NICO NI MOBBED AS SHE HEADS TO MIDNIGHT SHOWING
MAKI NISHIKINO DROPS OUT. HERMIT HEIRESS A NO SHOW AT HER EXHIBIT

Nico glanced at her phone. She would try to duck out the back door but too many staff WERE rushing in and out of the kitchen. Eli had texted her the car would be outside to take her to the midnight showing of her concert film. Nico just had to get through the crowd at the door without taking her usual time to pose for snaps, snippets and signatures. Her most passionate fans would be at the midnight showing.

Phone buzzed. Nico glanced down. Eli message.

E: Are you in the car yet?

And then another message buzzed in, from an unknown number.

"She can't wait to see you up close. Always watching her Nico Ni."

The third person POV made it even scarier. Nico shivered, pausing to screenshot, forward the text to Eli, and block the number. There'd been too many of those creeper messages recently. Nico inhaled. She was just going to make a run for it.

No crowd had gathered outside, Nico was free once she broke through a clingy cluster of fans at the bar. She glanced down the street. There was a sleek black luxury sedan, the driver leaning back, unprofessionally lounging against the hood, white shirt untucked, tuxedo jacket short, long legs stretched out, hands in pocket, cigarette pants with the slightest slit above the ankle, designer heels, and curly red hair with a tilted cap barely containing it. Nico almost whistled. Eli had definitely found the right kind of car service for Nico if that was the driver they sent.

Nico hurried to the back door, hesitating. The woman raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, lovely lavender eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Open Nico's door. The crowd'll be following me."

The other eyebrow raised.

"Hurry up. What's Nico paying you for? Looking prettier than Nico?"

That got some action. An almost smile and the driver straightened up, pushing up her sleeves. Much taller than Nico. Darn heels. Nico hated them on everyone but her.

"Sorry Miss." The voice was a mint's worth of money and a hive's worth of honey. Frisson. Nico understood that word now as the hairs on the back of her neck actually shivered. The driver leaned over, Nico catching a whiff of expensive floral perfume. Nico wondered how much she was paying for this car service if this was their livery.

Nico grabbed the driver's forearm as she reached for the door, "You're trained in self defense, right?"

A hesitation, "Sure."

"Good. Stick next to Nico when we get there. The creepy text messages keep coming."

Suddenly Nico had the full attention of dreamfuel eyes. Then the door opened and Nico felt a sure hand on her back, guiding her in.

"Just give me a minute, Miss and I'll get you out of here."

Nico waited to reply until the driver closed her door, "Call me Nico."

The driver glanced over her shoulder, "Hello, Nico. I'm Maki. You're safe in here. Tinted windows, reinforced body, bulletproof windows and tires."

As Maki went through the security features, Nico relaxed.

"You've probably had years of race car training or something like that."

Maki hummed something that sounded cheerful.

"Nico loves that her car service is so…" what to say not to sound like a total perv. Nico knew long words, she talked to Eli all the time, "well appointed."

A quick laugh, "So you're saying you like the nice upholstery?"

Nico was glad the driver's eyes were on the road. Irritated blushing was not Nico's best look.

"Nico is saying a classy conveyance is nice after a busy day."

"So you like the view." Smug.

"Nico is suddenly tired."

Another laugh. "Where are we going?"

"Nico's midnight showing at the Paris Theater. Didn't you get the address?"

A cough, "I was just double checking that you didn't want to change plans and go home where you'll be safe."

"Nico never disappoints an audience. And these are her biggest fans."

"And stalkers." A pause. "Do you want me to contact the police?"

"That will draw the wrong kind of attention."

A grudging grunt.

"Nico's not in real danger." Nico almost convinced herself.

"I'll stay close." A pause. "Do you have sunglasses?"

"Why? It's 11 p.m."

"I'll look more intimidating." A pause. "Did you know there are studies that showed people recognize people with the lower half of their face masked more than if they are wearing sunglasses."

"Nico did not know that. That's what you learn in the security business?"

"Actually it was in a medical journal. About masking during Covid." A pause. "I read a lot in the car. While I'm waiting."

"Eyes are very recognizable. NIco's never seen anyone with eyes as striking as yours." Nico took a minute to enjoy that memory. "Mine runs in my entire family. All the Yazawas take after my mama."

"They are an unusual color."

"Rubies. Nico knows. That's what everyone thinks of."

"Oh."

"You didn't think of rubies? What do Nico's eyes remind you of?"

"Santa."

Nico didn't even know where to start a response. She just sighed and sat back, wrapping her coat closer. Santa? Nico hoped the night wouldn't get any weirder as the perfume kept trying to lure Nico into a forward lean, just to play a little bit with a tiny curl of red. Santa? Really?

###

The driver had opinions. Nico wasn't thrilled.

"We need to go in through the back. I can call ahead."

"There is a red carpet set up for Nico."

"Might as well be a target."

Nico raised an eyebrow. And frowned. But because the driver was good and paid attention to the road and other drivers, Nico frosted her voice with enough disdain to wallop through the laissez fair confidence machine with the killer voice and dreamfuel eyes.

"Nico's fans are the best. Nico's fans would take a bullet for her."

A pause. "Has someone shot at you?"

"No."

"Do you think you're in a movie?" Attitude.

"Nico is in a movie. You are driving Nico to the premiere. It is a concert film so everything actually happened as it appears on screen. Nico spent a lot of time with the editor." Nico paused. "And, Maaaki, you are the one with sneaky entrance ideas and sunglasses requests."

"Yeah." A grudging point.

Maki took a hand off the wheel, reached into an interior jacket pocket and pulled out a card, name and phone number printed in velvet black on silver linen. It felt nicer than some of Nico's clothes. "Put my contact info in your phone."

"Why? My manager schedules with your office."

"Oh." A hum, "They give us discretion about which clients we accept. If you'd like me to drive you again, the best way is direct contact. My schedule gets booked up quickly and I would hate for there to be a miscommunication."

Where had Eli found these people?

"You are still on probation."

"Yes, Miss."

Nico like the respect mixed with teasing mischief in the voice.

"Nico."

"Nico."

Nico was going to dream about that voice.

###

Maki was muttering over timing and parking concerns.

"Just drop Nico off."

"You said stay close."

"No one is going to do anything more than take a snap in the middle of Nico's screaming fans. Leave the limo, lurk by the door, keep an eye on Nico when the lights go out."

"Sure." Maki pulled up in front of the theater smoothly, fans pressing against velvet ropes and hired security. "Stay put for a minute. I'll open your door."

Maki was fast, moving with confident grace, mask and sunglasses covering most of her face. Nico wondered if she were really that worried about Covid. Maybe she had a sick family member. Nico tested consistently before public events and masked backstage but this kind of event required Nico's full face. At least the clingy crowd part was outdoors. And the venue had upgraded its ventilation, taking care to use environmentally friendly tech. Nico was careful about every variable she could control. She'd missed too many concerts during the lockdown.

Then the happy screams started as Nico stepped onto the red carpet, swirling the skirt of her pink dress and Nico clicked into performance mode.

"Nico Ni loves you!" Air kisses everywhere. Maki hustling back to drive the car off. Fans surging, phones and Sharpies and limited edition photocards shoving at Nico. The best kind of night. With bonus eye candy. Nico grinned and bounced, ecstatic at the reaction of the crowd.

###

Nico was back in the car, wrapped in the glow of shouts, screams, and applause. All through the concert. Fans singing along, Nico singing along, and leading fan chants, Nico was a foot off the ground running 30 miles an hour, following the super hot limo driver, grinning wildly. She wasn't going to sleep until maybe Wednesday.

Maki held the door open, Nico blew her a kiss, and dived in pulling out her phone and going right into broadcast Nico mode.

"Nico's fans are the the number one fans in the galaxy and Nico wants to meet all of you. Soon! Great night at the movies. Nico's never been in the audience for a Nico Ni concert before and now, Nico's going to put all her investment money into cloning technology so it can happen again."

A snort from the front seat as Maki punched the ignition and pulled into traffic.

"Nico is on a LOVE high, has the prettiest limo driver…"

The car jerked to the right.

"And is going to get dropped off at the studio to turn all this energy into the perfect song. Make sure you get the link for tomorrow night's livestream. Nico will be answering all your questions. Good night. Nico Ni loves you." A series of kisses and then Nico dropped her phone on the seat next to her, threw back her head, and laughed. "Nico is in the clouds. That was amazing."

"You were screaming the loudest from what hearing I have left."

"Nico is Nico Ni's biggest fan."

"How does that work?"

"Isn't Maki Maki's biggest fan?"

An abrupt "Biggest critic."

"How does that work? You drift too far into a lane and kick yourself?!"

"Not driving. I have a…"

"Oh, you're not a full time driver?"

"No."

"What else do you do?"

"Artist, musician…right now, I'm mainly working in photography."

"So you see how photogenic Nico is."

"Sure."

Nico almost giggled. Driver, caught..

"Want to photograph Nico?"

The car jerked again. "What…no…I don't have…you…" a sigh, "Never mind." Maki cleared her throat, "Do you actually want to go to your company's studio?"

"Nico has a studio at home."

"Smart. Private."

"Professional. Nico is in total control of her career."

Nico's phone buzzed. She picked it up. Another unknown number. Who had this number? No one should.

"We'll be meeting soon."

"Fuck."

"Nico?"

"Another text."

"What's it say?"

"We'll be meeting soon."

A pause. "You did say you wanted to meet all your fans."

"You're not helping Nico."

"Sorry."

"No one should have this number. No one. Nico livestreams and texts out; no one texts in."

"I have a friend who's good with computer stuff."

"Stuff? Nico has professionals. Who know the actual terms for *stuff.*"

"Of course. My apologies."

"Just take Nico home."

"Address."

"Are you the stalker?"

Silence.

"It's in my phone." Maki's voice sounded strained, "I forgot to enter it into the GPS."

"Pull over."

"What? No. You can't walk from here."

"Just pull over."

Maki did. Nico exited the car as Maki panic rambled nonsense syllables, then slid into the passenger side of the sedan. She typed rapidly, watching as the GPS unit's map shifted, then buckled herself into the seat.

"Let's go."

"You need to ride in the back."

"Just drive." Nico snapped.

"Yes, ma'am." Sarcasm.

"Oh, now Nico's a ma'am."

Maki's eyes might have closed. Such long eyelashes Nico realized. She shouldn't take out her change in mood on the hot driver, but Nico needed a way to release the knotted tension the text had twisted her mood into.

"We'll arrive in twenty minutes. Very little traffic."

Nico, in order not to gape or drool at Maki's profile, had forced herself to stare out the window so the no traffic announcement was not news.

"Care to predict the current weather?"

Maki made a growly noise. Should Nico find it cute? It was too late for this.

"Cloudy."

"Looks clear."

"Starry, then. Whatever you want it to be, Nico. Sunny when you walk into a room, stormy when you walk away."

"Is that a song?"

"What? No. Why would you ask?"

"Sounds like a song."

"You've still got the concert in your head. Nico Ni's. You know, that singer you're the biggest fan of."

"She wouldn't write anything that trite."

"TRITE?" Clenched hands on the wheel.

This was too fascinating, Nico thought. She hadn't had this much fun teasing anyone in years. Maki was so quick to react. "Everyone does that kind of analogy. Predictable imagery."

"You want it stormy when you walk in?"

"Like a hurricane washing everything else away."

"You, Nico Ni, are admitting to being a natural disaster?"

"No, Nico is just giving you a song writing lesson."

"No thank you."

"Nico went platinum."

"Midas went gold."

Nico thought there was a twitch under Maki's eyebrow. This really was too much fun.

"Maki prefers gold?"

"Maki prefers…"

"Nico is waiting."

Maki muttered "ask again later, answer unclear" and clamped her jaw shut.

After five minutes, Maki and the GPS announced their arrival at Nico's destination. Turtle Bay Gardens. Nico released the seatbelt.

"Thank you, Maki."

Maki gave a quick nod, "Just did the job."

"Nico is very satisfied."

Hint of red, tip of ears. Adorable.

"Nico needs you tomorrow morning, 7 a.m."

"Huh?"

"Nico will send a confirmation text. Unless you have a previous client appointment."

A minute then "No, no I don't."

"Good. Nico will see you tomorrow."

Nico heard a "sure" as she shut the door, although it was not a confident one.

###

Maki was home. Time to turn her phone back on and see how many texts lurked.

Rin: Where are you?

R: Are you pacing outside?

R: Are you in the tub?

R: Did you go to a club?

R: Get a drink in a pub?

R; ( ≧ᗜ≦)

R: WHERE ARE YOU BESTIE?!

R: nozomi looks pissed

R: Everything sold. nozomi says her commission is going up to 95% since you never show

R: RUOK?

R: ?

M: I'm fine. Something came up.

R: something? or someone cute?

M: ( •̀ - •́ )

R: ?

M: I helped someone out.

R: Someone cute?

M: Shut up.

M; You know I'm not…never mind…

R: Cute is an aesthetic. The a in aspec is for aesthetic

M: Shut up.

R: Tell Nozomi you're oK; she left you a long voice message

M: I'm not listening to it. She knows that.

R: (◔_◔)

M: I'm going to bed.

R: Lunch?

M: Can't.

R: huh?

M: Good night.

R: (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )

Maki switched contacts. Nozomi.

M: Rin said everything sold. People want an hermit not an heiress. Better story.

Nz: Keep lying to yourself. I'm bringing dinner tomorrow. I know you don't cook.

M: I might be busy.

Nz: Don't be.

M: No, like legit busy.

Nz: With what?

M: Can't say.

Nz: Dinner. I'm also bringing Umi. She wants you to dust off the piano.

M: (O_O)

Nz: Thought that might catch you.

M: …

M: Thanks for covering for me.

Nz: It's why you're going to start paying me so much more.

Maki put down her phone. It buzzed immediately. New number. Must be Nico.

N: 6:30 a.m. So it's Beauty ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ sleep time (๑ •̀๑)-

Maki blushed. She could feel it, her cheeks redden and draw all her awareness. How was she to sleep with this sudden racing of her blood?

She wandered into her bedroom, turning to confront the wall of built in bookshelves off the foot of her bed. Reaching into the Japanese photography section, she pulled out Mina Ninagawa's Into Fiction/Reality. Glossy bright red cover, a grid of lens flared bright red lips. The visuals wouldn't soothe her way into sleep but it might distract her from the way Nico's voice kept flirting in her memory. And she could always read the original Japanese and follow that with a critique of the English translation. That would knot up her brain enough that sleep might sneak through for the few hours before she had to pick up her only "client." Nozomi would laugh, Rin would look at her like she'd lost her mind, and Umi, well, Umi might actually call the police or something. Or at least threaten to if Maki didn't deliver a full apology for deception.

Maki blew out a long breath, dropped on the bed, and opened to a random page. Shattered glass. The section of the book with pictures from Ninagawa's father's stay in the hospital. Sad. Silent. But full of light. And the hospital setting reminded her of her own family. Her family and the responsibilities she'd left behind. Another random flip. Woman staring back, barebacked, with a yellow spiky flower over one eye and yellow red and pink flowers over a two page spread. Maki laid back and imagined the flowers she might put in the backdrop of a Nico picture. Maybe Nico wasn't flowers. Maybe Nico was pillows, piles of pillows, lips and hearts and candy, something soft to fall into, to cushion Nico's fall when she flew up through the audience and off the stage. Something Icarus like, but an Icarus as bright as the sun, Maki thought as she remembered the concert film, Nico soaring even higher than her reach, beyond the expected. Maki knew the trick to that kind of illusion, if it was one, and it must be. You could just never stop. If you stopped, you might see the wall looming in the blocked off alley all your efforts had lead to. Maki closed the book and let her mind go back to flowers. filling the dark behind her closed eyelids with fuzzy, drifting colors, out of focus, ruby and red and pink and sharp, leafy greens.

A/N: Having some fun.