"Italicized" = Signed

"Regular" = Spoken

Italicized = Yō typing

= Someone else typing

----- = A spoken word Yō can't understand (or at least not lip read)

...

Yō's POV:

It was the next day. Today is the day I'm going to give them my final decision. I'm going to try and join Aqours as a member. I'm going to dance with them.

I'm really nervous. What if no one likes me? What if I ruin everything for them? I can't help but wonder if I'm making a mistake. They're already getting hated for captioning things. Imagine what those people will do once they learn I'm a member now.

I made my way to school. As usual, Chika and Riko were outside waiting for me. I walked over to them. Chika greeted me with a brief kiss to my cheek. I just hugged her. Riko and I just kind of nod to each other as our greeting.

"Did you make your decision?" Chika asked.

She wasted no time. I guess she's probably been restless since the question was asked. I don't see any reason why I can't tell her now, so I guess I'll answer it.

"I'll join. As a member." I told her.

Chika smiled brightly as she hugged me. She was crushing me in the hug. I tried to move, but I wasn't able to. Riko said something and Chika released me.

"Sorry." Chika apologized with a lopsided smile.

"I forgive you." I replied.

We had to go inside shortly after that. I still hated school here with a passion. The teachers all seem to have a grudge against me. We all took our seats. The teacher handed out papers. Our school was having an open house soon.

Chika tapped me on the shoulder. She handed me a piece of paper. I opened it and read it.

I looked up at Chika. She didn't do anything else. She just stared back at me. Will I be asked to perform in this event? Would I even be ready by then?

...

The next time we talked about that was at lunch. Chika had made sure everyone in Aqours was sitting with us. I felt a little awkward. I don't feel like I belong here. It still feels really strange.

"Is everyone ready for the open house next week?" Chika asked.

"Chika, we still don't have outfits for it." Riko pointed out.

They don't have outfits yet? Maybe I could help them with that.

"Do you have a design for them?" I asked.

Chika nervously shook her head. I'm pretty sure we all face palmed at that response. It's just like her to be procrastinating till the very end.

"Chika, you need to be more on top of things. How are we getting six outfits in a week?" Yohane scolded.

"I know... I'm sorry." Chika frowned.

"I know how to sew. If you can get design ideas by tonight, I could make them." I offered.

"You shouldn't do all that work by yourself." Riko told me.

"I can help." Ruby signed.

"You can?" I looked at her in surprise.

Ruby nodded, "I know how to sew as well. I can help you make them."

"It looks like the two of you will be working on this together then." Chika pointed out.

"Granted you finish the designs." Riko pointed out.

Chika pouted at her. She looked at me and smiled. I rolled my eyes at her. She thinks I'm going to help her, doesn't she? That's not happening. She was trusted with the designs, so she has to finish them herself.

...

As school was coming to a close, I was brought to the club room. It wasn't anything fancy. They had a big mess in the room at the moment. Chika placed her designs down on the table. Everyone looked them over.

"Do you think these will work?" Riko asked me and Ruby.

Ruby and I looked at each other. We stared silently for a while. The outfits weren't the best. We might have to change them a lot.

"It's too much to do. You'll have to make it more basic." Ruby explained.

"I have to draw more?" Chika frowned.

"No. We can work off of the designs to make it work." I replied.

"Great. I'm not very good at this." Chika looked extremely relieved.

"Where are we going to make these at?" I asked Ruby.

Ruby shrugged, "I don't know. We could do them at my house. If you want."

"That sounds good." I nodded.

After practice, that's what we did. Practice was weird. I spent most of the time just watching them. I tried out a few of the dance moves, but I wasn't very good. It'll take some time, I guess.

Ruby and I were walking together. I'm a little nervous about this. It's been a while since I've sewn anything. I hope I still know how. That would be bad if I did a horrible job. I'd let everyone down. I don't want that.

Ruby led me inside the house. I looked around. It doesn't seem like Dia is home. I wonder how she feels about Ruby being in the idol group. It's obvious she had issues with it.

We went to the living room. Ruby pulled out the sewing machine she had. I helped her carry it. It was pretty heavy for her.

We laid out the designs for the outfits and discussed exactly what we would keep and then what changes we would need to make. That took almost an hour to do on its own. I was not expecting this to take so long to just plan.

Eventually, we got through that faze. Next step was to figure out what we needed to buy. That was the reason we needed the sewing machine out. We most likely wouldn't make any of the outfits today. We just needed to see what we could do with the machine we had and what we would need to sew by hand.

"Ruby? Do you think Chika is expecting me to be able to perform for the show?" I asked.

"I'm not sure." Ruby replied.

"I don't know if I'm cut out for this. I feel like I'll just drag you all down..." I frowned.

"You won't. I'm sure you'll get better." Ruby signed back, a firm look on her face.

Ruby looked behind me. I turned around. Dia was home. She was eyeing us up. I nervously waved.

"What are you two doing?" Dia questioned as she walked toward us.

Ruby answered her, "We're planning out how to make our outfits for the open house."

"You're in the group? It seems a little tough for you." Dia looked at me.

"It is. But I can manage." I signed. I'm not going to quit so easily. I'll just have to work twice as hard.

"Is this Mari's doing?"

"No. You know Chika's been asking me to join since she first made it." I replied, "I decided I'd finally try."

"Don't overwork yourself." Dia told me and then she walked away from us.

"What's her deal?" I asked Ruby. It's obvious that something about our group is really bugging her.

Ruby shrugged, "I'm not sure."

"Has she been like this the entire time?" I questioned.

"I guess. She's always seems like she disproves of what we're doing." Ruby admitted.

"Do you know why?" I asked.

"I don't know that I should be telling you." Ruby looked down at the ground.

"Please?" I begged. I want to know what's up. What Mari told me only answered some of my questions. I still don't get why she seems so upset with the group. Especially if it is true that she gave them the name.

"It's not that she doesn't like us doing this... she just doesn't think we'll get far. We haven't done a lot and the little we have, it never ended too well. She's just trying to stop us from getting hurt." Ruby eventually opened up.

"I see... does this have to do with when she was in an idol group?" I feel like that might be the case, but I'm not positive.

Ruby's eyes widened, "How'd you know about that?"

"Mari told me." I replied. I assume Ruby knows who Mari is.

"I'm not sure if it's because of that... she hasn't told me anything." Ruby told me.

"Oh. Well, hopefully she'll eventually admit what's up." I signed.

"Yeah." Ruby agreed.

We didn't do much after that. The mood had dropped. We weren't able to focus as well. Soon, I said goodbye and left. It's not like we'll get anything else done tonight. Tomorrow we'll go and buy what we need and start working on the outfits.

I pulled out my phone. I wonder if anyone texted me while we were working. It didn't appear as though anyone had. I wonder what everyone else is up to.

At lunch, I had gotten the phone numbers of the other members. Now I could contact them as well. I was also added to a group chat. The group chat was very chaotic, to say the least. They spammed the chat a lot. It was a mess.

I decided to just head home. I had a lot of work to do. I didn't get much done today. Normally I can do some at lunch, but Chika wasn't letting me. She wouldn't stop talking. That's another problem with being deaf. I can't just listen while doing something else. I have to pay attention and I really have to pay attention to Chika. Her signing is still rough at points. It takes me a while to figure out what she's trying to tell me.

The first thing I did when I got home was my homework. I didn't bother doing anything else. I just wanted to get it done with. Once that was done, I decided to try and practice the dance some more. I want to impress them all with being able to do it. I'm going to work as hard as I can to succeed.

I stopped after an hour. Mari should be home soon. And that she was. I managed to take a short shower. By the time I was finished, she was back. But, she wasn't alone. She had brought someone with her. Did she and Kanan make up?

I went out and greeted them in the living room. Mari was happy as always. Kanan seemed more reserved and tense. I wonder what they're discussing. I probably shouldn't interrupt.

"Want me to cook tonight?" I asked Mari. It would be an excuse to leave them be.

"Sure. Just let me know if you want some help." Mari replied.

I nodded and then left to do that. I can't believe it is that late already. Time really flew by.

I busied myself in the kitchen. I'm tempted to go see what they're doing. I want to know why Kanan is here. I just don't feel like I should interrupt them. They might be doing something important.

Jeez, just take a quick look. It won't hurt anyone.

I crept over to the archway that lead to the living room. I glanced over at where they were. Oh... um... not what I was expecting.

They're kissing. Like, passionately kissing. Great. I did not need to see that. I quickly went back to the kitchen. I bet my face is red. Let's hope it calms down before they come in. I don't need them seeing me. They'll know that I saw them.

I tried to calm my breathing. I don't need them to know. I need to act normal. It's not like I should be that surprised, if I'm honest with you. I could kinda tell they had a deeper relationship with each other.

I focused on the oven. I'm waiting for the light to come on so I know I can put the food in. You know, I'm kind of glad I can't hear them. I wonder if they're being noisy because they know I can't hear them.

I tried my best to think of other things as I continued to make dinner. It took half-an-hour to make. I have to fetch them now. Let's hope they're done now. I really don't want to make this any more awkward.

I walked into the living room. They were kissing this time, but they were snuggling. I paid their actions no mind and simply informed Mari that dinner was finished.

I don't care if they're dating. Why should I? If they're happy then that's that.

Kanan seemed to be embarrassed that they were caught being lovey-dovey. Mari didn't at all. That didn't surprise me, though. She's very out there. She doesn't really hide much. I wonder If there's anything that would make her hesitate to be so bold. I bet there is. I'm not going to go out of my way to find it out, though.

The three of us sat down and ate. Kanan was refusing to look at me for a bit. Then it seemed like she finally got over the embarrassment. She started showing me what she had learned to sign.

She's getting there. She's definitely picking it up well. I'm sure we'll be having full conversations before long. I made sure I let her know I was impressed with her knowledge. She was a fast learner.

"Are you joining in the open house?" Mari asked me.

I shrugged, "Not sure. Probably not."

"I would hope so. It'd be very rushed for you." Mari replied.

I nodded in agreement. Even if I'm not planning to perform at the open house, I'm still going to try and catch up to them. That way we can do more sooner. I don't want to hold them back for long.