a/n: this chapter does not contain eliumi, i will be tying up some loose ends, feel free to skip

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(continued from epilogue)

      "I'm sorry."

      The purple haired senior apologised unexpectedly, her head still facing towards the stage. Kotori wondered if she was speaking to her.

      "Pardon?" Kotori questioned, glancing at Nozomi with her bewildered amber eyes.

     Nozomi turned towards Kotori, her grip on the armrest tightening.

     "I'm sorry." She repeated, her voice still as gentle as before, coated with several layers of earnestness.

     Expecting Kotori to reject her apology, Nozomi prepared herself for the worst as she held her breathe. Instead, she felt warmth wrapping around her hand on the armrest. Kotori held Nozomi's hand.

"You don't have to apologise." Kotori assured the guilt-ridden purple-haired. The corner of Nozomi's lips twitched.

"No, I do." Pulling her hand away, Nozomi's gaze lowered on to her lap. "I owe you an apology."

    "Why?" Kotori's mouth formed a comforting smile.

    Her kindness melted Nozomi's heart.

   "Because," Nozomi tugged uneasily at the edge of her sleeves. "Because..."

Nozomi was lost for words.

"See," Kotori's smile grew bigger and brighter. "You don't have a good reason to."

"But!" Nozomi knew she could not accept Kotori's forgiveness, just like this.

"I understand you feel sorry for me." Her smile dimmed. "But, I chose to confess my feelings. I made the decision."

     "I pushed you to." Nozomi's voice was weak.

     Then, she felt both of Kotori's hands wrapping tightly around her hand. This time, she couldn't pull her hand away.

    "No, you freed me." Seriousness apparent in Kotori's voice, Nozomi knew Kotori meant every word. But, she was not convinced.

    "If you hadn't push me, I wouldn't have ever seen the sky." Kotori brought Nozomi's hand to her chest, her wrap around Nozomi's hand growing warmer.

     "The sky was dark,"

    Kotori's eyes shut in an agonising expression for a second as she let go of Nozomi's hand. In the next second, her facial muscles relaxed. Her eyes had a radiant amber glow.

     "But it has its own beauty."

"I don't get it," Nozomi sighed. "A dark sky only has darkness."

"You're too pessimistic," Kotori giggled.

Her giggle was so adorable that it made Nozomi find herself blushing. It was a feeling that Nozomi had long forgotten what it feels like, till today. Nozomi yearned for more.

Tilting her head, Kotori beamed. "Darkness is what makes the stars shine brighter, doesn't it?"

Her words tickled Nozomi's heart as Nozomi clenched her fist to her chest.

Nozomi froze.

Under her blazer, her blouse, she felt something incredible going on beneath her fists. Her own heart, it was pounding, it was beating wildly, and she could feel it even through her uniform.

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a/n: hahahaha i am actually still trying to settle on the plot of the new eliumi fanfic, i'm like nowhere near to releasing info about it,,, so the announcement update will be delayed :-)) meanwhile, i will continue to publish some short chapters for your enjoyment hehe

also p.s i'm more than happy to accept any suggestions for the new eliumi fanfic ;)