The week of trial had begun for Eli as she made her way to Vintage Coffee. From what she heard from Jesidril last night, Nozomi was their regular photographer and if there was nothing to shoot photos at, she would be called by other agencies and contractors.

Knowing Eli's influence, she could ask people around so she could have a reason to be around Nozomi. Eli couldn't understand why she was too invested in a girl but she just… was.

She just knew that if she wouldn't be able to see her, she might roll around her home in frustration or not get any sleep. Not like she got any sleep upon meeting Nozomi anyway.

Walking inside the café, Eli looked around, only to find the surprised Chika by the counter.

"Eli-chan! On your day off?" Chika asked.

"Where's Nozomi?" Eli answered that with a question as she hurried to the counter.

"N-Nozomi-chan? Well, she's not here yet. Maybe she got caught up with a photoshoot somewhere."

"Already!? Darn it!" Eli blew a breath of disappointment; did she arrive here late? No, she was sure this was the time Nozomi would clock in.

"Why are you looking for her?" Although, Chika already had a general idea.

"Ahh, well.." Eli chuckled nervously; she couldn't just say she wanted to see her, right?

"Well, I think you shouldn't wait for her if you're not on your day off."

"Oh, I'm on a day off." Actually, Eli wasn't. She'd be chewed out later at work. It would be worth it if Nozomi would just show up.

Come on, Nozomi… Eli thought as she looked around and Chika hummed to find a way to ease her nerves at least.

"Would you like to order while you wait for her?"

"Oh, uh, sure. I'll have the iced latte" Eli replied.

Moments later, Jesidril walked in with Nozomi beside her.

"'Sup?" Jesidril waved at the two of them and Eli's eyes glimmered and almost teared up upon seeing the woman she had been waiting for.

"Noooozoomiii! The blonde instinctively pounced at Nozomi, who flinched back in surprise but Jesidril was quick enough to grab Eli before she crashed against the photographer.

Chika chuckled nervously, "That's one way to miss someone."

"I thought it'd be a one-day escapade but I shouldn't underestimate Eli. This is our first time seeing her like this after all." Jesidril said as she pushed Eli back.

Eli properly composed herself and cleared her throat, "That's right and you should have at least let me hug her."

"I hear you." Nozomi giggled.

When Chika was about to get the milk for the latte, she realized that the container was empty. It seemed she forgot to buy some yesterday, "Ah! Jesi-chan! We ran out of milk!"

"Out of stocks already? Guess Eli brought in those customers after ordering the latte yesterday!" Jesidril then faced Nozomi and handed over a band of cash.

"Buy me double the amount, I have a great feeling that there will be a lot of customers who will order lattes today, too."

Nozomi nodded, "Alright then."

Eli, on the other hand, was staring at Jesidril as if to tell her that she should go with Nozomi to help.

A bead of sweat rolled down Jesidril's temple as she looked at the blonde, she could almost see a wagging tail with all-straight dog ears on Eli. She'd feel guilty if she wouldn't let Eli accompany Nozomi.

"Eli, help her out." Jesidril told the blonde – who instantly became the happiest in the room.

"I will!" Eli said.

IIIII

"These look heavy." Eli frowned when the cafe's milk supplier brought out four stacks of medium-sized boxes before Nozomi handed in the cash.

"They're just temporary stocks. Jesi-chan needs it right away for the flow of early customers. We will be buying more of them in the afternoon." Nozomi said as she turned to the blonde.

"Let's carry these back." Nozomi went to grab the two boxes but Eli grabbed one of them and topped it on her share.

"You carry that one and I'll carry three." Eli said confidently with a cheeky smile.

Nozomi blinked in surprise, "Are you sure?"

"Of course! You don't need to worry, let me help you." Eli replied and went to grab the three boxes and lifted them up. As she expected, the weight was heavy but they weren't things she couldn't carry.

"Hooh.." Nozomi blinked in surprise; she wouldn't be able to carry that much. Could it be…?

"You're an Altered, aren't you?"

"Yeah!"

No wonder. Altered females do have that thing after all, along with abilities that men could do.

"That explains it." Nozomi smiled and they went on their way, heading back to Vintage Coffee.

"So, I was curious that everyone in Vintage Coffee knew you on a personal level, had you worked there for a while?" Nozomi struck a conversation.

"Not really, we met way back then but when I decided to pursue modeling, we had to go our separate ways but we kept in touch."

"So, you're the type to leave?"

That felt like an arrow hit Eli directly to the heart, "O-Of course not! I told them about it!"

"Hooh… so, if I ever answered you then you would leave me as well?"

"Of course not! It was just that work was hectic back then!"

Nozomi couldn't help but giggle, "I'm just teasing you."

"J-Jeez…" Eli sighed in relief.

"I honestly never heard of you from Jesi-chan and Chika-chan though."

"Well, I specifically told them not to tell anyone that they knew me in any way because I didn't want them to be bothered by the paparazzi. Though, I told them that I didn't want to be bothered." Eli chuckled.

"Any plans after modeling? For sure, you won't be staying there forever, right?"

"Well, I haven't really thought about it that far, I mean, I'm still young and I have a long career ahead but I guess I can start by getting to be with you." Eli smirked.

"Well, aren't you being sneaky with those flirts?" Nozomi smirked back as she playfully pushed her shoulder against Eli's arm, causing the blonde to lightly stumble to the side while she yelped at the impact.

"W-Wait, Nozomi!" Eli almost dropped the box on top but good thing that she was able to balance herself and quickly chased after Nozomi.

From afar, a group of female hoodlums were watching them before they exchanged glances and then looking back at the two, specifically towards Eli.

One of them puffed out a smoke from her cigarette before muttering under her breath:

"Well, well, that looks interesting."