Author's Note

So for the benefit of the people that don't follow me on Tumblr, I shall post my message here.

I've decided to start a new story to get me back into the game (and fandom tbh). NPA is way too heavy for me to handle right now so I'm starting on something light, sweet and short. Just a random light idea that popped into my head and I figured, why not?

Besides, I secretly love cliches and I'm sure you all do to kek.

I'll do my best to finish this. I have it all planned out with more details so it should be fine.

Once again, really sorry about NPA. I'll get back to it some day, if this plan works.

For now, please enjoy this light new story ^^

Eli put the finishing touches into place for her always neat locker. It wasn't as though she needed to pack it every day; it just became a habit to reorganise everything just before leaving the school. She had just finished her work for the Student Council, just in time for other school clubs to end. With a gentle close of the locker door, she was all ready to go back.

Homework in bag, check. Council work, check. Locker, check. Wallet and phone, check. Now it's just...

"TOJO NOZOMI, GET BACK HERE!"

Yep. That's what's missing.

She looked towards the source of the booming voice and saw a flash of purple run past her, followed by their school's senior headmaster shaking with rage from the teachers' room door. Eli waited for the usual phrase that always followed.

"DETENTION, MISS TOJO! 5PM SHARP!"

And when she shared eye contact with the headmaster, she knew that was her cue to get her best friend to said appointment.

I suppose it's time to do the homework in school again.

Ever since she could remember, Nozomi had always been there by her side. According to her parents, it all started when a mischievous, playful yet good natured girl disturbed her during childcare classes. No one could ever get Eli out of her shell, even at present it was difficult for her to open up to people. Yet Nozomi had, at the young age of three. It was no wonder they stuck together throughout, despite them being polar opposites.

Eli had grown up to be the model child. She was talented, well behaved, responsible, intelligent, everything good in this world. Just a tad bit too strict, though. Always opting to stick by her principles and rules, she used to be quick to criticise others which naturally drove a wedge between her and everyone else. It was never her intention to be "mean"; she genuinely wanted the best for others and in her view, it was to ensure that they didn't do the wrong things. But of course, this intention, coupled with her lack of social skills, made it appear completely otherwise. If it weren't for Nozomi always being there, she may have just become a social recluse.

Nozomi was who many thought would have been Eli's mortal enemy. She didn't specifically pick a fight with the rules, but she did whatever she wanted, which usually meant the same thing as a result. Pranks appeared to be her calling in life; teachers always said that if she had channelled her creativity elsewhere, she would have gone far no matter what she picked. Of course, that was always said satirically, even if they did know it was true. Despite it all, she was on good terms with most, since her pranks were harmless and actually pretty amusing, even to the victims. Besides, Eli was her number one target and the uncharacteristic reactions from the Secretary of the Student Council was always entertaining.

Their dynamic was what drew many people in. Through Eli's inability to bring herself to lecture Nozomi, she gradually became less uptight and stringent about the rules. She still did uphold them, just was not as inflexible as before. This naturally helped others to approach her with more ease, albeit still with more admirers than people that actually try to be on a friendly and close level with her. And with Eli keeping Nozomi in check, the playful girl never went too far with her pranks. She was infamous in school throughout the years and everyone flocked around her, knowing her as the fun prankster who would always bring about laughter.

But despite the hordes of people around them, all trying to get their attention, they both knew that no one would ever reach the level of intimacy that they have with each other. They may have warmed their hearts up to a few others, namely another of their childhood friends Nico, but the bond between the two was special.

And Eli knew it was because they were best friends.

"Really, Nozomi, you should try to stop disturbing the teachers. All it does is land you in detention once again," Eli sighed as they finally left the school.

It was 6pm, which meant that dinner time was approaching. Both of them wanted nothing more than to ravage Mrs Ayase's sumptuous spread once more. With Nozomi's parents always busy or out of town due to work, she had taken to spending most of her time with the Ayases. She was practically a member of their family already, only missing the trademark blonde hair and azure eyes.

"But it's fun! And you know how the headmaster is, he really needs to loosen up. He has too much pent up stress and what better way to release it than to chase after me?" Nozomi chimed. "Besides, if it really bothers you that much, why don't you just stop me, Miss Secretary?"

"You know very well why I can't, and won't," Eli raised a brow.

And Nozomi did. She knew it very well, that Eli simply couldn't bear to stop her from having fun as long as the effects weren't too adverse. (Granted, the headmaster's rising blood pressure may be a slight risk. She should probably lay off him for a while.) However, she just wished that the feelings behind that reason were slightly different. She was used to it, though.

"Because you love me?" Nozomi teases, poking Eli's cheek as they continued their speed walk to the Ayase residence.

"Yes, yes, because I love you. Now come on, Arisa and my dad may just finish all the food if we don't speed up," Eli nonchalantly replied, evidently focusing more on the incessant pangs of hunger.

Nozomi experienced the usual mix of her heart fluttering yet getting stabbed multiple times yet again. She knew that Eli only saw her as a best friend and at this rate, would likely always. It didn't deter her from teasing the blonde, though. Call her a masochist, but Nozomi did enjoy these reactions from Eli. Even if they simultaneously brought pain. She suppressed the sharp pains once more, being an expert at it now after years.

"Well then, looks like I better join them and leave none for you!" Nozomi sped off, leaving Eli surprised.

"Hey, wha- Wait for me!"