A/N: As I said in the previous chapter, this is a cut scene for the story and isn't required. It would follow directly after the ending of the story. It's just fluffy and didn't fit with the rest in my opinion, but I wanted to add it because I like this scene.

Of course Nico nor Nozomi divulged any of the exact details about the night before. Neither to scare or seem even more insane than the situation already was. Putting a spirit to rest was not exactly a social event the u's members would believe.

Besides, Maki would freak out and would cling onto anything in sight, and the very last thing on NIco's agenda was Maki hanging all over her in terror.

Not to mention, the other girls probably would not believe Nico in a million years. Nico could live with keeping that boasting to herself for once. Anyway, Nico felt drained of energy to even come to the academy. It was a small school, but Nico definitely knew she should not feel quite this beat. And having a big lunch on the rooftop just like now energized her depleted energies.

Maybe it's just the feeling of being useful. It feels... different, Nico wondered. She raised a brownie to her mouth and took a bite, chewing slowly. A lot different.

While Nico dreaded anyone seeing her at that moment, she… yes, she heard the racing steps of someone coming towards her at the perfectly wrong moment.

Nico glanced upward at the blue sky above her. Right as of now, it was a beautiful day out on the school rooftop. She watched a brown bird land on a pole nearby.

Act cool. She would act cool.

"N—Nico-chan, um, I, hi, um—" Hanayo's stuttering rang in loud and clear. "I didn't know you and Nozomi-chan were d-dating—"

Nico choked on the fudge in her mouth. She noticed just in time as Hanayo and Rin trotted across the rooftop towards where Nico leaned against the wall. Rin grinned wickedly at her.

Shouldn't they have another lunch!?

Rin happily filled in where her best friend was struggling. "—each other—"

"But, um, ah!" Hanayo scrambled to catch her own balance. She clutched her lunch box to her chest, cheeks completely red.

Hanayo flung out her hands and dug in the blue lunch. After a moment of fumbling she offer Nico a peace offering. It was a perfectly round riceball wrapped in fresh seaweed (and likely the perfect pinches of salt) covered with plastic wrap.

"Here, Nico-chan!" Hanayo said.

Nico blinked. She blinked again as the riceball assaulted her hands, the chunky pieces of rice rubbing against her palm.

I'll always take a present, but I didn't ask for one! Nico was dumbfounded.

"What am I supposed to do with a riceball!?" Nico yelled, pointing her leftover chopsticks at Hanayo's head. Honestly, handing her a riceball out of nowhere.

Okay, sure, Hanayo might have thought she was hungry and wanted an extra riceball. A mundane reason. But other than that, Nico put two and two together and decided that was not the actual reason here.

Hanayo cowered back a bit at Nico's scary expression. She steeled herself after a moment's hesitation and an exchanged look from Rin. She balled her her fists similarly to how Rin would.

"It's for g-good luck. Rice will give you strength and courage, and you'll do your best when the time is ripe," Hanayo assured Nico like it was the most obvious thing in the entire world.

Luck. Luck for what…?

Nico hopped back once Hanayo, despite her usually reserved nature, jumped closer to her. Warm and soft clasped Nico's hands. Hanayo puffed out her cheeks and nodded resolutely. She had made her mind up about something. Something important and unnegotiable.

Hanayo gulped before crying out, "F-Fighto, Nico-chan! You can do it!"

This was the last thing Nico expected to hear, especially from Hanayo.

Nico could do...?

Could do...

Wait. What.

... Fight for what!

"Eh?" Nico stared at the younger girl, wide-eyed. She could just could not understand this weirdness.

Hanayo being this direct... no... it just did not fit into the natural order of things! This was strange and uncalled for topsy-turvy of the universe!

In the background, Rin had caught onto what Hanayo was blessing Nico for. Rin's eyes doubled with unrepressed glee. She glanced back between Hanayo and Nico, and Nico could swear she saw small cat-like fangs beyond curl her lips.

"Kayochin! I'm proud of you!" Rin praised.

Rin tackled Hanayo and firmly hugged her around the middle. Hanayo blushed and leaned against her friend, not as fidgety in the one person's arms that understand her.

Idols were pure and innocent; they did not date anyone, guys or girls. Such was the way for Yazawa Nico's daily life. Nozomi ruined that a little with her insistent breast grabbing... but she would let that slide. idols needed some secrets.

After all, how was she supposed to know that Hanayo giving her a riceball was her way of blessing her relationship with Nozomi for a bountiful harvest?

Nico would just understand all of these romance things.

But in the meantime, Nico thought, I guess I don't mind pretending to date Nozomi. You know, keep appearances around the others. Not to let their hopes down. Nico shook her head, repulsed at the thought of abandoning u's support for something like this. I'd hate that! Yeah, pretend. All pretend.

The last thing Nozomi did was pretend to care about any of them.

Nico imagined the soft smile she had given the spirit the other night, or what she guessed was supposed to have been a ghost. it did not matter. It had been kind and motherly. Nozomi truly had worried more than any of them combined.

Little steps.