The CO2 breathers

Chapter XIV

Eli stared at the ceiling as she thought about the place she was held captive. Nozomi was sleeping peacefully on her bed and was snoring quietly. The blond stared at her hand as she thought about her friend's powers. Mika was Fire, Ittoki was Water, Isla was Ice and Kumiko was electricity. But what was Eli? Surely she had a power too, she was there when the lab exploded... she sighed and got out of bed, wanting to go to the roof for some fresh air. She grabbed a flashlight and switched it on, the light bouncing off the walls. She took one last look at Nozomi and opened the door, stepping out into the silent corridor.

"What are you doing out?" Eli turned to see Mika, who was looking at her curiously. "Just need some fresh air, you? " "I have to meet Hideki to... discuss certain things." Mika turned away from Eli and walked down the corridor. Eli tilted her head and looked at Mika slowly trudging down the hall, before disappearing around the corner.

Sighing, Eli started to walk around, looking for an opening in the building. "Where in the world can you find fresh air around here?" She hunkered to herself as the flashlight lit up the area around her. She walked around, turning her head left and right. When she turned a corner and felt a slight wind on her back, she quickly turned around and was greeted with glass doors.

Stepping towards them, the doors slid open, revealing a balcony with someone standing at the corner. Clearing her throat to not startle the person, she walked out onto the balcony. "Ayase." The person, who she identified as Tokiya, greeted. Eli nodded at him and stood next to him, watching the few cars on the streets. "Where are you from?" Eli jumped slightly and turned her head to look at Tokiya, who was staring at her. "Where...?" Eli looked at him, confused.

"Like, you're not totally Japanese are you?" Eli shook her head and rested her arms on the railing. "My grandmother is from Russia." Tokiya nodded and looked away, an awkward silence settling upon them. "So... what was your life like before this...?" Eli played with a strand of hair. "Fine. Getting bossed around by our seniors, though mine was way too cheerful. Running around for recordings, interviews, concerts. Well, actually not that great. Very tiring. I recommend you not to be an idol." Eli's eyes widened and she looked at him in shock, "You were... an idol?"

Tokiya nodded and sighed, "Ittoki too. We were from a group called Starish."
Eli smiled and looked up at the stars twinkling brightly in the sky. "I was from a school idol group called μ's with Nozomi. We disbanded though..."
Tokiya looked at her, mildly surprised that she had also been an idol. "μ's... that school idol group huh? You guys were pretty famous. Why did you disband?" Eli closed her eyes and tilted her head, thinking for a while. "Well, our juniors decided to disband when we graduated. μ's won't be the same without all its members after all."

Tokiya was about to say something when the doors behind them slid open. Turning to see who it was, they were met with the messy brown hair if Hideki. "What are you two doing here? Come on, go back to your rooms before anyone sees you or you'll get into trouble!" They stared at Hideki for a while before walking back into the building with Hideki. Mika was leaning on a wall and stood up straight when Eli and Tokiya walked through the doors. They started the walk back to their rooms, talking quietly.

"What were you guys doing out there? If you're trying to escape, that won't work, its way to high to jump!" Hideki whisper-shouted. Eli shook her head, explaining that they were just talking. They walked in silence the rest of the way, their footsteps echoing through the hallways. Mika looked preoccupied, thinking about something.

When they reached their rooms, Hideki broke the awkward silence by wishing them a good night before walking away. Tokiya, Eli and Mika looked at each other and nodded before going to their own bedrooms. Eli closed the door softly behind her and turned to see Nozomi still sleeping peacefully. Smiling, she sat next to her on the bed and started to pet her head. Nozomi stirred and opened an eye, looking at Eli questioningly. Eli merely smiled and lay down in the bed beside her, muttering a good night.