It Started With a Video

Chapter 7 - Introducing: The Subunits

As A-RISE continues to practice hard. Much to the chagrin of Anju and Erena. Muse is now on their way to Hokkaido after Maki's parents allowed them to use their rest house there. They meet up at the train station and boarded the train heading for Hokkaido. Almost all of them made it. Except for one person. Honoka Kousaka overslept and got off in another station. They managed to go get her and bring her back to their original meeting place.

As soon as everyone is now in one area of the train station. They all walk to the Nishikino family rest house. The eight girls except for Maki were amazed to see as to how it was bigger than the first one that they went to. Once again Nico had to brag about her having a personal chef who cooks food for her. But this time she's not as boastful as before. They soon start their usual exercise routine. Kotori, Maki, and Umi in the meantime try to think of something new. Especially the song and costumes that they will use.

Meanwhile Nico and Rin are on one side of the house and near the forest. Unknown to Nico a squirrel takes her wristband. Both of them give chase as Nico wanted to get her wristband back. Pretty soon their chase ended up with them doing things straight out of a video game. And eventually both of them ended up in falling into a stream. Later that night, they all decided to group themselves into three. For Honoka, this would be a much easier way for Kotori, Maki, and Umi to come out of their slump.

The three subunits are:

Printemps:

Honoka Kousaka
Kotori Minami
Hanayo Koizumi

Lily Whites:

Umi Sonoda
Nozomi Toujou
Rin Hoshizora

BiBi:

Eli Ayase
Maki Nishikino
Nico Yazawa

After grouping themselves into three member units. They all eat dinner and then go to sleep. The following morning, they all went outdoor and selected locations where Kotori, Maki, and Umi can get inspirations for their respective tasks. Kotori has been Muse's chief costume designer since day one that the group was formed. The Printemps stayed by the riverside. BiBi went to the forest. While Lily Whites climb the mountains. Each group has their own set of food rations for their two day activity.

Fortunately even though they divided themselves into subunits the result was amazing. Kotori finally got a new idea on the costume design. Umi was able to get an inspiration for the lyrics. While Maki was able to get a chance to make a new composition. The six girls smiled at each other Honoka shows them what the three did. The following morning it was back to practicing again. Maki made sure that the musical arrangement of the song would be different from their previous songs.

The following morning Maki wakes up ahead of the others. She is still wondering about what Nozomi said that she and another girl are alike. What Maki doesn't know that Nozomi is really seeing a similarity between her and Eli Ayase. Minutes later Nozomi comes out of the Nishikino family rest house. After spending time at Maki's family rest house in the mountains. Muse returns to Tokyo with a renewed surge of energy.

They have finally come up with a song that could propel them to the regional finals of Love Live. After spending a week in training camp. They're now back in Otonokizaka High School to resume practice. Of course for Honoka it is back to being the student council president once again. But now they are faced with a new dilemma. A venue where they can perform their new song. They have search every available spot in the school. Unfortunately they had already performed in the places that they looked at. Which leaves them the one and only option.

And that is go to the streets of Akihabara. They have already did a performance at the maid cafe where Kotori Minami used to work part time. Their endless search now takes them to the very center of the Akihabara district. They are now in enemy territory. Or in other words, A-Rise's dominion. Which makes Nico Yazawa say something about their unprecedented predicament.

Nico: If we perform here. It will be like declaring war on A-Rise.

They decide to search for other possible venues to perform in Akihabara. Their endless search then takes them to the very place where Honoka Kousaka got her magnificent idea. And that is make her own school idol group. Which leads to the creation of Muse. A-Rise's alma mater UTX Academy. Once again the giant electronic screen in front of the building turns on. This time it's playing A-Rise's first song "Private Wars". Instead of showing their rival group dancing. A still photo is flashed while the music is playing.

Honoka and the rest of Muse look up to the screen. Unknown to the petite brunette haired girl is walking from behind them. The girl who is smitten by Honoka's charisma. The ginger haired girl will be in for a big surprise once the mysterious person appears in front of her.