Konichiwa. Thank you for 500 reads! This means a lot to me. There are simply too many of you to thank. I will continue the story but it might be slow updates...sorry. I also apologise if Maki is Out of character (OOC).
---------------------------------------------------------------
Recap:
Umi pressed the 'play' button. Nothing. "I guess that is the end of our time-travelling journey," Umi announced. She tapped the 'eject' button and took out the CD. Umi handed it to me. It might come in handy one day.

Just like the previous time we had time-travelled, no time had passed. The others left my house and I was alone.

Mother hated music. She thought that it was her fault that Grandmother died. The date when I quit music is advancing. There was one month left. What should I do?
---♫♬♪♩♭♮♯---------

I racked my brains.

Nothing.

No idea came to mind. I did not know what to do with the information.

Time sprinted on. My doomsday was approaching. I stared at the red circle on that paticular day. One month was left. Questions flooded into my head. What could I do? What could I do to persuade Mother to let me continue music? Should I ask the others? I drifted in and out of consciousness.

Maybe...asking them was worth a try...

-dream in italics-

I was with the others and we were performing. However, there was no audience. There was only one person-Mother. The others had somewhat determined looks but were enjoying the music. Our voices soared as one and it made up the perfect, melodious melody we were singing.

[Italic and underlined>> Singing]

(I know)

It's not just fun and games, We have to be tested

(I know)

Even though such pain lies in the future

(I'll go)

When we come together we get stronger

(I'm sure)
We'll continue to change

(We'll be stars!)

If each of us can put our hearts into the things we love

A new (place) will be our goal

If we trust in the things each of us loves

We can (embrace) the excitation and move forward

(Leave your fears behind)

With a brilliant smile

(Fly, fly high)

We live in the present

We've waited to shine.

As the last notes of the song, Bokura wa ima no naka de, trailed of, I glanced at the others. We were all panting hard but happiness radiated from all of us. What reaction would Mother have? I turned to stare at her and...

Before my question was answered, I woke up.

Disappointment crashed into me like a tsunami. That dream could be the answer! Maybe, just maybe, all of us in μ’s had to perform that song! We had mastered that song so we just needed to make some adjuatments. Hope weaved through me. It might work!

I got ready for school, ate brealfast and left in high spirits. Excitement carbonated my blood. I had to tell them my idea during practice!

-Time Skip to practice-

"Minna-san, can I ask a favour from you...?" I asked them while we were stretching.

They stared at me and nodded, giving me their attention.

"Etto...I know it is selfish of me to ask this but can we perform Bokura wa Ima no Naka de next week for my mother? She might let me continue music..." I trailed off and stared at them, uncertainty written on my face.

"Of course! You are a part of μ’s and we don't want to lose a precious member! How about we do it this Sunday?" Honoka exclaimed with a megawatt smile on her face.

"Are you sure we can actually perform in three days' time?!" I inquired with a tinge of doubt in my voice.

"Hmmm...it might be possible..." Umi mused. "I think we can do it- we practicd the song before," Kotori said. "The great idol, Nico, can help everyone become as great as me!" Nico said while doing her Nico-Nico-Nii pose. "Let's do it-nyan!" Rin and Honoka cheered with verve.

"Ou!"the others cheered.

"Arigato minna, I'm sorry for troubling you," I apologised and gazed at the floor.

"Don't worry! We are all in this together. Now, let's do our best!" Eli said with a grin. My lips curled into a slight smile as my heart felt warm and fuzzy.

Arigato minna, I mean it.

-Time skip to the day they perform-

It was the day.

The day we perform for Mother.

When I woke up, I sent countless prayers heavenwards. Please let Mother be persuaded by our performance.

I placed my costume in a bag and walked out of the house. I jad convinced Mother to drive me to the school field, which was where we would be performing for Mother.

Tension hung high in the air as Mother drove the car to the school field. A flame of hope ignited in me as I mentally played the song in my mind.

When we reached the school field, I tried to persuade Mother to stay for the performance. She begrudgingly followed me to the performance area. The others had arrived and had changed into their costumes. I exchanged a look with Nozomi, Umi and Eli. They were going to make sure that Mother stayed put while we changed and stretched.

I quickly changed into my costume and did some quick stretches. Then, all of us took our places.

"Mother, please enjoy our performance dedicated to you," I announced and all of us bowed. Then, the first notes of the song could be heard...

Honest feelings tie us all together

Even when we're being serious we're clumsy, Our hearts clash

Even so I want to achieve big dreams

It's right here, It's only just begun

(I know)

It's not just fun and games, We have to be tested

(I know)

Even though such pain lies in the future

(I'll go)

When we come together we get stronger

(I'm sure)

We'll continue to change

(We'll be stars!)

If each of us can put our hearts into the things we love

A new (place) will be our goal

If we trust in the things each of us loves

We can (embrace) the excitation and move forward

(Leave your fears behind)

With a brilliant smile

(Fly, fly high)

We live in the present

We've waited to shine

The last notes of the song trailed off and we panted. Happiness radiated from us and the enjoyment we had was tangible. Did it work? Was it successful? I glabced at Mother, who had shock written on her face. Then, her face seemed to soften but almost immediately, it was replaced with an unreadable expression.

"Nishikino Maki, I will not take back the deal. You will still have to quit music, no matter what,"Mother said sternly.

Disappointment and frustration seeped into me as I could feel a wetness forming at the corner of my eyes. No! I would not cry! There would be other ways. The others stared at me with an apologetic look. How I wish I could read Mother's thoughts...

"Well, I need to go to the hospital now and deal with more serious matters. I believe you can walk home,"Mother said as she strutted off to the car. The car sped off.

"There must be some other way! Don't worry Maki-chan! We will find it!" Honoka said with determination. Hanayo placed a hand on my shoulder, silently comforting me.

"Arigato minna," I mumbled.

"I believe there will be another way. All of us will think of ideas,"Eli said. "We can't give up! One day, Maki-chan's mother will be attracted to my cute self!" Nico exclaimed. All of us burst into peals of laughter. Nico was right. I could not give up. There would be another way.