Review Responses:

Aethuran: Hopefully this will resolve...something.

littlefox: I like complicated stories, so hopefully others will as well.

Dangafan: Well...

myqueen234: Man, a lot of NozoNico fans.

PileClaw: I am so happy that you hate me. Hopefully this chapter is what you want.

Kai: So thankful that the emotions are getting through.

Thanks to all of you for the reviews! Now, onto the chapter!

Nico/Honoka/Kotori POV:

As soon as Honoka, Kotori, and Nico got home the couple pushed Nico to go take a bath. She was soaking wet and was risking catching a cold. Nico didn't oppose this. She was actually thankful.

She had time to realize how much of an awful person she is.

"Nico-chan! The bath is ready!" Honoka called out to the raven-haired girl. Nico didn't rush to the bathroom. She was trudging to the room, being swallowed by the sadness she was feeling.

When she got to the bath, she placed herself in the tub and leaned against one of the walls. She pulled her knees to her chest and softly cried.

'You are just the best person ever, Nico. You lead on two of your best friends. And you break their hearts. You like them? You love them? Well, too bad. You ruined it. No courage to confess to both, huh? You're pathetic. You don't deserve anything.'

She went back in her mind and remembered the two crushed faces. The faces that she loves.

First, Maki.

'Why did you say sorry? Because you love two people? Maki-chan would have understood. Maybe she would like Nozomi as well.'

The anger that Maki showed scared Nico. She remembered what Maki said.

"DID YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY FEELINGS TOO? WAS IT ALL A JOKE?"

Nico cried harder.

'It was never a joke. I love Maki-chan. Did I really take advantage of her? What's wrong with me?'

Her thoughts wandered to Nozomi.

'I'm the new Eli. But, am I worse than her…Stop it Nico. Eli was innocent. She found a love that wasn't Nozomi, so she couldn't see the love Nozomi poured out to her.'

She remembered Nozomi's heartbroken face.

'What's your excuse? I started to like…no, love. I love Nozomi and I couldn't say that. She told me to not lie. But…I didn't. I love her.'

The soaking plush heart she got Nozomi pierced her heart.

'So…she threw me away? All the time we spent together…thrown away. And it's all your fault. You idiot.'

She thought about them two. The future could have been wonderful with Nozomi and Maki by her side. And now…that is just a thought. That wasn't possible anymore.

"I love you, Maki-chan. Nozomi."

…

Kotori and Honoka had their ears pressed to the bathroom door. And all they heard was crying.

"I don't care if Nico-chan doesn't want to talk about what happened," Honoka spoke softly. "She's hurt. And she needs someone to talk to."

Kotori nodded at her girlfriend. They heard Nico say something. It was clear to them. She messed up, and she needed help.

…

Nico stepped out of the bathroom. She didn't have anything to wear, so she had a shirt that Honoka let her borrow. The shirt was really big…well, big for Nico.

"Nico-chan! In here!" Nico heard Honoka exclaim from the ginger's room. She peeked in and saw Honoka's table set up with tea and manju. Both Honoka and Kotori were sitting on the floor around the table.

Kotori patted the floor. "Sit right here, Nico-chan!"

Nico took her seat while Honoka stepped out for a bit.

"Where is Honoka going?" Nico questioned the ash-haired girl.

"Not far, she'll be right back."

The room was silent as the girls waited for Honoka to come back. Nico looked around and saw the manga that the girl had.

"Sorry about that!" Honoka closed the door.

"What did you have to leave for?" Nico now asked the leader.

"…"

Silence. Nico was becoming unnerved. "Umm, are we going to do anything?" Nico already knew that her clothes were being dried. So, there wasn't much to talk about.

"Nico." The two girls were staring at Nico. The stares intimidated her.

"Why were you crying?" Honoka went straight to the point. She had to be upfront with Nico.

"…"

Kotori had an unamused face. "Nico, we heard you." Nico had a shocked expression. "You are not okay. Please, tell us."

Nico was tearing up. She didn't want to talk about this. Not this soon.

But the words escaped her mouth, and she didn't realize it. "I…I really messed up. What do I do?!"

Nico put her hands to her face and cried into them. Honoka and Kotori moved over to each side of Nico and hugged her. Honoka patted her on the head while Kotori rubbed circles on her back.

"Just tell us what happened."

"And we'll help."

And Nico explained everything. Hanging out with Nozomi. How she felt when her and Maki bickered. Her growing feelings for the two girls. And the way that she killed her chances for love.

Both Honoka and Kotori had sympathetic faces after hearing Nico's story. Nico was still crying, and the other two girls were there to comfort her.

"W-what do I do? I can't fix this, can I?" Nico's voice was defeated. She sounded like she gave up hope. She was crying while she was saying this.

Honoka put her two hands on Nico's cheeks and made Nico look in her eyes.

"You CAN fix this, Nico-chan." The emphasis on "can" gave Nico a bit of hope. "You made a mistake, but everyone does."

Kotori took her hands and imitated Honoka's actions. "You may think that they don't love you anymore, but they do. And you love them."

"So…what do I do?"

"Tell them," Honoka said. "Tell them as soon as you can."

"Maybe…wait for a day." Kotori corrected Honoka. "They do have to take some time after what happened. But I know…"

Honoka and Kotori took Nico's hands.

"They'll say 'I love you, Nico-chan.' And you just tell them 'I love you.'"

Nico hooked her arms around the two girl's necks and kissed them on the cheek. They both blushed, but was happy that Nico had encouragement.

"Thanks, you two. I know now. I'll tell them that I love them."

"…"

"Oh, and don't take that kiss seriously. I'm just…happy."

…

Nico took her stuff and got ready. "Thanks a lot. You really helped me."

Honoka and Kotori leaned their heads together.

"No problem, Nico-chan," Honoka responded.

"It will be okay. You three will be happy." Kotori told Nico with all her enthusiasm.

The three flashed a smile and Nico took off.

"Nozomi, Maki-chan. I truly love you two. Please…love me back."

Maki POV:

The car ride back to her house was filled with Maki's sobs.

'Why did this have to happen? I don't even know if Nico-chan loves me, Nozomi, or both of us…'

There was only one option to make everyone happy. And to be honest, Maki wouldn't have minded.

She and Nozomi have gotten a fair bit closer as their time as school idols. The purple-haired girl helped Maki become less ant-social. Well, as much as she could. Nozomi at least allowed Maki to open up her feelings around the Muse members. She admired both Eli and Nozomi, but held Nozomi up a bit higher after that.

Did that admiration ever turn to love?

It could have. Maki liked Nico when she actually talked to her. It may have seemed like arguing, but it made Maki's affections for Nico grow. For Nozomi, she was entirely different from Nico.

Nico wasn't afraid to speak her mind, although her tone sometimes came out as harsh. Nozomi told her thoughts in a more composed manner. The girls seemed to always ignore Nico (Maki found it funny with how much Nico reacted to it) but always respected Nozomi's critiques and tried to embrace them. Maki found that the respect that Nozomi has very attractive.

To be fair, she also likes both of the bodies the two have.

'Idiot! You just had your heart broken and now your fantasizing over them?! Think!'

And she thought. She really wished that she could go back to thinking, how Umi would say, shamelessly.

She thought of how Nico told a passionate confession. But she was overwhelmed by the words that haunted her.

"I'm sorry Maki-chan."

She shook her head. There was nothing for Nico be sorry about. All she had to do was say 'I love you' and they could be happy.

But she thought about Nozomi.

'Nozomi-chan likes Nico-chan, too…So, where does that leave me? I like Nozomi-chan…No, do I love her?'

Maki was getting her feelings shuffled around. Did she see Nozomi and Nico as girls she loves? Romantically?

She pulled out her phone.

"Hanayo-chan? Is Rin-chan with you? Good. Could you come to my house? N-no! I'll come get you guys."

…

"Maki-chan? Why did you need us?" Hanayo asked in an innocent tone. However, Maki didn't respond. "Maki-chan?"

The red-head stood her ground. Not for long though.

Rin leapt from her seat and rubbed her face on Maki's cheek, much to Hanayo's embarrassment.

"Maki-chan! Kayo-chin asked you a question! Answer it nya-ow!"

"Rin! Get off!" She attempted to push the girl off of her, but to no avail. Her face had a harsh aura to it and Rin quickly got off of her.

"M-Maki-chan…I-I didn't mean to make you mad. You are just always like this, nya." Rin's playfulness was escaping her, and it was barely holding on because of Hanayo's petting.

"Yeah, I am always like this."

'Maybe, that's the problem with me.'

"Sorry, Hanayo and Rin. It's just something I want to talk about more…privately."

Hanayo and Rin looked at each other, and nodded.

…

Maki, Rin, and Hanayo gathered in the piano room. Maki sat on the bench while Rin and Hanayo held hands on the couch.

Her hands grazed the keys and she imagined how much Nico would enjoy hearing her play. Even Nozomi.

"Maki-chan? Are you ready to talk now?" Hanayo looked to Maki with motherly eyes. Maki found a strong amount of comfort in Hanayo. Rin also put on an encouraging face, which Maki also found comfort in.

"It's…about love."

The two nodded, urging her to continue.

"Nico-chan confessed to me. I was really happy. I don't know if you could see, but I fell in love with Nico-chan."

Rin spoke up. "It was pretty obvious, nya."

Maki blushed. "W-was it really?!" Hanayo nodded, which shocked Maki, and Rin agreed. "I-I thought I hid it w-well." She regained her composure quickly.

"Anyways, it was what she said after that really hurt to hear. She said, 'I'm sorry.'" Her tears started to fall, but she didn't care.

Hanayo and Rin looked at Maki losing her composure. However, when they tried to walk up to her Maki continued.

"I felt crushed. The person I love confessing but saying I'm sorry. However, maybe I overreacted. Nico also said that she loves Nozomi-chan."

The childhood friends' eyes bulged at hearing this.

"So…maybe she said sorry because she can't love two people. At least, romantically. However, I don't think I would have minded that. I kind of realized today. I think I might also…love Nozomi-chan."

Rin and Hanayo went over to Maki and placed their hands on Maki's shoulders.

"Maybe you should take a chance." Surprisingly, Hanayo offered this idea.

"W-what do you mean, Hanayo-chan?"

"You and Nico-chan might take a while for this to go over. However, maybe try talking to Nozomi-chan. Tell her how you feel."

"Yeah, Maki-chan. You may feel bad right now, but think about Nozomi-chan. If anything, she could help you," Rin interjected. "To be honest, all of us have seen how you act around Nozomi-chan, and it's pretty cute, nya!"

Maki blushed again, but she did feel a bit happier.

"T-thanks. I'll tell Nozomi-chan."

'That I love her.'

"What about Nico-chan?" Hanayo asked. The three girls knew that she would have to deal with it eventually.

'…Eventually…'

"We'll figure it out. Just…not now."

Nozomi/Eli/Umi POV:

Nozomi seemed to calm down as they approached Eli's house. However, she was anything but. She just hid it well.

'Should I just…give up? I don't even know if I can love anyone anymore. First Elichi, now Nicochi. What's next? I don't want to know. Maybe…love isn't for me.'

Nozomi lost her train of thought as she almost bumped into Eli, who was opening the door. "S-sorry, Elichi."

Both Umi and Eli looked at each other and knew. Something happened to Nozomi. And they were going to get to the bottom of it.

Before getting to that, Alisa came out from her room. "Hi, big sis! Sonada-san too!" As those two came in, Alisa didn't see Nozomi. However, she had a big smile on her face when she did.

"Tojo-san!" Alisa ran and gave Nozomi a big hug. Her sudden action made Nozomi jump a bit. However, she couldn't deny how cute Eli's sister was and returned the hug. "You haven't visited in a long time! I thought something happened…"

'You don't know the half of it.' Nozomi patted Alisa's head and put up a big smile. "I've been with my other friends while Elichi went and did some lovey-dovey things with-"

"NOZOMI-CHAN!" Umi shouted, which startled the other three girls. "N-not in front of Alisa, p-please."

Both Alisa and Nozomi laughed at how shy Umi was, and Eli giggled along with them. However, she didn't ignore that smile Nozomi showed to her sister. 'I know a genuine smile from Nozomi…usually. But, that one seemed too fake.'

She broke up the jovial vibe so she, Umi, and Nozomi could talk. "Sorry to spoil the fun, but us three have some things to do. Alisa, I'll come help you with your homework when we're done."

Alisa, in all of her cute innocence, nodded with a serious expression. "Yes, Eli. Muse always has things to do. No time for interruptions." She quickly bowed to the three girls and went back to her room.

"She's super cute. I wonder where she gets it from." Nozomi teased Eli, just like in the past. Eli laughed but did reflect on what has happened between then.

"Now, now. Please, get comfortable. I'll prepare some tea." Eli gestured to the living room, and both Nozomi and Umi went to sit down.

The side Nozomi sat on had one chair, while Umi's had two. Presumably for when Alisa, Eli, and Umi have dinner together. But, Nozomi's mind wandered. 'It must be nice. Having a seat beside the one you love. One where you can flirt, tell secrets…'

Umi hoped that Eli could go a bit faster. She saw Nozomi's expression and knew that something was up.

Thankfully, her wish came true. She couldn't really talk easily to Nozomi despite how friendly everyone in Muse (besides Nico and Maki) could be.

Eli placed the three cups of tea for each person and took a seat beside Umi. She felt her hand being held, which signified that Umi was nervous. Looking at Nozomi, she would understand.

Nozomi was not focused at all. When the cup was placed in front of her, she didn't even acknowledge it. She didn't thank Eli, she didn't do anything with the tea. She was staring off and not in any real direction. If you followed Nozomi's vision, she would be staring at a wall. Her expression was emotionless. She had a contemplating face, but every now and then her mouth would waver into a small frown.

"Nozomi." Eli called.

Nothing.

"Nozomi-chan?" Umi attempted.

Silence.

Her hands were on the table, so Eli and Umi made a decision. They each grabbed one hand. It worked, as Nozomi was startled.

"Elichi. Umi-chan. You two want to add me?" Nozomi playfully teased. Expecting a blush to appear on the two girls who easily get embarrassed, she had a wide smile. When she looked at them, she saw that their expressions were as sold as steel. "Umm…"

The saw it. Nozomi pushed whatever problems she had to the back of her mind and put up that fake smile. "Nozomi. We can't ignore what happened." Eli tried to tell Nozomi, but she shook her head.

"No, no Elichi. It's okay. I'm fine now, see?" She put up a smile. Nozomi hated the pressure that was being put on her.

But the two girls saw through it.

"Nozomi-chan. You were crying," Umi stated matter-of-factly. "We want to know what happened. You aren't like this, at least not since Eli…" Umi regretted saying that. She knew that talking about this was a touchy subject, but she really couldn't see a way to get Nozomi to talk. "S-sorry, Nozomi-chan. I know tha-"

"I'm jealous."

It took a bit for the comment to process in the couple, but as soon as it did the girls took their hands off of Nozomi's. They both were surprised. Had Nozomi really not gotten over Eli? Didn't her and Nico become much closer?

"I'm not jealous of you Umi-chan. Eli is yours, and I am very happy for the two of you. I haven't seen Eli this happy since when I first met her."

Eli blushed at Nozomi's confession, as did Umi. The two of them never realized how happy the two were to their peers. But it seems that Nozomi was being herself, the ever-observant girl.

"What I'm jealous of is what you two share. A bond. Love. I never told you, except for Honoka-chan and Kotori-chan. I fell in love again. I fell for Nicochi."

Eli and Umi had a small feeling that that would happen. Seeing the amount of time that the two girls spent together gave them suspicions.

"I was going to confess to her today. In a way, I sort of did. But…" Nozomi choked back her tears. She had to be strong in front of these two. She took a breath. "…she loves Maki-chan."

The blonde and bluenette had tears in their eyes.

'I hope Nico sees how I felt.' Eli had bitter thoughts. Even though they forgave each other, Nico was the cause on Nozomi's new love. And she broke it. She didn't want to have these thoughts, but Nico slapped her twice. She may be forgiving, but it was a moment that she could not forget. Her anger was rising. She hated this side of her. But, her best friend was in pain again. And it came from another one of her best friends.

'No, not again.' Umi's thoughts were more sympathetic. When Nico told the girls about how Nozomi loved Eli, she did have thoughts of breaking up with her blonde girlfriend. Nozomi was one of the nicest people that she knew, despite her silly tendencies. She felt that it was for the best, but both Eli and Nozomi fought against it. And thank goodness that they did, because having Eli as a girlfriend let Umi have some of the best moments of her life. So again, she was in Nozomi's debt.

Umi felt the anger that Eli had. She squeezed her hand, reassuring that they could help her best friend. She couldn't lose her cool. Not now.

However, that wasn't the only thing that they were thinking.

They knew about Nico and Maki's closeness. Hell, everyone saw how the two bickered. However, they did have a lot of points that they did agree on. They had similar minds, and were not afraid to say them. Was it only a matter of time before Nozomi's heart would be broken?

Nozomi continued.

"I heard her. 'I love you, Maki-chan.' And it hurt. Hearing the girl say you like-no, love someone that's not you. It felt all too familiar." Nozomi had a small smile, reminiscing on the time she heard Eli's confession for Umi.

The blonde felt a bit uncomfortable as she remembered that same moment. The time when she was unaware of Nozomi's feelings. Her hand started trembling again, but this time was out of shame. However, the grip on her hand tightened again. She had Nozomi's and Umi's love. Both of which she cherished.

"Maki-chan also got to confess. I had a feeling that she loved her, but I expected it to come out after I told Nicochi. I felt selfish, but…I really wanted to show my feelings. To Nicochi." Her composure was breaking. Tears started to roll down her face. She wanted this strong façade, but she knew that it could only hold for so long. And Eli and Umi kept listening, with sympathetic faces.

"I had a feeling of happiness. I heard Nicochi say 'I'm sorry.' I felt that I had a chance. But then Nicochi said that she 'really does love her.' I didn't question why she said sorry, but all I knew was that Nicochi still loved Maki-chan. When I got to them, Nicochi was hugging Maki-chan. They looked amazing but it put the nail in the coffin, I guess. That's when I confessed. But, I didn't think that it would be reciprocated. Nicochi said that she loves me, too. But, is it possible to love two people? I didn't think so, and maybe I still do. So, I did the thing I feel that I'm best at."

Eli and Umi were overwhelmed. This was one of the saddest things that they heard, and coming from one of their friends no less. It hurt to see a person this close to them so…defeated.

"I ran away. I did not want to see what would happen with Maki-chan and Nicochi. If I did…" Her emotions got the best of her. She started to cry with her face in her hands. She was shaking. The control she has on her body was non-existent. All replaced by the sadness she felt.

"WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?! I TRY MY HARDEST FOR SOMETHING NEW…AND LIFE JUST KICKS ME DOWN! I DON'T WANT IT TO BE LIKE THIS! I WANT TO BE HAPPY!"

The sobbing didn't stop. They got louder. And Umi and Eli only contributed to the cries, but in a hushed tone. Nozomi let her emotions out again, and the couple had to comfort her somehow.

Umi whispered something into Eli's ear, which shocked her. However, they both agreed. Maybe, Nozomi would feel a bit better.

The two got up and each went to one side of Nozomi; Eli on the left, Umi on the right.

Nozomi didn't notice this. She was still in her world of darkness. She felt that nothing could go right for her. Why even try at love aga-

CHU!

Nozomi felt a pair of lips on each of her cheeks. Her head darted up and looked to her sides. And unexpectedly, Umi and Eli were both by her with the most heart-warming smiles she had ever seen. From two fronts, the blonde and bluenette wrap their arms around Nozomi. Her emotions are still overwhelming with sadness, but there was a small light. Of comfort. And hope.

"Nozomi-chan, I never truly got to thank you for, well everything. You always helped us when Eli-chan was…" Umi tired to choose her words carefully as she saw Eli staring into her eyes. Maybe her soul. "…in her defiant stage." Eli shook her head. Nozomi laughed while Umi dreaded what would happen after. "You were the person that named our group. You are always there for everyone, be it teasing them or guiding them. And for me being with Eli. I kissed her directly in front of you and basically called her mine." Umi's blush was a tad darker after that. "You have made me an extremely happy girl in the span of a couple of months. You are someone I aspire to be; motherly, knowledgeable, selfelss."

All three of the girls were streaming tears, but all out of happiness.

"But sometimes." Umi still had words to say but Nozomi felt comfort in them. "It's okay to be selfish. I think you should talk to Nico-chan. Understand her. Don't be afraid about anything. If it goes badly, we are here for you." After that speech, Umi rested her head on Nozomi's shoulder. Nozomi was shocked at how close Umi was.

'Elichi must…be…getting…jealous?' Nozomi turned her head to the left and saw Eli. Teary-eyed, and in the exact same position as Umi.

"Umi may have had a speech prepared." Eli laughed as she got a soft smack on her head by Umi. "But I also want to say some things. I am, hopefully, your best friend…?" Eli waited a response from Nozomi, which was a small nod. Eli sighed in relief. "I know that I haven't been there for you as much, especially after what I did to you…" Eli starts to let her words be blocked by the guilt. But, Nozomi had a solution.

With her left arm, she pointed at Eli's face and it piqued the blonde's curiosity. "Nozomi, what are you- ow!" She flicked her finger at Eli's forehead.

"Elichi, don't dwell on the past. It will worry me and Umi-chan. I've given you approval so you don't feel guilty for not seeing my feelings. And, I've had company while you were gone. So, stop it…or else…" Nozomi had her hands up in claws. Umi feared for Eli's life, especially with how big her…chest…is. That sentiment was double for Eli, especially since she has never been on the receiving end.

Thankfully, that gave her a wake-up call. "Right! I meant to talk about that. Sorry, Nozomi." Nozomi nodded her head and let her arms rest again. "You may see me as a best friend, but you have another one. Nico. You two look happy together as well. Nico may be seen by me as a small enemy, no pun intended, because she made you feel heartbreak. But…I'm guilty for that as well. You let Nico listen to your problems. Now, let Nico say her feelings to you."

It was the spark that started a fire. Nozomi couldn't believe how much these two guided her through another difficult obstacle. And she couldn't be more thankful.

With tears in her eyes and a raspy voice, "T-thank you. I-I know what to do n-now."

She left the house in high spirits.

'Nicochi, I'll be here. To listen to you. I want to know.'

…

Eli and Umi were sitting on the couch with the TV on, holding hands and leaning into each other.

"Umm…Eli? Can I get some help?" Alisa managed to speak.

"AH! Alisa! I'm so sorry! I meant…to help- Alisa, why are you crying?" Umi looked over after hearing this and saw that Alisa was indeed crying.

"I-it's just that…you two really helped Tojo-san! And it makes me…wanttobelikeyoutwo." Alisa was shy and embarrassed about saying that last part, but both Eli and Umi went up to her and hugged her.

"I'll be there soon, I just have to say goodbye to Umi-chan." Alisa complied and also said goodbye.

Umi put out her hands for a hug, but Eli stopped her with one. "Now…what did you say about being defiant?"

Umi gulped. She was going to be here for a bit longer.