Nozomi's P.O.V

Friends had always mattered to me. The special people who understand you, who make up your second family. The ones who hold you together on your bad days, and who set your laughter free into the endless sky on the good ones.

I've always kept this idea in my mind- no, in my heart. I longed for it more than I could ever say to anyone out loud, no matter how close we were.

I was young, shy and bashful back then. Back when I had no friends, only myself. My family moved around a lot back then. We went in and out of countless towns, countless schools. When I got to Otonokizaka Academy, I decided to stay. I was sick of the leaving. Sick of the arriving. I just wanted to be.

Luckily I arrived in the right place. My place.

XxxxxX

My heavy eyelids drift open slowly, adjusting to the painful light threatening to give me permanent retinal damage. Squinting, I feel my way over to the table and fall into a chair. And then I fall off the chair.

Not a great start to the day.

Grumbling quietly I start making my breakfast and tea. By the time I'm done, I'm back in high spirits, ready to face the world again. No chair is gonna ruin my day before its even begun! I think cheerfully.

I start towards the door, my tarot cards in one hand and keys in the other, and use my elbows and the few free fingers I have left to turn the handle. Pulling the door open, I see a startled Eli, hand poised to knock and a startled expression on her face. My heart flutters slightly- probably due to the shock.

"Good morning, Elichi!" I greet her, cheerfully smiling.
"G-Good morning, Nozomi," she sighs, overcoming her short panic.

"Shall we go to school then?"

"We'd better. I hate being late for class."

XxxxxX

I sat down on the bench outside at lunch, soaking up the sunshine and letting the cool breeze smoothly pass over my skin. The weather has been gorgeous today, I smile to myself.

Stretched out on the grass in front of me were the three first years, fiddling with the emerald blades below them, plus Nico, having a light-hearted argument about her next solo with Maki.

"I'm just saying, it's obvious that I'm the one the world wants to see the most in this group!"

"Oh, really? Do you have any proof concerning that statement?"

"..."

"..."

"...Nico-Nico-Nii?"

"That's what I thought!"

Nico slinks over to my bench and plonks herself down next to me, arms crossed and pouting.

"Nozomiiiiii, did you see how mean Maki was just now? I mean..." She trails off in horrified silence, as she sees my expression.

"Nico," I say, grinning as I raise my hands into the air. "If you don't knock it off, I'll have to use Washi Washi Max on you!"

She squeals and moves back on the seat, out of my current reach.

"Okay, okay!" She says in a high and squeaky voice. "I'm stopping! I'M STOPPING!"

I hear laughter coming from the 3 first-years on the lawn, and exhale loudly, dropping my arms into my lap.

"Oh! I forgot to ask!" She exclaims.

I raise an eyebrow in response.

"Where's Eli? I know she's a busy person and all, but normally she'd be here."

I avert my gaze, staring at my hands. "She's helping out a certain someone."

Umi had captured Honoka with the help of Kotori to attempt to get her to study for an upcoming test, which was going to be a major struggle for them, knowing the lack of enthusiasm they always get from the bubbly girl when she has to do schoolwork.

Maybe that's why Umi convinced Eli to help them.

A wave of irritation hit me, but I brushed it off. It's not like I had any giant claim on Eli, no more than anyone else here did.

"Ohhhh. Are we a bit jealous here, Nozomi?" I jump as I realize Nico is right next to me, smirking.

Her screams as I punish her Washi-Washi style echo around the area. Needless to say, she leaves me alone after that. I pick at my food until it's time for class, my appetite gone.

XxxxxX

The last bell finally goes, signalling the end of the day. I flex my fingers, which are slightly stiff from taking notes all day. Eli is practically glowing in the chair in front of me. Top of the class again in our English test. Well, really, every test. I'm a fairly good student, but I don't have the pure determination concerning my studies to get the kind of marks she does.

Eli turns to face me, beaming a 20 000 watt smile in my direction, melting both my heart and my eyes.

"Elichi! Trying to blind me here?" I tease, laughing.

She giggles, her face lightly flushed.
"Sorry, sorry!" She says unconvincingly.

I suddenly feel a slight shiver coming down my back. I glance around, realizing that we have a small audience watching. Eli's face starts turning a light red.

"Come on, we don't wanna be late for practice!" I say, and use the excuse to whisk her out of the room.

We half-run to the club room, barricading ourselves inside. While I shut the door properly, Eli sits down on a chair, head in hands.

"There's no club practice today," she mumbles, whilst her hands drop and she slides face down onto the table.

"What was I supposed to do? Throw you to the wolves and make a run for it?" I keep my voice light.

Eli doesn't respond, just sits pitifully at the table.

"Come on, you're practically turning into Umi, getting all embarrassed like this." I joked desperately.

My attempt to make the situation better appears to fail. Her shoulders begin shaking and her breathing becomes ragged and desperate. I sigh, walking around to her and sitting in the next chair over. My hand rubs gently over her back, trying to calm her. Suddenly she has her arms around me, burying her face in my blazer and sobbing her guts out.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh," I whisper in her ear, stroking her hair with one hand and holding her tight with the other.

We sit there together for a long time, long after the sobs petered out