Man. I hope you guys are ready for this chapter because I am most certainly not. It's going to be a long one by the way. It's my apology gift for not updating like I normally do. There is just so much going on right now and on top of that I have to work a lot because of it. Please enjoy this chapter! ~cuptanm0ex
Two weeks. Two weeks and three days to be exact. Its been that long since Nico ran off during her meeting with Ame Hime. Since then she has been a hot mess. She wonders a lot, but a certain red head wasn't telling her anything. After running off during her meeting with Ame Hime, Nico sprinted all the way to Maki's house where she found out that Maki was not home. She tried calling. She tried texted. Hell, she even waited all night for the girl to get home. But she never came home that day. Or the day after that. Nico wondered why Maki just left her out of nowhere. Did she do something wrong? Was she being too clingy? Oh how she just wished that the other girl would talk to her, but deep down she had to accept that they were over. Pondering all the possibilites she could've done to upset the girl or even hurt her.
"Not here again today.." Nico smiled weakly as she unlocked the door and stepped inside the semi large home
"I'm home." the idol announced but sighed as silence was a response
Everyday Nico waited for Maki to come home. Dropping by her own house once in a while to check on her siblings and to gather some clothes. When questioned by her mother and siblings, she simply waved them off and told them not to worry. She didn't want anyone dragged into this. Nico wondered where Maki could be. Just then her phone buzzed. Quickly standing up and rushing towards her phone, which was carelessy thrown on top of the kitchen counter, she frowned when the person who texted her wasn't the person she was hoping it'd be.
Ame Hime isn't feeling very well today. She won't be able to meet up today. We're terribly sorry, but please come in to record the vocals.
Nico sighed. It felt like everyone around her was going to either disappear or cut her off. She slipped her phone into her back pocket, gathered her things, and set off to a destination where she was determined to find some kind answer.
"Nico-chan?" a woman said, confused
Nico looked up smiled.
"Hey."
"Any reason why you disaappear for two weeks then suddenly pop up? Everyone was worried you know!" Eli glared at the raven haired girl
"Not everyone..." Nico mumbled
"What was that?"
"Ah! Nothing Nothing! I'm sorry. I've just been busy with idol stuff and taking care of the kids." She replied
"Oh. How is everything by the way? We heard that you finished your song. We're so excited to hear it!" Eli smiled as she sat on the seat across from Nico
"It's okay I guess. I actually have to leave soon to record the vocals. I just stopped by to clear my head."
"Hmm? Did you and Maki-chan have a fight?" another voice said behind the idol
Nico shrieked at the sudden voice and turned around quickly.
"Evenin' Nicocchi." Nozomi said with a small wave
"Nozomi! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Nico softly yelled at the other girl
"I'm sorry. Anyways, something tells me you and Maki had an arguement."
Nico sighed as she sat back down. Placing her right palm on her cheek and staring outside. She watched as people walked in front of the cafe window. It was crazy how the world felt so different without Maki. As if all the color and life was drained in one day. Her thoughts were cut off as she felt a hand being gently placed on her shoulder.
"You know you can tell us anything Nico." the blonde smiled as she gave a reassuring smile
"Have you all heard from Maki at all?" Nico suddenly asked
"No. We haven't. Why? Is she okay?" Eli asked, now worried
"I don't know. I haven't seen or talked to her in almost three weeks." Nico replied almost bluntly, as if she was pissed off at the red head all over again
"Do you want us to try to contact her? Maybe she's just busy with the hospital. I hear people are getting even more sick because of the season change."
"You can try, but she probably won't pick up. I've got to go. I'll see you guys later."
With that, Nico gathered her things and walked out of the cafe.
"I wonder what that was all about..." Eli frowned. Watching Nico enter her car and driving off
"I'm sure everything will be fine. Give her time and she'll be herself in no time. For now, don't you have something else to worry about?" Nozomi smiled
"Damn it! Thanks Nozomi. I don't know what I'd do without you!" Eli said before rushing off and giving her fiance a kiss
-
"Maki." a woman said
Silence
"Maki-chan."
Silence
"Maki!"
Maki lifted her head. Revealing red, puffy eyes.
"What's wrong honey? You haven't been home for almost four weeks. What happened?" Maki's mother said as she sat on the bed with her daughter
"I just missed home. That's all." she coldy replied
"You missed it so much that you cry almost every night even though you've been home all this time?" Maki's mother teased
Maki just pouted and lifted the blanket over her face. She turned around, hoping her mom would just let go of the topic. But no such thing happened.
"You wouldn't understand." Maki said under the blanket
"I'm sure I wouldn't. Living the double life of a secret music prodigy and the head surgeon of a hospital sure does sound hard."
Maki's eyes widened as she lifted the blanket and looked at her mother.
"You knew?!" Maki shrieked
"What kind of mother would I be with if I couldn't even recognize my own daughter under some silly diguise?" the older woman chuckled and continued
"Your father may be dimwitted sometimes, but he's not so dimwitted where he wouldn't recognize his daughter."
"You're not mad?"
"Of course not. We were worried at first, but it seems you've been handling yourself very well. We're very proud of you." she genuinely smiled
Maki was stunned. All this time she thought her parents didn't know and if they found out they'd make her quit music in a heart beat. Maki's vision started to blur due to tears swelling inside her eyes. Her mother held onto the younger girl and patted her head. Maki let out all her emotions shes built up. She felt like a huge boulder was lifted off her chest. She was happy that her parents secretly supported her without her knowing, but thoughts about Nico came into mind. She quickly let go of her mother and looked away.
"Mama?"
"Yes Maki-chan?"
"What would you do if Papa left you?"
Maki's mother raised an eyebrow at the sudden question but smiled.
"I'd chase after him until he tells me why he left me. If it's a good reason, I'll accept it as closure. If it's a terrible reason, I'd bother him until he loves me again."
Maki lightly chuckled at her mother's silly response and looked at her.
"Papa loves you. He'd never leave."
"Did you and Nico-chan fight? Is that why you asked that?" Her mom teased
"Eh?! W-what makes y-you say that!" Maki yelled
"Maki. I've watched over you. Whenever shes around you, her smile is pure. As if the world didn't matter to her. I could say the same about you whenever shes around."
Maki blushed. Guess it was true when she heard the phrase "Mama knows everything"
"Thank you Mama. I think I'm ready to go home." Maki smiled
"I've already made you a bento to go. You can leave and come back whenever you like." the older woman said, as she stood and walked to the door
"One last thing. Everything would've been fine even if Nico-chan found out while you two were dating."
Maki blushed furiously as the tip of her ears were red. If Maki was in a cartoon, you could see the steam blasting out of her ears due to her embarrassment.
-
"I'm home."
"Took you long enough! I'm starving!"
"Now Elicchi. You know that traffic is terrible at this hour." Nozomi laughed
"It's 6pm! There is no traffic!" Eli pouted as she snatched the bag that contained pick up chinese food
"Okay, I had to stop by and get some more cancer sticks." Nozomi stuck her tongue out
"Tsk. Just hurry and get changed. I want to watch a movie while we eat."
"Yes, my love. Anything for you." Nozomi teased as she bowed in a butler type manner
"Just go!"
Finally ready to eat, Eli took no time as she smashed her face with food. Nozomi smiled as she watched her fiance act so childish. It was rare to see Eli so childlike. She was always so stiff and mature, It was refreshing to see her come out of that shell, even if it was just for a little.
"Why are you smirking at me?" Eli glared
"It's nothing. Just admiring your beauty." Nozomi slyly smirked
The blonde woman blushed and gently smacked the other girl on the arm.
"Anyways. The wedding is next week." Eli announced
"Indeed it is. Why bring it up?" Nozomi asked
Eli placed her food down on the table and snuggled closer to the purple haired girl, who was more than happy to accept the other girl into her arms.
"I just like saying it out loud. Plus, I was thinking maybe we should practice." Eli smirked
"Oh? Practice for what I wonder." Nozomi playfully asks as she looks up and looks around the room with a finger on her chin
"Shut up and kiss me."
"My pleasure."
(A/N: This is not the end of the chapter, but I just wanted to say that dominate Eli is so cute sometimes I had to write her in. I love seeing these two as playful only when they're around each other and alone. THEY'RE JUST SO FUCKING GAY I CAN'T HANDLE THEM TWO TOGETHER. OK BACK TO THE STORY)
The elevetor doors opened and Nico quickly got off. She wasn't in a rush or anything, but Nico was early to the recording booth. She tapped her feet and crossed her arms as she stood in the recording booth. Then, suddenly, the door opened.
"Good evening Nico-chan." Tsubasa smiled
"Tsubasa? Am I in the wrong booth?" Nico said, walking back outside to look at the number next to the door to be sure she was in the right booth. She was in the right one. She was certain.
"You're in the right booth Nico. I just came to listen to your song, if you don't mind of course." the other idol laughed
"Oh... That's fine. I got scared for a moment."
Both girls had a small conversation that was soon cut short after Ame Hime's "manager" came in with Nico's producer. He greeted both girls and gestured Nico that they were ready to record. Nico sighed as she stepped inside the soundproof box. It was a familiar feeling. A feeling she felt before she met a certain doctor. Dark.
After what felt like hours of recording, Nico was finally free. Her voice was strained a little from having to constantly hit high notes repeateadly, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Nico said her goodbye and thanked everyone for the day. She wondered how long she'd be able to pull off this fake happiness. Deep down, she knew she was hurting. Okay, she was hurting really bad. She decided to brush the thoughts away momentarily for her sake. She started up the car and drove off.
-
It wasn't long after Maki had spoke to her mother when she finally made it to her home. She set her keys on the kitchen table and instantly fell onto her couch. She missed her home, but being here reminded her of Nico.
"Nico-chan..." Maki said out loud before grabbing the nearest pillow and pulled it closer to her. Thoughts of seeing the raven haired girl crossed her mind, but being in her home while thinking them made her even more terrified. She closed her eyes and felt sleep overcome her. She didn't mind it though, she hasn't slept properly for the past couple of days so sleeping sounds amazing to her right now. Maki soon drifted off into a world where she could only reach in her dreams.
-
"I'm home." Nico announced
Silence
"Yeah. I was expecting that." Nico chuckled sadly to herself
Nico took off her shoes and neatly placed them in their designated spot and replaced them with comfy house slippers. She sighed as she went to place her keys on the kitchen counter but as she did, she noticed that the keys didn't make the same sound it made when it hit the counter. Nico quickly turned on the lights to find another set of keys on the kitchen counter. She ran into the living room and saw the one person she has been wanting to see. There she was, Maki Nishikino, in flesh and blood. Nico didn't know whether she should be angry or happy. She was seriously contemplating to throw a brick at the sleeping girl's face, but decided against it. She didn't want to ruin such a perfect face no matter how angry she was. Nico walked closer to the other girl, hoping not to wake her up, but it seems that the other girl was knocked out cold. She's only seen this side of Maki whenever she comes home late from the hospital. Though this time, Maki's eyes were a bit puffy and had dark circles under. Nico was confused on what to do. She wanted answers but she knew that Maki would just run off again when she had the chance. She gave up. Nico grabbed a blanket and gently placed it over Maki then replaced the hard couch pillow Maki had her head on with a more comfortable.
"Stupid idiot. Don't you know you could strain your back for not sleeping properly?" Nico softly said as she kissed the other girl on the forehead
Satisfied, Nico made her way into the kitchen and cooked a small dish for one. She then replaced her house slippers with her shoes and smiled before closing the door behind her and locking it and driving off to her own home, where she felt she should be there just for tonight.
Beep Beep Beep
The alarm was blaring into Maki's ear as she woke up. She grunted as she set the alarm off and looked around her surroundings. She was so tired she fell asleep on the couch, but luckily she slept earlier than normal so she was energized for her long shift at the hospital. Maki then folded up the blanket and grabbed her pillow to return it to her room. She then continued her morning routine but stopped when she looked at herself in the mirror. There, on her forehead, was a red stained kiss mark. She knew that color anywhere. She quickly wiped it off and got dressed. Was Nico in her house sleeping in another room? If so, Maki was going to make a run for it. As Maki was quietly lurking around the house to find the raven haired girl, she stumbled upon something that was under her set of keys on the kitchen table. She shakily grabbed the piece of paper and opened it.
Maki-chan,
I sat and contemplated if I should throw a rock at you while you were asleep but decided against it. I'll do that another time. Anyways, I came home and there you were, sleeping so irresponsibly on the couch. It'll hurt you back if you sleep on the couch you know? Idiot. So I replaced the couch pillow with a more comfortable pillow and gave you a blanket and you still didn't wake up. You must be that tired huh? Nico is sorry for whatever she did to upset you or hurt you. I didn't mean to do either of them. I'm sorry for being annoying and bratty. I was so scared to lose you, but in the end I did. Whatever you may feel for me now, I'll always love you. I love you.
Ps. I made you something to eat and put it in the fridge. You can just warm it up. :)
Nico
Tears rolled, heavily, down Maki's cheeks as she made no effort to wipe them. She clung the letter close to her heart and sobbed. She sobbed harder than she thought she ever could. Calming down, Maki stood from the floor and walked to the fridge and opened it. She smiled as she saw a plate with her name beautifully written in icing on the plate.
"Idiot... I was the one who told you that because you always slept on the couch..." Maki said out loud as tears were filling her eyes yet again
Maki took the plate out of the fridge and warmed it up. She missed Nico dearly. She missed her cooking. She missed her presence. Maki's heart just fell deeper into a pit that she knows, once it reaches the bottom, she won't know how she would ever come up from it.
On the plate was a bowl of tomato soup. Maki's favorite dish that Nico cooks.
I lowkey cried as I was writing Nico's letter. I swear it was going to be longer but I couldn't do it. SAD NICO AND SAD MAKI IS SO DEPRESSING. I REALLY JUST WANNA SAY FUCK IT AND LITERALLY WRITE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER THAT THEY MADE UP, FUCKED, GOT MARRIED, HAD KIDS AND LIVED A HAPPY LIFE. But I shall not do that to you guys. The story will progress and no, this whole NicoMaki bieng depressed thing will not continue for long. I promise, it's going to get happy. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Till next time! ~cuptanm0ex
