Maki's eyes narrow more and more as Nico speaks. She's right, of course, and somehow that makes Maki angrier, or more upset, or at the very least annoyed. She's not sure what she feels, there's so much to it. She just feels something is off. With her and everything.

And she knows everything Nico is saying is true. It all makes sense, of course. It should be that easy. She knows Nico's right and she should just accept it.

But she can't. And she doesn't feel it.

She feels lost. Disconnected. She wants to stay in the idol group but a voice in her head keeps asking her what it's good for. She wants to study hard and get into a good school, but a little voice tells her she'll regret not having any fun. No matter what she decides there's always a voice pulling her in the opposite direction.

When Nico sits down next to her, her weight shifts Maki on the bed and it's like her thoughts jumble enough for them to clear for a moment.

'You still have us.

She knows she does. When she texts Nico she always responds quickly. Nozomi checks in on her more than she needs to, and Eli is never too far behind. She knows they're there. It's just still different.

Maki's always been too hard-working or stand-offish to really make friends. Usually people hate her. But somehow these eight people never did. And the slightest change to them makes her afraid she'll lose them anyway.

Her glare has changed to a look of worry, her cheeks red from holding back tears. Like she's holding everything back.

She doesn't even know where to start, if she wants to say anything at all.

Finally, Maki reaches out a hand and places it on top of Nico's.