Chapter Text
"Hello everyone, and welcome to nijigasaki idol clubs' live show". With those words, an epic concert from the niji idols began. It was explosive from start to finish, with each girl proudly singing their songs. The small makeshift arena was filled with cheering, laughter and even tears. Every fan was able to see the idols shine at their brightest. However one was yet to hit the stage, as we see Setsuna yuki sitting anxiously backstage. "Hey Setsuna, you're up next!", Yuu takasaki said with her classic dorky smile. "Alright, I'm ready!", Setsuna nodded.
The thing she didn't know was that something inside her had yet to rear its ugly head. Regardless, she hit the stage with the same shine as always. Making sure to look back at her friends with a cheerful grin as she did. With one step from behind the curtain, the crowd erupted in fiery cheers. It was a given that Setsuna yuki would put on an amazing show and that's what her fans came to see. As the girl took a deep breath, the music would hit. "Hashiridashita omoi wa tsuyoku suru yo!". As the girl belted out these lyrics, everyone's eyes lit up.
The crowd's gaze was focused solely on Setsuna. The way she moved, the raw power of her voice. Our audience was utterly enthralled, it's as if they were watching an angel. After one song ended, the next would begin. As Setsuna picked up a megaphone and shouted out her love at full force. For a moment, this was shaping up to be one of the girls best performances yet. Unfortunately though, something strange began happening. As Setsuna became extremely winded, having trouble completing each of her steps. This definitely wasn't normal; but our girl was going to power through. She kept singing and dancing until she was completely out of breath. Backstage the rest of niji was watching, definitely noticing her strange demeanor.
"Hey yuu chan, Setsuna seems…off today", ayumu noted. "Yeah, she's really sluggish. Maybe she hasn't been getting enough sleep". "Probably staying up and watching too much anime!", Ai giggled. While all the girls waved this off as just an off day. Setsuna was beginning to have even more troubles out on stage. She was now tiredly panting through each lyric hardly able to speak. There were concerned eyes glued to her from nearly everyone in the crowd. Regardless of how she felt though, Setsuna wasn't one to just give up. The girl kept pushing and pushing; trying her best to make it through her set. That is, until the unthinkable happened. Right before everyone's eyes, Setsuna yuki violently collapsed. Passing out from exhaustion and seeing nothing but black.
Meanwhile every member of nijigasaki quickly rushed out onto the stage. "Setsuna!!", Yuu cried. Fans in the crowd were horrified at the image of setsuna's lifeless body. Her friends yelled out to her and tried desperately to shake her awake. We would even see a teary eyed ayumu weeping over the top of the girl. "Setsuna, Setsuna, please…wake up!", She cried. Then as if hearing pomu's wails; Setsuna would awaken. "Eeh, guys…what's going on!?", the girl asked. "Y-you passed out Setsu!! We were worried to death!", Ai cried. "Passed out, I…i did?". "Look guys, we'll talk about all this later. We need to get Setsuna some place comfortable", yuu ordered. The idols then lifted their friend from the ground and walked her backstage.
Shioriko would give the audience a quick thank you and assure them Setsuna was okay. In the break room, nana was seated on a sofa and given an ice cold bottled water. Yuu then sat next to her wearing a worried expression. "Setsuna, what happened out there!?". "I have no clue, I just got really tired". "Tired, did you stay up late last night?". "I…don't believe so. Had a study session for over an hour and went to bed", nana recollected. "Hmmm, maybe you need some more rest then. After all, you do live a busy life", yuu said. "I guess so. Still, that was strange". "Ayumu and I will walk you home. Be sure to go right to sleep when we get there. No studying or practicing". "Alright, you're always so worried about me", Setsu giggled. Ayumu would then lift the girl up wearing a jealous expression. "Okay enough talk, let's go yuu-chan!".
Back at setsuna's house, the girls made sure she was comfortable and in bed. Before leaving, ayumu would channel her inner mother on Setsuna. "Open up, let me take your temperature". Setsuna would then comply as pomu slipped the device under her tongue. Seconds later, a small beeping echoed through the room. "Alright, let's see", pomu smiled. "Hmmm, that's weird". "What is it ayumu?". "Setsuna doesn't have a fever, her temperature's perfectly normal". "Then what's wrong with her!". "Guys I'm fine", Setsuna waved. "I just need some rest; I'll be back to normal in the morning". Deciding to take her word; the girls headed home. The next day at school, Setsuna went through her day like normal. Although most of this time was spent ensuring people she was okay.
Pretty soon the final bell would ring, signaling that it was time for dance practice. Setsuna then met up with the rest of her peers like usual. "Man, you sure gave us a scare yesterday Setsu", ai giggled. "I'm sorry, but I'm feeling better now". "Oh yeah, how about you prove it. Let's have a foot race!". "Heh, your on!". "Not so fast you two", shioriko said, stepping between them. "Setsuna literally passed out yesterday. The last thing she needs is to be doing anything strenuous!". "But I'm fine shioriko, just look at me", Setsuna said, beginning to run in place. "I understand that…but it's too soon to be pushing yourself". "You worry too much shio-ti, setsu's a-okay!". Disregarding the first year's warnings; ai and Setsuna made their way to the track.
Here the two girls stood at the starting line; with the rest of the club watching along. Ai then kneeled into a running position before yelling out. "On your marks, get set…go!!". The two idols then bursted from the starting line running full speed. Ai was always the more athletic, but Setsuna wasn't going to let the girl upstage her. She stayed neck and neck with ai for most of the race. However, the girl began to feel a familiar sensation in her chest. Setsuna became winded and found it hard to catch her breath. About this time ai would begin to blow past her, leaving only dust in her wake. Being someone who refused to surrender, nana pushed even harder. So much so that her breathing grew heavier and her vision blurrier. Regardless she kept running; even as her body felt like a ton of bricks. Ultimately, everyone watched as the usually fiery idol hit the ground.
"Setsuna!!!", They cried out. Her peers then rushed to her side to check on their friend. This time she was awake, however her eyes were glazed over and her body covered in sweat. "You fool, I told you this was a bad idea", shioriko growled. "I…I'm fine", Setsuna wheezed. "Just a little…tired is all". "Nonsense, there's something wrong here. You need to see a doctor immediately!!". "Shioriko I'm okay, I'm sure it's nothing", nana argued. However the first year refused to budge; growing even more angry at her senpai. "Setsuna I'm putting my foot down! As student council president, I forbid you from doing any idol activities until you get checked out". Silence went through the air as this order was given. None of the girls agreed with shioriko, but they couldn't deny that something was going on.
Knowing this was for the best, yuu would agree with shioriko. "She's right Setsuna, it's probably nothing. But seeing a doctor wouldn't hurt a thing". Setsuna was obviously disappointed, but looking into those jade green eyes always made her feel at peace. "A-alright, I'll have my mother schedule me an appointment this evening". A pleased shioriko then clasped the girls hands and smiled. "Thank you nana, your health is very important to all of us. I don't want to keep seeing these things happen to you". After this, Setsuna changed back into her uniform and headed home. Once there she told her mother everything; from being exhausted to collapsing on stage. Being so close with her child, the woman was shocked. Naturally she would bring her to the emergency room right then.
Elsewhere, shioriko stood on her balcony having a late night call with ayumu. "Do you think I was too hard on her?". "Not really", the second year said while twirling a piece of her pink hair. "Setsuna's a bit hard headed sometimes, someone needs to look out for her". "I know but…I don't want her thinking I'm an annoyance". "You're not annoying shioriko. You just care about your friends and that's a good thing". "Tee heh, I knew talking to you would make me feel better uehara". "That's what I'm here for, I have to talk yuu-chan through her problems all of the time". "That's nice, but you're not a therapist. It's unhealthy to get bogged down with everyone else's problems". "See, right there", pomu giggled. "You're always looking out for us". "I…guess I am", the girl blushed.
About this time, the phone call would be interrupted by a surprising text message. "Hey, Setsuna just sent me a text?". "I've received one as well,'' Shioriko replied. The two read the message as follows: "I went to the doctor and he told me some things. I'll be sharing what he said with all of you tomorrow". After reading the text, both girls were left with only more questions. "Hmmm, I wonder what the doctor said?". "I would hope it wasn't any bad news". Little did they know; the girl who sent this message was weeping. As the news she had would shock everyone in the nijigasaki idol club.
To be continued.