Hey I'm back.

"Blah" — Speech

"Blah" — Speech in another language

'Blah' — Thoughts

[ Blah ] — Text

*Blah* — Sound effects in speech

(Blah) — Author's notes

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Love Live! School Idol Project. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Speak or Sing, same difference

"...And so with these polls..."

Bzzt

Nico looks down and takes a step back to take out her phone; it was a text message from Hanayo. [ You should check your video. It's gone viral. ] Nico looks up and coughs into her hand, *Ahem* Everyone turns to her as she steps forward, "Hey Ryu can you looks up something for me?" She points at the computer and instructs Ryu to search up the video.

Ryu opens up the video Nico made a week ago and its views are over ten million views.

Nico eyes bug out, "Holy crap!" Last time she checked the video there was only a million views.

Nozomi grins at Nico, "Aren't you popular."

"Hmm." Ryu rubs his chin and scrolls down the page; there are top comments that are mixed with English and Japanese.

Cookiemuncher69: I'm throwing money at the screen but nothing is happening.

Nico-Knees: Yay for official translations.

ichigo: Nani? How come I never heard about this?

Ryu opens another tab and starts typing on the keyboard.

Nico scratches her head, "Where did all those view come from?"

Ryu answers Nico, "Apparently there is a somewhat famous blogger over at the US that wrote about you. I think one of his key points is you're one of the few celebrities trying to connect between countries." Ryu is still looking at the screen, "He left a link to your video and I assume people shared it, spreading it as far as possible."

Nico is still doubtful, "But still... that's a lot of views."

"Hmm." Ryu must have a different tab open, "It spread so far that the media here is catching onto it."

Umi sighs, "It seems that the people are latching on the 'country' part." Umi sees Nico's confusion and continues. "We have a... 'strained' relationship with that country."

Nico look at the blunette, "How come?"

This time Ryu elaborates, "The older generations are wary about them, especially when foreign tourists are getting more rowdy."

"I only care about my fans." Nico mutters to herself, "Now what?"

The room goes silent after her statement. After a few more moments of silence before Ryu speaks, "How about a media interview?"

Nico turns to her manager, "A what?"

"It's similar to an interview but the difference is that there will be a lot of journalists there."

"Do you think it would work out?"

"I believe so. You get to clear any misunderstandings, soothe your fans, and calm your sponsors."

Nico looks off to the side and stays quiet for a while. 'This is all happening too fast.' She closes her eyes. 'But it's all for my fans.' She glances over to her guards, 'And I got help this time.' The idol squares she shoulders and gazes at Ryu. "Set it up."

With practiced efficiency, Ryu picks up his phone and immediately starts dialing.

Eli speaks up, "We could help you get ready for them."

Nico stares at the blonde, "Really? Have you been to these interviews?"

Eli shakes her head, "Not really. But they don't sound any different from interrogations."

Nico stares at her in shock, "I'm pretty sure it's not that extreme."

"Probably not." They look at Nozomi, "But one thing they have in common is that they want to pry information from you or make you say something that you regret." Nozomi spreads her arms, "We can teach you techniques and help you prepare for most of their questions."

"Yeah!" Rin pumps her fist.

Nico looks at each of her guards in turn and she finally stops at Eli's face. She heaves a sigh, "Fine."

.

. . . . . . . . . .

.

Next day...

Nico finds herself sitting on a chair with a table in front of her; the table and chair is on a platform that is slightly above the floor. Nico looks around as her guards set up chairs in front of her. "So what are we doing?"

Eli puts a chair down and looks up, "We are doing a simulation." Nico raises her eyebrow at that.

Nozomi sits down on her chair and elaborates, "We're going to help you on how to deal with these kinds of people Nico."

"You talked to journalists before?"

Nozomi smiles, "You could say that I have experience."

"Now then." Umi is already seated with a folder, "Let us start."

.

.

"Why did you become an idol?"

.

.

"Why did you make that video?"

.

.

"Keep a relaxed posture so you don't panic."

.

.

"Take you time to answers their question. Be sure to pause so you can gather your thoughts."

.

.

"Do you like ramen?"

Nico looks at Rin, "What?" Nico looks at Umi but the blunette just nods. "Uh sure."

Eli fills Nico in, "They will try to catch you off your tempo."

.

.

"Keep your answers simple and clear. The reporters will try to twist your words so repeat your claim."

.

.

"Don't be afraid of the silence in between the questions."

One hour later...

"Urrrrgh." Nico lays sprawled over the table. 'What a mess.'

Nozomi is beside the idol and rubs small circles on her back, "I know it's a lot to take in, but we have a week to practice."

"Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh." Somehow Nico became one with the table. Lost in her dream, she barely felt a thud near her head; she looks up to see a water bottle placed by Eli. She smiles at the blonde, "Thank you." She takes a swig from the bottle and looks around the room; Rin is in front of her while Umi is on her phone.

Rin wrings her hands, "Are you going to be okay?"

Nico puts the bottle down and waves her off, "It's fine. It's just the press."

Rin sighs, "Well, at least you don't have to worry about fans from the other side of the world."

Nico just stares at the orange-haired newbie.

Rin shifts under the idol's gaze, "W-What?"

"Rin, you're a genius."

"I am?" Rin looks at Eli and Nozomi but they just shrugged.

Nico already has her phone out and up on her ear. Ring Ring "...Hanayo? Hey I need you to do something..."

.

. . . . . . . . . .

.

A week and a half later...

News Building

Nico paces around the room and stops occasionally to look at the clock.

"It's going to be fine." Nico looks to her side to see Nozomi smiling at the idol.

"Easy for you to—"

The door opens and Hanayo stops at the entrance, "Sorry... I'm... late." Hanayo takes a couple of more breaths and straightens her back. Now Nico can see Hanayo is wearing a pencil skirt, blouse, and glasses; she truly looks like an official.

Rin is by her side smoothing Hanayo's hair while Nico walks over and places her hand on the technician's shoulder, "You good?"

Hanayo takes one final breath, "Yes."

Nico nods and steps back. "Okay."

Umi claps to get everyone's attention, "Let's go over the plan one more time." Seeing their nods, she continues, "Hanayo will be mixed in with the reporters so she can record the interview while Rin and I will be at the front just in case something happens. It will also help Nico to see familiar face in the crowd." Hanayo and Rin nod. Umi looks at the other guards, "Eli. Nozomi. You two will be behind and on either side of Nico. For now, the both you will be seen as Nico's official bodyguards." They nod at Umi.

Umi looks at the star, "I talked with Ryu to make some accommodations for you at the table. Finally, remember what we taught you and you should do fine."

Nico goes into her pose, "No matter who I'm front of, The World's Number 1 Idol always shines." Rin and Hanayo goes into a fit of giggles, Eli and Nozomi smiles at her antics, and even Umi's lips slightly twitches upward.

Umi, Rin, and Hanayo starts walking toward the door, "We'll be going ahead to get our seats."

Rin gives a two-finger salute, "See you soon."

Hanayo puts on her reporter badge, "Good luck out there Nico."

They walk out the room, leaving Nico alone with Eli and Nozomi. Nico walks over and places her hands on the table. 'God, this is actually more nerve-wracking than concerts,'

She feels a hand on her left shoulder and she turns to see Nozomi. "You got this Nicocchi."

She feels a hand on her right shoulder and she turns to see Eli. "You can do it Nico."

Nico sees their bracelets and her heart swells; she crosses her arms and grips their hands, "Thank you." The idol looks at the clock to see it's almost time for the interview. She looks back and smiles, "Let's rock this."

They smile in turn and escort her out of the room.

.

. . . . . . . . . .

.

Conference Room

Lights. Talking. Noises. Nico can see cameras flashing as she enters the conference room. As she walks closer to her platform, Nico sees all the reporters bunched up in neat rows of chairs. When she is near the chair, she smiles and waves her hand to everyone. As she looks around, her eyes shine when she spots Hanayo in the middle of the crowd. She feels comfortable seeing Rin and Umi at the front posing as reporters. Then she starts to feel confident seeing Eli and Nozomi on either side of her table.

Nico sits down and almost sighs in bliss at the cushion. She looks at the table to see a glass of water and an adjustable microphone. The idol slightly tilts her head to Umi, 'Thank you Umi.' Nico leans on the back support, crosses her leg and leans on the left arm-support. She brings the microphone close to her mouth, "Hello everyone, it's your idol Nico Yazawa. Thank you for your time and go easy on me." She sees some smiles here and there. 'Tough crowd.'

She takes a sip, "Now, questions?" It was like watching a wall of flesh rise from the depths as almost every hand shoots up; it took a few seconds before Rin, Umi, and Hanayo raises their hands to avoid attention.

Nico picks someone, "Yes. You."

A man with brown hair stands up. "Why did you make that video?"

Nico waits a couple of seconds before answering, "I wanted to show my thanks to my fans around the world." Than man nods and sits down, prompting the sea of hands to rise again. "You."

A man with black hair rises, "Are you going to do a concert outside of Japan?"

"That option is taken into discussion." The man just waits and stares at her. Nico just smiles and stares back. After a few more seconds that man sits down and the waves of hands rise up. Nico takes a second to take a sip of water. "You." A woman with ash blond hair rises up and Nico's hackles stand out, 'Shit.'

The woman briefly looks down on her notes before looking back at Nico, "Is it because you're not ranked number 1 here that you decided to make that video?"

Nico grips the armrest but her face doesn't change. "I made that video to show my thanks to my fans around the world."

Her response is rapid fast, "So you're saying that you don't thank you fans here?"

'This little bitch.' Nico takes a breath before smiling. "I thank all of my fans from the bottom of my heart."

"So why English? Was it because of the US?"

Nico can hear the chair creak as she strangles the armrest. She takes a sip of water before answering. "I spoke in English because it is a common language spoken around the world. And what I said is that I made my video for fans around the world." 'I really have to thank everyone for the translation.' She takes a few moments in silence to look around the room. She sees Hanayo worried look, but she nods in assurance. Some of the reporters seem to glare at the woman, especially Rin.

Nico smiles at the woman, "Is that all of your questions so we can let the other reporters have their turn?" 'God just sit down already.'

A few seconds of silence go by and Nico finally thought she was done but that woman threw a verbal hook. "Sources say that you were attacked at one of your concerts, is it true?"

Nico widens her eyes but she fought it under control. She takes a sip and tries to think something when Eli's advice comes in mind: 'Remember Nico, you can't lie otherwise it will blow in your face. But you can stretch and exaggerate the truth.'

Nico smiles, "First off, that sounds like a rumor. Do you have any proof?" The woman stays silent. "Then let me dispel that rumor. What actually happened was that my fans got too excited when they saw me." Nico flips her hair, "I mean, even I couldn't resist myself when I see the mirror."

That got several reporters laughing at that and the woman finally sits down. Nico mentally cheers, 'Finally.' "Now you. What's your question..."

.

. . . . . . . . . .

.

2 hours later...

Nico's House

"Guh." Nico sprawls over the floor in the living room. As she soaks into the carpet, she hears the doors closing and footsteps thudding closer to her prone body. She rolls over to see Eli walking into the kitchen while Nozomi is walking towards her.

She sits down on the floor and leans against the glass table. "You did good Nicocchi."

"Urrgh." Nico rubs her face. "I'd rather do two concerts back-to-back than do that again."

Nozomi just giggles at her answers.

Clink

Nico looks back to see an upside-down Eli carrying three glasses of water. As the blonde places them on the table, she smiles at Nico, "I'm proud that you were able to handle that reporter."

"Oh her?" Nico scowls at the memory, "I wanted to punch her face in." Eli just chuckles at that. Then her stomach growls and the idol blushes, "Want to order take-out?"

They both nod, "Sure."

Then Nozomi's phone rings and she brings it up to see the number; one of her eyebrows raises as she stares at her phone. She looks to them, "You can order ahead." She walks to the room that leads to the garage and backyard.

Nico turns to Eli, "So what are you in the mood for?"

Eli takes a sip of her glass, "Hmmm, maybe noodles?"

"That sounds good." Nico takes out her—

"Father!?"

.

And Le Fin.

Some notes:

-I got inspired from Jordan Peterson's 'interview' so I tried to incorporate some of it here.

-Nico didn't lie; the fans almost ran over Nico.

Man I just came back to this only to go back into pause:

As of now I will be postponing my stories; college has taken most of my life including my free time. I apologize to my followers as I take the time off to tackle these classes.

See ya next time.

Thanks for reading

Constructive criticisms are appreciated

Brave Tango out.