Hey there, First of all Thanks for taking your time to read this. This is something I've been wanting to do for a while, and after giving it some thought, I've decided to try it. This is my first fic and the first thing I write in my life, Hope you enjoy it.
There might be errors, English is not my native language, I'll try my best.
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The Fool
First steps
''So, wanna give it a try?'' Asked a purplenette with a smirk, leaning into the desk and holding a deck of cards in front of a short raven haired girl. They were sitting in a clubroom, the sun setting down, and school day almost over. She wasn't sure we she agreed to it. She didn't believed in any of this stuff. It was stupid. How could something radom tell the future of a person? Why some stupid cards would change someone? And why does her friend was obssesed with all of this? -And more important, why I'm friends with her?-
It's stupid.
''Yeah, yeah, make it quick.'' Said the Raven haired with a scowl.
''Oh, don't be like that Nicocchi, patience it's a virtue~'' The purplenette said faking a pout; then smirked. ''Have more faith in the cards.''
The Raven Haired rolled her eyes in annoyance. The Purplenette has been pestering her with her cards stuff for a while since she created her own club ''Don't you want to see what greatness awaits for your club?'' and of course, Nico Yazawa has been declining her advances every time, -Not this one though- She was tired and didn't had any strength to argue back, maybe after this she could get rid of her annoying friend and her annoying cards.
But she would never admit that she was slightly curious, and would never admit that her annoying friend was actually a good friend and really cared about her.
''Alright.'' said Nico, ''But before you start, I want to know how does this works. It's a divine force? Or some random shit? You're not going to curse me right? And don't you need a Crystal ball or something?''.
The purple haired giggled, ''Now, now, You sure watch a lot of movies Nicocchi~'' She started to play with the cards, shuffling and cutting the deck and explained. ''It's nothing like that, every step taken is a conscious decision, It's not something random, and also, for some there might be divine intervention, for others no. Treat it as your inner guide that will make you follow the right path!''
Nico huffed and stared her friend with disbelief which made her friend giggle in amusement.
Nozomi stopped with her shuffling and proceeded to deal the deck of cards in the desk, there were Twenty two of them an they were all upside down, each one of them decorated with blue diamond shapes and a beautiful helix shape in the middle. They were lay in a elegant ''C'' pattern.
''Shall we begin?'' Asked Nozomi and Nico nodded.
Nico paused for a second and remembered ''Wait, wait! You didn't explained me how this works!''
The Purplenette stared in amusement and said ''Isn't more exciting this way?''
The Raven Haired wanted to slam her head in the desk at her friend antics but instead just glared her with a frown ''Whatever.''
And so, to the Purplenette surprise the Raven Haired picked a card, ''I want this one, now what?''
''Now, now Nicocchi, didn't I said that patience is a virtue?''
''I don't have patience when I'm treating with you.'' said the raven haired.
''That's mean, you hurt my feelings.'' The fortune teller brought her hand to her chest in a dramatic expression and then smirked ''Alright.''
The purplenette took the card, she stared at her friend, The Fool. But there was a small problem.
This is and error right? Should I tell her? She thought.
''Hey what's wrong?'' Asked Nico.
Nozomi shook her head smiling and showed the raven haired the card.
''Are you calling me a fool, Nozomi?'' The raven haired deadpanned.
Nozomi, holding her laughter ''It's nothing like that Nicocchi! Don't take it too literal,'' she smirked, averted her eyes and mumbled ''You're pretty dumb already, don't worry''
''What did you said?!'' She could feel her blood boiling with anger the more Nozomi laughed. Treating with Nozomi was always a pain. She huffed and frowned ''Care to explain what does it mean?''
Nozomi coughed and smiled softly ''The Fool doesn't mean you're a fool. It represents a new beginning, one that will lead you to a path of personal growth. The card tells you to trust in yourself, to follow your heart. But that's what you always do, right?''
Nico fell silent and lowered her gaze, She didn't wanted to believe in it.
This is stupid.
But maybe it was fine to believe in it.
Don't.
She had a dream.
Naive.
''Sounds good,'' she said smiling smugly, ''After all, the great Nico will be the number one idol in the universe.''
''There you go again,'' chuckled her friend.
''Here'' said Nozomi handing the card to Nico. ''Keep it, now it's Yours''
Nico sighed, took the card and stuffed it in her bag, Nozomi had a worried gaze on her, Nico noticed but didn't said anything about it. The purplenette wanted to say it so badly, to tell her, to warn her. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.
''Let's go, it's late.''
She didn't had the heart to tell her.
The Fool was reversed.
Nico walked around the new academy ''UTX,'' she came here every morning before going to school. She became a Third year some weeks ago, She wished to spend at least her last year in this place, but going there meant bankrupt to her family. Still that didn't stopped her from daydreaming, how her life would be if she attended that school, how her dream would come to be truth. She sighed and her phone ringed, she reached out for her bag and crashed with someone, she apologized quickly then dragged out her phone, a message from her mother, she was about to reply but a girl talked to her.
''Hey, You dropped this,'' She said, handing out a card.
Nico eyes widened, she quickly snatched the card and putted it inside the bag along with her phone, the other girl frowned displeased.
Nico noticed this, ''Oh, I'm sorry, that was rude.'' she paused and smiled. ''Thanks.''
She looked at the girl, tall, crimson hair and beautiful violet eyes, she had the same uniform as she had, but with a blue ribbon. A first year huh.
''Whatever.'' she looked away while played with her hair.
Nico hummed ''Hey, you're from Otonokizaka, right?''
''Y-yeah.''
Nico smirked. ''What are you doing here?''
''W-what?''
''I mean, shouldn't you be in the school right now?'' The redhead looked flustered and Nico just laughed. ''I know, come with me!''
''Wait what? Where?'' The blush on her face darkened and matched her crimson hair.
''To the school duh, classes will start soon!.''
''O-okay, I guess'' she said, the smile on Nico's face growing .
The walk was uncomfortably silent; spring wind kissed their faces and only noises from other students and vehicles remained. Nico was lost in thought, trying to come with a conversation, and the Crimson haired girl too flustered with the situation to even say a word. They walked slightly afar from each other, Nico still deep in though unconsciously started to hum a song which the girl immediately recognized ''Hey, isn't that Bach?''
Nico broke out of her trance and looked back slightly surprised, nobody has ever asked her about the song she used to hum. ''It is, you like it?''
''Yeah.'' She said, with a small smile.
Nico gaze softened and returned the smiled, she slowed down to walk right beside the girl, humming content all the way to the school.
''The name's Nico Yazawa, I'm a senior in Otonokizaka.'' winked the raven haired ''What's your name?''
The redhead flinched and doubted for a moment ''...Nishikino Maki.''
They started to feel comfortable and made small talks about anything that came to mind, with Nico leading the conversation and Maki following her, they arrived the school with small smiles on their faces.
Entering the school building they came to a flight of stairs, Nico stopped and looked at Maki. ''Here is where we part! thanks for walking with me, Nishikino.''
''I-It's nothing, Yazawa-senpai.'' she replies and there's a little moment of silence, both of them expecting the other to leave.
''Making new friends Nicocchi?~'' said a teasing voice from behind the raven haired.
''N-Nozomi?!'' Nico stuttered and turned around to face sparkling green eyes. ''Whaddya want?''
''Oh, I just wanted to see you.'' Said Nozomi with a shit eating grin.
''Sure, Sure, YOU wanted to see me.'' rolling her eyes ''Shouldn't you be with that Russian dork anyway?''
Nozomi giggled, ''She's in the student council room, and I just came to see how my dear Nicocchi was doing~''
Maki who was observing the scene interrupted, ''Excuse me, uh, I'm late to class'' She suddenly turned away and left the two of them.
Third years are weird She thought.
''Well we better get going too, Nicocchi~'' said the purplenette already going upstairs, Nico sighed following her, Nozomi looked over her shoulder with a grin, ''By the way, You'll have to tell me about her later.'' And Nico felt a shiver down her spine.
They arrive the classroom and each one took her seat, Nico reached her bag to take out her phone, her mom had sent a message which she responded with a brief, ''Okay.'' Her day had started really well, that redhead caught Nico's interest, Maybe I should talk with her later she thought. Nico glanced around her, the teacher yet to arrive, Nozomi was talking with some girls, probably telling their fortune, in front of her were other girls laughing loudly. She felt lonely, she didn't had many friends. Not that she hadn't tried, but everyone else tends to ignore her. The door opened and a Blonde entered the classroom alongside the teacher and everyone took their respective seats. Nico glanced over Eli, The Blonde smiled and muttered a ''Morning'' with a wave, she reciprocated the gesture. Nico sighed ready to face the rest of her day.
The bell ringed announcing the start of lunch break, everyone got up from their seats. Nico, not wanting to deal with Nozomi right now, left the room quickly. She wandered around the school not having anything better to do, going to the Student council room meant an easy kill for Nozomi. And she didn't really, really wanted that, but again, She didn't had any other friends Better than eating alone. Sighing to herself she turned and decided to go back to the room. That was until she spotted a familiar crimson hair. Nico's mood brightened as she considered her options.
She could go to Student Council room and listen to Nozomi's teasing, watch Eli get embarassed and get herself annoyed with that tit monster antics.
Or she could try spend time with her new friend.
Goes without saying which one she chose.
Jogging happily the raven haired reached for the redhead, ''Nishikino!''
Maki suddenly turned around surprised by the raven haired girl, she tripped and fell on the floor, ''Y-yazawa-Senpai?!''
''Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.'' She said giggling and offering her hand to help the redhead.
She gladly took it and settled up on her feet, cleaning the dust of her skirt, she started twirling her hair, ''I-I wasn't scared, don't misunderstand, you just surprised me.''
''Sure, sure.'' said Nico smiling, ''Hey Nishikino, I know this is sudden but, I was wondering if you wanted to keep me company till next class?''
Maki considered for a second. ''I don't mind, I guess.''
The raven haired beamed. ''Great! Let's search a place where we can sit and talk.''
''I know where.'' said Maki adverting her gaze, the twirling of her hair became more frantic.
Nico stared at her, ''Okay.''
They walked quietly around the school before they arrive to an empty room, The music room. Seats filled the room but the main attraction was the big piano in middle of the stage, waiting idly for someone to make magic with it. Maki took seat in the bench of the piano, turning away from it. Nico took the spot beside the redhead, both of them opened their lunchboxes and started eating.
''Hmm~ This is a nice place.'' Nico broke the silence. ''I suppose you come here often.''
''Ah, uh, yeah.''
Nico glanced at the redhead She's awkward huh.
''Seems like You really like tomatoes.'' Nico smiled, pointing at the redhead's lunchbox.
''Y-yeah, I mean, they taste good.'' said the redhead.
Nico smirked ''It's because your hair is red like a tomato?''
''Hey!''
Nico giggled and smirked at her success to lighten the mood, the redhead looked less awkward.
''Then how about you? Yo sure like uh..'' Maki glanced at Nico's lunchbox trying to find something to make a comeback with. But when nothing came to her mind she quickly looked away. Nico just laughed
They started to feel comfortable with each other again, chatting about the classes, and how Nico couldn't just understand anything of math. They laughed and smiled.
''Hey, Nishikino, mind me asking what were you doing this morning in UTX?''
''Huh?'' She looked confused with the sudden change of topic, ''Why do you want to know?'' She said as she used her chopsticks to take a tomato and eat it.
''I'm just curious.'' Nico giggled. ''I don't see many Otonoki student around there in the morning.''
''I uh.. Wanted to study there, but my parents insisted to come here,'' she paused and lowered her chopsticks ''So I went this morning to get some information about it...''
''Well that seems reasonable, Anyone would want to study there''
''I know, right?'' Maki said.
Wait does that mean she can afford to study there?
Should I...?
No, I'm not like that, I'm not going to take advantage of her.
''..pai'' Said the redhead, ''Yazawa-senpai are you listening?''
Nico flinched and apologized ''Sorry, sorry, I was distracted. What did you said?''
Maki huffed, ''I asked what were you doing there as well.''
Nico just giggled, ''It's on my way from home, so I like to take a little walk around there.''
''Oh, I see.'' said Maki.
''Hmh~''
Maki paused, ''Then, do you mind me asking what was that card?''
Nico flinched. I forgot about that damned card!.
''I-it's a friend's!'' she answered ''T-that girl of this morning, it was hers!''
Maki didn't looked convinced.
Nico tried to find any other excuse but nothing came to her mind, she sighed defeated. Trying to change the topic she asked ''Hey, do you know how to play the piano?''
''Yes.''
''Can you play something?'' Nico asked.
''No.''
''Oh come on! Don't be like that, We were having a nice chat.'' said Nico pouting.
''That doesn't mean I'm going to play the piano!''
Still pouting, Nico leaned into Maki and locked eyes with her, ''W-what?'' asked Maki blushing embarrassed, ''Would you play a song for me, please,'' She smiled ''Maki?''
''I-i Uh... well.. lunch break is almost over and I don't think we have enough time-''
''Maki,'' she had a pleading look ''Pleeease, just one.''
''J-just one okay?'' she said, Nico nodded and both turned to face the piano.
Maki removed the fallboard; stretched her fingers and pressed a key, then another, until a slow melody formed and her face softened, closing her eyes she lost herself in the piano, in the music, with Nico watching and listening with a big smile. When the song came to an end, the only sound remaining in the room was Nico's clapping.
''It was beautiful.''
''Thanks.'' replied Maki grinning.
The lunch break ended and they arrived the same stairs, ''Thanks for spending time with me again, Maki.'' said Nico.
''It's nothing.'' replied Maki.
''See you tomorrow then?'' Asked Nico with a smile that make the redhead skip a beat.
''S-sure, N-nico.'' The redhead started to twirl her hair, a blush adorning her face ''I uh.., have to go.''
Nico held back her laugh at the flustered redhead, they parted ways and headed to their classrooms.
When Nico arrived, she was received with a shit eating grin from Nozomi, ''You still have to tell me the details.'' And she felt another shiver run down her spine.
''We were looking for you!'' Exclaimed the orange haired girl, behind her a brunette. ''Where were you?''
''R-rin-chan, I'm sure Maki had a good reason for that..'' said the shy brunette.
''I was in the music room.'' Maki sighed.
''But we always eat together Kayo-chin Nya!'' The brunette rubbed Rin's head affectionately.
''I'm sorry, I wanted to be alone.'' She lied, she didn't wanted to tell them she were with someone else. That girl made her heart go crazy.
''It's okay Maki-chan'' said the brunette. ''We don't want to force you. But if something is bothering you, you can tell us, we're friends.'' the brunette gave her a little smile.
Friends.
That word always confused the redhead. Were they friends? They only hang out in lunch break, but she barely said a word. Does that makes them friends? What were friends supposed to do? Maki didn't knew, She never had any friends. She spends all her time alone studying and playing piano, She didn't had time for anyone else; When do you become friends with someone? Is Nico her friend now? They just met but she enjoyed the time they spend together.
The thought of the girl made her smile.
''Yeah, Thank you, Hanayo.'' Said Maki with a sincere smile.
The bell announced the end of classes. Nico sighed and started gathering her things felt a hand on her shoulder ''Nicocchi~ you're coming with us, right?''
''Yeah, yeah, I know.'' sighing she sat up and they walked towards Eli, ''Elicchi, Let's get going, we're gonna help you.''
Eli sighed and shook her head, knowing that ''help'' meant she doing all the work while the other two just chatted. They arrived the Student council Office and Eli took her seat; grabbed some papers and started her work, and as expected, Nico and Nozomi were at it.
''So Nicocchi, where were you in lunch break?''
''I-I felt like eating somewhere else.'' she stuttered.
Nozomi smirked, ''I bet you were with your new friend.''
''W-well that's..'' she sighed. ''Yeah, I was with her, so what?''
''Ooh, I didn't knew you were so bold~'' Nozomi laughed at the blushing raven haired and Eli just shook her head and returned to her work.
''It's nothing like that!'' Nico said, ''I just happened to see her, so I thought it would be nice to ask her.''
''Well, I'm glad you're trying to make new friends.'' she chuckled and smiled softly.
Nico often forgot how Nozomi was really supportive, ''Yeah, Thanks.'' she replied with a small grin.
''Well, This isn't why we came here for don't we?'' said Nozomi with a cheeky smile. ''Did you bring it?''
''Yeah.'' she reached for her bag to take out the card, ''Here.''
''I'm surprised you still have it after two years.''
''Me too.'' said Nico with a hint of sadness, she had the card because she held in the hope that maybe someday something would change. After the failure of her club, she kept trying, handing pamphlets, dancing alone, trying to compose music. But none of that had worked, and she wanted to move on.
''Anyway, what do you want that thing for?''
''Because it's our last year in school and I wanted to give you another reading.''
Nico deadpanned. ''Are you serious?.''
''I explained what happened Nicocchi.'' Nozomi laughed softly. ''I'm sorry I that messed up.''
''I told you, it's neither your fault not your cards, but mine. I didn't worked hard enough for my goals.''
Nozomi huffed knowing this wouldn't lead somewhere and instead picked up the card, ''Uh.. Nicocchi, What's this?.''
They paused for a second. ''Huh?'' Nico blurted. ''What do you mean?''
Nozomi just rotated the card in her fingers to reveal: Nothing, the canvas on the card was clean, where a image of a man accompanied with a dog taking a step to a cliff would be; laid nothing. Only white adorning the front of the card.
''Nozomi, This isn't funny.'' Said Nico with a frown.
''I'm not joking.'' Nozomi looked serious.
Nico stared in confusion ''It wasn't like that this morning.''
Nico took the card and started moving it around her hands as it will fix the issue, with a loud huff she placed the card in the table, ''What happened?'' asked the raven haired, still confused.
Nozomi closed her eyes and brought her hand to her chin; looking lost in thought, and Nico too confused to even talk. Soon the only sounds remaining were the shuffling of papers and the chirping of birds, until Nozomi suddenly smirked and looked straight into Nico's eyes.
With a twinkle in her eyes and a grin like she has discovered earth's most precious treasure ''I already figured out what it is.''
Nico looked expectant but nothing happened. ''And..?'' she asked ''Are you gonna tell me what it is?''
''That's for you to discover.'' said the Purplenette with a shit eating grin.
Nico sighed. ''You're impossible.'' Then she added. ''What kind of friend are you?'' she pouted.
''The best friend.'' Nozomi smiled.
''I would appreciate help from my friends.'' said Eli who was still working, Nico and Nozomi shared a look and laughed before standing up to help the Blonde with her work.
Nico was in her room, laying down on her bed, staring at the ceiling not able to sleep. This happened the other time, after getting her card, she felt something. But last time she could name that feeling.
Last time she was afraid.
Afraid of failure.
Afraid of the future.
Afraid of herself.
This time, not matter how hard she tried she couldn't name it, but it felt nice, like warm comforting her in a cold storm. And so, Nico fell asleep happy, not knowing why. Drifting in the land of dreams.
The card laying in the desk beside her bed now portraying a new image.
The Magician.
Reviews and critiques are welcome.
See you next time!