""Closer, Closer," Says Love
Nishikino Maki & Umi Sonoda, Love Live, 1K, 1/1
Summary: Maki and Umi talk movies and Nico.
""Closer, Closer," Says Love"
Umi Sonoda’s brisk pace kept Nishikino Maki from dropping into a sleep deprived haze.
“Will your schedule still accommodate viewing Alphaville this Sunday?”
“Sure.” Then Maki hesitated, “Wait, I have to check the joint calendar.”
“Joint calendar?”
“Nico set up a joint calendar for us so everyone she knows in Theatre or RTVF can get headshots without her giving them my number.”
There was silence from Umi, but it was expectant silence.
“Nico liked the headshots I took of her a lot, so her new plan to take over both New York and LA is to have everyone at Northwestern have the” Maki altered her voice slightly, “number one headshot photographer in the universe” take theirs and land more jobs. More NU alums in jobs means more NU networking means Nico gets her EGOT faster.”
Umi blinked, humming. “Impressive strategizing.”
“We’re damn lucky Nico’s not an ancient daimyo demanding we conquer the Loop to grow her collection of theatres.”
“My sword awaits her summons.” Umi chuckled.
Maki paused, “Never say that around Nico. She might just take you seriously.”
“You say that seriously.”
“I mean it seriously. She gets this glint in her eye and all these plans come spilling out and they can start to sound very convincing. It’s too easy to get caught up. She never stops to breathe so you can’t just casually divert the conversation.” Maki smiled, just for a second, “I have tried.”
“She is a very ambitious woman.”
“Yep.”
“I respect that.”
“Me too.” Maki rubbed her chin, “but…”
“But?”
“Nevermind.”
“It sounds” Umi paused. “Serious.”
“I’m banning that word for the rest of … ever.” Maki groaned, “Nico’s like the weather. She has the same effect on everyone. I’m not special.”
“I don’t think that’s true. Not many people take her plans serio…” Umi coughed, “To rephrase, I have spoken to uninformed persons who believe Nico’s impulsiveness means she lacks gravitas, that’s she’s just hastily grasping for whatever the wind blows by.”
“That’s not true. Sure, Nico grabs what life gives her, but she puts in the work. It’s all part of the Nico Plan. Which is on public display. Like a museum exhibit. She wrote it all down. I don’t know when she ever rests.” Maki glared at Umi. “Do people really say that about her?”
Umi had both hands raised in a placating gesture, “I have a different opinion, as do you. And we both know Nico appreciates your support for her efforts at world domination.”
“You make me sound like a villain’s sidekick.”
“Are you more of an investor then?”
Maki shook her head, “She doesn’t take money.”
“Neither do you, I suspect.”
“Not completely accurate. Nico says everybody thinks too cheap is a scam so we decided, 1 hour per person at $100 an hour, but there’s a 50% friend of Nico discount. And all of them manage their own prints, which is most of the expense. And the bother. I have nothing to do with that part.” Maki grinned, “Also, Nico makes me lunch and snacks.”
“Sounds very well organized. Is it impacting your studies?”
“I was already frustrated with classes. And no, I’m being careful with the scheduling.” Maki’s pace slowed, “But sometimes, I…can’t get people out of my head.”
“What do you mean?”
“I get curious about them or rehearse conversations or…” Maki shrugged, “Sometimes, I get tired and talk too much.”
“So you would rather ignore your subjects?”
“No, casual conversations are fine. But with a few of them, there’s this fluttering of connection and it’s aggravating. It's always happened; it's always bothered me. It’s why I started wondering if demisexual was a better label for me.”
“Why is it aggravating?” Umi prompted. Maki didn’t often talk about feelings, but tonight, she seemed to need a friendly ear.
“Because…” Maki frowned, “I suppose it’s like a false clue? It seems to mean something, takes up as much time as a real clue, but then it just kind of blanks.”
“Maybe we should talk about that at the next meeting.” While nearly everyone believed Umi and Maki had met and continued to meet at the Classic Film Club, that was a cover story because neither of them wanted to discuss their involvement in the campus Asexual Alliance. Umi identified as both poly and aromantic and appreciated being able to vent with others who felt like amatonormativity was a treacherous snare pop culture left everywhere.
“Maybe. I’ve started to recognize the signs so it’s easier to deal with. I just shove it in the ‘I’ll be over this in three sleepless nights” corner of my mind.”
Umi laughed, “It still sounds tiring.”
“Only for another week or so. There’s only so many performance majors. Alphaville will be a nice break. Oh, Nico wants to watch with us. I swear she thinks more like a director than an actor. She’s been texting me Goddard facts and quotes every day. Today, she sent me a list of the films he shot on video as suggestions for our next movie night.”
“I didn’t know video was in use that long ago.”
“If it was the 70’s and you were Jean-Luc Goddard, it was.”
“How interesting.”
Maki had picked up her pace again. She was walking Umi home and then stopping by Nico’s dorm after for snacks and video games.
“She is.”
“Please tell her my pen is at her disposal should she wish to experiment on video or film.”
“Your pen being mightier than your sword?” Maki stretched her arms out.
Umi chuckled.
They’d reached Allison Hall, where Umi shared a triple with Kotori Minami and Honoka Kousaka. Umi stopped for a parting exchange. “Thank you for the company, Maki. Please tell Nico I look forward to including her perspective in our movie nights.”
“I’m not offering her your sword or pen though.” Maki scuffed a heel.
Umi nodded, “That is probably best done by me, face to face, with my instrument in hand.”
Maki kickscraped a small pebble at Umi, then nodded, “See you Sunday.”
“Get some sleep, my friend.”
Umi watched Maki wave and walk toward CRC. Whatever relationship Nico and Maki had, Maki definitely seemed to feel a magnetic pull toward the dainty dynamo’s location. Umi wished her luck navigating that tide. Meanwhile, Nico was certainly going to add a refreshing spin to their discussions. A Goddard quote came to Umi’s mind, “Away, away,” says hate. “Closer, closer,” says love.”
A/N: Howdy! Tempted to change the name of the series to something like Muse Makes Movies since really no Goncharov knowledge is necessary. Thanks for stopping by. I'm liking these conversations; I hope you are too.
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