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Stupid...

Stupid..!

A low grumble escaped her lips and her eyes shut tight. Her mind was racing and her hands were clammy and cold. She wanted nothing more than to disappear.

Nishikino Maki was mortified.

First, she secretly bought a book about sign language. She never really intended to let anyone know. She just didn't want to stay ignorant of things. Especially to Nico. But due to her miscalculation, her two bestfriends found out.

Which led to the second reason.

She gave it a try. Just for the heck of it. It seemed easy enough. There was no point in hiding anymore, after all. So she did.

I won't let you win next time, you shrimpy, she signed to that insufferable senior.

She didn't actually know if it was correct. She just did minimal research. She just wanted her point to get across.

It did. Surprisingly enough. And it earned her a point to that questionable tally sheet.

But Nico had to answer back.

Of course she did. Nico was always prepared to counter everything she had.

Maki couldn't even remember the fast sequence of hand gestures. She blanked out. What did she even say? Probably something in regard to her challenge or maybe she teased her again or maybe telling her that she was wrong with how she did it or maybe-

"I can't do this…!"

In her mind, she thinks Nico expects her to know how to sign now. She wanted to say it was a fluke and didn't mean it but her pride was too high for her to admit defeat.

She flipped the pages of the book again, trying to calm herself. She was Nishikino Maki. She can handle things such as learning a new language. If there's one thing she can brag about is that she's smart. She's been playing the piano since she was four. She's been reading medical books when she was old enough to… well, read. She's got all the information stored up in that big brain of hers.

"This is nothing." She told herself.

"Nicocchi, you're in high spirits today." Nozomi commented as Nico faced her. The dark-haired girl coughed and dismissively waved her hand. She was telling her it was nothing.

"Say, are you going to see Maki-chan today?" she made sure Nico was able to see her hands. The tiny girl made a little grunt and squeak.

What makes you think I'm going to see that nerd? She signed to her. She turned around in a split second before facing her again. The Number One Idol belongs to everyone. It's unfair for me to spend time with only one fan.

Nozomi giggled. Of course. An idol is meant for everyone. "There's nothing wrong with that since you like her." She teased. Nico released a high-pitched hiss or perhaps it was close to a not-so-loud scream. A sound that was rarely heard coming from her. She was red all over.

I do not! I do not! I do not like her at all! She repeated over and over again. This was ridiculous. Why did Nozomi have to put her nose into everything? Why did she always have to meddle with people involving her? The mischievous glint in the purple-haired girl's eyes made her question why she was friends with her in the first place.

The vice president tapped her chin. "Then how do you explain," she pointed to the small notebook that Nico always carried around. "the tally sheet? I could hardly believe you're winning by a landslide. Were you cheating?" she mused.

There was another indescribable sound released from Nico's lips as she pulled the tips of her pigtails. It was the sound of frustration and also the sound of absolute embarrassment. She knew there was no winning in a battle where your opponent is a psychic meddling titty monster of a friend.

She raised her arms and turned around. It was her way of saying Fuck this. I'm out. She walked faster, taking long strides to ignore Nozomi however her bestfriend wasn't going to let her get away so easily. She synchronized their steps and soon enough she was beside her little idol who was throwing another tantrum.

"Nicocchi, stop running."

It was dangerous for Nico to walk alone when she's not paying attention. Although her eyes are sharp as a hawk, there's a possibility for danger at every turn. The first time it happened was when they were kids. Nico wanted to show her an abandoned playground she found where no one would disturb them. A secret place she wanted to share where no other kids would make fun of them.

I found something incredible, Nozomi remembered Nico's tiny fingers flick and wave.

They were running, so happy and excited. Nico led the way while she looked back at her with a huge grin on her face. They continued their trek with Nico running backwards and giving signs to her friend. As they were about to cross the road, the red light started blinking from the other side and Nozomi began reaching out her arm to pull her back. With Nico's back facing the road, she didn't notice a large truck was about to reach her small body. The ear-shattering noise of the horn scared the life out of her.

There was only a single second to spare.

There was no time to think.

The fear that resonated in Nozomi's body still haunts her to this day. Fortunately for the both of them, the purple-haired girl gave one last push and quickly pulled her bestfriend to safety. They rolled away to the curb and the truck passed by without hurting a single hair on their heads.

Nico wouldn't stop apologizing to her that day.

"Nicocchi," Nozomi called out to her as she firmly held her hand. It used to be the same size as hers but the purple-haired girl grew and Nico's body hadn't seemed to hit puberty yet. They stopped for a bit as they waited for the signal to turn green. The tiny senior was still not looking at her but Nozomi didn't mind. She was just confused with her feelings.

"You're distracted." Nozomi said softly. Nico didn't fight her hold instead gripped it tighter. She knew she meant no harm.

I'm not a little kid anymore, she signed with her unoccupied hand.

"But that doesn't mean I can't look out for you." She added. The sign turned green, signaling for them to cross. There was another grumble and Nico tried to pull her hand but Nozomi wouldn't let her.

"I'm not letting you go that easily."

"Nyaaa!" Rin cried in despair. It was the day where grades were released. A day where students pray for success. A day where others see it as a death sentence. For Rin, it was of the latter.

The orange-haired girl hung her head and sniffled. Hanayo was comforting her by gently running circles on her back. "It's alright, Rin-chan. Just do better on the next one and I'm sure your parents would understand."

That temporarily halted Rin's tears but for the more pressing matter, Maki hadn't said a word to them since lunch started. It was usual for her to be quiet and observing but for some reason, she wasn't like that today.

Her forehead was scrunched and she was looking rather disgruntled about something. It couldn't be her grades because she's gotten the highest. It couldn't be because of her food because it had her cherry tomatoes all red and juicy. It couldn't be because of Nico because they haven't seen each other in the morning to start their usual fight to the death. They figured that they shouldn't bother her for now and lunch passed without much excitement.

When the bell rang for dismissal, the three bid each other goodbye and the redhead went straight to the Music Room to take her mind off of things. As she was trudging along the hallway with her forehead still bunched together, she didn't notice Nozomi wave to her.

"My," the vice president put her hands together in surprise. "I've never seen Maki-chan look so annoyed." She skipped over to her junior and tapped her shoulder.

Maki jumped in surprise and coughed awkwardly when Nozomi giggled. "Uh. Hey."

"Maki-chan, what's got you," she touched her forehead playfully. "so worked up about?"

"It's nothing." She answered quickly. The sooner the conversation ends, the sooner she'll get to the Music Room. Plus, she didn't want to spend another minute with her. She might end up saying something she might regret.

"You're no fun today." She pouted. "By the way, have you seen Nicocchi?"

"Ueehh? N-nico-chan?"

"Mmm. She's been hiding from us." Maybe that's why she hasn't seen her this morning. "When you see her, tell her that Elicchi and I will be waiting."

"Oh. Sure." She was hoping it would end now. There was another awkward silence as Maki didn't know how to end it without being seen as rude. She unconsciously twirled her hair in nervousness.

"You've gotten along well with each other."

Oh no.

Not this.

Maki shrugged and averted her eyes. "No, we haven't. Nico-chan is just… Nico-chan." Nozomi smiled. It was true. The little midget was just being herself. Being a little curious. Being a little adventurous. Being a little brave. "Besides, she's friends with Rin and Hanayo too. Don't make it seem like I'm different."

"That's certainly true. But I do wonder why you're being so defensive about this. It's just small talk." The purple-haired girl made a smug look. "Nicocchi has always been curious than most. Much like yourself." She pointed to Maki's bag. Whether it was intentional or not, Maki instinctively held her bag closer to her side because it's where she kept the book she bought.

The book she bought to learn more about Nico.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"A word of advice." She began when her junior became quiet all of a sudden. "Nicocchi has lots of ways to tell what's on her mind and also has skills to comprehend what you're saying to her. So," She touched the wrinkles formed on the redhead's forehead. "don't be shy when you don't know how. It's a gradual thing. You'll learn as you go."

She made two signs with her hand and Maki instantly recognized it as Nico's way of saying hi. "Did you just call me an idiot?" she made a weird expression. It was different when other people did it. Maybe because she wasn't the person she's used to seeing sign like that to her face.

"See? You're getting it. Sign language isn't all about technicalities." The vice president looked at her watch and sighed. "I have to get going now. Elicchi might be wondering where I've been."

Maki nodded. "Thank you." It was quiet. More like a whisper. But Nozomi heard her loud and clear.

The young pianist continued her way towards the Music Room feeling a little bit better about things thanks to Nozomi's words. However, as soon as she opened the door, an arm yanked her down to the ground and she almost hit her head. The door was shut quickly and she rubbed her arm.

"What was that all about?" she yelled at the culprit. Of course it was Nico. Why shouldn't she be surprised? The shortstack of a senior held her index between her lips and they beckoned her to crawl towards the corner of the room.

"What? No!" Nico grit her teeth and started to sign to her. Fast flicks and wrist movement was too much for Maki to absorb in a split second. The pianist had to replay the scene in her head multiple times to decipher what she meant to say.

Oh. She pointed at her. You. It was you.

A number? No. That wasn't it.

She was signing a character. Someone's name perhaps?

Nico was waiting for her reply. And Maki was wishing for a hole to appear on the ground and swallow her whole entire being because she didn't want to handle this right now.

The little gremlin did it again nonetheless; the junior still had no idea what she just told her.

It made absolutely made no sense. "I don't understand." She confessed and buried her head to her arms. She didn't. She couldn't. It was horrible. She heard Nico shuffle beside her and tapped her shoulder and she peeked a little.

Nico drew a rectangle figure in the air using her two index fingers and mimicked her hand holding a pen as she did small imaginary writings on the palm of her hand. The pianist's eyes sparkled in recognition as she fished a notebook inside her bag, careful not to show the book to the gremlin. She handed it over and heard the distinct sound of a pencil touching paper as Nico began to write her words.

What did Nozomi say to you?

It was surprising yet Maki felt a little better. She didn't start off with mocking her. She didn't even mention the redhead's failure of comprehension. Nico just did what she usually did.

By being herself.

By being the little gremlin she is.

Maki looked away for a bit. She was still a little embarrassed about the fact that she couldn't understand what she said to her before but tried to remember Nozomi's words.

There's no need to be shy if you don't know how.

Nico has lots of ways to tell what's on her mind.

Nico has skills to understand what you're trying to say.

"N-nozomi said that they will be waiting for you." The redhead said in a clear voice. Nico paled. She began to scribble some more.

Is that all?

"That's all. Why? Nozomi said you've been hiding from them." The tiny senior gulped and scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. She was a troublemaker after all. "What did you do this time?"

Nico looked offended. I did no such thing, if that's what you're implying.

"If you didn't do anything, why are you running away?" Nico hesitated before writing the next words on her notebook.

It doesn't matter! I need to go home and they're holding my bag hostage. Nico has important things there that shouldn't be touched!

Oh. Her diary must've been in there. And her phone.

"Well, best of luck to you. Your bag is probably inside the Student Council room and there's no way you're getting it without being noticed." She said exasperatedly. The tiny senior scratched her head furiously.

They sat there with Nico trying to think of a plan to retrieve her bag from the two demons without getting killed. After a good minute of planning, the brave senior returned her notebook, opened the door, did a dramatic pose of dying and sneaked out to the third floor leaving Maki in the room alone.

The redhead gave a deep sigh and brushed her skirt clean. She's been sitting on that floor for a good twenty minutes now. She waltzed over the piano, her fingers touching the ivory keys. After that quick meeting with Nico, she needed this. The pianist stretched her hands and played a melody.

Make it lighter. There. Make it fun.

There's a missing note here. Ah. Found the perfect one.

Do it again. This time with more feeling.

"Cheers for loving you." She started singing. The words started to spill from her mouth like the never-ending cycle of a waterfall. She stopped every now and then to write on her music sheet and started all over again.

Repeat the words. Say it again.

Cheers for loving you.

Let it be the guide.

When she was pleased with the progress, she gave a contented sigh only to flip backwards when the tiny gremlin had somehow managed to sneak into the room to sit beside her. Fortunately for her, Nico has quick reflexes and pulled her weight before she fell.

"When did you get here?" Maki mumbled. Did she hear her sing just now? "Did you get your bag?" The redhead wanted to move but the dark-haired girl still hasn't removed her grip. She was staring at her lips. So intently. So focused. The pianist felt her face burn. Those crimson eyes didn't waver and she continued to ogle that it made her self-conscious.

"Stop looking at me!" Maki cried. This was so awkward. Why was she staring so hard?

There's nothing on her face, right?

There's no food stuck in her teeth, right?

Her breath doesn't smell awful, right?

"Stop it, Nico-chan!" as she was about to remove her hand from her arm, she felt Nico's soft hand touch the base of her throat. Her heart pounded loud in her chest from the sudden contact and the little gremlin kept her hand on her neck, feeling the vibrations coming in and out of her mouth.

She wasn't looking at her face, more on her lips and her neck. Maki was so sure her face was as red as her hair right now she wanted to die.

Why was Nico doing this to her?

She's too young to die from sheer embarrassment.

"Nico-chan, what are you doing?" she asked. She said it slowly. And she saw her eyes move and scan the movement of her lips and her hand kept that soft yet firm touch on her neck. It was weird to have her hand on her neck especially since Nico can feel all the little tremors she made.

The tiny senior's lips moved upward and finally looked at her amethyst eyes. It was sparkling. She held her index finger to her. She was saying 'one more time'. Maki was confused but figured she should repeat what she said.

"Nico-chan." The dark-haired senior nodded and held her index again.

"Nico-chan." Maki repeated. A little clearer this time. A little louder. Nico held her index again.

"Ni. Co. Chan." Maki said in syllables. Nico opened her mouth and the redhead felt her stomach churn in a good way.

"Niii..o.. jaan.."

It was her name.

She said her name.

"Nico-chan." Maki smiled uncontrollably. It was her first time to hear the senior say words. She didn't know why. She didn't know why she felt so happy

The tiny senior laughed. She felt like celebrating. She grabbed her junior by the arms and pulled her up to her feet to dance. Maki was just letting herself be pulled and swayed by her energetic senior. There's no way she's going to dance. No. Not a chance.

Nico dragged her closer and leaned in to touch her neck again. God. Maki could swear her heart's going to beat out of her chest. She was about to raise her finger again when all of a sudden, the door slammed open revealing Nozomi and Eli, holding Nico's bag. The redhead closed her eyes in surrender. She's not getting out of this situation without being teased for all eternity by Nozomi.

"Elicchi," The vice president slapped Eli's shoulder. "You've ruined their moment!"

The tiny gremlin pushed Maki out of the way and started to explain to her friends the situation. Her fast movements and the sound of absolute mortification doubled Maki's embarrassment.

"I didn't know this was your thing." Nozomi innocently pressed. "Kinky."

"Nozomi!" Eli but all screamed. This was awkward enough as it is. Nico hid behind Maki. "And you. Stop hiding and come over here." She reached in Nico's bag, the one with a cute pink bunny keychain, and showed her test papers, all circled in red ink. "Explain yourself."

"You failed your exams?"

Nico waved her hands in denial. "Don't try to sugar-coat things, Nico. You're going to have to re-take those tests you've failed this weekend and I am not going to tolerate such behavior." She sounded like her dad.

Nozomi dragged Nico out of her hiding place. "You shouldn't hide behind your juniors like that, Nicocchi. Grades like these don't suit the Number One Idol in the Universe." The tiny gremlin signed to her bestfriend.

"I know Idols like you don't have to use Calculus and Trigonometry but you need it to get your highschool diploma."

The tiny senior scoffed and crossed her arms in defeat. It was two against one, or more likely three against one counting Maki. "Say goodbye to Maki-chan now. You'll be coming with Elicchi and I today and tomorrow to squeeze all those information in that brain of yours. Two days is a limited time to review."

Nico waved and Eli took her by the collar so she wouldn't escape. The three seniors walked towards the exit but Nozomi had to run back a few seconds later to rub it in her face.

"Don't worry. Tests aren't the only ones Nicocchi's going to top."

"Nozomi!"

lmao to the guest who said they can't wait for them to hold hands

BAM BAM BAM

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) hue

anyways, a little insight on this and the hand holding neck thing

if you look at the previous chapter you'll notice how nico rests her hand on the speaker to feel the vibrations it's similar to this but this is real thing that they do. they hold the neck/throat and feel the tremors and feel the air rush out of the lips because that's how they differentiate the pronunciation of letters and words. it's not always fool proof but does help in some cases.

so if you can see, nico says her name but not perfectly. the way you pronounce CH is difficult for them and somehow it's either a letter S or H or J. Back in elementary, my teacher told me about Helen Keller and how she uses the neck-touch to decipher the words her students were saying to her.

if there's anything wrong, please tell me! ill change it right away.

Thank you very much for reading and have a wonderful day aye

a review will always be apreciated