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Nico wants to laugh. Or not, since she already is. But, really, it was not her fault for laughing, right? Because Maki-chan, the diamond princess, the one who likes throwing sharp comments at them when they're being idiotic, who always think logically… —surprisingly—is still believes in Santa Claus? There's no way she can keep straight face at that revelation, can't she?
However, of course, she doesn't plan to spoil Maki's innocence by telling her the truth (she just couldn't hold her urge to laugh, seriously). That cute side of her junior is too endearing to be ruined; it makes her remembers her younger siblings. And technically, Maki is younger than her (although she looks more mature than her, Nico scowls at the thought).
But still…
The self-proclaimed Super Number One Idol snickers.
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The first time Nico met Maki, she thought the younger girl looks very grumpy. Maki certainly doesn't have skill to grin expressively; she's the kind of person who needs to feel happy to be able to smile sincerely. Though, to be fair, Nico thinks Maki looks really beautiful when she's finally able to do that.
And one of her rare moment is happening when Maki's talking about that kind old man, who likes to visit each year over Christmas. Unfortunately, the expression changes instantly to confusion; however, when Nico couldn't hold her laughter longer, making the others chastised her quickly, causing ruckus within them.
It's cute seeing the different side of Maki, not just the cold or grumpy front, as usual. Yeah. If only the younger student stops acting stubborn all the time, she'll surely look cuter than ever.
"W-what? What are you talking about?" the redhead asks, confusedly. "Why is Nico-chan laughing?"
…or not. Maybe the gap is actually the key. Nico's chuckling silently. Maki is Maki, after all.
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They're having a break over Christmas. No practice, no meets-up, since they have agreed to spend this holiday with their families, free from school idol things. Though, Umi has make sure they remember to still exercises regularly, even if it's holiday ("And don't forget to eat in moderation!" she adds that, particularly for the sake of two person), which they accept immediately ("Yes, yes… let's just get on with it.").
Nico doesn't have any problem with her eating habit. Exercising, however, is an entirely different story. It's not like she is lazy or anything, she just doesn't have any motivation when there's no one around to keep her in check (no, it doesn't mean she likes getting scolded). Because, really… jogging alone is too lonely, right?
And the raven haired girl can't exactly take her younger siblings to jog far or running up the long stairs to the shrine (she would not take the risk; they might fall or lost or get hurt). That's why; she's compensating it with running around the park while she takes her siblings out to play. No, it's not an excuses, it's a perfectly justifiable reason.
So this Christmas day, after they had open their presents (the raven haired girl smiles at the look of their siblings when they exclaimed happily, "Santa's here!"), eat Christmas feast, and laz-relaxing around in home, Nico then take them out to the nearby park. She's clad in her usual winter outfit practice, ready to pla-exercise.
"Don't leave the park, okay?" She warns them before takes off.
"Yeees!" they reply in unison.
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It's definitely a coincidence; Nico meets Maki at the park. She just passed one of the benches when she notices the younger girl sits alone, her head hanging, seems gloomy. It's not a look you supposed to have in holiday.
"Hey, Maki-chan?" she approaches carefully. The younger girl doesn't seem like her usual self.
"Nico-chan…," Maki looks up, slowly. Her voice's even. "Is it true?"
"Um…? What is true?" the older girl asks back, not sure. She has a bad feeling about this, though.
"What you said… when we had training camp at my villa," she explains without making it any clearer. "Is true?"
"What I said…? Which that is…?"
She really really has a bad feeling.
"Santa… is not real?" the red head asks, staring at the raven haired girl intensely.
Nico smiles. It's her forced Nico nico nii- smile she always uses whenever she's in a pinch. She raises both of her hands to the side of her head. "W-what are you talking about, Maki-chan? O-of course Santa is r-real nico."
Maki's still staring at her. "You're a bad liar, Nico-chan." She deadpans.
Nico crosses her arm in defiant as reply. "And why do you think Santa is not real, Maki-chan? I never said anything like that."
"You laughed at me when I said about Santa," Maki narrows her eyes, accusingly.
Ah. Damn honor student with good memory.
"I'm not… I just think… errr," Nico tries to search for the words. She gestures wildly with her hand, as if wanted to convey her thought with it. "Umm…"
"What? You think I was childish, weren't you? Still believes in Santa until high school! You must have found it very funny!" the younger girl says very bitter. She looks at the ground again, hiding her face behind her hair. "Laugh if you want. I know I was so embarrassing back th—"
"I thought you're cute," Nico interrupts, frowning. "I admitted I found it funny that you, Maki, believed in Santa."
Maki jerks her head slightly. Her grips on her coat tightening.
"But I would never think it was embarrassing," she continues firmly. "What's wrong with believing in dream? What's wrong with dreaming something? I would never think doing something like that is foolish or embarrassing."
The red head blinks, raises her head. "Nico-chan?"
"I believe I could be an Idol," the older girl says in determined voice. "I would not think it's a foolish dream. I will not let the other says it's impossible."
"I-it's different," Maki stutters. "Your dream. And what I believed in."
"Is that so? I think you only need to change your view about it," Nico replies carelessly. "Santa is there, somewhere; maybe he's not the one who directly giving you present, but he's creating miracle around this year by making the parents give their children presents. And whoever gave them to you, you just need to be grateful about it."
Nico stares ahead. "Don't you think it's beautiful?"
Maki doesn't reply. She still busies trying to wrap her mind around Nico's made-up story. It's definitely something the older girl blurted out in the spot, without thinking. But isn't it fine like that? Miracle is definitely something you just need to believe.
"You're hopeless, Nico-chan," she says with a smile.
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"Anyway… why are you suddenly said Santa is not real?"
"…I saw Papa's wearing Santa costume in his room."
"Ah. That's certainly heart breaking. I need to remind my dad about it."
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"Well, it seems you are fine now if you could say something like that," Nico stands up. Hm. She doesn't remember moving to sit on the beach beside Maki. When was it again?
"Where are you going?" the red head asks before she's regretting it. She sounds like she's lonely or something. Which she's not.
"Huh? I'm just accompanying my siblings to the park," Nico gives her questioning glances. "I don't want to leave them alone for too long. So I have to go back soon."
"I see…," Maki turns her head down. "Well, I need to go back too. Papa must be worried after I ran aw-… egh, why did I have to tell you this."
"No one said you have to," Nico points out. She then snickers deliberately, teasing the younger girl. "Nico knows you just wanted to detain Nico with you. But Nico-nii is belonged to everybody, Maki-chan!"
"A-aa… What are you saying! If you wanted to leave, just go!"
"Maki-chan is so dishonest with herself~"
"S-shut up!"
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Although it's a coincidence, Nico believes maybe it was destiny they met at the park like that. Because if the younger girl suddenly says she doesn't believe in Santa ever again, the older girl would feel a bit troubled. If the younger girl suddenly stops dreaming, she would certainly feel bad.
Maki doesn't have to act mature all the time. After all, it's fine behaving appropriately to her age. More childish, like a kid. Since there's just something only a child could see. It's a pity growing up too fast and forgets that.
They don't need to switch to that side that quickly. She's, for one, will take her time to do that.
A/N: ...what should I do for the next chapter... ._. Review, and tell me what you think...? Please...?