Why hello.

"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.

Heavy Impact

Knock Knock

Nico opens the door to see all of her guards waiting in the hallway. She turns to Rin and Umi, "You girls finished the test?"

Umi nods while Rin grins and gives a thumbs-up, "Yup!"

Nozomi smiles at the idol, "Ready?"

Nico grins at them and starts walking, "I got this."

In the SUV...

"Alright cheese." Nico takes a picture of herself from her phone. With the photo taken, Nico turns the phone back to her and starts typing a message on her social media: [ Hey all! There's a few more days before my concert and I hope to see my Nico-Niis there. ]

In the background she hears her guards in the background, "...So I think this way is better..."

'Eh,' Nico mentally shrugs, 'It's whatever.' The idol continues typing as they drive off to her practice session.

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No matter how many times Nico have seen the stadium, it always takes her breath away. The area has been modified to increase the space capacity; there's even a second floor. Up on the roof there are machines that were recently installed and Nico has been told that are mist machines to keep the people cooled off. 'Hopefully no one gets a heat stroke.'

Nico looks to the end of the stadium to see a stage slightly elevated from the ground. On the stage there are dancers warming up and that prompted Nico to jog over to them. Once she gets close enough she spots the dance instructor and waves to her. "Hey Grace!"

The dancer waves back, "Hi Nico. Are you ready?"

Nico nods at her, "Yup. Let's do this."

One hour later...

"Nicoo."

The idol looks to the side to see Kotori and Umi walking up the stage with boxes in their hands. "Hey Kotori." She waits until they get close, "What's up?"

Kotori lifts up her box, "I finished making the costume for your dancers."

"Oh nice. Thanks Kotori." Nico turns around and cups her mouth, "Everyone! Can you come here for a bit?" With all the dancers gathered, she gestures to Kotori, "Everyone this is Kotori. She is an amazing fashion designer and she finished making your costumes."

Kotori nods at them, "I do hope you like them."

Grace claps her hands, "Alright everyone. 3 2 1..."

"Thank you!" The dance crews take the boxes off of their hands and open the lids to see the contents. One by one the dancers pass around the costume and marvel at the designs.

Grace nods at Kotori, "Thank you for making them."

"I'm happy to help."

Grace walks over and picks up her costume to inspect it. While everyone was busy checking out their new costumes, Nico turns around just in time to see Umi kiss Kotori on the check. Umi pulls back for their eyes to meet and Nico's mouth quirks into a smirk. Umi suddenly straightens her back and coughs into her fist; Nico can still see her pink cheeks. "I-I'll be going back to my post. If you excuse me." She makes a hasty exit.

Watching Umi walk away, Kotori then settles next to Nico, "Thank you."

"Hmm? For what?"

"Ever since you've been with us Umi slowly started to... loosen up."

"Oh that? It's a gift really."

Kotori giggles, "Charmful as ever."

"Of course." She points at thumb at herself, "One of the great qualities of being the Number One Idol."

"Nico! We're about start practice again."

Nico looks back to see all of the dance crews in their costumes. She turns back to Kotori, "You sure they should be wearing that for practice?"

"It's alright Nico. They should get familiar with the costumes and I have spares back at the workshop."

"Oh. What about me?"

Kotori takes a moment to appraise Nico, "Your clothes almost match with your costume so you're mostly good." She walks to one of the boxes to pull a piece of clothing. "Here. This should complete your 'costume.'"

Nico accepts it. "Thanks." She puts it on and runs back the crew to restart practice.

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"Hello and welcome to New Dawn's news show. I'm your host Rachel Evergarden. Now I'm rejoined by a special guest who has been on this show before." The host gestures to her side, "Here is Nico Yazawa."

Nico waves her hand, "Hey everyone! Your favorite idol is here."

"It's been a couple of weeks since we've last met so how have you been?"

"I feel great."

"The days are getting closer and closer to your concert here in LA. How do you feel?"

Nico grins, "I'm feeling excited that I get to see my fans soon."

"Speaking of fans," Rachel looks down her papers for a moment, "For the past three weeks a large number of foreign visitors have come to LA and the most of them came from Japan. This is the largest amount we have ever seen in the past 30 years. What do you think about it?"

"I feel really happy that my fans went out of their way to some see me. And for that..." Nico turns to the camera and bows her head, "Thank you."

"Alright," Rachel looks at another piece of paper. "Is there anything you want to say for your concert?"

"Besides it's going to be the best one?" They both chuckle at that and Nico continues, "Not much since I'll end up repeating myself but be sure to keep yourself hydrated in this kind of weather. Other than that you can meet new people, watch me perform. and enjoy yourselves."

"Well that was Nico Yazawa and her concert will debut in a few days."

Nico does her one-hand pose, "Nico-Nii out."

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Stadium

"Getting the jitters Nicocchi?"

Nico stops her pacing to face Nozomi, "Ehhh a little bit." Currently Nico is inside her dressing room with Eli and Nozomi while the others are outside the door.

Eli chimes in, "It shouldn't be any different from your other concerts no?"

Nico turns to the blonde, "It's a little different since I'm mixing things up. I hope it works out well."

The door opens and Honoka walks into the room. "Hey Nico. Kotori will be coming in a bit. She's doing some last-minute changes on your costume."

"Alright."

"So how are you feeling?"

"A little nervous honestly."

"It'll be fine." Honoka pats Nico on the shoulder.

"It's just I've never done a concert with this kind of audience."

"Think of it this way," Nozomi steps closer to Nico, "You'll be the first to perform an international concert of this magnitude. You'll go down in history."

Nico straightens her back, 'Ohh that sounds nice.' "Yeah." Nico nods to herself, "The Number 1 Idol always does her best." She smiles at them, "Thanks."

They smile back, "No problem."

Knock

The door opens and Kotori peeks in, "Hey Nico." She walks inside holding a bag in her hands, "Sorry I'm late but I wanted to do some finishing touches."

"If it's you, I'm sure it will be the best."

Kotori makes a shooing motion to the guards, "Alright go on now. A girl's gotta have a surprise for everyone you know?"

"Alright." The guards walk out.

Kotori turns back to Nico, "Let's get you suited up."

Thirty minutes later...

Nico opens the door prompting her guards and Honoka to turn to her.

"Whoa." Honoka says that as everyone else stared. Nico is wearing a white medium-sleeved blouse where there are frills on her midsections and at the ends of the sleeves. On top of that she a black mini suit-vest that still shows her filled middle and a pink bow clasped in front of her collar. For the lower half Nico is weaning a skirt where one half is red while the other half is white; she then has white tights that reach up to the middle of thighs. To top it off the idol has her hair in her usual pigtails while her left hand has a black glove and the other hand has a red glove.

Nico gives a twirl, "So what do you think?"

Honoka gives whoop, "Awesome!"

Rin give a thumbs-up, "You look so cool."

Umi gives a nod, "It's a nice design."

Eli has a goofy grin, "Amazing Nico."

Nozomi smiles, "You're definitely going to woo the crowd Nicocchi."

Nico has a small blush as she smiles, "Thanks." She then starts walking toward the backstage, "Now let me show you and the world why I'm Number 1."

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Breathe

In

Out

In

Out

Nico adjusts the ear microphone around her left ear. As the lights start to dim the idol begins walking toward the stage as the dancers take their positions. After a few seconds an announcer comes online: "Everyone may I have you attention?" Now please welcome Nico!" The beats start to slowly play as Nico appears out of the curtains and walks toward the center.

"NICO!" The ground trembles as thousands of voices scream out her name.

Nico waves to the crowd as she sees cameras maneuvering around to show her figure on the plasma screen on top of the stage. 'Looks like my fans back home can see me.' The beats start to ramp up and then the base starts playing, signifying the start.

(Nico Yazawa WILD STARS solo)

Hide→ Open→ Hide, This isn't love yet
Open→ Hide→ Open, Prepare yourself and chase after it
I want to start…WILD STARS

With a whimsical light I'll find you
Let yourself be swept away by the stimulation on a night like this

Nico starts to lightly dance around the stage as a group of dancers perform elaborate acrobatics around the idol; the crowd ohhs and ahhs while the dancers barely touch Nico as she moves around. Nico then changed the timbre of her voice. 'Here goes.'

Suffering from boredom, It sways my chest
The sudden storm was a passionate, wild wind

The crowd went crazy with how deep Nico's voice can go. After that verse a different group of dancers showed up behind Nico and they all started perform a routine.

I searched forever and ever for a place to meet you
You and I came here
From now on the two of us, From now on we'll shine

Near the end of the verse the group dispersed but one dancer kept dancing and wrapped a piece of cloth around his elbow. Gaining momentum he lowers his body to the floor and starts to spin on his elbow. Nico went around him while doing a spinning motion with her finger. The dancer stops with a headstand and Nico points at his feet up in the air. She then sweeps her finger and the dancer followed the movement and smoothly exits the stage; the crowd loved it.

Nico swaggers to the center of the stage and Grace enters the light.

Hide→ Open→ Hide, This isn't love yet
Open→ Hide→ Open, Prepare yourself and chase after it
I want to start…WILD STARS

At the end of the verse Nico tapped her earpiece to turn it off but the beat keeps on playing. Nico looks at Grace and they both nod at each other and began dancing together.

(MMD- Rather Be. The dance is at 1:19)

Once Nico stopped focusing on singing, her dancing becomes more dynamic. Even though their routine looks different the pair is able to make it flow into one piece. Nico and Grace both raised their right feet and slammed it down; that prompted all the lights to turn off. A different song starts to play.

(Lost In the Rhythm)

Nico hears the audience mutter as she watches the whole dance crew get into position around the center. One of the dancers came next to the idol to give her a hat and just as she places it on her head the lights shine on them again. The crowd gasps they see the dance crew in dresses and suits; it was if they came from the 1920s. Nico taps her earpiece and they start to groove.

There's a boy downtown from the club I know
He doesn't say a word, he just hits the floor
The way he moves always caught my eye
Couldn't take it no more, just had to try
I move to the floor, as he danced away
His feet like magic, then he looked my way
And in one swoop, he had me by his side
And I knew I was in for a ride

Throughout the song Nico would dance with a partner for several moments before switching to another partner.

as we
Sway to that sound
Our feet tap, tapping, and our heartbeats' beating and I
Spin round and round
When we're lost in the rhythm, the lights and the crowd
That look in his eyes made me sure
We'd be dancing til' the dawn

Nico taps her earpiece off again and lets the dancers spin her around as the song starts to amp up. The idol spins faster as the beat starts to get louder and faster. After several rotations Nico starts acting 'dizzy' and falls forward to the ground but she catches herself with her red hand. She stays in that position as one dancer slides from her right side to the left, another dancer pulling a somersault over her body from the front to the back, and another dancer performing a side-flip from behind Nico.

Everyone got up and posed in Nico's signature move just as the song ends. The fans went absolutely wild at the first performance. Nico tries to calm down her breathing as she taps her earpiece. "Nico-Nico-Nii!"

"NICO-NICO-NII!"

Nico's smile splits across her face as her name thunders across the stadium.

Three hour later...

(Eli POV)

"That was absolutely amazing Nico!"

"It's because I'm the greatest."

Eli watches as Rin bounces in front of Nico as they walk to their car. Eli idly scans along the hallway as Nico basks in Rin's awe. The blonde shakes her head at that, 'How silly.' But she has a grin on her face. Eli taps her earpiece, "How is the route looking Hanayo?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. You're good Eli." The group continues walking to the garage but then Hanayo's voice cut in, "There a disturbance in front of the stadium." There is a pause. "John said he'll take care of it and it's nothing to worry about."

"Okay. Thanks for the info." Eli taps her earpiece, "Umi. Nozomi." There is no reaction but Eli knows they are listening. "Something happened at the front and John is covering it at the moment. But I want to be careful just in case."

"Copy."

They reached to the garage to see their vehicle with several guards stationed around the perimeter. In the middle of their walk Nico turns around and raises her eyebrow. "Eli what's up? You look like you ate something so—"

BANG BANG

Eli immediately tackles Nico to the ground and wraps her body over the idol. "GUN! GUN!"

Her warning was unneeded as her fellow guards covered the idol and had their guns out. "Moving into cover!" Eli grabs Nico and drags her to the side of a solid piece of concrete with the guards taking positions near them.

Eli looks down and pats down Nico's body, "Nico are you hurt?"

Nico eyes are wide, "I-I think I'm okay."

Eli hears Umi speaking into her earpiece, "Hanayo! We have armed unknown contacts in the garage. We need backup."

Eli pulls her handgun out of the holster and takes a peek to locate their assailant but so far she sees no one in sight.

"Shit! Steve!"

Eli glances to the ground to see a guard clenching his shoulder but one of the guards crept over and dragged their colleague to safety. She looks back to her group, "Did anyone see where the shot come from?"

All of them shake their heads. Umi tries to take a peek but immediately ducks back into cover as the concrete near her head chips off.

One of the guards pointed slightly to the other end of the garage. "Contacts!" He points his guns and squeezes several shots at the enemy; the rest of his colleague followed suit.

Umi presses a finger on her ear and pauses for a moment. She looks to the group, "Backup is too far away and we cannot stay here for too long." Umi stares at the car for a long moment and then looks back at the group. "Eli. Nozomi. The both of you are taking Nico to the car while we provide covering fire."

Nico protested at that, "But what about you two?"

"Your life is our priority." Umi doesn't give Nico time to refute as she turns around and gestures to attract the other guards' attention. Once she did she gestures them again to provide covering fire on her signal. Umi turns back Eli and Nozomi. "Get ready." She breathes in, "Covering fire!" Umi, Rin, and the rest of the guards open fire at the enemy's position.

"Go Go Go!" Eli hooked her arm around Nico's waist and ran to the car with Nozomi at Eli's side to provide extra cover. They reach to the car and Eli opens the door to push Nico in while Nozomi reached into the driver side. Eli looks back to see one of the masked shooters turning towards their position. She brought her gun up to fire two rounds to force them back into cover.

Eli hears the engine roar to life and she jumps into the car. Just as she closes the door Nozomi stomps on the accelerator and speeds out of the garage. Eli pushes Nico down to the seats as a few bullets pinged off the rear window. "Stay down!"

They stay in that position for about five minutes before Nozomi call to the back, "We should be safe for now."

Eli slowly gets back up and then helps Nico up. She reaches under seats and pulls out a vest, "Here Nico. I'll help you put it on." Nico slowly nods and lets Eli strap the vest around her body. After Eli clips on Nico's seat-belt, Eli hugs Nico and taps her earpiece, "Are there any updates?"

Hanayo voices filters through her ear, "The attackers got away."

"How are Rin and Umi?"

Umi's voice cuts in, "We're okay. Rin and I are will meet up with you at rendezvous A."

"Roger that. We will— NOZOMI WATC—

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"Urgh." Eli blearily forced her eyes open. 'Nico!' Eli turns to her side to see the idol groaning, "Nico!"

Nico groans and opens her eyes, "Wha... What happened?"

Eli fumbles her seat belt and it finally unlatches, "Car crash." El scoots over to check Nico's pulse and body. 'Slightly elevated. Small cuts on her face.' "How are you feeling?"

"Like something kicked me in the ribs."

'Most likely bruising. Hopefully no internal damage.'

"Is Nozomi okay?"

Eli turns to the front to see the guard slumped over. She moved as fast as possible to check Nozomi's pulse, 'Stable.' Eli takes a moment to look at their side of the car. The windows had spiderweb-cracks all over the area and she can see the dents on the frames. 'What the hell hit us?' She looks back to Nico, "She's fine for now."

"Should we mover her?"

"We have to wai—" She notices movement on her side of the car, "Nico get down!" Eli pulls Nico down to the seat and places her body over the idol.

CRACK

Eli hears the glass breaking and feels someone grabbing onto her suit and pulling her out of the car.

"Eli!"

Eli tries to resist but another pair of hands grasps her shoulders and she is almost out of the car. Eli reacted by placing her legs at the edge of the door and pushed with all of her might. The force pushes Eli and her assailants to the ground. Eli was able to recover faster since they broke her fall and she rolls over the side to pull out her gun. Just as she had them in her sights a foot appeared and kicked the gun away from her hand.

Eli looks up to see the enemy aiming his heel down to her face. She rolls to side just as the booted-heel slams down to where her chest would be. Eli rolls back and swings her elbow to the side of his knee; it bent unnaturally.

"Fuck!" The man crumples to the ground and cradles his damaged knee.

Eli rolls away and pushes herself off the ground to see the other two attackers slowly getting up. She rushes over and slams her knee on the first attacker's chest; the man screams as Eli feels something cracking under her knee. In that time the second attacker swung his hand at the guard; she sees a glint and jumps away from the attack.

Eli swings out her baton to extend it to its fullest length and holds it in front of her chest. She watches as the man got up with his combat knife at the ready. They both inch closer until there are a few steps from each other. There is a lull in the battle and then the man swings at Eli. She steps back and aims a swing at the man's hand. But the attacker reacted quickly and pulls his hand back. They both got into their stance again and are back at step one.

"Ahh! Eli help!"

Eli whips her head to see two other assailants pulling Nico out of the car. "Nico!" The man took the chance and swung a diagonal cut at Eli's head. The guard instinctively raised her other arm up and the knife sinks into her forearm. "Ahh!" Eli swings her baton but he grabs her wrist and twists her hand, forcing Eli to drop the baton.

Eli grits her teeth and pushes her knee up to strike his diaphragm. The man lets go of his knife and grabs onto her leg. He takes out a smaller knife and slams it into Eli's thigh. Before Eli had a chance to scream, the attacker strikes his palm at her diaphragm. She loses her breath and the force sent her tumbling to the ground.

"Eli! You fuckers! You're all a-MNN-"

Eli rasps as she tries to control her breathing. Just as her breathing becomes stable, she sees the man with a small gun pointed to her head.

"MNNNNN!"

Eli takes one last look at Nico before closing her eyes. 'I'm sorry Nico.'

BANG

"Čo do piče?!"

Eli opens her eyes and looks to the sound of the gun and sees the car door opened; Nozomi has her trembling arm outstretched with her pistol aimed at Eli's would-be executioner. The man aims the gun at Nozomi but a small-sized hole appeared on his shoulder. "ARRGH!" He drops his gun near Eli and cradles his injury. This time Eli turns around to see multiple cars in the distance speeding toward them. Eli sees Rin driving the front SUV and Umi with her upper body out of the window.

The attackers gather their injured and jump to their vehicle. Eli forces herself to reach for the gun with her uninjured are. Just as she grasps the handle of the gun the car starts speeding off with Nico. Eli aims the gun at the back of the car and pulls the trigger.

BANG

BANG

BANG

BANG

CLICK

CLICK

Eli watches in despair as the car turns the corner and disappears from her sight. She throws away the gun and covers her eyes with her arm. Eli's face trembles as she feels something staining her sleeves.

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Nico

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Eli hears the sirens but it becomes a distant noise in the background.

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Nico

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Eli slams her fist onto the asphalt street.

"NICOOOOOOOOOO!"