncool, understand?"

"Maki, i..." Nico stared downwards and bit her lips. "...Sorry, if i've gone too far, but tell me you felt it too, right? Honor-sama, she's just like Honoka..."

...

Everyone was silent. So it wasn't only me who was feeling that way, them too. This was just a one in a million probability since Nozomi confirmed Honor-chan wasn't Honoka already, i mean we even received a text from Honoka and i doubt Honor-chan had a cellphone with her. But IF supposedly by some darn luck turn of events, Honor-chan was somehow Honoka. Can we face her? Will she go back with us? And most importantly, can we still call us her friends? Just thinking about the answers to those questions made me shiver.

"Eli, Nozomi, let go of me, i'm calm now." Nico's tone was hushed and a bit shaky. Nozomi and Eli shared a nodded before decided to release the girl.

"Nico, don't do anything stupid, she's not Honoka."

"Yeah, so umm...Rin."

"What is it nya?"

"I assume you have a strong reason for doing this, so i will back out for now. Yeah, Maki, i've become a bit uncool there, sorry. And Nozomi, thanks for talking the sense out of me, i really appreciate it. Honor-sama, if you're hearing this, thank you for all you've done. This day was a mess but in the end, everything turned out just fine like you said. I don't care what others say but for me, you're really a magical school idol. There i think i said everything, i'm fine now. Sorry for being persistent everyone, we can leave..."

"Nico-chan...thank you NYAAA!" All of the sudden, Rin's foot slipped. Since Honor-chan was on her back, Rin fell flatly sitting on Honor-chan's face, drowning her in the process.

And the next moments were pure and complete...CHAOS

"God, Rin, what are you doing?! Honor-sama? HONOR-SAMA!" Nico had become overzealous in a matter of seconds.

"Hey Nico, i thought you said you're calm now?"

"This is different. Rin get off her, you're killing her!"

"I-i..." Rin tried to lift herself up but seemed had a problem doing so. Meanwhile, Honor-chan was struggling. Her hands and feet kept jerking in the water, which only increased our concern. "...I can't get up, i think i strained my foot nya."

"Rin-chan, are you okay? Do you want to-"

"No, Kayo-chin don't come any closer, you must not see-."

"You're still saying that? Rin, you're DROWNING her. Move away from her now." Nico commanded. And despite with the harsh tone, i was on her side in this one.

"Rin, Nico is right. I know you want to protect her identity, but her life is on the line here."

"I...it's okay, Honor-chan is a very strong person, so everyone please leave us nya..."

"RIN!"

"Honor-chan trusted me nya! I can't let her down this time, not today. So please if you understand-"

"Oh my god Rin-chan, Honor-chan stopped moving!" At Nozomi's voice, we saw Honor-chan's arms and legs sunk in water, the bubbles beneath Rin's behind which was the symbol of Honor-chan's lifeline perished too. Everyone panicked, Nico was being restrained by Nozomi and Eli again as she attempted to reach her 'Honor-sama', Maki and Hanayo were walking in circles, and Rin was the most shocked of all of us. The only exception was Kotori who seemed...had a serious face again.

"Wha-"

"Quick, she needs some CPR. Maki do you have some medical supplies here?"

"I guess we had some back in the mountain house."

"I will go get it." I volunteered. I didn't understand it myself, but before my actions could even register in my mind, i found myself running.

"There's a first aid kit in the kitchen drawers, the third one to the right!" Maki shouted.

"Thanks, Maki." Before i could step halfway out the bath area, Nico's hysterical voice aired with high volume.

"RIN, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? HONOR-SAMA! HOOONOOOOR-SAAAMAAAA!"

"Sooo that's how i die, at least i'm at peace now. The black panties belonged to Rin-chan and it's not a really a murder, just an unfortunate turn of events..."

"Well, time to sleep..." Once again, i closed my eyes and embraced this warm peaceful feeling. I think with this, i could finally...

"WAHH! You surprised me there. Oh voice, you're here now."

"What i'm not totally dead? I can still go back?"

"Nah, it's fine. I have no reason to go, or if i should say i have more reason to stay. You know about it, don't you? The project: Honoka Requiem. Right now, the Muse is doing their best, they had a rough start but i think they have decent chance to win the Lovelive, but if that thing comes in fruition, there will be no hope for everyone."

"Don't i care about my own happiness?"

"Of course i care! I'm not some self-sacrificing masochist. But it was too late anyway. At this moment, everyone in the Muse knew that Honor-chan was Honoka-chan so let me-"

"What? They didn't know? Hey, stop pulling my leg. How did-"

"...Kotori-chan." Impossible, the only time we spent with each other was the time when we hiked our way to the mountain house. Did she know everything back then? Come to think of it, Kotori-chan suddenly became clingier like the time when Rin-chan found out that...Oh my gosh, she did know.

"So how did i survive?"

"...Hmm, so after i drowned, Kotori-chan rush to Rin-chan, telling her that she knows everything too. She pleaded with everyone not to come any further then wrapped my head in a towel so no one could see my face. As everyone was forced to leave, they took me to a secluded place...umm, the washing area and began applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR. Talk about crazy."

"So will i go back now? Aren't i curious about my memories?"

"You already know my answer." Kotori-chan, my memories, and that 'someone who is waiting for me'. I still had to find my resolution to them yet. "Voice, i need to go back!"

The second i opened my eyes, i found myself in a room, resting. This room, this was the Kotori-chan's room on the second floor, the one where she, Umi-chan, and Maki-chan escaped. In my hand, there's was familiar warmth. I turned my head to the side and saw Kotori-chan holding my hands. Teary-eyed, she wiped it with her arms, then lifted her face, giving me the warmest smile i had ever seen. "Welcome back, Honoka-chan..."

"Kotori-chan, i-"

I started telling her everything, from how being left out felt and losing my smile to my transferring to another school and starting a new highschool life. We were both crying from the start to finish. Kotori-chan blamed herself so hard for what happened before i told her the same lines i told to Rin-chan. And thankfully, she was feeling better. Now, it was Kotori-chan's turn to tell her side of the story and her revelations shocked me.

"I see, so you know that i'm Honoka-chan because of my three sizes. How, i mean you just hug- you know what forget it, after what happened with Nozomi-chan, i'm not surprised anymore."

"Hehe, you should have known Honoka-chan, i'm the one who was making our costumes after all. But there's another hint, that made your true identity a giveaway."

"And what is that?"

"Well, the Honoka-chan i knew would always help us, no matter what happens. You were always like that, Honoka-chan."

"...Thanks, but i never knew my childhood friend can be this...sly. To think that you're the one who sent that fake text, i mean it never really crossed my mind. But thanks to that, i'm clear with suspicions of being Honoka-chan."

"That's...something i just thought on the spot. When Hanayo-chan called Rin-chan, i was listening to the whole conversation. It was then when i heard Nozomi-chan saying she wants to switch places. It got me worried knowing Nozomi-chan too well, so i sent something like that to help and thankfully it helped."

"Yeah, but Kotori-chan...the photo you used, that's the-"

"The picture taken on the day you left Otonokizaka..."

"You saw me?"

"Yes, i was shopping for clothing materials in Akihabara back then, when i caught a glimpse of you and took that picture. It was rare for you to be in your casual clothes, you know. Most of the time, you're holed up in your room, watching animes and games every weekend or whenever you're free. That's why Umi-chan was worried that you might become a NEET."

"..It's not that i want too...i just have no one to spend time with..."

"Sorry, i regretted not doing anything back then."

"It's okay really..." On the bright side, i could binge watch a 12-episode anime a day and my hero in Drackon Quest was pretty overleveled too, so it was a fair trade really.

"So Honoka-chan, will you come back to us now?" Kotori asked me with a smile. And as much as i didn't want to make that drop, i refused.

"I can't...sorry. Rin-chan already asked this to me and my answer will remain the same..."

"Why? You see it, don't you? Everyone was distressed when you're gone. They need you, i need you, so please Honoka-chan..." Her tears were falling again and i hated it, seeing someone bubbly and kind like her crying because of me.

"I...listen Kotori-chan, i need to find something and also some...someone is waiting for me..." I didn't understand it myself, but whenever i thought about going back to the Muse, i had a mental image of a...brunette girl crying, and for some reason it broke my heart more.

"...I see, so Honoka-chan finally found 'someone' huh. Sorry for being selfish then."

"No Kotori-chan, you're not selfish, it's me who-"

"Honoka-chan!"

"Yes!"

"You're already done so so much to us. I knew after the incident that i almost left for abroad, you tried to change for the better. You took time to understand the feeling of others more and helped us with our problems. That's why this time...Honoka-chan, i want you to pursue your own happiness."

"...My...own happiness?"

"I think that might be what you're searching for."

"Kotori-chan, thank you..."

"This is really so unfair, you stopped me, so how can i not stop you. But Honoka-chan, no matter what happens we are still going to be bestfriends okay."

"Yes, the best of bestfriends."

...

...

...

And so, as i waited for Kotori-chan to dry her tears, we had a little friends' talk. I missed this, talking some random thing with my friend. "So Honoka-chan, where's your new school? I hope it's not too far, so i could visit you."

"Ah, i'm in the UTX now."

"UTX?! That big building in Akihabara. Wait, did you take their entrance exam? I heard their curriculum there is crazy. And how did you afford the tuition there?"

"Kotori-chan, calm down, please. Yes, i transferred to UTX but with a recommendation, your moth- i mean principal Minami and our homeroom teacher. And about the tuition there, my parents have some educational fund for me, the part-time jobs i took last summer vacation helped too."

"Oh, so how's your life there?"

"Well, nothing much. They have 12 different classes of bread there and everything looks high-techy."

"Whoa, did you make friends there already? It sounds so elite."

"Uhh..." Friends, how come i had no idea what to answer on that question. I wasn't close with my classmates, yet somehow images of three girls were popping in my mind, their faces were blurred in memory though. "Yeah, i have some friends...i think."

"Hey, what kind of answer was that?"

"I don't know. To be honest, i can't remember some things like how i managed to get here."

"Short-term memory loss?"

"No, it's kinda like a mild-very-very-short-term one." Well, i could still remember what happened in the days passed before, where i lived and what did i have for dinner last night. But the details about those girls were fragmented. If only i had some keyword or something, maybe i could recall everything. Yeah, like something like that will happen, you're reading too many mystery mangas again Honoka.

"Sorry, take your time, it'll come eventually. Too bad, i want to ask some information about the Lovelive champions, the A-rise."

The A-rise...Those words resounded in my head and it hurt a lot. Lovelive champions...this cursed dress...the project: Honoka Requiem...being left out on a train...why...why does it feel so connected. Arghh! I felt my head was splitting apart...

"Honoka-chan, are you alright? Honoka-chan, Honoka-chan..."

I am...

"Honoka-chan, i know this is your resting day, we decided to have a surprised practice today. Aren't you excited? We are going to one of Anju's beach house, don't be late okay."

I am...

"Lookie, lookie, Honoka-chan. This is the prototype i've developed, i based it on magical school girl anime DVD you lent me. Don't you find it lovely? I made this design to fully hide face while giving you the maximum mobility and flexibility for lives. I'm sure everyone will love this."

I am...

"Anju-san, Tsubasa-san, it's okay. She's not naked."

Everything was starting to piece out like a completing a piece of the puzzle. One by one my memories were returning. I got it now, the boredom that pricked me like thorns in my everyday life. Why did the voice want me to come back. And my promise to Tsubasa-chan. I remembered because i was that person...

I am...

"Idol Zero..."

"Honoka-chan?"

"Kotori, can i borrow your cellphone? There's someone i need to murder right now." The friendly atmosphere between us had died and replaced with full of animosity. I could tell, she was shocked (and disturbed), seeing me not holding back on my words. But i couldn't help it, i was pissed beyond words. It was THEIR fault to begin with, why i suffered.

"Mu-murder! Ho-Honoka-chan, wh-who are you going to-"

"Who else, the person who forgot me here." If there was one good thing that ever happened after i regained my memories, was that i realized i did nothing wrong. That was right, it wasn't me who was wrong, it was the world.

Chapter 12 Preview

"That's why the Honoka-chan of the Muse and the Honoka-chan of A-rise are both true Honoka-chan!"

"Don't ask, i've been too OOC in this past few chapters, that i think i'm having an identity crisis right now."

"Zerooo-chaaaan~!"

"Tsubasa-chan, what color do you think Honoka-chan's panties right now?"

"Easy for you to say, i have more death flags than Krillin!"

"I am the equinox of the idol world."

Next on Honoka-chan can't smile R2: A-rise of the revolution, "She has finally appeared, the number Zero idol!"

"This is my fate, there's no going back now."

See you next time.

A/N: I tried.