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Nico-chan is an idiot. She's proud and stubborn. She's annoying as hell, and she's selfish like an eight-year old would. She likes to praises herself, and has the habit of making lame jokes no one knows how to react.
But even like that, she's not a hypocrite.
And Maki thinks; it's good enough reason to likes her company sometimes. Because at least, she knows she could trust her to say what's on her mind honestly. When she's serious, that is.
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Maki doesn't really know why she agreed to hang out together with Nico that night. The older girl asked her, saying she needs to blow off some steam, and she said 'yes' just like that. She knows Nico is still annoyed with Honoka's behavior today. Even Maki can't help but wonder what exactly their leader's thinking?
After they ate dinner together, playing in the arcade for a while (they didn't play dance game though, since Nico chose to wear high heels, and just hang around, took photo together in the photo booth. Actually it was like the continuation for the afternoon), Nico then asks her if she wanted to walk around for a bit. "The sky looks clear tonight, Maki-chan!"
"Hmm."
She says, pretends to be indifferent, looking up. But although they couldn't see the starry sky because of light pollution and whatnot, the moon is up there, shining majestically alone. It's utterly beautiful—and she feels—a little ephemeral.
She then takes a peek at Nico's face, besides her. Different from usual, the shorter girl looks absolutely calm, without her cheeriness. Her skin seems paler under the light of street lamp. And with her right hand rested on her hip, she stands there silently, gazing at the sky. If Maki doesn't know better, she would think her senior looks beautiful like that.
The atmosphere instantly broke when Nico's phone ring.
And for a few quick seconds, Maki couldn't help but curse the timing. The thought changed quickly, when she realizes she forgot to bring her phone with her.
"So that's why they couldn't contacted you," Nico comments, raises her eyebrows.
"I—it's fine. It's about Love Live, right? You can just tell me the conclusion after."
Nico shrugs at that, focusing her attention back to the conversation on the phone.
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"Of course, I want to compete in the Love Live!"
The determination in her voice automatically makes her turn. Seeing the burning gaze on her ruby eyes, Maki wonders when and where the childish Nico goes. Although she knows the older girl is very passionate about idol, it's rare to see her being that serious.
The one time she was like that, Maki remembers clearly, is when Honoka wanted to quit. She remembers; the glare Nico gave Honoka, while she tried to hold back her anger, was as fierce as now. And then she was hugging Nico in desperate attempt to calm her down.
Huh? Now that she thinks about it, why did she do that?
It's not like she had to be the one who calm her, and it's not like that was the only method left.
However… she couldn't help but dislike it. Seeing Nico's angry. That's why she hopes… whatever on Honoka's mind right now, she would explain the reason quickly, or even better changes them.
She doesn't really care about Love Live. But she thinks is important for them to participate. So they will have clear goal to reach. This is the last chance, after all.
…
Not because it'd make the idiotic stubborn person besides her happy, of course.
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In the end, it's all worked quite smoothly. After Nico's challenge (which she needs to say, is stupid, but well… maybe necessary to make Honoka sees their point), they discussed the problem together. Honoka changes her mind after that.
Or maybe, it's more accurate to say, she's back to be her usual self.
On the way home, when they're already part ways from the others, Maki stops to look at Nico properly. "Is it hurt?"
"Eh?" the older girl didn't seem to expect her to say anything like that. Maki stares pointedly at her left feet, making Nico conscious. "Err… no. I'm fine."
"You dragged it slightly while walking," Maki mutters exasperatedly. "It's alright to say its hurt, you know."
Nico scratches her cheeks, looking sideways. "Well… yeah. A little."
"Let me see," she crouches down, examines Nico's feet gently. "Hmm… yeah. It doesn't look like you sprained it." She stands up. "But you have to be more careful, Nico-chan."
The older girl just laughs slightly at that. Still not looking at her, she says. "Yeah. Thank you, Maki-chan."
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They're at the training camp, preparing for Love Live they decided to participate.
And she feels stuck trying to compose the music for their song. Which not her problem alone, because Kotori and Umi have the same slump she's in.
After that, they decide to divide the group to three, working their own tasks separately. She ends-up together with Eli and the scowling Nico. She doesn't really like the arrangements, but what could she do?
Eli is not a problem. The ever reliable—former—president with good head on her shoulder is a pleasant companion. However, Nico is another story. The shorter girl isn't good at supporting other. She has too much ego to do that. And like always, she's as distracting as ever.
Whether she grumbles, or just sits there doing nothing, she bothered her, making her unable to concentrates properly.
Maki doesn't really know the reason why.
And she reckons it's not important to know.
She has more urgent task to be completed than to think about something like that.
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She wonders why Nico likes to provokes her much. She acts like a jealous brat, and making face at her in displeasure whenever she wants. Maki doesn't even know what's she did to switch the trigger of emotion from the older girl. She just does whatever suits her, irrationally, like a kid when they wanted their mother to buy them the toys.
But she says something good once in a while. When she stops her childish behavior, and does her part as the older student properly.
"Songs are always, no matter what, for everyone, you know."
Maki doesn't really know how to react when she's like that. Like when she's passionate, or angry, or being serious.
However, maybe… maybe… she could depend on her senior sometimes, once in a while, too.
That's what she thinks when they share the sweet potatoes, that night.
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Maki doesn't want to admit it. But Nico is like her one own Muse. After their talk in front of campfire that night, she feels inspired all of sudden. The notes come easily, and the melodies just mixed up together nicely without she thinks.
She feels happy.
Listening to the music.
Playing the piano.
Expressing her emotions freely, like flying high to the sky.
It's blissful.
Really.
And when Kotori and Umi come to join her that early morning, she knows their works are done.
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Actually, maybe there was something else that she thought, but she doesn't want to ponder about it too much. At least, for now, she's happy with their current relationship. Because Nico-chan is an idiot. Stubborn as rock. Annoyingly proud. And childish like an elementary school kid.
She doesn't like her at all. Although she admits she enjoys her company sometimes. Yes. Sometimes.
A/N: Thanks for the review! It's really help me reading your suggestions. And well... because I don't remember who's said what(and my internet sucks, it makes me lazy to check)... I just reply them in general. This fic will contain romance, but because I'm the type of person who can't write romance clearly, so yeah... it'll be subtle, borderline friendship.
Well, two more chapters to go.
Ah. Almost forgot, this chapter happen before and in the middle of chapter 2. I think you already know that, though. Okay. See you later.
And please review :3