Operation: Scare Nozomi

Chapter 5

The initial rush of excitement had since died down, as nobody was able to come up with a good idea to terrify their 'dearest' miko, Nozomi. And the Muses quickly fell back into old patterns, lazing around in the room between practices, bored to tears.

Nico leaned back into her chair, half in a daydream. Perhaps me and Eli are the only ones who want so bad to see Nozomi scared. I can't wait for the day I get my revenge for all her teasing and pranks. Under the table, she played absently with a little plastic gum container.

A friend had given her the gum container a few days ago, claiming she happened to see Nico's favorite flavor in the shop. When she opened it later, a black blob of – whatever that was – shot out onto her fingers, causing her to fall out of her chair in fright. (She discovered later it was a fake insect) Up until now she absolutely refused to open the box again.

Well it was rough. She flushed slightly. But since all the other Muses were completely absorbed in their reading/card reading/chatting/napping/staring at another member, no one paid her any heed at all.

Nico threw her head back and sighed, thinking of how she should pass the cheap prank to Nozomi without said girl suspecting anything.

She planned her dialogue, her escape route and excuses – seriously that girl is unpredictable – and her eyes unexpectedly flicked up to the ceiling.

The 'décor' on the lights still hung there, along with all the other store-bought creepy 'decorations'. They all agreed to leave them there to advert suspicion. So they've been there ever since the previous week.

"Maybe I could say that it's an early valentine's present?" Nico mumbled quietly, "Nah, who even gives gum for valentines?"

The cogs groaned and turned in her head as she thought of a satisfactory plan. If she played her cards right, she would be able to at least give Nozomi a big shock.

She hid her determined smile as she strided over to where Nozomi sat.

"Nozomi, do you like gum? This is for you 'cause my friend gave me this and I uhm... I absolutely hate gum! These terrible stuff should be banned!" Nico proclaimed nonchalantly, trying to cover up her nervousness.

At this, Eli gave Nico a curious glance to which Nico replied with a subtle wink. She now had the attention of all the other Muses as they (tried to) appear engaged in their own activities.

"Ahh... Thank you! That's nice coming from you." Nozomi smiled gently and took the gum from Nico's hands.

Nozomi fumbled around with the container as she searched for the opening flap. Finally her fingers found hold and she yanked.

Nozomi squeaked as the black furry spider jumped out onto her thumb. She held out the box for a second as if to put as much distance between her and that thing, then brought it closer to inspect it amusedly.

That was not the reaction I expected... Okay, Nozomi is not afraid of bugs, fine. What else is on our list?

"So... I can keep this?" Nozomi smiled brightly, fiddling with the tiny bug. Nico replied with a careful nod, like how one would grant a little child's request.

Eli rarely saw this part of Nozomi, the side which was not the big sister of Muse, neither was it the playful accomplice of Rin that annoyed the shit out of Umi in mini unit practice.

It was the side of Nozomi she felt obliged to protect, the uncharacteristic oblivion, and her almost ridiculous child-like innocence.

Eli took the gum prank and smile innocently at Nozomi as she looked over the mechanics of the trick.

Nico took one look at Eli's lovesick face and realized Eli had completely broken her resolve to follow their plan.

But no matter, no one else is gonna stop now.

The only important thing her attempt did was to hype up everyone even more. They all resolved to find Nozomi's weakness, all except Eli of course. Ah well, we can definitely talk that girl around later anyway.