After the End: Maki's Graduation

04 - The Regret....

ERI'S POV

"Can you see me now, Nico?"

".....Eri!!? What are you doing here!!?"

"Same as you are. I'm here to check out the graduation ceremony and what my sister is doing."

"O-oh....but why are you here in this room!!? You just made me freak out for a bit!!"

"Hehe, I thought I'd want you to see me in an unusual way, you know, to surprise you!"

"I don't think that is necessary, Eri....."

Just walking towards Nico made me really happy. It has been such a long time since we last saw each other in person. I gotta say I missed her a lot. And this school, 'cause I was the former student council president afterall.

"How's your singing career by the way?"

"Really successful, Nico-chan. I have lots of albums to release and a lot of people are following me and my songs. My new partners are also very fun to be with. I have to say that I am really amazed I got this far."

"I see. You have lots of projects and concerts on schedule, right?"

"Yeah, really makes me busy that is why whenever I have free time I would use it as an opportunity to have fun and go somewhere....like here."

"Oh, that really happens when you get into careers like that."

I bet Nico wants to know how successful I am, but.....I need to do something quick. I'll ask her now.

"....so....what do you think about the school?"

"Well....it has gotten bigger..."

"What about the new students?"

"I don't know yet...I think more students now enroll here...as for what they are like....umm....I haven't asked Yukiho or my sister about them yet."

"What about the new idols?"

".....Eri, why are you asking so many questions - "

"Just give me an answer."

I wanted to have a serious talk with Nico. I needed to know what is going on with her.

"....idols huh.....well...I think Yukiho's group has what it takes, though I haven't yet seen how they practice and how well they perform yet..."

"You seem to say it all as if you're not interested in them at all."

"....maybe...but does it matter?"

"It does! I mean, aren't you interested in idols very much?"

"Of course I am, Eri!! It's just...I just don't have time to think about them, that is all!!"

"Or is it because you're not comfortable seeing our school endorsing a different idol group other than us?"

".....Eri, don't make it sound like I am jealous of them or anything!! I mean, I will not hesitate to give them my 100% support! There's no reason to..."

"What about Maki-chan? How are you two by the way?"

"!! Eri!!"

"What?"

"What is with you!!? Why are you asking me all those questions, huh?!!"

Nico looked really frustrated at me as she said that. Yes, I can tell she is in trouble as the others say.

"Nico, I just want to check if you accept the reality of everything that is going on now."

"Stop it. You won't understand."