Pairing: Nozomi X Kotori

Rating: K+

Chapter: The wheel of love.

In which Nozomi and Kotori are oblivious to each other's feelings and Kotori asks Nozomi to read her fortune and drama ensues.

Upright Lovers.

Nozomi felt her whole world crashing at the sight of the tarot card sitting on her desk. The word "The Lovers" stared back at her, almost tauntingly, as if mocking her.

The anxious look and the slight crease that framed Kotori's forehead as she furrowed her eyebrows worriedly caused a slight pinch in Nozomi's chest as she continued to stare at the card before her.

Kotori had asked her to tell her love fortune after club activities and without thinking, Nozomi had agreed, unable to say no upon seeing the younger girl's worried and pleading look. Yet, as she continued staring at the card that laid still before her, the purple haired girl couldn't help but regret her decision. It was no secret to Nozomi that the taupe haired girl had someone she liked. Not that the pig tailed girl knew who it was, but Nozomi had hoped that perhaps, the love fortune between Kotori and the girl she liked was bad, or at least not favourable. But alas, the card Kotori had drawn out spoke otherwise.

Upright Lovers.

A perfect match.

This was the first time Nozomi had wished that her fortunes were not accurate. Biting her lips, the older girl tried to don on a impassive mask as she glanced over at the younger girl she was secretly in love with. Just the thought of her objection of affections being a perfect match with someone else was almost unbearable for the older girl.

"Nozomi...chan...?" The younger girl's voice came out softly, a tinge of anxiety could be heard.

"Kotori-chan," Nozomi began, her chest twisting into knots. A sudden thought crossed her mind - she could lie. Nozomi aborted the thought immediately. There was no way she could lie to Kotori, not when the younger girl was the one she loved, not when the taupe haired girl was looking at her with those hopeful pools of amber.

"So...how is it?" Kotori wet her lips as she stared into the older girl's pools of turquoise after sparing the tarot card she'd picked out a look. She'd picked "The Lovers". It had to be a good sign right?

Nozomi swallowed the invisible lump in her throat. She just couldn't say it. Not when the object of her affections would be taken away from her. But the rational part of her was screaming at her, telling her that she shouldn't hurt the younger girl by telling her a lie. Yet another part of her was shrieking in her mind, screaming for her do anything to make Kotori's hers. The purple haired girl balled her fingers into a tight fist just as the next few words escaped out of her mouth involuntarily as a soft whisper.

"A bad match."

Kotori's eyes went wide as she let Nozomi's words sink in.

"A bad match."

Incompatible.

"The Lovers that you have drawn signified troubles ahead if you wish to pursue a relationship with your love interest."

The second year seamstress couldn't breathe as she felt tears brimming at the edge of her eyes.

A bad match with...Nozomi-chan?

It was as if time had stopped as the ground swallowed her up whole.

She knew that she was the one who had asked Nozomi for a reading of her love fortune, and she knew that there was a possibility of her getting a negative reading. In spite of the chances, the taupe haired girl had wanted to take the risk, hoping that Nozomi would be the bearer of good news. Yet at the sight of her senior's wretched and despondent look as her eyes glazed over the tarot card she'd picked, something in her gut twisted and she knew something was wrong.

Yet she hadn't expected her love fortune with Nozomi to be...bad. To be honest, she thought she had a pretty good chance with the purple haired girl. After all, being part of Muse had brought them closer to one another.

Truth to be told, she was attracted to the older girl before Nozomi had joined Muse. She didn't know when it started, all she knew was that whenever Nozomi had offered them help and advice, Kotori would feel a pull towards her purple haired senior, as if being pulled in by her mysterious charm and how the older girl seemed to know everything. Her kindness and ardent support behind the scenes didn't went unnoticed by anyone one of them either. It had gradually grew into admiration for the pig tailed girl and when Nozomi had finally joined Muse, Kotori was beyond happy. After the incident where she had ran away from the group after her idol mates had seen her in a maid outfit, Nozomi had been the one who caught her. That was when the taupe haired girl started to discover her feelings for her senior.

Kotori repressed a shiver as tears started to tremble down her smooth cheeks. She just couldn't vision her life without Nozomi. It just wasn't fair. The thought of being unable to be with the girl she loved caused her to drop onto the ground, trembling as a sob choked out of her throat.

"K-Kotori?!" Nozomi's voice was borderline on panic, immediately alarmed when the younger girl broke down. Guilt laced her heart, constricting her chest as an indescribable ache clenched in her. She immediately regretted her words that had hurt the younger girl and wished, fervently so, that she could take it back. The sight of her object of affections crying made her feel extremely guilty, almost as if she was the evil witch.

Kneeling down, the turquoise eyed girl touched the younger girl's arm gently while Kotori continued to cry silently, her tears falling onto the ground as she hastily tried to wipe it away with the back of her hand.

"I-I'm sorry, Kotori-chan. I-"

"N-No, I'm sorry, Nozomi-chan..." Kotori's voice was barely tangible as her voice quivered, "I-I knew when I asked you that there was a chance that my love fortune with the person I like to be incompatible but for some reason...I just can't stop the tears..."

"K-Kotori-chan-"

"But Nozomi-chan's love fortune is always spot on right?" The taupe haired girl finally looked up, her watery eyes staring into the vast turquoise before her.

"I-" Nozomi tried to say, badly wanting to take her words back. It wasn't worth it, she thought, if the outcome was like that. She shouldn't have lied, shouldn't have said something that would make the person she liked break down like that, especially when she had not spoken the truth all because of her own selfishness. She shouldn't have-

"But...I'm sorry, Nozomi-chan..." Kotori looked so wretched, tears staining her cheeks as her hands continued to shake, "I...Despite the low chance of the relationship working out...I still...want to pursue it."

At the determined shine that glinted in the amber that was still filled with tears, Nozomi couldn't help but admire the younger girl as her heart continued to ache.

Kotori-chan's really strong...Unlike me. Nozomi thought bitterly as she gaze at the girl before her. Even when told that her love fortune would be bad if she tried to pursue a relationship with the girl she liked, the taupe haired seamstress was unfazed, marching on determinedly to fulfill her desires. The usual indecisiveness that Kotori was often associated with was gone, replaced by something more fiery and firm. Nozomi was awed, yet she couldn't help the tinge of sadness in her. Kotori would definitely have a happy ending with the one she liked, Nozomi thought. That's what the cards had said. The taupe haired girl had certainly grown too. Nozomi couldn't help a small smile inwardly when she saw how determined the younger girl had looked. Ever since the incident where the younger girl had almost left Japan, the younger girl had become stronger emotionally. Although she still tended to stick to Honoka and Umi, Nozomi had realised that the younger girl had become more independent, and despite being passive most of the time, she was one of the most observant person in Muse and understood more than she let on.

"I...I see..." Nozomi finally let out a small smile as she patted the younger girl's head, caressing her soft taupe hair. "You...You're very strong you know that, Kotori-chan..." the purple haired girl sighed quietly, "A beautiful heart with a pure soul..." She murmured, looking at her object of affections with a fond look.

Kotori's cheeks burned at the compliment as her heart started to skip a beat. She had never pegged Nozomi, the girl who liked to tease them a lot to be such a flatterer. The soft look that the purple haired girl had caused a wild throb in her chest and she swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. Yet there was a dull ache in her heart. The girl who she liked was now comforting her. Yet despite the odds, she still couldn't, and wouldn't give up on her love. No matter what hardships may deter her from happiness, she would overcome it.

Nozomi opened her mouth, wanting to apologise to Kotori for lying to her yet before she could get a word out, the taupe haired girl had interrupted her.

"N-Nozomi-chan..." Kotori began in stutters, the slight blush that burned her cheeks brightening.

Kotori-chan's blushing...?

"Nozomi-chan!" Kotori said blurted out, "I-I love you!"

Instantly, Nozomi's mind went blank as she tried to register the younger girl's words.

Did she hear it right?

Kotori was actually in love with-

Nozomi continued to stare dazedly at the girl in front of her who was still flushed, her face red as she looked at Nozomi with the same hopeful and upturned eyes. The younger girl's tears glistened at the edge of her amber eyes, her expression determined yet filled with a certain degree of fear. Fear of rejection.

The older girl could feel redness creeping up her cheeks as her heart began to race. She couldn't believe it. How could she not notice-

Her eyes widened as realisation sunk in. The constant glances that Kotori had shot her when she thought she wasn't looking, the way Kotori had often blushed when she as near her and the way the taupe haired girl had-

It all suddenly clicked in.

"I..." Nozomi felt that she was the worst. She had lied to Kotori, not wanting to see her with another person, yet the person the younger girl liked was her all along. "I'm...the worst." Nozomi whispered.

"N-Nozomi-chan?"

"I lied to you, Kotori-chan." The purple haired girl returned the teary gaze before her with one of guilt and sorrow. "I'm sorry. I lied that you'll have a terrible love fortune." The pig tailed girl elaborated as her heart sank. "I'm sorry."

Kotori gaped at the older girl, as the revelation that she might have a good chance with Nozomi after all caused her heart to make a quick dash. Nozomi-chan and I...aren't a bad match. Was all she could think of as a silly and goofy grin crossed her features.

Nozomi looked worried and a little stressed as she continued, not noticing the change in the younger girl's demeanor. "I lied to you because I didn't want to see you with someone else and I was jealous over your 'love interest'," She admitted softly, head hung low.

That had snapped Kotori out of her thoughts as her eyes widened considerably. Was Nozomi actually saying that she-

"I...love you too, Kotori-chan," Nozomi confessed.

"Nozomi-chan..." Kotori's eyes softened, her voice gentle as she cupped the older girl's face and held it up. "It's fine. It's fine, Nozomi-chan."

"But I lied to you and-" Nozomi didn't understand how the younger girl could be so forgiving. She had lied to her!

"It's fine," The taupe haired girl repeated with a soft smile that adorned her beautiful and adorable face, "You did that because you love me, don't you? I forgive you. It has also given me a push, a strength that I've never have had to confess to you."

"But-"

"Yes, I don't like being lied to but since the outcome wasn't that bad - we managed to confess to each other - it's fine. You can make it up to me some other way too~"

Nozomi finally nodded, "I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Good," Kotori smiled angelically and for the second time, Nozomi blushed at the sight, turning away as she muttered, "Thank you."

How cute, Kotori chuckled to herself. Even Nozomi-chan can get embarrassed. The taupe haired seamstress thought to herself as she placed a soft and chaste kiss against the older girl's flaming cheeks that deepened upon feeling a soft pair of lips brushing past her skin.

A full second had passed before Nozomi finally turned around to face the taupe haired girl, her usual mischievous and playful small intact as she pressed her lips against Kotori's, causing the younger girl's eyes to widen and stiffen before she relaxed, completely under the older girl's spell as she closed her eyes, kissing back with twice the passion.

A/N:

Review Replies:

Dash24zappshift: In that case, request one! I'm thinking of doing a NicoMaki Vamp AU but...this site is already flooded with many NicoMaki stories so I'm kinda conflicted if I should add to more of the overwhelming population of NicoMaki. In anycase, if you request it, it is highly unlikely I'll reject it... (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.)

Guest: This is getting depressing by the minute...Umi gets killed in the prompts and now Rin's in coma? T_T

Enya Talisman: Thanks~ Yes cock blocker or cock block XD (lol) In anycase, I sincerely apologise for the late update, T_T and thanks for bearing with me. (No pun intended, 'coz you know I'm signbear)

kryuu27: Thanks~! And nope, I won't abandon it XD If I'm not writing or continuing this fic anymore, I'll state it in the fic itself so don't worry! And I'm sorry for the equally late update...this week T_T

Jaez: Thanks~ Hehe. Honoka's fine, don't worry! She won't die/collapse that easily- oops. (She did collapse in the anime.) Honoka's a strong girl, don't worry!

asb227: Thank you!

Nexus Infinity: Not in this fic but as a separate request yes. Do drop a pm or review for your request and I'll write your OT3/4/etc as a separate story/fic for you! :)

antonio18: Hehehe, thank you!

GAT-X105VividPanzer: Thanks! Sorry to burst your bubble (and i don't think i should be revealing this but I am anyway), but I chose the gunpla randomly. I just saw it and thought it was really cute and I just thought "Yes, I'm going to use that!". I was going to include the problems encountered when building a gunpla but I doubt non-Gundam fans would like it :/ (Sorry!)

Kumiko-chii: That was actually the idea I was gunning for (Maki's excited look when she sees Santa).

Msmusicful: Thanks! I didn't expect to see many Gunpla/Gundam fans here...

cj novilunio: Thank you! Unfortunately, HonoEli already has a prompt by the requester but I'll consider using it for the HonoTsuba chapter! Thanks~ (Sorry, I had to remove the dot from your pen name since ff doesn't allow me to use the dot/the period for some strange reason.)

lovemaki: Sorry T_T (for the late update)

ihavenoidea: It's fine if you aren't a fan of Gundam or don't watch it! (I don't either!) :3 Hahaha, Alisa'll probably be infatuated with Umi~

Major Mike Powell III: That's...one hell of a review. Hahaha, in anycase, don't worry about not reviewing! You don't have to feel obliged to reviewing every chapter if you feel like it. I really appreciate the reviews I get, especially from frequent reviewers like you, knowing that at least someone enjoys what I write. :) I know it can be tedious to keep reviewing so I'm really grateful for all the reviews and suggestions that you dropped so far! :)

homuhomu04: ...that's a request right? Right?! One day, I'm going to suffer for not being able to reject requests - be it direct or indirect - properly. Sigh. So. Any ideas for how their date should go?

A/N:

(1) This is a prompt by Enya Talisman, therefore the plot belongs to her!

(2) Once again, a huge THANK YOU to those who favourited, followed or/and reviewed this fic! (Any yay, the reviews reached 300! I almost couldn't believe my eyes...)

(3) I apologise for the late update. Again. I've been busy with various application procedures and events to attend to, and I'm still working. I'll be even busier for the next couple of days since I need to prepare for an interview as well so please forgive me for the late updates.

(4) The Lovers can actually mean lots of things. Not just love. #justsaying.

(5) Yes, I know. It's a little dramatic... Hope y'all don't mind? :3

(6) Next: Umi X Arisa/Alisa! (with an overprotective Eli)