Sometimes Goodbye Is A Second Chance

We Used To Be So Close

It had been almost a month since u's disbanded. After winning the Love Live and watching the third years graduate, the idol group ended. None of us really wanted it to end, but at the same time we did. Just because the group was done didn't mean our friendships were. Actually, it some cases, like my own, the friendships improved. At first, I wasn't a fan of the u's members and they tended to annoy me. Soon, I started warming up to them, there one in particular who I grew close to. It was our leader, Honoka Kosaka. Now she was a third year and me a second meaning that she'd graduate before me causing me to lose someone I'm close to again. After the bell for the end of the day rang, I made my way for the music room. Since u's ended I fell back into my previous routine of spending every break there. I sat at the grand piano and rested my hands on the keys. I had composed a few new pieces, but they didn't feel complete without Umi's lyrics. I sighed and began hitting whatever keys came to mind. Before I knew it, I was playing Aishiteru Banzai. I couldn't help but sing along stirring up bittersweet memories. I glanced towards the door hoping to catch a glance of Honoka, but she was nowhere to be found. I continued playing until I felt the tears welling up. This wasn't like me at all, I was supposed to be strong! I laid my head on the piano and the keys cried in protest. I let the tears flow, I wanted u's back, I wanted my friends back. It wasn't the same without Eli, Nico, and Nozomi. I heard the door creak and shot up immediately wiping the tears off my stained face. I saw a familiar face and let out a sigh of relief.

The ginger haired girl approached me, her crystal blue eyes full of concern. "Maki-chan," She began, "are you okay? Ugh, of course you're not you were crying..."

I smiled sheepishly. "It's okay, Honoka-chan, I'm fine... I just, I just was thinking about u's."

She wrapped her arms around me. "I miss them too, you know. If you need anything, and I mean anything, let me know, okay?" I nodded and hugged her back. "Maki-chan... I'm glad you're still my friend."

"Me too. I'm glad we became friends in the first place, if it wasn't for you, I would have never become a part of u's." Honoka released her grip, but I lingered. "Honoka-chan," I couldn't hold back my tears any longer, "could you stay with me? Just for a little bit longer, I promise."

"Of course, I'll stay with you as long as you want." We stood there in silence embracing each other for a good five minutes when there was a knock on the door. I jumped in surprise and distanced myself from Honoka, embarrassed that someone might've seen us hugging.

"Honoka-chan. Maki-chan, are you in there?" a familiar voice called from behind the door. It was Umi.

"Yeah~ Umi-chan, come on in!" Honoka called excitedly. Either she was able to get over things quickly or she was really good at hiding her feelings. Knowing Honoka, it was probably the latter. Umi walked in calmly, oblivious to what had happened minutes before. Determined not to be shown up by Honoka, I stubbornly sat down at the piano once again.

"What's up, Umi-chan?" My poker face was intact, which was a good sign.

"Not much, I was just looking for Honoka-chan to let her know I wasn't going to be available to hang out today. Kotori-chan said she won't be available either, sorry." Umi looked a little disappointed.

"Don't worry about it, Umi-chan," Honoka assured, "it's no big deal." Her smile seemed to be enough to convince Umi, but i could tell it was forced. Umi stepped out of the room and the silence that followed hinted at hidden emotions.

"Honoka-chan," I began, "are you okay?" She didn't have to answer, I could tell by her face that something was wrong. "What's wrong, is it about Umi-chan and Kotori-chan?" I moved closer to the ginger.

"I-I don't know... It seems like they're always too busy for me and when I ask why... They just avoid the question." Her blue eyes glistened with tears and it tore me apart. I couldn't bear to see her like this, Honoka was supposed to be the optimistic one! She always held her head high and cheered us on...

"Honoka-chan, I'm sure it has nothing to do with you. Hey, I have an idea, why don't we hang out together tonight instead?" As soon as I made that suggestion, I desperately wanted to take it back. For some reason, the idea of being alone with Honoka embarrassed me.

"That sounds good to me." Honoka smiled. "If you want, you can come to my house, but I think Yukiho will have some friends over."

"Eh, I don't want to impose and stress out your parents. Since it's a Friday, you can stay the night at my place. My parents won't mind." This meant we wouldn't be alone because although there were more people at Honoka's house, we most likely would be ignored. It wasn't like my parents were the type to check up on us or even care when I got home, but some of the staff at our residence probably would.

"Yea! So, when do you want to leave?" Honoka seemed extremely excited to be spending time with me.

"Well, I was planning on leaving soon, if you don't mind. I know you have student council paperwork that you have to tend to."

"Don't worry about it," Honoka giggled, "right now, you're my top priority."

I blushed furiously. "Wh-what's that supposed to mean, idiot."

Honoka grabbed my hand. "I love it when you go all tsundere!"

" "Going tsundere" would require me to actually like you." I avoided eye contact so she wouldn't detect my lie. "Let's just go to my place."

"Awww, c'mon, Maki-chan, you know you love me~ Anyways, before we go to your house I need to stop by my house so I can get get my stuff, okay?" Honoka looked at me questioningly.

"Yeah, th-that's fine..." I still couldn't look at her with a straight face.

"Alright, c'mon, Maki-chan!" Honoka began pulling me out of the music room.

I was dragged all the way to Honoka's house. Practically running out of the school, Honoka caused me to stumble over my feet and have to focus solely on staying balanced. Everytime I tried to tell her to slow down I was either interrupted by tripping or she ignored me.

"We're here~!" Honoka sang. "You can wait in the lobby or come up to my room with me."

"I think I'll go with you." I felt uncomfortable waiting in the lobby of the sweets shop without buying anything.

"Okie dokie!" Honoka ran up the stairs and beckoned for me to follow.