<Nico's pov>

I stayed silent, thinking of what Maki had just said. 'How did her parents ended up this way? What happened in her family? How did she deal with a demanding father?' Those questions circled in my head but I just couldn't ask them.

"It's okay, Nico-chan." Maki broke the silence between us. "It's for the best."

"How could it be for the best?" I almost yelled as tears started stinging my eyes. "You know, without your mother, you're living in hell. You are your father's puppet. You need to grow a freaking spine and let yourself go. You need your freedom."

Why? Why am I too concerned about her? Do I still have feelings for her? Has it not changed since high school?

"N-Nico-chan...." Maki stuttered. "I-It's really hard to stand up to him when he has an army of men ready to hurt me." A drop of tear could be seen rolling down her pale cheeks.

The pained look on her face made me soften down. I took her hands and wrapped it into mine. I gave her hands a soft squeeze to assure her that everything would be okay.

"Maki-chan, we'll make it through. We'll stand up to your father. I'm sure of it." I whispered softly, wiping away her tears.

"How could you be sure of it?" Maki hiccuped.

I went silent for a second. There has to be a way to free her from her miserable life. I looked around and spotted two office ladies walking together side by side, chatting probably about their work. That's when an idea popped into my head.

"Well... For starters, I won't leave your side. Ever." I stated. "Plus, I had thought up a plan."

"You do?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. Nico-nii is here to help you out." I did my signature pose, smiling brightly from ear to ear.

"How?" Maki squinted in confusion.

"Okay. The plan goes like this..." I whispered the plan into her ears.
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"Are you sure?" Maki asked shortly after I backed away from her ears.

"Of course. I'm sure of it."

"What if-"

"There's no doubt about it. Trust me."

Maki just nodded before she stared straight ahead to the empty space. She hummed the tune of a song we used to sing, Aishiteru Banzai. It really brings back memories of our highschool days.

"M-Maki-chan..." I whispered softly, gazing towards her direction.

"What." Maki replied monotonously, turning to face me.

"O-oh... Uh... Nothing." I grinned sheepishly but a slight blush emerged on my face.

"Okay then." She looked up at the starry night sky (lol get it? Hoshizora? Oh god kill me xD). "The stars are beautiful tonight."

"Uhh... Yeah.. This place is good for stargazing and al-" I was interrupted by Maki lifting my chin up.

"Nico-chan.... Thank you." Maki mumbled softly before she brought my face closer to hers.

I was unable to resist. I was so caught up in her eyes, which sparkled beautifully like the stars in the sky, that my mind went blank. I just followed suit, leaning slowly towards her.

10 Inches.... 5 Inches.... 3 Inches... and getting closer...

Our lips were merely brushing each other when.....

"Maki-chaaan!! And... Is that Nico-chan!?"

That loud voice made us jump and quickly pushed each other away. I looked at the direction of the voice and saw a familiar orange haired lady waving frantically towards our direction along with a navy haired lady walking slowly next to her.

"H-Honoka? U-Umi?"

Honoka ran towards us, almost tripping over her own foot. "Oh, Nico-chan. You're alive!" Honoka stated as she gave me a bear hug, cutting out my oxygen supplies.

I could feel a slight deja vu here...

"Maki-chan, why is your face red?" Honoka asked as she released me from the hug.

"N-Nothing... I-It's just the heat." Maki looked away, hiding her face that was as red as her hair.

"Oh... I see."

Umi approached me and placed her hand on my bony shoulder. "Where have you been, Nico?"

I stayed silent for a few seconds before I told them what had happened for the past few days. I even told them the plan I thought of a moment ago.

"Hmm. That's some trouble you got yourself into." Umi commented. "I'll get Kotori to help you find her. After all, they still keep in contact."

"Oh that helps a lot." I stated.

Umi then scribbled something on a small piece of paper and passed it to Maki. "Call me when you need me."

"Thanks Umi." Maki thanked Umi for the support.

"No problem." Honoka piped in. "Now will you excuse me, we are heading to Kotori's house." Honoka dragged Umi away, waving farewell at us.

That's one less problem for our plan. I just hope it goes well...
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~Tomorrow

The blinding rays of the sun seeped through my curtains and into my eyes. The birds outside chirped annoyingly, waking me up from my slumber. However, the warmth of the person sleeping beside me made up for the horrible morning.

I turned to face her. She was currently hugging onto my arm. Her sleeping face seems cute and vulnerable. Her velvet shoulder length hair is a bit ruffled up but still kept neat. Is this what they call 'waking up like a princess'? I couldn't help but to envy her for that.

'Papa... Stop...' Maki's soft voice escaped her lips.

I looked down again at her. This time, she seems upset. Her lips quivered a little. Her eyebrows were furrowed in fear. A single drop of tear slipped through her eyelids, rolling down her cheek.

That's it. I have to put an end to this right now.

I picked up the piece of paper that was given by Umi and took out my cellphone. I brought it outside of the house, to the corridor where the phone signal is the highest. I switched on my cellphone and dialled in the number.

Once the phone on the other end of the line was picked up, I whispered, "Umi, call Kotori now."
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A/N

Hai~ I really apologize for the late update. I... was running out of ideas for this so... uhh... yeah... Feel free to kill me for this. ^^"

~YFG