Chapter Text
It was just another normal night in the redhead composer's massive bedroom, except this time she was faced with a problem she hadn't really faced before.
"A song, huh..."
Maki hummed to herself the tune she had composed lately, struggling to find some inspiration. Lyrics weren't exactly her forte; those belonged to fluffy writers like Kotori and Umi (though she would never dare say that to her senior's face). In her mind all that flowed was the music, the soaring and dipping notes and the emotions they stirred within her. No matter how much she thought about it the words just eluded her grasp.
But the music she had made, surely she had some idea where she was going with it when she composed it?
Music was a language of its own, and Maki had already made up her mind what message she wanted to express while she was making it. The issue was merely putting it into words.
With a sigh, she opened her bedroom window into the cold autumn night air. Leaning on the ledge she continued humming, staring up at the bright yellow moon that was present that night amongst the many glittering stars. She reached out a hand towards the unreachable moon.
I wonder what she's doing right now...
"Argh, this isn't it either!"
Another wad of paper hit the wall and bounced into the nearly overflowing bin. Who would've known that writing lyrics alone was so difficult? Umi never hesitated with this task before, how on earth did she face this impossible challenge so many times?!
Nico let loose a growl of frustration as she put down her pen upon the writing pad. If nothing else she was practical, and wasting paper wasn't going to help her get anywhere. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and tried to approach the situation logically.
"I should listen to the song again and try to figure out what theme I want to go with this..."
With a few clicks on her laptop the music began once again, the chirpy and upbeat tune at odds with her rapidly worsening mood. The heavy synthesizer was terribly distracting, overpowering any thoughts Nico had. Why on earth did Maki even decide to choose their mini-unit's songs to experiment with the synthesizer anyway?!
Sliding on her chair across the room, Nico slumped on the windowsill, dangling her arms out lifelessly. Nothing was coming to mind.
Reaching a hand out towards the bright moon, the twin-tailed girl clenched her fist.
I wonder if she's faring any better.
"Maki, have you completed the music for our mini-unit yet?"
It was just two days before that the members of BiBi were gathered in the clubroom to discuss their new single. The mini-units project had just begun, following an intensive voting session from the school as to the way the three groups would be split. Most of Muse had been ambivalent regarding how they should be split, but Nico had insisted that it was an idol's job to answer to their fans. Since Honoka found that an interesting idea to give back to the school for all their support, it was left to a public vote.
To think that Nico would end up in the same mini-unit as Maki though. Really, what were the odds? Eli frowned as she looked at the two of them. Though she was the leader of the mini-unit, the pair always seemed to get absorbed in their own world, no matter whether Nico was busy teasing the junior or they were arguing away.
"I've got it here," the composer retrieved a disc from her school-bag and slid it into the clubroom's computer. "Gi- give it a good listen, okay?"
"Ehh? Is Maki-chan not confident in her work?~" Nico teased while she put her hands on the redhead's shoulders and slid up close to her face.
"Keep quiet, you."
Nico smirked as she snuggled closer to the other girl. Despite all her harsh words, she knew the composer never really meant them. And lately, Maki had even stopped pushing her away whenever Nico got too close for personal comfort.
Eight minutes later, Nico's jaw was hanging open.
"Harasho..."
"... Well?" the colour of Maki's cheeks was starting to match her hair.
Eli seemed to be frozen on the spot as she struggled to find the words she was looking for. "It's... different."
"What on earth is that screeching thing? And that thing making the weird beat? I can barely pick out the tune." Nico furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"It's called a synthesizer! Come on, it's not the first time I've used it..."
"It does sound familiar, but it's the first time you've used it this heavily though... Will our voices be able to come through?" the blonde asked in a hesitant voice.
"The synthesizer isn't really that heavy, it just sounds that way," Maki sighed as she averted her gaze from the rest. "I just wanted to experiment a bit with different styles. Anyway I do have a track of them with only the piano so it's easier to work with, I can always tweak the synthesizer around to fit afterwards. But the lyrics..."
Unable to resist the bait, Nico once again brought out her teasing voice. "Oh, Maki-chan isn't up to the challenge? It's time for Nico to shine and show you her genius then~"
The composer flushed red. "Of course I can do it!"
"You shouldn't force yourself if you can't, Maki-chan, let the brilliant Nico dazzle you~"
"Sh- shut up! I'm definitely able to do it!"
Faced with the two who were quickly devolving into their usual bickering, Eli made a snap decision to quell the situation. "Then how about this, why don't you write one song each? Maki can take the first song, and Nico can write the second one."
Maki fell into a contemplative silence, a thoughtful look coming over her face while she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "I'm fine with that."
"Of course, Nico will definitely write a better song~" The twin-tailed girl couldn't resist getting one last jab in, though the redhead didn't react.
"This isn't a match," Eli reminded. "We'll meet again next week, and we can start practising the songs then."
Picking up her bag, the blonde quickly left the room. Partially to leave the other two alone, and also to escape the situation.
Harasho... Thank goodness neither of them realised that means I get away without having to work with writing lyrics for those weird-sounding songs. Honestly, what is a synthesizer anyway? Does it belong with the wind, string, brass or percussion instruments?
With a shrug, Eli decided to ask Nozomi afterwards. The spiritual girl knew everything after all.
In two very different rooms far apart from one another, yet illuminated by the same autumn moon and glittering stars casting their light down upon them, two girls' thoughts aligned perfectly.
I guess I'll write this song for her.
... That idiot.