Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]

SCHMETTERLING:

*P.O.V CHANGE - AKIHIKO SUZUKI*

*CAFÉ SHIBUYA - SHIBUYA - TOKYO*

*MEANWHILE*

After talking Sora out of doing anything foolish, I suddenly heard a voice I never imagined would address me again. And not only that, but this voice had invited me to meet alone, away from the prying eyes of Golden Calf.

I felt a chill run down my spine. It was a voice that brought back memories I had tried to forget. But now I was being summoned to a meeting that could change everything.

A long and awkward silence hung in the air. Until I finally broke the silence.

AKI: "Well, this is awkward."

She glared at me, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

MARGARETE: "Why did you choose here of all places?"

Awkwardly, I chose to stupidly look around the room, trying to avoid her gaze. It's hard to look her in the eyes after everything that's happened... Not my best bet when trying to make up with somebody.

AKI: "It's one of the last places GC would expect me to be. They don't know Kanon's family like me."

Wien crossed her arms, glaring at me with an expression full of resentment.

MARGARETE: "Hmph, I don't see why they should."

Aki: "Right? There's no way they'd expect-"

MARGARETE: "No, I meant that I don't see why Kanon Shibuya's family should like you in any way."

Her words hit me like a punch in the gut. I struggle to compose myself.

Wien clenches her fists, her expression becoming angry.

MARGARETE: "No... You told Kanon about how much of a joke you think Love Live! is..."

I look down, feeling a pang of guilt. While it's true I did that, I'm not backing down from having my own opinion.

AKI: "I did, because it's run by corporations, and not the school idols themselves. It's a committee of suits, not students."

MARGARETE: "Did you ever stop and think about how many school idols dream of winning it? How many of them enter the preliminaries, the regionals, the nationals... Only to be told that they have lost?"