*LATER THAT NIGHT*

*HONOKA'S ROOM - HOMURA BAKERY - AKIHABARA - CHIYODA - TOKYO*

After dinner, it was time to bathe, and eventually, it was time for bed.

Since I left my place in a hurry and have no desire to go back there tonight, I had to settle for my rainbow shirt.

Jeans are very uncomfortable to sleep in, so... Yeah, I have no choice but to sleep in my underwear tonight.

I know putting the same clothes back on defeats the purpose of having a bath. But considering the Kosaka family only has daughters, I doubt there would be any spare clothes my size.

What's also a little awkward is that I'm spending the night in Honoka's room, and I have no choice but to stand in my underwear in front of her.

Talk about embarrassing...

HONOKA: "Hey, Aki, are you ready for bed?"

AKI: "S-Sure, thanks for letting me use your bath."

HONOKA: "No problem, it's really nice in there when you get the temperature right."

It's painfully apparent that she's putting on an act. She's not like Shizuku; she can't hide it.

I never knew that I girl could look so sad while holding a dango plushie...

AKI: "Are you still mad at Yukiho?"

HONOKA: "...Yes."

AKI: "I see."

HONOKA: "Well, why shouldn't I be? μ's put everything into our time as school idols to ensure girls like her could enter.
Going against that, it feels like she's throwing it all back in my face."

AKI: "You can't force her, Honoka."

HONOKA: "I know! But... It's so frustrating! Mom attended Otonokizaka, and so have I.
All those UTX fliers Yukiho kept bringing home were a bad sign."

AKI: "She didn't say she was attending UTX or Nijigasaki. So that eliminates the two biggest schools in the city."

HONOKA: "What does this other school have that Otonokizaka doesn't?"

AKI: "Successful clubs?"

HONOKA: "M-Maybe that, but..."

AKI: "I couldn't say, but it should be something for you to talk to her about. But remember not to force your school onto her, or else you'll appear desperate."

HONOKA: 'You're right... I should talk this through with her tomorrow."

AKI: "That's the spirit. You've shown me, Honoka, that when you set your mind on something, there's nothing you can't achieve."

HONOKA: "Me? No, I couldn't have done anything without the rest of μ's by my side."

AKI: "Haven't you been holding more street performances lately?"

HONOKA: "Huh? How did you know that?"

AKI: "Shiro told me. Plus, you're gaining quite a reputation as a solo singer. None of the other members of μ's had anything to do with it. This was all you."

HONOKA: "No, not just me."

AKI: "Really?"

HONOKA: "I wouldn't have the microphone set in the first place if you didn't buy it for me.
So... Thank you.
Thank you so much, Aki!"

AKI: "Don't mention it; that was a gift for all you've done for me. Without you, I wouldn't be the man I am today. Not just me, but I know Chika feels the same way."

HONOKA: *Giggle* "That Chika, she sure is something."

AKI: "And so are you."

HONOKA: "?!"

AKI: "Don't ever forget that this recent revolution in the school idol industry started with you."

HONOKA: "Actually, it started with groups like A-RISE. Even they had inspiration from KiSeKi, the first school idol group."

AKI: "..."

HONOKA: "What's wrong?"

AKI: "Did I ever tell you about the origin of school idols?"

HONOKA: "I don't think so."

AKI: "Would you like to hear it?"

HONOKA: "Sure, here, sit next to me."

Honoka moved to her bed, offering me a seat next to her. I agreed and parked myself on the soft mattress.

AKI: "Jinguu Music Academy, 20 years ago. Their school failed to pay the bills, so they called a meeting to brainstorm ideas for making their school more appealing.
Hana Hazuki, the eventual leader of KiSeKi, was inspired by a concept devised by her Vice-President.
The School Idol Concept."

HONOKA: "Wow, that's interesting. So the School Idol Concept started from girls not so different to μ's?"

AKI: "Yeah, but what's even more shocking is who that Vice-President was."

HONOKA: "Why is it shocking? Whoever it is, they sound awesome for creating such a fun idea!"

AKI: "My Mom."

HONOKA: "...Eh?"

AKI: "Aiko Takasaki... Now Aiko Suzuki was the Vice-President of Jinguu Music Academy and the creator of the School Idol Concept."

HONOKA: "W-Wow... Aki, why didn't you tell me you have such an awesome Mom?!"

AKI: "Because she's not awesome... She doesn't care about me."

HONOKA: "Don't say that; I'm sure she loves you."

AKI: "I'm sorry for lying earlier, Honoka. But that woman who helped Leah, I did know her.
She's my Mom."

HONOKA: "Oh..."

AKI: "Yeah."

HONOKA: "But if she saved Leah, that makes her even more awesome! Aww, I wish I could have thanked her!"

AKI: "No, it doesn't."

HONOKA: "How?"

AKI: "Because she's never home. Her friend back in Hokkaido is Leah's mom. She must have called in a favor.
It's unlike Mom to drop any meetings she has, especially for something like that."

HONOKA: "So, she's busy with work a lot?"

AKI: "Back when I was a kid, she wouldn't attend any of my piano recitals, all because she had meetings that day.
Yet somehow she'll rush to support her friend's kid, while she neglects her own.
If I was in Leah's position, I know Mom wouldn't have done a damn thing to save me."

HONOKA: "Aki-"

AKI: "I know it's true. Because of that, I've been without a mother's love for a while now.
I've become too independent for my own liking, and I find it hard to depend on others.
It's like I need to be in control because it's so hard to relinquish. Because it's all, I've ever known."

HONOKA: "..."

AKI: "I'm sorry... *Sigh* Geez, look at me. I'm in your bedroom, sitting on your bed, ranting to you in my underwear.
I'm pathetic."

HONOKA: "No, you're not."

AKI: "I'm pathetic because I'm jealous of you."

HONOKA: "Jealous?"

AKI: "Not just of you. I'm jealous of Ayu and envious of Chika because you all have happy families. Families who are always together and don't use each other for their own gain.
But I don't.
You're unhappy about Yukiho, but at least you have a sister to feel that way about.
All I've got are workaholics that should have used protection 17 years ago."

It's becoming rigid to hold back my emotions. Unfortunately, holding back the flood is unlikely.

Feeling a single teardrop roll down my cheek... I continued my lament.

AKI: *Sniff* "And I hate that... It's awful that I'm jealous of you. You're my friends; I care about you so much.
I shouldn't feel this way because it's unfair to you."

HONOKA: "Aki... You're lonely, aren't you?"

AKI: "Kinda."

Though, if I didn't have Ayu next door to keep my company, I would have become as stoic as Rina...

AKI: "It's not nice staying in a two bedroom apartment all by myself.
I can't remember the last time my Mom even hugged me-"

*HUG*

Suddenly, I felt Honoka's arms coming from behind and wrapping around me.

AKI: "Eh?!"

But that wasn't the end of it, Honoka pulled me down, laying me in bed next to her.

AKI: "H-Honoka-?!"

HONOKA: "Shhh, shhh, shhh..."

Honoka's arms gently pulled my head into her chest for an embrace.

...WAIT WHAT?!

AKI: *Muffle* *Muffle*

HONOKA: "Shhh, calm down, it's all okay."

I could feel her hand petting my head. Stroking me softly.

HONOKA: "Everything is going to be okay."

This whole situation feels embarrassing, especially since she's burying my head into her chest.

It's feels so soft...

Her pillows are amaz-

GAH! STOP!

Are these the kind of thoughts Umi underwent spiritual training to try and repel?!

HONOKA: "There, there..."

E-Even so... This does feel nice.

HONOKA: "You're not alone anymore, I'm here for you."

AKI: "..."

I can't fight it, this is all so relaxing...

Honoka's warm and soft embrace, the relaxing way she pets my head, the positive affirmations she's saying...

It all feels like a mother's love.

No...

This feels like a goddess has embraced me lovingly and reassured me that everything is going to be okay.

I've...

I've needed this for so long...

AKI: "You'd make a wonderful mother, Honoka..."

HONOKA: "Shh, shh, no more talking."

AKI: "Oh..."

HONOKA: "Now gently go to sleep~"

AKI: "..."

I feel...so...tired...

Hono...ka...