Hello to another chapter!

"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.

Taking Reputation Back

Producer Office

Nico opens the door to see Ryu sitting on his chair with his eyes glued to the screen. 'It's like he never leaves the place.' "Yo Ryu." Nico snaps a two-finger salute. "What's the plan to show everyone how great I am?"

Ryu stops typing and swivels his chair to nod at the idol, "Good to see you ready Nico." He nods to the guards who nod in response. With introductions done, he focuses back on Nico, "I've planned some events but I have some things to tell you."

Nico sits down on a chair, "Alright."

Ryu pivots his computer screen and starts typing again, "Some of the investors are getting nervous since the public's opinion of you had no major changes."

Nico throws her hands up, "Oh come on."

"I was able to convince them that we can change the public's opinion." Graphs start to appear on the screen. "This also significantly helped my case."

All Nico see is bars, "What am I looking at?"

"These are your sales number of your merchandise." He points to the one on Nico's left, "This was before we revamped the website." He points at the bigger graph to the right, "And this is after. You made a 200% increase in profits."

Nico widens her eyes, "Holy shit!"

"That was a similar reaction I got when I showed this to the investors."

Nico spots Umi walking closing and staring down the screen. After a few seconds, she turns to Ryu, "Where did this large increase come from?"

Ryu gestures to the idol, "Nico has a lot of foreign fans."

Nico puffs her chest out in pride, "No one can resist the Nico-Nii charm." That got a few chuckles.

Ryu continues to elaborate, "With the official site translated, her fans don't have to go to third-party websites to buy products. It's also thanks to Miss Koizumi's advice that I found more efficient servers and shipping companies which makes it more convenient for your fans."

"Way to go Hanayo!" Nico turns her head around to see Rin with her fist pumped. Everyone must have been staring since Rin's face lit up; she coughs into her hand and looks at the opposite direction.

Nico shakes her head and chuckles at her actions. 'What a dork.'

"Ahem." They all turn to Ryu, "So the plans." Ryu types at his keyboard and a picture of Akihabara. "Your first event will be a handshake event."

Nico nods her head, 'Haven't had those in a while.'

"Uh," Nico looks at Eli, "What are handshake events?"

Nico stands up to turn to Eli, "It's an event where I get to meet my awesome fans face-to-face. I shake their hands or take pictures with them."

Eli places the crook of her index finger on her chin and her eyes narrow in thought. "So people will be close to you."

Nico rolls her eyes, 'So adorable.' "Yes people will be close to me, but I got four strong guards with me."

"Hmm."

"Back on topic," Ryu's computer screen changes to some studio. "Your next event will be a game-show with other celebrities."

Nico tilts her head, "Why a game-show?"

Ryu shrugs, "It's a popular show so it's a great opportunity for you to sway their opinion of you."

"So charm them. Gotcha."

"One more thing," Nico's video channel pops up. "The investors want you to make more videos."

"Probably for more money," Nico mutters and then her voice gets louder, "Anything else?"

Ryu shakes his head, "That's the general plan."

"Alright." She watches as Umi walks over to Ryu and talking with him. 'Probably wants more detail.' The idol turns and walks over to Rin, "Hey so do you know if Hanayo got any cool cameras?"

.

. . . . . . . . .

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Akihabara

"This camera looks really small Hanayo." Nico turns over the small rectangular object in her hands.

"Don't worry Nico," Hanayo pushes up her glasses, "Even though it's compact, it is high quality."

Nico shrugs and looks Hanayo's face in Rin's phone; the techie's face and upper body appears through the screen. "If you say so."

"As you already note, the size and shape makes it convenient to hold. It has powerful batteries so you can record for long periods of time. The lens is top quality and the built-in microphone can capture even the quietest sound if you want to."

Most of jargon flew over the idol's head but she nods regardless. "Sounds top quality."

"Oh course. Oh there is another feature that could help you." Hanayo points at the camera, "Push the power button and push the screen upward."

Nico pushed the power button and after a few tries pushed the screen upward.

"Now point the camera towards you."

Nico turns the camera around and is surprised when she sees her face on the screen. 'It's like a portable mirror.' "Oh wow that looks cool." Nico looks at the screen again, "Anything else I should know about?"

For ten minutes Hanayo gave tips to the pro idol, "...And that should be most of it. If you need any help Rin can help you."

Rin snaps a quick salute, "You can count on me."

Hanayo's face seems to be focused on something else, "We'll if you need anything I'll be on standby."

Nico nods at Hanayo, "Gotcha. Thanks Hanayo."

"No worries and good luck." The link disconnects.

"Well here goes." Nico was about to press record but she pauses to look at her guards, "Are all of you fine being recorded?"

The bodyguards stare each and shrug; Eli answers for all of them, "It should be fine."

"Alright." Nico takes a breath and hits record. "Nico-Nico-Nii! Hello my beautiful fans and welcome to Akihabara." Nico slowly pivots the body so the camera captures recognizable buildings. The camera pans back to the idol, "Now for the reason why I'm here is because I have a handshake event in about four hours."

Nico cuddles the camera, "I know I know that almost all of you can't be here but that's why I'm recording this. I'll make sure my precious fans can get the best of this moment. So without further ado, let's explore."

.

.

"Oh wow look at all these cutie maids. I wonder if I look cute in one." Nico smiles at the camera, "Do you guys want to see me in one?"

.

.

"This arcade has sooo many games."

.

.

Gasp "Look." The camera pans to a window filled with Nico's merchandise. "~It's me~"

.

.

An hour before the event

Nico, Eli, and Nozomi are in a backroom with Rin and Umi guarding the outside. The idol sits still as the artists apply make-up. Just as Nico's eyes were done, Eli voices a comment, "You did really well when you recorded yourself."

"Really?"

Nozomi nodded as the artist made their finishing touches. "Yup it seemed like you were a real natural Nicocchi."

"I mean I just imagined I was talking to the fans directly." Nico looks at the mirror for a while and nods at the artist, "Thank you."

Knock

They look as the door opens and Umi's head pop through the opening. "The event is soon to start."

Nico picks up the camera and walks to the door with Eli and Nozomi. "Let's do this."

.

At the booth

Whistle "Look at that long line." Nico looks at the crowd of people waiting for her; she waves to the crowd and her fans go wild.

"Whoo! It's Nico!"

"Nico!"

Nico watches as the staff tries to being order back to the lines. With order returning to the masses, Nico places the camera on the table and angles it so only Nico's side can be seen, "Hey so we're at the stadium and sorry if you can't see much of the event." Nico smiles and poses, "But that means you get to see more of me."

The idol looks around to see where her guards position themselves. She first sees Umi and Rin near the front to manage the line. Eli and Nozomi are slightly behind Nico; far enough so they won't intimidate the fans but close enough to react should anyone try anything.

Just as the clock strike a new hour, a voice comes through the speakers, "And Nico-Nii's handshake event has begun! Please move in an orderly fashion."

Umi and Rin usher her fans one-by-one so they can meet Nico; she smiles and exchange greetings with everyone. It was at the half-way mark when one of the fans pulls Nico into a hug, "Thank you for being the best Nico!"

While surprised, Nico was quick to adapt and hugs the fan back, "Thank you for all of your support." Nico smoothly pulls back and the fan gives one last wave before leaving. The idol takes a quick look behind her, 'Huh. Did Eli and Nozi come closer?' But Nico did not have the time to ponder as the next fan came.

.

"Phew!" Nico sinks into the chair as soon as she got into the car, "That was exhausting." The rest of the guards piled in and Nico hands the camera to Rin, "Here. I'm sure Hanayo knows what to do."

Rin puts away her phone and nods at Nico, "You got it."

Nico looks at Eli, "Let's go home."

.

. . . . . . . . .

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Game show studio

"Hey Nico-Niis," The screen shows Nico sitting on a chair, "It's been a couple of weeks but I'm back and I'm about to go into a game show. Now for those who don't know what it is," Nico puts her hand up as if she was holding something. "Hanayo edit this part and put something about game shows."

Nico waits for a few seconds before she starts again, "Now that you got the gist of it," The idol places her hand on her heart, "Your Number 1 Idol has been invited into a game-show."

Knock Knock

"Nico are you ready?"

Nico looks at the door, "In a bit." Nico looks back at the camera, "Now I don't know if I can upload the full episode but I'll see if I can show my parts. Wish me luck and I'll see you soon." Nico covers the screen and waits for a few seconds, "Hanayo edit a montage in."

The idol turns off the camera just as the door opens and Eli steps through, "Nico the show is about to start."

"Yeah I just finished." Nico hops off the chair and walks toward the door. The blonde makes way for Nico and they both exit the room. The idol looks around to see the rest of her guards standing in the hallway. "Right let's get this started." The idol notices Rin putting her phone in her pocket, 'She's been on her phone a lot lately.' But she shakes her head and starts walking.

As they walk to the stage, Nico looks at Nozomi. "Hey Nozi." The guard looks back and the idol hold out the camera, "Can you hold this for me? I got a feeling I'm not walking out of this dry."

Nozomi smiles and takes the camera, "Of course Nicocchi. Do you want me to record you?"

"Hmm," Nico purses her lips for a moment but she shakes her head, "Nah. I'll ask the manager for the video."

"Alright."

Rin and Nozomi open the door for the rest of the party to enter inside. Nico looks around the area, 'This is a pretty big studio.' In the middle of the studio there is a large stage with cameras stationed in various angles. One side of the stage is filled with audiences while the other side has several people seated; there is one empty seat left. 'Probably my seat.'

The idol looks to the side to see men and women in suits standing all stiff. 'More private security.' She shrugs and turns to her party, "Well I'm off."

Umi nods, "Good luck."

Rin does a fist pump, "You got this nya~"

Nozomi grins, "Shine the world Nicocchi."

Eli smiles, "Show them why you're Number 1."

Nico flips one of her twin-tails, "Of course." She makes her way to her seat and greets her fellow celebrities along the way. When the idol reaches her seat, she spots her name on a small plaque, 'Oh how nice.' She takes her seat and waits for the show to begin.

She didn't have to wait long as music starts playing around them. After several seconds a tile from the floor flew in front of Nico; the idol had to use every muscle not to jump, 'Holy fuck!' She leans down to see a lady in an outlandish suit with a top hat climbing out of the hole, 'Who the hell is that?'

Once the woman got out of the hole, she struck a pose and all the lights focused on her figure, "Welcome to The Most Extreme Live Modern Absolute Fun Spectacular Game Show!" The crowd claps and cheers as the lady bows, "And I am you host, Mitsuha Tachibana!"

'Holy shit what did I get myself into?' Nico idly plays with the corner of her dress.

Mitsuha turns around and smiles, "Well would you like at these fine people today." She walks to the end of the table opposite of Nico, "Let's have a small introduction so everyone at home knows who you are."

As the celebrities introduce themselves, Nico is having an internal battle, 'Crap! How should I go about this?' Nico looks to the side to see Mitsuha halfway there. 'Think! Think!'

"And what's you name my lovely?"

Nico's head snap to see the host in front of her face. 'Ah fuck it.' Nico jumps out of her seat and goes through her signature gestures, "Nico-Nico-Nii! I'll Nico-Nii your heart! I'm the Number 1 Idol Nico Yazawa and I'll put a smile in everyone's hearts!" Nico ends it with her signature pose.

The studio goes silent as everyone just stares at the declaration. But then several people in the audience start cheering, "Yeah go Nico!" This prompts the rest of the crow to join in.

Mitsuha recovers and genuinely smiles, "What a great impression Nico." She waves her hand at the audience, "And you have some of your fans here with you." The host looks at the camera, "I'm sure everyone at home will remember you now."

Once Nico sits down, she smiles and waves at the camera, 'Fuck Yeah!' Then Mitsuha asks generic questions and the celebrities answer them.

After twenty or so minutes, Mitsuha makes an announcement, "And with all that done let's play!" The crowd claps for this segment, "Our first game is Human Tetris!" She spins around to grin at the guests, "Any vict— volunteers?"

Nico looks to her side to see on one rising to the challenge. 'Welp, might as well get this over with.' Nico raises her hand.

Mitsuha's eyes sparkles, "Ah Nico so great of you to volunteer. Do you want change so you clothes won't get wet?"

5 minutes later...

Wearing a grey dive-suit, Nico stands in an open area with a pool of water behind her. She turns as Mitsuha explains the game to the audience. "For this game there will be a sequence of walls that will push the player into the water. Now each wall has a specific-shaped hole for the player to pass through in order to get pass said wall and not fall in the water. Now let's see if Nico is in shape to play this game."

Nico hears a collective groan but she focuses on the game.

Mitsuha continues on, "Are you ready?"

"3."

"2."

"1."

"Go!"

A wall appears and there is a shape of someone crouching down. 'Oh this one is easy.'

The next wall has the shape of someone holding their left leg near their head, 'Oh shit.' But thanks to Nico's dancing and flexibility she passes that one

Another wall comes with a figure of someone doing the splits with their arms reaching for the skies. 'Oh fuck how am I going to do this?' The wall slides closer to Nico, 'Wait would this work?' Nico goes prone and waits for the wall; she can feel it grazing her back but she passes the wall.

Nico hears some of the crowd groaning as she stands up from the floor. Mitsuha is quick to mollify the masses, "Now now the rules did not state that the player has to imitate the shape. And besides..." Mitsuha's smile turns mischievous, "There are plenty of chances later on."

'Well fuck.'

.

Four hours later...

.

"Urghh..." Nico leans back on the couch with a towel draped over face. "I want to go home and take a nice and long bath."

Eli's voice filters through the towel, "Are all game shows like this?"

Nico waves her hand in the general direction of Eli's voice, "Who knows? I really hope this is my last one." She feels something poking her shoulder and so she takes off the towel to see Nozomi.

The guard offers the camera, "Here Nicocchi."

Nico accepts the camera, "Thanks." She just holds on it, 'Oh right the video... what should I say?' After moments of thinking, Nico turns the camera toward her face and turns it on. "Hey guys. That was pretty crazy right? I had fun playing all of these games and I like the host. Well that's that and I'll see you guys next time. Nico-Nii out!"

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. . . . . . . . .

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Office

"We got some bad news Nico."

That's not something the idol wants to hear in the morning. Nico walks over and sits on the chair, "What's going on Ryu?"

"Some of the investors are planning to pull out."

Nico jumps up, "What!? I thought I made a difference."

"And you did." Ryu placates, "But it's not enough for one of them."

"One?" Eli stands by Nico, "You made it sound like several were planning to drop out."

Ryu sighs, "The problem is that this investor has a lot of influence among the group. If he leaves it will cause a domino effect and others will follow."

Nico paces back and forth, "You've got to be shitting me." Nico bites her thumb and then sees Rin on her phone. "Rin. What are you doing?"

When all eyes land on the rookie guard, Rin gestures frantically with her hands. "Ah this is really important Nico. Please understand this is for you—

Ding

Rin looks down at her phone and grins, "Yes! Right on time."

Umi has her arms crossed and her finger tapping her arm. "Rin."

That jolts Rin, "Ah right." She jumps on the remote and turns on the TV.

The screen shows many reporters and Maki standing in front of her hospital. One of the reporters raises their hand, "Why did you sponsor Nico?"

Maki -stone-faced as ever- replies, "No comment."

Another reporter raises their hand, "Are there any relationships between idols and the medical field?"

"No comment. Now are there any more questions?" She doesn't wait, "Good I have work to do." The redhead walks into her hospital while someone else stands in her place.

The screen turns off and Nico leans closer to Rin, "...Why?" She looks back to make sure Ryu doesn't hear their whispering.

"Well I told Hanayo and Maki about your situation and Maki wanted to do something about. I mean you've done so much for us that we felt this was out chance to help." Rin's eyes stare down the floor, "I'm sorry for not telling you."

"No no no. You did great Rin." Nico smiles and puts her hand on Rin's shoulder, "Thank you for helping me."

Rin looks back at Nico and smiles softly.

Ring Ring

Nico and her guards look in the direction of Ryu with his phone near his ear. "Hello? Um-hm. Hm. I see." Ryu turns off his phone and looks at Nico, "The investor is not pulling out."

"Yes!" Nico pumps her hands at the news. 'I'm going to spoil these cuties.'

"If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Maki Nishikino?"

"Hmm? Oh uh..." Nico tries not to look at Rin, "I mean who doesn't know the Number 1 Idol. I'm sure she's a fan or something."

Ryu stays silent for a while, "...I see..." Ryu starts typing his keyboard, "With our newest sponsor, we now have many options opened for us."

Nico taps her chin, "Hmmm..." She looks at each of her guards in turn. 'Oh this might be crazy.' The idol grins and looks back at Ryu, "Let's have a concert in America."

.

And fin.

Well well that is very daring of you Nico.

Notes:

-Nico is going to be a star over the internet.

-bizarre game show is bizarre.

-Maki can solve almost anything with moneyyyy.

Now the Japan arc is quickly coming to an end and the US arc ready in my mind. So I'll see you all next week.

Thanks for reading

Constructive criticisms are appreciated

Bravo Tango out.