Riko was nervous. However, she was always nervous when she got to recitals. 'I thought that my nerves would have left me when I entered college. I guess not.'
She had the television in her room on the recital. She was hearing the introductions for the judges, and she was happy that they were the same as normal.
However, there was one small bump.
"And as a special treat for this piano recital, we have a special guest judge." The MC said.
'Event judge? I never heard about that. Well, it's just another person in the audience. Remember that, Riko. Don't let it psyche you out.'
"Since we are in Akihabara, we have a native that is skilled in piano playing. She in a doctor at the Nishikino hospital, which just so happens to be her last name. She was a former idol, being one of the members of the popular group Muse."
Riko was shocked to hear that. 'M-Muse? Piano player…it can't be.'
"Please give a warm welcome to Nishikino Maki."
The spotlight was shone on the red-headed doctor as applause was heard from the whole crowd. She was smiling and waving at the camera in front of her.
Riko couldn't believe it. 'M-Maki-senpai…is going…to judge…my piano playing?!' The girl was freaking out.
She knew of Chika and Ruby's love of Muse, and borderline obsession for Dia. Riko found them appealing enough to like their music and be somewhat inspired to be in Aqours, but one member caught her attention. The judge of her recital, Nishikino Maki.
She was impressed that a first year could create such beautiful compositions at such a young age. It's part of the reasons why she wanted Aqours' music to sound perfect, as Maki's were always amazing.
So, playing the piano for her idol was worrying, to say the least.
The red-head slapped her cheeks. 'Riko, get a hold of yourself! She may be amazing, but you have other priorities! If you want to even think about getting anywhere, you have to nail this recital.' Riko had a determined look. She wanted to impress herself, and maybe impress Maki.
…
And she did. She got her second first place win, and she knew that all of the judges were impressed with her playing. Even Maki.
She wanted a chance to meet Maki, but she knew she was getting her hopes up.
So, she must have been the luckiest girl in the world to accidentally bump into the doctor.
She was leaving the auditorium when she collided with the red-headed doctor.
"I'm sorry…Nishikino-senpai?!" Riko freaked out.
Maki giggled, which was music to Riko's ears. "Sorry about that. You are Sakurauchi-chan, right? You won the competition?"
"Y-Yes!" Riko stood up and quickly bowed to the older girl. "Thank you for choosing me to win!"
Maki got up and put a hand out. "It's no problem. You were very good."
Riko took the hand and shook it. "Thank you, Nishikino-senpai!"
The two released their hands, and Riko was furiously blushing. "Again, you were very good. You deserve the win. To be honest, you seem familiar."
'Should I tell her? If she doesn't know me, I'll be so embarrassed! But…Maybe she'll know.' Riko cleared her throat. "I…I was a part of an idol group."
Maki took a bit to think, but she realized it quickly. "Oh! Aqours, right? You had nine girls in it."
"Y-You knew us?!" Riko asked.
"Yeah, you were pretty popular when I was still keeping up with the idol world. Well, I still am. There are some of my friends who are still idols."
"Oh!" Riko piped up. "Nico-senpai and Honoka-senpai! I've seen them perform, they are really good."
"Yeah, I'm happy that those two are still making people happy in their own way." Maki told Riko. "I still keep in touch with them, I get to compose their songs since they're a duo."
"That's the same for me," Riko told the older woman. "My friend Hanamaru-chan is also an idol. She has her…friend, Ruby-chan with her making the costumes." Riko almost spilled that Hanamaru and Ruby were dating, which should not be known in the idol world. Having Maki, someone who is in the idol industry, know that her friends are dating would not be ideal.
"Wow, that must be nice. I can't remember her. She must be out of college." Maki theorized.
"No, she's younger than I am, and I'm in my second year of college." Riko explained.
"W-What?" Maki was surprised that someone so talented was so young. "Only second year? That's impressive."
The praise brought a blush to Riko's cheeks. "T-Thank you."
"No problem." Maki looked at her watch. "Shoot! I'm running late!" Maki started to run out of the auditorium.
"N-Nishikino-senpai!" Riko called out, stopping the older girl in her tracks. "Can…Can I get a picture with you?" Riko asked as she was blushing.
"Huh? A picture?" Maki asked, getting a nod in response. "Umm, sure."
"Uh…is it okay if I show my friends? They're kind of fans of you guys as well." Riko asked nervously.
Maki chuckled. "Sure, that's alright. Just tell them not to ambush me at the hospital," Maki joked with the younger girl. They both laughed, but Riko seemed really nervous. "Hey, are you alright? You seem a bit tense."
"It's…It's just that…you were my favourite from Muse. So, meeting you is like a dream of mine." Riko told Maki with a blush on her cheeks.
"Aww, thanks. It's nice to hear that I have fans. Now, let's take that picture. I have to go. Sorry to rush you."
"I-It's okay. I shouldn't be holding you up right now."
"Nonsense!" Maki said, a bit too loud. "It's alright."
Riko got her phone out and prepared the picture. She was surprised when Maki slung an arm around her shoulder, but it wasn't unwelcomed.
"It was nice meeting you, Nishikino-senpai!" Riko bowed. She started to leave, but Maki stopped her.
"I agree. Here, pass me your phone." Riko did as she was asked, and Maki started to type into the phone. Handing it back, she said, "I put my number in. Maybe, we can talk." Maki smiled, and Riko smiled back at her.
"T-Thanks, Nishikino-senpai!" Riko said.
"Uh-uh." Maki pointed to the phone. "Call me Maki, Riko-chan."
The blush that never left was still staining Riko's face. "Y-Yes, Nish…Maki-senpai!"
"See you later, Riko-chan." Maki left and Riko was left standing in the middle of the room, speechless.
"W-What just happened?"