試験を 終わりました! (I finished my exams!)

First I want to say thank you all for your support. There's still way more to come so hope you all can stick around. And second, as some of you may know, I have a tumblr (and if you didn't know, now you do), but I have decided to make a sideblog to put up any LL one-shots since I have some ideas running in my head. And of course, any of your ideas are welcome too. I'll keep you updated on that if you're interested. I should have that up and running, hopefully, by the next update or two.

But other than that, I hope you enjoy this chapter!


"Onee-sama, wake up!"

"Onee-chan! It's the morning!"

Nico groaned, pulling the covers over her head as if it was going to put the shouting on mute, as her two younger sisters violently shook her. It was too early on a Saturday morning to be woken up so abusively. After a minute or two more of whining for Nico to get out of bed, the third-year threw the blanket off of her and let out a long sigh before sitting up.

"Why are you so energetic this morning?" she asked drowsily as she put herself on the edge of the bed, taking her time to get up.

"Because we're going out today," Cocoa smiled, following her older sisters towards the door. Nico stretched and yawned, but then froze in the middle of it when the youngest sister continued: "And you're taking us out."

Nico stayed in her awkward position, her two sisters staring at her back in confusion. "Onee-sama?"

"I thought Mama was taking you," Nico said, hoping she heard Cocoa wrong.

"Mama had to go to work today," Cocoro informed her as Nico kept her back facing them. "She said you'd be taking us."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure you're the only Nico we call big sister," answered Cocoro, still confused.

Nico sighed before turning to the two girls who perked up when Nico looked from one to the other. "Why don't you two get ready? I'll get breakfast started and we'll leave right after."

They both cheered and ran out of Nico's room as fast as they could. Nico slowly followed after them and entered the kitchen where Cotaro sat on the floor with one of his toys.

"Out," was all he said as Nico passed over him.

"Yes, I know, after breakfast," Nico told him as she opened the fridge to see what she could make only to find the fridge was completely empty except for the half-carton of milk and leftovers her mom brought home last night.

The third-year grunted out of frustration as she closed the fridge slowly and then opened it again as if something would magically appear.

"Onee-sama, we're ready!" Cocoro happily shouted as both her and Cocoa entered the kitchen. Nico closed the fridge door and turned to her siblings. "What's wrong, Onee-sama?"

"I guess we have to go out for food," she told them as Cotaro made his way to his oldest sister, indicating to help him get ready.

Nico walked Cotaro to her siblings' shared bedroom and started to take out the little boy's clothes from his drawer as Cotaro stood in the middle of the room, playing with his small toy in hand. Nico was trying her best to take off her little brother's shirt as he refused to let go of the small toy.

"Co…ta…ro," Nico grumbled as she struggled with what should have been an easy task. "It'll only take a second. Let go of the toy."

But he didn't budge, holding onto the small object with his dear life. "You're the one who wanted to change," Nico reminded, trying her best to pull his shirt off without hurting him.

"Onee-chan!"

The sudden loudness scared the third-year, her careful pulling turning into a quick jerk that sent Cotaro's toy flying out of his hand and breaking as it hit the hard floor with a crash. Nico stared at the broken mess, Cotaro's pajama shirt in hand while Cocoa gave an apologetic look.

"Cotaro," Nico started, but it was too late. The youngest already had tears in his eyes as he stared in horror at his demolished toy. Nico sighed as she quickly wiped the tears that ran down his face; she was glad Cotaro was never one to cry loudly.

She turned to Cocoa who still stood at the entrance. "What is it, Cocoa?"

"Ah," she said, remembering why she called her sister in the first place. "Your phone was ringing. Cocoro answered it though; I just wanted to let you know."

"Huh? Who was it?" Nico asked as she slowly slid Cotaro's clean shirt on, his tears slowly drying.

"Um…" Cocoa stopped to think in order to recall the name that was on the caller id. "Oh! It said someone named Nishikino Maki."

"Eh?!" In shock, Nico had accidentally pushed Cotaro down. The oldest quickly turned to her fallen brother who was in tears again from the impact. She scooped him up in her arms and did her best to wipe his tears, but he was too mad at her to be cooperative.

Nico sighed as Cotaro kept trying to squirm out of her hands. As soon as she released him, he ran out into the kitchen to get away from his older sister. The third-year groaned as she watched Cotaro run off and then glanced at the broken toy that still laid on the floor in pieces.

This is all Maki's fault.


"Onee-sama is busy right now."

"Huh? What is she doing?"

"She's taking care of our little brother."

"Oh. Okay, well just – "

"Ah! I think something just broke."

"What?"

"I'll let Onee-sama know you called!"

"No, wait – "

Maki held her phone, completely flabbergasted by the conversation she just had. The dial tone played in her ear as Nico's younger sister hung up before Maki could tell her not to tell her partner she called. She didn't want the teasing third-year to mock her that she was being assertive.

The redhead ended the call and stared at her bedroom ceiling. She's been partners with Nico for a little over a month and half now, but being around the raven-haired girl still made Maki nervous that it was hard for her to open up, no matter how much she wished she could just say what she wanted like her partner did – maybe just not as aggressively.

Maki rolled off of her bed and walked over to her desk, stopping when the only picture that sat on the table caught her eye.

Nico insisted – or technically demanded – that they take a picture after Maki's district competition. She had grabbed Maki before she could walk away and they had started bickering before Nico whined, "I just want a picture with my winner." Maki had agreed, mostly because she was too flustered to reject the third-year again.

Nico had that same big grin on her face, her arm over Maki's shoulder so as to make sure the first-year didn't run away. She had pulled Maki in as close as she could get that their cheeks were slightly touching. Compared to her lively partner, Maki had a soft, genuine smile playing on her face, her first place trophy in her hand. She had to admit; Nico was good at taking pictures.

Maki didn't really display pictures, but Nico had printed out their first picture together and framed it for the redhead knowing her partner wouldn't do it. Maki had told her that she'd just end up stuffing it somewhere she'd forget, but now that the first-year stared at it, she was glad her pushy partner gave it to her.

Her thoughts broke when she remembered that she had to finish her next piece for regionals that was to take place in the summer. Maki looked at the clock, telling her it was ten; she changed out of her pajamas before she started heading towards her bedroom door.

But before she could walk out, her phone started to ring; Maki quickly turned back around to grab it off her nightstand, half hoping it was from Nico and the other half hoping it wasn't. She answered without looking at the caller id.

"Hello?"

"Maki-chan!" It was Aoi. Maki sighed knowing she wasn't going to like how this conversation might end.

"Are you busy today?" the older girl asked with a tone of happiness in her voice.

"Well, actually - "

"Okay, so where do you want to eat for lunch?"

Maki stayed silent, irritated that Aoi had cut her off. She was hoping that if she remained quiet long enough, Aoi would hang up thinking there was something wrong with the connection and Maki would be able to run down into the studio before she called again.

"Maki-chan, I can hear you breathing angrily."

The redhead sighed before saying, "I'm busy today."

"You're no fun," Aoi whined; sometimes Maki wondered if this girl was really a college student. "It's Saturday. Just go out with me for a little while."

"I have stuff to do," Maki told her firmly.

"Please, Maki-chan," the college girl pleaded. "I need to get out and you need to get out. So why don't we go together?"

The redhead pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine..."

Aoi cheered on the other side of the line before saying, "Okay, we'll meet in Akiba around lunchtime. Don't be late!" Without waiting for Maki to answer, she hung up. The first-year quickly put down the phone and walked of the room before any more distractions arose.

She made her way down the steps and walked through the hall, passing two of the maids who bowed to her. Maki gestured in acknowledgement before she disappeared behind the studio door.

The first-year made her way towards the grand piano and sat down, looking at her unfinished score that was full of eraser stains and smudges. It was something she had started writing last month, but she had no idea how to continue it. Maki didn't even like how it sounded, but she didn't know what was missing or how to fix it. She stared at it, hoping some idea would pop up, but nothing was coming to mind.

Maki groaned in dismay as she started to edit the messy music sheet. Not realizing right above her, her phone was ringing with Nico's name blinking on the front screen.


Pick up. Pick up. Pick up. Pick up. Pick up.

"Onee-chan, do you need the bathroom?"

Nico stopped her unconscious fidgeting and turned to her little siblings who had been watching her with great curiosity. It was the sixth time Nico has tried to call Maki back and she hasn't answered any of them. The thought that Maki called first made Nico a little panicky since her partner never initiated anything. But she couldn't put all her attention on the non-responsive first-year when she had three younger ones to look after.

"Ah, no," Nico replied with a smile. "I was just trying to get ahold of someone."

"Oh! Is it that Nishikino Maki person?" Cocoro asked, her hand raised in the air as if she was in a classroom answering a question. Nico flinched at the mention of Maki.

"Is she your partner, Onee-chan?" Cocoa asked, holding her little brother's hand as he stared at Nico with interest too.

Nico chuckled nervously, trying to drop the subject. She knew if she said anything, they'd pester her to meet Maki and Nico wasn't ready for her reserved partner to meet the three most vibrant rascals yet.

"Is she, Onee-sama?" Cocoro questioned. "You haven't told us anything about your partner, but you've been wearing that bracelet for a while now."

"I – Is that so? I'm sure I've said something about her," Nico said, trying to keep a smile on her face.

"Why won't you tell us?" Cocoa pouted.

"Yeah, Onee-sama," Cocoro contributed. "It's not fair. Do you not want us to meet her?"

"Agh…t – that's not it," Nico assured them, but their faces told her that not one of them believed her.

"Then why?" the youngest sister asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Why won't you make us meet her, Onee-sama?" Cocoro added, also crossing her arms.

"Meanie," Cotaro chimed in, following his two older sisters' poses.

Nico looked at the three of them, all their arms crossed in disappointment and their eyes fixed on their eldest sibling as she struggled to find the right words to say. But it was no use, Nico knew it had to happen sooner or later; she couldn't keep avoiding it.

"I'll…" Nico started, still trying to formulate a sentence in order to reject the idea, but then gave in when the three of them stuck out their bottom lip in a pout, "…set up a day."

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, the three of them jumped in excitement. Nico couldn't help but smile at how enthusiastic her siblings were to meet her partner, but the third-year always knew they weren't the problem.

Nico now had to think of a way for Maki to agree. And that wasn't going to be easy.


"So, what are you going to do today?" Aoi asked the first-year as they walked out the restaurant.

"I still need to finish my piece for regionals," Maki answered. "I've been stuck for a week now and you brought me out here."

Aoi groaned as if she was bored. "You're still on that? You have like two months to finish that thing."

Maki sighed. "I need to start now or I won't be ready."

"Why don't you hang out with Nico today, I'm sure she can help you," Aoi proposed, the two of them walking down the sidewalk.

"And what if she doesn't?" Maki asked with annoyance.

"Then at least you had a good day," Aoi smiled as Maki rolled her eyes. "Maki-chan, you need to give yourself a break once in a while. You think she won't help you, but how do you know if you don't just go with it? You never know what might influence you until you look at the world without that glaring look of yours."

Maki shot Aoi a look at the insult but then sighed, knowing her senior was right and by the way she smiled at the first-year, Aoi knew it too. "Am I right?"

"Yeah, yeah," Maki replied, wanting to move on to another topic.

"Aw, you're such a sore loser," Aoi teased, making Maki glare at her. "So, what do you say?"

"Well, she sounded busy earlier," Maki informed her as they stopped in front of the train station. "Maybe I'll just walk around Akiba to find some inspiration elsewhere."

"As long as you're not locking yourself up in a studio," Aoi said. "Well, I'll see you on Monday then. Have fun exploring."

Aoi made her way into the train station, leaving the redhead to stand on the sidewalk alone who watched the older girl disappear into the crowd before walking down the sidewalk to wherever it may lead her.

Maki never really looked around Akiba, mostly because she wanted to get out of the noisy city as fast as she could. But today, she decided to take Aoi's advice and find something that could potentially inspire her since she was somewhat desperate at this point.

Maki had made a turn, looking at the tall buildings and listening to the loud monitors that constantly played advertisements for the newest game or the most popular show. The redhead sighed – she wouldn't find any revelation in that. She needed something that was genuine, but it was hard for the first-year who practically lived by herself and distanced herself from others.

The only thing she could think that had some sense of honesty was –

"Onee-chan! You're so slow!"

A little girl with dark brown hair had ran right into Maki, alarming the first-year, particularly because she didn't know how to handle little kids, being the only child.

"Uh – ah…a – are you okay?" Maki stuttered, not knowing if she should help the small girl up or not.

The little girl stared up at Maki, not replying; Maki stared back, but only because she looked like someone she knew especially the girl's shining red eyes.

Before Maki could ask again if she was okay, two other kids had caught up to the fallen girl, all of them having the same red eyes, but one of them being taller and the other probably being the youngest of the trio.

"Cocoa, what are you doing?" the tallest asked as the girl named Cocoa kept her eyes on Maki.

"Cocoro…doesn't she look like…" Cocoa trailed off as she pointed at Maki, forcing Cocoro and the smaller boy to turn their attention to the now flustered first-year.

Maki didn't know what to say or do; she couldn't tell them to back off since they were little kids, but she was getting nervous and annoyed that they were just staring at her like she was some kind of art piece. As a result, she ended up standing frozen in her place, taking glances at all three of them and realizing they all looked like someone familiar; it was starting to freak her out.

As Maki opened her mouth to say something, someone had started to call after them.

"Cocoro, Cocoa, what did I tell you about running off like that?"

And now it all made sense.

Nico tiredly made her way to the trio who turned to watch her. As Nico got closer to them, she abruptly stopped when she saw who was standing with her siblings, her face in utter shock.

"Bwagh! Ma – Maki-chan?" the third-year let out, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open like she was trying to say more words.

"Why are – what are you doing here?" Nico finally asked after she regained her composure, making her way to the four of them. Cocoa turned to the redhead and whispered to the other two, "I knew it."

"I was here with Aoi, but she left," Maki answered nonchalantly, less nervous now that Nico was there.

"Oh, I see," Nico replied before looking at the three younger kids with a stern face, hands on her hips. "You're not supposed to go too far from me. Anything could happen to you in a crowded area. No more running around where I can't see you. Are we clear?"

All three of them nodded apologetically. Nico sighed at how remorseful they looked before saying, "If you behave, I'll take you guys to the park."

"Really?" Cocoro asked, her eyes beaming with excitement. Nico nodded as her two sisters jumped in the air, Cotaro watching them with a small grin.

"But first, we need to get groceries," Nico reminded them.

"Let's go!" Cocoa announced, her fist pumped up in the air.

Maki had been watching their conversation and this being her first time watching siblings talk was a bit strange for the first-year. Nico didn't talk a lot about her siblings with Maki except for the small mention of them being a bit too energetic – and coming from Nico, that had to mean a lot.

Cocoa turned to face the observing redhead and quickly asked, "Can Maki-chan come with us?"

"What?" Nico and Maki said simultaneously, both surprised at the unanticipated suggestion.

"Yeah, Onee-sama," Cocoro continued, "you said we'd get to hang out with your partner."

"I said 'meet' not 'hang out'," replied Nico, a little nervous.

"Aw, but Onee-chan, she's already here," Cocoa pointed out, gesturing towards Maki. "Can't she come with us?"

Cocoro and Cocoa pouted at their older sister as Cotaro added a "please." Nico looked at her partner, not knowing how she'd feel about being around her siblings so suddenly for the day. Maki was watching the three of them look at their sister with pleading eyes, waiting for an answer.

"I guess I can go with you guys today," Maki said, twirling a strand of hair.

The trio all suddenly turned to her with a huge smile on their faces; Maki's cheeks turning red with how thrilled they looked. She was already starting to regret her decision especially with Nico's nervous expression.

"A – are you sure?" Nico asked, trying not to sound like she was chasing Maki away. "You're not busy today?"

The tone in Nico's voice irritated Maki. "I'm not busy. I could go with you guys," she stated; if Nico didn't think she could handle her siblings, then Maki was going to prove her wrong.

"Are you really sure?" Nico repeated, nervously smiling.

"Onee-sama, are you trying to chase her away?" Cocoro asked, her eyes narrowing at Nico.

"No, I wasn't," Nico replied, slightly scared that they saw right through her. "It's just Maki-chan's always busy – "

"But she just said she's not busy now," Cocoa reminded her. "So, she can hang out with us!"

Nico sighed in defeat. "Are you fine with following us to the grocery store first?" she asked the first-year; Maki shrugged her shoulders, not really caring. "Okay, then let's get going."


"Onee-chan! Onee-chan! Can we get this?"

"No. We're only getting what we need for dinner."

"What about this one?"

"You don't even like that."

"Onee-sama, Cotaro keeps hitting me."

"Cotaro, no more."

"Onee-chan, how about this?"

"No, Cocoa."

"He's still doing it!"

"Cotaro, I will take the toy away if you don't stop."

"Meanie."

"Onee-chan – "

"For the last time, Cocoa, no."

Maki didn't know what was worse: that she was hanging out with the family that could easily be mistaken for a bad sitcom or that people were actually watching them as if they were a sitcom.

The redhead followed a few feet away behind Nico who was pushing the cart that held Cotaro in it; Maki could tell by her timid footsteps that Nico was doing her best to keep her calm, but with her siblings causing scene after scene, she was getting more nervous by the minute. The other two were running around the store, trying their best to help Nico find the required ingredients, but would ultimately come back with food that weren't needed, leaving the third-year to get it herself.

Maki didn't know anything about cooking since she had people do it for her and it surprised her a little that Nico seemed to know all these food terms like the back of her hand. Maki always noticed Nico had delicious looking lunches, but the raven-haired never said she was the one who made them; it made her curious as to how good of a cook her partner was, but she wasn't about to ask Nico to make one for her.

"Maki-chan," a voice said as a hand tugged on her wrist to get her attention. Maki looked down to find Cocoa next to her. "What do you like to eat?"

"Huh?" the question caught Maki off guard, but she had to answer the girl or it'd just be awkward. "Um…I'm not too picky."

"Do you have a favorite food?" Cocoa asked, smiling about the fact that she was making conversation with Maki.

"Eh? Uh…well I like tomatoes," Maki answered, trying to look as casual as possible.

"Really?" Cocoa said in surprise. "I don't really like tomatoes, but Onee-chan always tells me to eat them so I could grow like her."

Maki giggled at the statement since the first-year had a feeling her siblings would end up growing taller than Nico anyway. Cocoa smiled at her before asking, "Do you like Onee-chan?"

"Wah…" Maki blurted out, almost choking on her own saliva. She's never really been asked this question, despite her and Nico being partners, so she never thought about it. "Um…I…"

Cocoa frowned at the weird reaction. "Do you not like Onee-chan?"

"That's not it," Maki quickly replied as she started twirling her hair in nervousness. "I mean – I guess…I do."

Cocoa beamed at the older girl; she started to happily hum a tune that sounded like a pop song Nico forced Maki to listen to. They didn't say anymore after that, Cocoa seeming to be content with Maki's answer, but now that the little girl mentioned it, Maki couldn't stop thinking about it. Nico was her life partner, which meant that she had to like her, right? But the question confused her.

As long as she could remember, Maki never really had a crush on anyone growing up, putting all her time and effort into her studies and music. She never participated in conversations about the person someone liked or who they hoped would be their future partner since she always thought they were such useless subjects. She didn't know what it meant to like someone or how to separate that feeling from just caring about someone like how she felt about her family or her friends. So what was the difference?

She watched as Nico, who was a little further down the aisle, looked around for the ingredient she needed, Cotaro intensely watching her. The third-year was muttering to herself – probably saying the names of all the brands her eyes scanned over – until Cotaro hit her on the head with his toy, breaking her concentration.

Nico clutched the top of her head in pain. "Cotaro, that wasn't nice," Maki heard her tell the little boy.

"Sorry."

Maki had to hold in a laugh as Cotaro hit her again without any hesitation. Nico groaned in exhaustion, not even wasting any more time to scold him again.

I'll figure it out eventually.


"Let's go, Maki-chan!"

In spite of the trio's rowdiness throughout the day, Nico had brought them to the park closest to their apartment. The third-year had asked Maki to watch them as she put the groceries away and Maki reluctantly agreed since she didn't want to cause any trouble, but as Cocoro and Cocoa each pulled one of the redhead's arms to coerce her into playing with them, Maki cursed Nico for being so slow.

"Wait - hold on - "

"C'mon, Maki-chan, play with us!" Cocoa smiled as the two girls dragged Maki towards the swings, Cotaro following right behind them.

Maki struggled to reject them and ended up letting herself get pulled to the swing set. Cocoa claimed one of the swings immediately, smiling triumphantly. Cotaro stood in front of the other one, waiting for Cocoro to lift him up.

"Maki-chan, Maki-chan," Cocoa chanted, jumping up and down on her seat. "Push me, push me!"

The first-year looked at her with an unsure expression as she slowly made her way behind the bubbly girl and started to push her lightly, not knowing how powerful a push she was supposed to do since she's never had to watch over younger kids, but when Cocoa ordered Maki to push her harder, Maki complied as the little girl giggled at how high – from her point of view – she was going.

"Look, Cotaro! I can almost touch the sky!" Cocoa shouted at her neighbor who was also giggling as Cocoro pushed him, of course, not as hard.

A small smile played on Maki's face from how excited they were getting at such a simple activity. Just watching them made her feel excited too.

"You do look better with a smile," Cocoro suddenly commented.

Maki looked at the younger girl in surprise as Cocoa and Cotaro were having too much fun trying to reach for the clouds to hear any kind of conversation around them.

"I – is that so?" Maki said shyly as Cocoro smiled at her while continuing to push her younger brother.

The girl hummed in reply before replying, "Onee-sama told me you look nicer when you smile. She was right."

The tips of Maki's ears starting to turn red and she turned away from Cocoro in order to hide her embarrassment. "She said that, did she?" Maki asked, trying to sound less flattered than she really was.

Before Cocoro could continue the conversation, Cocoa suddenly jumped off the swing and landed on her two feet, letting the seat fly back towards Maki. "Onee-chan! Play with us!" she shouted at the approaching figure of Nico.

Cocoa ran to her older sister as Cotaro followed suit, leaving Maki and Cocoro at the now empty swings. Once Cocoa had reached Nico, she jumped onto the third-year who wasn't ready to catch her, resulting in the both of them falling backwards.

"Let's go over there!" the little girl exclaimed, sitting on top of Nico and pointing to the climber.

"Agh…" was all Nico said as she stared at the equipment nervously. "Yeah, sure...but I'll stay on the ground in case you fall."

Maki shook her head with a grin, remembering how afraid her partner was of heights. To think she couldn't even be off the ground was funny for Maki since the smaller girl acted like a big shot all the time.

"Onee-sama really is scared of heights," Cocoro giggled as she stood closer to Maki, both of them watching Cocoa pull Nico towards their destination. Maki hummed as Cocoa quickly climbed the playground equipment, Nico watching her anxiously.

"What are you scared of, Maki-chan?" the younger girl asked, looking up at the redhead with curiosity. "Onee-sama says everyone is scared of something."

"Eh…um…" Maki was a little embarrassed to tell the little girl what she was afraid of since she thought it was childish. "Well…I guess you can say I'm…a little scared of thunder."

"Oh! Me too!" Cocoro replied proudly. "But as long as Onee-sama, Cocoa, and Cotaro are there, it's not so scary."

Maki grinned at Cocoro as she heard Nico shouting at Cotaro not to go too high up. The redhead turned to them, watching as Cocoa fearlessly stood on the top of the climber, posing as if she just conquered a mountain. Nico was trying to get Cotaro to get down, but the little boy was determined to be by Cocoa's side.

"Onee-sama says that her greatest fear is not reaching her dreams," Cocoro stated matter-of-factly, breaking the silence.

The first-year looked at the younger girl in curiosity; Nico never mentioned her dream despite always being excited about Maki's dream of making it to nationals. "W – what's Nico-chan's dream?" she asked, trying not to sound too interested.

Cocoro turned to her with a wide smile before saying, "Her dream is to be an idol."

Maki's eyebrow twitched in disbelief. She should've known all that singing of weird songs and idol craziness was for a good reason.

But then Cocoro continued, "She wants to make people smile. Onee-sama says that when other people are happy, she's happy."

The redhead didn't know how to respond to such an honest statement. She watched Nico be dragged, yet again, by Cocoa to another part of the playground. They stopped in front of the slide; both Cocoa and Cotaro made their way to the top with Nico waiting at the bottom. Cocoa went down first, trying to slide faster by pushing herself off as hard as she could. Cotaro followed after, slowly making his way down. Cocoro ran to join her siblings, also making her way to the top of the slide to have a turn. This cycle went on for a while as Nico watched them until she turned back to where Maki still stood.

Making eye contact with her partner, Nico smiled and waved as if to make sure Maki was still okay, not paying attention to the speeding Cocoa coming down the slide. The girl crashed into her older sister, both of them falling to the ground. Nico sighed as Cocoa laughed at how thrilling it was.

Maki smiled at the worn-out Nico as she slowly got up and dusted herself off only to be pulled to the monkey bars by Cocoro.

With the sun slowly disappearing into the horizon, the sky turning from light blue to dark orange, the noise of cars and people nowhere to be found, and the sight of her partner with her three siblings, it was inevitable.

Maki found her inspiration.