A/N : This is my very first time to make an Anime Fan Fiction, English is not my main language, so sometime I get a little confused by how I should do the sentence or what word to choose. Feel free to give a review and comment. I want to learn how to write in English too~
Oh, I do not own love Live! I just simply somehow in love with this pairing.
It was her very first year in Otonokizaka High-school. She walked through the school gate with unmotivated step.
Perhaps,
She thought.
This won't be much different than the other day…
Her steps getting much heavier, yet she remained in her calmness and keeps moving towards the open door. Does she enjoy solitude? Perhaps, she does— just because that is what has been planted in her mind. It just feels a lot better than have to remember someone, trusting, make a beautiful memory then forget or be forgotten. She could bear the pain of loneliness more than the pain of losing what she has earned.
The class room isn't far away, just go up, turn left and go into the door— find an empty chair, sit down. She noticed that the chair in front of her still empty, but who cares about that? Even if there is no one sitting there, there won't be any trouble for her, not even a bit.
In most of her time at school, she always spent it to read a random book which she could bring to school— mostly, small books, one that could fit in her pocket. She began her reading without even looking twice to her classmates, she just know that it would be pointless and waste of time.
She doesn't bother trying to talk to anyone, even if they are just a few inches away from her. Even if she know she could just be like everyone else, approach— say hello, then talk about anything that fit for their taste. She just prefers to stay in her own zone.
"Hello…" a person came by,
"I'm Sawada Fuuko, nice to meet you…" she said.
"Toujou Nozomi…" the violet haired girl replied plainly.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked to her, smiled in such a friendly manner and points to the empty seat right in front of her. Nozomi rolled her eyes,
"Whatever suits you…" she replied in lesser enthusiasm— then back to her reading. It was clearly an offense for her.
"Never mind…" the other girl stood up and walks away.
Who need you anyway? —She smirked wryly.
The School bell ringing, she placed a bookmark then closes the book; put it back to her school uniform pocket. Some other girls came in to the class— it started to get a lot more crowded than before, yet the seat in front of her still empty— just like every other day at school.
"Good morning everyone…" a friendly tone, just like how every other teacher talks in their very first day,
"This must be your very first day in this class, right? Then you may have to introduce yourself to each other… but first— before we started…" the teacher gestured to the door, came a lady with tall figure, beautiful face, honey blonde hair, and Azure eyes, standing in a such elegant nature. She instantly creates an uncontrollable roar in the class, which made Nozomi lifted her sight from the table to the figure. Without even a single stop on her step, the new student walks to the empty chair right in front of the violet haired girl— then she sat down without a single word.
Cold… — Nozomi thought as she saw her.
"Hey, you should introduce yourself first, you know…" the teacher said— usually at this time, people would start laughing, but none of them did. They were all still in awe— focusing on how the new student's hair shines very brightly almost like a ray of sunshine bathing her. Her skin was white and pale— unlike the others.
Nozomi didn't know, what have blown into her all so sudden, she believes— just a couple of minutes ago, she wasn't expecting any interesting things come to her life, but this new person surely ticked off something in her heart. Even though Nozomi has encountered a thousand foreign before, none of them has such an attractive aura to her, not before this new student.
"I'm Ayase Eli…" She said with her mesmerizing voice. Nozomi was still all quiet— gazing to the blue eyes that she met just a few second before the lady sitting back down, a little roughly. She was sure there was a hint of similarity in her motion, or perhaps just a reason to have interest on her.
Ayase…Eli… she spoke to her mind,
Being with her classmates in a field may have been a boring hours for Nozomi, even though she was there, she doesn't feel she was. Though for today, she somehow finds her own excitement, she really wanted to see how she moves— or at least how good her body is. There is a very small chance to see her changing at whatever room she will take, it could be in the changing room, it could be in the bathroom— and Nozomi hope that she will use the changing room, it would be really hard to peek in the bathroom. But either way, she planned to follow her wherever she change and see her naked if possible.
Wh-what am I thinking?
She protested to herself,
How could I have such a perverted mind like that?
She shook her head.
"Toujou Nozomi…" her teacher called.
"Y-yes?!" the violet haired girl replied in such a surprise,
"Are you spacing out? Come on you need to do three laps of running…"
"Y-yes sir!" Nozomi stood up and nervously walk to where her teacher wants her to be.
"Ayase Eli…" Her teacher called. Nozomi swear she could feel a warmth raise up to her cheek, a girl that she just imagined to be naked will be running next to her.
"Yes…" and as expected, she replied in a disciplined manner. Then as she steps her feet to the starting zone— at next to where Nozomi was, Nozomi could feel a hint of chocolate scent from her clothing.
Is that normal in Russia? —she thought;
A special tradition to spray chocolate fragrance on clothing? Not that she ever heard of it.
"Alright, ready?" the teacher raised his air gun to the air.
It's starting.
Nozomi established her feet, getting ready to show off. As a child, she may looks nerdy and weak, but the fact wasn't even close to that. She loves reading, just because that is the only thing that she could bring through her days, but doesn't mean that it's the only thing she do. Sometime she went hiking, swimming and running by herself or with her family. She just never wants to be left behind, not even a bit, yet it turns out to be she is the one who left her classmates behind.
She is good in every study although her score might not always be the best. Every time she changed her school, she just thought that it was the only new competition that interests her. What about here? Will the competition be far more interesting?
"Go!" The teacher set off the mark. Without hesitation, Nozomi began to raise her racing spirit, shifting her legs in a swift motion. She does not bother to look behind— but who needs to look behind if someone that you expect is in front of you?
Ayase Eli is not a joke; she is beautiful, tall, and literally smells as sweet as chocolate. She doesn't know how good she does in other study, but she is very sure that this Ayase Eli might be a goddess in this study. She has seen a few boys running as fast— or faster than her, but it never be a girl.
Her pacing is great too, she do not force herself to run like some people that she know. Without her realizing, she have pass through one lap, then on the next lap, she made sure that she raise her spirit further. She hasn't caught up to the blonde Goddess.
I'm not going to lose—was all that she thinks of that time.
Closing the gap between them, she finally caught up in the same line with her. A pair of blue eyes conducting a surprised expression, giving the green eyed girl a chance to stare with a challenging smiles,
Without words, the two began to attempt to run even faster. They haven't realized that it creates such an attention from the classmates. They stared into them with such astonished look in each of their eyes, jaw dropped and some cold sweats.
Third lap, none of the girl leads yet— but this should decide who will win the race. Nozomi once again advanced her own spirit, she just think that she really-really want to win the race. It didn't go unnoticed; Eli grinned and began to advance her own speed as well.
Once again, they ran as if it is the last of their life. They do not know why they want to be the first or what will they get in the future, they just run and want to be better than the other girl for no reason.
"Halt!" The teacher raised his flag to end the third lap.
"Good work, Tojo-san. You break a new record…" he said.
Me? What about her? Nozomi stole a glance at the record paper. She is just two second slower than her. She turned her sight to the blonde haired girl— she is breathing heavily and sweat all over her clothing. It may no longer smell like chocolate, but for some reason, Nozomi also likes the odor that she gave out.
In instant, Nozomi realized how gross she is, she pats her own cheek— trying to get her clear mind back. Maybe she spent too much spirit from that running. When she finally could control her full mind, she began to observe about how the Blonde takes the defeat. She could see a hint of pain with her, but seems like she is trying her best to hide it.
"We are—…." Nozomi began to speak, postponed by her heavy breathing.
"….even…." she continued as she gave a faint smile.
"I'm not even competing with you…" the cold blue eyes didn't even look back.
Back into the class room, she may not feel any change today— but she was sure that she will be all sore tomorrow. For some reason, she just wanted to be a lot better than the person who just came to her life a few hours ago. She took a lot interest to her, but why? Is it because she is so cold? Is it because she has a set of perfect features? Or is it because… she is fallen in love in the first sight?
She shook her head in denial; even though she knows that there is a possibility to it. She may not be able to see her changing today, because she was too occupied by the thought of what she really feel and missed the chance. Maybe next week, she thought.
It's the last lesson they will be having today. She is still unsure of what she will do after school. Normally, people would go around to joins a club, but Nozomi was sure that she doesn't need to bother with such thing. She will be leaving in a few months or so— at least that is what she think right now.
She saw a lot of people began to approach the seat in front of her, to try talking to the new celebrity. But apparently, the new celebrity has no interest with social matter at all. She just stood up and began to walk away.
Charming…. Nozomi thought.
"A-Ayase-san!" a girl from the class called her, which surprisingly responded with a pause from Eli.
"W-w-would you like to join our club?" she offered a brochure, looks like it's from the drama club.
"Not interested…" she replied in a distant voice, then pushing aside anyone on her way, even ignoring the offered brochure.
"Ayase-san!" Once again a girl attempted to call her and she is— once again stopped to hear her out.
"W-we saw you running this morning, with such a great speed, I believe we could win a tournament… so, perhaps, would you like to join our club?" She asked.
"Not interested…" once again, she replied distantly then continued with her walk.
"That's too bad… I really want her in our club. With such a profile she could be a star figure…" the girls started to complain.
Want her?
Nozomi caught in that word.
Maybe, I feel the same. Maybe I want her, but why and what for?
She thought.
"With that attitude, she won't have any friend soon…" another girl said.
"I don't think she will need one, I mean— look, I have a feeling she is good at everything… even though she is all alone, she would be still the one who left us behind." The other girl replied.
Alone….?
Nozomi feels a snap on her head, it's like an idea came to her in all so sudden. Within a second, she put all of her belonging to her bag then ran out to chase after the one specific person she took interest to.
"A-ano!" Nozomi yelled loudly on the stairs as she caught a blonde haired girl walking down. A pause, their eyes finally could meet each other longer.
"Who are you…" she asked coldly.
"I'm…." she hesitated. Giving it a second thought, but there is no turning back. She already gave out her attention to her.
"I'm Toujou Nozomi!" She continued. Eli clearly giving back a flustered look, but then she changed again back to her cold stare.
"You're the person who sat behind me and beat me in running, right?" she replied with a stern expression. Nozomi nodded sweetly,
"If you're going to offer another club activity, I'm not interested…" she replied.
"No, that's not it…" she replied.
"Huh? Then what do you want?" Eli replied again, her face become a little lighter. Nozomi gave her a wider smile,
"I want to be your friend…"
Words could be far more dangerous than what it sound. It has been a few months since that day— the day when they got together as friend. It may not be much surprise for Nozomi herself as she already feels that the person who sat in front of her kept a lot of similarity. They are surprisingly has a similar path to their home, then a similar point of view and also a similar way of looking at each other.
Walking back home together is always be a routine since that day too. It made Nozomi happy yet also sad as she remember that her parents might be taking her to move out in a few more months.
"Hey, Toujou-san…" Eli said.
"Please, we have been together in a while now; use my name…" Nozomi said.
"Ah..well… then… uhm… Nozomi…." She said.
"Yup, much better…." Nozomi replied. Eli seems to get a little agitated,
"What is it?" Nozomi asked.
"Do you want to go to my apartment? I would like to introduce you to my little sister…" Eli shyly asked. Her face has gone a little pink from the embarrassment.
"Sure…" Nozomi replied with a straight answer. She has been wanted to do that, but she never asked.
"Really?" Eli looked really happy—and half shocked.
"Is that weird?" Nozomi asked.
"No…no, but, I'm just…." Eli turned her sight away,
"Never mind… let's just go…." She continued, Nozomi chuckled cutely in respond.
It doesn't take much time to climb up all the way to where Eli stays. She opened the door and said in a way different manner than she is at school— an extremely friendly one too.
"I'm home…"
"Onee-san!" The cute voice said before a girl running to approach them. She is cute— no doubt, but more importantly, she instantly jumped to Eli and hugged her. What an adorable sight.
"Is that Nozomi-onee-san?" she looked at Nozomi with her adorable blue eyes. The way she address her was rather strange, but she understand that it may because she is still a foreign after all.
"Yes, go introduce yourself, Arisa… you want to meet her, right?" Eli replied, her usual cold gesture suddenly become warm and friendly. It's not like Nozomi doesn't like this side of her, but to know such a possibility is existed, it amaze her.
"Hello! I'm Arisa! You're the person in my sister's phone wallpaper, right?"
Say what?— Nozomi blushed madly.
"You're a lot more beautiful than the picture!" Arisa continued.
"A-Arisa! N-Nozomi! I-it's a misunderstanding!" Eli quickly tried to explain.
"Ah— Elichika! Is that Nozomi? The person you've been taking a shine to?" An elder woman, probably her mother said as she peeked out from the kitchen.
"Oh, welcome, Nozomi. My daughter won't stop smiling whenever she starts to talk about you…" a man voice, he is also peeking out from the living room. That's probably her father.
"Yup, my sister really likes you!" Arisa said.
"Mom, Dad, Arisa!" Eli blushed madly too,
"Come in, don't hesitate, we will prepare some snacks for you!" the mother said.
"T-thanks…" Nozomi didn't know how red her face is, yet she is very sure that her heart is pounding faster and faster. Perhaps, she could compare her cheek redness with a tomato and still have a possibility of winning. Her feet froze, she don't know what to do.
"N-Nozomi! I-I can explain! Let's…. go to my room…" Eli struggled with her words, Nozomi still couldn't move. She just not sure of what she should do at this time— although it's obvious that she should go do what Eli ask.
"Nozomi!" Eli grabs her hand and pulls her
"Eh, Ah! Ayase-san!" Nozomi still flustered as her footsteps followed where Eli want her to go to.
The room is wide, a lot of portraits placed on the dresser and the bed, big enough for two. That is all that come to Nozomi's mind as she saw Eli's room for the very first time. Then she noticed that the glass window is too big and too revealing, although there is also a giant curtain that could fix that problem.
Eli is still trying to compose her breathes, she seems to be still embarrassed by how her family revealed almost everything that she say in her house— even about the phone wallpaper. Nozomi is helpless too, she couldn't even think straight, a lot of things that she wants to say about her room, but she was also distracted by the fact that Eli kept a lot of things behind her.
"So…." Nozomi began, wondering what she should ask first.
"Nozomi, I… It was a lie. I never talk about you in my family— maybe I did, but it is not that much!"
"Then about your phone wallpaper?" Nozomi asked,
"I…I just think it's cute!" Eli said, her face blushing red, and so is Nozomi.
"Here, look…" Eli showed her the wallpaper that was being mentioned before. Nozomi is apparently busy looking at tarot cards that she just bought a while back and there is a book next to her. She remembers that scene, where she and Eli went to Library together to read the specific book, but she doesn't remember that Eli took a picture there.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Nozomi said.
"I will delete it…" Eli said,
"No, what I mean is, I want a picture of you too!" Nozomi said.
"Huh?" Eli raised her eyebrow.
"I want to use a picture of you as my phone wallpaper too!" Nozomi added.
"Wh-what…?" Eli seems to be more flustered.
"That will be fair and no one lose anything, right?" she smiled sweetly to the blonde. Flustered as she look, her azure eyes began to be glistened by the light which fall on her tears. That was unexpected,
"Wh-what? Ayase-san…" Nozomi bewildered to her reaction. She tried to look for a tissue.
"I was just happy… something wrong with that?"
"A-Ayase-san, please don't cry if you're happy…" Nozomi replied still in bewildered mind, she is trying her best to stop her from crying, but because of her lack experience with friends, she don't know what to do and what to say.
"Elichika…" an elder woman called from outside, Nozomi could hear a footstep approaching too.
"Oh No! What to do, this will look very wrong…" Nozomi getting more flustered. Eli reached to Nozomi and embraced her wholeheartedly, her arms circled around her and her head rest on her shoulder. Nozomi could feel and hear her soft weeping, it was also the time when she decide to give back a gentle embrace although she just doesn't know what it means.
"Elichika?" her mother opened the door,
"Ah-h…Uh…..This-is….uhh…."Nozomi still flustered. Eli's mother just smiled at her and she placed some snacks and drink on the empty coffee table next to the door.
"Nozomi-chan…" she said, her voice was very gentle and soft.
"Y-yes…?" Nozomi turned her face slowly.
"Thank you…" Eli's mother said before she left the room.
Of course, she didn't expect her visit to be so long. It was almost a time for dinner, she need to return home before her parents began to worry. Nozomi ended to get a picture of Eli with blushing red cheek and teary eyes. She put it on as wallpaper.
"I ended to hold you here so long... Nozomi…" Eli said.
"Don't worry, Ayase-san…"
"Please…." Eli cut in.
"Call me by my name…." Eli added,
"Eh….? Uhh….. your name…. so.. its—"
"Elichika…" Eli's mother cuts in as she approached them.
"M-mother!" Eli protested. Nozomi chuckled.
"Yup, Ericchi!" Nozomi said cutely.
"Ericchi…..?" Eli tilts her head.
"Hehe… yup… the cute Ericchi…" Nozomi nodded. Eli blushed,
"Fine by me…." She replied. It gathers out some laugh from Eli's mother and Nozomi.
Eli's mother walk closer to them, she gave Nozomi a box filled with chocolate cookies.
"Nozomi-chan, I hope you are not tired of your visit. Please come again. We are happy to have you here…" Eli's mother said.
"Eh…uhm…. Thank you…." Nozomi bowed which responded with a polite bow too.
"See you later…!" Nozomi said as she quickly ran back home.
At her own apartment, Nozomi was greeted by her two dear parents, though their expression seems to be a little worried.
"You're coming home late, where did you go?" her mother asked.
"I went to my friend's house…." She replied.
"How is it?" her father asked.
"It was fine, they gave me this…" she placed a box of chocolate on the table.
"Oh, that's kind of them. Then why don't you go change so we could eat together?" Her father said. Nozomi gladly nodded before she rushed back to her room. In curiosity, Nozomi's father slowly opens the box, he noticed a small paper folded neatly and placed under the box lid.
"Mom…." He called as he gestured to Nozomi's mother.
"Papa, that letter must be for Nozomi. Don't open it…"
"Hnn? It's not wrong to be a little nosy, right?" He opened it.
"Oh-you are so bad!" Nozomi's mother said— yet she joined reading.
They looked a little saddened after reading it, a little confused too.
When Nozomi finally finished with her change, she headed to the family room. She saw her mother and father already sat down with a few other snacks on the table. Nozomi quickly joined them on the seat.
"So, from what I caught, you made a friend at school, right?" her father asked as he took the first snack.
"I believe so…" she replied.
"Elichika, is that her name?" Her mother asked while she also took the snack.
"How did you know?" Nozomi asked as she took a snack.
"There's a letter came along with the box. We read it, but I suppose, this letter is for you…" her father handed her the letter.
Nozomi-chan. — the letter started.
I'm glad you've found Elichika. When I saw Elichika crying on your shoulder this afternoon, it made me sure that she deeply has a faith on you as a friend. She is moving here from Russia to do a mission of her own. She said, she wanted to save Otonokizaka High-school from getting closed. She is such a stubborn girl, even if I said it's fine to let that go, she insisted to try. She never thinks of herself, always putting the others above her. That's why, I hope you're willing to support her. Once again, thank you, Nozomi-chan. I hope you well.
P.S —she may never tell you, but she says that you're the very first person she could call as a friend.
The letter ended.
"So… Nozomi…." Her father called,
"Yes?" Nozomi lifted her sight to her father.
"We've been wondering… do you want to stay here?" her father asked.
"Stay…here?" Nozomi seems a little flustered.
"Reading that letter, we can't imagine how well she will take if you have to leave next semester…." Her mother replied.
"So we want to ask you, do you want to join us on the next stop or stay here for her?"
It's a hard question. She never live alone without her parents before, but to be finally staying in one place, keeping a friend that she never had before, it's a rare opportunity. She won't know if she will ever meet another person like Eli in another place, if possible, she want to keep both of them. But since it's not a possible option, she still has to choose only one. Which one though?
"Knowing you, Nozomi…You're capable to live alone… that's what we believe…" her mother said.
"If you ever need anything, you can call us too…" her father said.
Is it truly wise to stay here for a person she just met a few months back? Will their relationship bond stronger? What if it breaks in the path? She will have nothing else with her.
"Nozomi…?" her father called her again.
"Ah. Sorry, Mama… Papa… can I have a minute?" Nozomi asked.
"A moment to think? Sure…." They replied. Nozomi smiled and she took another chocolate before she returned to her room.
Taking a moment to think never been so hard for Nozomi, she tried so hard to come up with an answer. If she goes with her parents, she could just try to move on from Eli— just like how she usually do, then it will back to square one and feeling nothing else. If she stays, she could finally feel what friendship means to her, or at least how it feel to have a friend, but she is afraid to fall into a moment where everything could be much more painful than before.
She gets too confused, too hard to think. She reached her phone to look at the person that she will have to think about.
"Ericchi…." She mumbled. It reminded her about the way she embraced her, then placing her head on her shoulder. She wasn't sure that time about why she suddenly cried, but after it was done, Eli explained about how she was so scared to lose Nozomi just because she took a picture of her secretly.
Scared to lose…?
She thought.
But it could be just a temporary emotion….
She added. Then she remembers about what is it in the picture on Eli's phone wallpaper— a picture of her learning tarot card reading. Now that she thinks about it, perhaps this is a good time to ask to the cards?
She focused her energy to the cards, trying her best to be truly asks the question to it. Placing Three Cards on the floor— from left to right, Past, Present and the Future,
The Past— an upward Magician, just like what she knew about. Eli is a new person in her life, and they being a friend are no doubt a success attempt.
The Present— an upward Devil, what does it mean? They have to talk about their relationship? But how she solves this? She doesn't even know where to start.
The Future— an upward Fool, means that Nozomi isn't ready to decide.
She sighed. It's not a lover relationship, but either way, Nozomi sure that she really think Eli as someone important in her life. She also could say that Eli has been in her mind for a while now, and she couldn't fall asleep without hearing her voice— telling her a sweet and sincere good night.
Nozomi lays her head on the bed corner and giving out one deep breath.
"What should I do about you… Ericchi?" she mumbled.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated. A phone call incoming,
"Ayase Eli" it says. A little hesitation, but she decided to accept— the card say that she really has to talk about it anyway.
"Good evening, Nozomi…" Eli said through her phone.
"Ericchi…" Nozomi replied lovingly. She could hear Eli choked a little,
"Auhm…hm…, so….. How is the snack?" she asked, her voice seems to be a lot lighter than before. Does Nozomi like that change? Yes, absolutely. She could feel Eli's voice warm her cheek.
"It's good. I gave all the caramel chocolate to my Papa though…" Nozomi replied.
"Oh… you don't like caramel?" Eli's voices get a little heavy again.
"No…"
"I'm sorry…" Eli said. Hearing her apologizing, what a fresh moment. Nozomi never heard her apologizing this way and it was just too cute. She couldn't help to not giggle to it.
"Why are you laughing?" Eli's voice powered up. Nozomi smiled sweetly, a tears coming out of her eyes.
"Ericchi…." She called again,
"What is it?" Eli asked.
"I wonder, if you are ever has to choose… about whom are you going to stay with, your family, or your friend?"
"Hmm… I would prefer to stay with my family, because I'm used to it… but staying with friend could be much more interesting… why do you ask?" Eli asked.
"Ah— well, then if I change the question… If you ever have to choose, me or your family, which one will you pick?" Nozomi asked.
"I wouldn't say you…" Eli replied straightly. Nozomi's heart aching as she heard it.
"I see…." Nozomi replied bitterly. She was just about to close the phone.
"Wait…" Eli said in haste, a long pause after.
"I wouldn't say my family either…." Eli replied again. Nozomi began to be confused.
"So which one you're going to choose?" Nozomi asked.
"I would want to keep both, because both are part of my life… My family is my greatest treasure, and you are too, my treasure…" Eli said. Nozomi chuckled again, now her voice getting a little throaty. She couldn't help to not cry.
"Silly, Ericchi…. I knew about that!"
"If I really have to choose one…" Eli continued. Another pause,
"Then I would like to see which one that has to stay closer to me…" Eli once again continued.
"So… if you're in my shoes….." Nozomi asked,
"It wouldn't fit, our feet probably has different sizes..."
"Ericchi! It's not literally on my shoes!" Nozomi laughed despite her eyes full of tears. Eli laughed at her.
"Ha-ha, I'm joking… but my real answer would be…" Eli said, once again a pause. Nozomi tried to listen intently
"Where do you want to be? I can't decide your life, even if I might be a factor, you're still the one who choose for your own path…" Eli said.
"Ericchi….." Nozomi mumbled in awe, she never heard such answer before.
"Thank you…" Nozomi continued.
"So what is this all about? Why did you ask all so sudden?" Eli asked.
"He-he, I'll give you the answer later… Right now, I have to say something to my parents…" Nozomi said.
"Eh? Wait… no bedtime story?" Eli asked.
"I'll call you again later, Ericchi! This is important!" Nozomi said as she immediately closed her phone. Without any hesitation, she ran to the family room, where her father and mother already began to browse for ticket with their laptop.
"So, what will you do, Nozomi?" Her mother asked.
"I'm going to stay here…" Nozomi said, responded with a wide smile from her parents.
"Good, that's what we wish you to do…" they said.
"Is that it?" Nozomi asked again.
"Hmm… What else to ask?" Her father said.
"We know what you want to do…" Her mother added. Nozomi burst into a tear of happiness. She ran to her parents and hugged them on the spot. She don't know what have made her so happy, an amazing friend or parents, but just like what Eli said, both are part of her life.
"I'm going to bed, good night!" Nozomi said as she immediately ran to her room.
"Wait, what about dinner?" her mother asked.
"Save that for tomorrow!" She said before she enters her room. Her parents looking at each other and shrugged,
Nozomi lay on her bed, grabbing her phone and call Eli just as what she promised. It was accepted immediately as if her phone call is expected.
"Ericchi!" Nozomi speaks a little too loud.
"N-Nozomi, ouch… I'm on maximum volume, you know…" Eli replied.
"Eh? I didn't know…"
"Sheesh… put that aside. Have you got your dinner?" Eli asked.
"I'm going to skip that tonight…"
"Eh… that's bad for your health you know… go get one…"
"I'm not hungry…" Nozomi replied in such an endearing begging melody.
"Uhhn….. well, then… why don't we go out for a bit?" Eli asked. Nozomi swear that there is this feeling, something warm and fuzzy, raising up to her cheek in high-speed.
Did she just asking me out? — she thought,
"Nozomi?" Eli called once again.
"I—I want to…. But, it's late…." Nozomi replied sadly.
"Oh? Is that weird for people in Japan to go out late?" Eli asked,
"N-No… it just…. that… we are not old enough to do that… My parent won't allow me to do that…" Nozomi's voice getting lower,
"Oh…. Then, I'll go to your house… do you like Yakiniku? My mother trying to cook one and it taste good… but we have too much now since she followed a 10plates recipe…"
"I love Yakiniku! Please come!" Nozomi excitedly replied.
"Alright, get ready for the meal!" Eli closed the phone.
"W-wait, Ericchi….." she didn't get to say it.
Did she know where my apartment is? — She wondered. Either way, she has to tell her parents that a friend is coming here to bring leftovers.
A few minutes passed, the door bell ringing. That was one quick approach. Nozomi excitedly open the door and immediately call her name,
"Eri—cchi….?"
Not. It just the apartment janitor,
"Is this your friend?" He pointed to his side; Eli is carrying a bag with four bento box inside.
After they finished their dinner, they cleaned it up and pack the box back to Eli's bag so that she could bring it back home. They invited Eli to have some little chat.
"Ah-ha…sorry, I was a little lost when I reached the apartment, I swear I memorized your room number but then there also a letter that I should've memorized too. I didn't expect that…" Eli explained,
"How did you even know where I live? I never told you…" Nozomi asked,
"Well… I've been collecting materials to study for student council test… so I kind of have the student list at home…"
"Wow, you're aiming for student council?" Nozomi's mother said.
"Precisely, Mam, I possess my own mission that I think shall be accomplished…" Eli replied in an extremely polite manner.
"Ericchi…. You don't need to be so polite…" Nozomi whispered.
"Wow, I didn't expect this manner from a Russian…" Nozomi's father said.
"Thank you, Sir, you flatter me…" she replied again with an extremely polite manner too.
"Ericchi!" Nozomi's whisper is getting louder.
"You have an interesting friend, Nozomi…" Nozomi's mother replied along with a chuckle.
"Ah— now that I have passed too much time, I shall return home at once…" Eli said.
"Of course, M'lady…" Nozomi's father said. Eli chuckled,
"You don't have to address me in such title, Sir… I am more than grateful to be welcomed here." Eli replied with again— extremely polite manner. She stood up and bowed slowly, then leave. Nozomi could only wave to her as she left. How awkward.
"Nozomi…" her father said.
"Don't tell me, Papa… I know what you want to say…. Ericchi is awkward." Nozomi said, her face facing the table.
"Nope, she is just new to Japan. I believe she is been reading too much guide book…." Her father said.
"Eh?" Nozomi raised her head
"You were like that too when you are in a new place, reading too much guide book and ended up to be stiff and awkward…" her father continued. Nozomi blushed, she do remember how does she look back then.
"Now, my real question, are you going to support her?" he asked again.
"About the student council part?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes, you know what she strives for; she knows what she wants to do— what about you as her friend?" Her mother asked. Nozomi once again fall into a deep thought.
"Are you worried that you can't keep up with her?" her father asked.
"Maybe…." Nozomi replied weakly.
"My daughter is capable of doing almost everything; you are a brilliant child, Nozomi…" Her mother said.
"Nozomi knows how to hike, Nozomi knows how to swim, Nozomi knows how to read, Nozomi knows how to count, Nozomi knows how to speak, and Nozomi knows how to cook… Nozomi knows everything…" her father said.
"Why don't you use your knowledge to support her? Even if she has better knowledge than you, she must have a weak part where she couldn't cover, the same goes for you. You need each other, right?" her mother said. Nozomi nodded weakly.
"Come on! Cheer up! If you keep that face, I'll give your breast a rub you'll never forget!" her mother said, her fingers twiddling and she grinned mischievously.
"No-no-no! Alright-Alright!" Nozomi quickly tried to protect her breast.
"Good, now go to bed, you have school tomorrow, right?" her mother said. Nozomi nodded, she kissed her mother and father on their cheek and gone to her bedroom.
Phone vibrates, Eli is calling her, she accepted it delightfully.
"Ericchi…" she said, her voice is full of loving melody again. Eli choked again a bit before she began to talk.
"So… is the Yakiniku really good?" she asked.
"Honestly, it taste like a Russian Cuisine instead… but it is good.." Nozomi said.
"Ah—how is the real Japanese yakiniku taste like?" Eli asked.
"Hmm…it's hard to explain…." Nozomi seems to be a little flustered by the question.
"Then, do you want to go out and show me around tomorrow?" Eli asked. A second chance to say yes to the invitation, of course she will want to go out with her. She is more than willing.
"Of course I do!" Nozomi replied.
"Then let's head to bed so we can have enough energy to do that tomorrow…" Eli said.
"I'm already on my bed…" Nozomi said.
"Me too…" Eli replied.
"Good night, Ericchi…."
"Good night, Nozomi. Thanks for today…" she replied before the phone closed. Nozomi put down her phone, she sighed contently. She didn't realize that her heart have been beating so fast since the time she hear her voices. She knows that there is a special feeling as she heard her talking— perhaps she is too a good singer, if only she want to sing— or ever need to sing.
Lunch break— rooftop, since they always hang out together, some people began to recognize Nozomi as well as Eli. The two has become a pair of school celebrity. Even so, they still refuse to join any club and not interested in any social activity. There is only one thing that they want— a place in student council seat.
"Wow, I didn't know you also want to be a student council, Nozomi…" Eri said as she opened her lunch box that she brought from home. Nozomi too— have her own lunch box.
"I've been thinking about it. Then when I heard you want to be a student council, I just think that I could give it a shot…." Nozomi said as she opened her lunch box. Eli taking a peek to her box.
"Wow, that box looked so neat, Nozomi. Your mother made it?" Eli said enthusiast
"No… I made it…" Nozomi blush.
"You're good at cooking too? Harasho!" Eli said.
"Harasho?" Nozomi seems a little confused,
"Means, Good!"
"Ah! Harasho!" Nozomi said too. They giggled.
"Nozomi, do you want to taste my lunch? I made it myself too…" she said— a little embarrassed. Nozomi taking a look at it— pretty neat, though may be a little strange too.
"What is this?" she asked.
"Uhm… well, after you showed me the real Japanese Yakiniku last week, I was thinking— perhaps, I could try to make it for you…" Eli said— her voice seems to be lower than before. Nozomi smiled sweetly, then she opened her mouth.
"Aahh—…"
A signal to feed her, Eli chuckled before she agreed to it. Nozomi quietly chews her meal, Eli's eyes looking at her wishfully.
"Why does it taste like European cuisine?" Nozomi said.
"Eh? No good?" Eli seems to be a little bewildered.
"No, it's good, but still doesn't taste like a Japanese yakiniku…" Nozomi said.
"Ah-ha-ha…I guess I'll have to try again later…" Eli said.
"I'm looking forward to it…" Nozomi replied. Eli nodded happily.
"Now, do you want to taste my lunch? I'll feed you too…" Nozomi said.
"Oh sure— I've been wondering about what that dark-green paper doing there…" she pointed to a rolled Onigiri. It was cut into a bite size to make it much easier to eat.
"It's a Nori, you never know?"
"No… what's a Nori?" Eli asked.
"Dried Seaweed…" Nozomi replied. Eli look a little bewildered still.
"Here…" Nozomi offered a bite, Eli ate it all at once. A first few second— her face still bewildered, next few seconds— she is having a hard time— then finally, she could swallow it.
"Yuck…" Eli said. Nozomi didn't take an offense to it, instead, she is amazed at how long she takes to eat one small Onigiri.
"Eh-Uh! Sorry! I didn't mean to offend you but that one taste terrible…" she said. Nozomi still staring at her— speechless…
"I—I mean, I just don't like it…" Eli tried her best. Nozomi laughed happily as she said that.
"Eh? You're not mad?"
"Of course not, your face is priceless! It made me want to feed more Nori to you!" Nozomi replied teasingly. She took another bite-sized onigiri,
"Eat! Eat! Eat!"
"N-Nozomi!"
Afterschool, it supposedly to be a test for being a student council. Eli and Nozomi waited at the said classroom. No one seems to be there. Not a single student except them,
"Sorry!" A girl finally showed up, apparently, an upperclassman. Two others are following her.
"Are you Ayase Eli and Toujou Nozomi?" she asked.
"Yes, what is it?" Eli replied— back to her cold and stern manner. The upperclassman nodded to each other,
"You two are the only candidate of student councils… so, you passed. Just need to decide who is going to be the president…"
"W-wait a minute, how could this even happen? Is there no one else interested to help the school rebuilding to its glory?" Eli sound a little angered.
"Hmm, it seems that the other withdrawn their entry as they heard you two registered…"
"C-Cowards…." Eli muttered.
"I'll vote myself to be the vice-president…" Nozomi said.
"Nozomi?" Eli looked at her.
"So that's settled, you're the president…" the upperclassman replied.
"Good, now here is the key to the student council room…" the other upperclassman just handed the key over.
"That's all, goodbye…" they said as they left. Of course, Eli is not satisfied with it. Being a student council is good, but with that kind of meaningless victory— it wounded Eli. Nozomi just knew that she would have to begin planning a strategy to fix that condition.
Akiba's café, Nozomi decided to bring her here to cheer her up—knowing that she likes chocolate a lot, perhaps eating one would lighten her mood. Eli still clenching her fist while waiting for her order to arrive…
Usually at this time, her mother would have threatens her with a breast-rub that she will never forget, but she can't possibly do that to Eli. She was afraid if she crossed a line that she knows existed but unseen.
"Hai— Dozo…" A cute maid, her hair is gray and long with a small green ribbon decorating her head. She feels like she have seen that face before— but it doesn't matter right now. What matter is Eli, her precious best friend; she is already begun eating her chocolate parfait.
"So, do you have any plan, Ericchi?" she asked.
"Not yet— but I'm very sure of one thing already…" she said. Nozomi tilt her head in confusion,
"What is it?" she asked.
"You're all that I need… I don't need any other people next to me." Eli said with a straight face, still eating her chocolate parfait. Nozomi wasn't sure of what to say to that, but she is more than happy to hear it, yet also a little concerned.
In order to save the school, she thinks that they need to build a reputation, with such manner, she won't go anywhere. If only she could bring out the friendly Eli to school, it could've been much easier— but how?
She knows that Eli trust her more than anyone else, but she also believes that her cute Ericchi need to make an opening for others— just like how she opened a path for Eli to go inside her life. She noticed that Eli's angered looks began to weaken, gradually turning to a sad face. When she kept staring at Eli's teary eyes, she got reminded with what on her phone wallpaper— then what on Eli's wallpaper.
She took out her Tarot cards.
"Ericchi…" she called lovingly. Eli lifted her sight to her.
"Do you believe me?" she asked.
"What? What kind of question is that? Of course I do, with all of my heart…" Eli replied surely.
"Now, please— control your emotion. You don't need to be feared, you don't need to be angry, all you need is to believe my words…"
Nozomi placed three cards, from left to right. Eli quietly watched her,
Past— Upward Fool.
"As we already know, Ericchi, no one understands your intention, about what you really want to do for the school, but we did just press forward, right?"
Present— Upward Moon
"See? We have no leads– it would be better if we could try to stay calm and understand our ground first before acting…"
Future — Upward Star
"An opportunity will come, so with the previous card— we should just keep our ground and be careful on our path… we should wait for the future to come…"
Eli seems to be more nervous as she heard it.
"Does it help you to understand the situation?" Nozomi asked. Eli nodded,
"Control yourself… Ericchi… just do what you could do as a student council, then we shall see the opportunity to come in the future."
A/N : I wasn't sure when is the time they meet, but I'm sure they say that they know about Niko since their first year, but not taking any action to it, so i thought it would be three years in Otonokizaka for them. (yet I didn't write about Niko here) ... Thanks for reading, there's next chapter~