Let's get right into this.

"Blah" — Speech

"Blah" — Speech in another language

'Blah' — Thoughts

[ Blah ] — Text

*Blah* — Sound effects in speech

(Blah) — Author's notes

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Love Live! School Idol Project. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


Prepare for the Other Side part II

The car's engine turns off and the group step out of the car. In front of them is a studio with a camera logo on the front. Rin looks up and then at the rest, "So what are we doing here?"

Nozomi takes out the schedule to read the first item on the list. "Nico is to do a commercial to commemorate Labor Thanksgiving Day and to inform the public of her Christmas Concert."

Nico smiles at them, "Time to show you why the people love me."

Eli chuckles, "Of course." Rin and Umi are the first to go inside the building with Rin holding the door. Nico strides forward as Eli and Nozomi trails behind her.

Once inside, Nico see a man waiting for her. He sticks his hand out, "It's nice to meet you Miss Yazawa. I'm Ken and I'll be the director for this shoot."

Nico shakes his hand, "Nice to meet you, Ken. Oh and call me Nico."

Ken nods and gestures to another door, "Right this way Nico." He leads them in to a large open area where most of the set is in the middle.

"Whoa." Rin looks at all of the space around them

"Focus." Umi scans the area to make sure there are no visible threats.

Once they reach the set, Ken points at a small trailer, "That will be your make-up and changing area."

Nico nods at the director, "Thank you." She makes her way there.

Eli takes command, "Umi. Rin. You'll be sentries." After their nods, she turns to Nozomi, "With me."

They both follow after Nico as Nozomi looks at Eli, "We get to see behind the magic."

"Hmm."

"You should get some tips on using make-up."

Eli pauses in her step but continues on, "It doesn't matter. It's been a long time since I've touched one." They got inside the trailer to see Nico on a chair with a couple of people applying of make-up on the idol's face. They just finished and Nico turns to them, "What do you think?"

Nozomi smiles, "Very pretty."

"Beautiful."

One of the workers gave her the script and left. Nico looks through her dialogue. "Hmm, seems simple." She flips a page to read the rest of the scenario. She leans a little and widens her eyes.

Nozomi was able to notice it, "Something wrong?"

"Hmm? Oh nah. I just wanted to make sure I got it correctly." She stood up and gave the script to Eli, "Can you two help me rehearse?"

"Sure."

30 minutes later...

"Is everyone on set?" Ken looks around to see the cast and crew nodded their confirmation. "Alright! Lights! Camera! Action."

Nico looks to the camera and waves, "Hey everyone it's your favorite idol Nico." She walks to the left with the camera following behind her. "Labor Thanksgiving Day is coming up so be sure to thank the workers for their hard work." Nico walks into a pseudo-house where there's a family getting ready to eat. Nico gets behind the lady cutting the glazed ham. "It's also the time where you can be thankful for your friends and famely- ah crap."

"Cut! Let's try again."

Take 2

Nico hit the table, "Motherfu—"

"Cut!"

Take 3

Nico elbows a person's head, "Shit, sorry about that."

"Cut! Alright let's take a break." The cast walks off set and ate snacks. Nico walks off to the side and took a bottle of water. 'C'mon, get your shit together. It's just a fucking knife.'

Nico sees Nozomi walking up to her with a smile, "What's up?"

"Oh I just had a talk with the director to allow me in the commercial."

"What? Who are you going to replace?"

"I'm going to be one to cut the meat. The director told me I have a motherly figure."

Nico's eyes flicked down to the valleys in front of her for a split second, "I see."

Ken's voice cuts their conversation, "Alright everyone, get into your positions." The cast scurries into positions, but this time Nozomi is at the front of the table. "Ready? Action!"

Nico goes through with the motions until she gets to the other room. She mentally steels herself as she stands next to Nozomi and puts her hand on her shoulder. "It's also the time where you can be thankful for your friends and family. So enjoy their company and the time you spend together."

"Aaand Cut! Perfect! Let's go to the next one." They did another similar commercial reserved on the day of the holiday. "Alright let's change to the Christmas setting. The cast and crew efficiently work to change the scene. Umi and Rin offer their help while Nico goes back to the trailer with Nozomi. Once inside, the artists do their work and change Nico's make-up and costume.

Nico is now in a Santa suit with a cap on her head. After making sure everything is in place, Nico makes her way back.

"Nico." Nozomi's voice stops Nico at the door. "It's not our job, but you can talk to us.

Nico stays at the door for several seconds. She then turns around and smiles, "I'm all good." She walks out with her smile fixed in place. The scene in front of her changes as the room has a Christmas tree and is littered with decorations.

Ken looks at Nico, "Are you ready?" Nico nods and get in position. "Aaand Action!"

Nico goes into her signature pose, "Nico-nico-nii! Hey everyone it's your favorite idol Nico. Now I have a special announcement: On Friday the 22nd of December I will be holding a concert for you lovely fans. Tickets will start selling at the beginning of December so buy them when they're cheap. Have a great day everyone."

"Cut! And that's a wrap. Good work everyone." Ken walks up to Nico and shakes her hand. "Thank you and it's been a pleasure."

"You're welcome and ditto to you." Nico walks to her guards. "Now that's done, what's next?

Nozomi looks at the list, "We're going to the dance studio."

"Nice. Dancing always takes the stress off."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Rolling to the studio

Rin's phone rings out prompting Rin to take her phone and taking the call, "Hello? Ah Hanayo. Uh-huh, she's here." She turns to Nico and hands over the phone. "Hanayo wants to talk to you."

"Thank you." Nico accepts the phone, "Hey Hanayo. What's up?"

"Hi Nico. I thought of another way of reaching the foreign fans. I think we should translate your website so it's easier for fans to buy your merch."

"That's a good idea."

"But I need permission to edit the site."

"Hmm, hold on I'll call my manager Ryu." Nico took out her phone and dialed Ryu.

Ring Ring "Hello?"

"Hey Ryu."

"Ah Nico, what's up?"

"I was thinking about what you said about my fans from the other side."

"Alright."

Nico told him what the team discussed about in the first car ride and now.

"Excellent. I'll have things prepared on my side."

"...ico Nico."

"Hmm?" Nico looks around before she hears Hanayo's voice. "What's up Hanayo?"

"Can you put the both of us on speaker?"

"Sure." Nico pressed on both phones.

"Mr. Ryu?"

"Hello? I believe I didn't get your name miss...?"

"I'm Hanayo Koizumi and I'm the technician for the Muse Protective Service."

"Hello Hanayo, so what can I do for you?"

"I would like to suggest you to look into better servers and shipping companies. When Nico makes her announcement, there will be an influx of people going to the site. You should talk to a shipping company that has reliable shipping and does oversea."

"Hmm, I'll look into that. Thank you Hanayo."

"You're welcome."

"Well, if you need anything else...?"

"Hmm, that's it for now."

"Alright. See you later Nico."

"Later Ryu." Beep

"So what was that with the suggestions?"

"W-well your site is slow and they often ship in my stuff really late."

"Hahahaha." Then Nico grins, "Say do you want to stay at my place for the night?"

"Eh!?"

"Hah?"

"What? I figured with Eli and Hanayo there they can have a faster time translating."

Rin jumps in, "Can I come? You know, to help."

Nico chuckles, "Sure." Nico looks at Umi, "Wanna join in?"

Umi sighs, "I"m afraid I will have to decline."

"Aw."

Hanayo join in again, "Well, I'll get ready to pack."

"No rush. We'll pick you up after dance practice."

"Alright see you later Nico."

"Later."

Nozomi stops the car. "We're here Nico."

"Wow." Nico looks out the window to see the dance studio outside. "That was fast."

. . . . . . . . . . . .

"Hey Nico, good to see you again."

"Yo Aya." Nico sees two ladies beside Aya. "Oh? Who's this?"

"These are your backup dancers Ami and Maho."

"Hello." Nico greets them both, "Let's do our best."

30 minutes later...

"It's amazing isn't it?" Nozomi and Eli are watching Nico practice with the dancers.

"It is." Eli replied.

"...You could help her."

Eli twitches, "It's not the same."

"Why not?" Nozomi turns to Eli, "You could mix them."

Eli shakes her head, "I haven't done ballet for a long time."

"Even though you practice at the gym?"

"...It doesn't matter anymore." Eli walks outside to join Umi and Rin.

Nozomi sighs and turns back to watch Nico dance all the way through practice.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Muse Company

Umi waves at the group, "I will see you at the house tomorrow."

Nico and group wave back, "See ya!"

The door opens and Hanayo comes out with a cart. Rin is the first to jump out. "Kayo-chin!"

Umi sighs and goes to help them. Nico and Eli also got out seeing if any help is needed. Hanayo is loading her gear inside the trunk which allows Nico to see her holding a metallic box. "Hey Hanayo, what's that?"

"Oh this?" Hanayo lifts up the box. "It's my computer."

"That small thing? Aren't they bigger?"

"Yes, but now they can be made to be compact and portable." Hanayo places the box down as the rest of guards finished moving the gear.

Nico sees a cylindrical object, "Is that an air mattress?"

"Ah!" Hanayo smacks her forehead, "When you said 'stay over' I thought I would have to sleep over."

Hanayo reaches for the mattress, but Nico stops her, "Hey, I'm cool with you sleeping over."

"Really? Thank you!"

Rin jumps up and down, "Oh! Me too!"

Nico shrugs, "Sure."

Rin takes off into the company to get something. Umi sighs and makes her way to the company. Before she takes a step, Nico called out to her, "Ah wait." Umi turns to look at her, "Can you tell Honoka about this plan? I want her to know things beforehand."

"I'll tell her." Umi makes her way inside as Rin comes out with a bag and places it in the trunk.

"Alright. Let's go." Eli goes to the passenger seat with Rin, Hanayo, and Nico sit on the back.

With the car started, they are on their way to Nico's house. The silence settles on over the group and Nico is curious about something, 'Good time to ask.' "So how did the two of you meet Maki?"

Rin is the first to answer, "We met during middle school."

"Oh wow, that's amazing. Not only that, all three of you stay close."

"Yup!"

Nico has an image of their first meeting. "Sorry to be rude, but has she always been... cold?"

Rin pauses, but Hanayo explains it to Nico, "She's always had a high status from her last name and excelled in academics. Because of that, it was hard to approach her."

"But that didn't stop us from talking to her." Rin got back in.

Nico leans back to get comfortable, "It probably wasn't easy."

"We pestered her every day until she gave up," Rin continues.

Nico chuckles, "I can see that."

"We stayed with her all the way through high school. We even made sure that we got the same classes."

Nico looks at both of them, "You two are so loyal that I'm jealous of Maki."

Rin blushes a little and scratches the back of her head, "Ehehehe."

"So what happened after high school?"

"Unfortunately, we had to go our separate ways since Maki's dad got her to go to a medical university. Rin and I went to the same college where I studied computers while Rin went on the track team. We made sure to keep in contact with Maki to make sure she doesn't exhaust herself. After graduating, Maki inherited the hospital, Rin was looking for a job, and I got a job at Muse.

After a while, Maki didn't talk to either of us but I figured she was busy. But later Maki contacted the company and hired us. Things happen and that was when Eli and Nozomi joined us."

Nico raises her eyebrow at the rushed ending, but didn't push it. "Wow. The doctor is lucky to have the both of you."

They both shy at the praise.

Nico smiles and nudges them with her elbows, "Aw come on, you making it look like you two like Maki. It's not—" Nico gapes at their blushing faces. She can see Eli's shocked face and even see Nozomi looking at the rear-view mirror. "I uhh.."

Nozomi finally speaks, "I figured the two of you were together."

"We are." Rin replies. "It's just that... we like Maki as well."

Nico sighs, 'Might as well go all the way.' "Why not go for a three-way?"

"But we don't know what to do."

Nico places her hands on their hands. "Then I, Nico Yazawa, will help you."

"Really? But how."

'Uhhh, well crap.' "I-I'll talk to her. Get an idea on how she feels about you two."

They both smile and hugged her. "Thank you!"

"Whoa!" Nico is pleasantly surprised to be hugged from either side.

*Ahem* They both realize what they are doing and separated from Nico. "Ah sorry Nico."

"It's no problem." Nico looks at the front to see Eli staring ahead while Nozomi is smiling strangely at Eli. 'Huh, Eli's ears are a little red.'

Before Nico could think on it, Nozomi announces their arrival, "We're home Nico."

"Alright." They enter the garage and got out of the car. Nico went in first to unlock the garage door while Eli, Rin, and Hanayo get the gear from the trunk. "Hey Eli can you show them the empty room on the 2nd floor and tell them the Wi-Fi password?"

"You got it."

"Thanks Eli."

Nico went in first to go straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water. After several seconds, she sees them walking up the stairs. After making sure they are gone, Nico slips out to the backyard and into the cold air. The idol starts pacing around and muttering, "Stupid stupid stupid. What were you thinking saying something like that?"

"I think you're a good person who wants to help."

"Ahhh!" Nico jumps and looks behind to see Nozomi standing there. "Don't scare me like that."

"I'm sorry, but I still think you're good person."

"I"m an idiot. What am I going to say? 'Oh hey Maki, two of your friends have like you. Do you want to have a threesome with them?'" Nico shakes her head, "This is a mess."

"I know you can do it."

"How do you know that?"

Nozomi smiles, "You have a way with people. It's already working on one person."

Nico tilts her head, "What does that mean?"

"Enough about this, you have a lot of time before you talk to Maki."

"I- Yeah you're right."

"C'mon, let's practice your English."

"Mhm." They both come back into the warm air in their home.

"Right. Since we don't have a lot of time, we're going to try it this way." Nozomi points at the sink.

"Sink."

She points at the fridge.

"Fridge."

The guard smiles. "How are you?"

"I am... Good?" Nico sighs, "Shouldn't we be using a book?"

"We could, but this is the most effective way to learn. Use the language at every chance you get. We are going to help with your accent, grammar, and your pronunciation."

"Urrgh." Nico groaned, "I think I bit too much."

Nozomi giggled, "Don't worry. We'll be with you through the end."

Before they continued their lesson, there are several knocks from the front door. Nico makes her way there, "Who the hell is here this late?" Nozomi trails behind Nico and waits at the top level.

Nico opens the door to see a figure with red hair and a white coat. "Maki? What are you doing here?"

Maki is looking anywhere but Nico, "Can I come in?"

"I-Uh-Sure." Nico steps back. "Come in."

Maki nodded her thanks and walked inside, trying to ignore Nozomi's smiling face. She takes off her shoe and goes to the living room. Nico closes the door and follow the doctor. "So what brings you to my humble house this late at night?"

"I heard about your plan for expanding into the US and I think it is a bad idea."

"And why's that?"

"It's an impossible task."

Nico looks back at Nozomi and feels emboldened, "I don't know." Nico smiles, "Now I feel more motivated to do the impossible." Before Maki could say her response, Nico asks, "But that's not why you're here, isn't it?"

Maki starts to twirl a lock of her hair and averts her eyes.

"It's about Rin and Hanayo isn't it?"

Maki finally looks back at Nico, "What happens if this thing fails? I won't let you drag them down with you."

Nico suddenly inhales through her nose and bunched she shoulders, "What?" Nico stomps up to Maki's face. "Do you really think I would that? That I would drag them down with me?" Nico narrows her eyes. "I am going to make sure that I will be the only on the boat if it sinks."

Nico finally notices her aggressive stance and Maki's wide eyes. She takes a step back and breathes. "Sorry."

Maki shakes her head and recompose herself. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry. It was rude of me to say that and make assumptions of you."

Nico sighs, "You really do care about them do you?"

She twirls her hair again, "I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for them."

Nico looks at the clock and gets an idea. 'Time to put money where my mouth is.' "It's getting late so why won"t you sleep here tonight?" Nico points her thumb behind her, "Rin and Hanayo are upstairs and Hanayo brought an air mattress."

Twirling intensifies, "B-But I didn't bring any extra clothes."

*Ahem* They both look back at Nozomi who smiles, "I have extra clothes for you but they're going look baggy on you."

Nico claps her hand, "It'll be like a sleepover."

Maki looks at Nico and Nozomi back and forth, trying to stall time. But she relents and sighs, "Okay." She takes off her with coat and places them on the coat hanger.

"Hold up," Maki stops and Nico walks to the fridge in the kitchen. She takes three water bottles and walks back out to give it to the doctor. "Here. For you and your bed buddies. They are on the first door on the left."

Maki blushes and mumbles, "Thank you." She makes her way up the stairs.

Nico calls out, "Also we're ordering food and you're paying."

Maki shrugs as she continues going up and turns left.

It didn't take long before Nico heard Rin and Hanayo's squeal. It devolves into loud chatter and Eli comes down the stairs. "How com Maki's here?" Nico and Nozomi explained what happened downstairs. "Wow. That was amazing Nico."

Nozomi smiles, "She is amazing."

Nico blushes a little and puffs out her chest. "Ha! That's why I am number 1." But Nico tilts her head at Eli, "Weren't you helping Hanayo translating"

"Maki said she'll take over that part since she's good with English."

"Oh really? Why's that?" Before Eli opens her mouth to answer her, Nico raises her palm up. "Right. Big hospital. Forgot about that." Nico walks back to the living room and plop down the couch. "Welp, I got two teachers now to help with my horrible English."

Eli sits on the right side, "We'll change that,"

Nozomi sighs dramatically and sits on the left. "We might be at this all night."

Nico smiles at both of them; she wouldn't have it any other way.


.

And Fin

Whew! Now for some notes:

-The reason I have Nico going left because the way they read; they read right to left so I am trying to mimic that.

-I might as well rename this chapter car rides.

- You know English and you know English.

I really am interested to get a commission for this story. Anyway, see ya on the next chapter.

Thanks for reading

Constructive criticisms are appreciated

Bravo Tango out.