Chapter 19

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Rain has its perks! What µ's does when it rains.

Story 1

Honoka: Aww, no! It's raining again. Umi: That's 3 days in a row. The weather report said it would rain tomorrow, too. Nico: We won't be able to use the roof again, with this going on. Rin: So we're not practicing today either!? Oh, nonono! I wanted to keep moving around. Nozomi: I don't know, it's not bad to just take it easy and watch the rain sometimes. Maki: Agreed. I'm disappointed we can't practice, but just grumbling about it is boring. Honoka: Sigh... No no no no! Umi: Honoka, try to hold back the major grumbling right after someone says something like that. Kotori: Thanks for waiting, everybody. Hanayo: What have you got there, Kotori? Kotori: Hehe, it's the raincoats I mentioned before. I got a matching set for everyone. Eli: A matching set? Oh, they're cute! Nozomi: These would even be cute to dance in. Kotori: Yeah, I thought about getting different colors for everyone, but I think matching is sometimes cute, too. Nico: So a rainy day-themed performance at dusk, then. Good thinking, Kotori. Rin: So let's put these on and practi- Umi: No. Rin: Why not? It's boring just sitting around and never practicing! Honoka: It really is. I'm so bored! Maki: You two aren't elementary school students anymore... Rin: Hmph. I can't just sit around idle like this. I'm going for a quick run!! Hanayo: Rin, wh-where are you going? Honoka: In that case, I'm going to go dance a little. Nico: What does that even mean? Nozomi: Haha, those two just have too much energy. Eli: Well, they'll cause problems bouncing around inside the building! We've got to bring them back. Umi: It has to be done. I'll go after them. Kotori: Good luck, Umi. Hanayo: Then I'll go look for Rin. Maki: I'd worry if you went alone, Hanayo. I'll go with you. Hanayo: Thanks, Maki. Maki: Just be careful not to trip. Hanayo: Yeah. Hanayo: I'm back! I brought Rin. Eli: Oh, good! Thanks, you two. Rin: Whew. I feel a little better that run. Maki: Phew... Rin, you run too much. Honoka: Yargh... Nico: W-What was that? Nozomi: Some kind of undiscovered animal? Umi: Hey, guys. I brought Honoka back. Kotori: Ah, Umi? You don't have to crush her like that. Honoka: Brutawity... Hanayo: Umi, that's overdoing it. Umi: She keeps trying to escape, so I have to! Honoka: But we can't practice because of the rain, and I'm bored. Eli: I know how you both feel, really. I've found something we can do today. Honoka: Huh? Nozomi: We hunted down an empty classroom. Eli: The wind instrument club is traveling today, so we got permission to use the music room. Nico: We got a chance to practice after all today, so show some appreciation. Honoka: Wow! Thanks, you guys! Nozomi: Nico-cchi actually went around checking each classroom one at a time. Right, Nico-cchi? Nico: Hmph. If there's a planning chart for all clubs in the student council room, say that first next time! Rin: So we can practice today? Eli: Since we'll be in the music room, we probably can't dance much. But we can go wild with the singing instead. Kotori: And if that's where we'll be, Maki can play the piano. Maki: That sounds good. Everybody try to keep up with me, okay? Honoka: It's special, so let's wear our raincoats. I might even start to like rain a little. Kotori: Okay. I want to see us all wearing them, too. Umi: What a relief. We were on the verge of losing control over Honoka and Rin. Maki: I like how energetic they are, but it makes you wonder if they're too energetic. Eli: Hehe. Let's cheer up. Rain can't bring us down!

Story 2

Maki: Rain again... Rin: Phew... Maki! Let me under your umbrella. Maki: Huh? You've got one in your hand, though. Rin: I'd rather be under yours than mine, though. Maki: I never understand you. Rin: Rainy days are boring, so I decided to hunt down fun things on my own. Maki: I still don't get you. I'm using my umbrella on my own, so you use yours. Rin: Fine, then I'm coming in, Maki! Maki: No, wait, don't just get under here! Are you listening to me? Anyway, why don't you share with Hanayo? Rin: Hanayo said she'd be late because she had to help out a teacher. Maki: Oh, whatever, just let go of my umbrella. Rin: No way! Not going to. Maki: Come on, I'm not giving up either! Hanayo: Ah, weren't you two going home ahed of me? Rin: Oh, Hanayo! Maki: Eek! Rin: Hanayo, listen. Hanayo: Um, what? Maki: Rin! Don't just let go suddenly like that! Rin: I wanted to get under Maki's umbrella, but she wouldn't let me. Hanayo: O-Okay? Maki: Nobody tried to share and umbrella when they have their own, right? Hanayo: Well, do you want to get under mine, then? Rin: Thanks, Hanayo. You're always so nice. Hanayo: Nobody wants to get wet, after all. Rin: Hanayo's so nice, but Maki's just a total greedy-pants. Maki: Greedy-pants? Hanayo: Rin, that's not nice. Rin: Huh. A brat, then? Maki: I'm not greedy or a brat. Rin: Then why won't you let me under your umbrella? Maki: Hmph. Fine, then, get under mu umbrella. Rin: But I'm using Hanayo's umbrella. Maki: Sigh... Hanayo: Hmm. Maybe I should get under Maki's umbrella? Rin: Aw, but then I'd be all alone. Maki: It'll be fine. I'm heading home with Hanayo. Rin: No way! Maki: Er, Rin, could you let go of my hand? Rin: Maki's picking on me! I want to go home with you both, too... Hanayo: Wh-Whoa...! Don't pull on the umbrella, I'm losing it! Whoops... Rin: It's okay. I'll get it for you! Hanayo: Thanks, Rin. Rin: You're welcome. I didn't want you to get soaked, Hanayo. Hanayo: It might be a bit late for that, though. Rin: What's a bit late? Maki: Haven't you noticed, Rin? We're all soaked already! Rin: Oh, we really are. I wonder when that happened? Splish-splash!! Maki: Ah, don't spray water on me! You really are like a cat. Rin: Splish-splash, meow. Hanayo: Eek, Rin, that's cold! Rin: Hehe, for a rainy day, today has been fun. Rin: Then let's head home already. Hanayo: Oh, you're heading home? Rin: Yeah! Well, I live over this way. See you tomorrow! Hanayo: Wow, I've already lost sight of her. Maki: Rin is pretty odd, really. Hanayo: But that's just who she is. Days like this are fun once in a while, too. Maki: I don't like getting soaked, but the whole effort to find her own fun is really Rin, and it's a good thing. Hanayo: Oh, Maki. Maki: What? Hanayo: It's fun walking home together as a group. Maki: Yeah, in its own way.

Story 3

Eli: Achoo! Nozomi: Eli, are you okay? It looks like rain, and it's gotten cool lately. Eli: I just hope it's not a cold... Achoo! Nico: Eli, are you sick? You're a mess. Eli: Hi... Nico... Nozomi: You look lively as ever, Nico-cchi. Nico: Naturally. The universe's number one school idol doesn't go to the bathroom or catch colds. Nozomi: Of course. It's good you're tough, at least. Nico: No, seriously, listen! Nozomi: I'm listening. You're the cutest in the galaxy, right Nico-cchi? Nico: Well, hmph. Just so long as you understand. Nozomi: Hehehe, and cute as always, today. Nico: I hope you're not being sarcastic. Nozomi: Of course not. right, Eli? Eli: ... Nozomi: Eli, are you alright? Eli: Yeah, sorry to worry you. Nozomi: You don't look well. I'll get you home, so let's finish up for the day now. Eli: Hey, Nozomi, am I a mess? Nozomi: Huh? Eli: Like Nico was saying, I catch colds because I'm a mess. Nozomi: Hahaha, of course not. That's how she jokes. Eli: While I tell everyone to study and practice all the time, maybe I'm the real mess... Nico: ... Nozomi: Well, Eli, if you were a mess, Otonokizaka might not be open, and you certainly wouldn't be a school idol. Nozomi: It's thanks to you that we have Otonokizaka High and that µ's gets to do anything. Eli: I don't know how much credit I can take for that, but I do always give my all. Nozomi: Right? Everyone knows how hard you work, Eli. Eli: Thank you... I'm terrible; I feel a little off and then let it discourage me. Nozomi: Everyone needs to let a little "terrible" out sometimes! Don't keep it in, okay? Eli: Hehe, you're right, Nozomi. Nozomi: We're not really helpful, I know, but you can count on us if you need to. You feel the same, right Nico-cchi? Nico: You leave me no choice. Nozomi: Ah, Nico-cchi, why are you taking off clothes!? Nico: My cardigan. I'm loaning it to Eli. Eli: Oh... You don't mind? Nico: Even I feel weird when you're like this, Eli. Keep warm and get back to normal soon. Eli: Nico, that's sweet. Thank you. Nozomi: Hehehe. Nico: What are you smiling about, Nozomi? Nozomi: Oh, nothing. I just realized how close you two are, is all. Nico: Close? We're just in the same club and the same year. Nozomi: Right, of course. Eli: Hehe. I'm so lucky, I've got Nozomi, and Nico, and everyone from µ's. Nico: Exactly, you have no idea how lucky you are just to share a school with Twinkle Angel Nico. Ah...ah...achoo! Eli: Nico! Now you're sneezing, too. Nico: No, that wasn't a sneeze, it was a sneeze-style idol pose! Nozomi: Don't be silly! I'm going to loan you my scarf. Nico: Thank you... Eli: Let's all head home early today. Nozomi: Let's. And since we're all here, we can even hold hands. Nico: What? All three of us holding hands? Nozomi: You don't want to? Fine, then Eli and I will go as a pair. Eli: Come on, Nico. Join us. Nico: Oh, fine. But just today, okay? Next time, clear all contact with my agent or whomever. Eli: Sure, will do. Nozomi: And off we go! The weather's bad, but I feel good.

Story 4

Kotori: Sew sew... Honoka: Urgh... Umi: You're great at sewing by hand too, Kotori. Kotori: Hehe. The trick is to sew really rhythmically. Honoka: Urgh... Umi: Honoka, what's with the face you keep making? Honoka: Well, its raining again. Kotori: And there weren't any other club rooms open today, right? Honoka: Once again, we can't practice. Rainy days are so boring. Umi: I know it's not fun, but just sitting and moaning about it only makes it worse. Kotori: I've got it. Maybe if we sang quietly in a normal classroom you'd feel better? Honoka: Oh, that sounds good! Let's call everyone and practice singing secretly. Umi: But I don't think we're supposed to do that. Kotori: It's just for today, okay, Umi? Umi: Ohh....! Honoka: C'mon Umi. Just today. Umi: Ahh....! Umi: N-No! You might think you can convince me, but we shouldn't do things we're not supposed to. Kotori: No matter what? Umi: Yes, no matter what. Since we're a school club, we have to follow the rules. Kotori: Right, we don't want to cause everyone else problems. Umi: Everyone always says rainy days are boring, but if we look, there's bound to be something fun to do. Honoka: Do you like rainy days, Umi? Umi: Yes, I do, actually. Honoka: Really? Why? Umi: Well, I like the splashing sound as raindrops hit the window. It's rhythmic, like Kotori's sewing. Honoka: That sound, huh? Kotori: Umi, you think about me on rainy days? That's sweet. Umi: And when it rains hard, the pouring rain sound muffles everything else, and it's easy to think. Honoka: Hmm. Umi: And individual raindrops, too. I think it's neat to watch when raindrops flow and drip from leaves. Kotori: Umi, you think of all kinds of things. That's so cool. Umi: I don't know if it's cool or not, but I do think rainy days are fun in their own way. Honoka: Umi, you're amazing! Umi: Amazing? I don't think I'm amazing. Honoka: But you are! All I was thinking was about whether or not we could practice. Kotori: Rainy days suit you, Umi. It even makes my heart beat a little faster to imagine your bittersweet expression in the rain. Umi: I'm not planning on doing that, though. Kotori: Haha, well, since you're kind of a romantic, it just seems to suit you. Umi: Romantic? You think so? Kotori: You think about all kinds of things, like rain sounds and raindrops. So I bet you'd be good at songwriting. Honoka: You would! We're the same age, and we've mostly lived similar lives, so why are we so different? Umi: Hehe, but just being the same age and having similar lives doesn't mean you think or act alike. Kotori: Honoka, it's fine for you to be yourself. I think it's good we all think differently. Honoka: Huh. Do you think that it's fun to talk because we all think differently? Umi: Right. I enjoy talking with you and Kotori, too. Kotori: Me too. Honoka: Umi, tell us more about the rain. Kotori: I'd like to hear more too, Umi. Umi: Oh, of course. Umi: Oh! But look. Outside, it's... Kotori: Yay, it looks like the rain stopped. Honoka: Look over there! There's a little rainbow. Honoka: There really are fun things about rainy days. Umi: Now you see, Honoka. Honoka: tell me more about rain after practice, okay Umi? It's a promise, so you've got to! Kotori: Honoka's really fast. Let's head up to the roof, too. Umi: Okay.