Summary:
How, just when Nico thought she was out of Otonokizaka, they pulled her back in.
When they were brainstorming ideas to help save the school, they'd put "School Idols" near the top of the list. Even Eli had agreed with that much. So when Hanayo came in looking like her alpacas had died, Honoka, Umi and Kotori all got very nervous. Hanayo was their school idol expert, she had the schedules and groups memorized and knew everyone in Otonokizaka who might be able to help or perform, whether they were in a club or not.
"Double Star," she began, puffing breathlessly. "Breaking up."
Honoka looked like she had been stung by a wasp.
They'd already realized that the Nico Yazawa group Smile Swallowtail Ear was going to break up, even before her transfer to UTX. The handwriting was on the wall when two of the trio started performing duets as "Double Star". Both girls assured them that the breakup was friendly, and praised Nico without any reservations. As for their duo, they were moving away from singing and dancing in a group and getting involved in music and theater. Unlike Nico, they hadn't had a strong drive to succeed as idols after school was over. The duo had a prior commitment to a couple of performances during the school year and break, and Nico would occasionally offer them advice, still, but that would be it. They agreed to help sometimes, though both were moving on from school idol stuff. With that assurance, Honoka, Hanayo, Rin, Umi and Kotori managed to talk Nozomi, Eli, and, finally, Maki into at least tentatively helping with forming a new idol group.
Unfortunately, quite often the eight girls found out that the more complex issues and tasks had been done by Nico. "Nico did that, sorry," came up all the time. When Honoka and Hanayo reported that depressing news, Maki happened to be making an appearance. She'd pointed out to Rin and Hanayo that she joined with the proviso that her other priorities would always come first, and she considered meetings a waste of her time.
Since she usually just looked bored and annoyed when she did come, and only answered direct questions, she surprised them all by saying, "excuse me."
They all looked at her in silence.
"It's nothing big, but seemingly, you want this Yazawa ... thing around to give advice, is that roughly it?" She knew Nozomi would give her a dirty look for talking like that about her friend, but, as usual, Maki didn't care.
Ever the peacemaker, Hanayo said, "umm yes, Maki-chan, but unfortunately she's no longer here."
"About that. Since I'm the reason she is no longer here, both her and ARISE owe me a favor."
Nozomi looked upset again.
"It would not be impossible for her to do some of her training here, even some of her composing. I will volunteer to blue pencil her songs every couple of weeks or so, which is not a resource she'd have at UTX."
Umi was taken aback. "Still and all, Maki-san ..."
"No, it's stupid and boring having these depressing meetings where you go in circles. And as for Mifune Chizuko over there fuming, isn't she the one that was babbling about how things wouldn't work without Nico making up your mystical ninth? Well, I can give our ogamisama what she wants. And in return I get to stop listening to all this drivel."
With that she pulled out her phone and called, presumably, the idol leader in question. They were all too shocked to speak. Umi and Eli had to explain to the others that Mifune Chizuko was a famous psychic. Nozomi just looked upset.
"Yazawa. Gods only know how this can be, but it turns out you were actually the competent one, relatively speaking, in your sad little group. The new crop values you, which must be a unique experience for you. I am calling in the huge, life-changing favor you and ARISE owe me. You're going to contact their leader, Hanayo ..." a couple of people pointed at Honoka. She ignored them. "and do whatever she asks you to do. I am sure you will be as pleased as I am to clear the books between us. We won't even have to speak to each other, though I have volunteered to clean up your songs on a regular basis. You're welcome. Please inform the rest of ARISE and make up a new schedule." With that, she clicked her phone off.
The other seven girls all slumped. Finally Hanayo spoke up. "Ummm I'm not exactly ... well, anyway, thank you, Maki-chan. I suppose we weren't going anywhere, so you had to act decisively?"
"Nicocchi is still caring for three younger children. She gets the same deal as Nishikino or nothing will happen. Nico's priorities come before ours. Period." Nozomi didn't even move her head or look at Maki. She said that almost in a bored way.
Maki grimaced, but was distracted by Rin. "Well, nya... ummm at least Nico didn't answer so Maki could say all that in a message."
"Yes," Kotori contributed. "That would have been awkward."
Maki just looked confused. "Uh, what do you mean?" When they looked just as confused, Maki clarified. "She answered, all right."
