I see that many are eager for the hard core and real romance,
Well..it's coming up in a few chapter.
I hope you're patient enough to read this one long chapter.
Thanks for reviews/comment/faves/follows!
Thanks to crimson for edits!
The night is dark and a dim light shines against the clean ceramics of the dry pool.
A cleaning service woman steps down to the cold ground. Carrying a bucket of soap water and a pair of fabric on her shoulder, she carefully approaches the very corner of the pool. She swears, she could currently see someone laying down further away behind her.
In all her mind, she believes that it would be better to pretend to not see. But what if it is something important? What if it's something that is really-really crucial and will change her life if ignored?
Slowly, she turns her sight…
And the first thing she witnesses is a manly figure laying cold on the ground, pale face and stiff body. Then with all of her breath, she screams in fear.
Another year has passed,
And another president election was done, and Eli is once again in the list of running candidates without her registering herself. She sighed heavily as she puts her palm on her face, waiting for the vote results to be announced.
Nozomi sat next to her, there's part of her that she will be happy to run as a student council vice president again for Eli, though there's part of her that wishs that she could take a break in her last year of high school.
Eli has never asked for a second vice president other than Nozomi, even though she is now able to communicate with others without being awkward in a better way, she still doesn't like to hang out with anyone else other than Nozomi—just like how she was in her first and second year.
The Principal doesn't do much to help either, she always puts her hopes and wishes on Eli—despite the protests Eli makes from time to time. She always knows that Eli will always-always-always do her job and that's enough to make her want to always-always-always force the job on Eli.
Apparently her excuse is that, she wants Eli to always-always-always run the school along with her, whenever it's possible.
"Next vote… Ayase Eli…" said the student who was tasked to count the votes.
Four other students added to the count in their book.
"Then…next…Ayase Eli…."
And they're adding the count to the paper again…
Eli sighs heavily,
"Looks like I'm going to run as president again…"
"Don't worry, Ericchi… there's still about…. 600 students…."
"And look at my current count…. From 800 student, I have 650 votes…"
"That's like 150 of the students are choosing someone else…."
"I know that part! My point is, 150 divided to 3 candidates, do you think there will be anyone who can surpass my count from that 600 students?"
"Well...maybe the 600 students will choose the same candidate that is not you…"
Eli sighs heavily again.
"Let's just see…ok? I hate this…"
And suddenly, Principal Minami approaches the two,
"So… how is your day…? Miss Ex-President, or shall I keep calling you President?"
"Very…Good….Thanks…" Eli replied sarcastically.
"I'm glad… because, my daughter told me that you two have been taking her to a lot of adventures related to spiritual beings, now she can see and hear them as well…"
"Oohh…that's a good thing?" Nozomi asked.
"In a way… it makes me realize that my daughter has so much understanding—and also easily surprised…"
"Good for you then…" Eli replied without any enthusiasm.
"For what I'm trying to say, Ayase…. thanks for taking care of her… but if you don't mind, I want you to keep guiding her…"
"She is not even my responsibility…why are you annoying me so much…" Eli replied.
Principal Minami raises her eyebrow,
"Well...I wasn't trying to do that…I honestly think it's good for her to be aware of the spiritual being's existence…" she replied.
Nozomi smiled faintly,
"Now-now, Principal Minami… I think Ericchi is not quite in the mood…"
"If you say so… but, really, you should stop seeing this as my way to humiliate you, you're actually doing great and I feel like I want you to stay there until you graduate…" Principal Minami said.
"Yep…It's an honor, Ericchi…." Nozomi said.
Eli remains silent before sighing and looking away from them.
"Sheesh…what a troublesome person you are, Ericchi!" Nozomi said.
"….and you're the one to speak!" Eli replied as she quickly looks back at Nozomi.
"I'm still helping you….right?"
"You mean, helping halfway and then going to your own missions with the others?"
"It's not that often…"
"Yeah—like, every single day except Sunday since we don't meet that day to do student council work! By then, I've probably finished all the week's paperwork as well!"
The principal tilts her head slightly,
"Well, now that you mention paperwork, I've always been wanting to tell you that you don't need to do the entire thing as you could've always left it to each division…"
"Uhn…She did that before…but…they weren't able to surpass Ericchi's standards… they often left out some details…" Nozomi replied.
"Ah…." The principal nods,
"Then…you could just issue this to me and I'll talk to them…" the principal said.
Eli blushes slightly as she turns her sight away again,
"I just want to get my work done..." she said.
The Principal seems to be flustered for a moment, though when an idea came up across her mind…
"Hmm…I get it… did you work yourself out so you could nag Toujou and make her stay with you?" The principal asks teasingly.
Nozomi knows that it is possible for her to do that, but maybe it's just her confidence that says so…
"W-what?! N-No way! Why would I want to nag her anyway. I can do it myself…she isn't that good at helping either!" Eli said.
"I was just guessing since you seem to seriously take mind when Toujou goes away with other people…also, the fact that you've never complained about working by yourself in your first year... I mean, I tried to peek in one day and I saw Toujou taking a nap next to you—and you didn't mind!"
"I...I just don't care enough!" Eli replied.
"Alright…I'll buy that…" The principal chuckles before she leaving the two alone after she waved to them playfully,
Nozomi remains silent as she watches how Eli's face could turn red at this point. Then she also wonders why they're not dating yet at this point… They know they love each other…and they know they're interested in each other…. But really…why are they not going out yet? Have she ever asked the same question to herself over and over?
She really thinks that Eli might just be making up an excuse about her being the one that is not ready to get on the swing. But she also knows that she might truly not be ready.
Her practice with watching some nice videos of intimacy never worked that good, to be honest. It was rather her own imagination that could help her. She touched herself whenever it was possible to do so without being disturbed—not to mention that her spirit friend used to almost catch her doing that by herself.
For about a year, she managed to lower her chances of getting a nosebleed from the heat of the moment, she also has geared herself with some resistance to charm and flirts by listening to a secretly recorded sexy and beautiful voice of hers in repeat.
Can she say that as her biggest achievement last year? Not about all the serious spiritual cases that she finished with or without her Ericchi?
Either way…now she wonders, what if she tries to ask her out once again? But how can she ask it so that she thinks that she truly is serious?
For about a few hours,
Nozomi and Eli keep waiting inside the room, the two has already fallen asleep as they waited for the count—and from the 600 students, about 300 of them voted for Eli, which clearly shows who's the victorious president and vice president couple in this years election.
Eli sighs heavily causing the purplenette to wake up from her slumber. She looks to the blonde and starts to tidy up her hair—wiping her own lips and adjusting her vision focus. For a moment there, she was able to see that the nine-tail beast soul seemed to be very calm and collected, but when her eyes gained focus, she could clearly see that the blonde haired quarter Russian was frowning unhappily.
"Good timing… we're winning again this year…" Eli said with a smirk on her face.
Nozomi remain quiet, it takes a while for her to process the words that got through her ears.
"Oh…we are? Then…let's just do our best…Ericchi…."
Eli sighs heavily again.
"You're enjoying it too, right? You don't have to play it hard…Ericchi…I promise I'll stick around you some more…"
"You know, Nozomi… I was honestly wishing to stay out of the council business so I could do something else…"
"Like joining our adventure, Ericchi?"
"Sort of…"
"So you do feel left out and that's the main reason why you're complaining about it now…"
"Can we just pretend that weren't talking about this before?" Eli complained.
"Sure thing, Ericchi…but we all know that you truly love me…we should really go on a date.." Nozomi replied confidently.
"How many times have I heard that question….?" Eli sighs.
"Like a hundred? Why are we not dating yet…"
"And how many times have I heard that question as well?"
"The same time as the previous question?"
Eli sighs again and stands up from her seat. Passing through the students that were tasked to do the counting, she headed to the door without thinking of what she will do after. Nozomi quickly follows up,
"Ericchi, I'm very sure that I'm now ready to face your deadly flirts…we can go on a date…"
"Deadly flirt…? Seriously…?"
"How else do I call it?"
And once again, the blonde let out her sigh,
"Whatever…. Thing is, Nozomi… I still don't think that I want to go on a date with you…"
"I'm going to ask again, why?"
"Because you're dangerously dying from that… that nosebleed of yours is crazy, you know? It feels so unrealistic for someone to have that in almost every heat of the moment…"
"I can always blame you for being a too-hot-for-me girl…"
When they reached the entrance to the school yard, someone runs into them…
"W-waaiiitt! Senpaiiiii!" shouted a very energetic girl.
"Oh…there she goes…" Eli rolled her eyes.
"Must be Honoka-chan…" Nozomi said.
And the ginger haired girl actually comes up to them.
"Nozomi Senpai! Eli Senpai! It's the beginning of a new semester and new classes as well! We should go for an adventure again! I'm sure you two aren't busy yet, right?"
"We are not…" Nozomi replied.
"Though we will still have to prepare our speech for the new semester..Nozomi…we're running as president again…remember?" Eli said.
"Ah—just put that aside, Ericchi, we can do that later…" Nozomi replied.
"Ooh…I heard you two are running as president and vice president for three years in a row now?"
"We are…" Eli sighs.
"That's really cool…!" Honoka said cheerfully.
"Hehe..so…what are you up to now?" Nozomi tried to change the topic as it might go somewhere she doesn't want it to go.
"Just running around! Hehe..or actually, I'm going to buy bread from the school's canteen…want to come with me?" Honoka asked.
"Bread…huh? What do you think, Ericchi?" Nozomi turns her sight to Eli who seemed to be less amused.
"I'll go…" she said,
"Don't worry, Ericchi, they have chocolate flavored ones…" Nozomi chuckles, Eli turns her eyes away as she blushes slightly.
"Soo…off we go?!" Honoka asked again before the two nods and starts to walk to the canteen...
In the canteen,
Eli, and Nozomi sat on the most corner of the seats while they waited for Honoka to get their bread.
"Hhnn…it's been a year, huh? Shouldn't this mean…that this is our last year being here…?" Nozomi asked.
Eli stays quiet, she doesn't seem to be interested in the topic.
"Sheesh...and you're still doing that to me…" Nozomi said as she sighs at her.
"Didn't I always tell you that I will not answer to a stupid topic…?" Eli replied.
"Well, that's probably why we need to go on a date…we need to—get to know with each other…"
"And how could this turn into that kind of statement?" Eli complained.
"Because Ericchi never takes me seriously…"
"When are you serious anyway…"
"Like, now?" Nozomi replied.
Eli sighed again.
"You're not…" she mumbled.
"Ericchi…let's date…"
"No…Nozomi….we're not going to any dates… the last time we tried, you got a nosebleed and make my favorite blouse was stained with blood…."
"Well, why did you wear your favorite blouse anyway…"
"Because we were on a date!"
"Should've just not worn anything…"
"W-what?!"
"Hmm… don't you think a pool date could work?"
"We did try a pool date—and you almost drowned while staining the pool with your nosebleed…"
"Ahh—you're right…I remember that you wore a really sexy bikini...I swear I saw all of your curves and almost was able to see your nipples too…"
Eli sighs heavily.
"I have better resistance now, so, let's go on a pool date…" Nozomi said.
"How are you even increasing your resistance to me…"
"Just trust me that I did…Ericchi… so, let's just go on a pool date again!"
"Pool date?" Honoka suddenly appears next to them, carrying all the bread that they asked her to get.
"Yup, a pool date, Honoka-chan…what do you think?" Nozomi asked to Honoka.
"What's a ….pool date?" Honoka asked.
"You just hang out around the pool with your beloved ones and maybe do some nice stuff?"
"Like… Jet skiing?!" Honoka said excitedly.
Eli raises her eyebrows as she heard it.
"You can't Jet ski in a pool, silly!" she said loudly.
"Oo…sounds fun though!" Nozomi said.
"Jet skiing in the pool? That sounds fun…" Maki suddenly comes up to them.
"M-Maki…?!" Eli was surprised by her sudden presence—and to her answer as well.
"I often played Jet Ski in my private pool as kid…" Maki said.
"Private…pool?!" Honoka, Eli and Nozomi exclaimed in their surprise.
"Yeah… but they're not in my current home, it should be the one near the beach…"
"Nice…." Honoka replied.
Nozomi remains silent as she stares into the red haired princess, talking calmly about what she did as a kid. Eli seems to be amazed, though she also doesn't looks amused with that as well.
"Why did you even jet ski in a pool…" Eli asked with a frown on her face.
"Well, my pool was big and playing in the sea was too dangerous for me at that time…" Maki replied.
"I see…" Eli smirked wryly.
"Oo..so you're really a rich princess Maki-chan!" Nozomi commented.
"Hah—that was nothing…." Maki said proudly.
"Hmmph! What do we have here now…? A snobby little kid showing off her wealth!" said a familiar voice.
Maki quickly looks around,
"I heard a stupid bug talking…" she said.
"Who are you calling a stupid bug, huh?!" a black haired girl comes up to them.
"You, of course, who else?" Maki replied.
"I'm your damned senior!" Niko shows her green ribbon.
"You are right, you really are my damned senior!" Maki smirked at her.
"Hmmph! So what is this playing in the sea and Jet Ski…thing, huh? Sounds like my daily activity…" Niko asked.
"Oohh… you're Niko-senpai, right? Come with us to the pool!" Honoka said cheerfully.
"If you say so…I have no choice, right?" Niko replied with a smug look.
"Well, your other choice is to stay home and take care of—…."
"Aaaa! Shut up!" Niko cuts in before Maki finishes her words,
Then suddenly, someone else approaches them again…
"Excuse me…" said a timid voiced girl,
Everyone turns their eyes to her.
"Ooh! You are….Hanayo-chan!" Honoka said.
"Uh…yeah you—…" and before Maki could finish talking, a box of Onigiri was shoved onto her.
"Thank you for saving me! I didn't expect to see you be here so...that's why! Please just accept my lunch for today!" The timid girl said loudly as she bows to the red haired girl.
"Y..you don't have to do this—…"
"Bye!" the timid girl was about to run, but….
"Hey..! I said, wait!" Maki grabs her hand.
And the time stopped right there for Nozomi. Her eyes focused on how the two juniors have their hands connected to each other…
Why….
She said to herself,
Why does it feel so romantic there…?!
She continued,
Ericchi!
She shouted in her own mind as her hand grab into the blonde's wrist, surprising her as well.
Please help me! This isn't true right?!
I mean…
To be surrounded by people who swings in the same way with me!
She said to herself again,
"Nozomi…you're overthinking things…they're not swinging that way… they're just holding hands and its not even held properly either…" Eli said with a low volume to make sure that no one heard it but Nozomi.
Ericchi you're spoilsport…
She said in her mind as she sighs...
"…and I bet you're saying that I'm not fun in your head right now…"
"You can read my mind Ericchi?" Nozomi asked,
"No, but I'm just guessing because you look like you're about to bleed from your nose again…" Eli replied.
Then back to what they see in front of their very eyes, Maki gave back the lunch box to the timid girl.
"Listen…I don't need this…ok? So take this back…" she said.
The pink eyes started to get watery, the girl's feet was shaking faster than her heartbeat.
"I..it's not that I don't like it…it's just that… I did it for free so I don't want to accept any kind of payment…" Maki said with as blush started to crawl up to her cheeks.
"I….I see…" The brown haired girl turns her head down in embarrassment,
"P…please…don't be sad, ok? I don't hate it…."
Then suddenly, a loud voice that they have never heard comes up…
"Kayooochiiiiinnnnn!" An orange haired girl runs up to them,
The timid girl didn't respond to the call as she is too occupied by her own embarrassment.
"W-whoa…kayo-chin!" the girl caught her almost crying.
"Oi! What are you doing to Kayo-chin-nya!" she said as she stood in front of her and points at Maki. The timid girl still seemed to be embarrassed,
"H-Huh? I didn't do anything!"
And as Maki said that, Nozomi grab Eli's breast,
"Ericchi! This is…triangle love!"
"W-what? They're just arguing, Nozomi! Not everyone here swings that way!"
"Oi-oi, no fighting in front of a senior like me…" Niko split the two.
"Fourangle love!" Nozomi squeezed Eli's breast.
"N-Nozomi!"
Then two familiar girls comes up to them,
"Honoka! There you are!" said a gentle voice…
"Ooo..! Umi-chan! Uh…What's wrong with your nose?" Honoka asked as she saw Umi holding her handkerchief to cover her nose,
"Ehehe…it's a long story…but basically, it was my fault…" Kotori said as she walks next to Umi.
"Ahh! I see!" Honoka replied cheerfully and meanwhile,
"Ericchi!" Nozomi called her again.
Eli sighs…
"What now…?"
"A side love story with a secret rendezvous!"
"W-what?! What are you even imagining Nozomi?!"
Nozomi's nose starts to bleed,
"Now…I've decided, Ericchi…" she said,
"Nozomi...your nose is bleeding…" Eli said.
"Everyone!" she exclaimed—which causes the other seven girls to turn their eyes to her,
"Nine of us will go to a Pool Group Date Adventure this weekend!" she continued.
"Say what?!" Seven of them replied.
Eli could only let out another heavy sigh before she places her palm on her own face. Does she even know everyone that she asked to come?
During the Weekend, at Toujou apartment;
A few medicines for Anemia was stashed in a bag, a few set of clothes and tissue also placed into the same bag, then lastly, a towel and a few bath equipment also added in. Her phone was fully charged and two power bank kept in her hand bag. Nozomi is now ready for her adventure.
She received a text from Maki, saying that she could've brought them all to her personal swimming pool, but since it might be not much for an adventure, she decided to let the group take their picks.
From : Nishikino Millionaire Maki
Hey, we discussed about where we should go for an adventure. Since now we have three people that aren't yet experienced, we decided to get the less challenging one. We didn't tell them much about the adventure, heck, I was about to tell them but Honoka-senpai held me back. She said, we should use this chance to get to know Hanayo…or let's say, Hanayo Koizumi. Umi-senpai also agreed on the idea because she indeed needs to explain something—and it should be the one about how she could use the ability to split her consciousness.
According to Kotori-senpai, we should be able to solve a mystery in a recently open pool. There never have been any serious reports about it, but there are a few reports that talk about a few appearances that happened around dusk. 4:44 PM, to be exact. I also tried to ask if the pool is still open by then, and they said, the place turned into a night café and they closed the pool for the public.
The text ended there.
Nozomi was about to reply to her, but then, a new text came up to her,
From : Ayase Ericchi Please Date Me
Are you ready? I'm already in the parking lot. Don't make me go up all the way to your room.
And Nozomi immediately replies to her first,
I'm ready, Ericchi. I'll come down now. But… by the way, why are you in the parking lot?
She waited for a moment, already forgot to reply the long text she received before Eli's text.
I used a bicycle to get here, I had to take my sister to her friend's house which appears to be Honoka's house as well. She is going to stay there for the night, so… that's why….
When Nozomi read the word, bicycle, she swears an image of Eli riding a bicycle came up to her mind. Displaying her muscular feminine arm, her smooth skin and thigh, along with her blonde hair blowing in the wind, not to forget her little sister sitting behind her, feeling all the comfort and safety given by the older girl, getting all the time in the world to watch the sexy back and reliable shoulders moving in such a gentle motion.
Ah—Onee-san! Thank you for the ride…!
A younger blonde in Nozomi's mind said.
Harasho…I'm glad you are happy… let's do this later again…ok?
A playful smile and mesmerizing wink was given to the younger blonde in Nozomi's mind…
Now that Nozomi thought about it, what if she is the one that gets to ride behind her…?
Ahh….Ericchi…. I love you!
She said to the blonde in her mind as she was also hugging her tightly in her imagination,
I Know….Nozomi…you don't need to tell me that for a million times…
The blonde replied in her somewhat cold yet gentle voice,
Do you love me too…Ericchi?
A question that makes the bicycle stop.
Without another second to spare, the blonde steps down from her bicycle. She turns around and presses her lips against the purplenette beauty. She knows well about how it feels to have her lips pressing against hers, it was soft and it was so gentle.
She wishes she could feel it once again…but recently, Eli never showed her beast side anymore—she rarely comes up to the site again due to the amount of paperwork left in the student council room.
Now that she really thinks about it, if only she could take Eli to adventures more often, she could've gotten a chance to do the nice kisses with chocolate that she always forgets to buy….
Chocolate!
Nozomi exclaimed in her mind.
I really need to buy them!
She said before she quickly picks up all her belongings, locking the apartment door and runs off to where she needs herself to be.
Meanwhile,
A limousine was prepared right in front of the gate, Maki steps out of her house along with her mother who carried a bottle of wine in her hand.
"….I see, so you're going to stay there for a night with them as well?"
"Yes, mama…."
"Hmm…I heard from the principal, the student council are also a couple who did plenty of spirit exorcising…?"
"W…Well…sort of…." Maki turns her eyes away.
"I see… then we probably should hire them soon…"
"H-Huh?!" Maki raises her eyebrows in surprise.
"Let's talk about that later, for now, you should focus on what you need to do…" her mother replied.
Maki smirked, feeling that something too complicated will come up soon.
"..and..oh! Please carry this…"
She handed the wine to Maki.
"W-what?! Wine?! Why?" the younger red haired girl said in her surprise,
"Just hand this to the bartender, tell him to give it to the owner…"
"Don't tell me, you also know the owner of that place?!"
Her mother giggled,
"Of course, he was my elementary school friend… I think he owes me a few yen as well…"
"Oh…."
Her mother giggled again.
"Have fun, sweetheart… Don't forget to tell us how it goes…" she said before she returns to the house.
The Parking Lot,
"Ericchi!" Nozomi runs to where the blonde waited for her. She indeed has a bike locked on the post of the parking lot. Nozomi took a notice to the passenger seat, it looks somewhat big enough for an adult, with a basket strongly attached in the front, something heavy could be placed there—like her bag.
Then when she looks into the blonde—strong, fresh, and looking at her with her deep cold blue eyes with her white casual shirt, red scarf, and short black jeans…
It's so simple…and so neat…. But how could she look so mesmerizing?
"I'm…..ready…." Nozomi said weakly.
"Why are you taking so long? It should take approximately 3 minutes for you to come down from your room with your usual walking pace…" Eli said.
"I had to stop by the shop to buy some snacks…" Nozomi replied.
Eli remain quiet as she looks at the plastic bag Nozomi carried— she didn't know what might be inside it, but she saw a few bottles sticking out from it.
"Alright, you're forgiven…" Eli replied as she takes her bag from the bicycle's basket.
"Let's go to Maki's house now… we should be able to get there on time if we walk now…" Eli said.
Nozomi remains still in place as she watches Eli walk off.
To get there with Maki-chan's car….
Hmm….
I bet the car will be full of other people as well….
And…that means…
I won't be able to take any advantages of the beautiful Ericchi….
And not from her bicycle either…
This is bad…
She thought in her mind.
"Ericchi wait!" she said loudly—holding the blonde from moving further...
"What is it Nozomi?" Eli replied.
"You see, Ericchi… I think parking your bicycle here isn't safe…"
"So… you want me to do…what? Park my bicycle back to my apartment and go to Maki's house by foot?"
"No-no… more like, why don't we just go there by this?"
"You want me to ride it to the pool?"
"Yup! Shouldn't be a problem right…? I'll be sitting in the back and we can switch if you're tired…"
"I think it's more effective if we just join them…"
"That's not allowed, I mean… they will have their place full of people….we shouldn't be a bigger burden, right?"
Eli remain quiet to it, then she sighs at her,
"Nope, we're going with Maki's car for now. If you want a bicycle tour, we can do that later—when we are supposed to find some sponsors!"
"Ericchi is a spoilsport…" Nozomi pouts.
"More like—trying to discipline you with the council work we're supposed to do together!'
"You're just trying to throw the responsibility on me, right Ericchi?"
"It's not MY responsibility or YOUR responsibility…it is OUR responsibility!"
"Oh—So Ericchi wants us to be together….that's romantic of you, Ericchi…why don't we date already…"
"…and how does this turn into that question again?!"
As the two decides to just keep walking to where they are supposed to be, once again a huge mysterious tall woman stayed further behind them—remaining in her unseen spot as she watches the two disappear from her sight….
It doesn't take long for everyone to gather at Nishikino's residence,
And it takes a while for them to pick up their belongings and place it in the car. Each of them did a lot of checking of their own belongings, then also to re-check if there's anything they should get before dispatching.
"The Pool is pretty far from the big city—but it's always known as the best resting area for those who travel on the road. The place is built with plenty of rooms to stay for the night, some luxurious room also built for upper classes to stay in it because they often make a lot of complains when they're not given with such facility..." Umi explained as she places her huge bag in the car, there's a bandage patched on her nose.
"The other thing is that because it's rare to find the upper class staying in such a place, they don't make much room for them. Only about four rooms are built in there…" she continued as she places her other big bag in there.
Everyone stares at her quietly, wondering if she should really bring a huge bag like that.
"Uhm…Umi-chan…what are you carrying?" Nozomi asked.
"These? Well…just some of my stuff and my most needed stuff for adventure…"
"Uh…like….what?" Nozomi asked again.
"Wh-whoa?! These are actual Katanas-nya!" an orange haired girl suddenly picks up a pair of actual katana sheathed in the huge bag.
"H-hey! Put that down!" Umi quickly snaps at her.
"N-Nyaa!"
"W-why did you have to bring a real katana anyway…where did you even get it from…?!" Maki complained.
"Those are mine... I always bring them everywhere…"
"I've never seen them before though…" Honoka said.
"You just need to be a little sharper in noticing what I always bring to school…"
"Uhn…there's that long bow, arrows, and your school bag….? Uh…where do you put the sword again?"
"That should be where the long bow is… I just figured it out in the beginning of this week…" Kotori said with a slight hint of guilt in her face.
"Oh—so that's how you got wounded on your nose, I'm guessing someone was playing around too much…" A small girl said as she adds her belongings to the car as well...
"You noticed her wound earlier than me? That's surprising, Nikocchi…" Nozomi said.
"Hehe, must be the advantage of being short-nya!" Rin said.
"H-Hey! You don't need to reply for me!" Niko protested.
"By the way…. Kayo-chan…. We haven't heard anything from you, will you tell us about everything that happened before we met you for the very first time…?" Kotori tried to change the topic.
"O-oh….W…well…." Hanayo averted her eyes,
"We can listen to her in the car…we need to hurry before it gets too late…" Eli said as she shows her watch that shows the time which read, 2:31 PM.
"Our journey is approximately 1 hour at maximum and it could be more if we get unexpected obstacles… we don't want to risk getting late…" she continued again.
"Ah—you're right…let's go!"
On the road to the pool,
"So, Hanayo… can you tell us about what happened to you back then?" Umi asked politely to her new junior.
"Uh…i-it's quite a long story…" Hanayo seemed to be nervous.
"We're all ears… just take it easy." Nozomi said.
"T-thank you!" she replied before she took a deep breath, her best friend, Rin Hoshizora seemed to be flustered, Niko tried to listen as she somehow knows something is up with them.
"W-Well…. it all started the day when my friend, Takahashi died from a strange cause…it has never been leaked to anyone and his parents always told everyone that he died from a disease…"
"How is this…a strange cause?" Kotori asked.
"There are scars and bruises on his body while in fact—he has always been sleeping on his bed…then, it wasn't the said disease that killed him, his heart just stopped working all of a sudden…"
"So, how was this related to you splitting your consciousness and being stuck in that temple?" Umi asked politely again, Rin seems to realize something as it was being said,
"W-Well…." Hanayo turns her eyes away.
"Oohh! Is that why you were staying at my house every weekend-nya?!"
"E-Eh!? Staying at your place every weekend?" Nozomi raises her eyebrow.
"Yep! She has always been staying at my place every weekend ever since Takahashi-kun's death. At night, I always see her losing consciousness instead of sleeping. She has never been like that when we were younger-nya! I always knew how Kayo-chin sleeps-nya!"
Hanayo blushes madly to the statement,
"W-Well…yes…. I was worried if I do that at home, people will worry. Plus, Rin-chan's home is much closer to that kindergarten…so….yeah…"
"Tell me, where did you learn this splitting consciousness ability?" Nozomi asked.
"From Takahashi-kun… after his funeral, he came up to me and told me that he needs me to take care of the children, but he also told me to be careful of one of the one children that couldn't go outside of the area. He should have some sort of mischievous smile. During the weekend, he will never be able to go out of the building—so that was also the time when it was safe to play there with the other children…"
"Who is this, Takahashi-kun? He doesn't sounds like a nice person…" Nozomi once again asked.
"Uhm…. he was a friend of mine. He was a little strange and rarely shows himself to others… he told me himself that he has never talked to anyone in the school other than me…so…that's why…"
"Where is his soul now?"
"I don't know…the last time I met him was in a fast-food restaurant… he never came back after that…but… the last few texts I received from him was kind of strange as he always says that… he wants me to look at him…but I don't understand what he means since…me and Rin-chan always paid a visit to him before his death…I thought it could be a hint for something…but it's not…"
"How do you know that it's not?" Umi asked politely.
"I asked him… then he said, it's nothing to think about now. What's past is the past and he will move on…?"
Nozomi and the others except for Eli, Niko and Maki seemed to give her a concerned look.
"Uh…Kayo-chan… when someone tells you that he wants you to look at him… do you understand what it means?" Kotori asked.
"Uh…to pay a visit to him?" Hanayo replied innocently.
Kotori was about to explain, but…
"Then let's just leave it at that…" Maki said quickly.
"E-Eh…?" the others became surprised to the statement.
"He didn't explain it himself, so let's just leave it like that… it's better that way…" Maki said.
Everyone nods in agreement.
"So…what does that actually mean-nya?" Rin asked.
"I told you it's better to not know!" Maki said clearly to her.
"Maki-chan…Why are you so stingy nya?" Rin asks her playfully.
"A-Are you teasing me?!"
"Now-now, I think I have to agree to what they said, let's just leave it like that…" Nozomi said before she takes out her card deck.
"Putting all that aside…" she continued as she started to shuffle her cards...
"What will you do with what you have right now?" she asked.
Hanayo remain quiet, wondering of what she should say to that question.
"Well…" the short brown haired girl pauses...and she turned her sight down to the car's luxurious carpet.
Nozomi pulled a card— The Hermit card.
"You're still looking for an answer?" Nozomi asked.
Hanayo nods weakly.
"Then, you should join our group!" Honoka said loudly.
"H-huh?" Hanayo flustered.
"Ok! Then Rin-chan will join too-nya!" Rin said cheerfully.
"W-wait..do you even know what group we are?!" Maki complained.
"I don't know nya! But sounds fun-nya!" Rin replied with full of excitement in her eyes.
"Uh…well..Rin-chan—…" Kotori started to explain,
While they tried to explain what exactly they're doing, Eli let out a sigh—she still seemed to be less amused. Nozomi noticed how her face didn't give any hint of interest to the members that will join soon, she decided to pick one of her cards, then throws it to Eli—the blonde caught it at ease, and then gently takes a look at it…
The Lovers…
And as the blonde turn her sight to Nozomi,
Pouts and we should date…
Nozomi mouthed. Eli smirked at her and quickly turns her eyes away—she was then pretending to take interest to what was said by her juniors.
The pool, dusk;
"…so…that's sort of what we do…" Kotori finished her explanation as she and the others steps down from the car.
"Oohh—so that's like…the Occult Club-nya?!" Rin asked,
"Hmm…No-no… not quite…we don't do random stuff or human medium ritual…we just hunt for disturbing spirits…and they're real…" Kotori replied.
"How real-nya?" Rin asked.
"Like…really real…" Kotori replied.
"I suppose she has to experience it herself…but…is it fine for her to learn how to see?" Umi asked.
"I'm sure Rin-chan will be fine…" Hanayo said.
"Yeah…she looks like will be fine…unlike someone specific…" Maki said as she glances at Niko who seemed to be already getting Goosebumps from the story itself.
"W-what?! I'm not scared! Why would I be scared with that story…I've seen something worse!" Niko yelled.
"Like what?" Maki asked mockingly.
"Like…a legless woman that appears from the floor…"
"Oh—that must be…Reiko-chan?" Kotori said.
"Probably…" Umi said.
"Uh…right… that woman… I tend to see her whenever I pay a visit to the shrine… she just loves to be seen… what a attention seeker…" Maki said.
"How cruel of you calling me an attention seeker?!" suddenly a voice was heard from somewhere around her.
Everyone quickly looks around, though, there's only a female spirit—with complete legs standing near the entrance—everyone who can see ignored her completely.
"Strange, I heard Reiko's voice but I can't see her anywhere…" Umi said.
"Yeah…it's so strange…" Kotori agreed.
"Maybe, they're just our feeling?" Nozomi said.
Eli remains quiet as her eyes keep looking at the woman soul at the entrance. She keeps staring at her face, then down to her legs.
"Uhn…did you hear that clearly too Maki-chan?" Honoka asked.
"Yeah…I feel like she is close, like just there near the entrance…but since I can't see them anyway…" Maki said.
"What about you Ericchi? Did you see her…?" Nozomi asked.
"I thought I did, but maybe not…" Eli replied.
"T-There! All of you are so crueeel!" The woman who stood near the entrance protested,
"Uh…I heard her again…" Maki said.
And by then, the woman soul who stood near the entrance sank down to the floor—then she raises up right in front of Maki.
"I'm hereeeeeeee!" she pointed to herself.
"Oh…now you show herself…" Maki said.
"Hmmph!" Reiko throws her face away from her.
"W-whoa! Who is that-nya?! I never saw her before!" Rin said.
"Uh…how did you do that….?" Hanayo asked.
"Put that question aside… how did you get those legs growing again?" Nozomi asked.
"I told you, it's by doing something nice!" Reiko said proudly.
"What did you do?" Honoka asked.
"Hehe…I helped someone fulfill their wishes! Just about a week ago, an old grandma wished for her daughter to stop looking for love..so I helped her to get that wish fulfilled…."
"W-wait…wait…isn't that something mean?!" Nozomi raises her voice.
"I don't know..but since my legs are grown, I suppose it's not mean at all?"
"I wonder now, is the 'kindness' that you need to do to grow your legs has some specific requirement?" Eli asked.
"uhm..not really…but it has to be actually something that benefits others…"
"That means, even if it becomes something bad for others…..?"
"No...no…it has to be a benefit...so… it must be something good for everyone!" Reiko said.
"Oh….Alright…so you can't be having those legs by being mean to others…"
"yep!"
"I wonder why someone was not allowed to fall in love…? I mean…being in love is a good thing, right?" Nozomi said.
"Not when it's too quick or has too many choices…" Eli said with a sigh in the end of her sentence.
"That's called looking for the right person, Ericchi… Why do you think someone decides to move on from their old love…?"
"Love without struggle is not true… every love needs a struggle and if you can't survive that, then you're not worthy to be loved or to love someone…"
"When you love someone, you're looking for happiness with them… struggling to love doesn't make sense. You don't love someone because you struggle to love that someone...you just fall in love and that's it…"
Eli frowned at her, she was about to say something but…
"Now-now, why don't we just drop that topic..?" Reiko quickly moves to face Eli, smiling to calm her down.
"Yeah, I should go bring this to the owner as well…we can't waste time here…" Maki said.
Nozomi remains calm while the blonde keeps frowning at her.
Walking deeper into the Pool area,
The group finally found the bar where Maki was supposed to give the wine to the bartender. As the bartender's eyes met Maki's, he immediately approaches her…
"Ah—from Nishikino Family…isn't it?" the bartender said.
"Uh…yes…" Maki replied—still holding the bottle of wine in her hand.
"Let me get that wine off you, then you can have the keys. We currently have one room occupied by a family, so that means you all only can get three rooms…unless you want to get the regular room…"
"Should be enough for the nine of us, three people in each room…Maki said."
"How will that be…?" Umi asked politely.
Eli was about to say something, but….
"Oohh! Maybe we can just play Russian roulette for that!" Honoka said.
"R…Russian…Roulette?" Everyone smirked.
Eli put her palm on her face, doesn't know where to start explaining what Russian Roulette exactly is.
"H-Honoka-chan… do you mean that we can shuffle it?" Kotori said.
"Uhh…yeah!" Honoka said cheerfully.
"Well, I have some chopsticks to do that…" Hanayo said.
"My suggestion is that we should just stick with who we get along with…" Eli said.
"But we're here together to be together…so let's just use the chopsticks to shuffle…" Nozomi said.
"On the contrary, this is a mission and to fight over something is not an option… we should just stick with who we are comfortable with so that we can prepare everything effectively…" Eli said.
"Worry not, because we've picked the most friendly case so that we all can play safe… let's use this chance to get to know each other…" Nozomi said.
"To take everything easily is dangerous—too dangerous. We never know what might be up our enemy's sleeve…"
"And to not know who are our allies may be called as ignorance…"
Eli is about to reply again, but…
"Hey, let's just take a vote… should we shuffle or should we just stick with who we are close with?"
"I think it's a lot more fair if we shuffle…" Umi said.
"Yeah—it prevents someone from being left out… I know some of us just don't really get along with everyone…" Kotori said.
"Some of us…huh? You mean, her?" Niko said as she looks at Eli.
Eli smirks at her comment,
"I honestly really don't know about you all…so…I guess I'm one from that 'some'…" Maki said.
"Oohh—you're right-nya! Even though you're my classmate, I never see you talking with anyone-nya!" Rin said.
"S-Sh…shut up…"
"We should get a long, Maki-chan!" Rin said.
"Y-yeah…I agree…" Hanayo said.
"So, that fixed it..right? We're shuffling it…" Nozomi said.
Eli sighed.
"Fine… but I'm not going to try getting along… if I don't get along, we really don't…." she said.
"Stubborn…" Nozomi said.
Eli rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. Ignoring that attitude of hers, Hanayo picks out her chopsticks, nine pair of them with three colors on the tip, there are Red, White, and Pink.
She shuffled it and covered the colored tip with paper, then each member picks them—watched by Reiko who've been quiet as she floats above them.
Before they opened each of theirs, Eli took a glance at Nozomi—with a faint blush in her cheeks and a slight frown, though she tried to not be seen looking at her. Her attempt was a failure, but Nozomi knows that she tried and she pretend that it was a success.
Ericchi… I know you want to be in a room with me, but maybe it's really time for you to be close with someone else…. Not just knowing them or trying to act fine around them….
I mean…I know that we could've gotten a chance in that moment…but still..
Sometimes I really think that you're being clingy…
And you're hiding your true feelings from me too much…
Maybe the real way to take that out is not to be too close with you…
But to be far from you…
You're scared to lose me….right?
Nozomi thought as she slowly pulls out her chopstick, wishing that it will be different color than Eli.
White…
And Nozomi quickly takes a glance at Eli's choptick.
Red…
Nozomi smiles and then tries to look at what the others got…
Honoka, Kotori and Hanayo are Pink.
Eli, Niko, and Maki are Red.
Then Umi, Rin and Nozomi are White.
"Uh…good luck, Niko-chan…" Kotori said as she realizes how the team will be.
Niko lets out a really loud and heavy sigh as a response,
"I guess that can't be helped, huh? To be in a team with two people that has no idea about how to get along with the others…. Could this be my fate to teach them how?"
"If you can do that, sure…" Nozomi said with a teasing smile.
Eli was still smirking and really seemed to be not amused at all…
"Uh…why is the atmosphere so awkward…" Kotori said with fear in her voice.
Nozomi chuckles,
"Well, we apologize for the inconvenient, it should be our first time working together in this kind of arrangement, right? Let's give it a shot…don't sweat over anything too much…just enjoy it.." she said.
Eli frowns slightly at her again, feeling that she has been humiliated too much from ever since they set foot in this very place.
"Sheesh, it's just about who stays with who—and only for a night…why are we getting this much feeling involved…" Maki said.
Eli's face suddenly changed as she heard the sentence, she nodded with her strange smile and says,
"You're right… we should not involve any feelings to work on something as easy as this…"
Nozomi noticed the sarcasm in her voice,
"Now, we should try to get along, right?" the blonde continued as she pulled both Maki and Niko together, then embrace them like they've always been getting along before.
"Where are our rooms again… sweethearts?"
"S-sweethearts?!" Maki and Niko exclaimed.
And with that too, Nozomi knows that maybe her way to try and make distance is quickly countered. She has never thought of that to be possible. In all means, from all that she will expect is Eli to be jealous and more jealous…not to be jealous and to strike her back with the same idea—plus in a more extreme way.
Once again, she thought…
Is it really a good idea to begin with?
She cannot reverse the time when it has already happened.
Will it be possible to turn everything into a chaos to their relationship instead?
A few minutes passed,
They finished placing their belongings in their rooms. Nozomi, couldn't feel more bothered than now. It's true that she has tried a lot of approaches on Eli and this kind of approach is not what she always uses—it is indeed her first time trying and it proves to be disastrous. It's too bad that she didn't know…
Their first task in this place was to just hang out around and keep their eyes open for any spiritual appearance. The team was not supposed to be split in the same way, but thanks to the specific blonde that suggested to keep the arrangement in order to 'get along' and also to make them able to see in many point of views.
While Honoka, Kotori, and Hanayo stays around the lounge, Nozomi, Umi and Rin stays around the pool, then Eli, Maki and Niko… they're staying around the lobby which is just across the pool.
"So why are we here…?" Niko asked.
"Uh…because, we basically here to watch over the two teams doing their work…?" Maki replied with less enthusiasm.
"Like…a back-up team?" Niko asked as she raises one of her eyebrows.
"Pretty much…" Maki replied with a sigh.
"Are you serious?! So far I know, Eli and you are the ones who has the best ability…why are we the back up team?!"
"So far…you know? That's pretty far enough—I mean, to be able to judge…is already something…" Maki replied.
"Nothing is wrong with saving the best for the last…" Eli said.
"I hope you're not saying that because you don't want to work if not with that soul mate of yours…" Niko crosses her arms.
"I-It's nothing like that…" Eli stutters.
"Besides…." She continued as she turns her face away,
"We've never really worked together…"
"Huh?!" Niko raises her eyebrows,
"That's a big lie, isn't it… You two are always working together like an inseparable couple…" she continued.
"I have to say, I can't say much since the only time I saw you two in a mission together was at the time when we were at that restaurant—a year ago… after that….well… she has always been with us while you always wandered by yourself…." Maki said.
"I'm not talking about this thing only, I'm talking about the whole life thingy… If I have to be honest… you're like so strict and disciplined while she is like the one who always keeps things flowing. It's not a direct impact, of course, but you're less scary and painful because of her existence around you…"
Eli smirks at her,
"Not like I care if people see me as a scary woman or anything… everyone is free to say anything about me...besides… it's always a pain in the ass to smile in front of others…and she forced me to do that all day…"
"She forced you? More like, you're doing it for her…. I've never seen you two argue about it…."
"Wait a minute… how could you know about that…?! Did you stalk them that much?" Maki said.
"Huh? No way…I'm just saying that because I feel like I could understand her…" Niko said as she pointed to Eli.
Eli remains silent, wondering what Niko exactly wants to say,
"I mean…if you are making distance because you feel like she is making the distance… then better be careful, you might regret it…" Niko said.
"I will not… I don't need anyone to begin with…she is the one who insisted me to make friends with her…" Eli replied coldly.
"Nobody can live alone, you know…you need her and she needs you…" Niko said.
"Big talk from you, I know who you are…" Eli replied.
"I'm talking from experience… you have to thank me because I gave you a heads up before you regret it…this isn't too late to make up somehow…" Niko said.
"I'm not you…. and she is not your friend… But I know who she is…" Eli said.
"Who? Your soul mate…?"
"She is someone who is only seeking for friends—and when she is desperate, she comes to me because she think I'll be desperate too…"
"Isn't that sort of an act of kindness though?" Maki asks.
"What kindness? I think it's just pathetic…" Eli replies.
"Pathetic….?" Maki flusters.
"What do you mean it's pathetic… she is trying to reach you… I'd be happy if I were you… but…maybe I won't say it…" she continued.
"…and leave me after she has new friends? Hah!" Eli throws her hands to the air in annoyance.
"I can't believe that I almost believed her that we will always be a best friends…." She continued.
"You're just jealous…if she hangs out with the others, it doesn't mean you will lose three years of friendship…. You will have your own time! Seriously!" Niko said, doing her best to put some sense into her.
"You mean, I will eventually lose everything I trust in her? I can totally see that happening already…" Eli replies—still with coldness in her voice.
"She left me to do the cases with those juniors—she promised to return on time but she never did, even after I waited for her for over two hours…and then she promised me that she will do things tomorrow, but she still goes with those juniors anyway and told me that it's an emergency she cannot leave…" she continued again,
"You just need to put more effort on reminding her… maybe she is just absent minded…." Niko said.
"Why would I put effort now? I've put enough effort to wait for her and to believe her… and that's what she gives me in return—that is the effort she thinks I'm worthy of… so it's clear, right? It's clear that she is tired of me already… it is clear that she isn't sincere in accepting me…she wants to throw me away…" Eli replied again.
"You're thinking too much, by all means, don't you think she probably has done more effort than you now? I feel like you're the one who doesn't accept her… she is trying hard to get you…I've seen you two talking and I can feel all that invitations she makes to you, yet you never accept her...with all the excuses… ." Niko replied.
"You mean, like… 'Ericchi, let's date…' thing? You're kidding me… That will involve more feelings than now…. if she can't stick with this, why would I want to be committed to her, she probably will only last like a week from now on…"
"Imagine how happy she will be if you're willing to date her….all the three years effort finally makes something…" Niko said.
"Nonsense… those happiness are fake… who can be happy to be around me anyway…." Eli replied.
"Should I call that as a hard-core jealousy statement…?" Niko said.
"I'm being realistic… you two aren't happy around me, right? Because I'm such a cold blooded person…or perhaps, because I'm scary….?"
"Well, yeah, you're scary…" Niko said.
"…but I'm sure she says something else… that's why you should make up with her and accept her…"
Eli rolls her eyes,
"I'm so done with this… why am I here to do this crap… I should've just stayed in my cozy apartment and got done with some actual work…." She said,
"Helping souls isn't actual work?" Maki asked.
"It is for her…. but not for me… no matter how many souls are saved, the world will always be full of those spirits… I wish my third eyes weren't opened… so that I could remain ignorant…"
"That's like saying, how much a police catches a burglar, the world will still be full of those…. I mean… it does make some change, you know… a small change but it's still enough…if everyone in this world thinks like you, then this world will probably be messed up… you have to care so that others will care!" Niko explains.
"Getting in trouble is just not my thing…someone else can do that…" Eli replied again.
"Still…that's not how you're supposed to think…Care for others, will you?"
"One thing that you need to know— I hate this world and everything in it… I've always wished to die but she stopped me from doing so…"
"Then she is trying to be your world, right?"
"More like—trying to make me hate this world even more… These disgusting spirits aren't even worth to be known or to be saved…Should've just let the beast inside me devour them… they won't run out of stock anyway…."
"Hey…what if…one of those spirits if the one that you love….? Like… your family perhaps…?" Maki asked.
"Every spirit that linger in this world are those who cannot move on from their past life. I'll treat them…fairly…." Eli replied again, with her cold glance...
"You're really cold, aren't you…"
"No one told anybody to give birth to me…I've never asked to be born…"
"Then what about their feelings? Don't you realize that maybe, you're what they wished for?"
"A couple doing what they call as sex, it was all nice until they make what they call as a miracle happen…what's so special about it…"
"They could've just thrown a garbage like you in the trashcan, or in the river… or maybe given you to the orphanage if they didn't care enough.… but really, every day, a lot of accidental babies are thrown away by their irresponsible parents… maybe when you're little, they always wished you to be someone they can be proud of…not to be a jerk who only centers everything on their own feelings…." Niko said with an impatient look.
Eli was about to respond, but…
"…the secret to stop being insecure is to stop making yourself the center of everything that runs in this world, start thinking that you're not the only one who has a story to tell or a feeling to be understood. To be able to live with a person for a long time doesn't mean that you know them the deepest, you never know how lonely someone is just from looking into their eyes…or just from the way they treat the others… in other words, always try to think, what if you're the one in their shoes…what makes you act like such and what makes you think like the way they think… but most importantly…." Niko takes a deep breath,
"Stop being negative… give everyone a chance to learn about you—and give yourself a chance to learn about others….no body is born to be alone… believe me!" she said confidently.
Eli was at loss for word, then she averted her eyes away.
"I'll think about it, ok…?" she said.
Niko nods, feeling relieved for being able to reach her…even if its just a little bit,
"That's the way… you have to listen to the Niko-Niko wise girl here…." She said.
"Huh? Say what?" Maki said mockingly.
"Shut up, you brat…I said listen to the Niko-Niko-senpai!"
"You mean, Niko-Niko-narcissist girl?" Maki said.
"I said—shut up, you brat!"
Meanwhile, The pool side;
Nozomi keeps watching from a distance, about how Niko and Maki were arguing with each other and the blonde who seemed to be quiet and more importantly—not looking at her.
Why do I regret my spontaneous act already….
She thought to herself.
It was so out of nowhere…
I should've realized that I don't have the right to do that to her…
After all, I was the one who wanted to befriend her….
Did she feel betrayed…?
She keeps looking at the blonde—who seems to not care about her right now.
But my intention was to make her hang out with everyone, right?
I had the right intention…
I didn't do anything wrong…
Not now…
She stayed quiet again while she watches her junior mess with the other junior.
But what if….
She hangs out with the others…
And turns out that she likes the other more than me…?
Like this girl in front of me….
She thought as she looks at Umi.
Such a disciplined girl, easily embarrassed which add to her cuteness, and I believe she has no problem with her studies….
But more importantly….
If Ericchi is chosen to be the president…she has all the right to pick who will be her vice president…
The vote results was so obvious…
Yet the final announcement haven't been made…
Ericchi also haven't officially told anyone about who will be her vice…
…and to ruin our friendship at this time of the moment…
I'm a genius! What have I done?!
Nozomi placed her palm on her face.
So stupid! If I don't make with her soon, she will certainly choose someone else! Then there's also that Maki girl who also seems to be capable of doing something nicely…
There's also this thing that I did to her—which she had mentioned before…
I'm too slacking on doing the council work with her…
Then as she remembers that, she turns her eyes down to the ground…
Really…me?
I've done no effort to be worthy of being her partner…
Yet I demanded as much as people who goes crazy over her….?
I should've remembered that I'm not the most beautiful lady in this world….
Also…should've remembered that there are a lot of people who wants to be her friend, yet she didn't accept anyone but me until now…
I should've been grateful for that…
Not being a total jerk to her like now…
She bites her lips,
"Nozomi-senpai…." Umi called her politely, snapping her out of her thoughts,
"Ah….?" Nozomi lifts her sight to her polite junior.
"You look sad, is it because of what happened before-nya?" the other junior said to her.
"Mm…not really…I'm fine… I was just…uhm…trying to meditate to gain my focus…" Nozomi replied with a fake smile.
Umi and Rin seemed to not be convinced,
"You know, Nozomi-senpai… you shouldn't worry if you do something harsh to your best friend…sometimes they deserve that and you might be the one who knows well…" Umi tries to assure.
"Eh…? But why are we doing something harsh to our best friend, nya? We could always just talk to them about the issue…" Rin commented.
"Some people aren't that simple or agreeable… Like Honoka…" Umi said.
"…we could always leave them alone and let them wander off to their own grave, but if we do so, we shouldn't call ourselves as their friends…"
"I'm pretty sure I've realized that…" Nozomi replied weakly.
Umi remains silent to listen,
"But…what I was just thinking of is… am I worthy to call myself as her friend…?"
"Worthy or not worthy, I think you're not the one who decides…" Umi said.
"Yeah…. It's just about accepting or not, right-nya? If you think her as your friend, then she is your friend, no matter what she thinks about you…because I think, if we want to be accepted, we have to accept them…no matter how they are..."
"I have to speak differently because to just accept someone about who they are is not what I would do, I mean, accepting is good, but not in a specific limit. We have to understand what's best for our friends, not what's best for the relationship itself…"
"Are you not afraid to lose your friend?" Nozomi asked.
"Afraid to lose is not something I'd like to think of, I'd be more afraid to see them crawling their way out of their troubles—or to fall and never be able to get back up. That's why, if I know it is for the best, then I'd say it out loud to them…and if they wish to leave me because of that, then it's time to move on…"
"That's scary-nya…" Rin commented,
"Nothing will benefit me from trying to pull an unmovable cart…especially because time keeps running out, we wouldn't want to be stuck in one place our entire life…"
Nozomi chuckles to the statement,
"You sound like you have a lot of experience about that…"
"Trust me… telling Honoka what to do is hard, but she still does what's told in a way… It just takes more effort to make her realize what things are meant to be…"
"So she is…lacking common sense...huh?"
"Something like that…" Umi sighs.
"But it's not like she is the only one, I believe other people are the same like her in their own way, people just need to keep experiencing things on their own…."
"Hnnng…I think I feel like we're thinking too much about friendship-nya…I mean…for Rin, friend is friend, no matter how they are. It's not that we always have to stay out of trouble… sometimes, getting into trouble with friends are important too…we will both learn together and move forward together-nya…" her other junior commented again.
Umi smiled faintly at her,
"I suppose you're right in a way… but maybe, I should've said that it's something right, but it isn't for me…" she continued.
"Hehe…that's ok! People have their own way to express themselves-nya!" Rin said cheerfully.
"or…maybe it will be fun to find trouble with a person like you, Umi-chan…." Nozomi said teasingly.
Umi chuckles to the statement,
"Was that supposed to be a joke…?" she asked as she stops and gives out a plain expression.
Rin and Nozomi look into each other,
"Well-nya…" Rin took a pause…
Nozomi nodded to Rin—agreeing to whatever they might have in their mind…
Within a second, Nozomi and Rin grab's Umi's shoulder,
Clueless about their intention, Umi tilts her head…
In an unexpected moment, the two shoves Umi —who isn't even in swimwear down to the pool.
A loud splash was heard across the area, taking both the team in the lobby and the team in the lounge's attention…
The lounge;
"W-waah…Umi-chan is playing in the pool with Nozomi-senpai and Rin-chan!" Honoka said as she sticks her face to the window.
"R-Really!? I'm so jealous! I want to be in the pool too!" Kotori said as she also sticks her face to the window.
"Uhh…I wish we were the ones in the pool, it feels so strange to be in the lounge…." Honoka said.
"At least we have plenty of food to look at…" Hanayo said as she turns her sight to the ghostly woman that has been staying around the serving table, checking out all the freshly cooked delicious food.
"Uh…you're right… I've been looking at the cheese cake… but I feel so wrong to eat that while we are supposed to be paying attention to our surroundings…" Kotori said while she turns herself around to look at her junior who has been looking at the menu.
"I'm sure it's fine to do that, there are three of us here…we can always be each other's eyes"
"Then…should we take turns checking out the food?" Honoka asked.
"Sure!" Hanayo and Kotori replied cheerfully.
"Who goes first?" Kotori asked.
"Me!" and Honoka quickly runs before the two were able to respond.
"W-wait! Honoka-chan! That's cheatinggg!" Kotori said as she quickly runs with her.
"S-Senpai!? D-Don't leave me aloneee!" Hanayo said before she tried to catch up with her two seniors.
Back to the lobby,
While Maki and Niko seem to have already started their endless argument and has ignored the fact that the team on the pool are playing chase, Eli remained silent as she watches over the specific girl that made her jealous.
She keeps wondering, how could it be possible for someone like her to be so obsessed with the idea of having Nozomi for herself…? But why was she also given with doubt about their future? Why can't she just feel one thing and get to the point of what she really wanted?
Surely, those doubts are just a problem for her. Maybe Niko was right about them making up and see what she truly wishes from each other. Then maybe she should just let things go because Nozomi seemed to really enjoy the scene that she never knew why it happened.
As she let a faint smile appear on her own lips,
A faint voice was also heard in a distance. She could see a woman with a classy male suit, her body posture seems to be masculine, and she keeps her eyes to the pool…
"It must be her…." the woman said.
Eli tilts her head slightly, wondering of who she was referring to…
"Those size of a womanly asset, that smooth skin, those beautiful eyes…."
Eli frowned slightly,
"…..and those silky purple strands…."
The blonde started to get furious as she hears it.
"…..she must be my true love…"
Ok, see you next chapter again!