"Out cold"

Pairing: UmiNico

They probably would say that out of all Muse members, Umi was one of the most feared member. Who wouldn't fear super sonic pillows flying at you? Or training regimes that would bring an Olympian to tears (not really)?

And even though sometimes she would shiver in fear, but the great Nico liked to think otherwise, because Umi's other side was actually very fun to tease.

Their jaws dropped when they saw the training regime for the school break, because who in the right mind would swim 10km then trek across a forest, film a music video all in three days?

There were loud protests, mostly from Honoka and Rin.

Even Eli and Nozomi was looking apprehensive, the latter absorbed in reading tarot cards, movements a little wild and the other one eating chocolate a little too anxiously.

All hopes were pinned on the little bird, but even the "Umi-chan onegai!" and puppy eyes seemed to work one time too many, and the stern face on Umi never left, though it was obvious that Umi was shaken.

And at this, Nico slammed her palms down, rising to her two little feet, calmly walking up towards Umi.

There was finally a use for her online knowledge.

Amber eyes were looking confused, as she walked up to her junior, placing her arm on Umi's shoulders.

"Your name must be Candy, because you look so sweet, and now a sweet person wouldn't make us go through that right?"

Nico contemplated ending her question with Nico Nico nii, but decided against it.

She could hear Rin and Hanayo's gasps, the after school navigators better be thankful to her.

The girl in question was actually raising her eyebrows, gently removing her tiny arms from her shoulders; she didn't miss that little rub on her palm.

"Add another kilometer to that swim, you are all not getting away from this."

And with a soft whisper, "even if I love you."

Oh how the great Nico had fallen, there were no other qualms about the plan.

They almost didn't make it through, though Umi reduced the swim to less than half its original length, after Nico had begged her.

Cameras were ready to roll, and Nico couldn't deny how great Umi looked in that swimsuit.

"Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile."

Nozomi and Eli had coughed out their drinks, though she paid them no heed.

It was a thoughtless sentence, though she was happy that it had its effect.

The shy blush on Umi's face made her day.

The camping stove was smelling like heaven, a day of trekking left their muscles crying and stomaches groaning.

Nico couldn't help herself but feed Umi when she saw that Umi was too busy writing to eat, trying not to let go of her inspiration.

"I-I can do it myself!"

Sometimes Umi could be very stubborn, and Nico wasn't sure if she liked it.

"You should eat something."

There was another refusal and the curry almost spilled over, the senior internally screamed. It was time for her last resort.

And Nico took a bite of her own cooking, tilting Umi's wonderful chin up, the curry slipping out from one mouth into another in a kiss.

"Was it delicious? Nico cooked it herself."

She swore Umi almost passed out, papers were crumbled in seconds, the sudden blushing was too red, and her junior could barely stammer out an answer.

"I-I… Y-yes…"

Both of them had to endure teases later because everyone saw that scene.

It was an accident.

They had not expected anyone to come out this late at this hour, everyone having food coma after eating her curry.

Nico had slipped into Umi's tent, dragging her junior out, eager to show her the fireflies and luminous plants in the night.

Maybe this trek wasn't too bad after all.

And maybe it was the romantic atmosphere, or Umi's tensed behavior the entire day, she wasn't expecting a sudden hug from her junior.

"I love you even though-"

And the kiss that Umi initiated was nothing like before, the sentence never completed.

There were suddenly too many emotions, she had no other pick up lines to counter, the great idol was actually close to tears.

It was gentle like the sea, then rough like the furious waves upon shore, and heated like burning sands in the afternoon sun.

And Nico was drowning in the kiss, the tears flowing freely, never had she felt so loved.

"Oh my god I'm sorry."

The moment was broken, there was too much air suddenly, and there was no lips upon her own. And Umi was too far away, staring at someone in shock.

Nico spun around, catching a sight of their leader, before gravity lost her, and world was upside down.

And as her head hit the tree stump, the world spinning, and the darkness consumed her, Nico had only one thought on her mind.

We will continue this later.

The great idol Nico was out.