"NICO-CHAN!!"

Maki called Nico with her voice hoping she'd answer. So much has happened. It was her birthday. It was something she kept secret yet everyone knew about it.

She almost got into a fight with Eri. Now Nico is calling her suddenly for no good reason. Maki is definitely not in a good mood.

"...*cough*...Maki...-chan...sorry...", Nico finally answered.

"What's wrong with you huh, Nico-chan!!?"

"Sorry, I just *cough* I just don't feel very well..."

Nico was sick. She struggled to say something to her, even for a bit. Nico's face was pale, her voice was a bit shaky, and her throat hurted.

"Nico...you're sick aren't you?! Why did you not tell me!!?"

"Huh? Why would you even ask? I never thought you cared for me in the first place."

"That's! -Th-that's none of your business!!"

"*Cough* *cough*...you really care huh, Maki-chan...*thud*"

"Nico-chan? NICO-CHAN?!!!"

--- CALL ENDED ---

Nico stopped calling afterwards. Maki felt so worried. She was able to hold back her tears but it was clear she was really stressed. She wanted to be with her. She wanted to take care of her. Hearing was not enough, she wanted to see her.

But what can she do? She doesn't know where Nico leaves. No one knows. Nico never told anyone she was living in an apartment, nor did she ever mention that she had siblings. Just like how Nico knows little of Maki, Maki knew little of who Nico is and what she is like.

But what's so special is that Maki wanted to know her more - get closer to her more. In her eyes, Nico is not being true to herself, keeps secrets on her own, and is pushing everyone away, even though she's now part of u's.

"So...Nico and I...we're not so different after all." Maki thought those words. She had nothing else left to think. If that were the case, then she should do something about her birthday. She has to make it special - somehow.

Maki headed straight for home, planning to change clothes and leave afterwards. She thought that she'll try to look for Nico all around the city, she doesn't care if she'll get lost. She wanted to see if Nico's alright. That's the kind of girl Maki is. Eveytime something happens, she tries to do something about it no matter what.

In the event that she won't be able to find her, Maki concluded that'll she'll just buy presents for herself, her mom and the other girls. That's all she thought she could ever do. It will be an odd thing to do - instead of everyone giving her gifts, she will be the one who will give other people gifts. But if it anyway makes her birthday meaningful, she won't hesitate to try.

Maki headed back home, before 5:00. It was getting dark but the sky was still a bit bright somehow. Maki tried to calm herself as she went back home.

"I'm home!" Maki entered her house. As usual her mother wasn't there yet, her mom has an important patient she has to attend to in Harajuku, a city which is a bit far from home. Maki expects she'll be back late at night or even tomorrow.

"TIIIING!!!"

"AHH!!? WH-WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Suddenly a strange noise came out of nowhere. Another sudden event, this time Maki felt really scared. No one else was at home, she knows it. Or so she thought.

Maki was worried a thief got in her house...maybe even worse...she didn't know what to expect at first...

Then the noise came back. It got louder and louder...but the longer it lasted...the more familiar it sounded...

"Now I'm creeped out. What's going on here!?", Maki thought. Not wanting to stay at the door doing nothing, she decided to investigate.

The noise seemed to be coming from a large room, as Maki approached the source she began to distinguish what the sound was.

"Wait...that's...that sounded like a piano..."

Maki entered the room - she was right. It was the sound of a piano. And the noise she heard was actually music. Not just any music - it was a song. A birthday song.

"What the...!?", said Maki as she saw before her eyes. Someone was there at the room, sitting on the bench in front of the piano. It was a girl wearing a pink sweater and blue pants. With long, black hair. Playing her grand piano with the tone of the "Happy Birthday" song.

Maki stood by and watched. As much as she could, she tried to hold back her feelings as she watched the girl played the piano. The music was good, the tone and pitch were stable. The girl did not make any mistakes as she pressed the keys.

Maki felt so emotional, altogether she was confused, shocked, concerned, and happy all at the same time. Shocked for she never expected this at all, never expected her to be there at all. Confused for she could not imagine what has been going on so far.

Concerned that this girl must be pushing herself too hard to do this. And happy - that the girl is still alright and was able to somehow do this performance for her.

Once the song ended, the girl coughed for a bit, then she turned to look at Maki behind her. Her face was pale, but she still had the strength to say these words - with a smile on her face.

"Happy birthday to you - Maki-chan..."