Friends

Friends (ともだち) is the twelfth episode of the ''Love Live! School idol project'' anime series. It was aired on March 24, 2013.

Summary
The episode begins with Honoka collapsing. All the members of μ's are surprised and start trying to wake her up. Honoka's sister runs to her while calling her name, while Eli tells the audience that one of the members had an accident. Umi and Kotori help Honoka up, while Nico tells Nozomi that they're not giving up. However, Nozomi says that it's impossible for Honoka to continue performing, therefore μ's can't continue performing.

Two of the fans leave the concert, which saddens the group. Later on, μ's visits Honoka to see if she's doing fine. It seems that Honoka is still recovering and her leg was sprained. Sadly, they tell Honoka that they won't be performing in the Love Live! tournament and forfeited, therefore their ranking was removed. Honoka says that it's her fault, but everyone tells her that it wasn't her fault and was, instead, everybody's fault.

μ's gets depressed and so does Honoka. Later at school, they decide to practice again. Kotori is still depressed about not having the chance to tell Honoka about her decision. On the rooftop, Eli says that they can still do it. Just then, Maki, Rin, and Hanayo go through the door and tells the group that the school has been saved and they all decide to celebrate by having a party. At the party, everyone is in jolly spirits except Umi and Kotori. Umi tells Kotori that she needs to tell everyone her decision, but Kotori is doubted. Umi then stands up and tells μ's that Kotori is moving away to a fashion boarding school. Everyone is surprised, but Honoka's shock is the first to fade away and she gets angry. Kotori tells Honoka that she wanted to tell her the most, but she couldn't because Honoka was so focused on the Love Live!, and then runs away crying. Umi tells Honoka that Kotori had a hard time choosing whether to go or not, and tells Honoka that Kotori was worried about her. Umi asks Honoka to understand the situation.

Later on, Honoka sends a message to Kotori saying that she had no idea that Kotori was so worried and apologizes. While watching A-RISE perform "Private Wars" at the Love Live! on her laptop, Honoka finally gives up and states that she can never reach their level. On the rooftop, μ's reveals that they're planning to do a final live with everybody before Kotori leaves. But Honoka tells them that it was her fault and that none of this would've happened if it wasn't for the accident. The members tell her to stop saying that, but Honoka then says that the school is saved, therefore there's no reason to keep on performing and that's it's impossible to go against a group like A-RISE. Honoka tells them that she quits, but before she leaves, Umi slaps her cheek, saying that she didn't think that she's that kind of person and that she's the worst there is.

Cast

 * Nitta Emi as Kousaka Honoka
 * Nanjou Yoshino as Ayase Eli
 * Uchida Aya as Minami Kotori
 * Mimori Suzuko as Sonoda Umi
 * Iida Riho as Hoshizora Rin
 * Pile as Nishikino Maki
 * Kusuda Aina as Toujou Nozomi
 * Kubo Yurika as Koizumi Hanayo
 * Tokui Sora as Yazawa Nico
 * Touyama Nao as Kousaka Yukiho
 * Sakura Ayane as Ayase Alisa
 * Asano Masumi as Honoka's Mother
 * Hidaka Noriko as Principal Minami
 * Miyake Marie as Hideko
 * Yamamoto Nozomi as Fumiko
 * Hara Sayuri as Mika
 * Sakuragawa Megu as Kira Tsubasa
 * Matsunaga Maho as Toudou Erena
 * Oohashi Ayuru as Yuuki Anju

Members of μ's

 * 1) Kousaka Honoka Quits by the end of episode.
 * 2) Ayase Eli
 * 3) Minami Kotori Left in the middle of the episode due to Honoka not telling her about studying overseas
 * 4) Sonoda Umi
 * 5) Hoshizora Rin
 * 6) Nishikino Maki
 * 7) Koizumi Hanayo
 * 8) Toujou Nozomi
 * 9) Yazawa Nico