Chapter Text
Chapter 1 – When the Spotlight Turns
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Practice ended with a mix of laughter and exhaustion. The last chorus still echoed faintly in their ears as the music cut off and Honoka threw himself onto the floor, arms spread.
“That’s it! If I move one more muscle, I’m gonna dissolve into sweat,” he groaned.
Rin flopped down next to him, his orange hair damp and wild. “You say that every time, Honoka-kun.”
“Yeah, and I mean it every time!”
The rest of the group laughed, and for a moment the tension of the performance slipped away. Maki wiped her eyebrow, muttering something about professionalism, while
Nozomi teased her about pretending not to enjoy herself. Eli stood near the door, checking his phone — quiet, steady, but his gaze drifted often toward Nozomi when he thought no one noticed.
In the corner, Nico was watching Hanayo.
She was kneeling by her bag, carefully tucking away her mic and sheet music. Her hair was a little messy, cheeks still pink from dancing. Rin was talking to her, animated and grinning , of course he was. The two of them looked like something out of a commercial: effortless, close, uncomplicated.
It shouldn’t have made Nico’s stomach twist, but it did.
When everyone started gathering their things to head home, Rin glanced at his phone and frowned. “Ah—sorry, Kayo-chin, I can’t walk you home today. Coach asked me to help clean up the track.”
Hanayo smiled, waving her hands quickly. “It’s okay! You work hard, Rin-kun.”
Nico saw his chance before his courage could fail.
“Hey, Hanayo,” he said, trying for casual but sounding too bright. “I got this new idol DVD yesterday , limited edition. Thought maybe you’d wanna check it out with me? It’s got some live performance footage I think you’d love.”
Hanayo blinked in surprise. “Eh? Oh… um, sure! That sounds nice.”
“Cool,” Nico said, forcing his grin to stay steady. “We can just watch in the club room after everyone leaves.”
Nozomi raised a brow as she passed by. “Ooh, Nico, planning a private screening?”
“Don’t make it weird,” he shot back, voice cracking a little as he turned away.
Eli chuckled but didn’t comment. One by one, they filtered out, Honoka dragging Umi and Kotori behind him, Rin running off toward the field, Maki mumbling something about needing to study.
And then it was just the two of them.
Hanayo sat next to Nico, the orange evening light spilling across the desks. Nico fiddled with his DVD player, but his hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
He could feel her eyes on him. When he finally turned, she tilted her head, concern written all over her face.
“Nico-kun? Are you okay? You look… nervous.”
Her voice — soft, sincere — made his heart stutter.
He let out a shaky breath, then looked right at her. No jokes this time. No bravado. Just truth.
“Hanayo,” he said quietly, “I like you.”
Her eyes widened.
“I like you,” he repeated, more certain now. “Would you… go out with me?”
The room was still. Outside, the wind brushed against the windows, but inside, silence.
Hanayo’s hands gripped the hem of her skirt, her heartbeat quick and confused. She hadn’t expected this, not from Nico, not today.
She thought of Rin, loud, warm, dependable Rin, and then of Nico, who was so different. Nico’s confidence, his teasing, his dedication and the warmth he showed to those who managed to get close to him.
“Wh-why me?” she asked, confused. Nico wasn't expecting that question, but he answered.
“You’re very sweet, you’re enthusiastic , you’re kind, you share an amazing love for idols, i think even more than me” he chuckled “ you’re beautiful, Hanayo” he continued, the brunette’s face got redder with each word “ you’re-”
“Stop!” Hanayo interrupted, unable to handle it anymore.
“I…” she started, but her throat felt tight.
Nico smiled, though it was small and trembling at the edges. “You don’t have to answer now. I just wanted you to know.”
Hanayo nodded slowly, her mind spinning. She wanted to say something — anything — but words wouldn’t come.
When she finally looked up, Nico was still watching her, eyes soft, vulnerable in a way she’d never seen before.
And somewhere deep inside, Hanayo felt the first crack in the world she thought she understood.
The dvd continued playing with both of them in silence. Nico offered to walk her home, but Hanayo insisted she would be fine by herself.
Morning sunlight spilled through the classroom windows, washing everything in gold. The campus was quiet except for the soft hum of chatter as students filtered in, half awake and clutching notebooks.
Nico walked in, humming under his breath. He looked brighter somehow — lighter — his usual smug grin edged with something softer, something real.
Nozomi noticed it immediately.
She was leaning against the desk beside his, chin resting on her hand, pretending to check her phone. But her eyes stayed on him. There was something different in the way he carried himself, not the performative swagger she’d grown used to, but a quiet confidence that made her pulse skip.
“You’re awfully chipper today, Nico-chi” she said, voice teasing but gentle.
Nico turned, flashing her a grin. “What, can’t a guy just be in a good mood?”
“Hmm~,” Nozomi hummed, leaning closer. “Good mood, huh? That smile of yours looks like someone who’s hiding something.”
He smirked, but didn’t deny it. “Maybe I am.”
That tiny, evasive grin, it melted her.
Nozomi laughed softly, brushing her hair back to hide her blush. Don’t get your hopes up, she told herself. But the warmth in her chest refused to fade.
Before she could press further, the door slid open.
Eli walked in, calm and collected as ever, though his tie was slightly crooked, a rare tell that he’d rushed this morning. He spotted them right away.
“What are you two talking about?” he asked, setting his bag down.
“Hmmm I wonder,” Nico said quickly, throwing his hands up in mock defense. Nozomi smiled, that unreadable kind of smile Eli could never quite interpret. “Nothing important. Just gossip.”
Eli looked between them at Nico’s grin, at Nozomi’s soft laugh, and felt something unpleasant twist in his chest. He turned away before it showed on his face.
Meanwhile, on the next floor, Maki sat at her desk, flipping through her music notes. She glanced up when Hanayo walked in, the girl’s movements small, hesitant, like she didn’t quite know what to do with her hands.
“Morning, Hanayo,” Maki greeted. “You look… distracted.”
Hanayo startled. “Eh? O-oh, sorry, Maki-chan! I just—”
Her voice trailed off. How could she even begin to explain it? That Nico had looked her straight in the eye and asked her out, and that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it since?
“Did something happen?” Maki pressed, curiosity softening into concern.
Hanayo hesitated, twisting her fingers. “It’s just… something—”
“Kayo-chin~!”
Rin’s voice cut through the air like a spark.
He bounded into the room, bright as always, sliding up behind her and looping an arm around her shoulder. “Morning! Guess what — coach said I can skip cleanup today!
We can walk home together again!”
Hanayo’s heart jumped. Guilt followed right after. She forced a smile. “T-that’s great, Rin-kun.”
Maki watched them, brow furrowing slightly. Hanayo’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Something was off, but with Rin standing right there, she knew Hanayo wouldn’t say more.
Across the school, the 2nd-year classroom buzzed with its usual chaos.
“Honoka! The homework was due today! You can’t just start now!” Umi’s voice was a mix of exasperation and panic as she hovered over Honoka’s desk.
“I forgot, okay?! I was busy last night!” Honoka protested, scribbling wildly, his handwriting an absolute disaster.
Kotori sighed but knelt beside him, holding out her notes. “Here — you can copy mine. Just don’t make it too obvious.”
“Thanks, Kotor-chan! You’re the best!” Honoka grinned, flashing her that boyish charm that always seemed to work.
Umi’s eye twitched. “You’re enabling him!”
Kotori laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m just helping…”
But even as they bickered, Kotori couldn’t stop watching the two of them, how close Honoka leaned toward Umi when she snatched his pen away, how natural it looked.
Umi, on the other hand, felt her stomach twist every time Kotori smiled at him like that — soft, affectionate, the kind of smile she wished was meant for her.
Back to the 3rd year classroom, Nico leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself as he scrolled through his messages.
He didn’t notice Nozomi watching him again, heart fluttering.
He didn’t notice Eli’s cold, unreadable stare from across the room.
For now, he was just happy.