LOOK! WHO'S! HERE!
Me.
This might not be enough for an update but I can assure you guys ill get the next chapter ready in a few.
I hope you enjoy! pleaselovemybabynico
Hanayo had noticed something different from Maki. As someone who listens in the background, she had developed a kind of sixth sense. Similar to her ability in hunting down rare and limited editions of merchandise from her favourite idol groups, the brunette had the inkling feeling that Maki was troubled.
She was still quiet and reserved and yet her whole body language screamed uncomfortable. Small clicks of tongue when lost in thought, restless tapping of her foot on the floor, and the signature twist twist of her red hair firmly curled in her index. It was then Hanayo spoke up abruptly during their lunchtime and Rin admitted that she had noticed the same thing.
"Is there something bothering you, Maki-chan?" Hanayo asked. The redhead was particularly upfront to what she dislikes like how meaningless group work is if there she was only one who was working, or how irritating requirements are given by a particular teacher that most of them don't get along with, or the huge tree root blocking the sidewalk but perhaps it was something else. Something private. Something that shouldn't be said out loud.
Rin managed to go behind her and pushed her eyebrows together in a funny way. "You look like this nya," she pushes them over and over to prove her statement. Hanayo laughed with how weird Maki's face has gotten. "I can barely see your forehead with all the wrinkles in the way." Rin sat down as she avoided Maki's iron grip.
The redhead sighed and looked the other way. "It's-"
"Nico-chan?" Rin smugly answered for her and with the way Maki's face glowed bright red, Hanayo knew that her best friend guessed correctly.
"Nothing! I was gonna say nothing!" she refuted angrily. The redhead sipped her juicebox and sank further in her seat. Hanayo raised her eyebrow at that. "Besides, how would you know it would be about her." she begrudgingly admitted.
Rin waved her hand. "Details. Details. So tell us nya. What did you do this time?" She closed in on her and flashed her big grin. Hanayo nudged her best friend to keep the teasing to a minimum.
"I didn't do anything!" Maki exclaimed as she crushed the juicebox in her hand. The sudden outburst baffled the two and the redhead had realized how loud she was. She bit her lip and stared down at their desks. "I didn't do anything," she added a bit quietly this time.
Hanayo and Rin drew in close and held her hands comfortingly. "We understand," Hanayo said softly. "Everything is alright."
"Sing?"
Nico nodded her head three times. Maki was unsure of how to proceed.
It was a delicate matter and it's making her brain go overdrive. It was sensitive and the junior didn't want to offend her. It wasn't like those times where they spout jabs at each other, throwing snarky comments and dramatic signing.
Like when the gremlin picks on her when she's outside during P.E. or that time she found a portion of her notebook drawn on with Nico's atrocious glittery pink pen that she later ripped off but still kept in her bag for decisions she wouldn't like to disclose or basically their entire meetings with all the unreasonable points in the tally.
This was different. This was serious. Was there a proper way to turn her down?
Sucking in a deep breath, she carefully formulated the words she's going to say to her. Be nice. Be gentle. Even if it's that gremlin. Even if it's getting hard to breathe with the dread settling in the pits of her stomach.
"I can't," she replied. It was getting harder to look at her as seconds went by.
Nico's confusion morphed into anger fairly quick that didn't go unnoticed by Maki. Nico held her notebook again and pointed at the words. It was more of a command now rather than a simple request.
Teach. me. how. to. sing.
The smaller girl made an unhappy sound. A disgruntled sound. With her lips pursed and her hands tight. The redhead grabbed the notebook and took Nico's pen.
I can't.
Another gruff. Another sound.
Why can't you?
I'm not cut out to be a teacher.
Nico glared at her with that. It wasn't a lie. It was the truth. Maki was okay with subjects like Math and the like. It was easy to teach the formulas and steps. It was easy to point out mistakes with numbers and letters. But with music, it's a little different than that. It's lot more complex and more difficult to pursue.
And for Maki, being able to hear is important.
And her saying that to Nico is hard.
The small senior wrote in her notebook with disappointment reflected in her eyes. Maki wondered if Nico was disappointed with her or herself. It's hard to figure with a rock jumbling inside her chest. With each thrum of her heart, the harder it was to take back what she said and re-do her mistake.
I guess I'm not cut out to be a student either.
"No, wait-" Maki reached for her hand but the dark-haired girl harshly snatched it away. Nico took one last look at her before turning heel and disappearing into the hallway.
Despite everything that had transpired last week, Maki somehow managed to avoid the guilt and kept on waiting a couple more minutes inside the Music Room after playing. There was no visitor, no loud opening of the door, and there was an empty space in the already small piano bench.
She should be happy. She had the whole room by herself again. No distractions or anything. That gremlin always had a knack for being distractive. Maki was relieved she didn't have to put up with the midget's dramatic flairs and constant whining.
But rather than basking in the comfort of the grand piano, her fingers kept missing a note. She was out of tune, out of rhythm and every time she immersed herself, Nico's face would somehow get in the way and she wasn't even there.
That gremlin was hard to get rid of.
Hanayo had suggested talking to Nico about it. Maki grimaced at the idea of searching for her and telling her that no, it would be a horrible idea for her to even think about Maki teaching the basics of singing. The redhead didn't have enough energy to deal with her, let alone open their hearts to each other because of this simple misunderstanding. And it wasn't Maki's fault to begin with. Nico just had to suggest that wild offer and expected Maki to accept it.
But what if that midget found someone else?
Someone other than her.
"It may be time to think that Nico-chan really likes you," Rin's stupid comment made its way in her thoughts. Maki slammed her hands on the keys, ignoring the piercing sound in her ears.
That gremlin didn't like her. She was just convenient for her. Another person could easily take her place as long as they can sing. Another person could easily give what Nico wants.
On the bright side, that midget won't bother her anymore with her requests. Her life could go back to normal again. No more stupid tally, no more ridiculous stunts, and no more Nico.
It was perfect. However, just the thought about it makes her sick and it doesn't even make any sense. And Maki hated the fact that it would obviously ruin her in the future.
She clenched her fists. Opened and closed it. She stared at her reflection on the shiny grand piano.
No.
Incorrect.
Stop.
No good.
Try again.
There was a text from her mama and she quickly sent a reply as she packed her stuff. Nozomi and Eli lessened their strict hold on her ever since she showed them her passing grade. It couldn't hurt to try and believe a super idol like her can pull that off. Eli tapped her shoulder once she finished packing up.
"Will we be seeing you after?" she signed.
Nico planned to go straight to the clubroom and lock herself up so she replied with a no. The blonde nodded however she didn't leave right away. Nico stared at her hard and Eli lifted her hands up in defense.
What're you doing?
"Me? Oh, oh." The taller one stuttered. It wasn't like her to be like that. It was suspicious. "Just waiting for you."
Nico scoffed but didn't argue. Where's your girlfriend?
Eli's head whipped around so fast she thought it snapped her neck. "Nico! She's not my- okay, nevermind, I know you're doing this on purpose."
The raven-haired girl smirked having riled up Eli.
Nozomi would cry if she hears that from you. She wiped her eyes from fake tears. She prodded Eli's chest with her finger. You do know what happens after that, right?
The taller of the two sighed. "Nico, I'm not here to pick a fight with you."
Then leave me alone.
Nico barrelled through the surge of people blocking the doorway to escape. She thought that Eli would give up but she was following close behind. When they reached the clubroom, Nico shooed her away.
No tall person allowed. Shoo.
Nico flapped her fingers towards the hallway to where Eli should be and not inside her domain. She could ruin the pristine conditions of her figurines. Tall people had a knack for knocking things over because they're too tall to even care and Nico's not gonna stand by idly when her items are at stake.
Go to Nozomi. Leave.
Eli wouldn't budge. Where was Nozomi when she needed her? Nico may be an overall angel and perhaps tall, blonde, and oblivious over there just wanted to spend time with a perfect being like Nico but Nico doesn't want that now. Eli can go bother someone else even if it doesn't compare to Nico's presence.
"Do you want to talk?"
We already are.
Eli smiled wryly. "About something else?" She offered her hand as an invitation. Nozomi always used that on her too.
"NoO!"
While Eli was temporarily shaken by her scream, she pushed Eli out of the door and locked it. Nico could feel the taller one knocking on it with her hand pressed against the door. She stood there until it stopped. She figured Eli left since she couldn't possibly leave Nozomi alone with student council duties.
Nico threw her bag on the table. Her mood had gotten worse because Eli had decided to meddle in. Nico had a strong suspicion Nozomi was behind it.
Why can't they just leave it?
Even Nico herself can't understand what the problem was. She just really wanted to sing but she got turned down by someone she kind of looked up to. It was hard to admit but Maki was the closest thing she's got in first-hand experience with it. Not like anyone liked her watching them hours at end. Nor did anyone have the time to entertain her childish dream like that.
Which got her thinking.
Nico could've asked anyone else besides Maki. She wasn't the only option from the vast circle of connections Nico has. And that nerd was a huge pain. She hated that all-knowing look on her face.
But it had to be her. It had to be Maki.
There was hardly anyone who can be as blunt and straightforward to her like Maki. In truth, she could've asked Nozomi or Eli for the lessons, even Rin and Hanayo seemed like a better option too. Heck , even her Mama or the kids. But she knew how it would all lead to.
They would sing her praises and sugarcoat their words as much as possible and as much as she liked hearing those things Nico would never get better with that. She needed real words. Real opinions from someone who won't back down from telling her that she sucks.
She could practically imagine it, Maki relentlessly throwing harsh words at her but she would gladly take them. Like a bitter pill that's hard to swallow, she can easily wash out the taste with something sweet and nothing is sweeter than making that nerd admit that she's good. She just needed a chance to prove herself.
Nico didn't notice someone unlocking the door behind her, Nozomi went inside with Eli in tow. Nico's desk became shrouded with shadows and she glared at the only possible people who would disturb her.
What do you want?
The two looked at each other, fighting over on who would tell. Eventually Nozomi gave in and handed her a piece of paper. Nico frowned at their unwelcomed visit especially because she was still mad at Eli.
She read it once but didn't register the words at all. This must be a joke, right? She held the paper and waved it to their faces.
What is this?!
"We're so sorry but we did what we can." Eli apologized profusely. Nozomi rested her hands on her shoulders.
Nico couldn't wait for the look on Maki's face once she's proved herself.
That is, if she has a chance to.
im soft...for handholding...
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