ladieskissing | (no subject)

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"Sorry for the intrusion," Nico mutters flatly as she takes off her shoes in the doorway, knowing full well that even if there was anyone in that labyrinth of a mansion but her and Maki right now, her voice would never be able to reach them. She follows Maki inside with her hands shoved into the pockets of her cardigan, head tilting left and right as she takes in her surroundings like it's her first time seeing them. There are so many pieces of overly-elaborate decor that Nico doesn't think she's ever going to remember them all.

Oh, but she definitely remembers that giant piece of armor on the wall over there. She always gets the feeling like if she gets too close it'll topple over and trap her underneath, so she subconsciously leans towards the opposite wall every time they pass by it.

"Seriously, Maki, no matter how many times I come to your house, it's just way too big," she grumbles, only to catch herself the next moment.

"-- But of course, once Nico's become a super idol, she'll have a mansion like this in every prefecture!" She strikes her signature pose and smile. "Teehee."

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Maki does something she so rarely does: she pouts. She's determined not to let Nico win this one.

Her tone is very matter-of-fact and haughty. "People spend time together all the time and it's not a date. It's called hanging out. A date is agreed to by both people. We didn't agree this was a date beforehand so it's not a date. The next time will be a date and of course it'll be good."

"Fine, then. I can accept that." Maki really cares, huh? That's pretty adorable.

"So, now that you're done freaking out, what do you want to do on the rest of our non-date-y hangout?"

Maki sighs and leans back onto her arms. She didn't have a plan for today and she has less of a plan now. "Is there anything you want to do?"

The corner of Nico's mouth twists in a semi-circle as she considers. After everything that happened in those last fifteen minutes, everything else seems... weirdly anticlimactic, almost.

Oh. But there's one thing.

"Actually, I want to hear Maki play."

"What? Why would you want to hear that? You never ask me to play unless you want me to write something for you."

Nico crosses her arms over her chest with a frustrated exhale. Does Maki need to question every word out of her mouth? "I haven't heard it in a while, so I feel like hearing it. What's so bad about that?"

Maki hunches a little, thinking for a moment that maybe Nico really wanted to just have Maki play for her. Sometimes Maki doesn't realize how defensive she can be until she's been unnecessarily defensive.

"Alright." Maki stands and dusts off her skirt unnecessarily. "Come on."

She leads Nico down the hallway, past a few sitting rooms to the music room. It's a large hall, usually empty unless being used for small functions or concerts. A grand piano sits at the end of the hall, closed and pristine. Maki carefully prepares it, lifting the large lid and settling it on the short leg that props it open; she doesn't need the full volume if it's just the two of them. Finally she opens the lid that that covers the keys and pulls out the bench.

Maki sits and her hands hover over the keys, before she realizes Nico's still standing. "We have some chairs. I can have someone bring out one for you."

"Or you could move over a bit, loser." And without waiting for Maki to actually do so, she nudges her to the side and claims the freed seat space for herself.

"Well, just--" But before she can say anything Nico's wedged her way on the bench. Maki doesn't mind the close contact so much as how it restricts her playing. "Then we have to shift the bench a little, so I can be centered with the piano." She stands and motions for Nico do so as well.

When she does, Maki shifts the bench a little to Nico's side, to give both of them the space they need and for Maki to position herself correctly.

Once they sit back down, Maki lifts her arms and tests her elbow span. Ok, even with Nico close at her side (and she's not used to having anyone sit next to her when she's playing) she can still play.

The question is what.

"Anything you want me to play?"

With an overblown sigh of this is so much effort, Nico gets back up and lets Maki adjust the bench, and then seats herself back down once she's done.

"Dunno," she answers with a shrug. "Whatever you feel like playing's fine."

Maki has a little routine she does before she plays, and she wonders if Nico will laugh at her for it. In that very moment she decides she doesn't care and goes for it.

She stretches her arms and wrists, adjusts her skirt, sits forward with her foot on the pedal, hovers her fingers over the keys as she rolls her shoulders and head a few times to loosen up. She adjusts her skirt again and her hands hit the keys, playing a few random chords.

She transitions the random chords to the slow beginning of 'Aishiteru Banzai.' It's her oldest song, one she wrote a few years ago now, but it's always her go-to when she just wants to play anything.

Nico watches Maki with a curious raised brow, but doesn't comment on any part of her routine. In her head she thinks that in some weird way it makes Maki look like a professional, but she'd rather say nothing than say that.

She continues to watch her as she plays, as well, the look of calm, natural concentration on her face as her fingers move effortlessly over the keys. Her voice is clear and smooth, with the same finesse it always has to it. Seeing her like this, and hearing that song again, it's just... right. Not quite enough time has passed to call it nostalgic just yet, and yet it feels like coming home after a very long time.

"Ahh," Nico sighs in the silence following the final few notes, a little bit wistfully. "Sure takes you back."

Maki's hands hover over the keys even after she's played. She feels like all the tension from before has played itself out. She always feels that way after playing. The corners of her lips perk slightly in a contented smile. "Yeah. I still love that song." She plucks at a few random notes that somehow make their own melody. As rigid as her studies usually are, she likes just playing whatever she feels like from time to time. "I play it for warm-up a lot."

Nico doesn't say anything, just hums in agreement and leans her weight into Maki's side, pigtail brushing forearm.

After a moment:

"You look happy, Maki."

Maki takes Nico's weight better this time. This is nice. Just them, music, playing. Nico being genuinely sweet. She likes this.

"I am."

"So..." Nico shifts a little closer, to look up into Maki's face, only a mere couple inches between them. Her voice is soft, sincere. "Promise you won't quit being an idol."

Maki almost pulls back when Nico moves closer. Nico's sincerity usually surprises Maki, but it makes sense after that moment. And after earlier. She nods, in agreement. "Okay. I promise."

She leans a little to her side, not a bump, but countering Nico's weight with her own softly. They're pretty close and she feels warm all over.

"Thank you, Nico-chan."

"But promise seriously, don't just agree because I'm asking nicely now," she scolds her lightly, tucking her legs under the bench. "And in return, if you're feeling lost and conflicted about stuff, you can talk to me and I promise I'll listen properly, all right?"

The mood starts to feel a bit too heavy for her just then, and so she picks her tone up by about five notes. "And Nico-nii will put a smile right back on your face, Nico!"

Maki's smiling and the more they've moved closer to together, with this sweet moment between them, the more she thinks maybe they just might--

And then Maki's smile drops five notes as Nico adds that last bit. "That was all so sweet until you did that, geez."

"What the hell, you should be happy!"

"I was happy! I like when you're just nice, but then you try too hard and push it and it's annoying."

"That sure is a mouthful from someone who likes me so much she almost started crying after confessing!"

"I can like you and still not like somethings about you."

"Yeah? What do you like about me, then?" She leans away from Maki, folding her arms over her chest demandingly. "Because all I've heard so far was complaints."

"Hey!" Maki has to catch herself a little once Nico's pulled back her counter-weight. She sits back, hands on the bench so her shoulders hitch. She's about to complain, but that might extend their bickering for far longer.

And Nico just asked her to list what she likes about her and Maki can feel even her ears warm.

"I- I like you because..." Maki tries to relax or else she's never going to get through this. Her instinct always is to never let her guard down, and she's trying to this time. "I like how passionate you are. And you're really very smart and resourceful. You care a lot about your friends and family. How nice you can be, when you're not trying so hard." The more Maki talks, the less she looks directly at Nico, until she's looking down at her own knees.

"And... Nico-chan is very cute too."