Review Responses:
bobzity1: I'm so glad you liked this story so much. It was hard for me to write as well, but it was fun.
Aethuran: Yes, it was nice.
The monitor flatlined.
"Nico! Stay with me!" Dr. Nishikino said, Alice by her side.
"Clear!" The defibrillator shocked Nico, but there was no response. She did it many more times, but all were to no avail.
"Is…Is she gone?" Alice asked somberly.
Dr. Nishikino nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. "Yeah. I'll call her mother. Thank you...Alice."
Alice looked at the lifeless body and wiped away her tears. Nico was gone.
Nico's mother and her children rushed to the hospital the next day. They couldn't go yesterday since Nico passed in the middle of the night. She couldn't disturb the other patients, but she was desperate to go to her daughter.
She got there and her children followed her to Nico's room. Alice was outside of the room, and she was looking into it, her expression distraught.
"Miss Yazawa. Her belongings are in here. We moved the body." Alice told her the details.
"May I?"
"Please." Alice motioned the four to go into the room. The room looked like a typical hospital room since Nico wasn't there. As Alice said, Nico's body was gone and there was a table that had all of the things Nico received yesterday.
"Mama, is Nico…gone now?" Cocoro asked, her expression was deflated.
The children had tears in her eyes. Nico's mother had tears in her eyes. Alice had tears in her eyes.
"Yes, Cocoro. Nico is gone now." The somber tone made the three cry and hug their mother.
Nico's mother looked at Nico's phone. It was plugged in and was playing a video. Of Nico's friends singing. She saw a tear fall on the screen, but she didn't care. She held Nico's phone close to her chest.
She felt bad for doing this, but it was the only way she knew how.
She went to Nico's texts. She sent a message to every single Muse member.
Nico:
Nico has passed away
Please come to the hospital
The eight girls met Ms. Yazawa, Nico's siblings, and Alice in Nico's previous room.
"So, she's really gone." Nozomi said in a sad tone.
Sobs were heard from Rin and Maki.
"She passed away on her birthday. And she kept saying it was the best birthday she had." Maki was struggling to say through her sobs.
Hanayo had to comfort both Maki and Rin. Elin and Nozomi were hugging each other, and Alice was comforting the second years.
"Nico," Ms. Yazawa said to get everyone's attention. "She left all the things she got yesterday. She kept her phone on and played the song until she went to sleep." Rin, Maki, and Umi were happy that Nico kept the song playing. They were somewhat glad that Nico kept her phone on so they could receive the text. It was the only way that they would know that Nico passed, other than finding out by seeing it.
"She left a note. It says to read it after she…she passed. It also says to read it aloud to all of us here." Alice brought chairs in for everyone, and everyone took a seat.
Nico's mother opened the letter and her tears immediately started to roll down her face.
To everyone,
If you are reading this, I have passed away.
I want this letter to be read to everyone in the picture, and them only. They are the closest people in my life, and this is a personal letter to them.
I turned 18 when I wrote this letter. Happy birthday to me. It may feel like my time was short here, but I can say that it was the best life I could have lived.
My life was uneventful until my father died. When my mom stayed strong and hid her pain behind a smile, I made a goal for myself. To make people smile.
And being an idol made that happen. It was lonely being in the idol study club, but that was when Muse started. Being an idol, it felt like my goal was accomplished.
I want to thank you all for being in my life.
Thank you, Alice. I may have only known you for a little while, but it made me see that I have fans. We all have fans. You took care of me when I needed help, and was always close to me.
Honoka, thank you. Thank you for starting Muse. To make my dreams, my goal into a reality. You are a perfect leader and have positivity that I admire. Although you had your ups and downs, I can only see it as making you a better person.
Kotori. It was fun making costumes together. You are always the great bundle of joy. You always think of us before yourself. Everyone may be like that, but I felt like you did that the most. Have fun making costumes, and make sure they're cute!
Umi, thanks. Like the ocean you are named after, you are calming but terrifying. It was a bit scary when you pushed us, but I know that it was to better ourselves. Thanks for being the cool and collected person in our group.
But Eli is also a cool and collected person. It was great to be around you, blondie. You are so smart, talented, and beautiful. Sometimes, I envied it. But, I know that it is uniquely you. You weren't just a school council president, you were a friend. And for that, I'm always grateful.
Your girlfriend is also amazing. Thank you, Nozomi. You were a bit like Eli, except more outgoing. You always teased me, and I received a lot of Washi Washis. However, it showed how much you cared for me. Thank you for that.
Hanayo. You are always so shy, but such a nerd when it comes to idols. Just like me. It was always fun to hang out and eat food. It may have seemed small, but it meant the world to me. I want to give you one last thing. The entire collection I had, it's all yours.
Maki and Rin. The two girls that I think took this the hardest.
Maki. The girl I love. The girl that loves me. It would have been awesome to be dating, but this came and took that away from us. Always so talented, pretty, and cute whenever it happens. I hope you have fun with my mom and my siblings. And keep on playing the piano. I'll miss hearing that. I love you, Maki.
Rin. We've hung out so much that you gave me a nickname. I'm as close as Hanayo to you, I think. I didn't know how much I affected you until I told you all about my eventual end. Everyone took it hard, but you were the first one to break me out of our circle of friends. So, I'm sorry for leaving so soon. We could have done so much things together. I'm happy about that song you wrote. I'll call it, 'With A Smile.' Umi told me that you planned it all out, and I can't thank you enough. I'll keep it on repeat until I pass, because it's the most beautiful thing I've heard. Keep being the big ball of happiness, nya.
My mother. Cocoro, Cocoa, Cotaro. I hope I was the best daughter and big sister to you all. Although I am gone now, I hope you will always remember me. Remember dad. Now remember, Maki is going to be your big sister now. Be nice to her, and annoy her from time to time. For me. Mom, Maki will be your fifth daughter. I hope Maki will accept that. Be sure to show her the love you showed to me. I'll be sure to say hi to dad for you all.
I love you all, and I wish I could spend my days with you forever. I know we'll meet again, and we'll all have a Nico-Nico smile. I want you all to be happy, even when I'm gone. That's was my birthday wish. I wish that everyone will be happy. When I'm gone, keep that happiness.
For Muse, I want you to promise me two things.
One, remember our promise. At my wake, wear the things that I gave to you. My mom will understand, Alice will understand. If you get weird looks, ignore them. Those people aren't like you. You're special, they aren't. Only we'll understand what it means.
Two. Do what you want about Muse. I said that I would want it to keep going. And I remember Honoka said so as well. But, if you decide to stop it, I won't care. I want you guys to do what feels right for you.
That's it. This letter is only a fraction of what I can say and do to show how much I love you all. And I truly do love each person that read this letter. You were my everything, be it from when I was born to just this year. I can never repay you, but I hope that I'll still be in your hearts.
"Nico-Nico-nii! I'll Nico-Nico-nii your heart! I'm Yazawa Nico-Nico, and I'll put a smile in your heart! Remember, I'm Nico-nii, and I love you, Nico!"
Thanks For Everything.
- Nico
Everyone was crying. Nico passed away so soon, and her letter is the last thing they have. Of Nico's.
Rin and Maki were hugging each other, crying into each other's shoulder. Nozomi was crying while Eli was hugging her, struggling to keep her composure. Umi let Honoka lay her head on Umi's lap, both were crying and shivering. Kotori and Hanayo were leaning on each other, crying. Alice and Ms. Yazawa were comforting Nico's siblings, although they were struggling.
Everyone loved Nico. Everyone will miss her.
Nico's wake was a small affair. There were not many people, since Nico's family was small.
As the eight girls promised, they all wore their presents. They also brought their plushies that Nico won for them. They felt like Nico would like that.
"Hi, Ms. Yazawa." Alice greeted Nico's mother.
"Hello, Alice. Thanks for coming."
"No problem. I don't think I told you. I was a big fan of Nico when she was in Muse."
Nico's mother found that interesting, and the two women talked while they waited for more guests.
...
Eli felt her dress being tugged.
"Oh! Hi Cotaro." Eli said to the little boy. "Where are your sisters?"
He pointed to Cocoro and Cocoa, with Maki not far behind them. "Cotaro, don't leave like that." Maki said to him.
"Sorry." He said. Maki patted his head.
"It's okay, just don't do that again. We're lucky that this place is so small." She smiled when she saw his head nod.
"Hi, Eli onee-chan. Nozomi onee-chan." Cocoro said to the pair.
"Hiya, Cocoro." Nozomi said to the girl.
As expected, Nico's family moved into the Nishikino household after Nico passed. Maki was taking care of the three children, but asked Eli and Nozomi to help her. She was also taught some basic essentials by Nico's mother. Since there was always maids to take care of her, Maki was new to a lot of the things she was taught. However, she persevered and could now wash clothes and cook an egg.
"Hi everyone." The rest of Muse came in. And they talked to each other until the wake started.
"Now, if everyone could take their seats." Ms. Yazawa asked the audience.
The front row was reserved for the Muse members, Alice, and Nico's family. The others sat in scattered seats.
"Nico was my first daughter. My husband and I loved her and we couldn't believe how amazing she was. When her sisters and brother came into this world, she cared for them with a wide heart. My husband passed away soon after, and she kept a smile through it all. She made many friends, those who are here today. She affected our lives, for the better."
Nico's mother finished her speech. She kept it short so that everyone had a chance to see the girl.
The family members went up first, who looked at Nico for a good while.
When it came to Muse's turn, they all went up together. Ms. Yazawa, Nico's siblings, and Alice came up as well.
Nico was wearing a pink dress, a rose in her hands. She looked peaceful, with a sliver necklace being worn.
Everyone stayed strong as they looked at Nico's body. However, Rin and Maki were hugging each other trying to stay calm.
...
The wake was short, just a small lunch after. The eight girls hung out at a small café, when they ran into three familiar girls.
"A-RISE?" Honoka said, surprised.
"Hello, Honoka. Everyone." Tsubasa said. "We…We heard about what happened."
"Oh."
"We're very sorry." Anju said.
"Don't be. Nico wouldn't like that." Eli said, smile on her face. "Is there any reason you came here?"
Erena shook her head. "Not really. But, we just wanted to see how you guys are. This is a big deal, after all."
The eight girls nodded; Erena was right. Nico not being there would affect everyone, at least in the idol world.
Rin stepped up. "We're going to still perform!" The girls looked at their friend. "This is for Nico-chin, we promised her. We want you to keep going as well. At your best! Don't be afraid to go all out. Nico-chin would hate you for that!" Rin put out a hand.
Tsubasa took it and shook. "Okay, Rin-chan. We will put our all into it. And we want you to as well."
However, Rin leapt into Tsubasa's arms. She started to cry. "I MISS NICO-CHIN!"
"Rin…R-Rin..." Maki tried to call to her friend, however she started to feel her tears welt up. She was stopped by Tsubasa, thankfully.
"It's okay, Maki-chan." She started to pat Rin's back and pet her. "We miss Nico-chan as well."
The girls stayed there for a while, all teary-eyed as Tsubasa comforted Rin.
A/N: Post Nico's death.
Just the epilogue left. Man, rereading this chapter brought put a tear in my eye. I'm really proud of this whole story, and I'm glad there are many people who like it as well.
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Thanks for Reading!
