#maki is nozoeli's child

[eserenityyyy]

The Same Old Lily

A/N: Another one of my older fics...

Ao3 Link

Rating: General Audiences

Fandom: Love Live! School Idol Project

Pairings: Nozomi Toujou/Eli Ayase, Nico Yazawa/Maki Nishikino, Alisa Ayase/Yukiho Kousaka

Words: 2008

Summary: Maki finds a letter in her parents’ bedroom.

Maki was contented with her life. She was a successful doctor and a part-time musician too. Though she barely had any time for herself, she was happy.

One night, when she was walking home, she received a call.

Hello, Maki-chan? It was Yukiho, wife of her mother’s sister.

“Yukiho-san? What can I help you with at this time? It’s already past 11 pm”

Just wanted to check if you’re fine. I knew you would go home this late. So, how are you doing?

“I’m perfectly fine, don’t worry about me.” Her voice had a hint of tiredness in it.

Your voice tells me otherwise though.

While still holding her phone, she opened the door of her house with her free hand. She removed her shoes and proceeded to the living room. She slumped on her couch and put down her bag.

“I’m just tired from work Yukiho-san”

If you say so. Just be sure to take care of yourself alright?

“Yes, yes. Is that all?”

Actually… I have news for you.

“What is it?

It’s about your mom. Her condition’s not getting any better. We’re convincing her to stay at a hospital but she doesn’t really want to. She said she wants you to be the one to check her. She wants you to be the one to cure her… so I was hoping if you could make time to visit Eli-san? You’re the one she really needs right now.

At this point, Maki started to tremble and tears fell down from her tired eyes.

Maki was contented with her life. She was a successful doctor and a part-time musician too. Though she barely had any time for herself, she was happy.

But how could she forget her mother? Eli, her mother, who was the reason why she wanted to be a doctor. Eli, her mother, who moved to Alisa and Yukiho’s house so she wouldn’t be a burden to her while she was studying. Eli, her mother, who she promised to cure when she becomes a doctor. Eli, her mother, who was dying.

Maki-chan? Are you still there?

“Damn it, how could I forget her… I hate myself.”

Don’t hate yourself Maki-chan, Eli-san understands your busy schedule... I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you again.

“Please tell her I’m sorry. I’ll be going there in a few days. I need to complete my research about her condition first. Tell her I love her too…”

Alright. Then see you Maki-chan! We need to get rest now.

“Okay, thank you Yukiho-san”

Maki didn’t sleep a wink that night. She spent her time finishing her research about Eli’s rare condition. She was hurrying. She was running out of time.

She was breaking down. She hated herself for forgetting her mother. She became so absorbed in becoming a doctor that she forgot why she was doing it in the first place.

She went to her parents’ old room. Their things were still in there. It still smelt of Eli. She inhaled and relished the soothing smell as she walked to the bed. She sat there, clutching her mother’s pillow. She cried. She cried her heart out. She was missing her mother so much. She was missing her calming voice, her comforting smile.

She tilted her head to the side to breathe and something caught her eyes. On the bedside table was a baby blue envelope. She took and turned it around. Two words were beautifully handwritten,

My Love

She recognized the neat handwriting, it was her mother’s.

She opened the envelope and found a purple card folded in half. She opened it and read the letter.

My darling Non-tan,

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I’m missing you so much.

Do you remember the time when we first met? Yes, it was that time after school, at the staircase. You called out to me out of nowhere and introduced yourself. Back then, I thought you were just like the others who fussed over me because of my hair and eyes. But as the days passed by, you proved me wrong. You were different. You became the best friend I ever had. You told me I never have to be alone anymore, and yes, you made sure I wasn’t alone. You were always there for me.

Do you remember the time when I found out that you were living alone? Yes, it was some time before the end of our first year in high school. You insisted that you were fine, but I didn’t think so. Ever since then, I regularly came over to visit you.

Do you remember the time when we first got together? Yes, it was the day that we were proclaimed as the student council president and vice president. After my speech, you dragged me into the student council room. You told me you have something to talk about and I was alarmed. I was worried. I thought you’ll have to move away again to live with your parents. Then you held my hand and said, What’s with that look, Elichi? I’m not going anywhere. I was in awe. It was like you were reading my mind. Oh, but it has always been like that hasn’t it? You knew me like an open book. You understood me. You intertwined our fingers and whispered your love to me. I was so flustered and surprised that I wasn’t able to say anything back, and I embraced you instead. You accepted the embrace and we were like that for a while, until you pulled away. That’s not a proper answer, Elichi. You pouted. I fell in love with you more. I leaned on you and put my forehead on yours and said, I love you too for the first time. But it really wasn’t the first, was it? I made sure to tell you I love you in my own little ways, in my actions. Ever since then, I would always give you a lily to represent my love.

Do you remember the time when you gave me five more people to love? Yes, it was the day that we joined Muse. I was really happy. I enjoyed every minute with them. Of course, with you too. Being in Muse brought me to a lot of places I’ve never been in. Being with Muse made me experience all sorts of things that I won’t be able to if you didn’t push me to join. I love everyone in Muse, but I love you the most.

Do you remember the time when we first moved in together? Yes, it was our first year in college. You often laughed at me every time we went to grocery because of all the chocolates I get. I just couldn’t help it, you know? Being with you under the same roof was a whole new experience again. I got to see your face the moment I open my eyes every morning, and every night before I close my eyes to sleep. It was a dream come true, you could say, to be living together with a goddess as beautiful as you. But it wasn’t enough.

Do you remember the time when I asked you to marry me? Yes, it was that night when your parents came home to visit you. I asked you to marry me in front of them. I pushed through, despite of the embarrassment that I felt. I almost cried when you weren’t saying anything, until you broke down. I held you in my arms, and felt tears rushing out of your eyes as you mumbled yes. I held you tighter, never wanting to let you go.

Do you remember the time when we were made as one? Yes, it was our wedding day. I was in tears, seeing my goddess walking down the aisle with the happiest expression she ever had. You were holding a bouquet of lilies almost as beautiful as you. It was then that I told myself that I won’t ever let you go. I will love you endlessly.

Do you remember the time when our little family of two became three? Yes, it was the day when you gave birth to our Maki. We were the happiest couple. We made sure to take good care of her. We made sure that she’d always feel loved. We made sure that she would never have to be alone. We love her so much.

Do you remember the time when you told me you were going home from work? Yes, it was the day before your birthday. I was with Maki at home, helping her with her homework. You called me to say you were going home... but you didn't.

Next thing I knew, I was carrying Maki in my arms, holding a bouquet of lilies, and you were going down the ground.

I was frustrated, why did you have to leave me that early? We promised to grow old together, didn’t we? How am I supposed to take care of our daughter alone? I was breaking down. Would I be able to live without you?

But I guess everything happens for a reason.

I took care of Maki. It was hard. There were times that I felt like giving up. But I became strong for her, because I knew that you were always watching over us. I made sure she feels our love, just like we promised. She’s all grown up now. She just became a successful doctor. I am very much proud of her, and I’m sure you are too. I heard she’s even courting a girl named Nico too. I heard she always gives her flowers, and guess what kind of flower? Yes, it’s the same old lily.

Do you remember the time when you told me I never have to be alone anymore? I guess it’s time to return the favor. I’ll see you soon, my love. I love you so much.

Yours forever,

Eli

Tears fell like waterfalls from Maki’s eyes. She loved her parents so much, even though she could barely remember Nozomi. Eli would always tell her stories though, and she loved every minute of it.

She got up and rushed out of her house, her parents’ house. She ran to Alisa and Yukiho’s, where her mother was. There were no trains or cabs anymore so she had no choice. She didn’t even care that she was only wearing a t-shirt and pants in the cold weather. She didn’t even care that she had no shoes on. All she could think about was her mother.

She arrived at their house.

But she was a bit too late.

Eli passed away just minutes ago.

Maki came to her and embraced her. She held onto her as tightly as she could. She whispered ‘mom’ over and over again, like doing so would make her alive.

She buried her face into Eli’s shoulder. “I’m sorry mom, I’m so sorry…”

It was then that she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up to see who it was. It was Alisa. She gave her a piece of dark pink paper.

“Onee-chan wrote this for you before she passed away. I think you shouldn’t be sorry, she’s happy now with Nozomi-san.”

She read the letter.

My dearest Maki,

By the time you read this, I may have already passed away. And knowing you, you must’ve been feeling guilty. Don’t be sorry, my daughter. I understand your reasons for not being able to be with me in my last breaths. I want to say I am so proud of you and I love you so much.

Don’t worry about me too, I’ll be with your mama in a short while. I’m sorry I couldn’t wait for you before I pass away. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I miss her so much. Just remember that we’ll always love you, Maki, and we’ll always be watching over you.

Eli

PS. Make sure to give lilies to your girl, it’ll keep her to you. It worked with your mom.

[lonelypond]

Parent Trap, Ch. 8

NicoMaki, NozoEli, Love Live, 3K, 8/?

A chapter full of conversations.

And We Talk

Clack...clack, light but solid, bamboo striking bamboo, Nico sliding closer to Umi, the pace of her blows picking up, as Umi manuevered her sword to parry, easily absorbing the increasingly frantic energy Nico forced into each strike. Sensing Nico’s flagging stamina, Umi dropped to one knee, rising with a strike that forced Nico to block behind her, Umi’s blade sliding off, and Nico leaping into a overhand strike, which Umi parried and then forced Nico’s sword down.

“So are you going to tell me now why you’re paying me three times my normal rate to choreograph a fight scene for you.”

Nico stepped back, freeing her sword, then attacking again, sliding forward, dodging to the side, pushing back, but found Umi always there to calmly parry.

“It’s like a dance.” Nico struck Umi’s sword rapidly and repeatedly as she slid to the right, then pushed forward, Umi responding to each movement.

“Perhaps.” Umi held up a hand, “Let’s take a water break.”

“If you need one. Nico’s fine.”

Umi raised an eyebrow at the obvious sweat rolling down Nico’s face. Nico scowled as she swiped a forearm over her forehead. “It’s hot in here.”

“You were too hasty. I prefer to work at half speed to perfect techniques.”

“Nico needed a workout.”

Umi chuckled, “My training dummy rates are much cheaper than even my stunt choreography hourly.”

Nico grabbed her water bottle, “Ha! Nico will pay both.”

Umi watched, concerned. She didn’t know Nico that well, but something was obviously disturbing her. Nico sat on the bench, slumping forward, head hanging down, more than physical exhaustion weighting her.

“Hypothetically…” Nico began.

“Yes?”

“Let’s say you were a guy and you found out you had a child you didn’t know about.” Nico glanced up, her ruby eyes challenging Umi to flinch, but Umi remained solid. “What would you do?”

“Everything I could to help the mother.”

“Just like that.”

Umi shrugged, “If I had a child, I would have had a committed relationship with the mother of the child. If she chose not to include me at first, but then later reached out, that does nothing to change my responsibility as a parent or my affection as a…” Umi stumbled, Nico leaned forward, curious. Umi had always been almost prudish about her relationship with Kotori, “a former paramor.”

“No one night stands.”

“No.”

Nico raised her water bottle in a salute.

“Is this about Maki?”

“I thought you didn’t spend time on TWIG?”

“Kotori does.”

“Nico knew that. What does she think?”

“You never looked like you had baby weight. And she wants to design you a dress.”

“We’ll talk. And not hypothetically, like Nico’s question.”

Umi did a slow sword sequence as she considered how to continue the conversation. “What does this hypothetical guy want?”

“Romance, love, being there...the complete package. ” Nico was slumped again.

“Can’t Maki be part of the complete package?”

Nico glared. “It’s not that easy. Everything’s backwards. Nico’s backwards.”

Umi, not letting Nico look away, went through a series of movements that made Umi look like a river rolling along in its bed, graceful, surging, continuing. “Some things are just natural, Nico.”

“Not with everyone who has a phone and the TWIG app watching.”

Umi settled into ready pose. “So close the app. Step off the stage. Seize the opportunity.”

Nico had her sword in both hands, “Opportunity?”

“Yes.”

“Nico’s not sure. Last time Nico checked it was a locked door. No knocking. No open window. No welcome mat.”

“And you gave up?" Umi chuckled, "Doesn’t sound like Nico.”

“No.” Nico slid into attack position, shoulders squared. “It doesn’t.”

And the dance began.

###

Nico was showered, locked in the Ayase-Tojo spare room, and ready to get back into the conversation. Texting. Sexting. Remind Maki of the good things. The sexy things. The fun things. The Nico things.

N: Nico misses seeing your nightly pajama snaps.

M: Dia’s been throwing up all day.

So sexting out, sympathetic in. At least Maki was texting. And mentioning Dia instead of aggressively avoiding the name.

N: Can Nico help?

M: Don’t distract me while I’m trying to watch a using your washing machine tutorial. Laundry is not in the nanny’s job description.

N: You don’t know how to do laundry...it’s easy, open the lid, put the clothes in, put detergent somewhere, push a few buttons. Most laundry machines are super instructive.

M: I have to be careful. It’s Dia’s things. Mama didn’t pack enough for throwing up. And Dia threw up in the bag. She didn’t like the car ride. Or lunch.

N: Is she allergic to something? Are you keeping her hydrated?

M: I know how to take care of my daughter.

N: Right, Dr. Maki.

M: ಠಿ_ಠ

N: I’m sure the laundry will be fine. Text Nico sometime (ɔˆ ³(ˆ⌣ˆc)

M: (🖒^^)b

###

Maki had finally gotten Dia to sleep, put on some Chopin, and collapsed into the couch when there was a thud at the door. She pulled herself up by the couch arm to see Raye standing there, coat and hat on, headphones off for once, and her backpack on the floor.

“My ride’s here.” Raye announced.

“Your ride?”

“Dr. Nishikino agreed that I could take my month’s leave now.”

“What do you mean?” The panic in her own voice was grating.

Raye made a skutching noise, “I’m a live in nanny in Chicago, with a personal chef on call, not a Cheesehead hostage eating frozen pizza two meals a day.” An eyeroll and a gesture toward upstairs,”I said goodbye to Dia.”

“You can’t leave...I don’t…”

“You’ll be okay, Maki. You’re a mom. Moms know what to do.”

Was there some kind of Mom superpowers that kicked in when you were alone with your child? Maki had never been alone with Dia without someone in shouting distance. Everyone she trusted was five hours away.

###

#Nico was trending. Just #Nico, not #ThatKillerSmile. Pics of her and Umi sparring, Nico’s kiss on Umi’s cheek when she said goodbye...whoever took that had a top tier zoom lens. Influencers were reposting older pics.

Nico’s phone pinged. Tsubasa. Nico picked up.

“Hey, how’s the tour?”

“Finished. Back in Chicago. Throwing a rave Wednesday. Drop by.”

“Nico will be in bed by six. Shooting for the video the next day.”

“Too bad. You could have brought Maki and hung out with Honoka.”

“Oh, Honoka, huh?”

“Yeah, she’s great. We’re really having fun. And no pressure.”

“Good for you. But Maki’s in Wisconsin anyway. Staying away from snap crazy stalkers.”

“Oh.”

That was a tone.

“Oh?”

“That’s the other reason I called. Some PR firm offered A-Rise a lot of money to boost pics of you with anyone but Maki on TWIG.”

Nico felt her lip rise in a sneer as suspicions started to gather. “That’s why Nico’s trending.”

“Probably.”

“Do you know who?”

“I texted Cocoro their name. Turns out they represent, among other clients, the Nishikino Medical Group.”

A shrewd, calculated move. Nico was impressed. And livid. But red hot anger wouldn’t do her any good now. She needed to counter. Or ignore. But she definitely needed to make sure Maki wasn’t thinking she was out there swinging for new partners.

“Nico?”

“Sorry, Nico was thinking. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Anything I can do?”

“Cameo in That Killer Smile.”

“You got it. Just not too early in the day. But think about coming to the party. You need some fun too.”

“Maybe Nico will take a nap.”

“Not much else to do with Maki in Wisconsin. Bet you have some good visuals though.” Tsubaba's tone was a conspiracy invitation.

Nico's reply was curt. “We’re done.”

Tsubasa laughed as the call cut.

One, disrespectful. Two, Nico didn’t need to be reminded of how Maki blew everyone else off the hot curve. Nico had to scheme.

###

Lilo and Stitch for the fifth time that day. Maki was about to claw off her ears.

“NICO!”

The Nico cries had stopped until this last viewing. Maki could see Dia was getting tired and cranky. Maki was also getting tired and cranky. Maki checked the time. One a.m. She should have never let Nico get into the habit of singing Dia a lullaby over the phone.

“SING!”

“Nico’s asleep, bun.”

Dia jumped off the couch and raced to the door, “Nico!”

Repetitive firmness was a necessity with Dia. Never retreat from a decision. “It’s time for sleeping, Dia. Nico’s asleep. You should be asleep. Mama is tired.” Talking about herself in the third person. Sure sign of exhaustion. “C’mon, Dia, let’s get your pajamas on and put you in bed.”

“Tsuki!”

Tsuki had fallen behind the couch, Maki picked her up, and Dia ran to grab her, then screamed “Nico Nico Ni!” right in Maki’s face. It took all of Maki’s remaining self control not to react to the volume. She picked up Dia, did a quick visual check of Dia's clothes to make sure there weren’t any closures that might interfere with sleep, grabbed her laptop with her other hand, and marched upstairs. She put Dia down gently, taking extra care not to let her frustration turn into excess energy that would unsettle Dia further.

“Nico!” The demands were getting weaker, Dia would sleep soon if she didn’t kick into tantrum gear.

“We’re going to call her, bun. Just let Mama set this up.”

Maki flipped up her laptop, moved the EFF.org sticker, hit video call. Nico sounded sleepy and had some kind of green goop on her face. Maki just stared for a minute. Nico did the weirdest, cutest things.

“Maki? What’s wrong?”

Maki woke up from her imagining what it would be like to spend the night in Nico's arms, what the green goop would smell like. Avocado probably. “Sing to Dia.”

“What? Did something happened?” Wide awake Nico.

Maki could hear Dia pulling herself up on the crib rail, “NICO!”

“Hi Dia.” Nico waved.

“Look, just sing, make sure she doesn’t fall out of the crib, and text me if she’s not settling down.” Maki let her face relax, knowing she looked exhausted, “I just need a few minutes.”

“Okay, Nico’s on it”

Maki remembered the earlier part of the day. “No Elvis.”

“What?” Nico shook her head, sitting up, setting her phone on her nightstand, “Never mind, just text Nico sometime.”

“Okay.”

“Nico’s got this. Get some air.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanks for calling Nico. I missed seeing your face. Now go look at some stars.” Nico smiled. “Hi Dia. Your pretty mama is going to go look at stars and Nico’s going to teach you her new song.”

“Sing!”

“That’s right. You’re Nico’s first audience. So pay attention.”

Dia had settled back down. Maki put the laptop at a level where Dia could see Nico through the crib bars and as Nico started singing, backed quietly out of the room.

###

Stars. Inhale. Cold air. No sense of time passing. Maki half dozing, maybe actually asleep for an hour or two. Nico was keeping an eye on Dia. That was a calming thought. Was that good? Maki realized she only had vague panic flashes of her last IRL encounter with Nico, Eli calling and saying something about Nozomi and paperwork and then fear kicking in. Maki didn’t have the mental bandwidth for any news that might trigger another explosion of emotion so talking to Eli was going to have to be another day thing. She reached into her pocket for her phone, to check notifications. A message from her mother, probably about Raye; Eli, not going to deal with that now; and Honoka. Maki hit play.

“Hey, Maki! Tsubasa’s throwing a huge party and invited you and Nico. So you should really come. It’ll be so much fun. Tsubasa’s gonna have a private karaoke room, and an entire arcade and the best DJ in the world. We gotta hang out.”

Party? Why hadn’t Nico mentioned it? Maki flicked over to TWIG, searching #NICO...Nico kissing Umi on the cheek, Nico with her arms around a group of scantily dressed women, Nico at a concert, leaning down into the crowd, Nico writing her phone number on a barista’s stomach…

Maki hit call, “What the hell are you doing?’

Nico sounded sleepy. “Maki?!!?!”

“Yes, Maki, your girlfriend, not that that barista would know that when she called you.”

“What barista? Maki, what’s going on? I just got Dia to sleep. She’s so cute.”

“We got invited to a party and you didn’t tell me.”

“DId Tsubasa call you?” Nico’s question was sharp.

“No, Honoka.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind. Tsubasa and Nico have different opinions on dating.”

“Does yours include giving random women your phone number. And why are you kissing Umi?”

“Slow down. Let Nico catch up.” A pause, “Dia’s still sleeping calmly. Nico does an excellent lullaby. Now what did you do?”

“Searched TWIG to see what you were up to.” Saying it out loud, Maki felt a bit sheepish.

“Cyber stalking Nico. Classy.” Nico hummed, obviously searching through pics. “The Umi kiss was friendly, the barista pic is Photoshopped, and Nico is at home in bed and has been since 7 p.m. getting her beauty sleep before a video shoot at 5 in the morning.” An inhale, “And why you’re seeing pics of Nico with everyone else in the universe is because your parents PR firm is paying influencers to flood the algorithim with pics of Nico and anyone but you.”

“They’re not.”

“They are. A-Rise got approached. Nico has receipts. I can forward you emails.”

Maki was silent.

“And the reason there aren’t pics of us is because you’re in Wisconsin at an undisclosed location because your parents think Nico is going to steal you.”

“I don’t care what my parents think.” Maki felt pressured, with a sudden urge to bolt for the woods.

“If that’s true then why are you in Wisconsin?” Nico sounded annoyed.

“Just shut up for a minute…”

Silence. Maki heard what she’d snapped at Nico echo.

“Good night, Maki.”

“Wait, Nico, I just…”

Call ended. Maki leaned forward, fingertips barely clinging to her phone. How did this work? How exactly did this happen? What had Eli said?

###

“Oh, hi, Maki…” Eli was on the couch, eating chocolate ice cream and watching a production of Swan Lake.

“Why did you call?”

“What did Nico tell you?”

“We're not talking about Nico, Eli.” Maki’s voice had no chill. “Paperwork. Nozomi. What did that mean?”

“Ummm…” No matter how much Eli had rehearsed this in her head, telling Maki was not easy. She glanced toward the door of the spare room. Nico had gone to bed hours ago because of an early set call. So no interruptions. “When I started working on the procedures, Nico was the first person I asked to help. Nico’s always the first person I ask when I need any kind of help. She’s amazing.”

Eli had expected some response from Maki, but no, just waiting, judging silence.

“Okay…” Eli coughed nervously, "So Nico donated eggs, but absolutely refused to be an anonymous donor. She wanted a family but not until she met someone she wanted to marry and was ready to stop touring as much as she had been. So I banked most of her eggs and used the rest in my early tests.”

“So Nico wasn’t just an anonymous donor?”

“No.” Eli laughed, “She was very clear about no little Nico’s running around without her knowing about it. She’s furious right now.”

Maki sounded angry. “How did it happen? Did it happen? Is Nico really Dia’s...”

Eli paused Swan Lake, and headed to the freezer to put the ice cream away. Melting chocolate all over the couch was too easy a tease target for Nozomi. “As far as I can unravel, when Nico came back for her ultrasound to make sure everything was okay after the donation, Nozomi was there and altered Nico’s paperwork. So Nico was in the system all the time, but you were the first and only to match.” Eli pondered whether or not making a pot of coffee would be worth it at this hour. She wasn’t sleeping. Not having Nozomi next to her was lonely. But Nozomi was still being infuriatingly disingenuous about the turmoil she’d thrown Nico and Maki and Dia into. “I’ve taken Nico off the donor list now that I know.”

“So it is true…” Maki’s voice was a low whisper, barely heard.

“I’m so sorry about this, Maki, but from what I can tell, Nico is your egg donor.”

And then the roar, “Why would Nozomi do that to Nico? To you? What the hell kind of friend alters your medical paperwork? What kind of wife...how can you...that’s so many kinds of illegal, unethical, just awful, Eli. Why would she do that?"

Eli winced. All of that was true. But she knew that Nozomi really believed she’d had Nico’s best interest at heart.

“I know, Maki. I’m trying to explain it to her, how I would feel if I had missed the twins’ first steps or when they said “Mama”...it’s still so amazing, Maki, to watch them be their own people, but you know that, and Nico missed so much of that with Dia and I’m heartbroken for her, I just can’t bear to think about it, but Nozomi really cares, I promise…”

Maki cut Eli off, voice in efficiency professional mode. “Is Nico okay?”

“I don’t know. She’s super busy. Super busy usually means stressed.” Eli rested her forehead on the refrigerator, “Are you okay?”

Maki made a huffing noise. “I have to go check on Dia.”

“Maki....”

And Eli was alone. Or maybe not.

“Better make that coffee, Eli-chi.” Eli turned, Nozomi stood in the archway, Eli’s robe wrapped around her. “I miss you. I haven’t been listening to what you've been trying to say. Help me fix this, my love.”

Eli was going to cry, Nozomi opened up her arms, and Eli rushed to be held, Nozomi’s fingers in her hair, Nozomi’s sweet, soft voice promising everything would work out.

A/N: Shakespeare season. How you?

[daily-nicotine]

The second years were only just recently put in, it's parents KotoUmi and their child Honoka are living in the desert area in a housing situation similar to the first years and third years, their neighbors are A-rise Erena and manju with Tsubasa as their child. Honoka and Tsubasa often come over to the NozoEli house to play with Nico and sometimes Maki. Maki doesn't get along with Tsubasa very well much unlike her playful teasing and stealing from Nico. Tsubasa and Maki actually try to fight.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIG—

[niconiipls]

Rules: List ten of your favorite female characters in ten different fandoms and then tag ten people.

Tagged by @gay-4-nozoeli-jolks​ - Ayyyy, thank you so much for the tag!! :D

Love Live! (Muse): Nico/Maki - I love them both so much I’m gonna cry if I really HAD to pick one

Love Live! (Aqours): Watanabe You - Riko is gonna catch up soon though ;)

Fluttering Feelings: Kim No-Rae - I like her style. Chill and laid-back~

Attack on Titan: Mikasa Ackerman - slayyyy. BADASS LEVEL: ACKERMAN 

Chihayafuru: Wakamiya Shinobu - she’s so powerful yet such a dork at the same time xD

Citrus (Manga): Aihara Yuzu - A ball of sunshine! What more is there to say about this precious child~ oh wait there is, meme-face game strong

The Love Doctor: Jung Erae - Epitome of a chill person, but sometimes she can be pretty forward as well. Totally my type (๑ּగ⌄ּగ๑)

Tamen de gushi: Sun Jing - Another SUNSHINE!! Protect that smile of hers omg

Noragami: Bishamon - she’s beauty, she’s grace... well, she looks cool when she fights... really badass..

Kakegurui: Saotome Mary - I can’t really pinpoint why, but I just get the feeling that I like her after reading about her past. Hmm, maybe because she protects the weak? something like that... seemingly tough exterior yet there’s kindness deep down somewhere

Tbh, it’s difficult to recall which anime I watched because it’s been too long so there are quite a few manga/manhwa mixed into the list. Seriously… what was I doing before Love Live? xD Btw I’m not sure who to tag... so anyone who wants to do it feel free to! :)

[xcamay]

Aqours as parents, AU [summary]

Hello again c:

It’s been a few months that I’m working on this AU, and I really wanted to share it with you all. I wrote a few scenes here and there (for now), but I’d rather introduce you the families before publishing whatever will come (and be finished) first. :3

○ the Kurosawa household    → RubyMaru (yes, our little shy Ruby came a long way and proposed to her best friend!) + their two children, • Tsubasa, the eldest.      • born on July 21st, 2027      • she started dancing at 6months, whereas she was barely crawling (imagine her rocking her small body back and forth on every music she heard!)      • she became better at dancing when she was able to stand on her feet, gripping the edge of the couch (or the table legs) • Hanayo, the youngest.      • born on January 17th, 2029      • even as a toddler, she was super shy and often hid behind her moms’ legs in presence of other people, including Aqours      • loud noises have always scared her, whether it be the vacuum cleaner, some works outside the house, or Ruby accidentally breaking something      • the first time she clapped her hands was at 9months, while watching her big sister dance (it was on Step! ZERO to ONE)!

○ the Matsuura household    → ChiKanan + their … um … FOUR children!

• Anju, the eldest.      • born on January 16th, 2027      • she loved when Chika and Kanan were singing nursery rhymes, and she was always happy to gesture and mimic them      • she started singing lullabies to her baby sisters as soon as she could sing them almost entirely      • also, Anju was very pampered by all her aunties, as she was the first Aqours baby! • the younger children … Here comes the twins, Honoka and Umi!      • born on March 15th, 2028      • the two of them were are very different : Honoka has always been more active than Umi, as she was running everywhere whereas Umi preferred puzzles and dominoes      • as they grew older, Honoka tried to avoid her parents’ scolding by blaming Umi for her bad behavior, but knowing the oh-so-calm nature of the latter, it never worked • and Rin, the youngest of all.      • born on November 1st, 2029      • she has always been the most hyperactive among the Matsuura children, even beating the little Honoka      • speaking of Honoka, Rin and her did a lot of silly things together (they were sometimes helped by Anju), as Rin copied Honoka a lot      • she has always loved cats despite having a dog at home! and ‘nya‘ was her third word, after Momma and Mama

○ the Ohara household   → DiaMari + their only lovechild … • … who is our favorite Elicchi (she won’t be quarter Russian this time tho).      • born on October 21st, 2027      • her fear of darkness started when she was 8months, the moment when she realized she wasn’t just one with her mothers, but that they were different persons (it happened to the others too, but it was traumatizing for baby Eli)      • classical music (or serene songs) have always appeased her, becoming her favorite kind of music      • Tsubasa and Hanayo are her cousins, and she has always loved dancing with them (Tsubasa and her were the ones who helped Hanayo stand on her feet, so she could dance with them!)

○ the Sakurauchi household   → YouRiko + their three calmand loveable daughters. • Erena, the eldest.      • born on May 27th, 2027      • aside from long hugs and kisses, Riko found out that nursery rhymes were calming her down each time she had a fit. Singing lullabies became crucial when Riko had to cut Erena’s nails (she hated it)      • let’s be honest, Erena was a pain when it came to sleeping. She loved falling asleep in her Mamas’ arms, but she woke up each time they were putting her to bed. You sometimes had to go for a drive to make her fall asleep again (funny, putting her to bed after a car ride never woke her up)      • despite all this, Erena was still a calm and adorable baby • Kotori, the sweet younger one.      • born on September 12th, 2028      • after her parents introduced her solids, she became quite a pain when it came to food. Kotori was used to You’s cooking, which caused her to often refuse food from other people, especially desserts (no one could rival You’s cheesecake!)       • as her sisters often ran away from Mama You and her thousands outfits, Kotori was always happy to try them on before parading in front of her family • Maki, the youngest …      • born on April 19th, 2029      • as tsuntsun as ever, and still a real tomato lover.      • it was a real mess when YouRiko found out about Riko’s third pregnancy, as she got pregnant only a few weeks after Kotori was born …      • the stress of having a newborn and being pregnant at the same time caused Maki to be a premature baby      • Maki is really close to her sisters (Erena tried to help her parents despite being 2yo, and Maki literally grew up with Kotori (Kotori is only seven months older than her!))

○ the Tsushima household   → Yoshiko and an adorable OC named Maemi + their devilish twins : • Nozomi and Nico!      • born on June 9th, 2027      • let’s be honest, the Tsushima twins were a good fit, and ended up copying Momma Yoshiko Yohane      • Nozomi and Nico were real pranksters, and the two of them loved pranking their little friends, especially Eli (Hanayo could have been their scapegoat, but they got yelled at because she was way younger than them)      • Nico loved pranking the others, but she also was her twin sister’s target. Too often to her liking.

I hope it was a nice surprise to see that the Aqours girls are our µ’s and A-RISE girls’ lucky and happy parents! :3

Because well, let’s be honest, we all know that, in a very close parallel universe, Mari is NozoEli’s hidden child, or that Dia and Ruby are NicoMaki’s daughters … But I thought that, what if, this time, YouRiko, ChiKanan, DiaMari, RubyMaru and YoshikOC were the parents hehe~?

If you have questions about this AU, don’t hesitate and ask! :3

[sea-birdie]

Five Steps to a Happy Mother’s Day

Summary: It’s Mother’s Day and the NozoEli household is getting ready for a great day thanks to a precious treasure of theirs.

Pairing/s: NozoEli (Main Pair), KotoUmi, NicoMaki, RinPana

A/N: I’M BACK WITH ANOTHER ONE-SHOT! This is a late Mother’s Day fic though I had the idea yesterday to write it. This was also at the request of my gf  @theworldhopper because she wanted some fluffy NozoEli and child so what better to way to do that than a Mother’s Day fic? Anyways, hope you enjoy this little one shot and thank you for reading!

Quiet footsteps approached the closed door of her parent's bedroom. Today is May 14, the second Sunday of May and little Anna knew what it meant. It was Mother's Day and she made plans for her and her moms for today. Even if she was six years old, she inherited the wit of her mother Nozomi and the sharp planning of her other mother Eli. It was a simple 5 step plan for today and right now, Anna was starting step one.

Anna quietly opened the bedroom door of her parent's and peeked a little. Her parents were still quietly sleeping having had a busy day yesterday. Nozomi had to take care of Anna and watch the house while Eli was at work. Nozomi had waited for Eli last night after putting Anna to sleep but by the time Eli got home, both of the women she loved were already asleep so she ended up passing out on the bed along with her wife and in her working outfit no less.

As much as Anna didn't want to disturb her parents, she needed them awake for what she had planned. After all, it is Mother's Day.

Slowly opening the bed room door, she snuck inside. In her hand were two roses. One purple and and one yellow. She thanked the gods for the flower shop next to them that sold colored roses. Then, quickly, she lifted the covers from her parent's bed then yelled out: "Happy Mother's Day!!"

Nozomi and Eli's eyes opened, having been awakened by the sound of their daughter's voice, sat up and stretched before they acknowledged their daughter's greeting.

"Awww. Thank you my dear!" Said Nozomi, coming out of bed and giving Anna a hug.

"Thank you sweetheart!" Eli said, joining her wife in hugging their daughter.

Anna held out the two roses. "These are for you! Mama gets the yellow rose and Mommy gets the purple one!" Anna said with glee.

The moms took the roses and smelled them, the sweet fragrance entering their noses. "These are wonderful Anna! Did you get them yourself?" Nozomi asked.

"Yes I did Mommy!" She acknowledged. "Now let's go downstairs. I made breakfast!"

Anna took Nozomi by the hand as she led her downstairs. "Mama, are you coming too?" Anna asked.

"Yeah I will sweetheart. Just need to fix the bed." Eli replied.

As Anna and Nozomi went downstairs, Eli fixed the bed then went through her purse and found what she was looking for. It was a little blue box with a card attached saying: "To the love of my life. Happy Mother's Day Nozomi!"

Eli smiled before she placed the box in her drawer and joined her wife and daughter for breakfast.

----------

After breakfast, which were messily made rice balls Anna made from techniques she learned from Auntie Hanayo, the three ladies went out for the day. Their first stop was the mall. Anna wanted to take her parents there to simply have fun with them. Nozomi and Eli also decided that while they were there, they would visit Kotori in her store. After visiting the arcade and getting an ice cream for Anna, the two entered Kotori's store.

"Nozomi-chan! Eli-chan! Anna-chan! Welcome and Happy Mother's Day to you two!" Kotori greeted them when they entered.

"Hi Kotori-chan and thank you!" Nozomi chimed.

"Hehe, thank you Kotori!" Eli said.

"Auntie Kotori!" Anna said. "Is Auntie Umi around?"

"Sorry Anna-chan but Umi-chan's not around today. She said she had a session today with her archery class." Kotori answered.

"Oh alrighty." Anna said, not sounding too disappointed.

"Speaking of Umi-chan," Nozomi inquired. "Any plans yet for the wedding?"

"Sort of." Kotori replied sheepishly. "She's still too embarassed to talk about it. I guess if there's one thing that won't change about Umi-chan is how easily embarrassed she gets."

Eli and Nozomi giggled. "Well, she is the woman you fell in love with Kotori." Eli said.

"Of course! I love my Umi-chan just the way she is after all!" Kotori said. "Oh, Eli-chan, Nozomi-chan! I have a Mother's Day gift for you two!"

Kotori excused herself and went into the inventory room. After a minute, she emerged  from the inventory room and with her were two beautiful dresses. The first dress was a purple dress decorated with creative designs of the tarot cards Nozomi uses. The other dress was a cerulean dress decoreated with purple flower designs.

"I made these dresses for you two!" Kotori chimed. "A gift for the first moms of Muse hehe!"

"Oh wow! These are beautiful Kotori-chan!" Nozomi exclaimed.

"Indeed! You never lost your touch Kotori!" Eli also exclaimed.

"Mhm!" Kotori said. "Do you want to try them on?"

Nozomi and Eli nodded before Kotori handed them their respective dresses. The two mothers headed for the dressing room and soon after, they came out in their respective dresses.

"Kyaaa! It looks amazing on you two!" Kotori gushed.

"Mommy and Mama look super pretty!" Anna cheered before running to her moms and hugging them.

"Thank you Kotori-chan! These dresses are beautiful." Nozomi said.

"Just as I imagined hehe~"

"We better get going now Kotori. We still have a long day to spend. Thank you for the dresses." Eli said.

"You're welcome Eli-chan! Happy Mother's Day again you two!" Kotori said, waving them goodbye.

"Oh Umi-chan, if you were only here to see them..." Kotori said to herself. "We could good be great parents just like them! Hehe~"

----------

Next on the agendum was lunch. Eli and Nozomi took Anna to the food court where they would be having their Mother's Day lunch. Anna may be six but that didn't stop her from eating the spicy ramen she ordered. Nozomi, on the other hand, ordered a enough Yakiniku for herself and for her family (and by enough, I mean a lot) and Eli simply ordered some sashimi for lunch.

As they ate, they talked and had fun during their lunch. Anna told her mothers that she was doing well in school and that her teacher was amazed by her good test scores. Eli and Nozomi congratulated her, which made Anna smile widely.

As they ate, someone approached their table.

"Well, well, look who it is. It's Muse's first mom!" The three turned to see Nico and Maki and, in Nico's arms, their baby.

"Nico-chan! Maki-chan!" Nozomi greeted.

"Hi Auntie Nico and Auntie Maki!" Anna greeted. "Happy Mother's Day to you two!"

"Thank you Anna-chan!" Nico said, patting her head.

"I can see you two are enjoying Mother's Day huh?" Eli acknowledged.

"Yeah we are." Maki replied. "Good thing this is the only day where I don't have a shift at the hospital."

"You got lucky Maki-chan!" Nozomi said. "And how's little Dia doing?"

"She's been an angel." Nico said.

"Well apart from the crying, pooping, burping and vomiting, she's been lovely." Maki added with some remorse.

"Yeah it has been hell the past couple of weeks." Nico responded.

"Hell? What does that mean?" Anna asked, sipping her juice.

Eli glared at Nico, who scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. "I-It's nothing Anna-chan! It's just something adults say..." Nico told her sheepishly.

Anna glared at Nico with violet eyes before chiming up. "Oh okay Auntie Nico!"

"What did I tell you about swearing in front of Anna, Nico-chan?" Maki scolded her.

"Sorry Maki-chan..." Nico said before she held up her hand in her signature hand sign.

"Anyways," Eli interrupted. "Nico, Maki, you want to join us for lunch?"

"Thank you but Maki-chan and I are just takinga romantic stroll at the moment." Nico replied.

"Yeah." Maki acknowledged. "We're still new moms so we gotta make the most out of it and spend time with Dia before she grows up."

"Before she grows up just like you." Nico teased.

"Well, duh," Maki commented. "She'll be just as beautiful and intelligent as me."

"I sure hope that's it." Eli commented. "Wouldn't like Dia to be like her moms when they were in high school acting all shy and embarrassed to be with one another."

"Hey!" Nico and Maki responded before everybody just giggled and laughed.

------------

After lunch, the Ayase-Tojo family gabe their farewells to Nico and Maki, who continued their romantic stroll. After that, they went to the grocery to shop for dinner. From what Anna heard, Eli was cooking borscht for dinner, to her delight.

As they were shopping, they saw two very familiar girls near the produce section, checking out some rice.

"Auntie Hanayo! Auntie Rin!" Anna exclaimed, running towards the two.

"Hi Anna-chan!" Hanayo said, looking up from her rice to hug the girl. "Where're Eli-chan and Nozomi-chan?"

"Rin-chan! Hanayo-chan!" Nozomi greeted, waving to them, and Eli right behind her.

"Nozomi-chan, Eli-chan! Happy Mother's Day nya!" Rin greeted, hugging the two mothers. It was nice to hear Rin still says "nya" at the end of her sentences.

"Thank you Rin." Eli replied.

"What bring you here?" Hanayo asked them.

"Mama's making borscht for dinner!" Anna exclaimed. "So we're shopping for the ingridients!"

"Ah that's wonderful!" Hanayo chimed. "And you know what goes best with any meal Anna-chan?"

"Rice!" Anna answered quickly.

The two mothers giggled. "Seems you got our little sweetheart to like rice as much as you do Hanayo-chan." Nozomi acknowledged.

"Well, rice is a necessity for growing little girls like Anna-chan." Hanayo giggled.

"How are things at your place by the way?" Eli asked.

"Oh it's been great nya!" Rin chimed. "Kayochin and I are expecting children soon!"

"Really?" Eli asked, surprised.

"Yep! Our little girl Mocha-chan is about to give birth." Hanayo said, taking out her phone and showing them a current picture of a Corgi.

"Oh that's exciting!" Nozomi commented.

Anna gasped. "Can we get one of the puppies Mommy? Can we?" Anna begged.

Nozomi looked at Eli, who just shrugged. "I don't mind if we do. It could help us watch over the house." Eli reasoned.

Nozomi sighed then looked at Anna, who's eyes sparkled with glee. "Alright, we'll get one of them. But you have to take care of it ok darling?" Nozomi told her.

"Yes I will! Thank you Mommy!" Anna said, hugging her mother tightly.

"Consider it as our Mother's Day gift to you two nya!" Rin said.

"Although, you might have to wait until we the pups are a few weeks old." Hanayo informed them. "They'll still need to be with their mother while they're young."

"We can wait." Eli said. "What do you say sweetheart?"

"Thank you Auntie Hanayo and Auntie Rin!" Anna said, hugging the two.

Nozomi and Eli simply smiled as they watched the gesture.

-----------

The rest of the day went on quickly. After paying for their groceries and bidding their farewells to Rin and Hanayo, the family went back home to rest and have dinner. As they did, Anna mentioned she was hungry and wanted something sweet. Luckily, Eli and Nozomi knew what street they were in and decided to visit Homura.

Inside, Eli and Nozomi were greeted by Honoka, who gave them some of the signature manjuu the place was known for as a Mother's Day present. Although they did chat for a while, Honoka closed up afterwards so her family can celebrate Mother's Day with her mom, bidding farewell to the Tojo-Ayase family.

Once they got home, Eli began to cook the borscht while Anna and Nozomi played with Anna's toys in her room. As they played, Eli slipped into her and Nozomi's bed room and got the little box before returning downstairs to finish the borscht.

Soon, dinner came. The family enjoyed the scrumptious borscht Eli made, a smile on their faces with each bite. Afterwards, they helped clean up the table together then proceeded with a movie before heading to bed. Nozomi and Eli decided to watch Anna's favorite, My Neighbor Totoro, reliving some of their childhood with this movie (plus the look on Anna's face when Totoro would show up on screen was adorable).

When the movie ended, Anna was already tired, given the long day she spent with her mothers. Eli carried Ana to her room then tucked her in while Nozomi turned on her night light.

"Mama, I had a really fun day with you and Mommy." Anna said tiredly.

"So did we sweetheart." Eli answered, kissing her on the forehead. "Good night sweetheart."

"Good night Mama. Good night Mommy." Anna said to her parents.

"Good night too my dearest." Nozomi replied as she and Eli exited the room and closing the door.

"Well, today was fun don't you think?" Eli said, wiping some of the sweat off her forehead.

"Mhm!" Nozomi said. "After all, Anna did plan today."

"She did?"

Nozomi handed Eli a piece of paper. On it, it was written: "Five Step Plan for Mommy's Day 1.) Wake up Mama and Mommy and have breakfast 2.) Go get Mama and Mommy new dresses 3.) Have lunch with Mama and Mommy 4.) Spend more time with Mama and Mommy 5.) Have dinner and watch a movie with Mama and Mommy

Also, call Aunties to come say 'Happy Mommy's Day' to Mama and Mommy.

Mama and Mommy will have so much fun! I love them so much too!"

Eli smiled. "Anna's growing up..." She said, shedding a tear.

"Mhm. We're so glad to have her right Elicchi?" Nozomi said.

"Yes." Eli replied. Then, Eli took out the little box she kept in her pocket and revealed it to Nozomi.

"My love, this is for you." Nozomi took the box and opened it, revealing a locket with a picture of them and Anna inside. The inscription on the locket says "To the two most beautiful women in my life."

"Ohhh it's beautiful Elicchi!" Nozomi said, hugging Eli. "Thank you! I love you."

"I love you too Nozomi. Happy Mother's Day." Eli replied.

And the two would remain this way until they went to bed. Anna's little five step plan worked and it turned out just the way she wanted it. After all, she loved her moms and they loved her back. Even if Mother's Day is over, she'll still treat her mother's in a special way because she loves them as much as they love her.

[gay-4-nozoeli-jolks]

Untitled Fic

This is a 1000+ words Nozoeli fic that was written in Nico’s POV. Also, there’s swearing involved (coz a cursing Nico is my poison). Enjoy.

 All mistakes are mine.

------

Propping her left hand on the table, Nico laid her cheeks on the palm of her hand and asked.

 “Did you have a fight with that washi washi monster?”

 Nozomi was unusually late for their lunch break that Nico couldn’t think of any other reason why the quarter Russian seating in front of her seems a bit off. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was but she knew something was amiss.

  “You should not address Nozomi like that. “

 Nico couldn’t stop a snort from making its way out of her throat. Not that she tried.

Ignoring the sound she just made, Eli continued. “And no, we didn’t have a fight.”

 The confusion on Eli’s face looked legitimately genuine but Nico was still convinced something was up and it had to do with Nozomi. Lifting her head from its resting place, she placed her hands on the edge of the table and used it as a leverage as she slightly leaned her body forward, poker face in place.

 “Then Nozomi told you she’s got a boyfri-‘

 “No!”

 Nico jumped a bit when Eli’s vehement response thundered inside the room. Thankfully, they decided to have their lunch at the student council room and there wasn’t any student around or they would have been completely dumbstruck by this entirely different side of Eli.

 Even Eli herself was startled by her own reaction. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she coughed.

 “No, she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

 “How about a girlfriend?”

 Eli shot her an indignant look. “Of course, she didn’t.”

 Nico knew she should probably stop since Eli was starting to look visibly displeased but she couldn’t help herself. She wasn’t a sadist – it was more of an apt description for Maki but she sure was enjoying getting the rise out of Eli.

 “If not those, then did you find out she likes someone else?”

 Silence.

 “Nico, are you making fun of me?”

 Icy blue eyes stared at her, unblinking. Nico shivered, feeling the chill seep through her bones.

 Oh fuck, did she just step on a land mine?

 “Uhm, no. I - I was just trying to lighten up your mood since you look like someone had bitten off a chunk from your chocolate.”

 Shoulders tensed, Nico waited for Eli’s reaction with abated breath. Although she did believe that Nozomi was the cause of Eli’s unusual behavior today, everything she said so far was a joke because for fuck’s sake, it’s Nozomi they’re talking about. Everyone knew how gay Nozomi was for Eli. And Eli alone. But apparently, Eli’s denseness was so thick that no matter how blatant Nozomi was with her affections, it couldn’t penetrate through her.

 Though she couldn’t really blame Eli. Nozomi was a natural flirt to begin with.

 “If that was your idea of–‘

 Eli stopped short when the door burst open, closely followed by Nozomi’s abrupt entrance.

 “Elichi, Nicocchi! I’m sorry for the wait. I had to stay behind – eh? Are you guys okay?”

 Closing the door behind her, Nozomi’s eyes flitted back and forth from Eli to Nico.

 A few seconds ticked by before Eli broke the silence. Her demeanor changing, she whined.

 “Nozomi.”  

 A few strides and Nozomi was right beside her. “What’s the matter, Elichi? Did Nicocchi harass you?”

 Nico was about to protest but upon remembering the glare that Eli sent over her just a while ago, she shut her mouth. Besides, she wanted to know what had gotten into Eli today for her to act like a petulant child, nevermind that this whole situation was actually making her gag.

 “We had a surprise quiz this morning and… “

 “And?” Nozomi prompted, urging Eli to continue.

 The moment of truth.

 “And I got one answer wrong.”

 WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK.

 Of all the things Nico was expecting to hear from Eli, THAT was never in her list. Suffice to say, she forgot she was supposed to keep her mouth shut. “For fucks sake! This is all because you just got 1 mistake on your test? Try getting a zero-‘

 Sharp ice blue eyes stared at her as if she’s interrupting something she should not have. Subtly, Nico edged further on the back of her seat.

“Nicocchi, that’s not helping at all.” Nozomi laughed, completely unaware of the renewed tension between the other two occupants of the room. Failing to hear the muttered “I’m not trying to help. I’m being a bitch, you dimwit with big titties.” of Nico, she turned her attention back to Eli.

 “You should not beat yourself over with it, Elichi. No one will think less of you just because you didn’t get a perfect on your test. Besides, I’m pretty sure you’re going to ace your next exams without any problems. ”

 “But-“

 Placing the bento box she had been carrying with her on top of the table, Nozomi bent her upper body lower and smiled at Eli as she gently patted her head. “How about I treat you to your favorite chocolate parfait later after school?”

 As expected, Eli’s face brightened considerably. Taking that as a confirmation, Nozomi beamed even more before she glanced at Nico. “You can come with us too Nicocchi, if you want.”

 “No, thanks. There’s going to be a sale on the nearby grocery store and I don’t want to miss that.”

 Thankfully, that was a legitimate excuse and Nico didn’t have to lie to get her way out of this one. Seriously, a Nozomi+Eli+Parfait combo was something she didn’t want to associate herself with. She shivered when she remembered the one and only time she went with them. She’d never looked at parfaits the same way since then.

 “Eh, that’s a shame. But if you change your mind, just let us know.”

 “Sure. “ Inwardly, Nico scoffed. No, over her dead body.

  So.” Trying to divert the topic, she asked. “Can we like start eating now?”

 “Now that you mentioned it, I’m actually quite hungry.” Nozomi agreed, laughing. This prompted a fond smile from breaking out of Eli’s face. Once Nozomi was comfortably seated in the chair beside her, she asked.

“Hey Nozomi, can I stay over your place tonight?”

 Rolling her eyes, Nico reached out for her bento box which was in front of her and started to eat. If these two weren’t her bestfriends, she’d slam their heads together for being too obviously gay for each other but not doing anything about it. She’s almost on a hairbreadth away from screaming at them to just get married already. But for now, she’ll just pretend she couldn’t hear even a single word of what they’re talking about.

 Yeah, she’d do that.

 She’d definitely do that.

[pokelovelive]

Maki!

Favorite Impression - The aloof idol that can't make friends.Impression Now - I really enjoy her now. She's not in my top three, but I still love her.Favorite Moment - When everyone finds out that she still believes in Santa.Idea for a Story - Her as a doctor singing to a sick child.Favorite Relationship - With NozoFavorite Headcanon - She never stopped believing in Santa.Unpopular Opinion - I don't really like her singing voice.

[lonelypond]

A Coffeeshop Christmas Carol, Ch. 1

Love Live, NicoMaki, 5.8K, 1/3

Summary: Maki Nishikino finds herself haunted by Christmas memories as Nico Yazawa enlists her help in putting together the Tudor Conservatory Annual Christmas Pageant. Will their clash be just a collision or the start of something more? Plus, NozoELi shenanigans.

PROLOGUE

Chill in the air, hint of snow on the wind, Christmas only a few days away, dinner plans that might turn into future plans, Nishikino Maki was as excited as she’d ever been for Santa’s arrival as a child. At least in the calm moments when she wasn’t overthinking, like now. Too much excitement, too much pressure, too many thoughts pinballing through her head. Maki stood outside her apartment building, arms full of prickly pine and plants, groceries, and her heart full of...it wasn’t exactly hope. Or maybe it was hope. She was definitely nervous, definitely rehearsing conversations she might have had and might be having with Mako Omine. And now there was this Solstice Eve dinner...or date...or…

The doorman opened the door with a smile and Maki nodded as she rushed past, already behind in her preparations. Fortunately, she’d ordered dinner from her favorite Italian restaurant and only had to put some basic appetizers on a plate. The wine could be opened when her guest arrived. And then…

Maki slid the key into the lock of her apartment, hand trembling. And then...that was the entire worry.

###

Should this feel more comfortable, Maki wondered as she swirled the wine around in her glass, not really listening to Omine as she described her last day of classes.

“I won’t miss that place at all.” Omine sighed, leaning back dramatically and tossing her fair, curly hair over her shoulder.

Maki snapped to instant alert, “What place?”

“Northwestern.”

Panic set in. Maki had obviously missed something; she set her wine glass down before she crushed it. “Why would you miss it?”

“Weren’t you listening at all, Maki? Of course you weren’t.” Omine leaned in, flicking Maki’s forehead as the redheaded future doctor flinched, “Too much going on in that big brain of yours.”

It was a colder laugh than Maki expected. Smart had always been the thing she did well, the area she always excelled at. Was it a problem now?

Maki stood, towering as Omine continued to lounge on the couch, far too casually amused about the tension vibrating from Maki.

“Where are you going?”

“California.”

“California??”

“Beaches, bikinis, no snow San Diego.”

“Why?” Maki winced as her voice cracked.

Another too casual shrug, “Dream job, tired of school, parents tired of paying tuition. I’m not a brainiac like you.”

“I’m not…”

Omine shook her head, standing up to interrupt Maki, and somehow closer than she’d ever been before. “It wouldn’t work, Maki. You’re always off somewhere, nowhere I can find you. And our parents…” A side glance at the mistletoe carefully hung over the piano, “Thanks for the snack, Maki. It’s time for me to finish packing. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Omine.” It was all Maki could say.

And then she was in a hug, but she still couldn’t relax and her brain kept racing through possibilities rather than being in the moment. Should she hug back, ask more questions, not let go, play a song, cry, turn away…

Now the hug was tighter.

“I’ll miss you, Maki.”

Did “don’t go” want to come out of Maki’s mouth? Her arms fell to her side. Omine let go and stared for too long. “Still just standing there?”

“What am I supposed to do?” Maki snapped, “You’re leaving.”

Maki willed the tears not to start as Omine stepped away, “I am.”

Maki turned away, nearly falling into the couch, a grunt her only reply.

Omine was already in her coat. “Take care, Maki.”

The door closed and suddenly, all the pine and green and gold and mistletoe and dreams were tainted, taunts to be torn down.

###

EARLY NOVEMBER, 23 MONTHS LATER

 Maki almost had a flow as the Tudor Conservatory’s Composer In Residence. Piano practice in the aftermorning, lunch, meet with the quintet she was composing for, write, if blocked, pick up random donut shop coffee and take her music to a park. Then lock herself in her studio, avoid social obligations, and listen to darkly humorous heavy metal screamers. This would push HER out of memory, flood Maki’s brain with static so she could avoid falling into the loop of mired in heartbreak composing. It hadn’t really been heartbreak, Maki had never really put her heart out there, on her sleeve, in a selfie, or anywhere. Almost...a grand plan, dinner, mistletoe, but instead there had been Omine excited she was about her new job, across the country. And that had crushed Christmas, Maki’s favorite mood, Maki now finally, finally believed Santa and goodness and joy had NEVER existed. Because if they had, her heart would not have been frozen by unawareness and then shattered by distance. Last Christmas had been the worst. Maki just disappearing into her apartment and an endless stream of anything dark and not Christmasy. And now Christmas was looming again. Halloween, a cheerful dark holiday you could blast The Smiths and Girl In A Coma and weird, darkly humorous old school country bluegrass songs to get through, had just passed so there was no goth line of protection for the broken.

Maki was in a rush. Late to a meeting with Professor Sonoda. And her score was nearly complete. She just needed five minutes, a large table, and a sharp pencil. The campus coffeeshop loomed on the left, the owner, Nozomi Tojo outside and looking like she was about to finish placing the large candy cane she was juggling and talk and Maki had no time for that. A small figure, all bundled up against a bracing wind was walking fast, head down, toward Maki, but Maki prepared to dodge. And then the candy cane flew out of Nozomi’s hand, skittered in front of the woman hustling to the shop, tripping her, the momentum of her fall caught Maki off guard so her score flew everywhere.

“What the…” Maki bit off a profanity, scrambling.

“Watch where you’re going!” The projectile snapped, unexpectedly fierce red eyes glaring.

Maki froze, drawing up to her full height, “Watch where I’m going? Watch where I’m going?”

Nozomi scooped up a sheet of music, “Maki, don’t you need these?”

“Oh hell,” Maki moved to sprint into the street, but felt a strong hand pull her back as a speeding car took half of her score two blocks away. She turned expecting to see Nozomi, instead it was the tiny, sable haired, fiery eyed cause of her new problem.

“Are you stupid?” The woman sounded breathless and scared, but her grip on Maki’s arm didn’t yield.

“That’s my entire score. It’s almost finished. I…” Maki felt like crouching down and covering her head.

Nozomi had collected a handful. “Here. I’ll get the counter girls to run after it.”

“Make me my usual. Nico will help.” Nico released Maki’s arm, shoved a handbag into Nozomi’s arms, and took off down the street, hair streaming behind her. Maki watched, having trouble processing what was happening and clutching a too small stack of music to her chest.

“Maki? Professor Nishikino?”

“Huh?”

Nozomi had a hand on Maki’s shoulder, “Let’s get you inside.”

“I have a meeting.”

“You probably need your music for…”

“Yeah.” Maki walked through the door, found a corner booth that had not been tainted by Christmas decorations, and shoved back in the corner, legs drawn up on the bench.

“Is there someone you can call?”

Maki shook her head, pulling out her phone, texting was always her only option.

M: Sorry, Umi, I’m going to be late. I had an accident.

Immediate response.

U: Are you all right? Were you driving?

M: No, someone tripped into me and scattered my score.

A thump and Maki looked up to see a large stack of papers slammed into the table in front of her.

“They’re not numbered. Didn’t your professors teach you anything?”

“I am a professor.”

The woman sat down in a chair, examining Maki carefully, then shaking her head. “Graduate students shouldn’t pass themselves off as faculty.”

Maki thought that was ironic coming from someone who looked like they might be on their way to their freshman dorm, “Well, I’m glad you’re not in any of my classes. I’d never get anything done.”

“That stupid candy cane tripped Nico. Who puts up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving?”

Maki’s mood improved. A kindred spirit. “Exactly. Why put them up at all?”

“Bigger tips.” Nozomi announced, carefully placing a huge mug in front of each woman.

“I’ll pay you to skip to…” Maki considered. New Year’s was never really much, Valentine’s Day was frankly disturbing, Easter was for kids…”summer, yeah, beaches, pictures of piers, sandpipers popping along the shore.”

‘I’m sorry, you’ll just have to get in the holiday spirit. Or Santa won’t bring you what you need.” Nozomi winked as she turned.

“Santa.” Maki and Nico both snorted.

Nico considered Maki for a moment, then extended a hand, “I think I rescued most of your pages. I’m Nico Yazawa, Drama and Performance.”

Maki put her phone down, ignoring the text notification, “Maki Nishikino. I’m the composer in residence.”

“Oh.” Nico grinned, “My friend Umi’s been telling me I should talk to you.”

“Why?”

Somehow Nico puffed up like a proud bird showing off its feathers, “Nico’s in charge of this year’s Christmas concert. Everyone asked me to take over and it’s going to be the best one ever.” Nico leaned in, eyes even brighter with excitement than anger, “So Nico needs the best people to work with and since Umi won’t help me, she suggested you.”

“Umi won’t…” Maki was trying to make sense of what Nico was saying, the third person self references and lack of context making it a confusing knot.

Nico coughed, “No, no, Nico misspoke. Umi just thought that if Nico knew you, you would have been Nico’s first choice.”

Was that the other thing that Umi had wanted to talk about at their meeting today? Maki grabbed her phone and pounded out a message.

M: Were you going to talk to me about…

Maki glanced up, “What was your name again?”

Nico’s smile got brighter, although her eyes narrowed, “Nico Yazawa.”

M: Nico Yazawa?

U: Oh good, have you met her? She has A Christmas Carol script she wants to turn into a musical and I thought it might be a good challenge for you…

Maki frowned. Christmas. Ugh. She had been hoping to avoid anything holiday-like by focusing on the Lunar New Year and the twelve movement orchestral suites she had planned out. Most of her colleagues just went “whoa” and “good luck” when she explained the scope of the project.

Maki put her phone down again. Nico was closer, she switched to the chair next to Maki and was reading through Maki’s sheet music.

“Hey!” Maki pulled the pile away from Nico, “You can’t….”

“Pretty good. Nico approves. Although I think they’re out of order.”

Of course they’re out of order; you blew them down the street, Maki screamed inside her head, while her hand reached for whatever Nozomi had placed in front of her. Nico took that as a signal that there would be a break in the conversation and reached for her own mug. Maki wondered if she could just make a run for it, but one hand tugged on a twist of hair and the other raised the mug to her lips. The bitter coffee, no sweetner, no colliding, no demands, was a bracing relief.

Nico stacked the pages, neatly, in an entirely different order. Maki groaned. “Nico will take you out to dinner. We can talk.”

“I have no spare time and multiple ongoing projects.” Maki had the mug in both hands as a rampart against the looming presence of her tablemate.

Nico grabbed Maki’s phone. Maki had gotten lazy and turned her lockscreen to ten minutes so Nico easily swiped into her contacts, then texted herself. “Nico will text you later and we can find a date.”

Maki stood, grabbing her phone back from Nico, “I have a meeting.” She picked up what she hoped was all of her score, “Not with you.”

Nico responded with a wink and a smug confidence that just bolstered Maki’s will to flee. “Nico will wait.”

“Please don’t.” And Maki was out the door, not realizing she hadn’t paid for her drink.

###

Nico had a meeting of her own, and hurried back to campus. She was in charge of the Holiday Pageant, a legendary event that took most of the day on the Solstice and involved all of the students. The head of the dance department was waiting for her in the small dance studio.

Nico opened the door. Eli Ayase was everything that aggravated Nico’s insecurities, tall, blonde, stuck up, probably cool. Nico had never really had more than a passing conversation with the choreographer and former prima ballerina as Ayase was another staff newbie. The dancer was standing at the barre, going through what Nico recognized as the most basic ballet positions in a light blue leotard, white tights, and blue and white striped leg warmers, blonde hair in a ponytail. Nico stood in the doorway, allowing excellence a moment to finish and herself a moment of real appreciation for someone putting in the work.

Eli stepped away from the barre, wiping her forehead with a towel, “Oh, hi, Nico! I always like to go back to the foundation. I’m teaching a beginner’s class for non majors next semester.”

Nico nodded, “Ballet is good exercise.”

“Exactly.” Eli swept out her arm, “And a good way to learn about the meaning in movement.”

Nico knew a few D + P majors who would be interested, “Nico will put out the word.”

Eli nodded, and grabbed her bag, “Want to go to my office?”

“Nah. Nico’s fine here.”

“Efficient. I like that.” Eli pulled her water bottle from her bag before putting it down.

“Have you met the Composer In Residence yet?”

“Nishikino?” Eli shook her head, “No, Don’t know much about her. Apparently, she took some time off from music for med school or something, but decided not to give up the piano.”

“Nico didn’t know that.” Nico leaned back against the barre, stretching out a leg, “So you’re not one of her “ongoing projects”?”

“Not yet. Umi wants me to talk to her about The Nutcracker.”

“Is the hyper dedicated to her job Professor Sonoda turning slacker and passing all her jobs to the newbie?”

Eli laughed, “No, I think she’s just making sure that Nishikino interacts with other people. I heard that for the first month, she didn’t come out of her studio, and you could hear the piano day and night.”

A reclusive workaholic. Nico made a mental note of that. Probably needed some fresh air. A walk around campus and a tour of some of the better local foodie spots might be a pleasant way to get to know each other better on the way to a collegial collaboration. That was a good phrase. Nico made a mental note to use it on Maki.

###

The redhead was pacing back and forth outside the coffeeshop. Nozomi was fascinated. Maki seemed to be having a conversation with herself, would stop, start to head inside, and then begin pacing again. After three customers, Maki was starting to look cold so Nozomi decided to investigate.

“Hi Maki, come in.”

Maki shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Christmas.”

Not the answer Nozomi expected, but then she remembered Maki being decoration averse. Nozomi wondered what the story was, but Maki did not seem like the answering questions type.

“Do you do takeout?” Maki asked warily.

“No.”

“Could I pay you to do takeout?”

“How about if you come inside and stop shivering, I take the decorations down from one corner, and you let me treat you to a hot chocolate.”

“Cider. Lots of cinnamon. No Santas.”

Nozomi nodded, “Okay, I can do that.” She held the door open, “What did…”

Maki stopped moving forward.

Nozomi chuckled and shook her head, “Never mind. Let’s get you off the sidewalk before you scare away business.”

###

The apple cider came with company. Maki knew she hadn’t agreed to that but Nozomi had slid confidently into the wall bench, Maki having taken the seat facing away from the still decorated rest of the coffeeshop.

“So, how do you like Tudor?”

Maki shrugged and sipped, mostly hiding behind her mug.

“Are you having fun at the Conservatory?”

Maki raised an eyebrow, ‘The quality of the ensembles and musicians I’ve worked with have met my needs.”

Nozomi leaned closer, “I hear you spent most of September getting to know that Steinway.”

Maki scoffed, “It’s not a Steinway. It’s a Shigeru Kawai.”

“What’s the difference?”

Maki rolled her eyes, “Are you at all musical?”

“I sing in the shower? Do you duet?”

And then a chair landed next to Maki and Nico’s voice was harsh in her ear, “Stop harassing the pretty ones, Nozomi.”

“But Nico-chi, they’re all pretty.”

“Does not change Nico’s point at all.” Nico unwrapped a scarf probably longer than she was tall and snapped her fingers at Nozomi, “Get your favorite customer a mocha.”

Nozomi sat for a moment, watching Nico and Maki, then smiled slowly, “You owe me, Nico-chi.”

“Put it on my tab.”

Nozomi stooped to whisper in Nico’s ear as she left, “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Nico waved Nozomi off as she slid into the seat the taller woman had vacated, “Hi, you.”

Maki still held her cider mug close to her chest, as if Nico might grab it, “Hello.”

Nico grinned, “How did your meeting go?”

“I left the score for Umi. She had other responsibilities.”

“Im sure it will be fine. From what Nico could tell, it was…” Nico hesitated, at a loss for words, running through her memory for anything she could remember from the music sheets that had been scattered in front of her earlier, “complicated.”

Maki giggled, surprising herself.

“So what’s your drink, now that you know Nico’s?”

Maki put the mug down, relaxing enough to not need extra protection. “Usually coffee, this is cider. Seemed warmer.”

“Nico is always cold,” Nico hugged herself.

Maki had no response so picked up her mug again.

Nico frowned. The other party usually wanted to know something about Nico, but this person...Nico needed an angle. And then Maki surprised her with a question.

“So what’s your favorite line in Christmas Carol?”

Nico brightened and her body language became more open. “You want more details about Nico’s project? It’s so exciting. Nico knew once Umi told you about it, you’d...

“No.” Maki regretted her urge to speak into the increasingly uncomfortable silence.

Nico’s eyes glittered like firelight, “No?”

Maki put the mug down again, focusing her attention on it as she spun it slowly in a circle. She could feel Nico watching her, but needed to avoid getting drawn into a staring match.

“I was just curious. Asking a question isn’t signing a contract.”

Nico was silent. Maki sneaked a peek. Nico had a thoughtful look and was briefly still, but then her hands flew up and the air filled up with words.

“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business.”

“Did Scrooge say that?” Maki couldn’t remember details of her last A Christmas Carol viewing, probably the Muppet version.

Nico shook her head, “Haven’t you read A Christmas Carol? There’s so many versions out there, in every medium, but the Jacob Marley scene is pretty consistent.”

Marley...oh the Marley and Marley number, lots of chains. “Chains, right?”

“Fettered. All forged by heartless choices.”

Nozomi swept up with the mocha, a pile of chocolate dusted whipped cream nearly as tall as the cup topping the drink. “When’s the wedding?”

“Shut up, Nozomi.” Nico snapped.

“What?!?!?!” Maki spluttered.

Nozomi winked over her shoulder at Maki, “If she leaves you at the altar, call me.”

Nico had both hands in the praying position, “Please ignore Nozomi. She has been harassing Nico and anyone else who isn’t a sad, defenseless mess for years.” Nico shrugged, “It’s a warped way to flirt.”

“So you’re not a ‘sad, defenseless mess?’” Maki asked, slowly, uncertainly not sure where this conversation was going.

Nico stopped sipping, upper lip covered with a ridiculous whipped cream moustache. “Does Nico look like a ‘sad, defenseless mess?’”

Maki giggled, touching her own upper lip, “You look like half a hipster dudebro.”

Nico frowned, then quickly licked off the whipped cream, “Nah, Nico’s JLo in a suit when she wants to boi up.”

“Really.” Cider done, Maki leaned into the elbow she’d propped on the table, “So is that your go to opening night outfit?”

Nico leaned back, considering, a smile sharp on petal pink lips, “Work on my Christmas Carol and find out.”

Nico’s eyes actually seemed to twinkle, with mirth, which is the kind of thing that was entirely wrong with this season. Here Maki was, having a more interesting conversation than she expected, and the propaganda that had been etched in her brain over a theoretically loving childhood brought Christmas back into the conversation. With a huff, she pushed back from the table.

“What’s your favorite line?” Nico sipped, the question gently curious.

“Huh?”

“A Christmas Carol, the future Pulitzer winning musical by the team of Yazawa and Nishikino. What’s your favorite line in the original?”

“Bah humbug.”

Nico shook her head, tapping the table. “Predictable. Have a better answer next time.” Nico picked up her mug, stood, and bounced over to where a student wearing a pride flag pin was staring moodily out a window. As Maki watched, Nico raised her free hand in a gesture, said “Nico Nico Ni” loud enough to carry, surprisingly getting a shy smile out of the young person, then put her mug down and engaged in a conversation Maki wasn’t close enough to overhear, but the atmosphere around them was lightening. Must be a student of Nico’s having a tough time with the holidays. So many people did, Maki included. She shook her head to clear memories of the past two years, then put on her coat. Piano time.

###

Nico stood on stage, sweeping her hands through the air, muttering, “We put giant candy canes at the back, do a cutesy period Victorian backdrop, piles of toys, some...no no no…” Nico shook herself and vaulted off the front of the stage, rushing to the back of the house and visualizing the mood she wanted to set, “Lamplight! We set up street lamps along the aisle.” Nico laughed and swooped forward, dancing like a chimney sweep in the chorus of Mary Poppins. “Perfect. Cozy.”

“I can’t work with her.” Eli’s voice filled the theatre as she shoved the double doors open.

“Can’t work with who? Is a dancer giving you trouble?”

“The composer. Umi’s letting her lead the musical ensemble, but she refuses to discuss Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.” Eli stamped a foot and threw her head back, “How can you not discuss Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. It is THE Christmas classic.”

Nico jumped up to sit on the front of the stage, watching Eli stomp in front of her. “You’re talking about Maki, right.”

“Of course,” Eye roll, “Who else?”

“Did she say why?”

Eli frowned, “Something about Ellington.”

Ellington, Nico thought, must be Duke Ellington. Nico pulled out her phone, “Oh, Duke Ellington’s done his own version of The Nutcracker.”

“Jazz?”

“Probably.”

“And how is that a Christmas classic that will showcase my dance classes?”

“That would depend on the choreography, wouldn’t it?”

Eli leaned on the stage, arms taut, and turned her head to look at Nico, “I’m not familiar with it at all.”

Nico hit play, “It bops.”

Eli glared.

“Lots of energy.”

Eli continued to glare.

Nico shrugged, “Hey, crashing the canon is a thing people need to do now.”

“Crashing the canon?”

Nico hopped down, “Hearing new voices, diverse voices.”

There was a pause, then Eli snarled, “Like Dickens?”

Nico continued unphased, “Actually, yes, because it’s the voice of Nico Yazawa doing an original modern, musical riff on Charles Dickens.” She pulled out her phone and fired off a text.

N: Hey, Maki, meet me and Eli at the coffeeshop. Ellington vs. Tchaikovsky death match.

M: Use their full names.

M: And I’m busy.

N: Get unbusy. Nico’s going to help you with Eli. So that more people can hear Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s genius.

No reply. Nico grabbed Eli’s elbow, “We’re going to the coffeeshop. Maki’s going to meet us there.”

“Did she say that?”

Nico grinned. “Not yet.”

“Yazawa…”

Nico yanked, “You, me, coffeeshop, Team Christmas meeting.”

Eli hesitated, “I don’t drink coffee.”

“You don’t drink coffee?”

Eli shook her head, “Bad for the body.”

“We are going to the coffeeshop. Nico needs enough caffeine for three people to deal with this.”

“But…”

Nico’s phone pinged, Maki.

M: Ten minutes

N: (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)

M: Two years.

N; See you soon.

M: ᕕ| ͡■ ﹏ ■͡ |و

N: Ooh, Maki sent Nico a sexy selfie.

No reply. Nico laughed, but refused to answer Eli’s questions.

###

The coffeeshop had been a mistake. Nozomi’s eyes had developed a laser-like glow the second Eli stepped in behind Nico.

“Nico-chi! You brought me a present!” Nozomi looked like she was about to vault the counter. Eli was staring around like she’d never been out in public before and Nico didn’t know what that was about but Nozomi was the bigger problem, so Nico reached out, grabbed Nozomi’s apron, and pulled her into hiss, “Stop perving.”

“No.”

Nico released Nozomi and deliberately used a liberal amount of hand sanitizer, “You disgust me. Eli doesn’t drink coffee so don’t bug her.”

“Who is she?”

“Choreographer.”

“A dancer.” There was something in Nozomi’s tone Nico never wanted to hear again.

“Hey, Eli, tell Nozomi what you want and let’s hit the corner booth.”

Eli very politely stood at the counter, reading the menu with an expression that could have meant she was examining a bomb that needed defusing.

Nozomi leaned over, “Welcome. First drink is always on the house. And I make a luscious hot chocolate.”

Eli started to smile, but then shook her head, “I can’t. I only allow myself a cheat day once a month.”

“I won’t tell.” Nozomi winked.

“Just a peppermint tea, please.”

Nozomi considered, finger tapping her chin, “I’ll consider it if…”

“Don’t you just take customer orders?”

Eli’s genuine confusion had Nico snorting as she eavesdropped. “Newb.”

Nozomi continued, “You come back for a hot chocolate on your cheat day.”

Eli tilted her head, lashed flitting slowly over bright blue eyes, and then she smiled at Nozomi, “Okay.”

“Good, that’s settled, let’s go, bring me a strawberry latte in a bucket.” Nico dragged Eli to the table.

“This is a friendly little place,” Eli decided.

Nico unpacked her bag, refusing comment.

###

Maki slid into the booth, wondering if Nico had chosen the one without decorations deliberately. The choreographer was there, with tea in front of her, staring around the shop. Nico was on her phone, typing rapidly. Maki wondered to who.

Nico glanced up, “Hi, Maki! Thanks for meeting us.”

“Us?”

“Nico, Eli, Maki...We three Queens of the Tudor Christmas Pageant.”

“I’m not having any title with Christmas in it.” Maki stated.

“There were Kings, not Queens. Or wise men.” Eli frowned, “Next to the ass. In the manger.”

Nico sighed, closed her eyes, choked a little on snark, and then smiled, “This is not a Nativity Pageant, Queens rule, you, Maki, can choose any title you want as long as you commit to composing music for Nico’s Christmas Carol.”

“What about my Nutcracker scenes? Clara? The Mouse King?”

“Nico loves a good sword fight as much as anyone, but I think Maki has a point about Duke Ellington.”

“What?” Maki spun in her seat.

“You want something different, to show people music that while great, they might not have been exposed to.”

Maki hesitated, “Yeah.”

“Nico approves.”

“But I can’t just deliver all new choreography.” Eli whined.

Nico leaned in, “Don’t you have advanced choreography students?”

“Yes.”

“Give them the dances you can’t manage. Make it their final. It’s a real world challenge. Dancers love crazy pressure.”

“But it’s not Christmas without...”

Nico was unmoveable. “Make some new Christmas memories, Eli.”

Eli was suspicious, “Do you two know each other or something?”

“No.” Maki practically shouted, while Nico looked at her despairingly.

“Nico met Maki the same day I met you, and yes, Nico is trying to charm Maki into scoring her bopping new musical version of A Christmas Carol, but she also has a point.”

Eli hmmpfed and changed her tactic, “I won’t have time, I don’t know how to work with jazz…”

Nico glared as Eli trailed off.

“I don’t bop.” Maki broke into the silence.

“Nico will teach you.”

Maki took a flash drive out of her pocket and slid it toward Eli, “These are my favorite pieces. I think a modern dance approach mixed with a foundation of ballet would work really well with them.” Maki hesitated, cleared her throat, and continued, staring out the window behind Eli, “I understand loving traditional Christmas things…” a pause, fingers tapping, “But some of us do need to make new memories.”

After a minute, Eli picked up the flash drive, “Okay, I’ll listen. No promises.”

Both women turned to Nico, expecting something said with a flourish, but Nico was silent, chin in hand, seemingly absorbed in Maki’s profile.

“Nico?” Maki waved a hand in front of Nico’s nose.

Nico jumped, “Good that’s settled.” Nico stared around her, “Where’s my latte? Darn Nozomi, Nico will be right back.” Nico headed to the counter, “Nozomi, how can you keep your number one customer waiting?”

Maki stared at Nico’s large and half full cup, then glanced over at Eli, who raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

“Um.” Eli was watching Nozomi laugh at a Nico who seemed to be hopping up and down with rage, “I need to get back for an evening class.”

“Let me know what you think.”

Eli nodded, then followed Nico’s path to the counter. It was like a relay, Eli arrived, Nico grabbed what looked like a plate as well as a mug, and Nozomi ignored Nico as soon as Eli began speaking.

“Yeah, yeah, go to your class. Nico will be in touch.” Nico called over her shoulder, then slid in next to Maki, putting a plate with two scones between them. “Pumpkin cinnamon chip. They’re delicious. Have one.”

“Okay.” Maki took a bite. “”S good.”

Nico winked, “Always trust Nico.”

Maki shrugged and chewed.

“So why are you making new Christmas memories. What’s wrong with the old?”

“External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Foul weather didn’t know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often `came down’ handsomely, and Scrooge never did.”

“Scrooge? Is that why you don’t want to work on Nico’s Christmas Carol.”

“You demanded a better line for my favorite.” Maki explained, “So this is it.”

“That’s a chunk not a line. Dickens was hailing words.” Nico giggled; Maki remained unimpressed.

“The weather sets such a mood, grim, cold, clingy, mist and fog and all the things Scrooge won’t be able to escape.”

Nico considered, eating half her scone before replying, “True. But Nico took those parts out. Boring. No people in them.”

“No people in them?” Granted, Maki had only done a quick read of A Christmas Carol, not an indepth dive for a thesis she was prepared to defend in front of a panel, but…”Scrooge is in them. It all describes Scrooge. His mental weather.”

Nico sipped. She was proud of her adaptation. All the Victorian carols and games and silliness had been nicely modernized. There was no space for Victorian gloom. Christmas Present was a little judgey and Christmas Yet To Come a little unsympathetic, but the characters around Scrooge were so vibrant that eventually he came to see the life he was missing. “Actions are more interesting than “mental weather.”

“But you could set such a great, scary, best ghost story of all time mood.” Maki’s eyes gleamed.

“Nico went for friends, family, and community mending a heart broken by life.”

Maki was surprisingly insistent. “His heart wasn’t broken. He took it out himself and locked it up with his gold.”

Nico sipped again, trying to arrange her features in an expression that represented thoughtful consideration. “That interpretation can be found in the text.”

“That is the text.” Maki was almost shouting. Nico touched Maki’s forearm and the other woman pulled back, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Sorry.” Nico cupped her new mug in both hands, ignoring her previous one.

Maki shrugged.

Nico inhaled, calming the atmosphere. “I spent years working on this. Did Umi give you my script?”

“I haven’t opened that email. I prefer reading on paper if it’s that long.”

Nico tapped her cup, a measure to keep her temper. “I will hand deliver a copy if the great composer will do me the courtesy of reading my carefully constructed ninety minutes of gripping, heart warming human drama before trashing its central theme.”

Maki blushed, a hand in her hair, half turned away from Nico.

“Nico’s favorite chunk, if you remember, starts with “Mankind was my business.” You know the part where Scrooge’s sole friend, Marley, shows him exactly why the successful life he’s been leading is a failure.”

“You could do so many things with percussion there. And maybe some violins, chilling…different strings for the phantoms outside.”

Nico frowned. This would be easier if Maki read the script. “No floating phantoms. Nico went with the Marley’s taking their shot to actually do one good thing angle. But you’ll see that when you read the script.” Nico paused, “The nuances will attract you.”

There was nothing nuanced about Nico, Maki thought, as the playwright waited for a response. Nico was the picture perfect professor of Drama and Performance, stylish, very noticeable clothes, hair in a bun, neat, well used bag hanging off her chair, every gesture broad and full of meaning, voice full and making complete use of the spectrum of emotion.

“Maki.” A demand for attention, like everything about Nico.

“I’ll read it.” A quick agreement.

WIth a nod, Nico flounced out, leaving Maki surprised by the abrupt departure. At least Nico wasn’t the first of a train of writer/directors planning to haunt Maki into collaboration. Maki played with the crumbs of her scone, sorry Nico hadn’t had a copy of the script in her bag. Now she was curious. Maki stopped, leaned her head back, and sighed, apparently, she was going to do this. Well, it would be a new Christmas memory. Next time, she’d have to be more careful what she asked the universe for.

A/N: A/N: And the annual tradition returns.Last year's got sideswiped by the pandemic, although I would like to finish it, so this year, I went back to paced like a movie basics.

I hope this finds you well. Thanks for reading.

[lonelypond]

Protect All Idols, Ch. 2

NicoMaki, NozoEli, Love Live, 2.3K, 2/2

Solutions are decided on.

Next Steps

Nozomi couldn't not stare. Eli, in her sharpest tailored suit, the light blue collar of her shirt accenting her eye color, brought out all Nozomi's interupting urges. But this wasn't high school. Young women's health and reputations were endangered and Eli was in full on protect mode. Nozomi wondered what she'd be like with their own children.

"So you will be messengering a copy of this agreement to Yazawa-san immediately, correct?" Eli's stern look matched her professional tone.

"Of course, Ayase-san."

"She will be handling the details of arranging the volunteer shifts so please assist her with the same courtesy and competence you have shown me."

"It will be our pleasure, Ayase-san."

"Thank you. We look forward to working with you in the future." "We would be grateful for the opportunity." The video conference was wrapping up. Nozomi sat up. She saw a slight shift in Eli's posture and giggled silently. Eli was bracing for what would happen next.

"Please give my thanks to your board of directors and staff, Adachi-san."

"I hope we can meet when you are next in Tokyo."

"I will certainly be in touch to schedule that. I appreciate your personal effort to help us resolve this."

After a few more formalities, Eli closed her laptop, and turned her chair to face Nozomi, eyebrow quirked, "So..."

Nozomi raised her own eyebrow, "So..."

"I bet I can guess what you're thinking." "Really..." Nozomi slid into Eli's lap, "Have you named our children yet?" "What?" A startled Eli nearly jumped. Unfazed, Nozomi had one armed wrapped around her shoulders, and undid Eli's tie with her other hand.

"You're just so cute when you're in hyper protective parent mode."

Eli blushed. "We're still in college." Undone buttons, "Then it's good that there's things we don't need to worry about."

Eli would be missing that evening's discussion session.

###

Aki couldn’t decide on a lipstick color.

“Nico-chan said natural was cuter.” Kawano Aki announced.

Harada Mai sneered. “Unless you want a contract as a makeup influencer.”

“Some makeup companies are pushing the natural look.” Ryuen Shizu glanced up from her phone.

Mai leaned over Aki, picking through the makeup. “You went undercut and blonde so skip cutesy and go with vivid red. I like this one.” She handed Aki a lip paint. “Uncensored.”

“Oh you can’t beat Fenty...but Uncuffed will go better at an elementary school.” Shizu glared at Mai, “We’re going out to bring lunches to school children, not clubbing.”

“Whatever.” Mai flopped on her bed, “I say if you’ve got an image, push it. I’m tired of daylight events.”

Aki frowned. No one was saying out loud what the discussion was really about, which was their current schedule of events doing community service, concerts for seniors, tech help for orphans, school lunches to help boost Aki’s popularity.

“So stay here.” Aki snapped, “No one’s ripping into you for having feelings.’

Shizu snorted but when Aki turned to her, she smiled benevolently and shrugged.

“Look, I have rehearsals with the Bokeh Blossoms right after every one of these; it’s exhausting." Mai frowned, "Nico doesn’t go.”

“I don’t mind.” Shizu spoke up.

“You’re too nice.” Mai threw a pillow at the ceiling.

“Nice is always a good look.” Shizu countered.

“Amateurs.” Mai let the pillow fall on her face.

Aki frowned, confronting the array of lip color choices before her. She grabbed a dusty pink GlossBomb and confidently applied it.

Mai sat up, “Compromise. Smart. I like the way it glitters.”

“FU$$Y”

“$uits you.” Shizu giggled; Aki stuck out her tongue. Mai grinned thinking, this conversation would probably make it to the final broadcast edit. It was cute.

###

Tsubasa leaned forward, fingers splayed out over the table as she TwigTimed Anju and Erena. “Nico and Muse have been really clever, setting up this whole Idol House gig. It’s time to get involved.”

“So you want us to set up a mini A-Rise house?” Erena spoke slowly.

“No, too much like copying. We just fix their PR problem for them.”

“How?”

“Find a couple of other girls, maybe 3 actually, so they’re not a trio once we add Kawano-san. We want to avoid direct comparisons.”

“That might be cute.” Anju giggled, “an A-Rise Jr.”

“She’s not a strong singer or rapper.” Erena pointed out.

“No, but she’s a talented dancer. And she’s very vocal.”

“Isn’t that the problem?” Erena countered.

Tsubasa shook her head, “Nico and Muse are idealists. This happened because they leave too many things to chance. We give her the best PR training in the business. She’s sharp and wants to be noticed.” Tsubasa thought about Kawano-san moving from Nico to Maki once she figured out Maki was the better catch. “And she’s got an instinct for glamor.”

“Sounds like a fun project. It’d be fun to costume a different group. There’s looks I’ve wanted to try that won’t work for us.” Anju was already sketching.

“A couple of our back up dancers from the last video caught my eye.” Erena admitted.

“Which just leaves one more girl to find.” Tsubasa smiled, “We can do our management company a favor and take a trick from K-pop and find a Chinese Idol wannabe looking for a group. Raise our profile in that market.”

“Ooohh, I like that.” Anju added a mandarin style hat to her design.

“Very solid strategizing.” Erena nodded.

“As always. I’ll call the management team, Erena, you reach out to the dancers, and Anju…”

Anju glanced up from her sketch.

“Galaxy level cute.”

Anju winked and tapped her nose with the pencil. “Of course.”

###

“B-HOLD!!!!!!!” Nico was shouting and stomping. A pillow that had fallen to the floor got kicked across the room. Maki, an amused gleam in her eye, was curled up like a cat on Nico’s bed in Nico’s former room at the Yazawa apartment, watching Nico rant and storm.

“Tsubasa wants revenge.”

Maki raspberries, “What? For all the flowers.”

“Hey, that was before Nico met you. And Tsubasa tried to steal you. And then you wrote a WHOLE album for her. And now she’s not happy stealing Nico’s girl, she’s gotta steal Nico’s ideas too…”

Nico rushed by, Maki reached out an arm, and pulled Nico in, dragging the grump into a hug, “She never stole me, Nico-chan.”

“An entire album.”

“Nico-chan.”

Nico sighed, “I know. You needed music.” Nico flopped back on the bed, “I’m sorry I didn’t pay enough attention. I just wanted to keep you out of messes.” Nico punched the mattress, “And now we’re in the middle of messy.”

Maki rolled over Nico’s arm, curling up next to Nico, “ “s my fault. I should have talked to you. And I should have stayed out of Idol House. But when Kawano said that…”

Nico heard a growl coming from her fiancee. She pulled Maki closer, dropping her head to rest on Maki’s hair, smelling the soothing coconut lavender shampoo, “Nobody’s stealing Nico either. Ever.”

“I know.” Maki moved even closer, “I love you, Nico-chan." A pause, "It’s so weird being back here.”

Nico glanced around the room. Cocoro had taken it over, kept the pink color scheme, and put up even more posters of Nico than Nico ever had. Maki shouldn’t mind that. “What’s so weird about it?”

Maki muttered something into Nico’s shoulder.

“What was that?” Nico’s fingers slid through the softness of Maki’s hair. Was that a shiver? Nico suddenly felt more alert.

“Your mom’s in the next room. And we’re…”

“Currently very child friendly.” Nico chuckled, “Except for the language Nico is going to use about Tsubasa.” Nico wondered if Maki was blushing. Or thinking about all the times in this room they’d ALMOST...Nico needed to stop that train of thought. Now that they’d...well, Nico had a lot more trouble focusing, especially when Maki was so near and felt so warm...and suddenly Maki’s eyes were...and so luminous and…

###

Tsubasa Kira spoke right to the cameras, winking, seizing the room, flopping down on the couch next to a glammed up Harada Mai and throwing an arm around her, “We would have stolen you from Nico to, but the Bokeh Blossoms will have a really nice set up here while they record their next album.”

Mai bounced, torn between giving Super idol Kira Tsubasa her full attention and following Kira-san’s example and working the cameras. She finally just deciding on grabbing Tsubasa’s arm and squealing, “And Nico has set up meetings with the best makeup and fashion brands. It’s so cool. We’re getting total makeovers.”

“Nico understands better than anyone the value of GOOD publicity…”

The Nishikino media room exploded as Nico flew off the couch, Maki reaching out to pull her back before she attacked this week’s episode of Idol House, filmed two weeks ago, this conversation happening after Nico moved out.

“She didn’t say anything negative, Nico-chan, it’s a compliment.”

“It’s the tone...Tsubasa has it in for me.”

“Tsubasa has been very helpful, Nico.” Umi stated calmly from where she was wedged between Honoka and Kotori.

“Yeah, they set up a whole group to put Aki-san in the middle of.” Honoka added.

"And that press conference," Kotori swooned again, she'd been texting Nico about A-Rise's new look for a week. Nico A-Rise tolerance was currently non existent but Umi had mentioned to Nico the improvement in Kotori's mood so Nico just sent back (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑ when Kotori sketched new A-RIse inspired ideas.

“Which got them impressive amounts of positive mentions. Trending topic for 3 days.” Hanayo glanced up from her phone, “Idol House is trending now.”

“Nico Ni needs to trend.”

“Just wait’ll you move in with the” Rin made a huge sweep with her arms, almost knocking Hanayo’s phone out of her hand, “hottie heiress you stole from her tower. Everyone’ll go wild.” Rin stuck her tongue out at Maki.

“Well, Nico did do that.” Nico’s smug look made Maki pause her throwing a pillow at Rin action to smash Nico with it, “Hey, what was that for?”

“I proposed to you.”

“But only because Nico…”

Maki didn’t want to hear whatever Nico’s brag was going to be and just leaned in, kissing the Super Idol silent. Umi paled. Kotori giggled as Honoka cheered. Rin rolled away and Hanayo quietly put her phone down after capturing the image for Nico’s TWIG feed.

A quiet chuckle pulled everyone not kissing’s attention away from the screen and to their non Muse guest, Ryuen Shizu. “Are you always this...insane when you get together?

“Yes,” Umi’s tone carried the weight of years.

“You need to be here when Nozomi’s here, that’s the real crazy.” Rin flipped over, hanging off the couch upside down to watch Shizu packing boxes onscreen, “Hey, you’re in two places.”

Shizu glanced at Nico, but Nico was still making out with Maki, so then she turned to Honoka as the only other person she’d really ever talked to, “Is she serious?”

“Rin? Seriously silly.”

“You betcha.” Rin did an ab crunch, pillow poised to launch and knocked Maki out of her embrace with Nico. “Ha! Gotcha.”

Maki took the pillow and without breaking eye contact with Nico, tossed it back toward Rin, actually hitting Hanayo, who squealed and dropped her phone. This launched Rin at Maki, pulling the taller girl into a wrestling hold

“Nico?” Shizu asked quietly, now that Nico was laughing at Maki, not kissing her.

“Huh?” Nico took a minute to get acclimated back to the watch party, “Oh, Shizu-chan? What’s wrong?”

Shizu scooted closer, almost whispering, “Is the tour going to be like this?”

Nico shook her head, “No. Nico is a total pro. You and Maki will record and livestream, Nico will rehearse with the dancers, and you’ll open each show. There’s a lot of travel time.”

“And halfway through, Kayo-chin and I will visit and there will be fireworks and pillow fights every night.”

Maki had Rin in a chokehold, “Not if I don’t reserve you a hotel room.”

“Nico.” Rin whined, “You won’t let her leave us out. Kayo-chin’s your biggest fan.”

“No, she’s not. Take that back.” Maki growled.

“Rin.” Hanayo turned away from both screens, “Don’t make Maki mad.”

“Don’t care. She can’t keep me away.”

Umi was now standing over Maki, a steady hand on her shoulder, “Let Rin go.”

Kotori was whispering something distracting in Honoka’s ear or Nico thought there surely would have been a third in the WrestleMania portion of the evening.

With a grumble, Maki released Rin and flumped next to Nico.

“I pressed pause. Do you want me to start up again?” Hanayo asked.

“Nico’s tired.” Nico exaggerated a yawn. Maki got a hopeful gleam.

Kotori stood up, sliding her arm through Umi’s, “Let’s go back to Honoka’s, Umi-chan. I want a snack.”

“C’mon, Kayo-chin, we can walk with them and finish it at our place.” Rin pulled Hanayo off the couch.

“All right.” Hanayo agreed reluctantly, looking back at the screen.

“See you soon, Maki.” Rin waved cheerfully.

“Sure.” Maki was back to staring at Nico.

Shizu waited for someone to say something, but then realized no one was going to pay attention to her. She stood.

“I’m going to go up to my room. Thank you for your hospitality, Nishikino-san.”

“Maki.” Maki waved in a random direction.

Nico had a hand sliding around Maki’s shoulder to get tangled in her hair, “Remember, we have a breakfast meeting.”

“Of course. Good night.”

“Good night.”

The kiss started before the door closed, and in one of the pauses, Nico whispered, “You’re going to miss them.”

Maki shook her head, curls bouncing as she drew Nico back on the couch, “Not for a month.”

Nico laughed. Being an Idol House producer had more perqs than being an Idol House resident, hands on time with Maki being the best.

Maki pulled away, blushing, “What’s funny, Nico-chan?”

“How everything works out.”

“As long as I’m right here, with you, I don’t care.”

Nico, as much as her head was full of future plans and successes and pitfalls, let herself get lost in the intimacy of having Maki so near and was surprised to find herself in full agreement, “Me neither.”

“Good.” And then somehow, Maki’s lips made the gentlest touch against Nico’s, an invitation igniting an inferno.

A/N: Thanksgiving here. Having a quiet day building a Christmas playlist to write to. Drop a song or favorite holiday trope in the comments, please and thank you.

[lonelypond]

Nico Attacks: A Campfire Tale, Chapter 3

NicoMaki, NozoEli, Love Live, 1.6K, 3/4

Eli and Umi make their separate ways back to camp while Maki's night of adventure continues.

And Then There Was One

Eli was concentrating on holding Vik’s hand tightly, but not too tightly as they made their way back to camp, focusing on the flashlight beam, forcing herself not to see out of the tunnel vision, not to hear the noises, focusing on how cute Vik looked, wolf ears bobbing as they happily chattered about how much fun camping was.

And then there was a brighter light ahead and a silhouette Eli would know anywhere. “Nozomi!”

“Mommy!” Vik ran toward Nozomi, who hefted them up easily with one arm. Nozomi might look soft, but Eli had always been impressed by her strength, both physical and emotional.

“Hi!” Nozomi’s voice was the warmth and bright Eli needed right now and she hurried to get in on the hug. “Missed you.”

A family moment and then Nozomi put Vik back down, “Why don’t you go find Teddy and tell her what you and Aunt Nico did.”

“Okay.”

Vik disappeared through the trees and then Nozomi snapped off the flashlight, causing Eli to freeze like ice had suddenly coalesced around her.

“Nozomi.” Eli couldn’t keep the whine out of her voice, “Turn that back on.”

“But Eli, you’re so cute when you’re clingy.”

“Nozomi!” Eli kept her hands behind her back, she’d learned long ago it was risky to reach for her wife when Nozomi was in this impish, playful mood, “Did you know Nico was going to this?”

Nozomi’s response was a giggle as she stepped closer to Eli, her hand reaching for Eli’s waist.

“But Maki’s having fun isn’t she?”

“I’m not.” Eli grumbled.

“You could be.”

“Nozomi.” Eli could feel the thrill, at war with the embarrassment and the fear. In the dark, she couldn’t see the dare in Nozomi’s eye, but it was a familiar mood. And they’d been busy, and not really had enough time for each other, Nozomi’s hands had just found that spot, and Eli could only feel Nozomi and not the tree at her back.

“You’re lovely,” Nozomi whispered and Eli reached forward to grab the steadiest support in her world.

###

“Caught.” Umi stated matter-of-factly as she lifted the net near Maki’s shoulder.

“Can you get this off me?”

Umi considered. The wind howled again, sounding even more artificial than 30 seconds ago. Then there was a weighted, expectant silence, long enough for Umi to pull out her clasp knife again and suddenly speakers blasted from everywhere, Maki and Umi and Eli’s Soldier Game singles vocal tracks amplified loud enough to make the leaves still clinging fall. But it wasn’t right. Maki frowned, her hands pulling at the netting, wanting to rip a hole so she could find the speakers and demolish them.

“That doesn’t sound...right.”

“It’s not...Nico-chan remixed it,” Maki’s voice was thin with anger, “She took the damn songs and transposed them into a major key. And picked up the tempo.”

“Why?”

Maki hissed, “She’s making it ‘cuter.’”

Umi froze, and then laughter roared out. “Hits you where it hurts.”

“My ears?” Maki raised her hands, the netting making the gesture slow.

“Your ego.”

“I don’t have an ego. This isn’t subjective in any way. There’s the songs the way I composed them and now, there’s the songs Nico’s bastardized.”

Umi held up her knife, sliding it under a string. And then, as Maki made encouraging sounds, Umi pulled the knife out, stepped back, and flipped it shut with a grand gesture.

“This really seems like a private marital squabble.”

“UMI!”

Umi nodded her head, “Yes, I think it’s time for the Diamond Princess to be rescued by her Ruby Rogue.”

“C’mon, Umi, don’t do this.”

“Thank Nico for the stimulating evening.”

“UMI!”

And with a bow, Umi wandered off, toward the main cabin, whistling “Cutie Panther.”

###

Laughter really was the cure for fright, Umi thought as she chuckled at the memory of Nico’s antics over the years, from the haunted doll set up in the club room to this. Always impressive attention to details. Nico had just started directing music videos. She was going to be really good at it, Umi realized. Now low drifts of mist rose around Umi from the creek to her left. Umi knelt her keychain flashlight shining on melting chunks of dry ice. Nico was close. Umi turned the light off and waited, listening.

A low groan started, rising in volume. Not Nico. She would have done a better job of disguising her voice and stretching out scary thrills. This was light, fast, silly...definitely Rin. Umi crept forward cautiously, waiting to trigger the opening act for whatever Nico had roped Rin into.  With a loud crack, a branch swung, clearing two feet over where Maki’s head would have been (she’d gained 2 cm on Eli). Timed to the crack, a short ghost jumped at Umi.

“BOO!”

Umi laughed and put a hand on Rin’s shoulder, “Hi, Rin.”

“HEY! You’re supposed to be scared. You’re also supposed to be Maki.” Rin crossed her arms over, catching some of the folds of the sheet scattered with flourescents as she did. Nico must have a black light set up.

“Left Maki in the net.”

Rin thought about that for a few seconds, and then went to push past Umi, “I have to see that.”

Umi shook her head, “She’s probably out by now and looking for Nico.”

“Shoulda gotten a picture.”

“Who says I didn’t?”

“Let me see.”

“First, we get back to camp.” Umi glanced at her watch, also fluorescent under the black light, “It’s time for Kaito to go to bed. Kotori will indulge him.”

“We’re camping, Umi.”

“Routines are important.”

“Boo. Bedtimes are boring.”

“You have a child not a curfew, Rin.”

“You’ve never closed down anything in your life.”

“Just this conversation. Let’s go.” Umi had decoded Nico’s trail sign and set off for camp.

###

Maki wanted earplugs. This was the worst thing yet, this loop of Soldier Game and Bibi songs, twisted just enough to be annoying. Not even earplugs, she wanted to be a turtle, and pull her head in her shell, and just sit here and wait it out until Nico was bored or exhausted or out of ideas. But Nico was never out of ideas. That was part of the fascination, how Nico could hop with quicksilver speed from wild thought to weirder inspiration and still stay so solidly grounded as wife, mother, and professional. It was dizzying sometimes, but Nico always made sure they landed safely somewhere, usually bed.

Maki grimaced. It was too early for that thought, she was annoyed at Nico, not hot for Nico. Okay, always hot for Nico but there was definitely going to be a phase where she refused to admit it. Maki pulled at the netting, it still refused to just tear. She dropped to her knee, the edges were slightly weighted, but with careful movements, Maki managed to work it over her head. Shaking it off as she stood, she reoriented herself. Umi had left the camping lantern. There was nothing but trees and woody shadows to be seen as far as its light shone. Unless Nico had decided to impersonate a dryad, she wasn’t lingering to see Maki struggle with the net. Leave the music and run, that had been her strategy. Maybe Umi had stumbled over her.

The adrenaline buzz of a challenge was wearing off. If Maki had those speakers within reach, she’d rip them out of the trees. Umi had gone to the left, but Maki knew by the creek that that trail headed back to camp, which left Maki guessing that to the right would bring her to the cabin. But would it bring her to Nico? Or just more nonsense? Maki sighed, running her fingers through her hair. Still sticky. Once she got to the cabin, Maki was going to lock all the doors and windows, blast music Nico couldn’t stand, and soak for hours. Everyone else could go back to Tokyo.

###

“There’s a whole song called "Autumn In New York", Nico. I added it to my set. People LOVE it.”

Honoka’s voice carried through the trees as Rin and Umi approached the camp. But why did she sound like she was on a call with Nico? Neither of them should be fireside right now.

Umi stepped into the light of the campfire, ahead of Rin. Nico was sitting, smug, comfortable, on a camp stool, mug in hand, phone propped on a low table. Rin immediately dodged around Umi and ran for the tent she was sharing with Hanayo, Tora, Dia, and Ruby, giving Nico a thumbs up.

Nico was paying no attention to anyone physically present. “Post a video. Nico wants to see. Maybe from Central Park. It’s pretty there this time of year.”

“Nico.” Umi said sternly. Nico looked up, surprised.

“UMI!” Honoka’s excited tone brought Kotori out of the tent she had claimed for their family.

“Why are you here, Nico? You are supposed to be in the woods…” Umi searched for a word…”shenaniganing. I left Maki in a net. You were going to rescue her.”

“That’s not on my schedule.” Nico sipped.

“What exactly is on your schedule?” Umi glanced down at the phone, where Honoka, her hair now long, was gleefully watching the exchange. Kotori wrapped Umi in a hug, but Umi refused to allow herself to be soothed.

Nico raised her mug, “Maki rescues herself, tears everything out of the trees, and stomps off her anger while Nico has a warming drink.”

Honoka sounded like she was bouncing. “Next year, I want to help you make a haunted house, Nico. How about at the beach? Skeleton mermaids crawling up to the house.”

Umi rubbed her forehead, “Can we get Maki back safe this year, first.”

“Nico has everything handled."

“What’s next?"

“Ooohh, what are you gonna do next?” Honoka sounded like the Ayase twins about to unleash a prank.

Nico grinned, leaning forward, “The best kind of trick.”

“And that is?” Umi let herself relax back into Kotori, exasperation winning.

“A treat.” Nico winked.

A/N: Have been working on three concurrent Poe projects so only a little time for fanfic. What's your Halloween like this strange year? I'm watching ParaNorman with an open text chat.

[lonelypond]

Moonlight Becomes You: Apocalypse Midnight Dance Party, Ch. 10

Love Live/Love Live Sunshine, NozoEli, NicoMaki, KanaMari, 2.2K, 10/?

Summary: Eli finally gets a minute to talk to a cute girl. And Kanan finds her dinner interupted.

Nozomi In The House

The silence was too uncomfortable for Eli, the driver wasn’t going to talk, and Nozomi had almost started to say something several times, but instead pursed her lips and went back to staring out the window. IT WAS GOING TO DRIVE ELI MAD. But she didn’t want to talk about the crying or Nico or…

Ah, they did have two more people in common now. “How did you meet Kanan and Mari? Did one of them wander into your shop?”

Nozomi snorted and tapped the window of the luxury sedan, “I don’t think Mari’s ever set foot in that neighborhood. The property values are too low.”

Eli didn’t know how to process that response and just sighed, feeling her shoulders sag.

“I’m sorry, Eli. That was a serious question and I didn’t give you a serious answer.” Nozomi turned away from the window, her smile gentle, “That friend Kanan mentioned, Yoshiko…”

Eli nodded, now wary, but Nozomi continued brightly, “is married to my dear friend Hanamaru who owns a lovely little quirky bookstore on a very ritzy street it really has no business being on. But there it remains.” Nozomi chuckled, “Everything Yoshiko touches is a little like that. Very thoroughly unapologetic of itself and slightly out of place.”

Eli relaxed when she realized Nozomi wasn’t going to push Kanan’s ‘meet my friend’ suggestion on her. “That sounds refreshing. Almost everyone I meet is trying to fit in a particular slot somewhere for some role. I imagine there’s charm in a place unique like that.”

Nozomi’s eyebrows shot up in amusement, “I find it comforting myself. I’ve been having tea there a lot recently, while I was wondering if my phone still worked.”

“Huh?” Eli’s face wrinkled in confusion, “Is it a repair shop?”

“I was waiting for someone to text me.” Nozomi nudged Eli’s knee, noticing how Eli scooted away.

“Who?” It was a mumble, a completely lacking in confidence mumble, completely incapable of selling the suggestion that Eli didn’t know EXACTLY what Nozomi was talking about.

Nozomi just stared until Eli finished glancing everywhere but at her. Nozomi could see guilt wash through blue eyes as Eli acknowledged her lack of outreach, “Oh. Me.” Eli bopped her head, “Sorry. It’s been so many long days. And I just…” Eli had no words for what was happening. Or what she was feeling. Or how desperately she wanted to just be home on her couch, safe, not haunted with worries of the nights she couldn’t remember.

As Eli held her gaze, Nozomi decided it didn’t matter that Eli hadn’t texted her. What did matter was that some of the sadness that weighted Eli’s expression was lifted and that Nozomi found out if there was anything she could do.

“Eli?”

“Yes?” Eli was blinking, trying not to cry, with nowhere to go until the car stopped.

Nozomi just rushed right in, her hand nearly touching Eli’s. “Are you sick? Can I help? Did you get hurt at rehearsal?”

Eli stiffened, her shoulders raising, her chest closing, suddenly crunching in on herself, “No. Rehearsals are fine...dancing is…” A turn to the window, pulling her hand back, leaning into her elbow, eyes on the passing view, “dancing is the only thing that’s really working about me now.”

Eli was talking, reluctantly, but talking. Nozomi decided to press, “What isn’t working? Nico? I know you said you had roommate trouble.”

Eli’s voice sounded thick, “I’m the roommate trouble.”

Nozomi sat still as the car headed toward Silver Lakes and Eli continud, “Nico’s pretty amazing. I wouldn’t be in LA without her, she just...gets me.” Eli smiled wistfully, and Nozomi was suddenly caught by this breathing, touchable portrait of noble sadness, “People don’t do friends enough anymore. There’s something solid about Nico. We were never going to date, but...:” Eli looked straight at Nozomi, “we just get along, you know, really well. It’s fun.”

Nozomi nodded, glad that Eli trusted her enough to talk about some of the details of her life with Nico.

“And now there’s this DJ,” Eli frowned, “And I think Nico really likes her but I don’t and I don’t because I don’t know how it’ll change everything. And right now…” Nozomi could see tears as Eli tilted her head back to rest on the seat, “everything’s just too extra crazy…” Eli’s voice was the thinnest of whispers, ‘because I’m changing. Maybe I should leave...maybe that’d be better.”

“Where would you go?” Nozomi wondered. She knew so little about Eli.

“Home?”

Nozomi wasn’t sure if the question in Eli’s voice meant the home she’d grown up in or one she hadn’t found yet. Or maybe that was Nozomi’s own struggle shadowing the conversation. LA had been a good pause for a traveller, but Nozomi wasn’t certain that there was anywhere she could put roots down.

Nozomi could only offer a cryptic response. She had spent too much time changing places to really believe she might be happy in a more settled existence. “Home is such an individual craving.”

“Craving…” Eli chuckled, “Maybe it’s worse because I’ve been reminded of my grandmother recently. Russian spices in the house again. Nico hates it.” Eli hesitated, then continued, her voice gaining strength, her eyes clearing, “Grandmother would be proud I’m working on a solo show; she was the prima ballerina in her company. So much grace, you even can see it in the lines when she posed for still shots. Every gesture is another key to understanding emotion.” Eli fluttered her hand, sweeping it through the space in front of them, “I aspire to that level of mastery.”

“I’d love to see the photos sometime.” Nozomi wondered if child Eli was in some of them and if her eyes would be as shadowed.

“Sure. When we get to the apartment. Nico’s probably in the middle of cooking six things although she’ll claim she just wants salad. When she stress cooks and makes a curry casserole it’s a bit of fusion heaven.”

“I will take you up on that.”

Eli turned to Nozomi, mischief bright, “It’s a date then. Nico will be so annoyed when I have one and she doesn’t.”

“Are you going for friend or prankster?” Nozomi couldn’t help laughing as Eli bounced slightly in her seat.

“Both.” Eli leaned forward, amusement now the mood in the car, “Retaliating brings Nico unhealthy amounts of joy.”

This was obviously a friendship with its own rules. Good for Eli. Nozomi looked forward to the sparring match she was being invited to.

###

“So Yoshiko just dropped this poor girl from the sky? On her parents?” Mari left out the names. As much as she enjoyed harassing Maki Nishikino, Mari also understood fame and fortune attracted too many random ears.

Kanan tapped her water glass with her knife, “Well, in the pool. They were alone in a cabana, You and I were having a quick meeting at the front of the pool. And then everybody jumped in, one after the other…”

Mari giggled, playing with her champagne flute, “Nico looked like an undersized chihuahua rescued from a flood when she came back to our place.”

“It was worse for You. She was wearing that raggedy old pair of shorts she keeps for laundry and PMS days and drip dried in the ambulance.”

Mari froze, “You sent You to save the timeline in those awful shorts.”

Kanan shrugged, “She’ll be fine.”

“How hot is the time traveller?” Mari had switched to hotel magnate meeting planning mode, her voice crisp and resonant.

Kanan glanced around the room, as Mari’s voice was now carrying, a concern considering the publicness of their location and the topic, but everyone else was focused on their own meals and conversations. Eavesdroppers would probably just guess that they were talking about a movie, anyway. This was LA, after all.

“Kanan? Answer my question.” Mari prompted.

Kanan shrugged, “She was reasonably pretty, I guess. Very sharp clothes, looked like stuff you might wear so probably designer.”

“OH MY GOD!” Mari got to her feet, shoving the table at Kanan, who caught it before it bounced off her abs while glaring at her drama queen of a wife.

“Sit down, Mari.”

“No, we are going to bring that poor girl some decent clothes. Are they still at the hospital?”

“Maki took them home.” Kanan sat down, continuing to cut her farmed artic char into chunks

Mari clucked her tongue and shook her head at her wife, “Cazzatta! Such a bad friend. We are going to go get You some very expensive designer cute things to make up for it.”

“Mari, we can’t just invade Maki’s home and can’t we just pick up something from You’s apartment.”

Mari, having finished flailing her hands around like weapons, tapped Kanan on her shoulder, “1. Watch me and 2. No. Banzai!”

“Maaaaaari.” But by the time Kanan had finished her desperate plea, Mari had blown a kiss at the maitre d’ in lieu of paying the check and made it nearly to the parking lot.

###

Nico always missed her siblings, but on days when she got into stress cooking mode, it had always been nice to have growing teenagers to feed. Now, there was just Nico, two casseroles, one pan of brownies, one loaf of apricot quick bread, biscuit mix rising for breakfast, and a three layer chocolate cake waiting to be iced with the orange buttercream Nico was whipping into celestial smoothness with pure muscle. Maybe she should call Maki and take over some food. Nico glanced outside, nearly dark already, surely Eli was still okay, but it would be reassuring to actually see her here, blonde hair intact in a ponytail not breaking out into full body fluffiness.

A key at the door. “This is such a nice little place, Eli. In a quiet neighborhood it looks like.”

Nico froze at the not Eli voice.

Eli sounded in a good mood. “And you can sit outside at the back. We’ve got some plants out there. It’s a great place to stretch. Or read. Nico always takes her scripts out there, with a hat and sunscreen, of course,”

Eli and Nozomi stepped inside, Eli closing the door behind her. She looked quickly to Nico to read her best friend’s reaction to inviting someone else into their space. Nico put on her best smile, “Nico’s complexion secrets are so good they make K-pop stars jealous. You’re just in time, Nico was about to call a delivery driver to overnight some food to her teenage brother.”

Nozomi approached the bar where the food overflow had reached, taking in the details of the kitchen and front room, “This smells delicious, Nico. Eli was telling me how good your cooking was on the way here so thank you for inviting me to share. I’m glad we decided not to stop and pick up takeout.”

“Nico is too; food shouldn't be wasted...your choices are Eli’s favorite Nico’s secret recipe sausage and 3 bean curry casserole or a more traditional baked pasta, but with Nico’s mama’s special flair.”

“Ingredients also secret?” Nozomi inquired.

“Of course, Nico never breaks a confidence.” Nico’s eyes went to Eli, whose blue eyes dimmed with recent memories. “Hey, Eli, how’s your headache? Feel like eating?” Nico pulled plates out of the cabinet, handing one to Nozomi, while they both watched Eli warily.

Eli rubbed the back of her neck, “I think it’s going to be okay, Nico. I just need a good night’s sleep.”

“We all do.” Nico sighed.

Nozomi was piling pasta and creamy, stringy cheese on her plate, green eyes gleaming, “So want to watch a movie and do your podcast? Isn’t this when you usually record? I’m fascinated by how unrehearsed your conversations seem.” Nozomi then curled up in the comfy chair, her half smile promising mischief and her eyes catching every twitch of her audience.

Nico and Eli both gaped at their guest. With Eli’s wolf side making its surprise appearance last night, they’d completely forgotten their Sunday routine.

“Hell.” Nico muttered.

Eli started spooning casserole onto her plate. “Can’t disappoint our fans, Nico.”

“Nico never disappoints anyone.” Nico huffed, starting to ice the cake to cover her disgruntlement, “Guess it’s your week to pick the movie.”

“Ooohh,” Nozomi bounced, quickly swallowing her mouthful of pasta, “Let me, let me.”

Eli watched Nico’s eyebrow twitch like a sound level meter at a rock concert and bit back a laugh. Yesterday was getting further away with every minute of silliness.

“Romance or Comedy?” Nozomi trilled.

“Murder.” Nico hissed.

“What did you say, Nico, I didn’t quite catch that.” Nozomi asked innocently, Eli doubled over with laughter,

“Crime thriller.” Nico’s teeth were clenched.

Eli took her plate the couch. This was going to be even more entertaining than a normal Nico evening.

A/N: Happy Mischief Night. Or Halloween. No tricks, just another chapter.