DISCLAIMER: 'SUNRISE OWNS LOVE LIVE' *Grins
"Listen, I love you. I know sometimes I'm a little bit of a disappointment. I rarely know what I want or think before I act. Still, I want you to know that in a lifetime of rushed decisions, wrong turns and spectacular messes, you're the first thing that's felt right" – Word Porn
CHAPTER VII
"Consequences and Sighs pt.1"
"Tsubasa. No. Stop."
"Hmmm? Why should I?"
"Because we are at school"
"Who cares?"
"I do! What if the others come? We are at the clubroom after all. "
"Honoka, just let me. It's been a long time since we've done this."
"I know, but this isn't the right-"
A single kiss was enough to make the prey silent.
Nozomi could see everything through the small window of their clubroom, how gentle Tsubasa's reply to Honoka was, how Tsubasa caressed her chosen, how the mediator gave her chosen butterfly kisses as her hand roamed all over Honoka's body. The purple haired chosen could see Tsubasa's affection towards Honoka and she can't help but feel happy for them and at the same time be jealous that she could not be honest with herself.
It was Eri who first saw the pair almost making out and Nozomi got curious as to what her contractor just saw that made her stop from her tracks. She then tried to set her line of sight to where Eri was looking.
Being with Eri didn't help the current situation; both of them were trapped within the situation with awkwardness between them. After all, she was with 'Eri', the contractor who's in love with her.
She doesn't deny that she's also in love with the said girl, but there were things that filled her mind that made her doubt her own feelings.
Why now Tsubasa? Out of all your free time?
Nozomi clenched her fist and her jaw. She couldn't believe that she and Eri had to see this scene.
Tsubasa deepened the kiss and this made Nozomi turn her face where she won't see what will happen next, but the direction where she turned her head made her flabbergasted.
Her clenched fist and jaw loosened as she saw the blonde. Eri was watching them with a longing expression on her face. She had neither seen nor expected to see Eri like this.
It made Nozomi's heart break knowing that she'll never be able to genuinely reciprocate Eri's love.
How long will Eri try to endure everything? Since when did her contractor try to look 'Fine' in front of her?
How long will Eri wait for her?
She'll never know since she's a coward.
"Eri-chan? Nozomi-chan?"
A familiar voice broke her thoughts. Nozomi tried to regain composure and wore her usual mask.
"Good morning."
"Good morning Nya!"
"Good morning."
Then other familiar voices followed. The Purple-haired girl turned and was about to greet them but a pair surprised her.
"Good morning, Rin-chan, Hanayo-chan and…" Nozomi purposely prolonged her sentence, giving the other pair a meaningful smile
"What?" The crimson haired girl replied calmly that Nozomi was taken aback by it. The purple-haired girl was expecting a deathly stare from teasing Maki but she was unusually relaxed for Nozomi.
Who wouldn't be shocked by the scene unfolding in front of her, the tsundere Maki came into view, holding her chosen's hand and when they stopped in front of her, she casually hugged Nico from behind as if it was a normal thing to do.
As for the Raven-haired girl, she turned her head and tried to avoid the stares from the people around them-
-While blushing.
Nico herself knows about the sudden change between them but was too shy to face them.
A small smile formed on Nozomi's lips, completely forgetting the previous awkwardness between her and the blonde contractor.
"Ericchi look-"Nozomi happily turned to face Eri and she was just about to say how cute the pair looks right now but Eri was already gazing intently at her, and she's still giving that longing expression.
Nozomi wasn't able to finish what she was about to say and a strained silence fell between them.
Nico noticed the stiff atmosphere between the two and decided to confront them.
"You guys okay?" Nico asked and leaned a little towards Maki taking the advantage that everyone's attention was on the other pair.
"I am fine." It was Eri, who replied first. She sighed before continuing, "I guess my body hasn't recovered yet from the hellion incident." then gave her usual smile to her chosen "Sorry for making you worry Nozomi."
"Is that all? You made us worried for a second there, especially your Nozomi." Nico snickered; she wanted to tease the two as payback for Nozomi's teasing moments ago.
But Eri didn't give her usual response by blushing furiously while giving a shy smile.
Eri's posture stiffened and replied with her head hanging low.
"I am very sorry."
Everyone was taken aback, they didn't expect to see the contractor in a state like this.
Nico carefully watches the purple-haired girl chosen and it seems that she's also surprised by the behavior of her contractor.
"Eri doesn't seem to be apologizing for what just happened, Nico-chan."
The raven-haired girl in Maki's arm jerked when she was called. Nico still can't get used to hearing her first name from Maki. It gives her an unexplainable feeling.
"What do you mean?"
"I've watched many humans before and I don't know if it's okay to compare Eri to a human but…" Maki paused and subconsciously tightened her hug. Maki was afraid that what she was about to say is right but hopes that it's not.
"Maki?" Nico faces her contractor getting worried by her sudden pause.
"Those words of apology are for her wrong doings in the past."
"What happened to Eri back then?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't know. Eri was a perfect example for all of us when we were still in our world. All I know is that she fell in love with a human and that was why she became evicted…"
Nico was processing all the information that she just acquired about her friend
"And that human was Nozomi."
"Definitely."
Maki and Nico's small conversation halted when they heard Rin's voice.
"By the way, Eri-chan and Nozomi-chan"
Everyone looks toward the orange haired girl. She looks energetic as always.
"Why aren't you entering the Clubroom?" Rin questioned cutely and Hanayo couldn't resist patting Rin's head which made the orange haired girl give a gleeful smile to her chosen.
"About that..." Nozomi was the one who replied, but she trailed off as she tried to peek at what was now happening inside the clubroom to check whether if it's okay for them to enter now or not.
But then she blushed and quickly averted her gaze when she saw that Tsubasa was already dominating the half-naked Honoka on the table.
"You see, Honoka and Tsubasa are… Uhmmm.." Nozomi was at a loss for words, she didn't know how to explain what was happening inside "They're doing something important right now."
This earned a suppressed laugh from Eri. The blonde could not contain herself because the expression of her chosen as she tried to explain the current situation was priceless.
Nozomi playfully glared at her contractor and Eri tried even harder not to laugh "S-sorry Nozomi."
"Mou Ericchi!" Nozomi pouted but after a minute she gave a warm smile towards the blonde who was having a hard time not laughing.
I am glad you're back to normal now.
"Whoa, they're at it again." Yuuki Anju gives a disgusted sound of disbelief as she peeks into the clubroom's window.
"Whoa. Since when were you here?" Rin imitated Anju's intonation of 'Whoa' while asking.. Anju's eyebrows twitched and glared at the orange haired girl.
"Rin-chan~" Hanayo gave Rin a reminder and Rin almost curled up like a kitten when she heard Hanayo call her name in an unusually sweet way.
"Just a minute ago, all of you didn't notice us because the 'Contractor' and the 'chosen' were busy flirting with each other" Anju gave Maki a look and smirked but she was also surprised that Maki didn't even retort but only raised her eyebrow indicating that she didn't get her teasing. This irritated the hellion and clicked her tongue. How dumb can a contractor be when it comes to their chosen?
"I'm glad for you Nishikino." Erena smiled towards Maki before Anju opened the door of their clubroom forcefully.
"GOOD MORNING!" The wicked Hellion barged in naturally with a smirk on her face.
Everyone except Eri, Nozomi and Erena followed Anju. The rest was petrified by what they saw.
Their friend 'Honoka Kousaka' was clinging onto the Mediator 'Kira Tsubasa' as if her life depended on it. Their half-naked friend was being attacked by the beast by planting kisses and hickeys on Honoka's bare stomach up to her irresistible neck. The mediator's free hand was on its way towards her girlfriend's l lower half when Anju opened the door.
The three couldn't help but to mentally face palm when they saw their friend's reaction.
Honoka jolted when the door was forcefully opened and heard Anju unlike her contractor who calmly faced the perpetrator.
"Hey Anju. Morning." The mediator quickly replied nonchalantly and gets back immediately to her current job, she playfully slides her hand into Honoka's lowers, but the girl under her gave a cry of embarrassment when she saw that everyone was watching them.
"Lascivious as always Tsubasa?" Anju commented and when she saw Honoka she continued "Are you sure that you want to show us how erotic your girlfriend is right now? These contractors might not steal your chosen, but Erena and I could, seeing as to how Honoka can give such a lovely expression during that sort of activity."
"Don't include me in your stupidity." Erena retorted with her neutral expression.
Tsubasa finally stopped for good, shifted her attention towards Anju and gave the hellion a serious deathly glare "Why don't you try now?" Her voice was venomous and Anju shivered from fear, regretting that she tried to tease her friend "But I bet you wouldn't because you still treasure your life. Am I right, Yuuki Anju?"
"When are you going to learn Anju?" Erena asked her fellow hellion.
The Hellion gave a nervous laugh "Of course I would not. I was just reminding you that we are not in our Mansion and everyone is here. I just care about what Honoka might feel."
"Huh?! So you care about her!"
"A-as a friend! Nothing more! Nothing less! I Swear!" Anju took a step back and hid behind Erena. "Tsubasa always loses her mind when it's about her chosen." the hellion whispered.
"I already told you from the start to stop this!" Honoka pushes her Contractor away and slaps her cheek, earning a surprised expression from Tsubasa but Honoka didn't mind and continues "Kira-san."
The chosen was trying to cling onto her remaining clothes so her body won't be exposed too much. She was glaring at her contractor indicating that she's had enough. But her expression softens instantly when she sees the mediator on the verge of tears while standing a few feet away from her.
"K-Kira-san..." Tsubasa trailed off as she repeated how Honoka called her. It was not her usual endearment for Tsubasa and the mediator hangs her head lowly with a crestfallen face.
Anju sighed. She was getting tired of seeing these two being always affectionate with each other. It made her want to puke.
After buttoning her clothes and recollecting herself she smiles lovingly at her contractor.
"Come on Tsubasa I didn't mean it." Honoka stood up and spread her arms widely, inviting the girl into a hug. "I love you and I always will, you know?"
"I love you too, Honoka" Tsubasa murmured, looking like a child getting a lecture from her mother.
"Then come here or are you going to reject my hug?"
Tsubasa nodded and slowly made her way into her girlfriend's chest and was welcomed with a warm hug. They stayed like that for a minute while Honoka comforted Tsubasa by caressing her hair
"Sorry for the commotion." Honoka finally invited the people watching from the door with an embarrassed smile "You can come in now."
"So, how are you guys?"
The mediator asked while sitting elegantly on the end of the clubroom's table, Honoka her chosen was of course by her side.
Tsubasa regained her composure and she was again keeping her head high with her wide forehead, it was the mediator's asset. Her strong and indomitable character can be felt by everyone around her and it's the reason why everyone admired and respected her.
The other contractors and chosen ones can't believe that the girl who was whining on their friend's chest earlier was their 'Mediator'. They've just learned about a characteristic of Tsubasa that only Honoka can bring out.
"Tsubasa, we'd like to stay but we can't." The stoic faced hellion said "Why did you call us? I am sorry for hurrying but Anju and I still have a large amount of student council paperwork to finish since you left UTX."
"I apologize for that. I can't manage my time since being Mediator is more important than being president of the student council." Tsubasa professionally said.
"No need to apologize. It might not look like it for Erena because of her neutral face, but she's trying to reassure Tsubasa as a friend. The mediator and Anju who have been with her ever since were already familiar with how their friend expresses what she feels.
"Thank you Erena and Anju." She continues as she brings out a letter from her pocket " This is my report on what happened during the Hellion incident." She held it out and Anju walked towards Tsubasa to accept it "Bring it to Satan, I have already explained why I can't meet with him." She intertwined her hands with her chosen "I am sure he'll understand that I need a break."
"Sure." Anju replied, trying to be professional in front of the mediator and trying to ignore Tsubasa's show of affection towards Honoka.
The two hellions were about to leave the clubroom but stopped when another pair entered. It was the midnight haired contractor and her chirpy-voiced chosen.
"Good morning." Greeted the two and then Umi let out a surprised voice.
The two greeted them and then Umi suddenly gasped in surprise.
"W-what is that?!" She shrieks and then points her trembling finger at Honoka's neck, everyone's eyes turned to where Umi was pointing at, "I-is that a.a.a..."
"Yes, it's a 'Fresh' Hickey Sonoda-san." Tsubasa immediately finishes what Umi was trying to say and smiles triumphantly as if she's boasting her work. "How does my work look like? Does it suit your taste?"
"Tsubasa! You didn't tell me!" Honoka embarrassingly lifts up her blazer's collar to hide the red marks on her neck and stand up to get a muffler to cover them
"Sorry Honoka you're just too sexy with those hickeys." She then laughs at her chosen.
"How shameful!" Umi shouted, her face flushed at imagining what the two just did for Honoka to get those red marks.
"Ehh.." Tsubasa faked "It's only normal when showing how deep your love is" she grinned at the expression that Umi was making. Then she saw something on Umi's neck and realized something. She could use this to further tease the blushing girl.
Not even the smallest detail can escape Tsubasa's keen observation.
"By the way, how could an innocent contractor like you even know what a hickey looks like?" Tsubasa snickered "Don't tell me…" Tsubasa placed her elbows on the table then places her lips on her intertwined hands but before she could continue what she was about to say something in her peripheral vision caught her attention.
Nozomi was unusually quiet this morning. Tsubasa and Nozomi have known each other since she became Eri's chosen. She was always one to join the teasing when it comes to this kind of topic but the purple haired girl right now remained silent as she gave her usual mask of smiles.
Nozomi's Contractor was physically present inside the clubroom but her mind was flying elsewhere . Tsubasa could see that Eri was boring her gaze on the table in front of her.
The Mediator decided to keep this in her mind.
"NO!" Umi rejects the idea vigorously "We haven't reached that level yet!"
"Really?" Tsubasa replied playfully,—her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Y-yes." Umi stammered in a small voice as she turned her head to avoid Tsubasa's intense gaze. Kotori could only give her a strained smile.
'You are a terrible liar Umi-chan.'
Tsubasa only hums at this.
"I trust my co-contractor." The mediator leaned back and crossed her arms, her smile stayed wicked and her eyes did not leave the midnight haired contractor who was in denial "Forgive me. It seems that I mistook that red mark on your neck as a hickey."
After Tsubasa dropped the statement, everyone show curiousity on their faces and tried to find what Tsubasa was indicating. Umi, on the other hand quickly raised her collar just like Honoka did earlier and produced a full blown blush. She frowned and shot a glance at her chosen that was averting her gaze.
"Kotori! I told you not to leave marks!" Umi yells and Kotori produces a small blush on her cheeks. "Umi-chan, you're digging your own grave." Umi's blush further deepened at the sudden realization.
"Disgusting." Anju commented as she has had enough of being with the contractors in the same room "Who would've thought the mighty Sonoda as the ubmissive one?"
Erena hastily pinched Anju and pulled her fellow hellion's ear while she dragged the girl out of the room.
"For the second time, How are you guys?"
Tsubasa already got herself entertained and decided to get down to business. The two hellions already left and Umi who sat down, was pinning her face to the desk. Her red mark was tended by her chosen using a band aid but she's still embarrassed by what happened.
Everyone in the clubroom could only make an apologetic smile to their midnight blue haired friend.
"Especially you two, " Tsubasa looks at the noteworthy pair in the room. The red haired contractor was sitting beside her raven haired girl too closely unlike the other pairs. "Yazawa and Nishikino" Tsubasa tried not to squint her eyes at the scene in front of her as Nico blushed slightly knowing where this topic will advance.
"I am feeling fine" Maki calmly said "My body feels much better than before"
"Me too." Nico soon replied "Nothing odd is happening, " she sighed "It's just that…" Then she cast her gaze towards the girl beside her and Maki raised her eyebrow at her.
"Is something wrong?" Tsubasa inquired.
"This girl…" the chosen groans "She's still taking her medications and the side effect is becoming an issue."
"I see."
"She's being unusually honest!"
'Since when did she become honest?' Everyone except Nico asked internally.
"Hey, I'm still here. Don't talk as if I'm not present!" Maki retorted.
"Now I understand why there is something off about Nishikino right now." Tsubasa observes the red haired contractor.
"What?" Maki replies out of bravado. She was the center of attention and it was making her overly conscious.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about that. Just enjoy the current situation Yazawa." She sighed "It's a rare occurrence that your contractor is letting out what she truly feels."
Nico let out a sound of frustration.
"You can use this opportunity as payback for all the times the tsundere Nishikino was mean to you."
Tsubasa laughs at the Idea "I'd love to see Nishikino in an embarrassing state."
This made Maki furrow her brows further while Nico grins at the Idea.
"What was this all about?!" Maki glowered at Tsubasa.
Tsubasa chuckles and then proceeds "So, when will the two of you form your bond again?" The two twitched at the thought "I can't always cast my ability on Yazawa. She might get dependent on it and if that happened Yazawa might reject the bond that you want to form, Nishikino."
Maki suddenly gave a thoughtful expression as she became silent. Everyone was amused by the sudden change of Maki's expression. She had a slight blush and tried to avoid Tsubasa's gaze.
"C-could you give me a week or two?" Maki asked cutely.
Tsubasa watches the girl quietly, thinking as to why Maki wanted to lengthen the time before forming their bond again.
'Not yet mentally prepared? Or Is Maki scheming something else?' Tsubasa internally smiles. She's getting excited to know the reason why.
"Sure." The mediator stands up and makes her way towards Nico "I have the whole month as my break." then she wraps her hands around Nico's shoulder "Don't get jealous Nishikino. I'm just going to resupply the magic that I cast on your chosen." Tsubasa closed her eyes and kissed the top of Nico's head.
A massive amount of gray light that looks like a firefly can be seen coming out from Tsubasa's body transferring into Nico's body. Everyone was in awe, enjoying the beautiful view that the light gives.
"That should be enough for 2 weeks." Tsubasa finally pats Nico on the head. She took a step back and puts her hands on her waist while admiring her work.
Nico puts her hand on her chest, welcoming the warm sensation that just entered her.
"If the two of you don't reform your bond after two weeks, my spell will disappear and Yazawa might get attacked by the wanderers." Tsubasa informs the two "and I won't use my ability again for your Nico-chan, Nishikino."
"I understand. That would suffice, thank you Tsubasa."
"How about you two?" Tsubasa shifted into a serious expression and shot the other pair a glance.
It was at Nozomi who was being quiet the whole time and the blonde contractor that was mentally absent.
Realizing that Tsubasa was talking about them, Nozomi put on her usual façade.
"We are fine."
"I'll believe your words if I also hear the same from your other half" Tsubasa glances at the blonde. Eri was confused at first but reply afterwards
"Well…" Eri trailed off, she was hesitating whether she'll reply honestly to Tsubasa or not "In my opinion...' The blonde's reply got weaker "We're not."
"Eh?" Nozomi gasps in surprise , and then looks at her contractor for an explanation. Eri didn't say anything
"As a contractor, my powers are getting weaker." Eri finally said what's bothering her and she continues explaining without meeting anyone's gaze looking only at the table "I might not be able to use my ability anymore after a few more days." She hung her head low.
Silence fell and everyone did not want to give a half-hearted reply to a serious conversation like this.
"I'll become such a big burden on everyone if something like the hellion incident happens again." "Well,that also can't be helped." Tsubasa returned to her seat. "But no matter what happens, we are all contractors and friends here." She eyed everyone who cheered up by a little bit because of what she said. "We watch each other's backs and stand beside our co-contractors and that alone is enough to keep everyone safe." Tsubasa gave a reassuring smile "Remember, I am also here."
"I know." Eri cheerlessly replied.
This made Tsubasa arch an eyebrow 'Is there something else she's not saying to us?'
"One more thing," Tsubasa raised a finger and pointed upwards "The Deity is watching over us, and that reason alone can reassure me."
"Tsubasa is right." Umi chimed in "You did what you can to the best of your ability back then and even now to protect everyone. We'll never think of you as a burden."
"And I'll never let an incident like that happen again as long as I'm the mediator."
"T-thank you everyone." Eri was on the verge of tears and after she heard the assurances of her friends, her bottled feelings came out. She places her hands on her head afraid that the people in the clubroom might see how weak she has become and bends forward.
Tears flowed down her cheeks and her restrained sobs were all that they could hear..
Everyone smiled warmly at the sight of their tough co-contractor. She was strong outside but weak inside.
"Please don't loathe me." Eri managed to give her last request during her sobbing.
Maki and Nico looked at each other, it somehow reminded them of the feeling that they felt when Eri apologized earlier.
"I am very sorry."
"Ericchi what are you saying?" Nozomi, her chosen thought that this was the best thing she could do for her contractor. "You've never done anything that will make us hate you."she continued. Nozomi was caressing her back.
Umi gave a stolid expression upon hearing that and Tsubasa didn't fail to notice it.
'There is something I dont know.'
Minutes passed by and Eri's crying got weaker. Nozomi was on her side still caressing her back and comforting her through silence while the others were immersed with random topics. The cheerful and energetic conversation filled the whole room as if nothing happened earlier.
As if the hellion incident didn't happen.
"By the way," Umi decided to get everyone's attention " The birthday of Kotori's mom is getting near and we had a little conversation about it earlier."
"Principal Minami?" Honoka asked.
"Yes." the midnight haired girl continued, "She said that she wanted every club to perform something for her on a stage, she doesn't mind even if it's not that grand and she'll be happy with a simple performance for her."
"We'll announce it later." The ashen gray chosen added "And also…." Kotori's voice became hesitant "Mom has a special request for our club" She was giving an apologetic smile.
"Principal Minami would like to see a gentleman from our club dressed in a suit and tie" Umi spoke without wavering on what she wanted to say "While playing a piece on the piano."
Umi directed her words towards Maki.
Everyone followed Umi's line of sight, while the said girl's shoulder tensed at the attention she's having.
"W-what? I am a woman for Pete's sake!" Maki immediately rejected the idea "And since when did I become a gentleman? Everyone knows that I'm not one."
"Maki, words please." Umi corrected her and Maki apologized. Umi sighed, but continued "Sorry, let me rephrase that, Principal Minami wants to see a gentlewoman-"
"No." Maki flatly rejected and then started to play with the ends of her hair "You can have Eri to dress as a guy, she's more handsome than-"
"I don't know how to play the Piano Maki" Eri didn't let the other girl finish and instantly rejected her idea.
Maki grimaced at this.
"I don't want to play in front of many humans!" the red haired girl slammed her hand on the table.
"Maki didn't you always play in front of us back then?"
"That was different!"
"Maki, you know how to play the Piano?" Nico inquired, this was the first time she heard about this. No, Cocoro already mentioned it once, but never saw it. She's still uncertain with what's happening in front of her. If everyone is trying to convince Maki to play, then everyone knows and trusts her contractor's skill.
Maki jerked when she heard Nico "No, I don't." She replied and then averted her eyes; she knows herself that she can't lie if she sees the expression Nico is making right now.
Everyone raised their eyebrows "What are you saying Maki-chan?" It was Rin who questioned her.
"Just a little." The contractor tried to peek at her chosen. Nico was keeping her face neutral and hummed.
Nico saw Umi and Kotori on her peripheral and almost smiled as they were pleading with Nico to convince her contractor.
But Nico's memory is still fresh as if it just happened never thought that the mysterious pianist that she adored was coming after her life, she felt betrayed that day and didn't know that she was the only one thinking that this mysterious pianist cherished her.
"I'd like to hear you play the piano Maki." Nico said in a strained voice. She needed to be strong like her contractor. She doesn't want anyone to get worried because of her anymore. She can't be selfish right now
Even if she did not want to hear a single sound from a piano anymore.
"You're unfair Nico-chan." Maki gave a sour expression "You know that I can't say 'No' if you asked me."
Nico gave an apologetic smile.
"Fine." She finally let out a sigh, "But I have one condition, Nico-chan can't enter the music room as long as I am practicing for my performance."
"If that's what will make you agree-"
"Why?" Nico asked, sounding uninterested.
"I'll let you hear how I play on the day of my performance." then said the following words casually "I only agreed because of you."
Maki gave a warm smile towards her chosen and patted her on the head.
"I am going to play just for you."
Upon hearing this, Nico's face erupted into a full blown blush
Everyone was flabbergasted at the straightforwardness of the contractor, the side effect of Maki's medication was indeed giving the chosen a hard time.
It was the first time after a few months since she's been on her own.
There's no red haired contractor tailing her and making everything awkward for her.
She's supposed to be happy because of this short-lived freedom, yet something was bothering her.
"So boring." Nico said to no one.
It was their lunch and the chosen was sitting on a bench outside, in front of her is the second floor, she was too preoccupied watching her contractor's back that was facing her from the music room.
"I can't hear anything again," she subconsciously let out a sigh, 'What do I expect, she always closes the windows.'
Her feelings contradicted her thoughts, after the day on the clubroom she realized that she didn't want to even hear a single sound from a piano key anymore, but why was she here? Was she hoping that she could hear Maki playing the piano?
She holds the warm drink in the can that she bought earlier and enjoys its warmth. It was chilling outside, but she let herself be dragged outside by her own feet. She has done this consecutively for the past few days, not minding the cold wind that embraced her.
"Just like the times when I was waiting eagerly to hear you play, 'My Pianist.'" Nico murmured not leaving her gaze on her contractor's back. It pained her as she remembered Kuroki. She can't help but feel sad.
Nico noticed that Maki stopped playing and decided to give her upper body a stretch. After that, she took the familiar tumbler to drink its contents.
The raven haired girl chosen produced a tint of blush when she saw Maki beaming with joy after she took a sip of the tomato juice that she made for her.
"Seriously, I thought we could have lunch together this time." Nico pouted "You've been practicing every morning, lunch and after school."
Nico tried to kick the stone on the ground.
"I am getting lone-"she almost slipped out what she truly felt and stopped speaking midway "What am I talking about?"
Finally, Nico opened her can and took a sip "Bitter." Nico expressed her distaste.
She put the can down on her side and gave a big sigh.
"They said that you're good enough, then why do you need to practice?"
She doesn't know the reason, but she's unsatisfied with everything since Maki agreed to perform for the Principal's birthday.
"You said you love me." Nico shot a sharp glare behind Maki hoping that the red haired girl will turn to face her.
But she didn't.
Frustrations continue to fill her up.
Recently, she was expecting and reading too much on what Maki might do. Is she going to do this? Is she going to do that?
She's getting mentally tired.
"Come on, look here even for just a second." Nico further furrowed her eyebrows.
Afterwards, Nico watches intently as the red haired girl suddenly stops playing, as if she felt her chosen's glare behind her back and was about to turn around. Nico's stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies and her heart beat rapidly.
'W-what should I do?' Nico internally panicked.
She can't take her eyes off her contractor, half expecting to meet the violet orbs, but also wanting to run away because of the mixed emotions that disturbed her chest.
She can't control the erratic behavior of her chest lately. Just like what's happening right now and every time she meets Maki's eyes.
'S-shit!'
Nico cursed, the world was starting to fade out and all she could see was nothing but the figure of her contractor.
She mentally prepared herself to meet her gaze.
But Maki suddenly looks at somewhere else. Nico saw Eri walk in and stop beside Maki, they look like they're talking about something.
The raven haired girl gives a long sigh of relief and rests one of her hands on her chest.
'What was that all about?'
Her sight was still fixated on her contractor who was in a deep conversation with Eri. Nico tried to make and wait for her heart to calm down. She felt as though she was in a roller coaster ride and just had enough cardio exercise. She mumbles for the last time:
"Seriously, what is this all about?"
OHARAMARI! (Good morning? If I am right) or Good Evening?
Guys! It's me! Watashixx! I miss this community.
I got my work proofread by someone and I am very thankful to this person! A Bro-fist for you 'ARK-san'! I hope you'll be able to tolerate all of my upcoming mistakes Haha
I would like to say that those reviews being dropped on my story lifted up my spirit. I'm really grateful for those who spend a minute just to post a review. Nothing could make an author happy when they saw that readers enjoy what they read. Those people who followed and fav'ed this story I'm also really thankful for All of them.
I know that I'm writing and updating this story slow but rest assured that I am going to finish this AU. (Cause my mind won't bear the unwritten headcanons on my head)
Just to make everything clear last chapter 5, Eri's ability can manipulate someone's mind, she can control a person if she wanted to. But because Eris ability is weakening, it restricts her to control only a certain area of a brain, for example an area responsible for movement or emotions etc.
So that's it, I hope you guys saw the hints what will happen next chapter
Be prepared for some NozoEri Angst
Ciao!
"Nozomi, Don't do this I beg you!"
'Who is it?'
"Ericchi, remove the spell now."
'Ericchi?'
"I can't. I love you Nozomi and I don't know what will happen to me if-"
"I love you too Ericchi" She saw a purple haired girl with a sad smile.
'What is this?'
Nozomi was standing at the middle not far from the scene. Everything was cloudy, she could only hear the conversation between the two people. And when her surroundings started clearing up, Nozomi was astonished with what's happening in front of her.
She can see herself and her contractor in front of her.
She can see herself giving a grave expression as she looks intensely at Eri. She's slowly processing what she's seeing, this is absolutely a dream but-
She feels nostalgic about this dream and this one felt like a déjà vu.
The thing that bothers her is that she can't remember anything like this happening before. She will never make that kind of expression in front of Eri.
"You'll do what's best for us right Ericchi?"
"This is the best for us Nozomi."
"No, Ericchi, you're only thinking about yourself."
And Eri will never do something that will destroy their current relationship.
Nozomi was currently puzzled with the emotions that she's experiencing right now as she strongly wish that she's right about the image of her contractor in her mind.
'Eri won't do something like that, right?'
Does she doubt her own best friend and contractor?
"No! Nozomi listen to me!"
"You never tried to think what I would feel."
The Eri on her dreams slowly deflated, surprised at the words that her best friend was throwing at her.
The spectator can't do anything but to watch the image of the two people with a strange sensation in her chest.
"I am deeply sorry for what I did Nozomi, I felt guilty about my decisions and that's why I told you everything…" Eri was giving a pained expression and she was on the verge of tears as she tried to convey everything to Nozomi "But please don't make me remove the spell I cast upon you, I don't know what will happen to me if you fell in love with another person."
"I thought you trusted me, Ericchi." Nozomi gave a dejected smile.
"I believe in you Nozomi!" Eri's voice was rising, she was getting desperate for her true feelings to be understood by her best friend.
"I also wanted to believe myself that I'll love you even if you didn't use your ability on me."
'Ericchi used her ability on me?'
"T-then it's alright if-"
"Sorry Ericchi but..." She trailed off, finding the words that will make the blonde understand "I'll never be happy knowing that I love you only because you used your ability to make me love you."
The blonde's mouth was agape, her head hung with a downcast expression and she could not respond anymore.
All she could do was to stare at the ground as she let her tears run down her cheeks.
"Right now, I'd like to run towards you Ericchi, to hug you, kiss you and give my shoulders to comfort you." Nozomi can see herself standing not far away from her contractor "I'd like to apologize for what I've just said, make you smile again and tell you that I won't do it again."
Silence came down when she paused. She's holding herself back, so she won't run towards her blonde and take her words back. She knows she needs to do this.
"But I don't trust myself anymore." Nozomi said in a low voice, "I doubt myself more than I doubt you and everything that you can do."
The spectator was taken aback by what she heard. Everything was becoming clear to her.
In this dream, Eri used her ability to make Nozomi love her.
Wait. Is this really just a dream?
She started having different thoughts about this dream once she realized what those two were talking about. She never had a dream like this before. She never felt nostalgic in a dream before.
The environment suddenly changes. Her dream shifted into another place, it was at her house.
Then Nozomi was flabbergasted by what she saw.
Her own image was sitting on her couch in the living room without a single movement. In her hand, she was holding a knife stained with blood that came from her neck.
Nozomi's eyes widened with the sudden revelation.
An enormous amount of red liquid was coming from the slash on her neck.
Nozomi didn't need anyone to explain anything. She knows exactly what she's seeing.
The spectator can't leave her gaze on her own image, her image who was bathing in her own blood.
'D-did I kill myself?'
Fear started to count up on the sea of emotions that she's having.
This is only a dream. She wants to believe that this is just a nightmare, but the mixed feelings inside her chest made her confused.
Nozomi's mouth was trembling, the pent up emotion on her chest was swelling.
She wanted to scream, but before she could-
-She woke up.
She lifts half of her body from the bed, she can feel the sweat and the heat that was coming from her body.
"W-what was that?" she murmured and then rested her hand on her chest, her heart was erratically beating too hard, that's what she thought as she waited for it to calm down.
"Nozomi."
The purple haired girl flinched, she turns around to see her contractor sitting on the other side of the bed. She didn't notice the blonde at all.
"E-ericchi!" Her contractor's name is the only word that came out of her mouth. At first she didn't know what to say after the dream she had but luckily she thought of something afterwards "D-don't call me suddenly like that, you've almost given me a heart attack!"
"Was it a nightmare for you?"
Eri faltered as she asked Nozomi with a weak voice, her question lacked confidence. It made Nozomi watch her contractor carefully.
Her contractor's back was facing her. Nozomi can't see the expression that Eri is making.
"Yes." Nozomi didn't want Eri to notice her nervousness so she tried to play it off by replying cheerfully."It's been a long time since I had a nightmare." she tried to laugh, but it trailed off immediately when she didn't get a response from the girl beside her.
"I see." It came as a small reply from Eri.
Nozomi became worried about her contractor and reached for the hand that rested on Eri's side.
"Ericchi are you alright?
Nozomi wanted Eri to confide in her so she could comfort her. The touch lasted for only a second when Eri suddenly pulled her hands.
Aside from her dreams, what Eri did gave a discomfort in her chest. She was taken aback.
"I'm sorry." Eri said without looking at her, Nozomi still couldn't decipher Eri's behavior. "I'll go downstairs to get some water." then the blonde stood up.
Nozomi couldn't do anything but watch the other girl walk towards the door. She didn't want to say anything , it might further deepen the sudden awkwardness between them.
What did she do? Nozomi asked herself and set her eyes on the side of the bed where her contractor was sitting earlier.
It was soaked by the remnant of tears that fell on the bed.
The chosen quickly turned her head towards her contractor and was about to call her name. But what she saw stopped her.
The purple haired girl saw the side of the blonde's face as she closed the door..
It was painful to see her contractor's face.
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she donned a woeful expression on her face.
Eri got wet by sleeping next to Nozomi *Mischievous grins
Anyways, On chapter 8 we will finally know the meaning behind Nozomi's last word on chap 6! Sorry for always leaving you guys hanging.
See you around!
