disclaimer: Love Live isn't mine, boo
Maki's no stranger to walking home by herself.
Ever since she was old enough to make the commute by herself, six days a week, rain or shine Maki would trace the familiar route back to her home. She did have a driver to pick her up during winter when it was especially cold and gloomy, but the rest of the time she was left to her own devices – an attempt at encouraging early independence. It was effective, for the most part. After all, Maki is one of the most self-sufficient in her year level (not counting her heavy reliance on the Nishikino maids and chef, that is) so it's not like it was a particularly bad thing, being left alone.
Maki used to tell herself that she liked it, having the opportunity to be all grown up, would try to enjoy the peace of her own company. It transferred to her attitude at school, alienating her from her peers who couldn't (wouldn't, were not willing to) understand the enigma that was the seemingly aloof Maki.
Except, Maki would sometimes think that the quiet walk home would be much nicer with someone by her side.
It got better when she met µs – had Hanayo and Rin to walk alongside, occasionally joined by the rest of their members. It's extremely exasperating yet just as fun to make impromptu detours with her friends, trying out new places she hasn't previously gone to and going to ones she previously used to frequent on her own. There's something exciting about walking home from school, dressed in their uniforms with their bags on their arms, chatting and walking and – well, Maki feels… normal in these times, normal like she isn't really an heiress on the wealthier end of the community, isn't someone who stands on a platform a teensy bit higher than the others all because of the expectation placed on her shoulders.
Sometimes, Maki forgets how quiet the walk home by herself really is. But it'll hit her, sometimes – on days when they don't have rehearsals, or she has a dinner to prepare for, or something or another has cropped up for the other members. Sometimes, Maki will stop and think of something to tell to Hanayo or Rin halfway home, and she'll turn around only to see no one there.
Sometimes, Maki's loneliness is the worst.
But then there's the always.
Maki always knows she's loved, treasured, adored. Always knows that she can reach for her phone on a lonely walk home and she'll hear the bubbly voice of her girlfriend giving her the run-down of her day, knows she can open her photo gallery and see the digital evidence of more days spent together than apart.
Maki knows that more often than not, she won't have an opportunity to feel lonely. Nico will, without fail slip her hand into her own and squeeze it reassuringly, smiling and leaning into Maki's side gently to know that she is there, they are together and they will not separate, not in the way that matters – the heart.
Maki's no stranger to walking home by herself, but she's never truly alone anyway.
a/n: hi all you haven't quite gotten rid of me yet - i've been super busy irl hence me kind of disappearing but! don't worry I'll never go on hiatus without warning ok