Love Live!: SHATTER [PART 9]

WE NEED TO TALK:

*SCHOOL IDOL CLUBROOM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*

After leaving the Student Council Office, I made my way straight to the School Idol Clubroom. Because I know that's where she'll be at this time of day.

And just as I expected, she's sitting at the Clubroom table, writing away in notebooks with a bright smile on her face, looking more energized than I've seen her in weeks.

My cousin, our Club's Vice-President, and one of the pillars keeping this Club together. But now things have been...complicated.

YU: "Aki! You're back early today. Come look at this, I just finished organizing the latest set list ideas for our next performance.
I've been coordinating with the others on some new choreography too.
Oh, and I reached out to a few potential collaborators for the festival prep. It's all coming together!"

She's beaming, her enthusiasm infectious as always. I nod, forcing a smile as I approach the table.

AKI: "That sounds great, Yu. You've been putting in a ton of work lately. The other girls really appreciate it, I appreciate it.
But..."

I reach into my bag and pull out the photograph, the one that's been burning a hole in my thoughts since last night.

I place it gently on the table between us, the image clear: Yu and Kanon, meeting in secret.