Err.. This is inspired by some of NicoMaki doujin. English is not my native language, so forgive me if it's not good.
Disclaimer: Love Live isn't mine.
1
Her senpai, as childish as she is, Maki thinks, is surprisingly reliable. She doesn't wonder if Eri, the student council president is a dependable person, doesn't think too much if Nozomi, the shrine maiden who always looking over their group, is too. However, Nico, the two-faced Nico-nii, is a different story altogether.
For one, physically, she looks younger than the rest of them, even if she's being compared with the first years. Adding her lack of maturity behavior to the equation, Maki doesn't even think she can consider the raven haired girl as third year if not because of the green ribbon adorns her collar.
So, when she's looking at the reliable side of her tiny senpai, there's no question why she's slightly amazed, isn't there?
.
.
.
Before, when Maki met Nico's younger siblings for the first time, there was another circumstance she needed to reckon, so she didn't think it much. The second time, the Nico's special mini live, was the same. But the third time… like someone says, is charm. Maki doesn't understand why Nico's siblings look up to their older sister so much, to the point of copying her 'nico-nii' trademark, god bless they still behaved so well, unlike her older sister. She doesn't know why Nico lies to them, and why they believe her so easily, the raven haired girl isn't exactly a great liar, after all.
"Onee-chan! Who's her? She's one of µ's members, right?"
"Yeah, she's Maki-chan. She'll eat with us tonight."
"Onee-sama, is there anything I can help?"
"Erm… maybe you can accompany Maki-chan when I'm preparing dinner, Kokoro?"
"Nee-san."
"With Koutarou and Kokoa too."
However, now, when she's looking at their interactions once again… the question began to rise in her head, swirling around without definite answer.
.
.
.
The story was starting when Nozomi asking their group what's their plan for dinner tonight ("It's weekend!" she reasons) after she heard the second years trio agreed to eat together later. The answers, including Honoka, Kotori, and Umi, are similar, except for Nico and Maki.
Rin and Hanayo want to try this new family restaurant near their home. Eri and Nozomi are planning to Nozomi's, preparing for exams, is their excuse, and sleepover. Nico is going home, she rejected Eri's offer ("Would you join us, Nico?" "What? I don't want to do threesome with you." "What—"), saying she has to make dinner for her siblings. Maki is the same when Rin and Hanayo asked her, she reasoned her home is nowhere near them ("And I don't want to be a third-wheel," she mutters softly).
"But then you two would be alone nyaa," Rin says, frowning. "Even though, its weekend and we don't have practice."
"Nothing's wrong with that," Maki replies, aloofly.
"B-but its feel lonely…" Hanayo murmurs.
"Ha-ha! Nico's never feel lonely or alone! Not like the princess over there!"
"Haa—"
"Hey, hey, maybe you two should eat together! Maki-chan can go to Nico-chan's house! Your home's in the same direction, right?" Honoka interjects suddenly. She is smiling happily as if she has resolved some serious problem.
"EH?"
"No way!"
Her idea, however, is immediately rejected by the involved people.
""Why would I eat with her?""
"Hey, don't copy me!"
"You're the one—"
Nevertheless, in the end, though still not pleased, they're complying. These two know it's more trouble to protest than to accept their fate after the others, teaming up, pressures them to agree, saying it's for the group' sake, tonight is a bonding time, or whatever-blahblah-nonsense they are spouting.
.
.
.
The first time Maki met Nico, she thought the girl's really ridiculous. Really? Poop-look-alike hat? For someone who, later she knows, like fashion, Nico definitely doesn't have common sense when it comes to normal clothes. One example is, when Nico made them went to Akiba, wearing coat, masker, and sunglasses, because she thought they wouldn't look suspicious in that outfit.
It's not winter, for god' sake! Although, the fact, the others didn't immediately assume the role of the straight-man is a wonder in itself.
But now, when she see the raven haired girl take care her siblings so well.
"Hey, Kokoa, eat your vegetables!"
"Muuu."
"Koutarou too, don't leave any food in your plate."
"Yess..."
"Kokoro, can you pass the salt, please?"
"Yes, Onee-sama."
Maki is aware Nico intentionally playing the role of an idiot with them. If only, she's acted serious more often, maybe they would respect this senior more.
"It's delicious!"
"Heheheh, of course, it's delicious if Super Idol Nico is the one cooking!"
…on second thought, maybe she's fine like this. Maki smiles unconsciously. Nico is Nico, after all.
.
.
.
It's night. After dinner, which Maki needs to admit is nice; they're relaxing together in Yazawa household's living room. Koutarou, as usual, playing quietly in one corner, whilst his more outspoken siblings, sit around Maki, looking at her as if she's some fascinating creature from another planets. They are told by Nico to accompany Maki while the older girl's cleaning, anyway.
"Maki-san is a member of µ's, right?"
"Y-yeah."
"Then you can sing and dance like Nico-nee-chan?"
"Nee-sama says Maki-san's singing is beautiful. We want to hear it."
Nico-chan says what?
"Yeah! We want to!"
"Sing…"
"E-eh…"
The redhead, doesn't know what she should do, blushes at their puppy-eyes-stare. Ugh. They're certainly Nico's sisters.
"Ah, yes, yes, what's song do you want?"
"Hmm…"
"Mmm…"
They look at each other before answering together.
""Aishiteru banzai!""
Maki smiles awkwardly. That's really…
"Just not the whole song, okay?"
""Eeehh.""
.
.
.
They're standing in Yazawa's apartment doorway. Kokoro, Kokoa, and Koutarou already asleep, exhausted after much excitement tonight.
"Thanks, Maki-chan," Nico says. "For looking after them."
Maki shakes her head. "No need to thank me. They're really good kids… considering her older sister is like that." She adds, teasingly.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Nico's fake-pouting. "That's specifically because I'm their older sister."
They look at each other for a while, before laughing softly.
"Really, the princess doesn't need me to walk her home?" Nico asks, with a smirk.
"Yes, because the princess has chauffeur to pick her up," Maki answers, with the same smirk.
.
.
.
For the long (maybe short) time, Maki knows Nico, the redhead realizes she's always have better impression of the girl's after their interaction together. It's like turning the coin, and looking at the side she has never seen.
So, although the first notion is not best, the redhead thinks she can expect more good things to come in the long run they befriended each other. After all, even though, she never shows it, she's honestly enjoying their banter together.
Not like she would say that to the others.
Finally, it's done! This is my tribute for my OTP. Although, my faith on them almost wavered when I watch the anime. Yes, I'm one of the fans who read the doujin before the actual shows. Fortunately(or not), the Drama CD (and other NicoMaki fans) makes my belief back.
Or maybe I just like Nicocchi and Maki-chan too much.
Ah.. and this fict is not really NicoMaki, I realize, or more like NicoMaki friendship. But I hope you, reader, enjoyed this nevertheless. So... review? :3