All over the world, Nishikino Maki was making headlines, inspiring memes, inciting envy, and among her closest friends, activating the crisis text chat. Why? Let's set the scene.

NISHIKINO MAKI STORMS OUT OF PARENT'S FUNDRAISER. ENDS UP IN HOSPITAL

SPOILED HEIRESS JOINS PROTEST AGAINST THE ULTRA RICH

HYPOCRITE HEIRESS HAS BREAKDOWN, INSTITUTIONALIZED

NOTORIOUSLY TEMPERAMENTAL TOKYO ARTIST MAKES A STATEMENT IN BLOOD

NISHIKINO MAKI VS THE WORLD

Only Goddesses Chat

Nozomi: Way to go, Maki-chan. I knew you missed the spotlight.

Umi: Are you all right, Maki?

Nishikino Maki has left the chat.

Nz: What is going on?

Eli: Nozomi, don't push Maki. I'm sure she'll share when she's ready.

Nz: Where's Nico-chi?

Hanayo: ｡｡゛(ﾉ)ﾉ Rin went to the hospital to pick her up

Ha: Maki, not Nico. Nico's in Taipei.

Hanayo: It wasn't her hospital. Maki's.

Honoka: We should bring her food ｰ( ￣▽)_皿~~

U: That's very thoughtful, But we don't want to overwhelm her. Does anyone know what happened?

E: nozomi?

Nz: Hit on the head by protest sign. Looked bvery bloody.

Ha: She'd had a fight with her parents.

Kotori: It says she joined the protest. Great outfit too. Maiko Kurogouchi looks so good on her. the ombre shading on the pants. And that cashmere coat. I hope she didn't get blood on it.

E: Any news from Rin?

Ha: No. I'm getting worried.

U: Any word from nico

Ha: Nico had a fan meeting after the show.

Ho: What can we do? I want to help.

E; We should wait to hear from Rin

U: Eli is right.

Ho: I'm going to go downvote every meanie.

U: Ho…

U: Actually, that will do no harm. Proceed.

H: d(⌒ー⌒)

Nz: Nico's phone is off.

Ha: I'm sure she'll be back on line soon.

E; When is her next show?

Ha: Two days.

K: I'm making up a care package. Umi can deliver it.

E: Does Maki have her own lawyer? I have a friend who does criminal cases.

Nz: Ask Nico.

U: (ーー;) Ask Maki. Nico surely has her own list of things to handle.

Nz: Umi, you know as well as I do that we will get a quicker answer out of Nico. And that Maki just moved to the top of her to do list.

U: Language.

E; I'm sure Nico has a plan.

Ha: ｄ(´▽｀*)

E: So we'll wait.

###

Nico's phone had never had so many notifications, not even the night she swept the Grand Prizes at the MAMA Awards. Mentions of Maki's name, the constant messaging of the Muse group chat, but nothing from Rin since the message that Maki might have a concussion. Nothing from Maki. Nico wondered if she might have misplaced her phone somewhere. But Rin was there. Probably. If Maki had really not gone to the Nishikino hospital, there would be no special treatment. Maki was not good at ordinary, especially when angry. Nico sighed. Going to the hospital, especially when they'd kept their relationship private for 6 years, would blow up a carefully planned soft launch, set to happen next month, before…

Nico shook her head, hoping that activity would keep worry out. She would go to Maki's penthouse apartment. First she had to make a stop. Pulling up the collar on her coat, mask covering half her face, sunglasses to hide her eyes, and her hair in a ponytail under a ball cap, Nico hurried to meet her ride.

Nico opened the car door, pausing, surprised. "Mama? Cocoa said she'd meet me."

"She has class in the morning. And I wanted to talk to my baby. How's Maki?"

"Rin hasn't said. Maki hasn't called. I don't know."

Silence.

"How are you?"

Nico felt the weary hit her. "Tired, mama. Nico is tired. Everyone's blowing up Nico's phone, wanting to know the plan."

"Is there a plan?"

"Get Maki home, pile covers on her, feed her something good for her and the baby, lock the door and turn off my phone."

"I brought food, enough for a few days. Cocoa said you wanted to pick some essentials up at National Azabu."

"Maki never keeps anything around. Nico knows that. And she loves Western food."

"Cotaro and I made lasagna."

"Mama." Nico'd been trying so hard not to cry.

"Just let it out, Nico. And you'll feel better when you see Maki-chan."

"Maki-chan." The worry slammed back.

"I have a few choice words for her parents."

"They don't know everything, Mama."

"I still…"

"Mama. Just drive. Please."

Inhale. Nico's mama getting her feelings under control. So many feelings out of control. Fear, worry, anger. What Nico needed right now was a few moments of calm.

"What can I do?"

"Just get Nico home."

###

"You should come home with me, Maki. I don't want to leave you and Rin, Jr, alone."

"I thought your baby was Rin, Jr."

"Nah, you'll want to name yours after your best friend. We'd get them confused."

Maki rolled her eyes, almost laughing. Rin was an expert at breaking up Maki's darker moods. "So are you naming yours after me?"

A huge, Rin hug engulfed Maki. "I knew we were besties. You always pretend to be so grumpy…."

After allowing a three second embrace, Maki pushed Rin off, a practiced move after six years, "I am grumpy. Just not at you."

"What'd your parents do?"

Did Rin want the list? Sure. Maki still had a whole lot of anger to fuel a rant aimed directly at the elder Nishikinos. "The protestors were spoiled, Nico is vapid…"

"ooh, that's bad."

"Shut up, Rin. Don't interrupt me."

Rin made a zipper gesture across her mouth.

"Nico is dating three dancers, Nico wastes money, the protestors are too young to know what the world is like, their parents should intervene, big events draw attention to charities, screaming and chanting and obscene signs kill support, Japan has to lock down to keep catastrophic change from destabilizing our society, we have always relied on each other, why stop now, I'm immature, if Nico were serious, she would have married me…

"But you a…

"Do you want me to keep talking or…"

The elevator slid open to the foyer in front of Maki's penthouse apartment.

"If I'm going to use my money, I ought not to side with criminals. Nishikinos have always led quiet lives, helping others, staying out of the news except for spending millions throwing huge parties, laughing with their richy richy friends while…"

"Maki."

Rin called Maki's attention to the door she was about to pound on in frustration. Maki tapped in the security passcode instead.

"I just want to lie down, put up my feet, and stare at the skyline."

"You shouldn't be alone."

"You need to go home to Hanayo."

The door opened and suddenly the air was full of a deliciously familiar smell, Maki's favorite tomato sauce, fennel, basil, some of the sharpness of oregano. Maki felt like she was moving from a cold, damp fog into welcome.

"Nico-chan?" Not full voiced, not a whisper, a breathed hope.

"Maki-chan." Nico popped into the center of the room with a grand bow. "Mama and Cotoro made us dinner."

"Nico-chan." Rin rushed to hug Nico.

"Don't crush Nico. Nico needs those ribs in two days."

"Maki's got a concussion almost. The doctor says she'll be fine but you should keep an eye on her. She was maybe lying about her symptoms. Her eyes awfully twitchy."

"Your eyes ARE awfully twitchy." Maki glared.

Nico wiggled out of Rin's arms, moving to pull Maki into hers. "Hey you. Nico was super worried. You didn't even text."

"Neither did you."

"Not true."

"You had your phone off, Maki."

"Oh."

"See Nico-chan. She's confused. And LYING about symptoms."

"You can't lie about dilated pupils, Rin. I don't have them."

"You wince at car headlights."

"Whoa, whoa…" Nico held out a hand, "I'm sure Maki knows how she feels." Nico made sure to turn toward Rin so Maki couldn't see her and mouth, "I'll watch her."

Rin nodded. "I'm gonna go home and tell Kayo-chin our little nibling is all right. And Nico's taking care of Maki." Rin stepped closer, "Take good care of Maki-chan, Nico."

Maki had slumped a little on Nico's shoulder.

"Yeah, Nico's got this."

"Rin?" Maki snapped.

"Maki?" Rin snapped back.

"Thanks."

"What are besties for? Go to sleep soon. Nothing..." Rin wagged a finger, contorting her face. "shameless."

"Go home to your wife." Nico growled.

Rin grinned. "Already out the door." And with gold medal winning speed, she was.

Maki giggled, "We have silly friends."

"The silliest. Nico wouldn't trade 'em for anyone."

"Nope."

"So what did your parents do?"

###

Nico: Nico has landed ∠(｀∪´)

E: I knew you'd be there. Is Maki all right?

N: Tired, hungry, probable concussion.

R: Told ya.

Nz: Tell Maki-chan, we love her ( ⌯◞◟⌯)

Nz: And to get back in the chat.

Ho: Yeah d(⌒ー⌒)

N: She's not really in a talking mood.

K: Tell her I finished the sketches and I'll send her a pdf. That'll cheer her up.

U: Let us know if you need anything.

Nz: Yeah, we know Maki doesn't keep food around.

N: Mama and Cotaro went shopping.

N: Maki's getting out of the bath.

N: ：*：°・ ヾ(δ_δ。)

Nico has left the chat.

Nz: Before I could even type some advice (ಥ﹏ಥ)

E: I suspect the timing was deliberate.

Nz: Eli-chi. WHose' side are you on?

E: ✌三✌('ω')✌三✌

R: ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ

Ho: ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ

K: I'm sure Maki will be better after she gets some sleep.

U: We all will be. I'm sure Nico will be in a more open mood in the morning.

E: And if not, we'll stop by.

Ho: Good idea, Eli-chan.

R: Bad idea. Maki has one day with Nico.

E: Oh right. Nico's got more concerts.

Ha: So we'll see her Monday.

Nz: Brunch break in.

Ho: ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ Bacon break in

R: ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ✧(σ๑˃̶̀ꇴ˂̶́)σ

U: Come to bed, Honoka.

Nz: Oh my, Mz. SOnoda, how bold.

Umi has left the chat.

Ho: :-Þ

K: (இ﹏இ`｡)

Ha: Good night.

R: : ҉*( 'ω' )/*҉

E: had enough fun, love?

Nz: (੭ ˃̣̣̥ ㅂ˂̣̣̥)੭ु No

E: Come to bed.

Nz: For fun (ŐωŐ人)

E: Da

###

Somehow, Maki still had energy. Or adrenaline. Pacing back and forth, arms flying, fluffy bathrobe occasionally falling open. Nico had arranged lanterns, placing them on the stairs leading to the piano loft and in a large circle around the bed and seating area. The only other light was nightime Tokyo, the golden spike of the Tokyo Tower as bright as a candle flame.

"Maki-chan?" Nico threw back the covers, "Come here."

Maki stopped, staring.

"You need to rest."

"I told you, I'm fine."

"Nico heard." Nico got up, grabbed Maki's hands and dragged her to their bed, "Lie down. Rant at Nico all you want, But do it in bed."

"Why?"

"You're sexy when you're mad."

"NICO-CHAN!"

"You're not mad at Nico." A wink and Nico dropped them both onto the mattress.

"I could be."

"Nico's too cute. And I know you missed me." A quick kiss on Maki's nose and then Nico leaned over to kiss her abdomen, "And I know someone else missed Nico's lullabies."

"Nico-chan." Maki's voice softened.

"How is Nico's newest, tiniest favorite person to be?" Nico stretched out on her stomach, next to Maki, her head still at belly level.

Maki blushed, brushing a hand through Nico's hair. "They're still so tiny, so fragile." A groan. "It's terrifying."

Nico kicked up her legs, meeting Maki's worried gaze. "Nico's scared too. But we're doing this together."

"But is it the right thing to do? Start a family? With everything that's happening now? What kind of world will they be growing up into? Will people like my parents ever start listening?"

"Maybe when they know why you were so upset."

"I couldn't tell them. It…ugh, Nico-chan, it was so frustrating, hearing them talk over everyone, calling the police so their friends didn't stress or take back their donations. I can't believe…"

"What?"

Maki shook her head; Nico didn't press. Nico reached out a hand, her attention on the new life Maki carried, "Nico promises to take good care of your mother. And your mother and I will help make changes so you have a planet to live on."

"Can we make a difference, Nico-chan?"

"We're going to. People need hope. Nico is good at hope."

Maki smiled, "You are."

"And our child will be good at friends. Nobody should be alone."

"But we're not good at friends, I'm not good at…"

"Maki, Nico's phone practlcally blew up with 7 friends who were begging to do something for you, anything, because they care about you. Maybe we started out bad at friends, you and me, Maki-chan, but we learned, we reached out, we cared, we helped each other, struggled together with them, miracles happened, and both our lives changed. Muse has always been there for each other, and that's what we're going to raise our children to believe in: friendship."

"Not love?" Maki leaned back, blinking, energy lessening.

"There's all kinds of love, Maki-chan. Nico and her fans, family love, friend love….the world runs on love."

Maki was pouting.

Nico raised an eyebrow, "Maki is feeling neglected?"

"No." Hand to curl, twist. Nico almost laughed.

"Nico is very glad for one very special kind of love."

Maki waited. Nico pushed up and crawled next to Maki, leaning in, "Nico missed Maki."

"Don't go away then."

"Come with me." A quick kiss. "Nico can be very persuasive."

A yawn, a headshake, and a grimace.

"When do I win?"

"Touring with Nico isn't a win? I'll get a piano."

"You just want private concerts."

"Just want you." Nico yawned as she kissed Maki's shoulder.

"We'll talk about it in the morning." Maki realized sleep was about to drop. Nico was so warm and soft and near, one arm wrapping around Maki's waist. It was an irresistible comfort. Maki could feel herself relaxing. Two weeks without Nico had been stressful. Without that stress, Maki suddenlly realized how weary she was, tired of being alone and independently brave, how much she just wanted to fall sleep in Nico's arms, to feel loved and secure, to be taken care of, to know Nico would do everything she could for her, for their baby. Trust was still hard for Maki, but Nico had earned it. So maybe Maki could trust that Nico's hopes were not thin winter ice, that there was a future solid enough for a family.

"C'mon, Maki-chan, cuddle," Nico mumbled, pulling Maki closer..

"All right." Maki pushed tight against Nico, "Just for a minute."

"uh huh."

"I'm not tired."

"uh huh."

Yawn. BIg yawn. "Tokyo at night is incandescent."

"Maki-chan's incandescent. Now close your eyes."

'''kay" Eyelids fluttered shut.

"Gotcha." Nico whispered. "Good night, pretty girl."

"'night, Nico-chan."

Nico would be there when Maki woke up. That was more hope than yesterday.

A/N: Pygmalion finished well and I'm still recovering from not feeling well by watching ambient music videos and seeing luxury apartments Maki might own. So this happened. Next up, back to the not so luxurious West.