First of all I'd like to say hello to those who felt compelled to read this story. For those who may already know me due to "Primal Instincts" I just want to say no; I haven't forgotten about the story. Yes; I will continue it this summer, it's just that my picky self is not happy with how the NozoEri chapter is coming since I love that pairing and I don't feel it does justice to how great it actually is. But expect some soon.
Actually the reason I'm writing this is to let off some steam. For some reason Nicomaki is relatively easy for me to write so whenever I feel troubled about other pairing I do this. This doesn't mean I won't put any endeavor in writing this, on the contrary I've had this idea since a long time ago and will happily write it. It just may take some time for chapters to come out (I've already got things half-planned half-written up to chapter 2 though).
Btw, this is an AU where Maki and Nico had been childhood friends, part of the story remains similar to the anime, yet there will be slight differences you'll notice as we advance.
Without further ado, I leave this "prologue" to you.
I don't own Love Live or any of its separate media.
Prologue: Prelude
Life had been a series of constant charades and facades for Nishikino Maki ever since she found out about her romantic feelings towards her childhood friend; Yazawa Nico. Long since had she learned to maintain composure in front of her parent's friends, a skill she had never nurtured until those feeling aroused.
During her first year of high school, and the last of the latter she found herself constantly daydreaming about the pair of ruby eyes her friend possessed, her beautiful milky skin and her cute, pink lips. All perfectly accentuating that babyish beauty that characterized her.
However what drew her wasn't limited to physical attraction, somehow she had grown to love her constant Nico-nii's. Nico's sassy, showoff yet utterly failed haughty act now seemed adorable when she previously found it annoying. And the girl's willpower and sense of duty towards her dream just seemed to make her someone worth admiring to her young eyes.
Whenever they exchanged a simple look Maki's heart wouldn't stop loudly throbbing within her chest. And the redhead felt a burning yet pleasant heat spreading from her fingertips up to her ears whenever their fingers grazed each other. It was annoying to say the least how much her senior could control her without even noticing, and it troubled Maki the sudden awkwardness her reactions brought between them.
When her two friends, Hoshizora Rin and Koizumi Hanayo, suggested the word love to describe her problem she tried to deny it as much as she could, however her raised pulse, flushed cheeks and fumbling words made it clear: she was indeed in love with her childhood friend. That annoying, little midget had managed to find a place in her heart.
But what good would it bring? Nico never ceased to remind her how she looked at her: a stubborn, rich child with slanted eyes. She also took into account that they always ended up fighting due to trivial things whenever they spoke to each other. And, to begin with, the raven haired girl was too cute and girly to even consider liking another girl!
The outcome was clear; her love would never bear fruit. Worst of all was that if she did try anything to woo her and it went wrong their precious friendship, her first actual friendship, would disappear.
It was just not worth the risk in Maki's eyes, so swallowing not only her pride, but her feelings, she forced herself to go out with other people in a futile attempt to forget the brilliant smile that brightened her everyday life.
Her surprise was big when, during the beginning of Nico's first year at college, she announced she was dating their fellow friend: Toujo Nozomi. Apparently graduating had made both of their feelings clear and after the insecurities of perhaps not being able to see each other again, they confessed and began dating.
Maki was devastated to say the least, just like her Ayase Eri, an upperclassmen that was very close to Nozomi. Somehow both of them became close due to this and helped support each other whenever their best friend, and crush, needed to talk about their blossoming relationship.
However Maki grew bitter in the absence of Nico, for whom she always put up at least a fake smile. It was during those last two bitter years of high school that she became renowned for playing around with the girls in school. She didn't know when and how but she actually slept with a pair of them just to let out pent frustration.
For Maki, the sole act of remembering Nico fawning about Nozomi, talking about their "great" dates, goddamn the image of the purple head grabbing and rubbing the girl's chest in front of her, with her usual teasing smirk on her face laughing at her, all of it never failed to make Maki's blood boil. And the only way she knew how to appease her turmoil of emotions was with music.
The problem with music was that it now hurt. More than she ever thought it would. Her true emotions always escaped whenever she sat in front of her piano; anguish, regret, anger. Playing music now meant facing not only her lost against Nozomi but also the grim result of not even trying anything with her short sempai.
Sex was easier than coming true to her own emotions; sex was intense, it didn't give space to think about anything but the moment; so she would surrender to this guilty pleasure as much as she needed to let things go.
Even though they had been best friends for years she was no one to say a word against Nico's and Nozomi's relationship. She actually had to put her best mask and tell Nico she and their purple headed friend were a great, cute and matching couple, all with a perfect smile on her face. The mask hurt, yet she had to wear it whenever she was asked what she thought about the two of them together.
Maki had given up on trying to change anything, be it with Nico or with herself. If it were for her things would have stayed the same forever.
Things however took a sudden turn at the middle of her first year in college when out of the blue Nico asked her if they could sleep together, even while still dating Nozomi.
Well this is the introduction, some may or may not notice but the chapter titles will all have something to do with classical music. This one is very self-explaining, "Prelude", the others may be harder to guess (like the title). If there's anyone who also enjoys classical music please do try to guess the reason behind the title. If not I'll be happy to answer doubts.
Please tell me what you think. Read you later.
