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[bringsmiles]

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.

Comments

[crimsonorigami]

Akiha has to admit, she's disappointed.

When Nico had dragged her into this, she'd let herself get her hopes up for, well, something. Akiha wasn't above admitting she was wrong. If Nico and her group really did blow her away, she'd swallow her pride and admit it. And if they were terrible, they'd prove her completely right. She'd already badgered her brother into agreeing with her on at least some of her points, maybe even Nico could be brought around.

But instead, they were... serviceable. It was still more than she gave them credit for, true. Whoever composed their songs at least understood music. The lyrics brushed up against meaning sometimes. Their dance routines and outfits, while not at all to her taste, were clearly practiced and refined.

Really, it all came down to practice. She didn't feel like she was watching or listening to musical masters, but it was clear that they cared. The effort they put in was palpable, filled the auditorium with an infectious warmth. Akiha didn't quite buy into it, but she had to admit, they were genuine.

She meets Nico's gaze whenever it falls on her, making her begrudging approval known with her eyes. She might not have focused on her, but when their eyes met others began to notice and whisper. Her uniform was noticed, too. Asagami Academy was one of the most prestigious girls' schools in the country, the kind of school you saw in the brochures and laughed at the idea of actually getting to go to.

Frankly, when Nico grabs her, she's happy for the escape route. She still stumbles as she's yanked, however, long skirt billowing awkwardly behind her as she's pulled along.

"Yazawa-san," she huffs once they're out of sight of anyone else, tucking her hair behind her ear with the hand that isn't being grabbed at. "As much as I appreciate the chance to talk in private, you really should be more considerate. You could have bruised my wrist."

different thread ooo

[crimsonorigami]

"Hold still, Nico."

Akiha doesn't mean to snap - she just wants this to be perfect. Every part of it.

It's been three months since they started dating properly, after all. Wars have been won and lost in that time. That isn't a comparison to just how long three months can be, but rather a comment about their relationship. Even when the two of them are a couple, they still bicker and argue. Akiha likes to think it brings them closer together, and she's very proud to say that she doesn't feel like any of their arguments have gotten too out of hand. A cross word here, a few days of distance there. They make up in the end. Lines have never been crossed.

And Akiha wants to make sure things stay that way. She, again, wants this to be perfect. She made the reservations at least six weeks ago, mentioned it to Nico two weeks ago - 'Ah, I understand most people only celebrate year anniversaries, but would you like to get dinner with me on our three month anniversary?'

Nico had probably underestimated just what Akiha meant by 'dinner.'

Hence, the dress. It's black, sleeveless, and fairly short. It suits Nico's image very well, and Akiha likes to think it's casual enough to keep Nico comfortable, but Nico and Akiha's ideas of comfortable and casual are very different. And it still cost about as much as Nico's mother makes in a week.

Which is why she's basically strong arming her girlfriend into it.

"Would it be better if Kohaku or Hisui were helping you?" Akiha finally sighs, letting go of the dress - and poor underwear-clad Nico. They're in a room of the mansion dedicated solely to Akiha's wardrobe, which probably doesn't help Nico's issues at the moment. Akiha has a closet twice the size of Nico's bedroom.

The mirror they're in front of is incredibly expensive seeming, too.

"Or would you prefer to put it on yourself? I thought you might need the help, but now that I think about it, you do put on those idol outfits..."