"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:

Before we all knew it, we were heading off to compete. I'm really nervous. This is it. Can we really do it?

We've been working our buts off getting ready for it. We've been doing everything we possibly could to make this the best performance ever. But what if we can't do that? What if we can't win? Or even get close to a good ranking?

I know that everyone really wants to do well today. If we don't it'll crush us all. This is the last time the nine of us will perform as idols. At least, for a while. If we do poorly it's going to be hard to continue on.

We were at the venue for the performance later today. There were a lot of groups here. I recognize some of the names. There's a lot of groups I don't know though.

Most groups were mingling with other groups. I stayed back. Chika stayed with me. The others went to talk with everyone else.

I was too nervous to do that. I don't want to have anything bad happen. Who's to say I wouldn't get in an argument if I went around. Since I'm deaf, some people may dislike me a lot. I don't know why I get disliked just because I can't hear. Is it that much effort to communicate with me?

Two people we do know came over to us. It was Sarah and Leah. Leah was hiding behind Sarah. She looked nervous.

"Hello." Sarah greeted us.

"Hi!" Chika was excited to see them.

I waved in a greeting. It's nice to have familiar faces. At least we can talk to them without any worry.

"You excited for today?" Sarah questioned.

Chika nodded. I shrugged. I mean, it is exciting but everything else is stressful. There's something important I have to tell them all after we perform. It's really getting to me. I don't want to have to tell them.

"Nervous?" Sarah questioned me.

I nodded. It isn't technically a lie. I am very nervous, but not for the reason that she thinks I am. Well, I still am nervous about the performance and all, but nowhere near how nervous I am for what I have to do afterward.

"Yō's going to sing with us!" Chika told her in excitement.

"You've decided to try and sing?" Sarah was surprised.

I nodded, "This is an important performance for us. I want to give it my all."

"I look forward to seeing it." Sarah smiled.

She turned to look at Leah. She spoke to her for a bit. Looking at Chika, it seems she can't hear what Sarah is saying either.

"Hi." Leah nervously signed.

I smiled reassuringly at her, "Hello!"

"Onee-chan has been teaching me how to sign. I'm sorry if it's bad."

"Don't worry about it." I shrugged.

Honestly I'm just happy she's trying. She always has seemed nervous around me. I wish we could've met a lot sooner.

We held a small conversation about the concert today. We discussed the different groups that were here. Some were in their outfits already so we discussed what we thought of them.

This is fun. We can talk about people and they'll never know because I doubt anyone else here knows sign language. Well, maybe someone else here does. It's not entirely unlikely.

...

Before we knew it, it was time to get ready to perform. We were shown our dressing room. Everyone seems a little nervous. I can't say I'm any different. This is it. This is our last time as nine. We have to make it really count.

We all started changing into out outfits. I think Ruby and I did an awesome job on them. Everyone seemed pleased with them. Looks like they all approve.

I'm ready to do this. I'm ready to show them what I've got. But, I'm also dreading it. Because once it's over, I have to tell them. I don't want to tell them. I'm scared.

We didn't have much time. We were called to backstage quite fast. There were other groups there too. We couldn't really talk much here. Not unless we wanted to be stared at.

I hung back while the others talked amongst themselves. I was content to just observe today. Better to not talk. I don't want anyone catching onto me.

We had a while to wait until we were called to perform. I spent the time watching the other performances. Everyone here seems really good. Can we really match them? Are we at that level?

I mean, they are all high school students like us. They probably had about the same amount of time to train as we did. We should be able to match them. I hope we can. I really want us to do well today. It would mean the world to me if that happened.

...

It wasn't that that long before we had to do our song. Everyone seems a little nervous. It is a very big crowd out there today. There's so many people here that will see us if we mess up. It is a little intimidating.

We all filed onto the stage. Chika gave the speech we had prepared and then got into her position. It was time. I can do this. I've practiced a lot for this moment. I can make it count.

...

It felt like the songs went on forever, but it drew to a close. We bowed and exited the stage. I hope people cheered for us. I was too afraid to look at the crowd once we finished the song.

We stood backstage again. Chika was talking. She looks excited. We did good then, right? Now we just have to wait for the results of the concert. And then I have to tell them. I'm nowhere near ready.

We went back to the dressing room to change. I wasn't interested in talking to anyone right now. My nerves were back and a lot stronger than before. I hope no one notices it. I'm not ready yet.

"What's wrong?" Kanan noticed my nervousness.

"Nothing. Just a little nervous to see our results." I lied. I hope she believes that.

"I think we did good. We'll get a good ranking."

Seems she does believe me. That's good. I still have time to think over how to break this news to everyone. Still, it's not a whole lot of time to think it over.

...

We... we won. We did it. I'm really happy. We actually did it. We won Love Live!

We were all celebrating. It feels really awesome to know we came that far. We managed to win such a big competition. I'm so happy!

But, now I have to tell them the issue. I hate that I'm going to bring down the happiness, but I promised myself I'd do it know. I can't keep hiding it forever.

"Guys. I have something I need to tell you." I got everyone's attention.

Once they were all looking at me, I explained. Here it goes.

"My mom wants me to transfer back to the school in America instead of the new school."