we are school idols

✧ 1 ; nozoeli ✧ let's get parfaits again

That moment Nozomi Tojo lay her eyes on Eli Ayase - the new student in her class - she felt as if her breath had been stolen - not quite literally. From the way her blue hues sparkled when she spoke, how confident and relaxed her posture is as she goes about her everyday life, and how her blonde locks danced in the soft breeze - Nozomi could feel herself wanting to get to know the other - more, and more, and more with each passing day...

Nozomi had always been reserved, always keeping a low profile. She never really had much friends. Since she was young, she had always been transferring from this school, to that school, and to that school again... She had no say in all of these - all she could do was to follow her parents around the country, without complaints or anything whatsoever. And now, at the very present, if only she could go forward to befriend this stunning new girl...

Perhaps everything may change for the better.

Nozomi remembered that day which she had finally gathered enough courage to approach the Eli Ayase. As usual, Eli had appeared distant and aloof - leaving the class after lessons with a straight face, as she headed down the stairway. Nozomi had grasped her bag and ran after the other - being firm on her resolve that she was going to go forward to talk to her. This time, for real.

"Um...!"

Upon hearing what seemed like a call out to her, Eli turned towards Nozomi, her light blue irises staring down at the other. Nozomi felt her cheeks heating up - what was happening? She had absolutely no intention of doing that - and her lips just acted on their own accord! ...Wasn't it? It appeared to be a little too late to back out now, though.

"My name is Nozomi Tojo!" She gave the girl a gentle smile, as she tilted her head slightly to the side.

With that, Nozomi and Eli started becoming friends. It was obvious - Eli just needed someone who could understand her, and Nozomi - she just needed a companion. Someone she could go through thick and thin with - someone she could stick with and call her friend. They walked home together everyday - for they live just a few streets away from one another. When it rains, Eli would share her umbrella with Nozomi, and would send her to her doorstep before proceeding back to her own home. When it snowed - and when Eli forgot to bring her scarf to school, Nozomi would wrap her friend up in her own scarf, claiming that she felt no cold - for her spiritual power protects her from stuff like the winter.

And Eli believed her.

When Eli had decided to join the student council, Nozomi decided to tag along too - not for the school community involvement points she could get, not for the fact that she would finally become 'famous' among the student body for being a student council - Nozomi was not interested in things like that anyway - but because of a simple reason. She wanted to be able to take care of Eli, wherever she was.

"Eli-cchi... It's already past six..." Nozomi whines, as she secured the last stack of documents in a ring file, and slotting the file into the bookshelf.

Eli shook her head firmly, her hues darting over the contents of the students' report that sat in her hands. "A while later, Nozomi. I still have to run through these stacks of reports before this Friday - and that one there. If I don't, then the school may really be closed for good-"

Before Eli could respond, Nozomi pulled the other in for a hug from the back. It happened so quick - Eli's face heated up when she felt Nozomi's warm breath against her cheeks, especially considering how close she was. Eli had fallen prey to Nozomi's playful groping - or 'punishments', as the purple-haired maiden called it - multiple times, but this was just difficult. Perhaps this was a little too... Intimidate for her?

"N-Nozomi!" She exclaims, flustered. Eli struggled to escape from Nozomi's hug, but it seemed to be a futile effort - for Nozomi pulled her even closer. "Nozomi, I told you. I still have to-"

"Eli-cchi." Nozomi interrupts, snuggling close to the other. "You're being like this again. Pushing yourself way too hard, shouldering all these burdens by yourself and shutting everyone else out. It makes me... Sad to see you like that, Eli-cchi."

Eli chuckles - but the trembling of her voice gives her away. "What do you mean, Nozomi? I'm not pushing myself too hard. This is my job as the Student Council President, and it is only normal for me to..." She paused midway as she heard a soft sniffle, turning around - only to see tears welling up at the edge of Nozomi's turquoise irises.

"There you go again, Eli-cchi! God, I really don't like this side of you!" Then, her tone softened, as she let go of Eli, and raised a hand to wipe off the tears before they could roll down her cheeks. I never wanted Eli-cchi to see me cry, so why? "Eli-cchi, that is no good. I'm here. I'm the Vice-President. I can help you. When I say that we can definitely finish all these without you pushing yourself too hard, I mean it. So, please... Believe me, alright? I want you to be happy, I want you to not worry over things like the student council too much."

Just leave the worrying part to me, Eli-cchi.

"Nozomi..." Eli was in a loss for words - she never had any idea. She never knew that Nozomi felt this way, and she definitely never knew that she had caused her friend to feel like that. Her friend? Heck, Nozomi may even be something more than just a mere friend to Eli.

"Well, Eli-cchi!" Nozomi's tone was light-hearted, gentle, yet a little sad. "Pack up, pack up! We can always continue this another day." She reached forward to tidy up Eli's table, and briskly placed all the documents in the drawer. Eli was still in a daze from the episode before - but was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Nozomi calling her again.

"Eli-cchi?"

"Yes, Nozomi?" Eli turned over to the other, returning her smile for the first time in the week.

"Let's get parfaits again."

Eli could never say no to Nozomi.