<Maki's pov>

"Stand up to him." Eli said a straight look displayed on her face.

"Wh-what?"

"Talk to him. Show him some backbone. Show him that you should be living your own life and he shouldn't be in any part of it."

"E-Eli-chi..."

"I mean, what kind of father takes over his own child's life and make them marry those she don't even know?"

"Eli... What are you talking about?" I leaned forward towards the edge of the seat.

"Well... You see, Eli-chi went through something similar four years ago... Two years after graduation." Nozomi took a sip of her tea before continuing. "Her parents were about to ship her back to Russia to meet her so-called fiance. We were dating at that time so it's kinda hard to let each other go. Do you know what I mean?"

"No. Not at all." Nico stated as she crossed her legs.

"Of course. Nico-chi was too busy for love after all." Nozomi smirked teasingly.

"Urk..." Looks like Nozomi had struck a vital spot on Nico's chest. "W-well... O-of course I am."

"Oh... Anyways, Eli-chi stood up to her parents and said it clearly. She told them that they shouldn't tell her what to do and they should let her lead her own life." Nozomi stared at Eli, who in return, gave her a warm smile.

"And I have no regrets about it." Eli finished their tale.

"Uhh... Thanks guys." I thanked them, bowing slightly.

"No problem." Nozomi got up and wiped off some lint from her dress."Well... We should get going now. Bye guys."

"Bye." Nico gave them a small wave.

"Oh. And hey, if you still have some problems or you just want to hang out, don't hesitate to call." Eli said as she took Nozomi's hand.

"Sure." I gave them a small nod before they left the apartment hand-in-hand. I silently closed the door behind me, feeling slightly in ease. What Eli said was true. I should be leading my own life and not let anyone interfere. I should be free from this cage and fly freely.

"So, Maki-chan. Do you want to get some fresh air afterwards?" Nico called out from behind, interrupting my trail of thoughts

"Huh?"

"Well... You should get familiar with this neighborhood anyway since you'll be staying here for a while."

"Oh... Uhh... Yeah sure. Hold on." I got changed from my baggy shirt and pants into something that you won't even describe as poor. I grabbed some of my belongings before heading out to the living room, where Nico was waiting patiently with a surgical mask on one hand and a pair of sunglasses in the other.

Once she had spotted me in the hallway, she quickly put on the mask and glasses, covering up her identity.

"Nico-chan, what's with that outfit? You look suspicious."

"Suspicious?" Nico repeated. "This is to hide away from my fans. You know how they are. Chasing me and such..." Her voice muffled beneath the mask.

"Isn't this neighborhood at the edge of town? Your fans won't even be here."

"Oh... Uh.. Right." Nico took off the disguise and placed it on the table. "Well, let's go."
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The neighborhood was much bigger than I thought it was. There were a bunch of other apartments, bigger than the one I'm currently living in. There are a bunch of convenience store placed on every corner of the street. There's even a small park located right next to a stretch of river.

We stopped at a set of stairs which connects the river and the sidewalk.

"So, Maki-chan. I hope you're not regretting your decision." Nico stated as she sat on one of the steps. "I mean, there's not much around here and it may be smaller than your old pla-"

"No, it's perfect." I cut off her sentence. "It's okay as long as there's someone by my side to keep me safe."

<Nico's pov>

I could feel my face burning up from what Maki had said. I quickly turned away, hiding my burning face.

"Uhhh.... Y-yeah... Sure..." I stared straight ahead, watching some kids playing around at the foot of the river.

"Hey, Nico-chan?" Maki sat down right next to me. "What do you think I should do? You know, about my future and stuff."

"Well, as much as I know, you hated being a doctor." I turned and faced her. "Just think of what you love to do."

"What I love, huh?"

I stared down at my fingers. My short and puny fingers. That's when it hits me. Back in high-school, Maki love spending her time alone in the music room, playing the piano, coming up with songs for the upcoming live and even compose random songs just to destress. From what I remembered, she seems to be having fun composing songs. This might be it.

"Have you tried becoming a composer?" I asked.

"What?"

"Composer, as in making music and stuff."

"I know what it means, Nico-chan. But then... won't Papa find out eventually? Plus, I pretty much lost interest in music since Papa had told me they're 'bad for the brain'."

"Do you still listen to that old man!?" I suddenly blurted out, causing her to jump. "Music is the total opposite from what he said! It's a form of life!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Maki asked with a weird look plastered on her face.

"Uhh... Well..." I let out a low sigh as I whispered, "Never mind... "

I just stared ahead at the sun which was setting in the horizon. The kids who were playing in the river quickly packed up their stuff and headed home before it gets dark.

"So, from what Eli said. How should I stand up to my father?" Maki asked, breaking the silence around us.

"Firstly, what's your father like?"

"Well... He's quite strict with his rules. He's really demanding.. He's-"

"Okay stop." I cut off her sentence since that list would be really long and never ending. "That's one troublesome father you have there. Okay. Firstly, find his weakness."

"Mama."

"What?"

"Mama was his weakness. She might not seem like it but she's against Papa... for some reason."

"Could you contact her?" I quickly grabbed her arm, squeezing it tight.

"Ow. N-Nico-chan. My arm!" Maki yelled in pain, struggling out of my iron grip.

"Oh. S-sorry" I started to loosen my grip. "Uhh... So. About your mother. Why hadn't she stop your father all these time? Aren't they living together?"

"Not anymore."

Those two words struck me like a slap. Where did her mother go? Why did she leave Maki with her demanding father? What had happened between her family? I was tempted to ask those question but I don't want to interfere their lives. This is their family business and I'm clearly not part of it.

What can I do to help her?
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