disclaimer: still not mine, boo


It is not often that Nico joins Maki in the piano room at school.

Most of the time it's Honoka who bursts in, impatient and wanting to hear their latest song. Although usually Maki has just barely finished deciding on a chord progression to fit the key, she'll play out her vague, half-formed ideas for the second-year to listen to. Sometimes she'll be surprised by an insightful suggestion on Honoka's part, but other times she'll want to slam her face into the piano keys at the more absurd suggestions Honoka makes.

Other times it is Umi who waits at the door, wanting to check if her lyrics fit the mood of what Maki is composing. It's always obvious when Umi is there because she'll knock twice, waiting outside until Maki goes to collect her. Kotori sometimes joins, but not often – outfit inspiration can be sourced through other means, and it's only when she's truly stumped does she traipse down with Umi to get a feel of what design would best suit the song.

If it's not the second years, Maki is sometimes joined by her fellow first years. It's usually Hanayo, but it is not uncommon for Rin to make a trip down herself. If Hanayo is on her own, she'll wait outside for Maki to finish playing before hesitatingly asking if she can enter to listen. If Rin comes along, she'll drag the both of them in and interrupt whatever song Maki's in the middle of practicing, plopping herself unashamedly on a chair and grinning as she demands for Maki to play her favourite songs. Maki will usually sigh but indulge in her demands anyway, although she struggles to keep up with their energy she does love her two friends very much.

The third years don't really go near the room which Maki has basically claimed as her own, Nozomi and Eli chiefly due to their student council work. Sometimes they'll make a stop by to briefly check on her, never alone and always together, Nozomi pressing warm hands on her shoulders in a gentle massage and Eli worryingly checking the time, reminding her to not stay back too late and get enough rest.

Despite the many interruptions of the other seven members of µs who come and go from the piano room as they please, it is rare for Nico to enter Maki's domain.

There's something sacred about the piano, something precious in the way that Maki gives her soul to music and doesn't ask for anything back that has Nico keeping a respectful distance, giving Maki the space she needs. Although in their more sentimental moments they might whisper (Maki embarrassedly, Nico cheekily) about being two halves of a soul, fated to never be apart, the fact of the matter is that Maki is Maki and Nico is Nico, and they are both more than aware of their differences along with their similarities.

Maki loves that Nico gets it, that Nico understands the significance of Maki and her piano-playing in a way that the others have yet to grasp. She knows it may seem silly to others, but when she sees how Nico is the sole person apart from herself to treat the piano room as if it's a sacred treasure she can't help but to love the other girl for it all the same.

Nico gets it. She gets that although Maki shares her compositions with µs and smiles when they come in to chat to her, Maki's relationship with the music she creates is something unique to herself, surrounded by a barrier that although not impenetrable is something to be respected.

Maki loves Nico for it, loves how the other girl is so closely attuned to herself and loves how Nico respects the fact that they are as whole apart as they are together.

The song which she had composed for Nico is playing in Maki's mind. Nico's hand grasped in her own, she tugs her inside the room. There is a soft noise as the door clicks shut, and Maki smiles to herself as she sits down to play.

There's something terrifying about baring your soul to the world, but if it's Nico, Maki thinks she doesn't mind.


a/n: writing this makes me want to play violin but it's so cold and my fingers are frozen I think I'll have cake instead

oh and thanks to the anon for answering my question from last chapter! my curiosity was satisfied hehe

reminder to feel free to hmu at twitter (155q_) or ao3 (155cm) if you want