-1-

Maki smiled to herself, tears in her eyes. She, along with the other members of Muse, were waiting for the third years-no- the graduates to exit the front of the school. They were all going to say goodbye together and try not to cry as they separated once and for all. Now, Maki wouldn't admit it, but she was as upset as the others. Every day leading up to this felt like a countdown, every moment accompanied by a ticking time bomb in the back of everyone's minds.

It had to happen eventually, school idols weren't forever, Maki knew that, but she didn't have to look forward to the end of things. Maki's mother was ecstatic. Finally, she said, you can focus on your dream of becoming a doctor rather than this silly music nonsense. When her mother's face shined that brightly Maki couldn't muster up the courage to tell her that becoming a doctor was her mother's dream, not hers. Maki wanted to stay in the music industry. In fact, what she most wanted to do was travel abroad, and go to Julliard, in New York City.

She knew she had two more years to try to convince her parents to let her stay a musician, but she didn't have much hope. In fact, they merely tolerated all the idol business, so she was scared to even bring it up. Maki smiled to herself bitterly. Maybe it was for the best that she give up this stupid music stuff, she probably would never get anywhere anyway. No one ever did. They just got lucky with all the idol stuff.

Before Maki could ponder the subject more she saw the three girls exit the school. They were in their uniforms still, and looked as elegant as ever. Well, except for Nico. Nozomi and Eli walked side by side, smiling at each other. Eli was flushed and Nozomi looked smug. Maki snorted. They thought she didn't notice their fingers brushing against each other. Nozomi and Eli were as sneaky as a hurricane. Everyone knew about them, they just didn't say anything. It was the principle of the thing.

Nico was walking a little apart from them, staring ahead at the rest of the girls, who were all crying. She looked sad too, but Maki noticed that she looked a little annoyed to be with Nozomi and Eli. It was probably because of all the flirtatious glances Nozomi kept shooting at Eli. Nozomi walked faster as she reached the group of girls, almost breaking out into a run. She tackled Honoka into a hug, with everyone else joining in. "I'll miss you all…" Nozomi was crying, her tears leaving small dark spots on Honoka's blazer. Maki stood a little apart from the hug, twirling her hair. Social situations still made her feel a bit…awkward.

Nico turned around. "You aren't going to stand there like an idiot forever are you?" Umi and Rin turned around, laughing as Maki awkwardly stood to the side. She flushed, embarrassed. Eli turned around now, untangling herself from Nozomi and Hanayo. "Come on Maki, after all we've been through are you still going to act like a little tsundere." With that everyone laughed. Maki flushed again, throwing herself reluctantly around Eli. The tears finally began spilling over and Maki finally gave in. She felt Kotori laying her head on her shoulder and knew Rin was burying her face in her hair. When the girls pulled apart Honoka laughed.

"It's not the end of the world, we're going to see each other again, this isn't the end." Her voice was still shaky, betraying her happy tone. The third years all shared uneasy glances. Maki caught them instantly. "Spill it." Nozomi sighed. "We aren't going to see each other so…often anymore. At least, not us three." Hanayo frowned. "W-What do you mean?" Nico narrowed her eyes. "Look, we're all 18 now, we have to start planning for the rest of our lives. We have to earn a living, and follow our dreams." Eli nodded. "Nozomi…and I will be moving to Osaka for the next few years. She wants to go to school there for business and I have a career as a dancer ahead of me. I'm picking up ballet again."

Honoka smiled. "That's so awesome, I'm so proud of you both!" Maki smiled too. "The distance is worth it if it makes you happy. Besides, you at least have someone to love with you." Eli flushed immediately. "W-w-what are you talking about? Me and Nozomi? You have got to be-"Nozomi laughed, causing everyone to turn to her. "Oh Elichi, did you think they didn't know." Eli flushed, frowning to herself. "I thought we were being careful." Nico even laughed. "Yeah we walked in on you guys making out on the roof a few months ago, ever since then we've kept it a secret. A private joke if you will." Maki frowned. "Not a secret to Nozomi apparently." Nozomi shrugged. "I thought it was obvious." Everyone laughed as Eli blushed. Suddenly Umi piped up.

"What about you Nico? Where are you going?" Nico stopped laughing and sighed, a little resigned. "You're going to think it's stupid, you might even be mad at me." Kotori giggled, fluttering the eyelashes on those huge eyes of hers. "We could never be mad at you Nico, just say it." Nico struggled to speak, opening her mouth and then closing it suddenly. She smiled, throwing herself into her idol mode. "Super idol Nico Nico Nii is-" Nozomi growled. "Don't start that. Just tell them or you'll have some divine punishment coming your way." Her hands lowered.

Nico gulped, looking deflated. "Fine fine. I have a contract out to start a solo career, as a professional idol. You guys know, this has been my dream for like, forever. I can't stop singing and dancing. So, I will be going on tour for two years, in many different countries. I leave tomorrow for Osaka as well to prepare for my first show." Maki widened her eyes. Nico…managed to get a solo career, and she was going on tour? She was so lucky that she was able to do what she wanted. Maki was even a little jealous.

Before she could speak Nico looked at the watch on her wrist. "It's about that time. I'm heading out." Without another word she began walking, with the other girls at her heels. Maki frowned as Nico veered left. "Nico, your house is the other way." Nico turned around, flustered. "Oh yeah, right. Well, I have to stop by the store on the way home, Cotarou needs some more juice, and he only drinks a specific kind. I told Mom that I'd get it."

Maki sighed. "I'm going that way so I might as well go with you." She turned to everyone else, tearing up as she saw Nozomi and Eli. "Nozomi, Eli, thanks for everything." They smiled, both knowing that there was nothing else to say. Maki set off with Nico, walking beside the smaller girl. They were silent until Nico spoke up, staring at Maki with quizzical eyes. "So what will you do now?" It was so quiet Maki almost didn't hear it. "Um...Well...I'm going to finish school, go to medical school like my parents want, work at one of our hospitals, get married, pop out an ankle biter or two and then die rich and happy." Nico frowned at Maki's answer. "What, was that not what you wanted to hear?"

Nico laughed. "That's what you plan on doing? Come on Maki! I know as well as you do that you want to be a musician. You can do it! Apply to a fancy music school, I know you can pay the tuition. Follow your dream." Maki shook her head. "My parents would never allow it. Besides, it's just a childish dream." She stared out at the crowds of smiling people in the streets, and watched as they all went about their day. They were all content with their lives, just like her. "You don't have to be."

Maki turned to Nico, who had stopped walking. She hadn't realized that she was talking about loud. Nico was frowning again, looking at the ground. "You don't have to be content. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to live an amazing life and be able to do whatever you want…I…deserve that." Maki saw a tear fall from Nico's eye. She pulled Nico to a nearby bus bench, sitting down with her. "Nico…what's wrong. This isn't just about me."

Nico looked up, her eyes glistening. "My family really needs money, you can imagine how hard it is for four kids on a single income. I…I'm hoping that by making money as an idol I can help my mom out. I know it's my dream but it's also for my mom. I can't afford to do anything else. My management company pays for everything for me so this is really my only option right now. I want to be an idol, yeah, but a solo career is going to be so lonely. I…I'm scared that it won't work out. That it will just be another disappointment for my mom. I have to be perfect, or I really don't know what's going to happen to my family."

Maki was speechless. Nico needed money? She had never talked about this before. Maki smiled a little, patting Nico on the back. "Nico, you're talented and cute, the audiences will go wild for you. You can do it." Nico sniffled, her voice muffled in her lap. "If I can do it then you can too." Maki frowned. "What?" Nico shrugged. "If I can do it then you can too. You can follow your dreams. You can branch out from your parents and do what you want." Maki shook her head. "It's not that simple. I'm just being practical. This is what I have to do." "But you don't! You can afford to do whatever you want! You need to do what you want for once!" Nico yelled, shocking Maki.

Maki calmly spoke, knowing that rationality was best in this situation. "It would be great if I could do whatever I wanted but I can't. I've troubled my parents enough with this idol mess. I might as well just give up and do what they say. Besides, I'm not the type for spontaneity. My whole life has been planned out for me, I can't stray from the plan. I just can't." Nico waved her hands in the air. "You can be whoever you want to be! You can be spontaneous!" Maki laughed. "Your life seems to have a plan too. You've had this solo career planned forever, I can tell. Who are you to lecture me on spontaneity?" Nico flushed with anger and regret. She leaned in to Maki, narrowing her eyes. "You know what, how's this for spontaneous?"

She pressed her lips against Maki's. Maki immediately tensed, embarrassed and scared. This was her first kiss, and it was with a girl…with Nico. It was only brief but it was enough to send electricity through Maki's entire body. Nico pulled away, looking at the ground. "I…I've gotta go." Without another word she ran from the bench, her pigtails whipping Maki in the face as she left. "Nico, wait!" Maki yelled after Nico but got nothing but silence and the image of the short girl crying as she ran away.