Author's Note

For those that read the first chapter, slight edit: Eri is transferring in as a 2nd year, so Maki and the rest aren't in the school yet. That being said, this fic isn't Muse-centric (for now maybe?) Idk what characters may appear, haven't really planned on any others as of now.

Apologies if this chapter is of a lower quality than the previous one :S It seems kinda unrealistic to me which I deeply apologise for. Just couldn't think of anything else. It's super dialogue-heavy too so basically I'm so sorry for the bad chapter T_T I promise there'll be more NozoEri in the next though! (Whenever it gets uploaded whoops)

Also, thank you so much to everyone that has read this! Please enjoy the 2nd chapter!

I Hate To See Your Heart Break: Thank you for your review! Yup, edited it because it really was too far-fetched :P I'd love to have a Beta Reader, I'll PM you later (so sorry if I send it really late though :S)

1 month ago

"Otonokizaka is at risk of closing, huh..." Eri wondered aloud. "Isn't there a way to stop it? I know how much that school means you Grandma and you."

"Apparently there's nothing much that the Chairwoman can do. Most of the board of directors and the Student Council has given up as the intake rate is too low. This would be their last batch of students before closing down."

Eri frowned at that information. How could everyone give up so easily? Shouldn't they be trying their best to save the school? Most of the students there wouldn't be able to get a complete high school experience.

"If I were in the Student Council, I'd make sure that none of them give up so easily. Are they really just going to let the school close down?"

Her mother smiled wistfully. "I guess so. Oh well, all good things must come to an end." That being said, she left the room.

Eri's mother dusted the cover and the elegant print shone brightly under the light. With a nostalgic smile, she flipped through the pages of her old high school yearbook, thinking back to her wonderful times. It was where she had met some of her closest friends and even though she was not in Japan with them, they still frequently kept in touch.

The sound of her ringtone brought her out of her reverie. She glanced down at it and realised it was one of her best friends that was also from Otonokizaka.

"Hello?"

"Irina, have you heard the news?"

"Of course. It's really happening... huh?"

"All those memories we've made won't have a place to be associated with soon. Do you remember our last school festival?"

Eri's mother gave a hearty laugh as she recalled that event. It turned out to be a huge success under their charge as the Student Council President and Vice-President. As she reminisced more with her old friend, it became apparent that having the school close down would be losing an important part of her life.

Unbeknownst to her, Eri heard everything.

"...And with that, the Student Council would like to announce that there will be a Culture Appreciation Week next week. More details on the events being held during that week will be posted on the students' notice board." Eri finished the announcements and returned to her seat.

The booming applause did not go unnoticed to her and Eri felt a sense of accomplishment for being able to make so many people's school life that bit better.

"Great job coming up with the Culture Appreciation Week, Eri. Ever since you took over as the President of the Student Council, there has been a lot of positive feedback and everyone is really happier," her discipline teacher commended.

Eri gave a polite smile and thanked him. If only she could help the Student Council in Otonikizaka, maybe they wouldn't give up so easily. She wasn't trying to be all high and mighty but she knew that if she were there, she would have tried to convince them to try harder.

Then, an idea popped into her mind.

"Hey, Arisa. What do you think of me going to Otonokizaka after summer holiday is over in Japan?"

"Ehh! That's quite sudden... Is it because you want to help keep the school going?"

Eri nodded.

"Well unless there's a clear way that you can help out somehow, I don't think it'd be good to be so rash. Unless there's something else?"

Eri hesitated. Arisa was always so clueless and acted without a care in the world that she forgot how perceptive her younger sister could be.

"You've always wanted to study in Otonokizaka, right? That's another reason why you're so determined to save the school," Arisa deduced with a knowing smile. "Maybe we can check the admissions and talk to Mom about it then?"

Eri gave her sister a grateful smile for figuring it out on her own so she didn't have to say it all out.

"Sure. Thanks, Arisa."

"Of course. All students are welcome here as long as you pass our entrance exam. I can send you the list of necessary documents but you would have to take the test in Japan."

"Sure. Can I get back to you as to whether I will be taking the test?"

"Of course. Thank you for considering," Principal Minami smiled.

Eri had decided to contact the school to check if it was even an option in the first place. Of course, Arisa's words still stuck in her mind and before she could stop herself, she found herself asking what they had tried so far to stop the closure of the school.

"We've considered renovations and additions of clubs but we simply don't have the funds. It's just too late to start. Our last idea was actually to convert to a mixed gender school, but we needed a test student first and no one has applied."

"I see. Sorry for asking so abruptly and thank you for your time." With that, Eri hung up.

As she pondered over other possible solutions, she didn't notice Arisa's eyes slowly gaining that mischievous glint.

"Come on, I think it's a great idea! We needed a concrete idea and here we have it! Being a mixed gender school would double the admissions since it's not just one gender any more. It would help!"

"I don't think you're seeing the biggest flaw in this, Arisa: I'm a girl!"

From the small smirk on her face, Eri knew the next words that would come out from her sister's mouth would not be pleasant.

"You could always pretend to not be one."

Yup, she had guessed correctly.

"In the first place, I don't think the school would allow that. I'm pretty sure Mom wouldn't too!"

"Did you two mention me?" Their mother asked as she walked into Eri's room.

"Mom! Apparently there is a way to save Otonokizaka!" Arisa exclaimed excitedly and being the scheming little deviant she was, she intentionally hooked their mother with that piece of information first.

"Oh really? How?"

"All Onee-chan has to do is be an Onii-chan!"

Sensing the befuddlement from their mother, Eri clarified things.

"Otonokizaka High is trying to convert to a mixed gender school, but first they need feedback from a few male students. There were no applications this year so they decided to scrap the idea. However, they're still open to transfer students..." Eri faltered as she saw the knowing look on her mother's face, mixed with the same smirk Arisa had.

"I don't think it's that bad an idea. It may be quite fun."

I swear, they just like seeing me in awkward situations, Eri thought.

"I'm pretty sure the school wouldn't allow it anyway," she defended.

"Why not? They just need a test student to see how the other students react, right? If that's so then as long as the students think of you as a male then it should be fine, right?" Their mother reasoned.

"Let's ask Principal Minami! If she allows it then there's no reason for you not to try, right Onee-chan?"

Eri sighed.

"I suppose so."

"Well, I'm not averse to it. In fact, if you would be willing to do this, it would be great. I have to check with the board first but it should be fine," Principal Minami replied cheerfully.

"Great, thank you! We'll be awaiting your reply," their mother ended the call. "No backing out now, Erichika."

Eri started praying that somehow, another solution would appear.

"It's been approved, so all you have to do now is pass the entrance exam and you'll be our latest and only 'male' student," Principal Minami was evidently relieved.

Once the call ended, Eri began to protest but was cut off by Arisa the moment she opened her mouth.

"No going back on your word Onee-chan! Besides, there's finally a concrete method. Don't you want to try? This way, you can attend the school too."

She supposed it made sense.

Present

Eri watched as her (or rather, his) classmates' excitement grew. Sensei explained the situation to them which was mainly true apart from the omission of her true gender. As she stood there, her eyes roamed around the classroom and spotted a familiar face.

My prayer was answered, Eri thought with surprise as behind an empty desk (which she assumed was hers) was the shrine maiden, looking out the window instead. She was the only one not fangirling over Eri and that intrigued her.

"Alright, please take your seat over there, in front of Toujou-san," Sensei instructed.

Toujou-san, huh... Wonder what her name is.

Toujou-san gave Eri a polite smile as she got to her seat, which Eri returned slightly.

As interested as I am in this girl, I need to remember to keep my distance. I just need to play my part for now and figure out other solutions. Getting too close to anyone may be dangerous.

So he's here as a test to see whether a mixed gender school is a good idea, huh... Well he's going to be incredibly popular amongst everyone else. Must be nice to be able to befriend others so easily, Nozomi thought wistfully.

She didn't dislike Eriot, she didn't know enough about him to form an impression yet. All she knew was that she was slightly jealous of how he would probably have an enjoyable life after transferring as he was a special student after all.

Oh well. I wonder what I should have for lunch later on.

A/N

Once again, sorry if this chapter didn't meet your standards T_T May we all just ignore the fact that there's no way such a situation would be allowed for a reason like this? :P

Anyway, in my headcanon, Arisa actually knows her sister really well and pushes her to pursue what she wants in her own subtle way. Hence why she appears so much for this. Even though Eri's the older child and usually quite serious and all, she gets teased the most in her family because she gets embarrassed so easily. That's what family is for, right? ^^