‘But mooooooom’ I whined ‘Why do I have to change schools now? The year has almost finished, there’s no point’

‘Because this happens to be when we’re moving house’ she answered ‘and besides it’ll give you a chance to meet people and get used to everything’

‘But I won’t know anyone’ I stopped walking and crossed my arms, childish I know but at this point I was willing to try anything to make her listen.

‘That’s why I said to meet people darling but you won’t be totally alone, Hanayo goes to Otonokizaka Academy too, you remember her don’t you? The two of you used to be close friends’

‘Yeah used to be, she probably doesn’t even remember me now’ I pouted.

‘You’re being ridiculous Rin. Change is a good thing’ my mom said and carried on walking.

‘Oh really? Since when?’ I scoffed.

‘Heard that young lady’ she called from over her shoulder. Darn it!

I sighed and carried on walking.

 

‘You must be Rin’ the lady at the office desk smiled.

‘Yep, that’s me’ I replied, trying my best to breath through my mouth because if I did through my nose I’d be overwhelmed by the scent of her sickly sweet perfume...no thank you.

My mother elbowed me ‘Don’t be so informal’ she hissed quietly. I rolled my eyes.

‘Well I hope you’ll be very happy here at our little Academy’

I fake smiled and replied ‘I’m sure I will be’

I collected my welcome pack and turned around to see Hanayo smiling at me.

‘I knew we’d be having a new student but I didn’t know it would be you!’ she squealed ‘you remember me right??’

‘Of course I do’ I answered, a little relieved that I wasn’t going to be totally alone in this place.

‘Come with me! I’ll show you around’ she said grabbing my hand and pulling me away.

‘Bye mom’ I called over my shoulder

‘Have a nice day sweetie!’

 

‘So what’s your major?’ she asked. I stared at her in confusion.

‘My what…?’ she giggled at the lost look on my face

‘Your major, like what are you working towards?’

‘Uhhh, I have no idea...I mean I was pretty good at athletics at my previous school’ I replied.

‘That’s awesome! You could totally do something with that’ we stopped and she knocked on a door ‘It’s me, I’ve got someone I want you all to meet’ the door opened slowly and we stepped inside

‘Oh that’s just what we need’ a girl with red-ish hair said ‘another student’

‘Shhh Maki’ another said ‘it’s exactly what we need if we don’t want to be shut down’ she turned to me ‘Konnichiwa, I’m Honoka. It’s nice to meet you’ she held out her hand and smiled.

‘Rin’ I said simply, taking her hand.

‘Let me introduce you to everyone, well you already know Hanayo and you’ve met Maki and myself...’ the list went on for what seemed like hours…

‘I don’t think I’m going to fit in here’ I said when me and Hanayo were alone again.

‘Don’t be silly! You’re fine’ she replied.

‘Your friends don’t seem to like me very much though’ I said, remembering Maki’s cold glare at me.

‘That’s just Maki’s way, it takes her a while to get used to people...I think it’s because she’s an honor student, shhhh don’t tell her I said that’ she giggled ‘but seriously she has a lot of stress sometimes so it makes her seem hard but she’s pretty cool once you get to know her’

‘If you say so’ I sighed.

 

The next day at lunch Hanayo called me over to the girls table but Maki looked as mad at me as she had before, I thought it best to avoid it so I made up and excuse.

‘I’m gonna head to the gym, you know start work early etc thanks though...maybe some other time’

‘Oh, okay then. Have fun, don’t work too hard’ she winked. I smiled and headed off. Not really paying attention to where I was going, I nearly ran straight into another student ‘Ahh, shoot I’m sorry’ I said rubbing my head.

‘No problem’ she replied ‘oh hey, you’re the newbie. My name’s Kotori, it’s really nice to meet you’

‘You too. I’m sorry for running into you’

‘It’s totally fine’ she giggled ‘it was probably my fault anyways, everyone always calls me an airhead, always got my head in the clouds daydreaming about something or other’

‘Oh I see’ was all I could say.

‘If you need anything at all, just ask me okay? My mom’s the Chairwoman here’ she smiled sweetly.

‘Oh right, well thank you I guess’ I returned the smile as best I could but to be honest I felt even more awkward then I had already been.

‘No problem’ she said and skipped off in the opposite direction…

I eventually managed to find my way to the gym, the map I was given was no help whatsoever. I got changed and got straight to work, if I wasn’t good at anything else at least I had my sports to make me feel like not a complete loser. Athletics was my element and I felt like a completely different person when I took part be it a competition or just for fun, I normally ended up getting bored with anything I tried within a few weeks, not this though. I was going to do sports for a living, going to be a hurdler or a runner. If not that then a soccer or basketball player.

I had finished my warm ups and was about to do running circuits when I noticed that I wasn’t alone like I thought I was.

‘Hello? Who’s there?’ I asked and they stepped out ‘Oh konnichiwa Maki’ I said quietly.

‘Did you come here just to avoid me?’ she asked. Straight to the point…

‘No of course not, I just wanted to test the facilities here that’s all’ I replied, only half lying.

‘Well, I wanted to apologise for the short way that I’ve acted with you, especially when you’ve only just enrolled. It wasn’t nice and it won’t happen again’ she said.

‘Oh it’s okay, I think Honoka tried to explain to me what was going on before I left the room...I didn’t really understand it though. But anyways, it’s all forgotten now’ I smiled.

‘Thank you’ she bowed and I returned it and for the first time in the few days that I’d known her, Maki smiled.

 

‘What are you talking about? It’s a fabulous idea!’ Honoka squealed as I entered the classroom the next day.

‘You have got to be kidding’ replied Umi ‘We don’t know the first thing about becoming idols’

‘You do’ she replied and Umi rolled her eyes at her friend.

‘I have experience in traditional dancing’ she corrected ‘nothing like the idols do’

‘It’s still a start’ Honoka countered and Umi sighed ‘Maki you’ll sing won’t you?’

Maki looked up from her book ‘I don’t think so’ she answered.

‘Oh come oooooooon. You have an amazing voice!’

‘That isn’t why I’m saying no’ Maki replied ‘I’m saying no because I think it is a ridiculous idea’ and she carried on reading.

‘Do you want to save this place or not?!’

‘Of course I want to save it’ she said not looking up this time ‘I just don’t think that magically becoming idols is going to be the right way about it’

‘We don’t have to listen to our parents if we don’t wish to Maki’ Honoka said. This time Maki looked up from her book but said nothing, just frowned at Honoka who sighed in frustration.

‘Fine then. I’ll just go ask people in the other years to help me instead’ and with that she walked off.

‘What was that about?’ I asked Kotori.

‘Have you been filled in on what’s happening here?’ she asked.

‘Only that the school doesn’t have as many applicants as it used to’ I said

‘It’s quite a bit worse than that. If we don’t do something soon, then the Academy is going to close down for good and we’ll all be split up’

‘Oh dear, that’s awful. I wish there was something I could do to help’

‘It’s not your fault Rin, just part of life and life is unfair sometimes unfortunately’

I decided to go see if Honoka was alright.

 

I found her in the library in the corner looking through a photo album, I cleared my throat and she looked up ‘Oh, hey Rin didn’t see you come in sorry’

‘It’s alright’ I said and sat next to her ‘I’m sorry about what’s happening, it ’

‘Yeah it does but I guess it can’t really be helped’ she sighed ‘perhaps I’m weird for wanting it to stay open but I can’t help it, I’m one of the weird people that actually enjoys school, I can’t help it’ I giggled.

‘You’re not weird, I enjoy school too and I wish there was something I could do to help you. I really do’ I put my arm around her shoulder.

‘There is something you could do’ her eyes lit up ‘You could help me get an idol group together’

‘Oh, I didn’t mean that...there’s no way I’ve got what it takes to be an idol’ I said shaking my head.

‘Come on Rin, I’ve already got some of the third years to join with me, it’ll be so much fun...please? Just give it a go...maybe if the new girl joins the others will see it’s not so bad...not that that’s all I want you for of course’ she added quickly.

‘I know you didn’t’ I laughed ‘I just really don’t think I could be part of it, i mean, i can’t sing or dance or anything’

‘That’s what practice is for! You can be fab, I know it’

I paused ‘...Okay okay, I’ll do it’ I said

‘Kyaaaaaaaaaaa! Arigato Rin!’ she squealed and hugged me ‘It’s going to be amazing, you’ll see’ and she ran off.

What had I gotten myself into?

 

‘Here’s everything you need’ Honoka said excitedly, shoving papers and clothes into my arms, seemed she had been planning this for a while.

‘Uhh...thank you...I guess’ I replied and sat down.

‘She talked you into it then’ Maki smiled

‘Yeah, even if it doesn’t do what it’s meant to, it could be a lot of fun’

‘Well more power to you then’

‘Still not wanting to join in?’ I asked

‘I don’t think so, no’

I didn’t pay much attention to the lesson that was going on in the background, I was too busy trying to read and learn the lyrics of the songs I’d been given, it all seemed easy enough to do…

When the bell rang, I went straight to the music room to practice but it was already taken.

I was about to go in when I heard someone playing the piano. It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I went inside and was shocked by what I saw and Maki was even more shocked to see me standing there.

‘Was that you?’ I asked even though I knew it had been, she nodded slowly ‘that was beautiful. Why didn’t you tell me you played?’

‘Because it’s irrelevant’ she replied ‘I’m here to learn not to play’

‘Couldn’t you do both?’

‘My father wouldn’t allow it, in his words “We aren’t paying for you to be distracted” ‘ she sighed.

‘That’s a shame because you’re really good...is that why you don’t join in with the idol idea?’ she nodded.

‘As much as I would like to join in and help, I can’t’

‘Well would you do me a favour? Just this once?’

‘Uhmm, I guess so, what’s wrong?’

‘Honoka gave me the songs to learn and well, it would silly if I didn’t have any music to sing to wouldn’t it?

‘Y-you want me to play for you?’ she seemed shocked

‘Yeah’ I smiled ‘that’s okay isn’t it?’

‘Yes...of course, I’d like to try and help out, even if it’s not directly’

‘Arigato’

 

‘Grrrr! I can’t do this!’ I cried out frustrated ‘the notes are all wrong’ I sat down on the floor with my arms crossed, causing Maki to laugh. ‘Glad I’m so amusing to you’ I huffed.

‘Gomen'nasai’ she said, still giggling a bit as she sat down beside me ‘You can do it, you just need practice is all’

‘Practice takes time we don’t have’ I said.

‘Stand up’ she said ‘Come on, I’m going to help you’ so I did...’it’s all in the stomach’ she said placing her hand on my stomach ‘you do the long and notes when you breathe out, watch’ Maki took a deep breath in and when she breathed out the longest and prettiest note followed and then she stopped ‘see?...why are you looking at me like that?’ I shook my head.

‘Oh, no reason’ I cleared my throat and tried again.

‘Yaaaay, that was great!’ she clapped ‘just one thing’ she was standing right infront of me ‘if you look straight ahead’...she lifted my chin slightly, her touch and skin feather soft against my own...’it projects the sound more into the room’ I looked into her eyes and blushed hard. She let go of my face and looked to the floor, clearing ‘you did good, well done Rin’ she said quietly.

‘Thank you’ I replied, just as quiet.

‘So...you wanna try out the dance steps next?’ she asked, trying to break the tension that had appeared suddenly.

‘Uhh, sure why not’ I said.

Dancing with Maki made everything seem so easy, usually when I even attempted to dance I ended up on the floor in a heap but this was different, I felt like i was floating on air.

‘You’re a natural’ she said, her gaze fixed on mine.

‘T-thank you, but I think that’s just because you’re helping me, I’d probably have fallen over by now if you weren’t’

‘Don’t be silly, you have excellent balance, I guess it comes from your sporting background but here’ she placed her hands around my waist ‘with the hand and arm movements, you wanna try keep the lower part of your body still, it’ll help flow into the more complicated moves later on...just so you can concentrate on one thing at a time, make it more in sync’

‘O-okay’ I stuttered. What was the matter with me?? I shouldn’t be getting this flustered at the slightest touch. Then I noticed her hand was still on me...’Maki, I think you can let go now’ I said, she looked down and quickly took her hand away and blushed bright pink.

‘Sorry’ she sniffed ‘I don’t really know what’s going on with me today’

‘It’s alright’ I said ‘I don’t really know what’s going on with me either’ that made her giggle a bit.

 

‘Oh my, those outfits are awfully short’ I said holding up the costume Kotori had given me ‘I don’t think I can wear it’

‘Of course you can’ said Umi ‘I was like you, I was unsure if it would suit me but I went and did it anyways. It feels perfectly fine when you’re up there performing’

‘It’s not that I’m scared, or anything it’s just, well, dresses have never really suited me very much’ I looked at the floor as I remembered what had happened to me in middle school…

‘Rin you look so cute in a skirt!’ said Hanayo

I smiled ‘Arigato’

‘Wooooow look who finally decided to try and be a girl’ voices laughed from behind us ‘aren’t you the one that likes to try be a guy, always wearing pant?’ a boy asked.

‘Yes but I thought...’

‘Stick to what you’re good at. You try too hard’ another said. I looked to the floor as they walked away laughing.

‘Rin-chan...are you okay?’ Hanayo asked me

‘I t-think I’m gonna go change’ I muttered as my voice caught in my throat and walked away

‘Rin-chan!!’ called Hanayo…

‘Ya! Rin, can you hear me??’ I snapped out of my trance to Honoka snapping her fingers at me.

‘Huh? Oh sorry’ I replied ‘I guess I’ll wear it then’ I took the outfit from Kotori and left the room.

‘What’s the matter Rin?’ Maki came and sat beside me on the steps

‘Nani mo’ I replied quietly.

‘I don’t believe you’ she said and I sighed.

‘It’s just dresses and skirts don’t look right on me, I’m short and my hair looks like a boy. I’m not exactly idol material’

‘Well you can dance and sing perfectly well, that’s the most important thing, we can work on looks later on. It’ll get better’ she put her arm around my shoulder ‘you don’t have to always listen to what others tell you you know, it’s your life’ I played with the hem of my skirt. Maki took my hand in both of hers ‘let’s show the guys that bullied you what we’re made of, hmm?’ I looked up at her and she smiled

‘Mmm’ I nodded.

 

‘Ahhh Rin-chan you look beautiful!!’ squealed Maki.

‘You really think so?’ I asked, still a little unsure myself.

‘I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t believe it would I?’ she smiled.

‘No, I suppose not’ she reached out her hand and I grasped it tightly

‘Come on’ she winked ‘We’ve got a show to do’ and she pulled me along

…

The curtains pulled up and the light caught me directly in the face meaning that I had to squint to try and see the audience. The auditorium was completely full! I felt as if my legs were going to give way at any moment but when Honoka started to speak I suddenly felt better. I was after Maki and before Nozomi to speak, I took a deep breath and introduced myself to the hundreds of students looking down at us from their seats, they all seemed so far away…

‘Konnichiwa everyone! My name is Rin-chan and I hope you enjoy what we have for you today!!’ I shouted out and everyone cheered, I smiled and bowed.

…

You’ll be happy to know, that I didn’t forget any of the moves or words to any of our set and even if you’re not, I’m incredibly happy with and for myself anyways. The whole thing had been amazing, looking back on it now, I’ve no idea why I was so nervous and scared in the first place. It was so much fun! As if I’d been born to perform and if I’d never moved schools then I wouldn’t have had the chance to do it, I wouldn’t have met all the amazing people I have done and I wouldn’t have met Maki. My life would have been completely different, and not necessarily for the best either. What I’m trying to say is that I’m actually pleased that my mom decided to move me after all, not that I’d ever tell her that, I’d never hear the end of it.

I was back stage in the changing rooms when there was a light tap on the door.

‘Come in’ I said and Maki stood in the doorway smiling.

‘I’m so proud of you Rin’ she said walking over to me and planting a kiss on my forehead, she was quite a bit taller than me even though we were both first years.

‘Arigato’ I replied quietly as she trailed kisses down my face, my nose, then my cheek, my lips...yes this was what I wanted, I was sure of it. I just wasn’t expecting her to reciprocate so soon, although the scenes in the practice rooms should have clued me in, she did want this as much as me and now that I was sure, I no longer had to hide it.

I had definitely made the right choice.