AND WE...AGREE

That afternoon's μ's practice had been a quick but intense one, and Maki was sweating but happy. She could see Nico in her peripheral vision, bouncing as she talked to Hanayo. Nico looked in Maki's direction and winked, causing Maki to fumble with her towel for a minute. Nico grabbed her water bottle, offering it to Maki as she approached. Just as Maki's hand touched the bottle and brushed Nico's fingers, Rin bounced up, grabbing both of them and pulling them together in a hug.

"So Maki-chan and Nico-chan are dating."

Nico pulled away as Maki shoved Rin, their voices in perfect unison.

"No, we're not."

Nico stared at Maki. Maki stepped through Rin, her hands flying out to the side. "What do you mean no?"

Nico stepped back, scrunching her face up. "Well, we haven't gone yet."

Maki glared. "And we're not going after this."

"Hey, wait, Maki," Nico met Maki's glare. "You can't back out now."

"Watch me."

Then something clicked for Nico. "Hey, you said no too. Why are you mad at me?"

Maki exhaled, then turned away. "Because. You asked ME."

"Yes. So let's go out."

Maki looked around the rooftop. Everyone else in μ's had frozen, looking carefully somewhere away from either Maki or Nico. Nozomi was whispering something in Eli's ear. Rin, had stepped back and was staring, her mouth gaping open. Maki turned on her. "This is your fault."

Rin shook her head, glancing to Nico. Maki whirled, rushing away. Nico watched for a moment, then followed. "Maki, wait!"

Eli nodded at Umi. "I guess rehearsal's over."

"So it would seem." Umi sighed.

Hanayo came over to Rin, who shook her head when the other girl reached out a hand.

I CAN'T GET STARTED

Maki stepped inside the door to her home, closed it carefully behind her, then screamed random vowels.

And after the echoes had whispered their way out and just as her mother came running into the room, she muttered, "Why?!"

Her mother stared at her. "Maki? What's the matter?"

Maki looked away, shrugging.

"Maki." Her mother touched her daughter on the shoulder. "Talk to me. Maybe I can help. Did something happen?"

'No," Maki grumped. She stomped into the sitting room and threw herself in a chair, pulling out her iPod, activating the Bluetooth and filling the room with jazz.

Her mother recognized the tune "I Can't Get Started" and managed not to smile. Nico's ringtone, which had become very recognizable in the Nishikino home, went off, jarring against the jazz. Maki pulled out her phone, read the text quickly, tossed her phone on the table and curled up in her seat, knees pulled to her chest.

It was Monday. Maki was home early. Something had happened.

"I'll go make tea."

Maki grunted. The jazz got louder. The ringtone went off again.

There was pounding on the door. An angry Nico. Maki's mom showed her to the sitting room. "You have a visitor, dear."

"Answer your phone," Nico demanded.

"No."

"You said the same thing."

Maki's mother walked slowly down the hall.

It sounded like Maki stood up. "But I didn't ask YOU out."

Nico snorted. "Well, now you're going to have to."

"Fine."

"Fine."

Maki hesitated, probably a bit stunned.

"Ask me."

Pause. Maki's mom leaned in a doorframe. She shouldn't, but ...

"Go out with me."

"Where? When?"

"I … I don't know," Maki sounded panicked.

"I have reservations Friday night."

"Fine."

"Right." Nico huffed out of the room. "And answer your freaking phone when I call."

The jazz got louder. The front door slammed. Maki's mother slid down the wall, laughing.

AGAIN, WE...AGREE?

Maki came downstairs for breakfast, and in addition to what the chef had prepared for her, there was a small box of grapes next to her plate.

"What's this for?" she asked her mother, who shrugged in response.

"I thought you might want to take them to school, share them with someone."

Maki scowled. She knew her mother had been lurking in the hall. She twisted her hair, but if she took the grapes, maybe her mother wouldn't ask her any questions.

"Thanks." Maki took a sip of her orange juice.

"Will you be out late Friday night?" her mother asked.

Maki choked. If only Nico hadn't come over. But Nico coming over meant Nico cared and that the date was going to happen. Nico. She wondered what Nico was going to wear. It was past the season for anything Nico had worn to the beach, especially considering how quickly Nico got cold. Maybe Maki should wear an extra layer in case, surely Nico wouldn't wear her cardigan.

"Maki?"

"Sorry."

"Will you be out late on Friday night?"

"Probably not."

"Good."

Morning conversation, check. Maki continued to chew slowly through her breakfast, trying to picture Friday. It was mostly a blank. She fidgeted with a grape.

Sitting in her first class a few minutes before it started, Maki felt her phone vibrate. Nico. Of course, it was Nico.

N: Nico has good news for you §ԾᴗԾ§

M: Should I worry?

N: Nico has time in her busy Idol schedule to meet you for lunch (＾-＾)＿日

M: Shouldn't the Number 1 Idol in the Universe be setting an example and studying?

N: Nico has everything under control (つ▀¯▀)つ Don't be late.

Maki wondered if that meant Nico wasn't mad about yesterday.

Maki hadn't exactly rushed to the roof, although she would prefer not to be questioned on why she was out of breath. Nico had gotten there before her anyway and spread a blanket out.

"Maki-chan!" The happiness in Nico's voice turned Maki's hesitant smile into a huge grin. "Come sit next to Nico. I made you a bento."

Maki's eyes widened as Nico held out a bento box wrapped in pretty pink floral fabric. Then she remembered her contribution and opened her bag to offer Nico the box of grapes.

"F … for you. I'm sorry about yesterday," Maki muttered, not meeting Nico's glance.

Nico's voice caught in her throat. "I'm sorry too."

Maki nodded, unwrapping the bento eagerly. She watched as Nico bit into a grape with a grin. "So sweet. Thanks, Maki-chan. Nico Ni loves grapes." Then, Nico laid her head on Maki's shoulders, with eyes bright with an impish gleam. "But Maki-chan will have to buy a fruit stand at this rate."

Maki raised an eyebrow, her voice a sly drawl. "Is Nico insinuating that there will be anything else I need to apologize for?"

"No, no … Maki-chan is wonderful of course. Almost as wonderful as Nico." Nico's teeth snapped a grape in half. "Nico is just teasing."

"Good." Maki picked up her chopsticks.

Nico had made a curry. It was nice to sit and eat there, together, in the sun and the breeze, not talking, just enjoying the view and the clouds that wandered by. Nico would occasionally point out one that looked like something cute and Maki would scoff, but not seriously. Pleasant. Eventually, Nico would probably even find one that resembled her and Maki might let that pass, if the cloud were cute enough. This kind of amity she could easily get used to … avoiding Rin was obviously the key to avoiding dating problems.

A DOOR TO THE UNKNOWN

Nico was not impressed by any of Maki's arguments about respecting Honoka's wishes or giving their leader time or letting Umi and Kotori handle the situation. But Nico had decided to stop arguing, sipping her juice between irritated huffs of breath. If Maki hadn't been so tired of the mood swings of the day, she might have found it adorable. As it was, she was just trying to avoid eye contact or body contact or Rin's cheerfulness at food and drink - Rin had a shorter attention span than the cats that she adored, Maki decided.

But Maki couldn't help feel a bit sad for Nico. From the prospective excitement of another Love Live - Nico had been excited enough to just grab and hug Maki, maybe she'd have to get used to that, maybe it wasn't so bad in front of their friends, but they hadn't even gone on a date yet and Nico … Maki started twirling her hair around her fingers. Nico raised an eyebrow at that but then went back to sipping grumpily at her cup. But then Honoka's disinterest had squelched the optimism μ's had recovered after remembering the A-Rise bump.

And tonight was their date. Would Nico even remember? The last time, when they'd pulled out of Love Live after Principal Minami questioned their motives, Nico had been sad, and then after Honoka had quit, anger had taken over Nico, fueling her quest to find a way to keep being an Idol. Would that be all Nico would think about now?

Rin and Nico continued to slurp in opposite moods, and Maki could feel Hanayo's knee nudge her under the table. She just shook her head, not wanting to start speculating about anything in front of Nico. Hanayo seemed to understand. "I think it's time we went home, Rin-chan."

Rin bounced up, as happy to be leaving as she had been to be sitting there. Maki continued to be in awe of Rin's ability to bring so much energy to absolutely everything she did. The only time she even paused was when she was half asleep before their first class started, usually only on mornings when rehearsal had been particularly early.

"See you later, Nico-chan, Maki-chan." Rin stopped to hug Nico. "Don't be sad, Nico-chan."

Hugging Nico. Maki couldn't do that in front of people. She wasn't sure if she ever could. But Nico perked up a little.

"Are you ready to go, Maki-chan?" Nico asked, letting her cup drop dramatically.

Maki nodded, still thinking about Rin hugging Nico.

Nico moved at her usual speed and got to the door before Maki. She paused, waiting. Maki stopped in front of her, heart fluttering a bit. When Maki didn't sweep right through, Nico glanced up.

"I … I'll see you tonight, Nico-chan." Maki managed a smile.

Nico hesitated. Maki could see her connecting thoughts, then the full on sun of Nico's charm burst through. "Maki-chan had better be prepared for the best first date ever. No one beats Nico at romance."

Her voice shook a little at the end, which somehow made it even more endearing. Maki laughed at herself and then she felt Nico's hand touch her wrist. Nico's eyes twinkled. "Nico will have to choose her outfit carefully because Maki-chan will be the cutest first date ever."

Cute. Outfit. Clothes. Maki almost broke into a run. You couldn't go on a date in a school uniform and she wasn't asking Kotori for help. Or her mother. How many hours did she have?

NIGHT INTERRUPTED

"It's a group call." Nico looked at Maki, her eyes actually apologetic and not demanding. "You should be in on it too."

Maki shrugged. "I don't mind if you do, but I'm not interested."

Nico snorted, but didn't say anything to Maki and walked several steps away. Maki was still getting used to the sight of Nico in heels and found herself staring. And Nico's skirt was so much shorter than their uniforms. Nico was listening, not paying any attention to Maki at all. Why did Honoka have to be this way now? And why did Nico have to … no, Maki stopped herself, Nico was a person who CARED, that's part of what Maki liked about her, the way Nico, after she let out a few token grumbles about being inconvenienced, would actually make the effort to figure out the solution that made the most people feel better. When Honoka had been sick and injured herself falling and they'd had to drop out of Love Live, Nico had been one of the first to push everyone to think of things that could cheer Honoka up. Always with the Nico Nico Ni and the nudging to smile … wait, Nico was speaking, Maki made sure to listen. Nico wanted to go to Love Live. No surprise there. And then Nico lowered her phone and turned back to Maki, who expected her to launch into a recap of her conversation with the other seven members of μ's. Instead, Nico walked up to Maki.

"That was bad timing. But Nico can roll with it. Ready to go see the movie? Nico made reservations for dinner after so Maki can tell Nico what she thought. Nico enjoys hearing Maki's perspective." Nico winked.

Maki hesitated. Nico was giving her a chance to ignore the recent phone call, but Nico's "roll with it" patter hadn't been convincing. She'd looked away, and Maki could tell that something was bothering her. Maki had decided when she'd joined μ's that trusting Honoka's instincts was the way to go, Honoka seemed to do or say the right thing more often than the wrong - unless it was on a test - and Maki had decided to let the μ's leader lead on all things Idol. Honoka cared, Maki didn't. Nico cared, maybe even more than Honoka, and usually the two were in agreement, but today had changed that equation, and Maki didn't have a solution for the new variables. So she was waiting for a sign from Honoka. And not paying enough attention to a Nico who was now at the tip of her nose, thanks to Nico's heels' inflated height.

Startled, Maki snapped, "You're too tall."

Nico bopped the tip of Maki's nose with hers. "I like this view."

Nico's eyes were so deep and so close. Too close. Maki took a step back and stumbled, Nico chuckled, Maki went red.

"Did Nico scare Maki-chan? Is Maki not used to being that close to a pretty Idol?" Nico offered a hand to steady Maki.

"N … no …" Maki drew herself up to her full height, ignoring Nico's hand, still maybe a centimeter or two taller than Nico, and smoothed her hair back. "I stand next to pretty girls all the time."

Nico pulled her hand back. "Good for Maki-chan." There was a pause and Nico's smile was a straight line. "It must be boring to be out with just one, even if she is the Number One Idol in the World."

Maki's brain starting working on what had gone wrong as Nico turned away. And then a breeze flipped up Nico's skirt and Maki caught a glimpse of … stripes. And then she forgot what she was supposed to be processing. Nico decided to be impatient and turned, eyes glaring.

"Say something, Maki-chan!"

Maki jumped. "Skirt."

Nico frowned and stomped back to Maki. "You are at the top of your class, right? You talk to me every day, right?" Nico really looked into Maki's eyes, and while Maki tried desperately to keep breathing, Nico started to look worried. She walked past Maki, muttering.

"Maybe this was a stupid idea, Nico. Maki-chan is too y…" Nico glanced back over her shoulder as Maki stood there, staring at her. "Nico Ni needs to focus on the Love Live, not be out at night, scaring her j…"

Nico was talking herself out of their date, Maki realized, horrified. Nico, standing there, under a streetlight, beautiful, styled like a model on a magazine cover, bright as a sun, with jewels of eyes that Maki kept getting lost in, was talking herself into thinking Maki was too young for dating. Because Maki was an awkward idiot who could barely look a cute girl in the eye. Maki just leapt, surprising Nico, her hands reaching for Nico's, her momentum pushing Nico back into a tree.

"Maki-chan." Nico's voice was a warning Maki couldn't hear over the physical pounding of her heart in her ears. And then suddenly, the sensation of pressing into Nico's lips roared into her body, as if a charming but lively piano etude you hear from the middle row had been switched for a full symphony housed in Maki's chest, whose crashes and crescendos would melt metal and wood into the forces splitting Maki into pieces.

"Maki ..." Nico's wonder would whisper through every future thought Maki ever had.

MISSED DATE

Nico's phone buzzed. Somehow, they'd moved behind a more private tree and Nico was nearly in Maki's lap.

"Ignore it," Maki grumbled, holding Nico even tighter in a hug.

"Can't," Nico kissed the part of Maki's neck she could reach. "Might be my mom."

Maki sighed and released Nico, vaguely wondering what time it was while Nico grabbed her phone out of Maki's pocket.

"Crud." Nico sounded frustrated.

"What's wrong, Nico-chan? Is it your parents?" Maki leaned into Nico's hair, enjoying the fruity smell and the silky ends tickling her nose. She ran her fingers through it, tracing a line down the back of Nico's neck.

Nico hesitated, blinking. "We missed our dinner reservation. And the movie."

Maki laughed. "I didn't notice. Are you hungry?"

Nico leaned back into Maki's arms. "A little."

Maki stood, lifting Nico and enjoying the spectacle when Nico used the upward momentum to make showy and graceful leap. "French fries are on me."

Nico tilted her head to the side, eyes flashing, reminding Maki that a gauntlet could be thrown at any second. "Nico Ni will allow that tonight."

"Very generous," Maki bowed. She felt like leaping and whirling and shouting. Nico was watching her closely, lips pursed, and Maki could feel a new interest from Nico, a thread of attention that kept wrapping around Maki like a cocoon as Nico observed the redhead. Maki decided to tug on it and twirl and see what would happen.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH" Maki shouted loud enough to startle passers-by across the street, ran to the railing, launched herself up to hang over the railing in the air, landing back on the ground with her biggest grin ever.

Nico shook her head at Maki, unable not to smile at the redhead's antics.

"NNNNNIIIIIICCCCCOOOOOO!" Maki shouted down a tunnel of air, then pushed off, turning to twirl her GIRLFRIEND, and Nico, not balanced perfectly on her heels, stumbled into Maki. Maki was reminded of holding Nico on a rooftop in a different lifetime, uncertain of what anything between them meant. Tonight, as she held Nico, there was no one else's voice in her head, no doubts, no worries, just amazement as two hearts began synching their rhythms.

"Maki." Nico's hand slid into her hair, slipping over her neck, and Maki had never been this awake.

"Yes." Maki knew she would say yes to whatever Nico's perfectly sculpted mouth demanded.

Nico's lips teased around her ear and Maki shivered, nearly wild with new sensations. "Don't let go."

IDOLS ARE FOR ...

Maki leaned forward, hands raised to prop up her chin, amethyst eyes glowing as she watched Nico decide on the best french fry left in the pile. Nico had grumbled a little about the nice restaurant she had planned to take them to, but Maki was perfectly comfortable here, where they spent every Monday afternoon, where Nico always seemed relaxed and at home. The Number One Idol in the Universe's number one fast food choice, Maki thought with a chuckle, composing an impromptu jingle in her head as lively as Nico. Then another, more worrisome thought intruded.

"Nico-chan?"

Nico had just bitten into her fry of choice so couldn't respond, but she did quirk an eyebrow at the worry in Maki's tone.

"You always say 'idols are for everyone ...'" Maki couldn't meet Nico's eyes.

Nico's hands were suddenly under Maki's chin, raising her head so Maki couldn't miss the warmth in the depths of Nico's. Then Nico winked. "Very smart question, Maki-chan, shows you've been paying attention to Nico. And Nico has been thinking about that."

Nico looked so serious. It was an instant switch Maki didn't know that she could ever get used to: A change in thought or posture or light and Nico would suddenly seem so grown up it was breathtaking, even more so than the dazzlingly energetic cuteness. Maki was still, watching Nico, the depth of her blush the only thing shifting as she waited for Nico's answer.

Nico spoke quickly, brooking no argument. "An Idol's job is to make people smile. Nico smiles more when Maki is around, so spending time with Maki makes Nico Ni an even better super Idol. Nico Nico Ni."

A weight was gone as Nico lifted her hands into her signature gesture, winking. Maki laughed. "My super genius Super Idol girlfriend."

"Yep." Nico nodded, grabbing another fry. "Nico will always fix everything."

Maki stared in amazement. She knew that statement couldn't be true, but somehow when she heard Nico say it, it didn't sound like a lie. And Nico had none of her usual tells when she was exaggerating.

"Maki will believe Nico one day, I promise." Nico popped a fry into Maki's mouth before Maki could say anything.

Rude as it might be, Maki found herself answering Nico mid chew. "I … I believe you now."

Now it was Nico's turn to be still. And then Maki's phone went off. Her mom. She smiled at Nico and then answered. "Hello Mama … yes, we're still at the restaurant … no, where we usually meet … yes, we'll be done in 10 minutes … I'll look for the driver." Maki put her phone away. "I … I have to go, Nico-chan."

Nico had pulled out her own phone and sent a text while Maki was talking to her mother. Then she reached out to take Maki's hand. "You're amazing, Maki-chan." Nico's smile was sly, conspiratorial. "Amazing. Nico's best night ever."

Maki blushed, turning away while her grip on Nico's hand got tighter. "See you t … tomorrow, Nico-chan."

"You can bet on it," Nico pulled Maki to her feet and managed to catch her for a quick hug before Maki could pull away. And once Nico was that close, Maki didn't want to pull away, but then she caught the eye of the girl behind the counter and stiffened. Nico giggled and got as close to Maki's ear as she could. "Maki-chan will just have to owe Nico a kiss." And then Nico kept her hand and led her distracted girlfriend to the street level, Maki having tilted headlong into memories of the early part of the evening.

MOOD: HIRT

Maki stormed into the house. Her mother glanced at the clock. Much earlier than usual, probably directly after Muse rehearsal.

"Maki?"

Music started. Al Hirt. Horn-A-Plenty. "Baby Won't You Please Come Home." Music got louder as something heavy thunked into wood. Intervention time.

Maki was pacing the sitting room, nostrils flaring, arms tossing back and forth, muttering. Her mother entered carefully and noticed the object out of place, a small silver rabbit askew in the center of the table. She leaned forward to pick it up. It was the Buccatelli piece Maki had bought for Nico at a small boutique when she had insisted on taking her daughter for a seasonal clothing shopping spree. Maki had been more agreeable than usual, possibly due to the attention Nico paid to fashion, and when she had seen the rabbit and thought Nico would like it, her mother hadn't had the heart to say no. Maki didn't realize how expensive it was, maybe Nico wouldn't … her mother had considered its purchase along the lines of a harmless trinket. Now, it was an exquisitely crafted, slightly dented, seemingly not harmless trinket.

"Maki?"

Maki's stopped, her eyes full of tears. "Why won't Nico take it? Or ever let me buy dinner? Or …"

Maki dropped into a chair, arms on her knees, still crying. Her mother came up behind her, hands on her daughter's shoulders. "What did Nico say?"

"I … it was too expensive. And she couldn't accept it. And she couldn't afford something like that for me." Pause for sobbing. "I don't want something like that. I want Nico to have it." Another pause, with sniffling as the crying slowed, "I can't help it if I shop in different places."

Maki's mother frowned. On the one hand, Nico refusing an expensive gift showed character; on the other, if Nico was too proud to be able to accept that Maki was the heir to a wealthy family, that was not a good thing.

"Do you know anything about Nico's family?"

Wrong question. The crying started again. "S … she never ..." Maki stood suddenly, shaking herself. "It doesn't matter. I gave her a gift to show I cared; she turned it down because she doesn't."

"Maki, I don't think that's true."

Her daughter ignored the rebuttal, stating "I don't care what you do with it" as she left the room.

"Maki, where are you …"

And then the door to the music room slid shut. Emphatically. Question answered. Problem not solved. And worse, Maki's mother knew this was a problem she couldn't solve for Maki. The money was always going to be there; Maki had grown up with a much different standard of living than most of her schoolmates. If Nico couldn't deal with that, it was best to find out now.

DO NOTHING 'TIL YOU HEAR FROM NICO NI

Nico's ringtone. Maki glared at her phone from the bed, where she was leaning back, hugging a small bear dressed like a maid. No, Nico was not going to charm her way out of this, Maki didn't care what she had to say. It was embarrassing … why couldn't she have just taken the rabbit … Maki shook her head, not wanting to remember how she'd stomped away from Nico or how she'd been unable to keep Nico from seeing the tears starting.

Nico kept texting. Maki grabbed her phone before she started to hate Nico's ringtone. And of course, the first text was a smiling picture of Nico, taken wearing the T-shirt Maki had "loaned" her. Then the emoji flood started.

N: (´・＿・`)

N: Maki-chan ＼(￣O￣)

N: (･＿･)( ･_)( ･)( )(･ )(_･ )(･＿･)

N: Nico Ni (ノдヽ) is sorry she upset Maki (ノ﹏ヽ)

M: I AM NOT CRYING!

N: Nico will comfort you (つ´∀｀)つ

M: Or Nico will cause all my nightmares from now on

N: Σ(￣ロ￣lll) Maki needs to have more faith in Nico

M: Nico needs to…

Maki stopped typing. What did Nico need to do?

M: Nico needs to accept that I have better taste than she does ( ´ｰ`)

N: (ʘ言ʘ╬)

Maki laughed.

N: Which is why Maki (´⌣`ʃƪ) Nico ԅ( ˘ω˘ԅ)

M: If you say so

N: ＼( ^∀^ )／

M: Goodnight, Nico-chan.

N: ( ´3｀) Goodnight, Maki-chan. ʕ￫ᴥ￩ʔ

And Maki wondered again, how Nico did that. How did Nico manage to sneak her into Nico-positive moods so often … it was an illusion. Or some kind of magic trick and Maki was the assistant being sawn in half and then put back together to the wonder and amazement of everyone, especially her. Maki took another look at her phone screen, seeing Nico's smile in every emoji. The Number One Idol certainly earned her applause.

MELODY OF THE NIGHT

It was hopeless, Maki knew. She looked at Nico, asleep, snoring, wearing the stupid green cucumber mask, and thought "adorable." To be fair, she also thought "Nico is quiet enough that I can think." And then there was the urge to poke Nico, to wake her, to talk to her … Nico was a taste she was never getting off her lips.

Maki stepped out of the tent, walking to where they'd been sitting in front of the fire together. Together. Nico's frustration at not being able to do anything to get the song written for the preliminaries had eased. Nico's wounded pride and her snarky attitude about Maki's supposed snootiness had dissipated. There had been nothing but the night and a fire and the two of them and Nico's honesty, Nico's humility, puncturing Maki's own swell of ego. See cute girl, start acting clever, that was the Nishikino Maki default. But Maki never caught herself before she'd reached an embarrassing level of stupid and/or clumsy. Nico had seen through to Maki's real problem with the song they needed and helped. And Maki had started to hear a trace of a seed of a melody, and then Nico had offered her a potato. Which seemed to represent a weightier thing than food, especially when Nico had gratefully accepted Maki's offer to share. No, it wasn't a sterling silver rabbit. Or even dinner at a restaurant that had earned any Michelin stars. But it was a moment, Nico's fingers warm and lingering on Maki's, Nico's eyes lacking their usual squint of suspicion.

There had been a melody …

ANOTHER NIGHT BY THE FIRE

A long day of practice; the song done; dinner cooked; and Maki and Nico were sitting once again by a fire, the rest of Muse puttering around the cottage or in the bath.

"I thought you'd rather be in the cottage," Maki prodded as Nico shivered a little.

"Be quiet you," Nico growled playfully. "Nico Ni is going to show you how to roast marshmallows."

Maki took one arm out of her track jacket and wrapped its warmth around Nico, pulling the smaller girl close as Nico punctured two marshmallows with two sticks. Nico handed her a stick and leaned in, bouncing her own marshmallow above the flames. "Black means you should have taken it out 30 seconds ago," Nico laughed as she bumped into Maki's side.

Maki nodded, eyes intent on the white blob as she lowered it toward the flames. Nico watched, completely distracted by the writing-a-symphony levels of concentration Maki was bringing to the task.

"Nico-chan, your's is on fire."

"What?" Nico leapt up, her marshmallow a flare against the night, and Maki fell back off the stool, dislodged by Nico's panic. Her marshmallow was now browned, but by earth, not fire.

Nico muttered as she ripped the ruined marshmallow off the stick, throwing it back to the flames and bending to dig another one out of the bag. Maki pulled Nico to her feet, laughing, while she hugged the grumbling idol. "Let's call it a night, Nico-chan."

"Nico is not done instructing Maki."

Maki refused to let go as Nico started to struggle. "I can carry you inside, you know."

Nico huffed, arms crossed over her chest.

"There are very very good macarons inside, totally meeting the standards of your top idols. I ordered them myself." Maki leaned into Nico and whispered in her ear. "Very sweet."

Maki's voice was somehow softness and provocation twined in one breath.

"How sweet?" Nico turned inside Maki's arms, her hands sliding up Maki's shoulders.

Maki leaned in to the invitation, her kiss tender. "Not as sweet as this, but …"

Nico grinned. "Guess we'd better put out the fire then."

RULE BREAKERS NOT ALLOWED

Holding hands. They were just holding hands. Nico had actually smiled at both Maki and the cottage when they left and not responded at all to Nozomi's teasing about maybe coming back alone with Maki some day. She'd just shrugged and grabbed Maki's hand, pulling the younger girl along to the bus stop. So now they were walking together and Maki was leaning a little into Nico and Nico was laughing and it was the nicest time Maki had ever had on a μ's trip. And then Eli had decided to ruin the moment, pushing between the two of them, while at the same time Rin raced up to Maki and wrapped her in what Rin thought was a fun hug but might qualify as a death grip for people not Rin.

"Don't get too cozy, you two. Remember Nico, you're sitting with me." Eli threw her arm around Nico's shoulder while Nozomi giggled.

"Lucky Nico-chi."

And then Rin nearly pulled Maki to the ground. "And I've got Maki-chan. There's a new game I want to play and Kayo-chin is gonna check Idol sites."

Maki glanced at Nico for help. Nico shook her head but winked at Maki. Shaking off Eli, her bag thrown over her shoulder, Nico grabbed both of Maki's hands. "Let her go, Rin. The rule is only no sitting together, not no holding hands on the way. She's all mine 'til the bus gets here." Nico smirked. "And no peeking."

Rin's jaw and hands dropped at Nico's boldness, and the Number One Idol took advantage, pulling Maki down the road.

"W … what … wait, Nico-chan?!"

FLOWERS FROM AN IDOL

A-Rise. Maki had stopped on the way home from UTX and bought an A-Rise poster just to destroy it. A-Rise. Flowers. Kira Tsubasa. Flowers from a flustered Nico. Flowers for years from Nico.

Ripping the poster into tiny tiny pieces was a very satisfying feeling. And then the Nico tone went off.

N: ≧❀‿❀≦

Nope. Another rip. Not happening.

N: (◕︿◕✿)

No.

N:(人εﾟ●)（／．＼）

Did Nico have days when the only words she spoke or typed was her name? Was everything else an emoji? Did she think in keyboard combos?

M: No. Text A-Rise.

M: Not that I care ⋋_⋌

N: Maki is the cutest idol ever…

"After Nico," Maki muttered to herself.

N: After Nico Ni (✿ヘᴥヘ). Which is why Nico likes to see Maki smile ≖‿≖

Clever. Guess Nico noticed Maki rarely went beyond 3 characters.

N: ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ (ʘ‿ʘ)ノ✿

Maki had a sudden image of Nico running to her house, throwing flowers.

And then there was the doorbell.

Maki looked at her buzzing phone.

N: (￣▽￣)ノ(ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ乁༼ ‿ ✿༽ㄏ

Maki's mother opened the door to a smiling Nico, holding a box with a bouquet and a flower pot. She heard Maki thundering down the stairs, then silence, then Maki popped up behind her, slightly out of breath.

"Good afternoon, Nishikino-sama. I apologize for the intrusion but I wanted to talk to Maki-chan. The bouquet is for you." Nico bowed.

"Thank you, Nico. They're lovely. I'll find a vase." Maki's mother smiled at her daughter as she left. "I'm sure Maki will take care of you."

"Hey, Maki-chan! Nico Ni is here to make your afternoon better."

Maki had leaned down, examining the shrub in the pot, curious, but the waxy green leaves offered no clue.

"It's a camellia. If you plant it and take care of it, they'll be blooms in the Spring." Nico paused, her voice cracking a little with nervousness. "I'd like us to keep an eye on it together."

Maki pushed her hands into her sides, knowing that if she reached out to take the box from Nico, they would shake.

Nico pushed the box into her stomach abruptly anyway, and Maki only nearly almost dropped it. Nico's voice sounded rushed. "Nico wanted to give Maki-chan something that would last more than a week or two."

Maki hugged the box and the camellia wobbled. "Nico-chan..."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Nico waved.

"Wait, Nico-chan. Do you know how to plant it?" Maki shifted the box to under her right arm.

Nico snorted. "Don't you have a gardener?"

Maki nodded but reached out a hand for Nico anyway. "We can do this together if you help me."

Nico looked on the verge of tears for a flash, but then smirky confidence poured out of her mouth. "Maki can't manage without Nico Ni. No surprise there."

Maki decided Nico was smug enough. "How do you manage to talk without emojis?"

Nico grinned at Maki and threw her hands in the air, bringing them to her temples as she smirked.

Maki turned away, shaking her head at having given Nico such an easy cue, still hugging the pot.

The sun was starting to go down. They'd gotten grubby, but it had been fun to dig in the sun. Nico kept suggesting the plant looked tilted, but Maki didn't see it. Nico stood up, brushing dirt off the gray shorts she'd borrowed from Maki. They hung down to her knees and she'd had to pull the drawstring to its max to get them to stay up. It was adorable, Maki thought.

"Good job, Maki-chan," Nico winked, clapping her hands to get the dirt off. Then she cocked her head, "Although, Nico still worr …"

"It's perfect, Nico-chan." Maki pulled the smaller girl into a hug.

Nico leaned back into Maki, enjoying the contact. "If Maki-chan says so."

Maki grinned, happy that Nico was in such an agreeable mood. "Let's get cleaned up." She pulled Nico toward the door. "You can stay for dinner."

Nico stopped and let Maki's hand slip out of hers. "Nico can't stay."

"It'll be all right, Nico-chan. My mom won't mind; she can call your parents …"

Nico rubbed her cheek, leaving a smudge of dirt. She didn't look at Maki. "Nico will have dinner another day, Maki-chan, I promise. I have to go. Nico is sorry." And then Nico did it, bounced out her brightest, "Nico Nico Ni!" before bounding past Maki into the house.

Maki's mood crashed. She watched Nico enter the house, afraid if she followed, she'd say something to bring back the friction. But here she was again, still frustrated by how little she knew about Nico, how little Nico would tell her about anything that wasn't school- or idol-related, anything that was Nico-related. Maki knew Nico's favorite tastes - sweets - which Idol groups she preferred - A-Rise, grrrr - favorite color - pink - but not anything about her mother or father or even how long it took Nico to walk to school. Or did Nico take the train?

Her mother opened the door, "Maki?"

"Yes, Mama?"

"Is Nico staying for dinner?"

Maki inhaled, trying to borrow calm from the plants around her, willing herself not to tear up. "No."

"Come in and say goodbye, then." Maki's mother watched her for a moment, wanting to say something, Maki knew, but then she just opted for a gentle smile and went back inside.

ANSWERS?

Maki was still running through the scene in her mind, Nico's apartment, how small it was, Nico's siblings, how many there were, Nico's face … how lost she looked, and how determined. And how tired. Everything that was Nico about Nico had been there. Except the smile. There had been no smiles.

Why hadn't she told Maki the truth? Or her siblings? Or anyone. What was her mom like? What happened now? Sure, Honoka had a plan, but …

"MAKI," Tackled by Rin would be the cause listed on her death certificate, Maki thought. She shoved Rin off, but Rin just continued bobbing along next to Maki. Hanayo hadn't caught up yet.

"We're going to fix Nico, right?" Rin whooped.

"It's not that easy, Rin."

"But Honoka has a plan," Rin persisted, poking Maki in the ribs.

"HANAYO!" Maki yelped. Hanayo hustled between Rin and Maki.

"Rin-chan, let's not …"

"But we want to help, Nico-chan, Kayo-chin." Rin's brows started to lower. Hanayo glanced at Maki, who was accelerating her steps.

"I'm sure Maki does too, Rin-chan." Then Hanayo's voice dropped to a whisper Maki couldn't hear. Rin sighed.

"But I care about Nico too, Kayo-chin." Rin strode up to Maki and pulled on her arm. "Kayo-chin doesn't want me to say anything, but you'd better talk to Nico. She needs someone."

Maki stared at her friend. Of course she knew Nico needed someone. But Nico had to … Maki frowned at Rin, repeating herself. "It's not that easy, Rin."

"Yes, it is." Rin's face darkened. "She's our friend."

Maki was getting angry, and Rin didn't deserve that. Probably. She looked at Hanayo, who seemed sad, and then back at a Rin who was on the verge of losing her temper.

Rin hadn't expected Maki's voice to be so mild. "I know her better than you do, Rin." And then Maki zoomed off.

Maki had stopped to sit on a bench and think before she went home. Surely her mother would want to know why she was so late. And yes, Maki wanted her mother's perspective on Nico, but she wanted a few more minutes to consider her own.

Phone. Nozomi.

N: Eli and I working on Nico's costume. Have you called her?

Maki considered. Nozomi was almost as persistent as Nico and not nearly as easy to squelch as Rin. Plus, unlike Hanayo with Rin, Eli was never a voice of reason when it came to Nozomi. So best to leave things ambiguous.

M: Not yet.

N: What are you going to say Σ(ﾟДﾟ；

Maki glanced at the emoji, critical. Nico would have put something else there, something pushy. Or with a heart or a wink. Nico-chan...

M: Finish the costume, Nozomi. I'll see you tomorrow.

Maki put her phone away. Time to head home.

Tea was easy. Maki had practiced that skill. Although Nico often teased her, yes, she could boil water. Her mother enjoyed it when she brought a pot of tea in for them to share. But right now, Maki didn't feel like playing the piano, so tea was also something to do with her hands.

Her mother walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find her daughter at the stove.

"You're home late, Maki. Did something happen?"

Maki waited until she poured the boiling water into the kettle, then put two cups on the table. "Nico skipped practice today, so we …" Maki paused, realizing how sketchy this part sounded, "ALL followed her."

"Oh." Maki's mother took a seat.

Maki met her mother's worried glance. "She's been …" Maki found herself reluctant to use so accusatory a word about the protectively complex folds of Nico's armor of self defense, "lying."

Maki let the word hang in the air, then continued. Her mom didn't react at all.

"Nico's dad died when she was young, her mom works a lot, and she takes care of her sisters and brother."

Maki pulled out the chair, but then shoved it right back, jarring the table. "Why didn't she tell me? Why won't she let m … anyone help her?"

Maki's mom carefully poured out the tea, speaking evenly. "Maybe Nico is afraid if she starts to rely on people, it'll be worse if they go away. Didn't her first Idol group …"

Maki's voice was sharp. "That isn't μ's."

"No, but it is Nico's experience. And her dad … well, it's not the best way to put it, but he left too."

"I won't go anywhere." Maki had turned away, her voice low but determined, not meant to be overheard.

Watching her daughter, Nishikino-sama decided changing the tack of the conversation was best. "What did the rest of Muse think?"

"After we finished being angry, Honoka came up with a plan. Everyone's working on their part." Maki sat, staring into the steam rising from her tea.

"Do you think Honoka's plan will help?"

"Honoka's plans always work."

"Good." Nishikino-sama took a sip. "It sounds like Nico has good friends."

Maki nodded.

Maki hesitated at the thought of calling Nico. But leaving Nico alone with her thoughts to stew didn't seem wise either. Some way to offer support that didn't require a reply if Nico wasn't in the mood?

M: Goodnight, Nico-chan (.づ◡﹏◡)づ Get some sleep.

Maki was nearly asleep when her phone vibrated with a response almost an hour later.

N: (＞ロ＜)ゝ

WALKING MY BABY BACK HOME

Maki was still getting used to seeing miniature versions of Nico bouncing around the school. Cotarou was very quiet and watchful, Cocoro curious, and Cocoa asked everyone questions, at least until Rin challenged her to race to the alpacas. Nico had seemed a little dubious about that until Hanayo volunteered to supervise.

Nico had taken Cocoro and Cotarou into the clubroom with her as she changed. Maki waited respectfully outside the door. So many of her questions about Nico had now been answered, and Maki found herself reviewing what had been revealed about Nico over the last twenty-four hours, fitting siblings, single mom, deceased father into the picture, lighting some of the darker corners. Even more impressive.

Nico bounded out of the clubroom but pulled up when she saw Maki standing there.

"Maki-chan?"

Maki cleared her throat, smiling at Cocoro and Cotarou. "C … can I walk you home, Nico-chan? And it's not Monday, but maybe your siblings would like to stop for a snack?"

Nico tilted her head, considering. Cocoro was watching Maki in a way Maki could only read as suspiciously, and Cotarou grabbed Nico's hand possessively. She patted him on the head.

"Nico would like to keep some things just for Nico." Maki looked down to the ground, disappointed. But then she heard Nico giggle. "But we could get juice when Maki's walking us home."

Maki felt like her chest was swelling with a sudden burst of joy. Nico squeezed her hand as she led Cotarou past. "Let's go see if Cocoa beat Rin-chan."

"How fast is Rin-chan?" Cocoro asked seriously.

"Probably as fast as a slow person on a bicycle," Maki decided. Cocoro's response was a different look, one that seemed to doubt that Maki had heard the question correctly. Nico gently bumped Maki's side, grinning. Make Nico happy, check.

They'd picked up juice and walked until they were at a park that Nico said was a Yazawa favorite. Nico had sent her siblings to play on the swings and climbing jungle and sat next to Maki on the bench, their hands touching.

Maki got tired of thinking about the right thing to say and just opened her mouth. "I'm glad I finally met your family. They really are your biggest fans." Maki hesitated, and then brought Nico's hand into her lap, clasping it in both of hers. "I am too."

Maki watched Nico's profile as it went like quicksilver through emotions from melancholy to joy, until Nico had settled back on cocky. Then she turned to look at Maki, eyebrow quirked, ruby depths mischievous. "Nico knows."

Maki laughed, raising Nico's hand to kiss it. "Of course, Nico does. Is there anything Nico doesn't?"

"Will Maki stay for dinner once we get home?"

"Is Nico cooking?"

"Whatever Maki wants."

Maki sighed, "Can you convince Cocoro I won't sell the paparazzi secrets of the Number One Idol? She keeps glaring at me."

"Maki knows Nico's secrets?" Nico took her hand back in faux shock, dramatically posing with it over her heart.

Maki glanced at the children, who were distracted by Cocoa trying to get high enough on the swing to jump off, and then leaned in to peck a quick kiss on Nico's cheek. "Maki knows everything she needs to."