Chapter Text
“Alisa.” Eli began. She was at home with the girl she came to thinking of as her little sister. “Are you really okay with me leaving in just a few months?” It was a topic that had come up before, but Eli wanted a final confirmation before she made her commitment to Nozomi.
“Of course, big sister!” Alisa replied cheerfully. “I knew I wouldn’t see you for that long anyway, and it was really nice that I was with someone as caring as you.” Then she offered another smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Otonokizaka is safe even if you aren’t around for it anymore!”
Eli smiled in reply, “Nozomi said I would be able to schedule visits sometimes, so we can still keep in touch, okay?”
“Of course!” Alisa agreed. Alisa already knowing the plan for Eli to leave in a few months made it reasonably easy to accept, Eli being able to promise she would come see her still helped.
“Also, you walk home with Yukiho, Honoka’s sister, right?” Eli asked, “Could I walk with you tomorrow?”
“Okay!” Alisa agreed readily.
----
The next day Eli walked to the Kousaka residence with Alisa and Yukiho. She mostly smiled, feeling better that Alisa approved. Hopefully I can fix things with Honoka too. she thought. Yukiho inviting Eli inside to see Honoka made things easier.
Eli apologized for her part in putting Muse on hiatus, but Honoka insisted it was her fault instead. Eli paused for a moment before speaking again, “People say I seem calm and collected, but that’s not true at all. I’m always lost, confused, and on the verge of tears. Nozomi has actually seen this embarrassing side of me before. But I hide my weakness.” It was as close to a confession of who she actually was to Honoka. A desire to expose a part of herself if it would somehow make things better. Then she continued, “I’m jealous of you.” Praising Honoka’s ability to be honest with her emotions.
“Frankly, I don’t know what to say to you right now. We’re shocked Kotori is leaving, and just imagining how you and Umi must feel is painful.” Eli continued, though she could relate, having just broken down recently in front of Nozomi in an attempt to stay with her in the way Eli wanted. “But you taught me something very important. The courage to charge forward without being afraid of change.” It was true. Nozomi may have taught her many things, Eli may have made a leap of faith to trust her, but she was terrified most of the time. The experience itself was terrifying and Eli had questioned her judgment many times. Finally she concluded, “You saved me back then.”
It was strange for Eli to realize a young Japanese girl taught her something about herself that no one else had. Nozomi may not have been the best teacher for it, but she did teach Eli a meaning of family and relationships that she had not previously considered. Nozomi lead her down a path to having relationships she could be genuinely happy with. It was Honoka’s indomitable spirit that would give her the final push to forge ahead for a life with Nozomi, regardless of where it lead.
----
Honoka returning with Kotori and the group of nine performing a concert for a full auditorium concluded it for Eli. She smiled with the knowledge that maybe something she said helped set things right with Muse.
“Nozomi.” Eli said to her girlfriend after the concert and on the way home, “I’ll go with you.” She was now determined, any doubt in her voice about the decision gone.
“Are you sure, Elichi, I know you had doubts.” Nozomi said in reply.
“I’ve chosen you.” Eli said with a smile, “It might be scary, but I’ll be with the woman I love.”
“We have a meeting tomorrow with Sergei then to go over the details.” Nozomi said in reply. Then she stopped, wrapping her arms around Eli, “I’m glad Elichi is coming with me. I would have been lonelier without you.”
Eli wrapped her arms around Nozomi as well, not caring they could be seen on the street. “I love you, Nozomi. That’s why.”
“I love Elichi too.” Nozomi said quietly.
----
“Your next assignment will be significantly more dangerous.” Sergei explained at the meeting. “The good news is I think the assignment should allow both of you to use your unique talents, and it will be a familiar dynamic.” Then he slid a folder across the table. “That is for Eli, or I should say Keiko. They’re new papers, better than the ones you likely had done for you. They establish you as a woman with business interests in idols and their promotion.”
“You’re letting me use my old identity?” Eli asked.
“I liked the idea behind it. Since it will give you business interests in Japan and Russia you will have plenty of excuses to travel so you can see Alisa.” Sergei explained. “I know it has been hard for you making a decision like this, and I don’t want you to just leave everyone you care about.” he then sighed, “I don’t want anyone else to have to make that kind of choice unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Eli smiled, then her expression flattened. “I need to confess. When I had my doubts, it was an idea Angie gave me. She told me I could stay in Japan and have Nozomi and Alisa if I went through with what she wanted, which was to run away with her.”
“Elichi, I wish you would have told me. You know she has a way of messing with your head, given how many times you warned me about her.” Nozomi spoke up.
“Fucking woman.” Sergei said, clearly irritated. “She does not get to fuck with my operatives and get away with it, even if she did save our asses against Hitomi.” Then he looked at Eli, then at Nozomi, “Do you two want to handle her, or should I?”
“Leave her be.” was Nozomi’s answer.
“Nozomi, are you sure that’s okay?” Eli asked, surprised by Nozomi’s decision.
“I will not let it blow back on you two.” Sergei guaranteed. “And I want to send a clear message. That woman keeps getting by being just useful enough to not justify putting a bullet or two in her head.”
“I’m sure.” Nozomi answered confidently. “Angie’s alone and miserable. That fate is enough for me.”
“And for you, Eli?” Sergei asked.
“I trust Nozomi.” Eli answered, “And I’m sure you won’t make life on her easy.”
The older man laughed, “You are right. I won’t be letting her off easy, but she won’t get a bullet through her head. I’ll put her in Sasaki’s care. Punishment enough for both of them for the trouble they caused you two.”
“So what is the assignment?” Nozomi asked.
“Deceptively simple. I told you about the pet Oligarch I had. He’s willing to cooperate and let you two into his organization to run an idol management company. Keiko will be the manager, who will handle the day to day operations and keep your covers intact, mainly by providing Natsuko with alibis as needed. Natsuko will recruit and manage the assets while nominally being Keiko’s assistant. I should warn you two that you will not have as much protection as you do here, but I will be in charge of operations in the area, so I will do my best to protect you two with what I have available.”
“I like it.” Eli said with a smile, “Sounds fun, doesn’t it, Nozomi?”
Nozomi smiled as well and laughed, “To a new life, Keikochi.” Then a pause, “I’ll have to get used to calling you that.”
----
That night the two went back to Nozomi’s apartment. While they were told they would finish out the school year to avoid drawing suspicion to themselves, Nozomi had cleaned up several aspects of her apartment, including rearranging furniture.
The bedroom still had a bed to sit on, however, and they both found themselves there. “Elichi, I think I’m ready.” Nozomi said, wrapping her arm around Eli. “I know it’s been so long, and it took us a long time to get here, but I’m ready.” With that she leaned in to kiss Eli, this time with a deep kiss. While it was not her first kiss with Eli, it certainly felt like the first kiss she put all her emotions into.
Eli kissed her back and soon the two fell onto the bed.
----
A couple hours later Nozomi poured herself and Eli drinks in the kitchen, and each of them took one in their hand. “To Russia, with love.” she said with a bright smile.
Eli laughed at the movie reference, “The reference fits you so well. To Russia, with love.” she agreed, and they both drank.
Soon enough it was time for another drink, this time Eli proposing the toast, “All about us.” she said.
“And that reference fits you perfectly, Keikochi.” Nozomi added, “All about us.” and with that they drank again.
Russia would be a new adventure for both of them, but they were confident in their ability to handle whatever came their way. It had been nearly three years, but they had each other.