They arrived at my house with varying degrees of hope and determination on their faces. Tsubasa and Honoka were busy plotting how to get Maki and Nico in the same room, while Rin and Hanayo kept trying to comfort her like she was upset or something. She wasn't upset at all, Maki was fine. But she was still a little annoyed about bringing all of that up. It was in the past, and even though she thought about it often, bringing it up wouldn't change anything.
They walked up the driveway into the stately house, stopping to admire the beauty. Maki smirked. As many times as they'd been here they never got used to how big it was. Well, except for Tsubasa. Rin pat Maki's shoulder again. "Maki, it will all be okay. We'll get you and Nico together and you can have a beautiful wedding and have a lot of children and be happy forever." She flushed immediately, pulling away from Rin. "W-what's that supposed to mean?!" Rin laughed. "Still the same old Maki I see, as tsundere as ever." Maki flushed again, turning away.
They reached the front door and it immediately opened, showing Kotori. "Hey guys! Congratulations on graduating." She looked in surprise at Tsubasa. "Oh hi…Tsubasa?" Honoka smiled at her as she took Tsubasa's hand in hers. "She's my girlfriend, sorry, we wanted to keep it on the down low." Kotori shook herself from her surprise and smiled sweetly. "Of course! Welcome Tsubasa!" The aforementioned Tsubasa smiled nicely, taking in the scenery with a cool gaze. "You have a lovely home Maki." She looked around, wondering how a home could be that big for three people.
Maki acknowledged her with a nod. "Thanks, anyway, who else is here?" Kotori thought to herself. "Me, Umi, and Erena and Anju. You know, I was wondering why they were here. I assumed Honoka invited them to be nice. Now it makes sense." Maki rolled her eyes to herself. How could she not have realized that was the reason they were there. Honestly, Kotori was as clueless as Honoka sometimes. Maki tapped her foot. "We shouldn't just wait outside, let's go in already."
She began walking inside, the other girls following her. She walked through the immaculate foyer, leading them to the sitting room she knew everyone would be in. Sure enough, Erena and Anju were sitting on the couch together, in a conversation with Umi. Maki had to admit, they both looked as gorgeous as ever. They had all graduated, so they weren't wearing UTX uniforms anymore. Erena wore a simple black sheath with her long purple hair flowing freely. Anju was dressed in a purple sundress, also with loose hair.
Umi was wearing jean shorts and a black t-shirt, classic casual wear was her specialty. They turned to the door as the six girls walked in. Anju broke into a smile. "Hey guys, what's up, it's been a while." Hanayo looked awestruck, as always. She stared in amazement at the two idols in front of her. "Um…hello, i-i-I'm doing g-great…" Anju laughed. "You don't have to be afraid of me, I don't bite." Her laugh was tinkly, like a fairies. Hanayo nodded quickly. "Um o-okay." Maki smiled. "Hey, thanks for coming."
Erena smiled from the couch, brushing her long hair behind her ear. "Anything for our fellow idols." Maki suddenly turned to Umi, who was staring at them with a small smile. "Hi Umi." Umi stood up, tears in her eyes. She walked over to Maki and the other first years and threw her arms around them. Maki stiffened up as they were all thrown together. Rin laughed. "Wow Umi, you normally aren't this affectionate." Umi pulled her face out from Maki's hair and smiled. "I can't believe you guys are graduating, none of us go to Otonokizaka anymore."
Kotori smiled from behind them. "Now we all will have more time to hang out together, it will be fun." Umi smile sadly. "Not Maki, she's gonna focus on getting her medical degree, you better work hard." Maki flinched, not wanting to think about medical school. Tsubasa, always observant, spoke up. "Maki, what's wrong? Are you nervous about medical school?" All the eyes in the room were on Maki. She frowned a little, looking at the ground. "No, I just don't really care, that's all." Umi gasped. "How can you not care about getting into the best medical school in the country? God you rich people are all the same!"
Maki clenched her teeth. "It's not like that! I know it's a good opportunity but it's not what I want to be doing." Anju frowned. "What do you want to do?" Maki shrugged. "I want to be a musician." She mumbled it quietly, her hand covering her face. Kotori frowned. "What was that, I didn't catch it." Maki frowned. "I said I WANT TO BE A MUSICIAN!" Everyone flinched at her loud voice. Rin looked around cautiously. "Maki, don't be so loud, your parents will hear you."
Rin and Hanayo knew about the musician thing, they were the only people besides Nico, because they were the closest to Maki. She laughed. "Are you kidding me? My parents were out of the house after wishing me a happy graduation. They're on their way to some resort for a vacation. Besides, they wouldn't have even noticed." Maki looked bitter as she smiled at the floor. Honoka noticed and put her usual bright smile on her face. "Hey, let's not bring up bad things! It's graduation, it's a happy time. We should be celebrating."
Maki sighed to herself. "I suppose so. Anyway, when are Nozomi and Eli getting here?" Kotori pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Actually, right about-" The doorbell rang. Rin and Hanayo ran to the door, with Maki behind them, and threw it open. They were excited to see their seniors. Maki knew that Hanayo and Rin didn't see them as much as she did. The door opened to reveal a smiling Nozomi and Eli.
Nozomi was dressed in a long grey skirt and a lavender blouse, while Eli had on a royal blue skater dress. Nozomi let go of Eli's hand as soon as the door opened and launched herself at the girls she formerly knew as first years. Maki was pulled into the hug as well, and for once she accepted it. Nozomi let go and stared at them with happiness. Eli smiled calmly. "Hello everyone." Nozomi smiled, searching everyone's faces. Her gaze stopped on Maki's and she smirked. "My my Maki, you look so glum. You better shape up quickly or I'll have to punish you." Maki frowned. "What do you mean? I'm perfectly happy."
Nozomi narrowed her eyes. "I warned you." Without another word she lunged at Maki, grabbing her by the breasts and squeezing. Maki squeaked as Nozomi chuckled. "You've grown, but you still have a ways to go." Maki turned to Eli who was chuckling. "Come on Eli get her off of me." Eli snapped her fingers. "Nozomi get off of her or you don't get any kisses." Nozomi immediately dropped Maki, who was flushed with embarrassment.
As she walked back to Eli she discreetly placed on of her infamous tarot cards in Maki's hand. Maki pulled the card up, wondering what Nozomi was up to. The Lovers, the card read. Maki blushed and stared at Nozomi, who looked at her as if nothing had happened. Maki frowned to herself. Could Nozomi…know? Did Nico tell her?
Maki looked at Nozomi with a confused gaze, squinting as she tried to figure out what the purple-haired girl knew. Nozomi only smirked back, leaving Maki more confused than ever as the girl grabbed her girlfriend's hands. Nozomi smiled sweetly. "Let's get to the party, I'm excited to see everyone." She pulled past us with Eli, walking through the three of us. When she passed Maki she whispered quietly enough so only she could hear, "The Star", before smiling to herself and walking away. Hanayo and Rin followed, leaving Maki standing by herself, speechless.