"Elicchi, promise me when we graduate, you won't forget me?"
The words hit Eli Ayase like a truck slamming into a concrete wall. How on earth could she ever forget about Nozomi? Her best friend since elementary school. All it had taken was seeing Nozomi, scared and crying, and Eli knew she had to help her immediately. She had been that girl once, sad and alone and not knowing what to do -- surrounded by Russian kids making fun of her because she didn't know the language. Hell, she couldn't remember any of it anymore except for a few key phrases.
Nozomi had always been there after that fateful day. Playing at recess, studying for exams together, and now together in the school council.
And to think. Nozomi actually dared to question if Eli would forget her.
Nozomi had been her rock. All of her stress, Nozomi let her pour out onto her. Crying on her shoulder when she couldn't take anymore, jumping up and down when they learned they had gotten into Otonokizaka together. So many memories.
The only way Eli could forget was if she had become amnesiac.
Gulping, the blonde simply shook her head. "I couldn't."
Nozomi smiled. "I'm glad. I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to university locally," Eli replied. "I'm not moving away." She paused, tapping her finger against her lips. "Why aren't you going to university as well? You did wonderful on your exams."
A sweet smile crossed Nozomi's lips -- but then again, all of them were sweet to Eli. "I'm helping out at Kanda Myoujin. It's where I should be."
"But you..." Eli bit her tongue. She had so many things she wanted to say, like that she felt Nozomi could do better than being a simple shrine maiden. But she didn't want her emotions to speak through her. She had to stay her cool, calm, and collected self. "Is that really what you want?" she asked after a few moments. Nozomi simply nodded.
"You won't lose me, Elicchi," Nozomi then said, reaching out to touch her hand. The Russian gasped softly, but let her. Her touch was warm, and she always found herself craving it lately. "I'll be here. We'll stil be friends." She giggled before adding, "you better pray at the shrine every day. University is hard and you need the luck for exams!"
Tears began welling up, even though Eli never cried. She had so many things she wanted to say to Nozomi, and had no idea where she even could start. Ever since middle school, Eli had felt deep down that she loved Nozomi as more than just her best friend. But she was still so scared to say anything. A friendship so long, she didn't want to even chance the slightest risk of ruining it by telling her she wanted more.
Nico knew. Nico could sense it. Honoka did too, somehow -- and even more impressive, she managed to keep it quiet. But Nozomi seemed oblivious to it all.
A smile on her lips, Nozomi reached for a tight hug, well knowing Eli was going to begin sobbing any minute. She embraced her tight, and pulled her head close, murmuring something into her ear before pulling away and skipping off.
"Ya tebya lyublyu, Elicchi."