I apologize if this fanfic takes too much time to update... I don't have a good reasons for that so I hope I make it up to you?
Please bear with the errors you are going to encounter while reading this
I do not own love live
Chapter 3: Reunion
" Cold..." a red haired girl mutter to herself as she walk to the place she's going, feeling the cold breeze touching her cheeks together with the snow who began to fall on the ground the redhead can't help but to wonder why she strolled around this area with her bare feet when she could just use her car
"look Honoka chan snows are falling again nya..." a cat like girl happily exclaimed as if it is the first time she actually see a falling snow
" you're right Rin chan! After all its christmas !" a ginger haired girl replied while looking up in the sky trying to catch the snow
Hearing the childish exchange with the two idiotic people beside her... Maki can't help but to twitched her eyebrows for they were the culprit who drags her into this situation... she's definitely blaming them and swear to pay them back big time...
The said girls notice the glare from the red head surgeon and spoke trying to defend themselves
"oh come on! Maki chan... Don't give me that look nya... Don't be such a grumpy during christmas, you use to love this day of the year nya! ... . The cat like girl tried to reason out seeing the growing murderous aura coming out from the red head
" Rin chan is right Maki chan" the ginger haired girl interfere..." don't be such a grumpy or Santa will be mad at you~..."
"w-what... the hell Honoka! you know Santa isn't real!..." Maki shout completely red by the sudden topic they were currently having..." besides are you already drunk? its already New Year's Eve! Chrismast has ended a few days ago!
"aren't they the same?... besides Maki chan the most important thing is we are all going to be together!..." Honoka jump in excitement while pumping her fist in the air
" yeah! ... . but Maki chan you used to believe in Santa san nya... if only Nico didn't told you the truth... I bet you will stick to that belief nya..." Rin said
Hearing the name of the person Maki once loved, she can't help but to widen her eyes, Maki completely didn't expect for her to be brought up to the topic that they currently having. Its been weeks since she met her again, only Kotori and Umi knew about Nico's situation and hearing her other friends saying her name casually, the red head doctor is sure that both Kotori and Umi didn't say anything regarding Nico's condition.
" Maki chan are you okay nya?"
" Im fine..." Maki said while looking up in the sky and wished that everything would be alright tonight
After an hour of walking under the snow the three of them found themselves in front of a bar which is owned by Nozomi and Eli, Maki take note to herself that she is not surprise since the blonde is a good drinker and can handle any type of alcohol. The rest of the Muse were here and everyone is present except for Kotori and Umi who said that they are going to be late and of course her but Maki didn't expect her to be here since Nico said that she don't remember anything and besides the rest of the group were already accustom to the absence of the black haired girl.
"Im glad you're here Maki, I thought you can't make it..." Maki look to the owner of the voice and give her a stern look
"I was planning not to, but for some reasons Tsubasa just burst in my condo and drag Anju telling me that they will going to have a New Year's party exclusive for A-Rise members only... And since she is with Honoka that idiot drag me here saying that she can't leave me alone..."
"well it was worth it right?... its not like we plan to separate you and Anju during New Year's eve..." Eli said
"as if I didn't know that, I knew that Honoka and Tsubasa are just pawn into this, my intuition told me that you Eli Ayase was the master mind..." Maki said while still glaring at the blonde's direction.
Sigh... I wish I can spend my new year with my beloved but seeing my friends and her friends being against to that plan I can't help but feel frustrated towards them.
"Sigh..."
a long sigh was heard coming from the person beside Eli, for some reasons Maki feel that something was odd to her for she didn't say anything ever since the red head sat opposite to them, well its not like its weird but for the washi washi and the teasing master of the group being quiet all this time is something that Maki even Eli think that it is very unusual
"Nozomi what's wrong? you've been playing with your cards since this party has started..." Eli ask in concern
"I don't know Elicchi, for some reasons I feel that something unexpected will happen and it is so frustrating bacause I can't tell if its good or bad..." Nozomi said, anxiety can be heard from her voice for some reasons Maki felt anxious too, she knew she can't underestimate Nozomi's intuition and when she said that something might happen, there is a high probability that it might really happen.
"well I hope that it wasn't the latter one..." Eli tried to soothe her girlfriend's feelings..." besides nothing bad will happen as long as I am here with you... I'll protect you my love from everything that will harm you..." Eli said with reassuring smile, she embrace Nozomi from her side and place a quick kiss on her lips before giving her a warm gaze. Maki just sigh and stare at the two in annoyance, the sudden affection between them made her frustrated for some reasons.
These two being cheesy in front of me! ...They never learn to act civil when other people are with them... Sigh... but looking at these two acting like they were still in high school being lovey dovey with each other... I...I envy them bacause unlike my relationship with her that ends up in tragic, these two felt like they will be together forever...and seeing them finding their own happiness with each other... it makes me start to wonder...
if I insist not to let her go will we end up like these two?...
"Don't worry Nozomi... Im here"
If I'd become selfish that time can we have a happy ending like the rest of our friends?...
"Kayo chin let's sing together nya~…"
If I bribe her to stay can we find forever with each other?
"I love you..."
Those were the questions that were lingering on my mind... I know that its useless to think about those questions especially when Im already with my special someone but ever since we met each other once again all Ive been doing is asking myself 'what if there'... 'what if that'... Sigh... I really hate myself for thinking question such as 'what if we stay together'... the main reason for that is because I knew a part of me hadn't really move on... a part of me wish that she has an acceptable reasons for leaving... and its because a part of me still love that person~ and I fear that one day... that this small part of me that loved her... grow enough to decide to leave the person I am with now...
"Maki chan? Whats wrong its seems like you were thinking something really important" Nozomi ask as she observe that the redhead was lost in deep thought
"nothing... Im just...just...thi-" her words was cut off when Eli announce something
"listen!... Umi and Kotori are coming and they said that they have a huge surprise for us!..." Maki felt that it was surprising for them but not for her
"Yey!... Im excited for their surprise nya! Honoka what do you think it is nya!..." the cat like girl jump in excitement
"Rin chan!... stop it you might hurt yourself" a timid girl aided the excited cat like girl...
"I don't know! ... . Maybe their baby!?..." Honoka said who's also excited by the surprise
sigh... These idiots, do they even know what they were talking about?... Seriously... These three never grows up huh... Wait... Three?... Well she's one of the 3 idiots so... so... Ah! Forget it!... damn it Maki!... She's not even here to begin with!... So stop thinking and forget about her okay...
As Maki watch the rest of her friends absorb in their conversations of catching up with each other, the people that they've all of been waiting for appeared, Umi and Kotori finally made it to their group reunion.
"Umi chan!... Kotori chan!.. What take you so long! ... where's the surprise?!..." Honoka immediatly made her way to the two remembering the surprise that they were talking about... Hearing that Kotori and Umi finally arrive Maki can't help but to feel nervous for some reasons she can't actually pin point.
"Is it true nya... you're going to show us your baby nya?..." Rin said while also making her way to the two.
Ugh... I hope thats it... and not the other thing that I am thinking about... If what Im thinking is true about their surprise... Theres no doubt that a mass of questions will be throw at me..
"Rin its impossible okay... theres no way that Umi and Kotori would going to have a baby... unless they decide to adopt one..." Eli said while still hugging Nozomi that for some reasons is intensely staring at Kotori and Umi's figure like she's really expecting something
"t-thats not it okay!... y-you're thinking w-way to far! ... ." Umi said as usual she can't handle that kind of things
"don't worry soon!... Were going to have one!..." Kotori said..."but that is not our surprise!..."
"really then what is it?!..." Nozomi ask she really is looking forward to Kotori and Umi's surprise she knows it is very out of character for her but she can't help but to look forward to it.
"Well about that..."
The rest of the muse were shock by the surprise of the newly arrived couple they didn't expect that it was Nico, no one from the group said anything they just stare to the small figure of the black haired girl they knew at the same time they don't
"N-Nicocchi... is it really y-you?..." Nozomi look at Nico in wide eyes..."Nicocchi?..."
"I guess it really is me..."Nico jokingly said the other members of Muse just stare at her in disbelief its like she was a dead person who came back to life
"Nicocchi I missed you!..." Nozomi run from where Niko is standing and hug her very tightly..."where have you've been?... I am so worried about you..."Nozomi began to cry as she hug a suffocating Nico afraid that she might disappeared again
"Really?... Im sorry, I guess?..." Nozomi back away from Nico she carefully observe the petite girl, for some reasons she can't help but to feel that there is something different with the black haired girl...
"What happen to you Nico chan?..." Hanayo ask unable to keep quiet by the sudden development of the event.
"I assume I had made everyone of you worried about me... and for that I deeply apologize..."Nico bow her head in apology which is very out of character to the hard headed president of idol research club
"Whoa! who are you!..." Honoka exclaim after witnessing the different side of Nico it was meant to be a joke but Nico take it seriously, the three members of Muse who knew her situation observed Nico's appearance and what they saw made them worried, a mix of agony and fear can be seen to the expression of the black haired girl.
"Nicocchi are you okay?..." Nozomi ask after she saw the sudden change in Nico's demeanor
" y-yeah Im fine..." Nico force a smile however Nozomi saw through it, she definitely feel that there is something odd with Nico and Umi just confirm it...
"You shouldn't have said that Honoka!..." Umi shout in anger, she knew she shouldn't act that way considering that their friends didn't know Nico's situation exactly, but
seeing how hurt the petite girl is she can't help but to over react after all Umi knows that Nico is having an issue about acceptance
"Wait! Umi chan I didn't do anything!.." Honoka wave her hands in defense seeing her childhood friend being angry with her
"Umi san its fine... besides I knew she didn't mean it..." Nico tried to intervene seeing the trouble she might cost ..."I am so sorry for causing you troubles..."she added with a trouble smile
Hearing Nico called Umi so formally they knew that there is definitely something wrong with the girl. All of them think the same thing confirmation of what really happened to Nico.
"I-Im sorry too..."Honoka apologize to the petite girl but the confusion is still lingering in her face..."I don't understand whats happening here though..."
"Sigh... I'll tell you what happen but please try to understand me..."Nico said with a solemn look, the rest of the people kept their mouth shut they knew that what Nico would say is something important considering the serious aura surrounding the black haired girl...
"We'll listen to everything you will say Nicocchi and no matter what it is... I want you to know that we are still here for you..."Nozomi hold Nico's hands and give her a reassuring smile...
"Thanks... " Nico took a deep breath and look at everyone with determination l..."I want you to know that I lost my memories and I can't remember a thing about you all!..."silence envelop them no one said a single word as they process what Nico had said...
The petite girl just look to the people around her, she can't help but to be worried about their reactions considering the silence between them she had come to a conclusion that maybe they think that it is absurd...
"L-Listen... I know it is f-funny but it is the truth..."Nico looked at everyone tears are beginning to form in the corner of her eyes. Everyone in Muse just watch her hurtful face they can't imagine the things that Nico might have been through...
"Nicocchi it's fine we believe you... well for starter how about we introduce ourselves... Im Tojou Nozomi..." after Nozomi introduced herself the rest of the Muse members followed her example. The party continued for the Muse members everyone are absorb with their own conversation, Maki sat to Nico's side opposite to Eli and Nozomi the other members of the group are busy with their own activities. The red head found herself involve in a conversation especially to Nico's personal life like her job, hobbies and her life in other country...
"What's wrong Nicocchi?... you've been staring at me and Elicchi for sometime now..."Nozomi ask after noticing the observing stare that Nico is giving to them..."do you find our relationship peculiar, absurd and disgusting..."
"Oh!... no no no, I didn't!..."Nico wave her hands to express her opposition to that idea "its just that you two looked like you really love each other and... and its my first time to see a couple like you two... but don't get me wrong okay! I am not against to same sex relationship! considering it is usual to the country I came from!..."
"Relax... I know, besides everyone here is the same just like us you know..."Nozomi gave Nico a reassuring smile to ease the other girl's uneasiness..."by the way Nicocchi are you in a relationship right now?..."
"Uhg!..."Maki who has been quiet all this time beside Nico choke on her food which earn the attention of the people around her.
"Maki chan~ are you okay..."Nozomi ask teasingly while observing the trouble look of the red head.
"Im fine Nozomi... besides you shouldn't ask Nico something personal as that..." Maki tried to avert the topic, she can't let her find out about their past relationship, she's thankful for Kotori and Umi's consideration for being quiet about this but she can't let her guard down.
"I don't see the bad thing about that Maki chan..."Maki just looked at Nozomi incredulously, she don't know where this conversation will lead them to, after all the purple haired girl is really hard to read even though Maki knew that Nozomi will never do such thing as revealing the truth to Nico but the thought of not knowing the other girl's true intentions is really bothering her..."do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend perhaps?..."
"Nozomi..."Eli tried to intervene seeing the irritation in Maki's face, the blonde knew why Maki is not comfortable with this conversation.
"It's fine, I don't mind answering that question..." Nozomi even Eli looked at Nico expectantly on the other hand Maki wants to leave on her spot right away..."ahm... I never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend since Im very focus on my studies and-..."Nico pause for a moment remembering something important..."I never had one right? I mean in the past?..."
Time has stop from spinning for them, no one from the three knew what exactly to say especially Maki it is hard to admit but she is not ready to open up with Nico, consider her as a coward but she really is afraid to see the reaction of the black haired girl if she found out the truth.
"Well do I have a special someone 'before?'..."
"Nico let's sing one of A-Rise song..."the awkward silence has been disperse thanks to Hanayo...
"A-Rise?... whose that?..." Hanayo was shock by Nico's statement its like those time when they did everything just to attend on the group's concert unknown to their co-members had been completely vanish and gone to waste...
"So Nico senpai is no longer a fellow idol fanatic huh..." Hanayo sadly ask to her former idol comrade, on the other hand Maki has been relieved to the tension right now, she glare at Nozomi who only smile at her apologetically and now join in Hanayo and Nico's conversation
"Oh... Nicocchi you don't have any idea how much of a fangirl you are to idols..."Nozomi mischievously grin while showing her video cam. and play some video
Nico...Nico...nii
I'll nico nico ni your heart!...
Im Yazawa Nico and I'll put a smile in your heart!...
Remember Im Nico nii...
And I love Nico you!...
Nico drop her drink in an instant she can't believe that the girl with a weird catch phrase is her. It is too much for her to handle to the point she forgot how to breath. Everyone burst in a laughter after they saw Nico's reaction except for Maki who for some reasons is not happy by how Nico react
she used to love that catch phrase... but now she felt ashamed by it...
The members of Muse celebrated the New Year together for them it is the most special day of the year for they we're all present together for the first time in ten years. They are all very thankful because one of their family member manage to find her way back to their family, Nico manage to find her way back to where she truly belong.
"Make sure to take good care of her... okay Maki chan~…"Nozomi ask her in a more reprimanding tone and Maki can't help but to nod her head in answer after all fighting back with Nozomi in an argument is futile.
"Sigh... fine, Ill make sure to take care of her..."she said as she looked at Nozomi from inside the cab. She don't know why but her friends just decided for her to be the one who will accompany a drunk Nico back to her appartment the said stubborn girl is already passed out just because of one bottle of beer.
After several minutes of traveling the two of them manage to make it in front of Nico's appartment. Maki wake Nico up to ask her for the keys. The redhead open the door and assist an unstable Nico to her bedroom.
"Seriously... stubborn as always huh... getting drunk by one bottle of beer is really lame you know..."Maki said to the drunk girl in front of her while wiping some sweat on Nico's forehead...
"One and a hal-f..."Nico mumbled, Maki sigh by this sight of stubborness it is true that the black haired girl has lost her memories but it seems that her being a hard headed person remains the same...
"You're still easy to provoke... if you can't handle alcohol then you should have said so..."Maki said remembering why Nico got drunk...
"Ugh!... stop lecturing me Mom!... Im sorry okayyyyyyy~..."
"Sigh... now Im your mother?... seriously still as idiot as ever huh Nico chan~…"Maki unconsciously smile to Nico, she can't help but to feel a slight of happiness knowing that the old Nico is still there... that somewhere inside of this petite girl is Maki's cute Nico nii... Maki tentatively reach for Nico's cheeks when her line of sight captured a small box near the lamp shade... she reach for it slowly and then inspect the said box which is wrapped in a christmas wrapper
"What's this a Chrismast present?..."she ask the petite girl but the said person is already passed out. She direct her sight again to the small box and observed how worn it is... theres nothing visible in it except for merry and some letters of christmas on the wrapper.
"It looks old and worn out for a christmas present..."Maki saw some stain in its wrapper... the red head took a closer look at the small present however those stains around it is no ordinary dirt... as a doctor there's no way that she can mistake it as a dirt it was definitely a stain of-
Blood...
Maki looked at the sleeping figure of Nico several questions are forming inside of her head. All this time Maki tried to dismissed the thought of wanting to know of what really happened to Nico during that night when they supposed to meet, she wanted to ask the petite girl the reason why she didn't come to the park during that christmas eve... she wanted to know why she leave and then came back without a single fragment of their sweet memories...
Maki can no longer hold herself she wanted the answers right now and the person who can answer that is just in front of her...
"Just what exactly happen to you..."
"Nico chan..."
Your comments or opinions are welcome so see you on next chapter! Thank you for reading!...