July 5 20XX

4 Months Later

Yume POV

I stand outside the gates of year Uranohoshi Girls' High School. The new school that both Lily and Riko had transferred too.

Turning around to look at, it looks like a pretty big school. The way how the sun shines on it makes it look beautiful. Not to mention there's a bunch of windows.

I overhear the bell ring and face the school. Waiting for Lily and Riko. While waiting I only see just a few girls leave the building. Which confuses me.

'You would think in a beautiful town and school like this more people would be here.....'

I think to myself. I soon see a group of brightly colored girls walk out. One of them is Lily. Strange. They all look familiar... But I can't put my finger on it. I feel like I've seen them before.

I smile and gently wave my hand.
"Lily!"

Not only Lily but all the girls turn to my direction. I feel my cheeks lightly heat up from embarssement. Lily soon slightly gasps and smiles.

"Yume-Sama!" She shouts and runs over to me. Lily's changed only a bit. Her hair is still the same except now it's in a lose pony tail and rests on her shoulder rather than being in a braid. She's also slightly taller now. And she wears a light pink sweater with her uniform. Her hair is tied in a light cream colored bow.

Riko soon sees me and lightly smiles. She slowly walks over.

"Yume-San. She says slightly bowing."

I smile at the two girls. Seeing how much they've grown. Considering the fact that I haven't seen both of them since after my graduation. 4 months.

"Riko-Chan. Lily-Chan, who's this?"

I look behind the two girls too see one of the girls talking. She has orange hair and dark pink eyes. Her face curious. Lily speaks before Riko has a chance to.

"Oh! Chika-San. This is my friend and upperclassmen.... Kinda. Nijino Yume. She just graduated this year!"

Lily says in a cheery tone. Her eyes closed and a bright smile.

"Nijino... Yume..."
"What is it Chika?"
A girl with short grey hair asks.

"I just feel like I've heard that name before.... Haaaah! Now this is gonna bug me all day!"

Chika-San says gripping her hair and bending over. The girls all sweat drop as I chuckle nervesouly.

"You guys wouldn't mind if I walk with Yume-Sama? Please! I haven't seen her in months! I'll catch up with y'all!"

The girls all look at each other and smile brightly and kindly at Lily.

"Of course Lily-San."
A girl with blue hair in a high pony tail says. Lily smiles wide and waves at the girls.

________________________

Me and Lily walk down the hill that leads to the school.

"I see you've made new friends."
I say with a smile.

"Mhm. They're all kind. And are school idols like Honoka-Sama."

Lily says with a smile. Which I return. We continue walking until I notice that she's stopped walking.

I halt and turn around. Seeing Lily looking down with a sad face.

"They're trying to win Love Live and keep the school open."

I look at Lily sadly. Trying my best to smile. Such a shame that a beautiful school like that has a chance to close.

"And I don't want it to. I really like everyone there. And just the school itself. I don't want it to close..."

I wrap my arms around Lily with a smile.
"Then you have to hope and believe. That way if you and your friends and classmates believe enough, you'll achieve it. And even if you don't, just remind yourself that you tried. Brec told me that in her letter after she passed away..."
(You guys have no idea how much it hurt to write that;-----------;)

I feel Lily smile. I let go of her and wipe her tears. After that we continue walking.

_________

"So Lily... How's your mom been?"

"Same as always..."
She says in a monotone voice. I frown slightly.

Lily's mom may have never hit Lily. But she did just as much abuse to her has her father did. She never bothered to stop him. And never bothered to contact Lily after her father passed away. It wasn't until I was in my 2nd year of high school when her and Lily ran into each other. She may have never hit Lily. But she doesn't have to for it to be considered abuse.

Lily moved out of Ryuu and their familys home. And moved in with Riko's family. Saying she wanted the moment her and Ryuu start their lives together that she wanted it to be special.

"But... Rocco has treated me better than they both ever have. He's the father I never had." Lily says with a smile. Rocco is the man Lily's mother married after her father died.

"Who's the mother figure?"
I ask. Lily looks down. Thinking.

"I don't think anyone is..."

I give her a sad yet happy face. I pat her head for a second.
"I'm sure you'll find her one day." I say with a smile.

We reach the station. Where Lily's friends are waiting for her. Lily waves to them and runs over to them.

The girls chat for a bit until the bus arrives. The girls turn around until I ask them something as a group.

"What's y'alls group name?"

Chika-San turns around and smiles brightly.

"We're Aqours!"

I'm taken aback. Realizing the girls are a little group I keep up with sometimes. I've been cheering them on for a short bit. I can't believe I didn't recognise them. I knew they all looked a bit familiar.

I smile at them. The wind slightly begins to blow. Causing my short hair to go everywhere.

"Good luck Aqours! I will continue cheering for y'all."
I say while bowing. As I look up I see all the girls have a shocked but happy look on their faces.

"You know us!" Chika ssys
I nod with a smile.

"I didn't recognise y'all at first but now I do. I've been cheering for y'all the second y'all made your debut for Love Live."

The girls all smile brightly and walk inside the bus waving to me. While doors close Lily starts to shout.

"Nijino-Chan!"
I'm taken aback. Lily has never called me by my first name.

"I lied to you! I do have a mother figure! And it's you!"

I feel my eyes widen slowly as my mouth starts to do the same. I feel a happy blush appear on my face. As small tears fall down my cheeks.

I close my eyes and mouth and look down. When I look up, I give Lily a bright smile. I hold my dress down and wave at the girls. The happy tears still streaming down. The bus drives off, giving me a blast of wind.

As I place my hand down. The figure of the bus and the girls get smaller and smaller. And I feel a wave of happiness and sadness wash over me.

"Did you become somthing that no one ever had. Did you give someone hope for life?"

I nod. "Yes... And I wouldn't change that for the world...."

____________________

"HAAAAAHH! NOW I KNOW WHERE I'VE SEEN HER! SHE'S KOUSAKA HONOKA'S LITTLE SISTER! LILY-CHAN! RIKO-CHAN! HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME!"

Chika shouts at her the two girls while they chuckle together.