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When Nico goes on stage to perform, she has two goals in mind: to shine as bright as she can, and to bring the biggest smiles to people's faces. It's been that way since she was a kid, when her only stage was the living room floor and the audience consisted of no one but her mother, and it hasn't changed one bit.

Until she met Akiha, anyway.

To Nico, the mere fact anyone could look down on idols is unthinkable -- and worse yet, even as she got to know Akiha, that opinion of hers has barely budged. If she could, at least, just write her off as some ignorant moron spewing pointless nonsense, that would've been one thing. But something about that girl caught her interest, and she found herself running into her again and again, until they've come to form an off sort of friendship. Until Nico's come to respect-- even like her.

Akiha's not stupid. She's capable, mature, and effortlessly elegant, a lot of things Nico would like for herself. Not that she'd admit it, because god knows she's bigheaded enough as it is -- but she can't just write Akiha off. She can't ignore it. The thought is a tireless drill at the back of her head, even when they're talking about anything but.

To have her insistently cling on to that baseless disapproval feels, by this point, like a personal insult.

So today, Nico's decided to prove herself. Her school's holding a fair, open to all, and u's will be performing. It took every form of badgering Nico has in her arsenal, from aggressive demands to guilt trips to puppydog eyes, but she successfully convinced Akiha to come. This time, beyond a doubt, she'll make her understand.

The school auditorium might not hold the flare of some of their previous venues in Akiba, but it does offer one significant privilege: peace of mind. They don't have to go up against other groups, they don't have to worry about the weather, and they've been allotted an entire half-hour, making this their longest concert to date. This gives them the chance to perform in their units of three on top of their usual group songs, and Nico's even the center in one.

And she's going to show Akiha exactly what she's worth.

"Nicocchi, you're spacing out." Backstage, Nozomi flicks her forehead, causing her shoulders to twitch. "Don't tell me Super Idol Nico-chan's getting nervous now, of all times?"

"Don't be stupid," she snipes back, flipping a twintail before reaching for her water bottle and gulping down a mouthful. It's cool, and helps sharpen her focus. She grins up at Nozomi. "What's a show like this compared to Love Live?"

"Heh, that's what I like to hear!"

--

Nico doesn't let herself fixate on Akiha. Her eyes skim the crowd for her between songs, and once she's found her, she shoots her the occasional glance from the corner of her eye. But she doesn't let it serve as a distraction, and she definitely doesn't let it hinder her from putting on the best show she can. She sings and dances her heart out -- all nine of them do, just like always -- and the audience cheers and yells and squeals, calling out their names.

It's only after the last song is over and the crowd's begun to disperse that she marches over to Akiha, grabbing hold of her wrist and tugging her towards the backstage with only "come with" to serve as greeting.

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Geez, you suck at building up anticipation, don't you? With a dissatisfied hum, Nico takes half a step around Akiha, so that she's standing fully in front of her. Then she leans up to look right into her face, drawing out every word with the drama of one very long drumroll: "Do you really, reeaally wanna know?"

Why was Nico being so - Nico about this? Okay, that question answers itself. She supposes the better one would be why does Nico seem to be interested in this line of questioning?

Maybe she just likes talking about herself and her feelings, or there's something she wants to get off her chest. In both cases, though, wouldn't she be pushing forward with this without any input from Akiha? Instead she's dragging it out.

"Yazawa, I already said I do," Akiha sighs, as the point sails over her head and embeds itself in a nearby building.

Nico rolls her eyes, though it's more amused than exasperated. That's Akiha for you, all right. Nico, however, remains undeterred -- even if the other girl refuses to show any real curiosity, she figures drawing it out will at least serve to irritate her, which is honestly good enough for her.

"Well, you see," Nico drawls in a lazy sing-song, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Nico's type iiiis," she stretches up on her tiptoes, until their noses are mere inches apart--

"Cacti," she plainly announces, and manages to retain a straight face for all of two seconds before stumbling back with a howl of laughter, like she just told the greatest joke in the history of the universe.

Akiha actually leaned in as Nico did. Akiha was, at her heart, something of a coward - she could rant at her brother all day, give her classmates an earful whenever she wanted, but when it came to just being herself, she always sidestepped it.

So having Nico be the one to make a move? She leaned in and accepted it, fully prepared to go along with whatever Nico wanted.

-- Which is why she nearly falls flat on her face when Nico pulls away, blinking at her. There's a sense of genuine hurt in her eyes, one she quickly covers by putting her hands on her hips and rolling her eyes.

"If you didn't want to answer, you should have just said so," she snaps, stomping forward as if she wants to just walk past the last twenty minutes or so.

The vulnerability in Akiha's features flashes by unnoticed, and Nico only takes it as yet another of those huffy reactions she's come to know so well. She skips along after her unfazed, hands clasped behind her back. "That's the answer you get for asking so indifferently! Maybe if you're a little more eager next time, I'll tell you properly!"

Why can't Nico see that she was asking eagerly? For how much she tries to act like an adorable idol, she can be incredibly cruel. Akiha's silent for a moment as they walk, then turns to look back at Nico over her shoulder.

"Just drop it, Yazawa. I'm sorry I ever asked," she murmurs, arms stiff at her side, like she's forcing herself to keep them there. She doesn't sound nearly as confident as she did five seconds ago. She turns around and, ridiculously, brings a hand up to her face to check for tears, hoping Nico doesn't catch the motion. So many bizarre feelings are piling up right now, even though she hasn't cried since she was a little girl - what is she supposed to be feeling?

She at least isn't crying, she realizes. Thank goodness. She takes a breath and tries to keep herself going. This isn't Nico's fault. She doesn't know what's going on in Akiha's head, because Akiha's never told her.

"... So you don't need to worry about it," she decides on saying, mostly just to try and fill the air.

As the cloud of self-satisfaction begins to disperse, Nico realizes something is off. Akiha isn't acting frustrated or sulky -- she's just... weirdly quiet, and not really looking at her. Nico blinks at her neck, frowning. Huh? It's just a stupid joke, there's no reason it should piss her off that much... were they having a moment, or something? Was Akiha into it more than she'd realized? Did Nico cut short their special maidens' love life heart-to-heart?

She hastens her next couple of steps to walk by Akiha's side, then lightly nudges her elbow with her own.

"... Hey, I was just teasing."

Akiha, ridiculously, nudges back - it's a bit like she's rejecting the motion, but since she's brushing up against Nico anyway, it comes off as a weird moment of friendship.

"I know," Akiha sighs. "I think you and I were approaching that conversation very differently," she admits, slowing down to make it easier for Nico to keep pace.

"... There are things that I have been - unsure - about. Along the lines of your inclinations." There was that word again. Inclinations. Using coded language made it easier to admit her own feelings, she supposed.

"When you said what you did about waiting to be attracted to men, I found it understandable. Something I could relate to. Please don't take that as anything concrete, but..." But it meant she wanted to know more about how Nico felt.

And of course, the fact that it was Nico also helped.

"Huh?" Nico repeats, out loud this time, as she stares at Akiha blank-faced. If she were to take a moment to pick apart her roundabout, needlessly long-winded word salad, why, it almost sounds like...

"Akiha, you like girls?"

She was making delicious word salad precisely to avoid that reaction. Akiha glances around wildly, then leans in and makes a shushing notion, shaking her head.

"Yazawa, we don't need everyone for five prefectures to know!" Akiha urges, then pauses as she realizes that was something like an admittance of guilt. 'Guilt.' Akiha has some issues.

"-- Rather, we don't need them to know that I am unsure about that. It's complicated."

Nico would feel bad for not keeping her voice in check, but right now she's far too caught up in this revelation to pay it any heed. In fact, her voice only seems to climb higher. "Are you serious?! Couldn't you have said that to start off with, instead of 'oh, I don't know, I never even saw it on TV'?!"

Her cheeks are flushed, hands balled up at her sides -- it doesn't occur to her she might be reacting just a bit more dramatically than is called for.

If they're having an argument, Akiha's more than willing to yell back - it's almost liberating. She puts her hands on her hips and looks away from Nico, more yelling at the ground than at her.

"Oh, I'm very sorry for having difficulty with this! If only I had as few responsibilities as you, maybe I could just embrace it! But my family is looking for any excuse to tear power away from me, and I..." Just as quickly as it came, the anger fades. Akiha slumps slightly.

"... And we shouldn't be arguing about this in public."

Nico bristles at that accusation, and when she inhales she seems to stretch a good couple inches taller -- but she shrinks back into herself when Akiha does, and her teeth-baring scowl eases into a frown of concern.

She has no idea where this conversation is going, if it's even something she should want to pursue -- but it definitely doesn't feel right, leaving it like this.

Nico stuffs her hands into the pockets of her skirt, her voice dropping to a grumble. "You wanna go somewhere, then?"

Frankly, she'd prefer the scowl to the concern. Anger is something she's used to from Nico - they've had plenty of arguments, albeit about far less important things. Seeing her worried for her, as a friend, makes her uncomfortable. Makes her realize how their relationship is shifting.

"Anywhere private would be fine. If you don't mind putting off our shopping for tomorrow, would you like to visit my home? The invitation to dinner still stands. We have plenty of spare bedrooms, you could even spend the night."

Nico bites the inside of her cheek, considering their options. While Akiha's undoubtedly enormous mansion could be exciting to visit sometime, that time being now doesn't sit quite right with her anymore. If she were in Akiha's place, at least, Nico knows she'd be wary.

"I don't mind, but... you sure that's a good idea? Wouldn't want any of your servants overhearing, right?"

(Akiha may have only mentioned one by name, but Nico wouldn't be surprised if there was a whole platoon.)

"I only have two, they can be told to leave us alone," Akiha reassures her. "... And I know this might be hard for you to understand, but they're only a year or so older than me, and they've lived with us since I was a child. They're as close as family."

Not that she'd want them overhearing. Especially Kohaku, who'd never let her hear the end of it.

It's true that she's wary about inviting Nico over, but at the same time, she's excited. Just being able to sit down and talk to Nico, in a place she feels comfortable in - it's what they need to get over this awkward gap, she feels.

Maybe she'd even admit everything to Nico, while she's dreaming. She leans on one foot, then the other, her perfect posture giving in to her awkwardness.

"I promise. My home is for myself and those I trust."

Well, Akiha's not wrong that the concept is a weird one to entertain -- that's not how maids work normally, is it? -- but Nico's not going to start questioning that now. They have bigger things to talk about.

She nods her head. "Then let's go."

Falling in line behind Akiha, Nico lets her lead the way in uncharacteristic silence. This... sure turned out a lot more than she bargained for when she agreed to spend the afternoon with Akiha. Her heart's beating kind of fast, and she's not sure if it's from excitement or nerves -- either way, it's managed to disperse every string of idle chatter she'd kept floating around in her head. What is she supposed to say now?

Oh... actually, she can think of one thing.

"... Sorry for yelling," she mumbles.

"I yelled back. We're both at fault," Akiha mumbles back. That palpable awkwardness is back, isn't it. On some level, she almost regrets asking Nico out to begin with, but on a different level she's thrilled. She's going to actually talk about this with Nico. She's even managed to corral her into her home.

The Tohno mansion isn't too far of a walk from Nico's school, surprisingly. They make the walk in silence that at least tries to be comfortable, and as they round a corner Akiha's home can be seen in the distance.

Even from a distance, it's a ridiculous building. Flanked by forest on all sides, with gates that go on for miles. Four stories tall, and with a basement. Greenhouses and auxiliary buildings dot the landscape around it. There's enough space for a small army - if Maki's family is well-off, it's clear that Akiha's is obnoxiously rich.

Akiha, of course, is used to the excess, but she glances over at Nico as they approach. "... Before you ask, it really is only myself, my brother, and my two servants living here," she says, trying to clear the air.

Nico just stands there, eyes wide as dinner plates, mouth hanging open. Are you kidding me?! I thought Maki's house was too much, what the hell is this? If you have this much room to spare, do society a favor and start an orphanage or something!!

But of course she's not going to say any of that. What, does she want to look desperate?

"Th-th-this much is nothing! Once Nico's become a top idol, my house will be three times this big, okay?!"

... Yeah, that's not convincing anybody, but she wouldn't let herself give any other response. Let her have this, Akiha.

"I'd advise against it. I'd get rid of half this space for something more useful if I thought I could get away with it." It might seem like she's joking, but her tone is anything but. Of course, her family would eat her alive if she showed that much weakness.

They approach the mansion, Akiha letting her have it without too much fuss. The gate opens with Akiha's key, surprisingly - there's no intercom or anything to try and get someone to fetch them, even though just the walk from the gate to the front door is a bit of a process.

Nico gets her first real whiff of the good life when Akiha opens the large doors and lets them both in, of course. The foyer itself is as big as her apartment, at least, expensive-seeming artwork hanging on the walls. It's distinctly western. That includes the uniform of the maid that curtsies as they walk in.

"Good afternoon, Hisui," Akiha says, and the maid nods back. Then peers over Akiha's shoulder at Nico, of course. Akiha doesn't miss the look.

"This is an acquaintance of mine, Nico Yazawa. We'll be discussing something in my room, so please don't disturb me until dinner," Akiha orders, and the tone might make Nico question that whole 'like family' thing. Especially when the maid - Hisui - speaks, and her voice is distinctly cold and businesslike. "Understood. Will she be joining us for dinner?"

Akiha glances at Nico herself, then answers for her. "Yes, she will. And if Shiki isn't home in half an hour, we'll be feeding her his portion."

It's another one of those things that seems like a joke until Hisui nods. "I'll tell my sister, then. Excuse me," Hisui says as she bows her head, then walks out of the foyer.

The immediate impression is that Akiha runs a tight ship. And also, holy crap, she has maids.

"If you intend to stand there in awe, there are better views in this mansion. For instance, the window of my room."

Nico isn't sure 'awe' is the best word for what she's feeling at present. Well-- it's part of it, to be sure, because this place somehow manages to look even bigger on the inside, and it was entirely too big on the outside to begin with -- but on top of that, there's an unshakable sense of supreme discomfort.

To start off with, if this sort of interaction is what Akiha considers 'like family', Nico really doesn't want to imagine what her actual family must be like. The air in the room is so tense she can practically feel it buzzing.

Then there's that feeling she always gets when she visits Maki's house, of all her insides locking up, like if she so much as breathes the wrong way she'll end up toppling over a priceless antique that her great-great-grandchildren will be still working to pay back until the day they die. Except Akiha's house is about ten times bigger than Maki's, so the feeling is accordingly ten times worse.

But, well, she came here to talk with Akiha. Not like she can keep standing in the entranceway forever, even if that does feel like her safest bet. Nico gulps, steels herself, then nods. "Yeah, uh, s-sure. Let's go."

With her shoulders squared up, arms bolted straight to her sides, and her legs clunky with over-cautiousness, her walk would be best described as that of a robotic penguin. Still, she follows Akiha to her room all the same.

"... Nico, this is my home," Akiha somehow manages to audibly blink as she looks over her shoulder at her, tilting her head at her spot-on impression of a failed animatronic.

Of course, she can understand some discomfort, but Nico's just being... silly. The more she worries about it, the more worrisome it'll become. Not just for her, but for Akiha as well. She chews on her lip in a decidedly inelegant way, then just turns back around.

"If you have any complaints, just say them. I'll do my best to make you more comfortable."

Nico snaps even higher upright, if that's possible. Her voice squeaks like a tire that's been slammed into a brake. "I-I'm fine! There's no way I'd have anything to complain about!"

"Nothing to complain about? Now I know you're lying," Akiha takes the potshot that's offered to her, then sighs.

As they walk, the mansion begins to feel more and more like going through the rabbit hole - the halls are essentially identical, and it's seemingly at random that Akiha opens a door to reveal her room. The room - barely looks like one. It's spotless, and the only objects in it are a bed large enough to fit an entire family, a wardrobe, and Akiha's desk. The desk is the only part of it that even looks personalized, and that's just because of the disorganized papers scattered across it.

"I'm sorry for the mess," Akiha says, without a hint of irony.

Nico stares. She'd figured once they're in Akiha's room, at least, she'd feel a little more at ease. Nope. In fact, this may be the worst part of this entire mansion.

"Seriously?" One corner of her mouth twists involuntarily, causing her eye to twitch. She glances this way at that, as if scrounging for signs of human presence beyond the clutter of paperwork. "You live here?"

Edited 2016-03-26 11:52 (UTC)