"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:

I forgot how hard it was to sing and dance. Chika had eventually figured out everyone's parts and so we began practicing that. I was having a hard time getting it right.

Surprisingly, I was quite fine just singing. There was not a lot of criticism they gave me. They were all impressed. But, when I paired it with dancing, it became hard.

I guess I'm out of shape for this type of stuff. Having the breath too sing and dance is apparently something I lack at the moment. I better figure out a way to improve that.

The best thing I could think of was simply putting a little bit more practice in. I didn't want to overdo it, so I was still pretty limited. But, they all have said I'm getting better. That makes me happy. I'm really proud of myself for being able to do this again.

Though, I still wonder if I'll be ready when I need to be. We don't have that much time to spare anymore. If I can't make consistent improvements I'll probably not be at the level I want to be at. As of now, I'm not too worried. I have been doing good. As long as that continues, I'll be fine.

Riko and I were hanging out at the moment. Chika was busy helping her family. I think most of the others had decided to have dates today. We were the only two not doing anything. Hanamaru had to do stuff too.

"How are you doing?" Riko asked.

"I'm okay. Kind of sad I haven't been able to really hang out with Chika." I pouted.

With our practices, and then me helping Ruby make our outfits, there wasn't enough time to do much with Chika. And on the weekends, I was trying to catch up on sleep. It sucked. I really want to hang out with her more.

"Are you guys almost done the outfits?" Riko questioned.

I sighed and shook my head, "Only got three completely finished."

"They're really taking a while."

"We want to make sure they look as good as possible."

We sat in silence for a while. There's something I should probably tell her, but I'm too scared to. I'll... I'll tell them all after we perform. That way I won't affect anything. The last thing I want to do is possibly drag us down.

"Are you feeling confident with your part?" Riko questioned me next.

I nodded, "Yeah. I think I'm getting the hang of it again."

"Do you like dancing with us?"

"I really missed doing it. I forgot how fun it was. Especially when we all get in sync. It really makes it all worth it." I truly am glad I decided to do this again. It's actually helped my mood a lot. That's pretty good.

"I'm glad." Riko smiled.

...

Another day of practice was upon us before we knew it. Everyone was warming up at the moment. I was glancing around and watching everyone. I don't know why. I just felt like it.

Chika was stretching beside me. I watched her for a little. She met my eyes. I smiled and kissed her on the nose. She blushed and looked away.

Aw... she's cute when she acts embarrassed like that.

Chika looked at me again after a little bit. Her face was no longer red. She stuck out her tongue. I laughed. She's funny. I know she doesn't actually mind public affection. She just likes to act like she does.

We had to stop as it was time to practice as a group. I wasn't beside Chika that much during the dance. I didn't really mind. It was just a dance, after all.

So, we started our practice again. We had mostly gotten it down by now. It was more or less just tweaking a few parts here and there. Some parts we ended up altering slightly to make it flow better.

We were really putting a lot of effort into this performance. After all, it would be our last as nine. We had briefly discussed what we'd do when the third years graduated. We would try to continue just without them with us. But, we still didn't know what all the future held for us. That may not be able to happen.

I hope that can happen. Even if not all of us can remain. There is the chance some of us won't go to that school. It isn't just me who has that worry. Yoshiko said her mom was considering switching to another school. I wasn't alone in that ordeal.

Practice drew to a close before we realized it. Time really flew by now. Just in general it did. The performance was slowly closing in on us. Soon we'd have to perform at Love Live!

It's daunting. I don't feel like I'm ready. Everyone else is. I'm sure of that. But I still have some issues. Some of my lines don't come out clear enough. Or I can't stay on tempo. I am starting to worry now that I won't fix it in time.

But, we have a little while yet. I should hopefully have enough time to figure out what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it.

Chika came up to me, "Do you want to have a sleepover tonight?"

"Sure." I agreed.

Well, that's one way to hang out with her a bit more. But, I don't know how long we'll do that for before we fall asleep. I still have to go and help Ruby with the outfits first. That's very tiring.

"Just let me know when you're coming over." Chika told me.

I nodded. Alright. That's that. Now, better go find Ruby. We still have a lot to do. Progress is painfully slow. It's not fun.

...

I left Ruby when it turned to 7. I texted Chika that I was on my way. Ruby and I had finished another outfit. But that still was only four completely done. Five more to go.

It wasn't too long before I made it to Chika's house. I didn't even get to knock before the door opened. Looks like she was waiting for me.

She hugged me and then tugged me inside. Her mom was cleaning a counter. She waved at me. I nervously waved back. Chika then led me back to her room. We sat on her bed.

"How's the outfit making going?" Chika questioned.

"We finished Mari's today." I replied, "So, Ruby's, Dia's, mine, and Mari's are the only ones done."

"Who's are you working on next?"

"I think Hanamaru's was the one we started on." I wasn't exactly sure.

"Are you excited to see how they all look when they're done?" Chika asked.

"I wish they were done already. It's exhausting." I leaned against her shoulder.

Chika kissed me on the head, "Tired?"

I nodded. I was tired from the day. We had done a lot. It wasn't that surprising I was ready to collapse.

"I hope you don't mind that I invited Riko over." Chika signed as she got up.

Guess that means Riko arrived. I shook my head. I don't really mind. Chika left the room to probably go and fetch her.

They soon came back in. Riko waved to me and asked me about the outfits as well. We then fell into a discussion about school.

Before long, I was barely able to keep my eyes open. I leaned against Chika again and closed my eyes. She wrapped an arm around me. I guess she doesn't mind then. I was kind of expecting her to tell me I was free to use the bed. But this is nice too.

It wasn't long before I drifted off. I felt someone put a blanket around my shoulders. It was probably Riko. Not that I really care to know. I just want to sleep.