Eli feels every muscle tense when Nozomi moves closer. Her heart beats faster and a small gasp escapes her lips. Nozomi's going to kiss her. Everything slows until the moment Nozomi only kisses her cheek. Her lips are soft and warm even in that all-too-quick contact.

Then Nozomi pulls away.

Eli feels her head reel a bit. She feels her whole body sink, that cold, clammy chill that lets you know: something just went wrong.

She doesn't have the strength or forethought to not let go of Nozomi, and as she slips away from her grasp, Eli feels so many other things slip away along with her.

She's left standing, arms half-outstretched, eyes wet and wide and confused.

She's just made a huge mistake.

Her voice is small, like a child scared to call out too loudly. "N-Nozomi?"