Yume no Tobira: A Love Live School Idol Project Fanfic

Chapter 11

Friday had come slowly. They decided to not have any practice for the day. Honoka, Umi, and Kotori were sitting outside the school on the lawn, talking excitedly.

“That's not funny, Honoka!” Umi yelled, flustered.

Honoka and Kotori burst out laughing as Umi's face turned more and more red by the second. Umi tackled them to the ground and then they all started laughing. Students walking by looked at them as if they were insane.

Hanayo and Rin were standing by the front entrance, looking at something on Rin’s phone and laughing about whatever it was they were looking at.

“Where did you find something like that?” Hanayo asked Rin.

Rin looked away, “Uh… I don't remember.”

“Rin-chan? What's wrong?” Hanayo pressed.

“Nothing! I'd just rather you didn't know where it's from…” Rin mumbled.

Nozomi and Eli were nowhere to be seen outside. Instead, they had decided to hang out in the school, hiding in the hallway where no one went. They were discussing a plan they didn't want anyone to know about. Eli wasn't too into the plan, but she decided to just go with it.

“Are you sure about this?” Eli asked for probably the tenth time.

Nozomi nodded, smiling slyly, “Yes. I'm very sure about it.”

Nico was sitting by herself, humming a song. She was waiting for Maki to come back. Maki had been pulled away by a classmate to be interviewed as part of a project.

A few minutes later, everyone started heading into the classrooms. Nico frowned. Maki still hadn't come back yet. Nico headed off in the direction she had vanished in. As she was walking, the student who had pulled her away went by.

Nico picked up her pace and turned the corner of the school. Maki was sitting against the wall, her face in her knees. As Nico drew closer, she heard quiet, muffled sobs coming out.

“Maki-chan?” Nico called quietly, not wanting to startle her.

Maki slowly lifted her head to look at Nico, who had knelt in front of her. Nico tilted her head slightly as she brought her hand up to Maki's eyes and wiped away her tears.

“What's wrong?” Nico asked as she pulled Maki into a hug.

“He's going to ruin my life…” Was all Maki said.

Nico knew who she was talking about, “How is he going to do that?”

“Read this.” Maki handed her phone to Nico.

Nico glanced over the messages. After a minute or so, she handed it back to Maki, not saying a word.

“Let's go to class. I think that's something everyone needs to know about.” Nico said as she stood up, holding out a hand to Maki.

Maki took a few shaky breaths, trying to calm herself down. After she calmed enough, she grabbed Nico’s hand. The two of them walked into the school holding hands. They got a few stares here and there, but a quick glare from either one of them stopped it.

“See you later.” Nico dropped Maki off at her classroom and then headed to her own.

Along the way, she ran into Nozomi and Eli. There was an awkward tension in the air as they silently walked to class together. Nico couldn't help but wonder if they had been discussing something about her before she showed up and interrupted them.

…

After they were dismissed for lunch, Nico quickly dashed off to go find Maki, leaving a confused Eli and Nozomi behind in the classroom.

“What do you think she's up to?” Eli asked.

Nozomi shrugged, “Whatever it is, it must be important.”

“Do you really not know or are you just not telling me?” Eli pushed.

“That's a secret.” Nozomi smiled slyly.

Eli shook her head, “Still being like that, huh? Would it kill you to tell me the truth once in a while?”

“You used to be like that every day.” Nozomi pointed out.

“Yeah… But that's not a valid excuse.” Eli stated firmly.

“Alright, alright. I know what the issue is. But, it's better you hear it from them instead of me.” Nozomi held her hand up in a fake surrender.

Eli sighed, “Fine… let's go. Everyone will be wondering where we are.”

…

“Maki-chan!” Nico caught her right as she was about to leave the classroom.

“What?” Maki questioned.

“Can we talk quickly?” Nico asked.

Maki nodded, “Sure. But it better be quick.”

“It will,” Nico promised.

The two of them walked over to the bathroom and sat against the wall. Most students didn't use the bathrooms in the halls and instead would use the nicer ones closer to the entrance.

“What is it?” Maki asked.

Nico sighed, upset that Maki wouldn't take time to enjoy them being alone, “Well, are you okay with telling everyone now? Or do you want to wait?”

“I'd rather you tell them… I don't think I can finish without…” Maki trailed off.

“That's fine. But, now or later?” Nico gave her a reassuring smile.

“Now… they'll know something's up.” Maki replied.

Nico nodded and stood up, “Let's go then. They'll be wondering what we're doing.”

Maki stood up and followed Nico as they headed over to where μ's was eating. Everyone stopped talking and started at the girls as they sat down.

“What?” Nico asked, narrowing her eyes.

Umi gave her the same look back, “Why are you guys late?”

“We were talking about something.” Nico replied defensively.

“Umi-chan, stop harassing them.” Honoka begged, tugging on Umi's arm.

Umi sighed, “Only this once.”

“Anyway, there's something we need to talk about.” Maki cut in.

Everyone looked at Maki, “What is it?”

“Nico-chan…” Maki whined.

“I'm the one who's explaining. Look at me.” Nico stated firmly.

Everyone shifted their games off of a flustered Maki to Nico. Nico took a deep breath and though quickly of how to explain the issue.

Everyone stared at her intensely, waiting.

“Uh… Can I have your phone, Maki?” Nico whispered into Maki's ear.

Maki nodded and quickly unlocked her phone and handed it to Nico, who examined the message again.

“Well, it's about her dad…” Nico started.