Hallo!

please enjoy.

pleaselovemybabynico

It has been a while since Maki entered the Music Room. She was far too busy with schoolwork and far too busy with learning at the hospital. It was a good thing her parents decided to let her take a break. She had done well in the exams too, not that they expect anything less. Granted with the limited time she had, she began to press the black and white keys, checking if they're still in tune.

With a satisfied smile, she took a seat, flexed her hands and began to play a melody.

She let herself indulge in the piece, letting the music carry her off like the wind. She expertly pressed the keys and the piano followed her every command. It needs a note there, and this needs to be sharper. Softer this time. Then make it louder to emphasize it. Connect the notes, make it unforgettable to the ear. Let the audience receive your message.

It reminded her the time when she participated in recitals. She'd practice day and night, enjoying every second she had with her instrument. Her practice always paid off. She has won multiple awards since then and her collection grew larger. But soon afterwards, she abruptly left.

Being a famous pianist won't make you a good doctor, as her parents would remind her.

She had her life planned out for her. Being a musician wasn't a part of it. This was intended to be her future. Her parents had arranged it and prepared her for it. Maki, knowing resistance to be vain, had submitted to it.

So her time with the piano is precious. She needed to enjoy every last second of it knowing one day, she'd let it go for good. Maybe she'll have it for a hobby instead of pursuing a goal with it. It was a nice escape of reality.

The young pianist continued to play without a care in the world. To play until the sun sets. To play until her fingers go numb. To play until her heart's content.

Little did she know that she had an audience watching.

A lone girl who was seated at the far back.

When the first year finished her performance, she didn't expect someone to acknowledge it. She heard sounds of clapping and she tumbled backwards from the sudden appearance of Nico.

"Ouch. Ouch ouch…" She rubbed her head, cheeks dusted in pink as the dark-haired senior laughed. It was the first time she has ever heard her voice. Maki could only stay in her position and stare. She didn't notice her heart started beating rapidly inside her chest. When the laughter died down, Nico helped her up and Maki was still entranced by the presence of the senior.

"T-thanks." She bowed her head. The dark-haired girl sat beside her on the piano bench and the the first year was glad she couldn't hear or else she'd take notice of the loud thuds of her heartbeat. That was a little insensitive of her, though, she mentally scolded herself. Nico fished out the notebook inside her pocket. The very same notebook the redhead picked up before. She opened it and took her pen, placing it infront of them.

You can write here, She wrote simply.

The redhead didn't know what to write so she asked a question. 'How long have you've been in here?'

I've been here since you came inside, she giggled again before writing some more. You really are an idiot, aren't you?

'Is that the only thing that spits out of your mouth everytime you see me?'

Because everytime I see you, you do something stupid.

'You just surprised me. If this was any other occasion, I'd never fall for your stealthy tricks.'

Why can't you just admit for once that I'm right? I have all the evidence. This just proves it.

'I can't believe someone as tiny as you has an ego a hundred times your size.'

Sure, attack my height. It's the only thing you can reach anyway.

Maki grumbled and hid her face in her hands. The first time they actually talk to each other properly and that little runt keeps pulling on her leg. Then she remembered Nozomi's words. That's her term for endearment. She loves it when you put up a fight.

"What am I going to do with you?" she muttered under her breath. She felt Nico tug at her sleeve and she peered in between her fingers. The dark-haired senior pointed to the piano, looking excited for some reason.

Hey, can you play again? You looked like you're having so much fun.

Startled by the unusual request, Maki wrote on the notebook. 'Is there any specific piece you want me to play?' Nico's face contorted into an unusual expression. Maki had to suppress another retort. What was it this time that's got her so riled up?

You really had to ask that, didn't you?

Oh.

Oooohhh.

OH.

Oh. My. God.

Damn, Maki.

So smooth.

"I messed up." She gave heaved a long sigh. "Fuuuuuuck." She wanted to crawl in a hole and die. She didn't want to look at her knowing that she probably offended her. She blames her mouth for not keeping itself shut. She blames her brain for transmitting the neurons that make her say whatever is on her mind. But most of all, she blames herself for being an insensitive jerk.

She tilted her head when the dark-haired senior tapped on the notebook, gaining her attention. She noticed her hands in the same way Hanayo and Rin's were and placed them above her head. Next thing she knew, Nico smiled.

It was soothing.

It felt so sincere.

And very contagious.

She mouthed the words Nico Nico Nii along with the signature pose.

Maki couldn't help but laugh. "What's with that? I don't understand." The small senior puffed her chest and put her hands on her hips showing off. The redhead had forgotten about her earlier mistake and that was the only goal Nico had in mind. To make her forget about her worries and smile instead.

I made you smile. It worked didn't it?

'Surprisingly so.'

Of course it did! No one can resist the charm of the Number One Idol in the Universe, after all! I'm just doing my job.

'Number One Idol in the Universe, you say? You don't look like one.'

Not now but I'll get there someday. And now that I finally have your undivided attention, you owe me.

'Owe you what? A back rub?'

If you're up to it then it's totally fine with me. Who wouldn't want a nice and relaxing back rub? I'd throw in the whole package, if I were you. Manicure, pedicure, whole body massage- Maki quickly grabbed the pen before another request was written down.

'Forget I said that.'

Nico sighed exasperatedly. I just want you to play, is that so much to ask? Play whatever you want, I don't mind. I just want to see how you perform. Unlike most people, they hear with their ears but I'm different. I'm not normal like them. Nico lightly tapped her hearing aid. Maki's brows furrowed.

I hear with my eyes.

She dismissed her worry and waved her hand.

Make it worth my time, Maki-chan.

The pianist's amethyst eyes widened a fraction at how casual she had written her name. That's when she realized why there were so many different handwritings on the notebook. Not wanting to make her wait any longer, she asked Nico to move a bit so she could properly stretch her arms. Sucking in the courage she had left after all that happened, she began to play with Nico by her side.

She thought that having someone beside her would ruin her concentration but it didn't. It didn't make her nervous. It didn't make her hands tremble. Nico's presence made her relax.

It made her even more dedicated than before.

It didn't even register in her head that Nico cannot hear what Maki could do.

As she pressed the last note of her piece, the small senior was practically vibrating in her seat. "Haaaah…" Maki let out a breath. Nico clapped again. The redhead became flustered. The senior grinned triumphantly.

Maki never felt this kind of appreciation with her parents before. She'd win recitals but the only acknowledgement they ever gave her was the reminder that she could never have a future with playing the piano. To have an audience of one to complement her skills made her heart swell. Not to mention, that her lone viewer couldn't hear, much less interpret her composition.

You're pretty good! Maybe I should hire you as my composer for my songs.

'I refuse. If you grow another ten inches, I'll reconsider.'

The indignant look on her face made the redhead smirk.

I'll show you! I'll tower over you someday! And you won't ever look down on Nico again. She stood a bit and leaned over her face, looming over her. But the show of intimidation didn't work on the redhead.

Maki relished in her victory against the tiny gremlin. Lost in her world, she felt something press her cheek. With a quick shake of her head, Nico handed her a milk carton, smiling as she did so.

Here. For your wonderful performance.

"T-tha-" The dark-haired senior put a hand on her face, making her still. Maki quickly clamped her mouth shut. With her small hands, she took Maki's in hers. It was soft. And looked very fragile. Without the need to say words, the first year knew she had to follow her. Glancing down at both of their hands, she copied her hand movements.

First is putting your left arm out. Your right hand should make a chopping-motion to your left wrist. Lastly, tilting your right hand upwards.

Then she made the first year look at her. They did the hand movements slowly, Nico making sure Maki was doing it perfectly. When they were finished, the young pianist did the action to her senior once more.

"Thank you, Nico-chan."

Maki kept the milk carton inside her bag and had completely forgotten about it. The following day, when she reached inside to take out her lunch box, she almost jerked her hand when she felt an unfamiliar box bump her fingers.

Memories of yesterday came rushing back and she bit back a smile creeping up her cheeks. The redhead took the carton and began to drink.

But she almost choked on it when Rin suddenly screeched in her ear.

"Maki-chan! I can't believe it!" the orange-haired girl grabbed her shoulders and began jumping up and down. "I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I can't beliiieeeeve it!" she chanted. The redhead grabbed her cheek, pulling it so she would stop her incessant shouting.

"You're making me dizzy! Stop messing around and stay still for crying out loud!"

"Mahiii-sjyan, I hiiiifffvvv!" she let go but as soon as she recovered, Rin began chanting it once more. Maki covered her ears in agitation.

"Hanayo, make her stop! I think she's broken or something." Hanayo pacified the raging ball of energy by simply rubbing her head affectionately. Rin stood still and rubbed her cheek to her best friend's. Maki grimaced as she saw drops of milk spilled on her blazer.

"Look at what you made me do." She took her handkerchief and tried to wipe it off. Hanayo just laughed nervously.

"Maki-chan, I can't believe you have that." She pointed to the milk carton. Maki had the urge to spill it on her face. But Hanayo was there. She couldn't do that infront of her. "Did Nico-chan give it to you?"

The redhead almost choked for a second time.

"Pffbbt! N-no! I bought it at the vending machine." She twirled her hair. Rin sneered.

"The vending machine that's located at the far end of the senior's building nya?"

"Not that. The vending machine on the way to school. The one near my house." Everyone at the school knew that the only ones who had easy access to the vending machines were the third years. No one dared to venture in the senior's domain. Although, there were students who have friends from the higher grade, there were others who would go out of their way and sneak in to buy some juice.

Rin and Hanayo were certain that Maki would never go there for a mere carton of milk.

"I'm pretty sure that brand is only served here."

The young pianist clearly had no way out of this without embarrassing herself even further so she slumped in her seat. Defeated. Her ears were tipped in red.

"Plus, you wouldn't buy something and not drink it right away nya." She added smugly.

"Rin-chan, you're making her uncomfortable. Stop it." Hanayo gently eased the orange-haired girl away from Maki's desk. She pouted.

"Fine fine! Nico-chan gave it to me. There! Happy?" She heard the both of them squeal. "What's the big deal about it anyways, it's just milk."

"No no! You see, that's a special privilege by Nico-chan nya." Rin nodded her head. "She gave us the same thing once, right? Kayo-chin accompanied me on running on the track a couple of weeks ago but she was too exhausted to finish nya!"

"Nico-senpai helped me on my feet and let me rest on the bench. Then she challenged Rin-chan in a race." Hanayo recalled with a smile.

"She's so cool! She's really fast nya! But I'm faster of course." Rin gave a peace sign. "We talked about a lot of stuff when we finished our run like what's her favourite ramen, what she likes to eat, does she like sweets and stuff and oh! And we talked about cats nya! She taught us a few hand signs as well and her Nico Nico Nii!" Maki cringed at the sight.

"Nico-senpai knows a lot about idols too!" Hanayo began radiating in a familiar aura when she talked about idols. She was overwhelming. "She has the latest albums of A-Rise, collections of CDs from every indie idol group, limited edition idol merchandise, a valuable signature from the super idol Kira Tsubasa, Blu-ray edition of all of A-rise's singles and-"

"Geez, Hanayo. Breathe, will you?" Maki had to physically stop her before she runs out of oxygen and faint.

"Then Nico-chan gave us that as a reward nya." The young pianist sipped the remaining contents of her drink and mumbled something under her breath. What is she? A hybrid toothfairy? "I'm excited for our next rematch nya. I'll definitely win again."

"Maybe you've done something that made her happy." Hanayo added. "She told us that she never gives those to just anybody."

"It's like the badge of friendship nya!"

Here. For your wonderful performance.

Thank you everyone for the reviews! It really helped me in making this next chapter.

As some of you suggested, I'll continue this in multichapters instead of a oneshot.

If you guys have any suggestions for the interactions and such, I'd appreciate it very much! I'm guessing a lot of you will be eager to read some angst. Just hit me up! Send me a message or so and let's make this story worthwhile.

Remember that being deaf and mute are totally different. Being mute means a person cannot make any sounds, so talking would be impossible but is able to hear just fine. Being deaf means you cannot hear but does not necessarily mean you're mute. Because deaf people cannot hear sounds, it's hard for them to pronounce words although there are some who can speak clearly with a lot of practice. Though most of the time, they just drop talking altogether for various reasons.

I have little to no experience in being friends with a deaf person so there would most likely be inconsistencies. On my father side, most of my aunts and uncles have bad hearing including myself but they communicate just fine. Albeit, with a lot of shouting. My mother usually just laughs at me and my dad if we talk to each other because we say things that are completely off with what she's saying. If you think there's something wrong, please tell me! I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

I learned ASL (American Sign Language) before in some books but it's completely different with JSL (Japanese Sign Language) for example the letters. ASL has the letters from A - Z while JSL would be the hiragana/katakana characters. So as you've noticed, Nico did two signs with her hand accompanied by two syllables formed by her mouth. Most likely she'll be saying 'baka' or 'aho' which, we all know, is stupid/idiot when translated in english. In ASL, I think all you have to do is make your hand into a fist, put your pinky up and place your fist on your forehead. The pinky indicates as the letter 'i'. I've read it's how you tell someone they're an idiot.

That's all for now! Thank you very much for reading!

and as always, reviews are very much appreciated!