Summary:

Eli tends to the melancholy of the diamond princess.


She showed Nozomi the text.

"Should I go, Elicchi?" was the response.

Eli started to say, "Of course not."

For one thing, hadn't Nozomi confronted Maki once already, about her tendency to shut everyone out, with incredibly good results? Really, she already had a big sister aura with Maki. Plus, the entire situation made Eli uncomfortable.

But hadn't she briefly considered with Maki that Eli and her might have the same view of Kotori's project? Nozomi and Honoka often bonded by hitting Akihabara to buy yuri manga and even anime videos and games. They were far more comfortable being open about girls dating than Eli ever would be. That Nozomi's company would be welcome for Eli, there was no doubt. But ... Nozomi wasn't even on Maki's list of people to talk to directly.

"Yes, I think so, Nozomi. Are you done?"

Nozomi showed her empty mug. She gave Eli a hug. "I believe in you, Eli," she said.

She looked like she was just going to leave, but changed her mind and sat down on the edge of her chair.

"Maki needs someone now, almost as much as Nicocchi did. I think teasing Nico never did any good, and the same for Maki. It was only when I was dead serious that we ever connected. If Nico wanted to have fun, she went out with Honoka and Rin, right? And Maki with Hanayo and Rin. I think for serious girls like them, only certain people can have fun with them. I like to think I am that person for the cute and clever Elichika ..." Eli nodded.

"... but Maki needs a heart-to-heart with someone, not advice."

And with that, she gathered her bag and left.

Eli had texted Maki back after telling Nozomi they should probably meet alone. After a bit of chit-chat, they decided to meet at the coffee shop, then go to Maki's house. She ordered another coffee like the one she'd drunk, to take with her, and decided the same would probably suit Maki.

When the girl in question came through the door, it was a revelation. Maki had been putting a good face on things, other than the avoiding Nico business, when she went to practices. But now Eli could see someone falling apart. She was carelessly dressed, and looked tired. What good, she thought, would this do if it managed to save Nico but sink Maki?

They had made a wise decision, because they might not have been ready to leave when the shop closed hours later. Maki's feelings turned out to be complex way beyond what Eli had guessed. As Nozomi had guessed, simply getting them out seemed to do her a lot of good. Later that evening, Eli was able to reassure Maki that Nico hadn't done anything whatsoever with a mind to dismissing Maki or replacing her or disrespecting her. Even Eli had to agree that Nico was simply trying to do what Maki had told her to do - get herself together after losing Maki - and that the stricture by Maki that she should do so in isolation was simply impossible.

"Sometimes others see things we miss, Maki. Kotori did."

"But .." Maki began.

"But, also, I think people aren't seeing you very well right now. I was and am against this project. My best guess is that because of that I will be the last one they approach, after Nozomi and Umi work me over ..."

"But if you are ... "

"Maki do you want her back?"

"I don't know. No, I mean, not now. Maybe Nico didn't need time alone to figure things out, but I do."

"But you are feeling jealous, nonetheless. You can't have it both ways, even if your heart tells you you should."

Maki admitted it. They decided to continue talking at least once a week. Maki confessed the isolation had started to destroy her equanimity. Eli told her that she should form as many re-ties as possible. Maki didn't have friends outside of Mu's, so she should be cordial to Kotori and Umi, and Honoka if they went that far, and restore her friendship with Rin and Hanayo. And when she was ready, she might ask Nozomi for advice. Once you convinced her you weren't on the same page as her, she could be very wise.

"But shouldn't I try to convince Nico to ..." Eli was seeing her own thoughts mirrored by Maki, who was an admirable girl in every way. But hearing it from someone else, it became clear that it was the wrong path. "You can't," she interrupted.

She took Maki's hand. "Nico is really, truly, wholeheartedly grateful to the girls, especially the trio, right now. If you tried to get back together in the middle of a week, she'd give even you a rain-check. And if you begged her to come back to your side after that, Nico would only do it now if she could justify it and convince whoever it was that was next that it wasn't personal or a judgment on their attractiveness. I am serious. And Kotori and Umi say that stops the project. So you had better want an honest reconciliation and promise her something or she'll really get hurt and angry, even Nico, even with you."

She tried to read Maki's expression. When she'd mentioned the week, Maki had flinched. She probably realized how serious everyone took the one-week commitment. It would be an insult to the other girl and a black mark for Nico to go back on it.

"Maki, sleep on all this. Text me tomorrow." Eli had to catch the last train home. Eli gave Maki a long hug, then left.