Chapter Text
"You what?!"
"I'm going to graduate," the captain spoke, her eyes firmly locked with the redhead, "I'm turning 22, Yuko. I became a successor when I was 15. It's time for me to hand 00 to the new generation."
Yuko couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was this the same Takamina that was so afraid to graduate at one time that she panicked for days? The same Takamina who had to avoid her would-be successor's gaze for weeks, months even? "T-Takamina, you can't be serious...!"
The shorter idol shook her head, "I'm doing this, Yuko. This is my decision. I spoke to Tsubasa already... ah-!" The captain stopped in her tracks as she looked at the weeping ace before her.
The younger girl was a mess; sniffling, choking back sobs, on the verge of crumpling to the ground. "D-dammit! Takamina... I can't lose you! You have to stay, you have to! I-!"
"Yuko... I still love 00. I love all of the members, and the trainees... and... I love you, Yuko. And there's no way I'm letting that go. Like I said, I talked to Tsubasa already. I'm not leaving, not entirely. You're looking at the new assistant manager of AKB0048, Shiori Arisawa!" the green-haired girl threw a salute the way of her junior, along with a smile and a wink, in an attempt to raise her mood.
Yuko had ceased crying at this point, and after a moment even started to giggle a little, "Takamina... hehe, the trainees won't be able to take you seriously, y'know- they're gonna be taller than you!"
Takamina elbowed Yuko playfully as she laughed, then pulled her into a quick embrace, "And besides, I'm just graduating, not breaking up with you."
She stood up on her tiptoes to plant a quick peck on Yuko's lips. "The concert will be next week... and Christmas is in three weeks, right? That should be more than enough time for them to organize a succession concert."