Ok, here is the next chapter.

Thanks to Crimson for edits!

Thanks to you for the enthusiast! (reviews/faves/follows!)


Two Months later, Otonokizaka High-school hallway;

Eli came to school—with another group of souls following her while Nozomi, who just arrived, quickly ran after her and started exorcising the souls without even telling her. Eli rolled her eyes as she struggled to move faster towards the classroom.

Though within seconds, the burden on her shoulders suddenly lifted and she just turned around at the girl behind her who immediately snatched her arm and embraced it closely,

"Good Morning, Ayase-san!" she said cheerfully.

Eli couldn't say a word, she tried to release her arm but ...

"Let's go to the classroom together again today! It's a fine day to do so!" Nozomi said cheerfully as she gripped strongly to Eli's arm.

"W-What are you—?!" Eli trying to retort,

"Come on-come on, Ayase-san! We're close to the class already!"

"S-Sheesh! Our class is just a few meters from the entrance!" Eli protested as she was kept getting dragged to the classroom. Though they stopped immediately as they sighted a few student council members posting a few student council president candidate posters on the news board…

Eli remembers well about the talk she had with the Principal—which triggered her anger to raise and she immediately approached the student council members….

"Hey…." She said,

The student councils changed their attention to her,

"—I refuse! I didn't even register for this!" she continued.

The student council look at each other before they nodded.

"You must be Ayase Eli, right? The Principal insisted you to join as a recommended president for the school. You can't forfeit unless you lose the vote…"

"Great—how do I lose the vote?" Eli asked,

"You can't lose the vote…" suddenly, a voice that they all knew well, spoke up.

Everyone turned their sight to the source of the voice— Principal Minami approached them elegantly with a hint of mischievous smile on her face,

"….for someone as bright and attractive like you, losing votes is a no-no…. unless, there's someone a lot more capable of being in the president position…" she said before her eyes glanced to the purplenette,

"….right, Toujou?" she continued,

"Y-yes?" Nozomi tilted her head slightly, Eli remained still as her eyes focused on how flustered the turquoise eyed girl is, though something has gone through her mind as it happened.

"Very well, if that's what you want… Principal…" Eli smiled,

Principal Minami kept her calmness as her eyes still looking at the Blonde's enthusiasm to counter her wit.

"I can't wait to see the results…" she said,

"…and I can't wait for your speech this noon, Ayase…." Principal Minami said as she left the hallway.


Noon, The Otonokizaka Auditorium Hall;

A line of student councils sat on the chairs settled for them on the stage while a lot of students awaits for each candidate's speeches with enthusiasm as they waited for the principal to finish talking….

"….lastly, my dear students. Please choose wisely for who will be your lead during these years and so-on… because this school wasn't built by one person— but by every single member of it…" the principal said as her eyes sharply leered at Eli who sat between the other students,

"Thank you for your attention and may God bless each of you with His wisdom…" the principal left the podium as she allowed the student council representation to take her place.

As the representation steps onto the podium, a specific purplenette, who has been asleep the whole time, began to lift her eyes toward the stage,

"This is…." she mumbled,

Eli who sat next to her noticed the change of expression,

"What is it now? I can't see anything…." She said,

"I suppose so, but there's something inside that representative…I doubt you can feel it since it requires a higher spiritual level." Nozomi replied.

"Sheesh…. Why am I even interested to know about this anyway…" Eli sighed,

"That's because you care, Ayase-san… you're not that cruel deep inside, I know it..."

Eli only replied with a sigh,

"Tell me now, Ayase-san, how do you like their breast size?"

"Their breast size? So-so… I'm not that interested on average and lower size. Bigger ones would be better since they're very soft and warm as well…"

"Ah—so you like massive ones…. interesting… do you happen to be not interested on manly aspect… such as… big…and long…. You know…."

"Why are we even talking about this now… I'm not here to score a stud or anything, besides you said it yourself that I will never have a boyfriend… "

"…still doesn't mean you will never have a girlfriend…" Nozomi said,

And with that, Eli couldn't help herself to not blush madly,

"—I'm basically not interested on making love with anyone, thank you!"

Nozomi lifted her eyebrows as she realizes how effective her tease is…

My! I didn't expect her to react like this!

She said in her mind with a smug smile on her face,

Does that mean, she is actually interested on having a girlfriend?!

She continued as her eyes kept looking at the Blonde's Azure eyes.

W-Wait a minute now! I didn't expect someone as beautiful and attractive like her to have the same sexual orientation as me!

Nozomi said loudly in her mind.

Does she really swing that way?

She asked in her thoughts as her eyes keep looking at the blonde who started to get more nervous as they slowly got closer to each other—ignoring the fact that the student council has started giving each of their speech through the representative.

"Ayase-san!" Nozomi grabs both of her hands,

"W-What now?! S-Stop being so clingy!"

"….are you interested in me?!"

"W-What!? What's with that sudden question!? Huh?! I..I mean… you're indeed interesting but… Why are you even talking like this all so sudden?!" Eli tried to retort,

"No-no, I mean, are you interested on making me your lover?!"

"I-I said! I'm not interested on making love with anyone!"

Then suddenly…

"Now please welcome….our first candidate, Ayase Eli!" said the student council representative.

Eli remained still as she frowned slightly at the stage, but she had no choice other than to give her speech, as everyone started to applaud for her.

Nozomi released the blonde as she realize that she and her have been the center of attention ever since the announcement, then she watched her friend walking to the stage with her focused eyes.

Has she even prepared for it, I wonder?

Nozomi thought.

She is kind of not interested for it, right? I wonder what made her get into this kind of troubleI meanI know she has always been in trouble ever since that day we met each other

But… this

It's almost impossible if she is not doing anything than getting on the Principal's nerves

Oh—either way though….

I have to do something about it!

She clenched her fist as she watches Eli taking the podium.

"Good Afternoon, everyone… Sorry that I didn't prepare anything for this speech…" Eli said. Some students began to talk to each other,

"Ah…so that's Ayase Eli, the one that the principal recommended! How beautiful!"

"Yes! She also has a beautiful voice and attractive foreign accent! I bet she will win this!"

"Yep! I'm totally going to choose her!"

Nozomi remained quiet as she heard them, though she began to wonder after a while…

A foreign accent, huh? Does everyone like it when they feel like talking to a foreign?

She thought.

I could do some foreign accents too, but maybe I should make it a little more local than her, I don't want it to sound fake

She placed her finger on her own chin,

"…..that's why…." Eli's voice suddenly rose slightly, which captured Nozomi's attention back to her,

"…. I want you all to know that I am not worthy to be your leader, instead, I want to be part of you all to build this school. From what we know on daily basis… I have been hanging out with this specific person who might be a better candidate than I…" she continued as her gaze sharply focused onto Nozomi.

W-what?! Why is she looking at me now!?

"….her name is Toujou Nozomi, surprisingly great at most of her studies and know a lot trivial knowledge in life… open minded and friendly, if I have to be as blunt as I could be, I would wed her at sight…"

Then the audience started to hype at it,

Eli just smiled and gave out her victorious glance at the principal who somewhat remained calm on her seat,

"Toujou-san has the quality of a Goddess, she could guess what's inside of your mind and give you comfort by just being around her, we all want that kind of leader, right? Or perhaps you would rather call that kind of person as the "mother" of this school?"

The audience chuckled,

"What with this person? She is so funny!" a student near Nozomi whispered,

"I heard she didn't even practice for this, isn't that amazing to have this much confidence?"

"…I'd like to choose her now! We all want this kind of leader! Or maybe… the papa of this school?!" the other student joked.

"Haha—sure! Then Nozomi will certainly be what she wants! The Mama of this school!"

Nozomi couldn't say a single word as a comeback, but rather she could feel the blood rushing up to her cheeks,

Why is she dragging me into this?! I'm not even prepared for it!

She said in her mind,

"….Please welcome, Toujou Nozomi!" Eli said somewhat too cheerfully—a forged kind of cheerful.

Then some giggled to her,

"W-what does she think this is? An Idol show?" a student said,

"Ohh! Ayase-san is a dork! How cute is that?!" said the other student.

"I will bet all my lunch for her…" said another student.

Ignoring what she heard from the others, Nozomi began to feel nervous from the fact that she is being called up to the stage. But of course, if she acts all shy, it will be a lot more embarrassing for her—and for someone that she wanted to befriend.

What should I do…..?

She thought to herself as she stood up from her seat.

I hate how she just called me out like that, butif I back up now. that would mean I'm…pulling off my own words that I will surely win on befriending her….!

She continued as she steps onto the stage.

No… I can't just give up…. I've sworn to myself that I will never hate her… I can't hate her just because of this! I have to play it off!

Nozomi lands her feet on the stage and in a swift motion, she took up the podium—playfully clinging onto Eli's arm,

"Hello Everyone!"

Eli smirked slightly, knowing that things will not go like how she wanted it to be just from hearing how Nozomi talked in a way different accent.

"Hmmm…everyone look so cute and wonderful today! But anyhow! Please don't listen to the humble dear right here…." She continued.

"Humble?!" Eli smirked wryly—then her eyes set on the Principal who seemed to be amused,

"The Darling over here, Ayase Eli is too kind and humble, also understanding because—we all know… that speech could make everyone sleepy, so that's why she pulled off this kind of stunt to make you all listen to her and be entertained!" Nozomi continued with a big confident smile,

"Isn't that Kansai-Dialect!? How cute!" said a student on the front line,

"I'm pretty sure it sounded cute because it's her who said it. I mean… her voice is just adorable!" said someone.

"Nah—I find it to be annoying, but I suppose since Ayase-san chose her anyway…"

"My… what's their relationship at?"

Then the crowds started to talk about them.

"So—I hope you're all entertained enough, yeah? Now let us all talk about vision and mission!" Nozomi said as she glanced at Eli,

"Ayase-san, would you like me to say it for you? I don't mind to do it at all!"

"V-Vision and Mission? I didn't even prepare for that!" Eli replied,

"Oh—stop being too modest! I know you did! You've worked it up all night! We talked on the phone yesterday!" Nozomi said.

"You don't even know my—…"

And before Eli finished, Nozomi turned her attention back to the audience and said loudly,

"…As what Ayase-san stated, she doesn't want this school to see one and another above each other— she doesn't want us to become a team that's led by a leader, but instead, a team who work hard for each other. It's not about reaching the same goal—it's about spending our youth for each of our own missions in life!"

The audience seems to be amazed by how Nozomi smoothly brought herself on the stage, smoothly and flawlessly–and the fact that she didn't even practice for it…just like Eli herself…

"Let's admit it, reaching a goal to graduate means nothing if you don't gear yourself up with an ability of your own! An ability that will be your weapon to deal with life as adults! All the certificates that we earn from this school will also mean nothing if we don't know what we aim for! So let us all stop thinking about 'how can we graduate' but instead, think about 'what exactly I want to do in the future?' and thus, if you all choose Ayase-san here to be the president, she will surely provide you all the facilities for what you need to sharpen up!"

"Afraid not, my friends, because you know—we all know that Ayase-san and I will work together! Her and I will be the most perfect team ever! But that won't do as much as you all and us working together— because after all, this school is meant for you and I!"

Nozomi continued with her speech as the audience began to hype up. Eli sighed heavily and realized that there's no way for her to not be chosen as the president at this rate, with all the enthusiasm given by the students and with the promotion poster that she didn't even post herself—and the fact that she is a recommended candidate….

When Eli set her eyes to the audience, she noticed something is wrong with the representative on the other side of stage, the one that Nozomi pointed out before. She may not be able to feel it, but she could see something hanging upon her—an extremely transparent soul that she barely sees with her eyes, and to make sure of that sight, Eli quickly moves her sight toward the student council representative across her.

Though as swift as it is, the extremely transparent soul is no longer visible to her.


Afterschool, Otonokizaka Hallway;

Eli walked down the stairs, there is nothing more disappointing than what happened on the stage just now. She could just make things bad and no one will choose her instead of trying to ruin things by using other's—like Nozomi for instance. Because apparently, Nozomi just made her name look greater than it sounds, especially in the promotional poster that the principal posted.

As the blonde kept rushing out of the school, Nozomi kept running after her and once again embraced her by her arm,

"Ayase-sann!" she said cheerfully.

"What now? Going to ruin more of my day?" Eli said coldly,

"Sheesh! I'm just here to stick with you… like I said, I'll be your ghost repellant until you reach your safe zone!"

"The only one I want to repel is you, Nozomi. Seriously…. I really hate you!" Eli said.

"You just called mr by my name, that's a good step… are you taking me as your friend now?" Nozomi said.

"Shut up! It doesn't mean anything!"

"It is something! Now since you called me by my name, I should start calling you by your name too…" Nozomi replied,

Eli sighed heavily,

"Will you ever listen to me?"

"I'm all ears for you, uh…uhm…Ericchi!"

"Ericchi?!" Eli stopped in her shock,

"Yep! Ericchi!"

"Sheesh! What kind of name is that?!"

"It's cute! Now you're my Ericchi and I'm your Nozomi, got it?"

"Why does that sounded like we are in a close relationship or something?"

"Ha! So you do know something about romance! Not bad, Ericchi!"

"I'm not even talking about romance! I'm talking about best friends!"

"Whatever! Anyway, Ericchi! You should be careful on this from now on, I just looked into my cards and it says, our path will not be as smooth as it is…"

"Your card?! Sheesh! You are driving me crazy! Why do you even believe in cards?!"

"It's not just a card, you know! It's my spiritual power that you should acknowledge! I'm predicting the future through my cards!"

"Just—leave me alone, Nozomi! I don't want to argue about it!"

"I will! Once you reach your house!"

"I can walk on my own!" Eli walks faster as she tried to shove Nozomi away, yet her grip is stronger than she thought, even though she couldn't feel any pain from it.

As the two almost reached the school's front gate, a student council member— the representative that they had suspicion on, came up and crossed her arms over her chest…

"You are Ayase Eli, correct?" she said,

"Yes! What now?" Eli replied coldly,

"I'm just here to remind you, even though you're recommended candidate, there's still a way for you to lose this… so don't get too cocky!" she said.

"What on shattering earth are you trying to tell me… I don't even want to be a candidate!"

"….and you still think your act this noon doesn't describe your true intention? You're clearly trying to win everyone's hearts over…"

"That wasn't even my intention!" Eli complained,

"Just surrender, Ayase, I'm not going to let anyone take the seat. I will be the next president and no one can stop me!" the student council said,

"Pfffft… with that kind of attitude, no wonder that you might have to play some dirty tricks to win against Ericchi!" Nozomi said.

"N-Nozomi!" Eli tried to stop her, though Nozomi ignored her.

"It's fine, Ericchi! I know you will win this at ease, let's ignore this old-hag and keep moving. She doesn't even know if she is no longer worthy to be around this school!"

"Old hag?!" The student council frowned as she heard it,

"Nozomi…. Why are you being so pumped up about me being the student council president…."Eli sighed,

"Because I think it should be yours… we can gain full access of this school if you are one—plus, you honored me to be your vice president…."

"That's not even what I wanted from dragging you to the stage before!"

Nozomi chuckled,

"Oh you don't need to be shy, Ericchi! I know you are just being humble! So let's put that aside and work our best to beat the old-hag…"

Eli rolled her eyes,

"Whatever…. I'm out of here now. I don't have any more time to spend…" she said as she moved faster—and Nozomi still insisted to follow her.

"Sheesh! Ericchi! You should have fun sometimes!" Nozomi said as she walks next to her.

"What's the fun in clashing with randomly people? I don't understand you!" Eli replied.

The student council representative frowned deeper,

"You don't even bother to know my name…." she whispered as she watches them walk into the distance.

Afternoon, Silent Apartment's Hallway;

Eli and Nozomi walked all the way up until they reached Eli's Room. When the door came in contact with their views, Nozomi released her embrace,

"There, you are save now, Ericchi!"

Eli remained quiet as she unlocked the door,

"Ah—I'll have to renew your room's seal, I can feel it weakening!" Nozomi continued.

Eli sighed weakly before she opened the door and gestured Nozomi to come in.

Nozomi smiled before she ran in without hesitation and started her ritual in front of the charms that she attached around the room. Eli watched her with a slight smirk on her face, though after a while, her expression began to soften as she looks at Nozomi's passion when renewing the seals.

I wonder….

The blonde thought,

Why is she doing all this for me? I wasn't even a friend when she started doing it

She continued.

Is that sort of her hobby?

She continued again as her eyes keep staring into the purplenette.

Maybe…. I may as well ask….

She said to herself before she walks into the room and closes the door—which surprises Nozomi and makes her pause for a moment from what she was doing,

"Why don't you stay here for a while?" Eli said.

Nozomi remained still. She felt slightly flustered from Eli's offer…

"It's fine if you don't have enough time, you can go when you are done…." Eli continued.

"Ah—!" Nozomi lifted her eyebrows,

"No… that's not it…." Nozomi said.

The two were left in an awkward silence.

"Just finish your thing and let me know what you think… I'll be waiting in my bedroom…" Eli said as she quickly walks away.

Nozomi was about to say something, but decided to not say anything else—knowing that she needs to finish her ritual first.

After a while,

Nozomi finished her ritual and she decided to walk to the bedroom—just like what Eli told her. She was about to knock the door politely, but…

Why am I acting all polite all of a sudden?

She thought.

I've been entering her place without permission all this timethere's no need of me to do this!

She said to her mind before she opened the door immediately.

"Ericchi—I'm done!" Nozomi barged in—to see Eli about to wear her top. Her bra is a pure white color and her skin almost rivaled it.

"N-Nozomi!" Eli frowned,

"Woah—Ericchi, your skin is so smooth!" Nozomi said right after she realized that she came in at the wrong time.

"That's not even the right thing to say—Silly!" Eli yelled at her,

"Hehehe… joking, joking….but I'm telling the truth, your skin looks so smooth! I'm jealous!" Nozomi said as she closed the door.

"Why are you even entering?! You should've said something else and leave!"

"You don't need to be shy, Ericchi, we both are girls. I could make it fair by stripping right in front of you now!" the playful girl said as she sat down on the nearby chair and watches the blonde continue to wear her top.

"What?! I don't need that!" Eli replied,

"…besides, why do you even get comfortable so quickly… don't you feel ashamed that you're being impolite to me?"

"You could do that to me later, I'm living alone…so it would be nice to have this kind of surprise…." Nozomi replied.

Eli sighed and she rolled her eyes before she picks up her uniform and throws it into the laundry basket, then headed to the bathroom and closes the door tight.

I know I'm being unfair now

Nozomi said in her mind.

I meanmaybe I am being unfairbecause of my sexual orientationI would use this excuses to make people let me feast my own eyes

She continued again,

Will people let me touch them if I said the same excuses? I meanwill they think it as a joke or sexual harassment?

She thought again as she watches the door to the bathroom—which opened after a few minutes.

Eli came out with her face looks slightly fresher, wet front hairs, towel hanging on her shoulder and slight stain of water around the collar.

"Listen, Nozomi…." she started,

Nozomi keep looking at her,

"…I have three things that I want to talk about with you…." she continued.

"Go on then…." Nozomi replied.

"First…. I want you to be honest with me, why are you helping me with the seals around my house?" she asked,

"It's just something that I wanted to do for you… I want to be your friend so I want to protect you…." Nozomi replied.

Eli nodded,

"I see… then, let's just move on to the second topic…"

"What is it, Ericchi?"

"Tell me, do you know anything about the reason, why I want to spend my time in this school?" the blonde asked,

"No… but why do you assume me to know something?"

"I just thought about it because you said 'if I become a student council president, I will gain full access of the school…' …. There's something about that, you know…."

"Now that you mention it, what is this something?" Nozomi asked back.

"I don't think I want to tell you yet…. That's why I want to talk about the third topic…" Eli said.

"What's the third topic?" Nozomi asked,

"Please, I'm asking you humbly to not be comfortable with me…"

"…and why is that?" Nozomi asked curiously,

"….when you said, 'we both are girls, there's nothing to be shy of…' as you saw me shirtless…. did you know, that it doesn't work that way for me?"

Nozomi lifted her eyebrow in surprise,

"…does that mean, you're actually—….."

"You may call me, a lesbian… when I said I wasn't interested in having a lover before was a lie… I am interested, but in females… I doubt you will understand…" Eli said.

The room suddenly becomes awkwardly too quiet for a moment until Nozomi suddenly burst into laughter. Eli smirked with a frown on her face as she watches her,

"I'm serious, you know! You better leave me alone before I fall for you!" the blonde yelled,

Yet Nozomi just keeps laughing endlessly.

"Nozomi!" once again, the blonde tried to stop her from laughing.

"S-Sorry! Ericchi! Th-this is just too funny!" she replied.

"Whatever! I've warned you! I'm not going to speak anymore of that!" Eli said again as she crossed her arms and sits down on her bed.

Nozomi keeps laughing loudly until she started to cough—then she started to look for a nearby drink. She sighted Eli's water bottle on top of the cupboard and immediately took it and gulped it down without asking.

Eli sighed heavily and just shook her head at her.

"I'm sorry….Ericchi…." Nozomi said before she paused to catch her breath.

Eli remained quiet as she looks out the window,

"…but…seriously…. Do you have to talk so seriously about it?" Nozomi continued,

The blonde only respond with a silent smirk on her face,

"You're not the only one, you know…" Nozomi said with a soft smile,

Eli turned her sight to the other girl in surprise,

"Me too…. Ericchi… I'm the same as you…."


The next day, Otonokizaka HighSchool's yard;

It's time for them to be in sports study session, Eli and Nozomi stood next to each other as they waited for their turn to run a few laps. While they were waiting patiently, they watched each of the girls around them….

"…..Hey, Nozomi, what do you think of that one?" Eli asked with a whisper as her eyes hinted towards a specific girl,

"Hmmm…. Good looking, but, don't you think she doesn't have that much asset?"

"The size looks decent…"

"Sheesh, Ericchi, it's clearly because she wears the sponge stuffed bra…you need to get your facts straight…"

"How do you even know that?"

"The shape, of course, take a look at mine—you will know how big breasts shape should look like…"

Eli began to check out Nozomi's torso,

"W-Wow!"

"Don't act like you have never see it in this size! Yours aren't that small either—or actually, yours looks almost as decent!"

"Well, I have never actually see my own… my mirror only fits my face and I don't check out myself on any public places recently..."

"Ah! No wonder! But your body looks great, you know, you look like a dancer!" Nozomi said,

Eli averted her eyes for a moment, then faintly smiles at her,

"I was a dancer…." She said with a gloom on her face,

Knowing that it probably was a sensitive topic, Nozomi tried to quickly look for a way to recover their conversation,

"A-ah! That's nice! I was a girl who liked spending my days in front of the television, that's how I got these chubby cheeks!" she said,

Eli raised her eyebrows,

"But your body doesn't look that bad…did you do something else than watch tv all day?"

"Yup! I've been helping out in a lot of shrines around Japan! But in the other countries, since they don't always have shrines, I often went around shopping or hiking…"

"You've explored more than one country….?"

"Yep! I used to be in your home country too! It's Russia, right?"

"Yes…" Eli replied with enthusiasm.

"It's a cold place, so people love to drink booze to keep their body warm… I wasn't allowed by my parents even though the country doesn't have the restriction for it, I have always been educated as a Japanese…"

"It's just like fresh water to us… but maybe it doesn't taste that good for those who're not used to it."

"You have drank it before?"

"Of course, but I'm no longer allowed to here because this country has an age restriction for drinking… "

"My…have you done anything else that might be not allowed in our ages…?"

"Huh? No…?"

"It's fine to be a rebel on a few aspects, you know…"

"Are we still talking about drinking?"

"Nope, we can put that aside since— I bet the temperature's here don't get as cold as how it would there… you don't need them. Instead, there should be something else that could keep our bodies warm…."

"Our bodies…warm…?" Eli tilts her head slightly until she realizes….

"N-Nozomi! Are you hinting it?!"

Nozomi giggled,

"Sheesh, Ericchi! How are we going to feast our rebellious desires other than that?"

"Look, Nozomi… I know we both are in the same boat, but—that doesn't mean you can just date me straight ahead! We need to get to know and see if we fall for each other or not—just like how straight people do!"

"Well, are you not interested in me yet? I'm interested in you!"

"Being interested doesn't mean to go on a date immediately, that would be too shallow to call it love…"

"But the point of dating is to get to know each other…you don't have to love each other…"

"Dating is only when you are ready to marry—silly! We can get to know each other by hanging out or something!"

"Then what do you want to do after school?"

"Study some student councils things…since I decided to be part of it, I'll just go with it…"

"Sounds fun, then I'll stick around with you…"

"Didn't you always stick around with me though?!"

"You're right, Ericchi! My… I like how you give me that much attention…"

"Only because you are forcing me to give you that much attention!"

Nozomi giggled again before the teacher called their names,

"Ayase Eli! Toujou Nozomi!"

"Yes?" the two replied together.

"Take your position… we're starting soon…" the teacher said.

"Yes—Sensei!" the two replied together again before they quickly stood up to take their positions.

As the two were set in place…

"Ericchi…this is fate…." Nozomi said,

Eli sighed heavily and rolled her eyes,

"If your eyes meet a chicken, you probably would call that as a fate too…"

"I'd cross the road with it!" Nozomi replied playfully.

Eli couldn't help herself but to snort, though just before she could respond, the teacher shouted,

"Ready—!"

Everyone began to focus.

"—Set!"

They set their position,

"Go!"

And everyone began to sprint through the track. There are five of them, and Eli took the lead immediately after they started. Knowing how fast the blonde is, Nozomi decided to make the best out of her as well to catch up with her.

Without words coming out of their mouths, the two stare intensely into each other's eyes while their feet kept them running—trying to pace up with the other,

Without them knowing, they both have passed a half lap faster than the other three—which they didn't even bother to acknowledge.

Currently they are all in their own minds…putting their goals above each other.

As the time passes—the two finally reached their last lap,

"This will decide who is the hottest!" Nozomi said.

"I rather call as the coolest!" Eli replied.

The finish line is getting closer and closer…

"…whoever wins, the other should respect them because we both brought some heavy load…"

"Heavy load?" Eli flustered,

And before she knew it, Nozomi suddenly started to slow down…

Then when Eli realizes she reached the finish line first, Nozomi grabs both of Eli's breasts and squeezes it roughly.

"Congratulations Ericchi! You won the coolest girl competition!" Nozomi shouted,

"Nozomiii!" Eli shouted,

The teachers and the other students began to fluster as they watched them,

"Curse you! You're going to pay for that!" Eli yelled as she quickly turns around and started to grab Nozomi's breast as well.

"Hyaaaa—Ericchi! That's rough!" Nozomi moaned somewhat erotically,

"Y-You don't need to make it sound like that, silly!" Eli complained as she started to twist her breast.

"Aaaaahhhnn! So good and yet painful!" Nozomi grips on Eli's breast,

"N-Nozomiii! S-Stop it!"

And yet the two continues….

Meanwhile, further away from them, a little girl with black hair watched them being the center of attention.

"Sheesh… why don't they just get a room already…" she whispered to herself.


Lunch Break, Otonokizaka High School's Rooftop;

Nozomi and Eli decided to spend their time together on the rooftop—with the two of them bringing their own lunch boxes.

"Ericchi, Ericchi…. are you ready to look at my lunch box today?!"

"Is this Mystery-X food again?" Eli asked teasingly,

"My! You just teased me! You didn't do that before!" Nozomi replied.

"Hah— just because I don't say anything, doesn't mean that I never pay attention… the last meal was awful and I know that!"

"I'm pretty sure this time I made better lunch!" Nozomi said as she opened her lunch box, filled with almost neat eggs, almost neat rice ball, and almost well cooked meat.

Eli smirked and then chuckled slightly,

"Well…it indeed does look better….but I doubt you made a better taste…"

"I'm going to try it now!" Nozomi said as she took out her chopsticks and lifted the egg—which clearly has a blackened surface on the lower side.

Eli widen her eyes, then swiftly caught Nozomi's hand before she was able to put the food inside her mouth,

"Nozomi!"

"W-what's wrong all of a sudden, Ericchi?!" Nozomi asked.

"Put that down, you're not allowed to eat it…" the blonde said,

"E-eh?! Then how can I taste it if I'm not allowed to eat it?"

"I know it's terrible just by looking at it. You blackened the lower surface—you're using too much heat!"

"Huh? Really? I thought it went well…" Nozomi tried to take a peek on the lower part— it is indeed blackened horribly. Nozomi pouted at it, though she couldn't say anything to respond to her.

"Throw that away, you shouldn't eat blackened stuff like that…It's very bad for your health…" Eli said.

Nozomi remain quiet, she seemed to be very sad about it.

"Come on, just throw that away…" the blonde once again said as she takes Nozomi's lunch box and picks out the egg—and realized that the rice also looks somewhat raw….

"N-Nozomi! T-the rice isn't even well cooked!"

"E-Eh…? W-well…I suppose 5 minutes is a big deal after all..."

"It is a big deal!" Eli yelled,

"I—I don't have much time to prepare and cook all by myself in the morning!"

"Wake up earlier!"

"It's not that easy, you know! The bed is so fluffy and it's like the gravitation gets a lot stronger!"

"Excuses…" Eli said.

"Pfffft! I can't wake up earlier than 5 AM!"

"5…AM?" Eli tilts her head slightly,

"Yep! I woke up at 5 AM, then got ready for school and headed to the shrine before school…"

"Why are you going to the shrine before school?"

"It's very important to keep my spiritual power, Ericchi! Else the spirits won't fear me and I might end up like you!"

"Alright, fine, then you want to tell me that you are…what?"

"I don't have that much time to make my lunchbox perfect! I still have to make my own breakfast as well!"

"Then why don't you just make the same menu along with your breakfast? It's not going to take that much time!"

"I'll get bored if I make the same menu…"

Eli sighed heavily at her.

"Anyway, since I'm only left with meat now—…."

And before Nozomi could finish speaking, Eli began to check the meat…trying to identify it from the texture and smell…

"This is pork! You can't eat it half raw!"

"Eeehh? But whyyy?"

"It's very bad for your health! Sheesh! Just throw everything away!"

"Why are you suddenly being too talkative about this?"

"I-it doesn't matter! Sheesh! I wonder how you are still alive with this kind of food every day!"

"I don't always make my lunch, you know. I usually just buy it off the supermarket nearby!"

"The food from the supermarket?! Really?! They are expensive and not that healthy either!"

"Then what am I supposed to do, 'Professor' Ericchi?!" Nozomi said sarcastically,

"You can ask me to make your lunch….and share my lunch for today…." Eli replied as she crossed her arms, letting her face become a shade of red.

Nozomi wasn't able to respond to that, but she was very impressed with the way Eli made her point in the end.

"If that's the case…then…" Nozomi leaned closer to the shy Russian beauty,

"…will you share with me today….?" She continued,

Eli nodded slightly and she opened her lunch box—filled with neatly served Russian cuisine that Nozomi has seen before…

"Fried Rice?"

"We called it Plov…" Eli replied as she handed a spoon to Nozomi.

Nozomi remained quiet until she decided to take her first pick, though when she digs into the rice, she noticed a few diced meat and vegetables which she decided to make another pick with the spoon.

As the food enters her mouth….

She couldn't describe how wonderful and unique the taste is…

The first thing that escaped her lips is…

"It tastes like Russian!"

"W-What!? W-What do you mean by it tastes like Russian!? It is a Russian food but if you say it like that…."

"What? Do you mean that it sounded like I'm eating a Russian?"

"Yes!"

"Kinky! I would like to try that though…"

"W-what?! I didn't even mean it in a kinky way!"

"Ahh—Ericchi, this Plov tastes so great…I love it!" Nozomi said before she took another bite.

"Don't change the subject so quickly!"

"Come on eat it with me, Ericchi! Let's race!"

"We don't race when eating food, silly! And... This is my lunch, you goof!"


After the lunch break,

The two returned to their class and noticed that there's a crowd in front of their classroom.

"What happen here?" Eli asked one of her classmates,

"Ah—Eli, looks like you made quite an enemy here…." She said.

Eli lifted her eyebrow—flustered. When she got closer, she noticed a few seniors standing around her seat.

With a few patches of wood on the cracked floor, trash scattered around her seat, seems like it came from the garbage can that one of the senior's held in her hand, and then lastly a bottle of soda on a familiar person's hand—which she poured over Eli's bag.

She knows well as to what's exactly going on...

Nozomi has never witnessed anything like this, though knowing who the victim is for such an act, she couldn't help but to come up and stand up for her friend,

"Hey! What do you think you are doing?" Nozomi said immediately.

The Seniors seemed to be bothered,

"Now, are you trying to scold us? You're just an underclassman…"

"Who cares about my age at this rate, you're doing something that displays the arrogance of seniors…For whatever reason— this kind of thing is not right! Plus, Ericchi didn't even do anything to you, other than ignore you of course!" Nozomi replied bravely.

"So you are…what…? Challenging us?" The senior asked her intimidatingly.

"No, there's no point in me to challenge you. I'm not someone who holds the power in this school…"

Then the seniors laugh at her.

"I'm just saying that I know my place better than you… and to put it fairly, in the real world, your age means nothing—but your attitude means everything…. so if you think you can do anything you want just because you're older then you are greatly mistaken!" Nozomi frowned,

The seniors stopped, then they started to look at each other until one decided to speak up,

"Don't you know who you're protecting? She is the one who shows the most arrogance…"

"…her arrogant attitude didn't make other's suffer on purpose. She decides to ignore you because she doesn't want to hurt you more than you are. ..she could speak up by herself if she wants to…. Right Ericchi?" Nozomi said as she turned her face to the blonde who stood there watching Nozomi talking flawlessly.

As she realizes that Nozomi was talking to her, she nodded surely,

"I have to say, these people are just mindlessly arrogant. This kind of bullying is what I want to be up against…" Eli said.

The classmates began to whispers—they seemed to be on Eli's side.

The seniors began to worry,

"…for whatever reason, bullying is wrong…and if I happen to be the student council president, I surely will not tolerate it…" Eli said.

Nozomi seemed to be slightly surprised by how Eli promotes herself for the upcoming election. But what surprised her most is when suddenly felt something leave from the seniors—something that she could describe as a soothed soul leaving from their host.

Then at instant, the big group of seniors suddenly fell down to the ground except for one specific person that they knew before the incident. The Student council representative….

"H-hurry! Call the medics!" said one of the students before some group of girls started ran off to do so.

"Hmm… now that it turns out like this…." Eli crosses her arm as she watches the scene play out in front of her.

"I think the principal will know…." she continued.

"…and that means, she will also need to know about what you did to her…." Nozomi added.

"…the entire class watched this happen… right?" Eli said as she looked at her classmates, who seems to be still on her side.

"It's true, even though Eli is arrogant, she has never done anything like this…" said one of the girls.

"…she might be not a cool person to hang out with, but she is a cool person to work with…." Said the other.

"Yeah…and for whatever reason, this kind of bullying is immature, don't you think? We're no longer in elementary school…." said another again.

Then a moment later, a teacher came by and she immediately eyed the huge crowd in front go the classroom,

"What's happening here…?" she asked,

Then she immediately focuses on the seniors among the unconscious one.

"T-That's….." The student council started to lose her words.


After School, The Otonokizaka Hallway;

Nozomi and Eli left the classroom with somewhat an excited mood. Eli's seat has been cleaned by the school's janitor and the seniors have been taken care of.

"Ericchi! Don't you just feel glad that justice could fall upon them?" Nozomi asked,

"Not that I care. As long as she leaves me alone, I'm happy…" Eli replied.

"Sheesh! Ericchi, you need to care about what happens to your enemies—I mean, what if they prepare another weapon?"

"I don't even think her as enemy, I just don't want to bother of thinking about anyone else other than myself…"

"Hmm…really? But the first time you met me, you bothered yourself to think about me…."

"S-shut up!" Eli replied somewhat nervously.

"Come to think of it, you are interested in me, aren't you? So we should go on a date to see how much we match each other…"

"I don't need useless dates!"

"Ooh—so you think we are already a perfect match?"

"I never said that!"

"You said that in your mind!"

"I'm leaving!" Eli yelled as she walks faster while Nozomi followed up as always, though as the two almost reached the school yard, they could hear someone call them,

"Ayase-san! Toujou-san!" said a woman's voice. The two turned their sight to see the student council called them.

Then the student council run to approach them,

"Ayase-san, Toujou-san… can we take a bit of your time?" she asked.

"What for?" Eli asked.

"Ooohh! So are we going to talk about student council stuff?" Nozomi asked.

"I guess it's pretty obvious, but…we do really need you two to solve this case… the principal said so…" the student council said.

"Is she trying to throw every single problem on me…." Eli sighed.

"I have to admit, we all heard from your classmates that you stand for your own against the bullying that our now-an-ex-member did, the principal is impressed and she wanted you to solve the after-case as well…"

"Can't you all do it instead?" Eli asked.

"We'll be honest. It's our last year to be part of the student council but we were never able to solve this case…. There's too much mystery in it…"

As Nozomi heard the word 'mystery', she could feel something spark in her heart…

"Then, we will get it done!" she said.

"N-Nozomi!" Eli tried to protest.

"Don't worry, there's nothing Ericchi and I can't solve when we are together! We're a perfect couple!"

The student council giggles,

"I see… I'm glad to see that enthusiasm, Toujou-san…" she said.

Eli couldn't help herself at this point, she can only place her palm on her own face.

"Please come with me…." the student council continued with a faint relieved smile.


The student council room;

As the two were seated on the reserved chair, a group of student council members seemed to be very busy on preparing something while Principal Minami stood there to guide them. Nozomi and Eli were confused but they are expecting that everything will be in their favor…

"So... Are we getting anything?" Nozomi asked playfully.

"A new job, obviously…" Eli sighed along with her whisper.

"Oh-come on, Ericchi! It will be fun!" Nozomi said to the blonde with a playful tone.

"…just imagine the mystery we're going to solve! I bet you will be into it!"

"Or…more like, forced to be into it, because you're dragging me there…"

"It's not going to be bad. Trust me!" Nozomi said with her cheerful and enthusiastic smile.

"See?" Eli smirked,

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Ericchi… the fun is guaranteed…"

Before Eli could respond again, the principal coughed to get their attention,

"Yes, Principal?" Nozomi asked.

"I hope you know about this school's history…?" The principal asked.

"Of course, my grandmother was here… I've listened to her story…" Eli replied,

"Of course you do… but I was asking Toujou…" the Principal said.

"Oh? Me? Not a chance… I just happened to stumble onto this place…" Nozomi replied.

"It's started about over a hundred year ago, the school was basically built specially for female-students only as a sign that Japan has finally allowed females to receive the same education level as males did in that time… the school was firstly founded by—….." Eli began to tell the history to Nozomi, which caused the purplenette to slowly feel drowsy out of boredom. Even though it amazed the student councils as they have never seen anyone capable of telling the story in detail as much as her, but even then, they can't do it either.

"Putting that aside, Ericchi…."

"I haven't even finished half way!" Eli said.

"Uhhhm…. Ayase, I'm impressed that you know it in that much detail…"

"I told you, my grandmother was here…" Eli replied.

"I….I see…. but anyway, the point is, because of the history, the school itself also keeps a lot of mysteries…." The principal said,

"From the mystery of missing and spirited away people to the the breaking and destructive souls that possess students, no one actually believes it even though it keeps happening almost everyday…right?" Eli said.

The principal seemed to be more impressed.

"Yes…." She said.

"Then to clarify this… the student council we just fired today…" Principal Minami continued,

"…was possessed by one of the destructive souls and you want us to do something about it?" Nozomi asked enthusiastically.

"Oh dear… That's what I was afraid to hear…." Eli sighed.

"Yes…Toujou-san…" the student council member confirmed.

"We need your help if you can do something about it…." the principal said.

"….it will be an honor, Principal! Me and Ericchi will solve it, if we happen to gain full access to the school!"

"Why are you dragging me into this….." Eli sighed heavily.


I suppose most of my readers (and my editor) is in their school time, ye? Final Exam? I hope for the best! Good luck for you all!

I'll be working on the fiction in my free time too. I got plenty of work around the house and still trying to make portfolio to get an actual job, so that's why things are being slow lately.

but i really enjoy making this fiction...other than because its NozoEli, it's because the story is quite good for this month's mood! Hopefully i could finish it before the month ends so you can enjoy it at the actual Halloween!