You Lie That Time | NicoMaki

Chapter 4: Young Doctor

ANOTHER PART IS ARRIVED SO ALL OF YOU I'D YOU TO ENJOY THIS ONE THO XD

★☆★☆★☆★☆★

The remaining members stayed in the clubroom, unable to focus on class, their thoughts consumed by Maki's sudden disappearance. She disappeared for over a months already

"Why didn't she even say a word to us?" Honoka asked herself, her voice small.

Nico, tears still rolling down her cheeks, offered an explanation. 

"Yeah. Maybe she was scared."

"Nicochii... are you okay?" Nozomi asked, gently patting Nico's back.

Nico hadn't realized her tears were still falling. 

"What? I just wiped these," she thought.

"N-nothing, I'm okay... Ahahaha. I'm just wondering why she transferred suddenly overseas. I wonder where," Nico said, trying to sound nonchalant and comfort herself.

Everyone's faces saddened as they looked at Nico.

"I think we should better go to practice, maybe that way we can help ourselves focus" Umi said, trying to change the heavy atmosphere.

Everyone nodded, and some went ahead to change. Only the Third-Year Trio and Umi remained. The three seniors looked at Nico with worried expressions.

"I understand how you feel, Nico, but what if she comes back?" Umi said, trying to console her.

"Nicochii. Don't think about it too much. I know she must have done this for a reason" Nozomi patted Nico's back again.

"Nico. Umi and I have been with Maki for a long time ever since we knew her. She must have had a good reason for this" Eli assured Nico.

They all left to change, giving Nico a few minutes of space. Nico stood there, looking down the entire time, gritting her teeth to hold back another wave of tears.

Within a few minutes, she got up and changed. Afterward, they headed to the rooftop. The first thing they did was warm up.

While looking for a partner, Nico saw Nozomi standing alone and walked toward her.

"Umm... Nozomi? Could you please be my partner for warm-ups?" Nico asked.

Nozomi nodded, and they began. As they stretched, Nico was hit by the memory of how she and Maki were always partners, often bickering over silly things while warming up.

Nico's face turned sad, and she lost her enthusiasm. Nozomi noticed this and spoke to her.

"Nicochii, don't let it bother you. Just think of me as Maki for now, so don't be sad," Nozomi said, trying to cheer Nico up.

After the warm-up, Nico's legs were shaking as if she couldn't feel them. She stopped moving and stayed rooted to her spot. Then, she suddenly felt dizzy. She looked around, her world seemed to be spinning, and her vision became blurry.

Nico's natural pale skin, grew even paler. Her lips looked dry, and she began to sweat profusely despite not moving. She reached out her hand toward her friends, but as she was about to call for help, she collapsed.

All of them heard the thud. They turned, shocked to see Nico lying unconscious on the floor. Eli rushed over and touched Nico's forehead, then checked the temperature against her own. Nico was ice-cold, unsettlingly so.

Eli scooped Nico up in a bridal carry while Nozomi supported Nico's head. They quickly ran downstairs and out, hailing a taxi. Students inside looked out the windows, stunned. They found a taxi and sped toward the hospital nearest to their school.