It's a Joke

It wasn't Eli's fault actually, it never was.

Even though Eli was the cause.

Because the girl who cried wolf could only blame herself.

If one were to ask what was Nozomi's forte, the little ones would probably leap up and answer eagerly;

"Her spiritual power nya!"

"Her fortune telling abilities."

"Nozomi is… very motherly."

"She's very responsible!"

The third years, however knew it otherwise.

Toujou Nozomi is best at hiding behind her mask of smiles.

They didn't spend the time together for nothing. Ayase Eli wasn't a school student council president in name.

Eli picked up on the cracks in the façade.

Ayase Eli saved her from the broken shell that she built around herself.

Yazawa Nico gave her the strength to step out of it.

The rest of Muse gave her what she needed the most.

They gave her friends that she could finally call her own.

A habit is something that is hard to change though.

It wasn't like Nozomi needed to do this anymore, it came as a habit.

"It's nothing really,"

There was no need to feel weak.

There was no need to make her members worry.

Yet like always, on their way home, Eli would bring her to the parfait shop that they always frequented.

Eli would comfort her with her presence, never asking, just understanding.

Eli understood her need to sometimes hide in her former shadow.

It gave Nozomi a sense of comfort.

Being in Eli's arms felt like home.

She understands.

It wasn't a difficult thing to fall in love with Ayase Eli.

Eli gave her something that she had yearned for throughout her childhood.

There was no muse if Eli hadn't join along with her.

Eli gave her strength, trust and precious memories.

She gave her a wild pounding heart.

It was difficult to fall out of love.

It was only human nature, to resort to your old habits when you're at a loss of what to do.

Her love was over spilling, there was nothing to contain these overwhelming feelings.

Her insecurities were escalating, there was nothing to comfort them this time.

Not when the comfort was the cause of them in the first place.

Toujou Nozomi reverted to her old ways.

There was an increasing need to say the words out.

Nozomi relented.

Those words though, were never directed at the person she wished to say it to.

"Ah! Thanks Hanayo-chan! I love you and your rice balls!"

It wasn't necessary a lie,

But it wasn't really the truth.

She was overwhelmed.

When Eli had held her from behind, telling her it's okay to made mistakes even though they had practiced a million times, she relented.

"Thanks Elicchi, I love you."

There was a chuckle, always like a song to her ears.

"Me too."

She was overwhelmed.

Maybe a façade isn't so bad after all.

A habit is something that is easy to fall back to.

Not to mention she got addicted to the sweet fantasy.

It was still nice to hear.

Even though the context of the meanings were wrong.

She thought that maybe she could live with this.

It became their common phrase during important events.

"I love you, Nozomi."

Eli had said them with kind eyes.

That Christmas she got her wish, though it was a lie.

They were graduating in April.

These few months had been nothing but sweet memories.

Nozomi wondered if they could remain this way till the rest of their school year.

There was increasing public attention for the graduating council president.

She heard talks about courageous people talking about asking Eli for her uniform button.

She heard talks about confessing to the blonde on graduation day.

She was overwhelmed.

Her heart clenched.

Those three words were spoken way too often.

Nico had been bothering her about that.

"Cut it out Nozomi!"

"What's the matter, Nicocchi?"

"Don't give me that! How dare you chide me for not being honest when you're not being honest with yourself!"

"N-Nicocchi…"

"Nozomi you're a hypocrite you know. Eli is the same."

Was it fate? Or was this punishment for lying to much?

Nozomi wonders if this was her fault.

Before the day of graduation, she had seeked out Eli, her pounding heart barely containing within her ribcages.

The feelings were too much.

She grabbed her love's arm before the hyenas of the school could come close to their beloved student council president.

On the corner of her eye she spotted Nico giving her a thumbs-up before proceeding to cry on a very flustered Maki's shoulders.

She wished for their situation to be better than hers.

"I love you, Elicchi."

There was no sparkle in her eyes this time, she was sure of it.

They say eyes were the windows to their souls.

She bared her all.

Two emeralds that were as clear as sky, with emotions as deep as the sea, were looking at the azure blue.

"This is a joke right? Nozomi?"

"Because its April's fool today?"

No no, it wasn't.

"It wasn't!" Her cries were unheard.

"Nozomi... I can't believe this..."

"You said it too many times for it to be true."

It wasn't.

It was never one.

Part 1 fin