A/N: Thanks so much for reading! I actually didn't think that this many people would like it... :3 ALSO! I can't believe you guys are back for more angst? ? Thanks for the support anyways!
Disclaimer! I do not own Love Live! or any of the characters. Any resemblance of an actual person or event is purely coincidental.
The clacks of chalk filled the room as Nozomi looked out the window, pondering her choices. Her mind told her to leave the new couple and not disrupt their newfound peace, while her heart ached for Eli and yearned to express her feelings. She faintly heard her name being called, yet she ignored it and thought about Eli. How could she not notice? It had been so long since they met... How could she not notice her feelings?
It had been nearly a month, since Eli and Umi-chan had been going out, and yet those feelings would not leave her. They would not let her live in peace and they dominated her forethought, making it impossible to concentrate on anything else.
"Tojo-san!" yelled a very impatient teacher, for the 5th time. He pushed his glasses up his nose, and continued to lecture her. "Please focus on class and stop staring out that window. We are having a test on this soon, so please pay attention!" He turned his back to her, and continued to finish the problem on the board.
Nozomi went back to pondering her thoughts, until Eli nudged her. "H-Hey Nozomi, are you okay? You usually pay attention, is something the matter?"
At that, Nozomi wanted to tell her everything. Her heart cried for release and her body ached in response. The blood in her veins pumped a little faster. That steady heartbeat of hers beat faster. Her mind raced, searching for an answer, even though she knew that she had none.
"Yes, everything is okay. I'm just feeling a little sick," was her answer. Her face seemed to be unattached from her feelings, and it let out a mischievous grin. "Why? Is Eli worried about me?"
"Of course, Nozomi! You're my best friend. I wouldn't want you to get sick," she replied, sincerely. That was really a knife through the heart, Nozomi thought. She only thought of her as a best friend, and the worst part was how sincerely she said it. Those dazzling eyes and that fierceness that reached her. It was a wonder how all of μ's didn't fall for her.
"Of course," she replied in a small voice, turning away. The bell rang for lunch, and Nozomi ran out without hesitation. Her feet carried her all the way to the roof, not looking behind. Dropping her bag, she slid down and hugged her knees, her back against the fence. Her heartbeat slowed down and she released a long sigh. She suddenly heard some noises coming from the stairs, and she quickly jumped from her spot and grabbed her bag. The voices grew louder, and by the time she knew it, all of μ's had joined her on the roof.
Nico looked at Nozomi's bag in her hand with her eyebrow raised. "Going somewhere?"
"Yes," was her reply. "I-I've got a report due to one of my teachers," she lied. She plastered a smile on her face and Nico pulled her arm and she dragged her over to where everyone else was sitting.
"You are a horrible liar," Nico whispered.
"Today is a beautiful day," suddenly shouted Honoka. "I thought that we should join you outside, Nozomi!" They all looked at Nozomi, Eli's eyes piercing her harder than usual. She let out a nervous laugh.
"Of course, I was just trying to see if it was nice outside so I could invite you up here," she smiled. Her face was really hurting from all the fake smiles. She sat down next to Nico and began to eat her lunch. It was a simple lunch, as usual, and Nozomi was going to ask Eli to share some of her delicious lunch, until she remembered that she now shared it with Umi.
"N-Nozomi-chan," whispered Kotori. "Would you like to share some of my lunch?" she looked over at her sad senpai. Nozomi turned Kotori down, but she was thankful, nonetheless. After moments of silence from Nozomi, Kotori began to talk to her again, quietly.
"You know, Nozomi-chan, I was really surprised that Eli-chan asked Umi-chan out. I thought that she would ask you." Nozomi turned to face her, looking a little surprised. "Yes, I know that you love Eli-chan... It wasn't that hard to see," she giggled. Nozomi turned red and she continued eating her lunch.
Meanwhile, Eli looked over at Nozomi, wondering if she was okay. She had witnessed Kotori leaning over and whispering something into Nozomi's ear while Nozomi sat there, blushing. Something burned in her chest, and she was starting to wonder if she, herself, was okay. She was probably getting sick.
"Eli?" Umi asked. "Are you alright? You've been staring into space for quite some time," she said.
"I...I think I'm getting sick," replied Eli. Umi looked very concerned, and she leaned in close, resting her hand upon Eli's forehead to try and get her temperature.
"You feel very hot," whispered Umi. "Let's get you to the office...oh no! I still have to do student council work with Honoka," she said, frantically thinking.
"It's okay, Nozomi can take me." At that point, everyone had heard their conversation, and they had all stopped to see what they could do. At the mention of her name, Nozomi's face became a mask, and she smiled. She nodded and agreed to take Eli, fearing that if she had kept too much distance, she would notice her anguish. Nozomi had already internally resolved not to say anything because of her lack of courage, and her fear that their relationship would change very much so, when Eli rejects her.
"Hey, Nozomi," started Eli as she walked side by side with Nozomi. It had been silent for a long time. "D-Did I do something wrong?"
Nozomi looked over at her, and for a fleeting moment, she could finally see what was hiding behind that mask. All of her anguish and her pain had been spilling from her eyes, but as soon as it had come, it left. Her fake smile came back and it was as if she had never felt that pain.
"Of course not. Why would you think so?"
"You've just been so distant lately. I was starting to wonder..." she replied. Nozomi looked away and kept walking, one foot in front of the other.
"You didn't do anything wrong," she repeated. Eli looked a little joyful, and she looked at Nozomi.
"Well I'm glad. Now can we go back to how we were before? I miss getting parfaits with you," she said, dejectedly.
"We can get parfaits, again," Nozomi said. Eli's face lighted up, and she jumped over and gave Nozomi a big hug. It took Nozomi all of her willpower not to kiss Eli, right then and there, so she pushed Eli away, softly. She gave Eli a rehearsed smile, and in Eli's dazzling nature, she received an even bigger smile.
"Here is the nurse's office. Will you be okay on your own?" Nozomi asked.
"I don't know," Eli replied. "Can you stay with me?"
Nozomi's heart clenched and had to restrain with much difficulty from jumping right out and complying. She took a breath, and painfully looked away. "I'll stay with you."
She opened the door for Eli, and gave her a hand inside the small room.
"Hey, Nozomi?" quietly asked Eli.
"Yes?"
"Can we get parfaits after school today?"
"Of course."
