Cameras flashed, cameras rolled, cameras recorded every word.

"Though it has been hypothesized so far, Miss Hoshizora has not yet received a diagnosis at this moment in time. She has our best wishes for a full recovery," Maki stated, amethyst eyes staring straight into the cameras.

The three CEOs sat at a long desk together, answering the questions of the press to the best of their abilities. Newscasters filmed the conference, journalists took pictures and notes, recording the trio's voices.

Nico and Nozomi were sitting on Hanayo's couch, watching the press conference while Hanayo fixed hot cocoa for them all. They had invited Honoka and Kotori, but they refused to be in the same room with each other. It hadn't even been 24 hours since Rin collapsed, but the press caught wind of it quickly, the CEOs sending an email out.

Employees of Promise Publications,

In light of recent events, operations are being shut down for the next 48 hours.

Please watch for additional information and report to your assigned destinations once the 48 hour period is over.

Promise Publications

"Here you guys go," Hanayo said, handing the two hot cocoa, then sat on the sofa next to Nico.

Nico was shocked when she first arrived at Hanayo's house, the walls covered in idol merchandise. From posters of A-Rise and Saint Snow to shelves lined with various albums and CDs, even the famous Legendary Legend of Idols DVD set. Nico tried to become an idol in high school, but was unsuccessful, all of the people in her Idol Club leaving within a year.

"Oh, Hanayo, is that-"

"Yes, yes it is, Nico. That's the signature of the Legendary Minalinsky. I bought it off the Internet, so I've never met her, but it's amazing to have it."

"Guys guys," Nozomi grabbed their attention, pulling it to the TV again.

"Miss Ayase, will Miss Hoshizora come back to a job?"

"Of course. So far, it has been hypothesized that she overworked herself, which shows work ethic to us. Though unhealthy work ethic, she is very committed to her job, and we would be happy to welcome her with open arms once she recovers."

Nico stared at Eli's digital image. The woman was wearing a light blue sweater and charcoal bootcut pants, simple compared to Umi or Maki, her hair up in the usual blonde ponytail. Maki had her hair down, wearing a black choker, a red bolero jacket, an a black skater dress. Umi sat there stone-faced, wearing a cobalt blue pantsuit with a silvery belt, a charm necklace around her neck.

When Nico saw the three, she just… felt angry. She didn't understand what their individual roles were yet, she just felt like they toyed with everyone, manipulated everyone. She didn't feel comfortable with talking to Nozomi about what she was told, what had happened to her. She hadn't been given a main shoot, or anymore presents, or been called into any of their offices.

It made her feel guilty, but she wanted the attention.

"Thank you for your time today, Miss Nishikino, Miss Ayase, and Miss Sonoda."

"No, thank you for yours," the three said in unison, gently smiling.

The TV went black, Nozomi's finger poised over the remote's power button, her lips puckered in a silly way. They all sat in silence for a while, Hanayo staring at the ceiling while Nozomi and Nico stared at the TV.

"S-Should we visit Rin?" Hanayo asked.

"Yeah..."

An hour later…

Apparently, Nozomi didn't know where the hospital was, causing Nico to try and navigate a map for half an hour, before Hanayo intervened, just giving Nozomi directions. She gave them out as quickly as possible, Nozomi intent on hurrying.

The three checked in as visitors, Nico and Nozomi following Hanayo through the pristine white halls, the smell of soap, sanitizer, and bleach filling the air.

"Rin! You're awake!" Hanayo skipped into the room, hugging Rin amongst her IV tubes.

"Kayo-chin, you came! Nico and Nozomi, too! How's work been without me?" Rin giggled nervously at the last part, running her hand through her orange hair.

"They paused everything," Nozomi said, "everyone resumes work tomorrow afternoon."

"They had a big press conference today, it was a big deal," Nico added.

"Aww, still, thank you all for visiting me. Apparently I overworked myself..."

Hanayo flicked Rin's nose gently, "That's because you don't wear enough layers, don't take enough breaks, and workout too much. You're always playing a sport or running or keeping your body in good shape. You need a break, Rin."

Rin looked out the window, a faraway look in her eyes, "I can't take a break, I don't have the ability to take a break."

Silence filled the room, Hanayo looking down, her tears dropping down onto Rin's hospital blanket. Rin didn't react, unphased by Hanayo's sobbing sounds. Nico and Nozomi stood in silence, their coats in their hands. Nico looked out the window, watching the February snow fall to the ground. It felt like the room was as cold as it was outside.

Hanayo suddenly stood up, her hands balled up into fists, and ran out of the room. Rin, once again, was unphased, not even looking in Hanayo's direction.

"I have doctors coming in soon, you two should get going."

Nozomi and Nico glanced at each other, walking out of the room in a slow chase after Hanayo. Finally exiting out of the hospital, they found the girl shivering next to Nozomi's locked car. Grabbing the keys from her pocket, Nozomi unlocked it, Hanayo quickly getting in. It would've been a silent drive back to Hanayo's house, except the shy girl's sobs filled the small space.

"Hanayo, what was Rin talking about?" Nico asked.

"I can't reveal that… Never!"

Nico didn't press the matter further, staring out the window. The snow was still falling, getting heavier. She grabbed her phone and opened the weather app; it was going to snow for several hours longer, a snowstorm advisory in effect until the next night. Nozomi glanced over while at a stoplight.

"Hanayo, we need to get you home, the snow is getting heavier. Do you want us to stay with you?"

"N-No… I just want to be… alone…" Hanayo replied, sniffling and sobbing.

"We're only a few minutes away, you'll be alone soon..." Nico said, trying to soothe her new friend. She liked Hanayo quite a bit, feeling they had something in common.

Arriving at Hanayo's house about ten minutes later, they weren't even able to walk her inside, Hanayo grabbing her stuff and running inside, slamming the door shut as she sobbed. Nozomi looked down, as if focusing on the details of her steering wheel.

"Are you prepared for this storm, Nico?"

"Oh, yeah, I've got plenty of supplies at my house, I went to the store just the other day."

Nozomi stayed silent, shifting gears once again and heading to Nico's apartment. They arrived about 20 minutes later, Nico starting to get out when she turned to Nozomi again.

"Hey, do you want to stay here for the night? That way we know the other is safe."

"No, thanks. I'll call you later, yeah?"

"Okay. Thanks for the ride, Nozomi."

"No problem."

Nico headed to her apartment, the cold air filling her lungs, making it hard to breathe. Nonetheless, she looked back, Nozomi already gone. Frowning, she continued to her apartment, dropping her bag when she saw her door. There were packages crowded in front of her door, box after box, a few envelopes on top. They must've been personally delivered to her door, or they would be in Nico's mailbox on the first floor of the complex.

Looking around, Nico quickly opened the door and shoved all of the boxes in through her door, filling part of her small living room with the cardboard cubes. She sat down with the envelopes, one of which was her weekly paycheck, and two other mystery letters. Nico opened the first, ocean blue in color.

Miss Yazawa,

I have heard many good things about you from both your coworkers and my two partners at Promise. Reviewing your resume, you are undoubtedly the 'underdog' of Promise, yet appear to be quite the petite starlet.

It would be an honor to meet you over tea, so I humbly invite you to my home this Saturday. Your schedule for that day has been cleared, your shoots rescheduled for the following Monday. Someone will arrive at your residence on Saturday at noon.

Sincerely,

Umi Sonoda

Nico carefully put the letter back in its envelope, setting it down with a shaky hand. Don't people normally RSVP? She picked up the next letter, this one a lighter blue. She could already guess who it was from.

Nico,

I am deeply sorry that we've been unable to schedule you for a main shoot. We have recently been contacted about a shoot, and are thinking that you are the perfect match. As compensation, please accept these gifts. I thought they would be very fitting for you, and I know you'll wear and use them all.

Though we both have busy schedules, I would be quite pleased if you would accept a dinner invitation from me once my schedule is clear.

Eli

The small, raven-haired girl looked back at all of the packages, wondering if all of them were truly from Eli. She didn't believe that they just gave presents as 'compensation' or as a 'congratulatory gift'.

Heading over to a set of drawers next to her door, she shifted the various items around until she found a box cutter. Locking the door, she briskly walked across the room and shut the magenta curtains. She finally turned to her TV, grabbing her phone and setting it on the music player dock, hitting play on the song 'SELF CONTROL!', turning it up a little.

She grabbed the first box, swiftly opening it. Inside was another lingerie set, a bright pink bra and pair of panties, a layer of beautiful black lace over them.

Teki wa dare? Teki wa yowai jibun no kage sa~

The second box was bigger, Nico slicing it open. Inside was a medium pink coat, the edges covered in soft, black fur. Quickly trying it on, Nico mentally noted that it was perfectly tailored and warmer than it looked.

Tooku no hikari e motto Baby!

The next box was medium sized, Nico discovering a ton of packing inside. It contained an expensive pair of pink headphones, the ear cushions black in color.

Koi da ai dato sawagi takunai~

Grabbing and opening the next box, Nico found a shoebox, a delicate pair of white satin high heels inside. She tried them on, walking up and down her hallway several times. The heels fit her perfectly, incredibly comfortable to boot.

Teki wa dare? Teki wa tsuyoi jibun no kyoufu sa~

The next box was around the size of the previous, inside a bag the color of wine. It had a quilted look to it, gold chains making up the straps.

Yume wa yume dato owaru nante dekinai to kidzuita nda~

There was only one package left, a yellow envelope. Nico opened it more carefully than the others, nervous as to what was inside. Pulling the contents out with her breath held, she tried to estimate how much money the contents had costed. There were several prints of A-Rise inside, all from the shoot that Eli interrupted, as well as a single ticket to their upcoming concert. A small red envelope fell out of the package, Nico nauseated to see it.

"The three made us agree to a hell of a lot of conditions in order to come here, from specific photographers to tea imported from Britain."

A call interrupted Nico's thoughts and the song, Nico setting everything down on her coffee table as she made her way over to the phone. Taking it off the dock, she answered and held the phone up to her ear.

"Hello?"

"… How much did I tell you while I was drunk?"


When in doubt, use random things from SIF cards as gifts.

I would've updated yesterday, but the past couple of days have been very busy. I also got quite stuck on this chapter, but I'm happy with the plot progress. Let's hope this one doesn't have so many errors.

Suggestions for photo shoots welcome in the reviews!

Thank you for reading Promise.