Review Responses:
citralekha01: I'm glad you enjoy this! I am pretty happy with how it's turning out, so I hope that you will be satisfied.
little fox (Guest): I don't really know angst too well, so I didn't really know what to write. And hopefully, the next few chapters would help your drama fix. Thanks for the review!
Guest: I can definitely see where you are coming from. I was thinking that Eli was treated a bit harshly and Umi was a bit shafted. I kinda see Nico as the friend who doesn't think before she acts. She didn't have many friends before Muse, so she would care a lot about these eight girls. I feel that Nico trusts her third year peers, and especially Nozomi.
For Umi, i kinda wrote her in a corner. I'm trying to think of a way to sort this out. It won't be easy, and people may not like it. But, I still feel happy about how this story panned out nonetheless. Thanks for the review.
Nozomi felt much better today than yesterday. 'Finally got out my feelings. It's like a weight has been lifted off me.'
As she finished getting ready, she got a text.
Nicochi: Maki-chan and I are waiting outside. Hurry up!
Nozomi giggled at Nico. She replied back.
Nozomi: Hmm…I still have some stuff to do. Just wait a bit more, okay? ;p
She approached the door and heard some talking from Nico. She opened it and saw the two girls.
"-and she said that she- oh! Hiya Nozomi!" Nico nervously said.
"Nicochi, I don't like when I hear stuff from behind my back. That's going to require some…punishment…" Nozomi had her hands positioned for the dreaded Washi Washi technique.
"N-Nozomi! P-please forgive m-me. A-Anything but that." Nico had her hands together and begged. Maki chopped her lightly on the head. "Maki-chan! What was that for!?"
"Like I said yesterday, you are dumb. So, I have to keep you in check." Maki was staring at the short third year, which intimidated Nico.
'In-between Nozomi's Washi Washi technique and Maki-chan's death stare…' Nico gulped and got on her knees. "Please forgive me!"
Nozomi and Maki shared a smile, seeing how vulnerable Nico was. Nozomi patted the kneeling girl.
"Come on, Nicochi. We're going to be late for school."
"H-Hey! This is your guys' fault!" Nico didn't notice the Nozomi and Maki started leaving, so she had to hurry up.
The walk to school was uneventful. The three girls talked about small things. Nozomi used the two to support herself when she got a bit tired. The most interesting conversation that took place was what Nozomi and Nico were going to do after school.
"What are we going to do, Nozomi? We can't invite Maki-chan, she's a prude." Nico told the purple-haired girl.
"Prude? I'm a good student. You're just a dumb girl, Nico-chan." Maki countered back.
"Jeez, Maki-chan. Can't you loosen up a bit. Have a bit of fun!" Nico responded.
"Hey, this is an important test. I can't fail it."
"Now, now." Nozomi grabbed a shoulder from each girl. "Maki-chan is right, Nicochi is dumb." She giggled at Nico's reaction. "And Maki-chan needs to do well. It'll just be us today, Nicochi. I'll leave it up to you!"
"Really?! Awesome! You and I are going to have so much fun today, Nozomi! Without Maki-chan." Nico smiled when she said that last part because of Maki's reaction. She was not pleased, but Maki had her own reasons to be unamused.
'Gosh, Nico's really irritating me. I really do want to hang out with Nico-chan and Nozomi-chan. It's probably going to be really fun, especially with Nico-chan.' Maki felt that she had a gloomy face, but to Nico and Nozomi she looked the same.
…
The three girls reached the school and parted ways. Nozomi and Nico walked to their class while still talking about their after-school plans when Nico saw Eli.
Eli also noticed Nico in the door and looked away. Both of the girls were feeling too nervous to talk to each other after yesterday. However, Nozomi knew that they were both being dumb.
Nozomi dragged Nico towards Eli's desk. The two girls tensed up at seeing each other. They couldn't look each other in the eye.
Nozomi sighed. "Elichi, Nicochi. You two are being dumb." The two other third years shifted their attention to Nozomi. "You both want to apologize, so just do it. I want to see you two apologize as well."
Eli and Nozomi slowly turned towards each other and were extremely nervous.
"Nico-"
"Eli-"
The two girls interrupted each other, which caused a laugh from Nozomi. "Let Nicochi talk first. She physically hurt Elichi, so it's more important for Nicochi to apologize."
Nico started to speak. "Sorry Eli. I shouldn't have slapped you even once. I didn't like seeing Nozomi cry and be sad, and she said that it was your fault. My emotions got the best of me and I let them out on you. I'm sorry, Eli-chan."
Eli wore a smile and had some tears in her eyes. "I am also sorry Nico. Umi and I didn't know why you slapped me, but once you said everything…I understood. It showed how bad of a friend I could be, especially to the one I call my best friend. And I hurt you. I only assumed that you slapped me for no reason, but I see why you did. For that, I'm thankful."
The two girls hugged, and Nozomi's smile was as wide as she could put it.
…
The rest of the day was uneventful. Classes, lunch. Most of it was normal. On this day, Eli decided to go eat lunch with Umi leaving the two other third years in their classroom.
"So…how are you holding up?" Nico asks out of the blue.
"With Elichi and Umi-chan?" Nico nodded. "Surprisingly well. I feel that Elichi and I have gotten a bit closer after yesterday. I do feel a bit of pain, but it gets overwhelmed by the support I need to give to Elichi." Nozomi responds after a small bit of time.
"Great! So, I guess you can get over heartbreak quickly." Nico teased. Nozomi had a smile.
"It's all thanks to you and Maki-chan."
…
Idol practice had a slight change in how people paired up. The new couple was a bit reluctant about pairing up with Nozomi around them.
"You two. You said that it wouldn't get awkward. So, do as you please!" Nozomi assured the lovebirds.
So now, the groups were; Honoka and Kotori, Hanayo and Rin, Eli and Umi, and Nozomi, Nico, and Maki.
"Does Nozomi seem closer to Maki-chan and Nico?" Eli asked Umi while stretching.
"You noticed too, Eli-chan? After yesterday, they do look a bit friendlier now." Umi responded. "Eli-chan, she's gotten over it. Just be a bit more calm." Umi noticed how tense Eli was getting and wanted to say something to relieve her.
Eli took Umi's hand and squeezed it tightly. Umi was happy that her girlfriend's tension left her body. "T-thanks, Umi-chan. I don't think I could be as calm without you."
Once practice ended, everyone went their separate ways. Eli and Umi, Honoka and Kotori, the three first years, and Nozomi and Nico was how they left.
"So, Nicochi. What's first?"
Nico took a while to respond. "Let's grab a bite. I'm starving and a small bit before dinner wouldn't hurt."
"You want some parfaits?"
"Hmm, I guess that works."
The walk to the parfait parlour was mostly silent. Nozomi was doing better with her leg, but she still leaned on Nico sometimes. The conversations were brief, but enjoyable.
Nozomi noticed that Nico was acting differently today. As they approached the parfait parlour, Nico held the door open for Nozomi. She also helped Nozomi by pulling out her seat.
"Wow! Nicochi, the gentlewoman!" Nozomi teased the raven-haired girl. They ordered their food, so they started talking while they waited.
"Hey! Don't take this the wrong way. I'm still waiting for when your leg heals up and I don't have to help you as much." Nico glared at Nozomi.
"Nicochi. That hurts," Nozomi responded in a playful manner. "I'm glad I get to spend time with you today. I never see this side of Nicochi." Nozomi smiled warmly at her.
Nico started to blush. "You always do! Nico Nico nii is always showing off her…side that you speak of!"
"Not that, silly. The kind, motherly side." Nozomi said with a kind smile. Nico stared at her in awe.
"B-but, you're always the motherly one to all of us."
"Did you see how much you took care of me when I was at my worst? No one understood me…except for you, Nicochi." Nozomi saw the harsh blush that was on Nico's cheeks.
"Jeez, Nozomi. All this praise might be too much for Nico."
Their parfaits arrived and the two enjoyed them in relative silence.
"Wow, these are really good!"
"Glad you enjoyed it. Elichi and I always went here for our fix. So…anything else?" Nozomi got up and paid for the food.
As they exited the place, Nico had an idea. "Just one more! Follow me!"
…
The last stop before the two went home was…
"…the arcade? Why are we here, Nicochi?"
"Well, you paid for our food. And the past few days must have been hard. So, I'm going to get you a stuffed toy to cheer you up!"
Nozomi teared up at how nice Nico was being. She was going to respond with some comment, but she was too lost in the moment to say anything.
"Now, what do you want? I can get anything your heart desires!" Nico said enthusiastically.
The two were at the crane game, and there were a lot of things Nozomi wanted. "Nicochi, get me that cute ghost."
"It's not even close to Halloween yet." Nozomi pouted at Nico. "Alright, fine. I, the great Nico Nico nii, will grant your wish."
Nozomi watched and Nico had her eyes focused on that ghost. As always, Nico easily got the prize. But, it wasn't the right one.
"Darn it! Sorry, Nozomi. I was off by just a bit and got this instead." Nico held up a plush heart. Nico may have not seen Nozomi's face, but the purple-haired girl was heavily blushing and was attracted to the stuffed toy.
"I-its okay, Nicochi. I'll take it." Nozomi swiftly took the plush heart, much to Nico's surprise. "I really appreciate it." Nozomi's lips were in a huge smile that wouldn't go away.
"But, it's not the one you wanted. Let me do-"
Nozomi put her hand up to Nico's face. "Nicochi, I'm already happy that you gave me something. At least you got me something."
"Well, of course I would get something. Nico wouldn't let a silly crane stop me from doing anything." Nico said proudly. "Oh! It's almost time for me to go! Do you want me to help you home?"
Nozomi waited for a couple of seconds before responding.
"Yeah. Thanks."
…
Nozomi was sitting in her bed and was staring at the new plush toy she got.
The plush heart had a small, smiling face and was red. Nozomi was really appreciative of Nico's gift. She slept soundly with the heart close to her chest.
…
"Nicochi, look!" Nozomi pulled the heart from her bag.
"Ahh!"
Nozomi frowned. "Nicochi, that isn't very nice. Don't you like showing off your prized possessions?"
"P-prized? I just got you that a couple of days ago!" The two girls have had small
"And it is very special."
"What's so special?" Eli walked up to the pair.
Nozomi brought out the plush again. "This! Nicochi got me this. A repayment for the parfaits we ate." She had a small blush on her face, but it wasn't seen by Eli and Nico.
"Oh wow. That was nice of you Nico. Guess that even I can't bring you down." Eli teased the girls.
"Sheesh, Eli. Can't you be a bit more subtle?" Nico replied sarcastically. "Anyways, how is it with Umi? Not too shaken up by what you did to Nozomi?"
"And you tell Elichi to be subtle." Nico stuck out her toung while Nozomi pouted. Eli laughed at this display.
'This looks like it might go somewhere. Thanks Nico, for being there for her.'
"Things have gone really well! Umi is much more affectionate than she seems, at least when we're alone. She really likes to cuddle and hold ha-"
"Eli-chan!" Umi shouted from the door. "We should eat lunch together. And...YOU'RE SAYING TOO MUCH!"
The three third years all laughed, which gave Umi more embarassment. "Okay, Umi." Eli wrapped her arm around Umi's arm. "Is it okay to leave you two for her? She won't say no for answer."
"Eli-chan!" Umi lightly hit Eli, still being embarrassed in front of a third year class, her idol partners, and her teasing girlfriend.
"Of course! We wouldn't want Umi-chan to kill us during practice." Nozomi continued the string of embarrassing quips as she got a glare from Umi.
"Well, she already looks like she's ready to kill." Nico also didn't let up, earning another glare.
Umi's face was tomato red, and she pouted at Eli. "Eli-chan. They're making fun of me!"
Eli took initiative and kissed Umi's forehead.
"And you are not helping!" Umi slowly stormed out of the room.
"It was nice, you two. You seem to get along well," Eli said to the girls. She picked up her lunch to follow Umi. "And again, I'm so-"
"Elichi. You don't need to. I forgive you." That brought a smile to Eli's face as she waved goodbye.
"You actually made it through that? I'm impressed." Nico told her.
"Well, I can't dwell on it for too long. Besides, I need to help my best friend. I told you this."
Nico nodded and the two went ant started to eat.
Idol practice finished and Nozomi and Nico were walking around again.
"So, Nicochi…where to today?"
Nico shook her head. "I'm not choosing today. It's your turn, Nozomi."
"Hmm…" Nozomi took a while to decide what to do. She was pretty happy with how the past few days have been. "Would you like to eat at my house?"
"Really? What do you have at home?"
"Nothing. I should buy groceries today. Maybe we can cook something together," Nozomi said with a smile.
"Oh. Well, it'll be fun cooking with you. So, why not."
The two girls headed to the grocery store and deliberated on what they would want to eat.
...
"Jeez, Nozomi. You could have gotten a bit more meat." Nico complained at the choice of foods they got.
They planned to make a curry stew. Simple ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and some beef.
"Well, you don't want to disappoint your siblings for not eating with them."
Nico showed an indignant face, but knew she was defeated.
…
Maki headed home early today. Rin and Hanayo had some date plans and Maki didn't want to spoil their fun.
As she walked home, she saw Nozomi and Nico. And…they were laughing. Having fun. 'Without…me. I want Nico-chan to see me than an annoying friend. I don't think she might see me as such. But, seeing her with Nozomi…I'm getting jealous.'
Maki saw the two enter Nozomi's place and felt defeated. 'Will I ever have a chance to be with Nico-chan? Have I been too much of a bother, and Nico-chan doesn't like it?'
...
Nico and Nozomi started to cook right away. And Nozomi was enjoying the company. Being the only one in her place was relaxing. However, that feeling of loneliness that travelled with Nozomi stemmed from being alone. So, having a friend brought comfort and enjoyment that she would miss from being alone.
However, the air between the two girls felt…different for Nozomi. Was it the laughter that filled the room as they cooked? Was the smell of the curry cooking lifted her sprits? Was it Nico's smile and happiness that she enjoyed?
'It's happening again.'
"Nozomi, the curry is almost finished."
'Can I do anything?'
"Can you set the table up?"
'No! It's too soon. Let your feelings come naturally, Nozomi.'
"Okay, Nicochi."
…
The apartment was silent again and Nozomi was holed up in her room.
"Do…Do I love Nicochi?"
All Nozomi could do was stare at that plush heart that Nico won for her. How much did that mean to her? She has been enjoying Nico's company and the short girl has grown to be one of her best friends. But…is it something more than that?
Nozomi didn't notice her eyes were pouring out tears. Why? She was scared. She could get heartbroken again. If it happens, it could be like how Eli's situation panned out. But, it would be her second heartbreak in such a small time. What if she wasn't a person that could be in a romantic love? It would make sense, but she didn't deserve it. She knew that all of Muse would say that the world is being cruel to her. But she knows.
"I-I love Nicochi."
Nozomi went to sleep with the plush heart held to her chest. She cried, but she knows that she had to do something about this.
"I'm going to tell her. That I love Nicochi."