2 years later

Maki smoothed her dress down as she walked into the school auditorium. It looked the same as always: immaculate grey walls, beautiful plush seats, and a huge stage. In fact, this was the stage that she had performed on many times, back in her idol days. Now it was different. Maki was a third year, it had been a long time since those days. Actually, she was sure that her music days were over. Maki still loved the piano, and singing and dancing. But she didn't have time for any of that anymore. Most of her time was dedicated to schoolwork and getting into medical school. She barely did anything social and passed my final exams with flying colors, as my parents expected.

Maki was given a free ride to any school of her choosing, but apparently what she chose didn't matter. She had the credentials to get into her dream school, Julliard, but her parents made sure she applied and got in to Gizou Medical University. Maki's parents were 'proud' of course, but they all knew she was getting in, especially because of their work in the medical field. Music was put on the backburner, and sadly, so was friendship.

Maki heard from Nozomi and Eli every once in a while, Eli was busy with her up and coming career as a dancer and Nozomi was trying to get through business school. Nozomi really had the makings as a businesswoman, but Maki knew she also loved working at her new local shrine. She claimed to have 'spiritual power', anyways. Maki saw Kotori often. She worked with some local boutiques in Akihabara and had started her own fashion collection. She also picked up work at the maid café again, because she said she really loved making people smile.

Umi was generally at home with her family. She was going to inherit their dojo, and she was training for it constantly. She already excelled at kendo and archery, but she started to take up more of her mother's side of the business, which was traditional dance. Obviously she was great at everything. Honoka decided to work at her family's store, for now. She was only 19, and she said she had her whole life in front of her to decide what to do. Maki knew she wanted to be an idol again, much like Kotori, but there was just no time.

The only person Maki hadn't heard from was Nico. She hadn't heard from her but she sure heard about her. Nico was selling herself short when she was afraid that her idol stuff wouldn't work out. After her first performance it was clear, Nico held back a lot in Muse. Her dancing was perfect and she had a beautiful voice, plus she could make anyone smile. In the past two years it seemed like she was everywhere. She was on billboards everywhere, her face on every bus, and her songs were constantly on the radio. It seemed like no one could escape the spell she cast on the world.

Maki spent days after that kiss with Nico obsessing over what to do next. She texted Nico dozens of times, even called, but there was no answer. By the time she built up the courage to go to Nico's apartment it was too late. Nico had already gone to Osaka to prepare. Maki's messages were always read, but there were never answers. On her social media Nico posted photos with Nozomi, Eli, even some of the other girls. She never even spoke to Maki. Everyone assumed Nico and Maki hung out still, but they didn't know. No one knew about that kiss.

It frustrated Maki to no end. Did Nico even like her? Did she regret the kiss? Had Maki done something wrong? Did Nico feel embarrassed? There had to be some reason for the two yearlong radio silence. Maki tried to forget Nico but it was hard. Every time she saw Nico's face on TV or even heard her song she remembered. Maki could admit that after that kiss she had a small crush on Nico, but she knew it wouldn't happen. She was more interested in finding out why Nico had avoided her for so long.

There was one instance where Maki blew her chance. Nico was doing a live performance in Akiba, and Maki built up enough courage to go. She awkwardly stood in the back of the crowd during the packed street performance. It was now or never, she thought back then, a little less than a year ago. When Nico walked out onstage she surveyed the crowd and their eyes met, both full of emotions and regret. Nico and Maki stared, until Maki decided she'd had enough. She simply walked away, too nervous to say anything else. That was the last contact she'd tried to make with Nico.

Maki hadn't dated. At. All. She had figured out by now that she liked girls, but no one seemed appealing. Nico was the only girl on her mind. No one else seemed good enough for her, it seemed. After the second years graduated the only people she hung out with were Rin and Hanayo, she didn't speak to anyone else in her class. It seemed to everyone that stuck up Maki was back, since she wasn't an idol anymore. Maki simply didn't care, and preferred to be alone.

She still wrote music occasionally, but was doing it less and less. Everything she wrote was about…her. Every piece of music was too full of emotion, and Maki couldn't deal with it, so she stopped writing all that much. Everything reminded her of her time as an idol, and everything seemed to reek of Nico. It was too much to handle.

Maki sat down in one of the chairs, in the center of the room. This was it. She was graduating. This was her final moment. Her time to shine. Maki smiled to herself. Today was all about her, she wouldn't let anything spoil that. Tonight the second years were throwing a graduation party, so she had that to enjoy. Obviously Nico said she couldn't make it. But that was okay. Maki didn't need her anymore. She tried to smile again. This was supposed to be the best day of her life, so why was Nico invading her every thought?

(three hours later)

Graduation was over, Maki never had to come back to school ever. She was walking beside Rin and Hanayo, none of them speaking. They were walking out of school, through the same doors they had watched their friends walk out of years earlier. Today it was their turn. And it was the final graduation they would experience. Honoka was waiting for them outside, to take them back to Maki's house. They were throwing the party there because it was so big.

Rin pulled Honoka into a hug. "Nyah! We made it! No more school! No more books! No more stupid exams!" Honoka laughed. "Now it's time for fun! Whoo!" Hanayo and Maki smiled, watching the two hug. Maki twirled her hair awkwardly. "Isn't it about time to get back? We need to get to my house, everyone else is there." Maki pulled out her phone to call her driver before Honoka stopped her. "No that won't be necessary." Maki stopped, hand in midair. "Why? You don't expect to walk do you? If that's the case, I'll ride and you can walk." Honoka laughed nervously. "Actually, we have a ride. I hope you don't mind that I invited my new…girlfriend…to the party."

Maki's mouth dropped open. "You have a girlfriend?! No way! Who?" She already had an idea, but wanted to test it. Rin laughed. "I think I know who it is." Hanayo and Rin shared a conspirator glance at each other. Honoka blushed as she led them to a large white car, with black tinted windows. The front window of the driver's seat rolled down, revealing none other than Tsubasa Kira, the lead singer of A-Rise. (gotta throw in an otp haha)Maki did a fist pump. "I knew it!" She yelled. "You guys always kind of flirted with each other. You were just as obviously as Nozomi and Eli." Tsubasa laughed. "I told Honoka you guys would find out eventually. We've only been dating for a few months, but it isn't like we haven't been seen in public together. I thought that we would have gotten more exposure from the media because of A-Rise's popularity, but we haven't been in any tabloids thank goodness."

Honoka laughed nervously. "I'm so glad you guys are okay with us dating! I was so nervous!" Rin gave Honoka a hug. "Honoka you can date whoever you want! We're happy for you!" Maki coughed. "As much as I'm enjoying all of this love and friendship, we really need to get back to my place." Tusbasa nodded. "I agree, hop in guys!" Honoka jumped in the passenger seat while Maki, Rin, and Hanayo climbed into the back. The car was really nice. It had nice leather interior and even TV's on the back of the seats.

Hanayo squealed. "Wow! This car is really cool!" Tsubasa smiled as they began driving. "Thanks, A-rise has made a good amount of money, so we decided to go all out and get some nice cars, before this we were driving our parents' cars, but now that we're adults we decided that we needed to fend for ourselves." Maki nodded. "That makes sense. You guys are everywhere, the only idol I see that has the same amount of popularity as you is-"

Before Maki could finish the entire car broke into a cheer. "Nico Nico Nii!" Tsubasa laughed. "Oh yeah she's everywhere alright. She's our biggest rival in fact. It's actually kind of embarrassing that the three of us can't hold our own against one tiny girl." Honoka smirked. "She is tiny." They noticed Maki's amused smile falter a bit. Rin turned to her. "Maki what's wrong? Are you mad at Nico or something?" Maki flinched. "Ah..haha no it's nothing, I'm just a bit sad that we're graduating that's all." Hanayo stared at her. "That can't be it. You know, you and Nico never post pictures together, and you never talk about each other either."

Honoka gasped. "Oh my gosh did you guys have a fight?" Maki bit her lip. "Everything is fine. Nico and I don't hang out as often as we should but it's fine." Tsubasa frowned. "Hey Maki, you may be fooling them but you aren't fooling me. There's a problem, isn't there." Maki grabbed her hair, a nervous habit, and looked around the car. Three pairs of eyes were on her expectantly, while Tsubasa had to watch the road. "Umm…uh..." Honoka prodded her from the front seat. "Maki, we've been friends for a long time, just tell us."

Maki sighed. "Fine. You know what, whatever. Nico hasn't spoken to me or answered any of my messages since she graduated. She's avoiding me, that's why she isn't coming tonight, and that's why you never see us in the same room." Tsubasa nodded. "I expected as much, the question is: why?" Everyone frowned, trying to think. Honoka snapped. "Maki, you didn't kiss her did you?" Maki's face heated up as she blinked rapidly. "W-w-what do you mean? Of course I didn't kiss her, why would I do that?"

She looked out the window, watching the buildings pass, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation. They couldn't find out, it would be so embarrassing. Rin tapped her. "Maki, explain." Maki bit her lip, knowing it was over. She shrugged. "Um well Nico might have kissed me and ran off and yeah that happened and then I never heard from her ever again." Honoka gasped. "You and Nico, of course! You're so tsundere, it makes so much sense!" Maki flushed. "What's that supposed to mean?!" Honoka winked. "Nothing!"

Tsubasa sighed. "Well, I guess I'm going to have to find some way to get you and Nico in the same room. It won't be easy, but I can do it." Maki shook her head. "No, never, it won't work. I'm convinced she hates me." Tsubasa laughed. "I'm convinced she's terrified of rejection and is taking it out on you. Don't worry about it, we'll see."

Maki protested but Tsubasa cut her off. "Don't worry about it, you have a party to enjoy." Maki sighed. "So be it." But a part of her knew that getting her and Nico into the same room would never happen.

(Sorry for the long chapter, I just kept writing lol. TusbasaxHonk is one of my OTP's by the way so I had to include them)