Chapter 4: Vulnerable Girls Blossom Under the Conquering Shadow of a Young, Gallant Emperor
Chapter 4
Vulnerable Girls Blossom Under the Conquering
Shadow of a Young, Gallant Emperor
“There are more students here than usual.”
Otori Amane, as always, stood at the front gate of St. Spica Girls’ Institute, which shone in the white morning sunshine. She stared at the long line of girls waiting for her on the other side of the gate.There seemed to be almost twice the usual amount.
She felt dizzy. Despite the various rumors that were flying around, ever since the Étoile competition had begun the number of Amane-sama wannabees had increased by the day.
Amane refused all fanclub activities on campus, so the only chance her fans had to express their love was at this gate.
Last night…a mesmerizing Social Exchange Dinner, a peculiar transfer student jumping in to pick a fight with me…and now this humongous crowd this morning…
She shook her head, wondering how much worse things could get.
Did I do something wrong? Or am I extremely unlucky? Or possessed? She pondered her predicament, which was unusual for her.
She pressed on her temples. My stomach feels queasy. I wonder why…maybe the pressure from competing in the Étoile competition is getting to me. Shion told me the next cadette event is a tennis tournament.
I’m okay at tennis…but I wonder if Hikari can play? If she hasn’t played too much, I’m pretty sure she’ll get really nervous… I’ll have to back her up as much as possible… But if Hikari gets into any danger, like what happened in the Maiden Horse Race, then I’ll…
As Amane got lost in her thoughts…Ding dong…
The first warning bell rang from Maiden Park.
Oh no, not again. Amane always fidgeted in front of the gate until it was time.
I need to go.
Giving up, she tried to enter the gate between the rows of fans.
“Oh, excuse me.”
A Spica student flitted past Amane like a breeze. Her short hair waved in the wind, and an aroma of authentic musk lingered in the air.
Amane, surprised by the sudden turn of events, heard loud screams break out…
“Kyaaaah, Makoto-sama has arrived!”
“Makoto-sama, we’ve been waiting for you…!”
“Our new star, Makoto-sama!”
“Kyaaah, Makoto-sama, please kiss us…!!”
Half of the students lined up at the gate were waiting for Makoto.
In one night, the news had spread throughout Spica. The students at the gate were Spica students who had become instant Makoto-sama fans and other students that those fans had dragged along to ogle Makoto-sama.
It was almost time for school.
Makoto had probably waited until the last minute to see how far the rumors had spread.
Her fans raged with excitement, and the Amane-sama wannabees, wearing their trademark black chokers, glared at them with envy.
Makoto raised her hand high and boldly walked the gauntlet of fans.
Her erect posture enhanced her graceful strides. It was a very alluring sight.
Even the Amane-sama wannabees, waiting for Amane’s long-anticipated arrival, locked their eyes on Makoto’s movements.
When Makoto entered the gate, she blew kisses at the crowd. High-pitched screams filled the air.
“Kyaaah, Makoto-sama, you’re so wonderful!”
Amid the commotion, a student scampered toward Makoto. In her hand was a small, wrapped gift.
“Umm…here…” the girl said in a frail voice.
“This is a gift in return for the sapphire necklace I received from you last night—though it might not be much of a gift…but I…umm…”
The other students were agitated by the girl’s selfish act, but Makoto quietly raised her hand and controlled the crowd.
“Thank you… I’m so glad. Not for the gift itself, but rather your proper feelings of wanting to give me a return gift. I’m deeply moved by the thought. Thank you, my sweet little star of Spica. I love you.”
Makoto hugged the second-year student’s shoulder, pulled her over, and kissed her cheek. The second-year student was a bit taller than Makoto, but Makoto’s actions made her seem larger than life.
Kyaaaaaaah!
A mixture of screams and cheers rang through the air.
Makoto waved at each student and entered the school building.
“I love you, my little stars of Spica. I’d like to kiss all of you…but I’ll just send you my feelings. I will accept everyone…so please don’t hesitate to come to me.”
The wannabees looked at Makoto with a bit of hatred. But they were still a little jealous.
“Awwww, only if Amane-sama would be like that, too…” a young first-year student lamented.
“Shh, stupid. Amane-sama’s coolness and sensitive nature make her alluring…” a third-year student, following Makoto with her eyes, commented.
Amane saw the whole ordeal. I’m amazed to see she isn’t embarrassed to do all that…
A person like her should be in the Étoile competition…not me…
***
The revolutionary fire slowly spread.
A Revolution.
The small Emperor, Makoto, had arrived, and the news created big waves in Astraea.
In the hall in front of Spica Second Year Class Deux…
“Hey, have you seen the Emperor, Kei-chan?”
“Yes, of course. She gave gifts out already.”
“Ehh, really?! Oh…what luck. You should have taken me out there, too. So, how was it?”
“How…?”
“Well, there are rumors saying that the Emperor will receive all gifts and thank the gift-bearers with…a kiss…”
At the Lulim inner garden bench during break time…
“Hey, did you hear? Something exciting is happening in Spica!”
“Yes, I know. It all began at the Social Exchange Dinner, right?”
“Oh yeah, the girl who gave out sapphire necklaces to everyone. It’s rumored she’s aiming to enter the Étoile competition…”
“Étoile? That’s impossible, since round one is over already. Besides, Spica’s Prince Amane won it anyway, so they don’t need to try so hard anymore…”
“Well, the girl who passed out the sapphires keeps picking fights with Prince Amane. And they’re in the same class. They say the air in the class is so tense…”
“Hyaaah, Toki-chan, you know so much. Ah, of course, you were such a Prince Amane fan, weren’t you, Toki-chan?”
“Awww, if the Student Council President, Chikaru-oneesama, would just enter the Étoile competition, Lulim would be a little more excited… Don’t you think it’s a great idea? Lulim’s Holy Mother, Chikaru-sama! Her Madonna smile would worry the Miator and Spica candidates, for sure…”
“No, it won’t happen. She hates those kinds of things. Doing it would cut down on her time at the Costume Club, watching cute girls in outfits. And she doesn’t like to call attention to herself anyway. She’s definitely Lulim’s number-one star, but…for some reason, I think…Lulim shouldn’t get involved in such a mess…yeah…”
In Miator’s Student Council room…
“President Rokujo…did you hear?” Marikoya Aiko asked as she lowered a heavy box full of documents from the shelf.
“Hear what?” Miyuki shifted her dust mask to answer.
“About Spica’s new transfer student. According to the rumors, she’s a really showy character. I was curious about her, but I haven’t had a chance to see her yet. I believe you saw her in the Lulim dining hall during the Social Exchange Dinner?”
Aiko’s stern, virtuous face was unusually filled with curiosity.
If Aiko, the most monotonous person, is curious about Makoto, then Astraea Hill must be overcome with the “Makoto-sama” windstorm… The thought worried Miyuki a little.
“Yes, I saw her. She came back from Russia, where she was studying music. She was powerful…and quite impressive.”
“Impressive…?” Aiko said, bewildered.
“And let’s see…she was very confident. She was quite small, though…really small. But she had so much presence I didn’t notice it. And since she was small, she seemed pretty androgynous…kind of boyish, I suppose? She definitely has the looks to be really popular. Especially in Spica, since macho stars are their claim to fame.”
Miyuki laughed at her own comments.
“She actually promised to rebuild the slightly ruined Astraea, bringing it back to its former glory…an egalitarian who loves everyone equally. She had the gall to hand out sapphire necklaces to everyone as a token of appreciation. I’m surprised Sister Fujii didn’t stop her from bribing everyone in the room—such an indecent act, mind you. Maybe she overlooked it because Makoto had just come back from Russia or something.”
Aiko placed her forefinger on Miyuki’s lips to stop her. “I’ve heard quite enough, Miyuki-sama. A troublesome person has arrived, hasn’t she?” she asked bluntly.
“Absolutely…” Miyuki inspected the old labels on the box. “This has become quite bothersome. But…”
Ah… Miyuki smiled at the box she had been looking for and pulled it out.
The old, faded letters on the cover were barely visible… “Astraea Étoile History… But currently…” Cough cough cough…Miyuki coughed on a cloud of dust.
“Are you all right, Miyuki-sama…?” Aiko—who was usually emotionless—was flustered as she hastened to Miyuki.
“Yes, I’m fine. We at Miator should lay low for a while, to see how things develop. Even if a new so-called hero has arrived, the fact of the matter is that she can’t do much because she’s new to the place. And the bane of her existence is Otori Amane. If we allow the Spica students to fight among themselves, Miator might have a better chance of winning the crown. As the saying goes, ‘If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.’ Let’s just pray the Amane couple will be eliminated…”
With the change in the second-round event, the Amane-Hikari couple would surely be disqualified…and by using Tamao’s wall of defense, the anti-Nagisa movement inside Miator could be eliminated, and the devil that Spica would probably send to tempt Nagisa—Kusanagi Makoto—could be deflected, thus preventing Makoto’s entry into the Étoile competition.
Miyuki laughed quietly as she thought—I can kill not two, but three birds with one stone.
Aiko looked worried as she said, “If you say so, Miyuki-sama…” and smiled weakly.
As the chaos continued…
The notices for the Étoile competition’s second round were posted.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This year’s Étoile Competition
SECOND ROUND
Starting next week, the second round of the
Étoile Competition will be conducted.
– SECOND ROUND –
L’Épreuve d’amour (Tests of Love)
Birth Month of St. John the Baptist, for two weeks and a day after the Day of St. Meriadoc
PRELIMINARY CADETTE EVENT
Faceless Devil
Location: Astraea Hill
Time: *Two weeks, starting from the Day of St. Meriadoc
MAIN AÎNÉE EVENT
Return from Temptation
Location: St. Miator Girls’ Academy Koubu Hall
PARTICIPANTS LIST
(in ranking order from the first round)
ST. SPICA GIRLS’ INSTITUTE
Fifth Year, Class Trois: Otori Amane
Third Year, Class Un: Konohana Hikari
ST. MIATOR GIRLS’ ACADEMY
Sixth Year, Snow Class: Hanazono Shizuma
Fourth Year, Moon Class: Aoi Nagisa
********** **********
********** **********
Total: Nine (9) Couples
REMARKS:
* Due to the unique characteristics of the Cadette Round, Faceless Devil, there will be nine anonymous participants, equaling the number of couples during this event.
* If an anonymous participant claims victory over a participating couple, that participant will be allowed to enter the competition, starting with the main event, Return from Temptation.
* Detailed rules will be provided on a separate document at a later date.
—Étoile Competition Executive Committee
***
While the announcement was being posted on bulletin boards, Tomori Shion sat alone in the Student Council room, drinking tea.
A very strong and bitter green tea, which matched how she felt.
She thought about Makoto. Why had she suddenly returned, and why now?
Shion remembered when she had been in the same class as Makoto, in elementary school. Compared to the brainy Shion, who had received a lot of attention even back then, Makoto hadn’t stood out much.
Makoto had a very pretty face, but she looked really childish then… I think I was in her third-grade class…I remember having a conversation with this non-charismatic girl.
Considering that’s all I can remember about her, we probably weren’t that close.
She said she really loved her older sister. They were far apart in age, but they got along very well, and she looked up to and respected her.
Her sister used to go to Spica—and, she said bashfully, that she wanted to attend Spica just to be like her sister.
Around that time, she began to play the violin.
Shion stood at the large glass wall and gazed out. From there she could only see the wide sky and the thick green forest of Maiden Park.
What is Makoto doing right now?
Shion was dubious about Makoto’s claims of wanting to save Spica from its downfall and to revive sisterly love in Astraea.
And why is she so bent on taking down Prince Amane? Why did this girl, intent on becoming a violin player and studying abroad since junior high, suddenly give it up…and come back here at such a strange time?
How in the world did she know about Spica’s current situation?
A flock of white doves skimmed over Maiden Park’s forest in one straight, beautiful line…
Shion recalled the day Makoto had come to Spica.
That day…were the doves flying like this, too?
As the birds flew toward St. Lulim Girls’ School,
—I wonder if Lulim has a “White Dove Lovers” club?
Shion chuckled at her own sick joke. She thought about her beloved St. Spica Girls’ Institute, and the future of Amane and Hikari…
She was a bit glum.
***
At the furthest end of St. Lulim Girls’ School’s inner garden, where light-colored, delicately variegated box elder, maple, and ivy grew, there was an inconspicuous arbor, hidden under the shade of the trees.
Kizuna, Remon, and Kagome had been told to guard the area.
Today’s theme was “Police.” They wore sharp police uniforms, complete with patrol caps, and surveyed the area with watchful eyes.
“Inspector Remon, what is the situation?”
“Inspector Kizuna, no suspicious persons at this time!”
“Yes, Mr. Teddy Bear agrees!” Kagome chimed in gleefully, holding the bear with a necktie tied around its neck.
“Oh, that’s great…” Kizuna patted Kagome’s head, because she seemed so happy.
“What is this? Why did you call for me…?” Miyuki inquired. She sat on the arbor bench under the warm shade.
“Oh, I just wanted to invite you for some tea because the weather was so wonderful, President Miyuki. There’s no need to be so paranoid.” Chikaru smiled as she opened a can and offered it to Miyuki. “But unfortunately I only have oshiruko4 instead of tea…”
Miyuki tried to hide her displeasure. “That’s fine…thank you.”
“Oh, wonderful! Miyuki-sama, do you like oshiruko too? A lot of Lulim students love sweets, so at their request we have oshiruko served in the cafeteria all year round. You’re more than welcome to come and drink it at our cafeteria any time.”
Miyuki didn’t really like oshiruko, but she forced herself to drink it.
She grimaced. It’s so sweet…
“Miyuki-sama, did you know that Makoto-chan has come back to Spica recently?” Chikaru beamed.
“Yes…I hear she’s quite popular.” Miyuki tried to get rid of the sweet taste in her mouth.
She looked around—the arbor blocked most of her view—and noticed four more cans of oshiruko sitting next to Chikaru on the bench, but no hot-water pots.
“Makoto-chan likes to be showy and exaggerated…tsk tsk.” Chikaru laughed deliberately.
But Miyuki felt odd about it—Makoto-chan?
In contrast to Chikaru’s laughter, Miyuki’s face was serious as she looked straight at Chikaru.
“Did you…call her back…?” Miyuki asked.
“Yes. I’m the one that told her. I flew a white dove all the way to Russia…tsk. Miyuki-sama, isn’t it fun to write letters by air mail? I like the very thin air-mail stationery—it’s almost see-through and so pretty. I even acted like a noble lady and used quill and ink…” Chikaru tilted her head and smiled as she explained.
“Why did you do it?” Miyuki asked, dumbstruck.
Chikaru suddenly looked disheartened and hung her head. “Ohh…I’m so sorry… I wanted to apologize about that…which is why I called you here today.”
She looked really apologetic as she explained her actions.
“I really didn’t think it would blow all out of proportion like this… I always wrote letters to Makoto-chan…because I liked to use air-mail stationery. So in my letter this time, I just told her what was going on at school. Makoto-chan was a Spica student, and I thought she would like to hear about this year’s Étoile competition, so…”
Chikaru smiled softly, almost nostalgically, as she recounted the events, but Miyuki seemed doubtful.
“Are you sure that’s it?” she asked.
Chikaru’s answer was just as Miyuki expected.
“Yes, of course. Would there be any other reason? This year’s Étoile competition is mainly a fight between Spica and Miator. Lulim students, including myself, will just sit back and enjoy the show.”
“But President Chikaru…don’t you want Lulim to do well in the competition too…?”
Miyuki went straight to the heart of the matter, but Chikaru didn’t bat an eye.
“Yes, of course. I have those hopes. But…”
She pointed to the arbor entrance. “Look at them. The future stars of Lulim are these adorable girls. They definitely have potential, so when they become fifth-year students, they’ll have a good chance, but…at this point, they’re still too young.”
The three girls who were supposed to be guarding the area were now leaning against each other as they slept, with Kagome resting her head on Kizuna’s lap.
“Lulim will probably have a golden age after I graduate. I might not be able to witness it, but…” Chikaru’s face turned moody for the first time. “But it’s okay…as long as these girls are happy. All I can do is teach them everything I know…prepare them for a glorious future. So Miyuki-sama, please don’t worry about Lulim.”
“I see,” Miyuki said sympathetically.
Lulim was a relatively new school with only a few students who were well versed in school politics. In Miyuki’s opinion, the only person who fit the bill was Chikaru, the reigning star of Lulim. Miyuki even felt pity for Chikaru, a lone star with no peers of her caliber.
“Chikaru-sama…if you were in Miator, you’d be more…” Miyuki started to say, but Chikaru smiled.
“No, don’t say that. I dearly love Lulim…”
“I’m sorry,” Miyuki said sincerely. No wonder she’s Lulim’s Holy Mother. I don’t even come close to Chikaru’s immeasurable kindness. But Miyuki’s greatness was in the fact that she could admit to these things.
Chikaru continued, “Oh, I’m sorry…I got so gloomy. I’m the one who’s supposed to apologize, Miyuki-sama. I’m very sorry Makoto-chan suddenly declared her intention to enter the Étoile competition and became the cause of all this turmoil…”
She grabbed another can of oshiruko.
“Would you like seconds?”
“N-No, thank you, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Please don’t hold back. Or…are you still angry…?”
Chikaru seemed so remorseful, and Miyuki hastily comforted her, then announced that she had to leave.
Before she left, Miyuki emphasized that Chikaru wasn’t responsible for Kusanagi Makoto’s behavior since she’d arrived, and Miator wasn’t all that affected by it, so Chikaru didn’t have to worry.
Miyuki scurried away, saying it was almost time for the afternoon classes.
Chikaru, watching Miyuki disappear, thought, Are you relieved now, Miyuki-chan? I’m sorry for giving you sweet drinks you don’t like…
***
Fwoooo…
The winds whistled loudly. The dewy, stormy winds were still a bit chilly on the skin, but they carried a warm moistness.
Nagisa leaned on the roof railing and looked to the clouds in the sky. She held a small piece of paper.
This is real, right?
The person she was waiting for hadn’t showed up yet, so she was a bit worried.
During lunch break, I will wait for you on the roof.
—Shizuma
It was a simple note, passed to her at the beginning of fourth period.
Who did she give it to in my absence?
It was such a spontaneous act, and was so very like Shizuma-oneesama, Nagisa had burst out in laughter when she’d read it.
Her heart thumped at the thought of meeting Shizuma, but these days instead of feeling nervous she actually felt refreshed—and her heart swelled with anticipation.
During lunch break, the announcements for the second round of the Étoile competition were to be posted, so the class had been filled with excitement. This was a great excuse to get away from it.
But…I was targeted immediately after the posting of the first-round announcements…
Groups of scary upperclassmen called me out and taunted me about not being worthy to be in the Étoile competition, especially as Shizuma-sama’s partner…or they left me stuck with cleaning duties by myself…and that library incident culprit…
Looking back, I guess it was inevitable. I didn’t know until I saw the Astraea School Directory…
Ah…
Nagisa realized. The Étoile competition announcement…getting called out…and the fake letter…
Don’t tell me this is another…
Nagisa’s face went white.
“Nagisa!”
A low, powerful, and lustrous voice came from behind her.
It’s Shizuma-oneesama’s voice. So it wasn’t a mistake.
Nagisa didn’t realize, as she sprang toward Shizuma, that she was more happy to see Shizuma than relieved about the note not being a trick.
Shizuma had just opened the door at the top of the stairs, but as soon as she saw Nagisa bounding toward her she opened her arms wide for her darling girl.
Nagisa’s smile broadened some more.
Jump…Nagisa scampered up the three steps to the stairway entrance where Shizuma stood and bear-hugged her.
Shizuma-oneesama—Nagisa felt sort of nostalgic.
She burrowed her face into Shizuma’s chest and felt happy, her worries melting away.
“Nagisa…”
Nagisa heard Shizuma’s voice—which sounded lower, because it was traveling through Shizuma’s body and echoing in Nagisa’s ears.
Ah… Nagisa tried to hear what Shizuma wanted to say next, but…
Thump thump thump thump… All she could hear was the faint sound of Shizuma’s heartbeats.
A very soft, warm sound. Nagisa felt excited to be so close to her, but also felt a strange sense of familiarity, a very blissful, soothing feeling…
She was enveloped in happiness, about to float away…
“Goodness, Nagisa…what’s wrong? Were you feeling lonely? My darling little girl…” Shizuma softly laughed as she rubbed Nagisa’s shoulder with her large hands.
Nagisa was coaxed into comfort, but… Hah! I wonder if Shizuma-oneesama thinks I’m strange, since I bear-hugged her so suddenly…
But when she looked up, she saw…the gentlest, kindest expression on Shizuma’s face…
She tried to pull away, but Shizuma’s arms locked her in, preventing her from moving.
Shizuma looked at Nagisa for a brief moment before saying, “Goodness, so Nagisa does like me, at least a little. I’m so glad.” Her face moved even closer to Nagisa’s.
Nagisa was pulled into Shizuma’s beautiful eyes, full of strong will and determination, as the realization zoomed up on her…
Ah…she’s gonna kiss me…
Nagisa closed her eyes to prepare for it, but…Shizuma sweetly nibbled her ear instead.
Nagisa’s ear turned red, and a little wet. A brisk wind went by, and the dampness on her ear was chilled by the strong winds blowing across the roof.
Shizuma drew her face back and spoke. “Soon I won’t be able to see you…so we need to hold back a bit.”
O-Oh…so that’s what it’s about.
“A-Ahahahaha…”
Nagisa felt her body go limp and dropped to her knees.
Shizuma led Nagisa over next to the railing, the best vantage point to see the whole expanse of Maiden Park.
Shizuma’s beautiful silver-gray locks waved in the wind. Nagisa felt as if something had been drained out of her as she stood next to Shizuma and looked at the sky.
The same sky that she’d been looking at as she had thought about Shizuma.
Shizuma-oneesama…Shizuma-oneesama, as you look at the sky, what are you thinking about?
Nagisa tilted her head as she pondered that question.
Maybe…maybe Shizuma-oneesama is thinking about…Sakuragi Kaori… The pure-hearted soul… Her most beloved girl who left the skies…
Shizuma-oneesama seems so sad…
Nagisa’s anxiety poured out.
“Umm…are you feeling lonely, Shizuma-oneesama?”
Shizuma quickly turned to her. With a dumbfounded look, she said, “Oh, of course.”
Oh, I thought so… Nagisa was disheartened.
“I’ll be really lonely, knowing I can’t see you for two weeks…”
Shizuma looked to the sky. “I’ll be so lonely, I might want to die.”
Huh…?! No, that’s not what I meant…
It wasn’t clear if Shizuma sensed Nagisa’s concern or not. Shizuma licked her lips…
“Hey, Nagisa. For two weeks, don’t cheat on me, okay? Truthfully, the Faceless Devil is such a drag, and I really didn’t want to do it. Maybe I shouldn’t have entered the Étoile competition after all.”
Shizuma raised her arms up in an exaggerated way, as if to say Ohh, God…
“But I suppose I’ll have to stick with it for Miator’s sake…and as Miyuki said, I’m a bit curious to see how Prince Amane and her partner handle this event…” Her eyes had a mysterious twinkle.
“Well, my love is definite and strong, so I won’t falter, but those two…seem like they won’t be able to handle a long-distance relationship, don’t you think? I’d love to see that tightly contained Prince Amane—who claimed to have no interest in girls—go stir-crazy with jealousy, you know…?”
Shizuma cracked up, but Nagisa was appalled.
“Gosh, Shizuma-oneesama…how could you say that! How mean… I feel sorry for Hikari-chan! She was almost thrown off the tower during the first round… I’m glad everything turned out all right, but if that sort of thing happened again, Hikari-chan would be so hurt…”
“Oh, Nagisa, what are you saying? You were the one who ended up hanging off the tower! You were lucky that I caught you right when you fell, but if I’d been late…”
“Aaah, well, that’s true, but…”
Nagisa pouted as she recalled the incident. It had been right after Nagisa had found out about Sakuragi Kaori and Shizuma’s past, which had made her want to withdraw from the Étoile competition—but then she had been saved by Shizuma’s strong arms…
Shizuma continued, “Goodness, Nagisa, you’re too nice…but I suppose that’s one of your endearing qualities. Still…”
She wrapped her arms around Nagisa from behind and squeezed her tightly. Nagisa felt so much she couldn’t say a word. She heard Shizuma’s voice behind her.
“If you keep thinking about other people, your precious Shizuma-oneesama will be soooo worried about you…and won’t be able to handle being away. Do you understand? So for two weeks…don’t cheat on me, okay? I’ve already warned Tamao, too…”
What kind of warning?—Nagisa’s heart jumped at the thought.
“I agree that you need a bodyguard while I’m away. But remember this…if you run into any kind of danger, or if I find out you’ve become too friendly with someone…I will surely run to your side. At that point, the Faceless Devil will disqualify us, and it will be game over. So…if you don’t want to drop out and disappoint Miyuki, Chiyo-chan, Tamao-chan, and the other Miator students—behave for two weeks, okay? I…really don’t care about the Étoile competition. My only wish is to be with you…”
Shizuma brought her face to Nagisa’s neck. She carefully swept aside the stray hairs that covered the young girl’s neck.
Nagisa’s exposed neck felt cool as the breeze blew past.
The next moment.
Ah…
A warm, moist sensation as Shizuma kissed the nape of her neck.
Nagisa blushed, and her heart tightened…and she still couldn’t say a word.
If something happened to Nagisa, Shizuma-sama would probably give up the Étoile competition just to be with her.
Oh, she’s so hopeless—Nagisa thought happily.
***
“Will you two be able to handle staying apart…for two whole weeks?” Yaya asked as she put away tubes of paint. This was after school, in Spica’s Third Year Class Un classroom.
Hikari answered Yaya’s question with a bashful smile as she changed the water in the flower vase. “Gosh, Yaya-chan…I’ll be okay. Since Amane-oneesama is such a lofty star…I can’t see her much anyway. So unlike the other couples, who might have a hard time staying apart, I’m used to not seeing Amane-sama for more than two weeks at a time—so I’m actually glad they chose an event this easy.”
Yaya narrowed her eyes and teased Hikari. “Yeah, but haven’t you seen Amane-sama every day recently, Hikari?”
“Ah, well…it’s just coincidence. It’s not like Amane-oneesama and I make promises to meet, and we’re not in the same clubs or anything…it’s really a coincidence. We bump into each other in the lounge or in the hallway, that’s all. Oh gosh, you should know that, Yaya-chan,” Hikari giggled.
“That’s why…geez, Hikari, you’re so dense! Or are you telling me this to convince yourself? So you don’t get in over your head…?” Yaya stood next to Hikari, working at the sink.
“I’m not telling myself anything…” Hikari looked troubled, lowering her eyes, her cheeks coloring themselves pink.
Hikari is so adorable—Yaya shut her inner feelings off and continued.
“It can’t be a coincidence! Amane-oneesama normally doesn’t go out of her way to do things, and in fact she doesn’t really leave her own classroom…in order to avoid her fans all over school. That Amane-sama has been acting strange since the Étoile competition began—no, long before that…though no one else knows about it, I’m sure…since the day you got homesick. Do you seriously think Amane-sama would mill around in the Third Year Class Un hallways for no reason…heck no!”
Yaya threw her hands up in disbelief.
“Oh golly…” Hikari’s voice trailed off.
“That’s why I’m telling you. I seriously doubt you two can stay apart for two weeks. You’ll be okay, Hikari, but I don’t know about Amane-oneesama. Truthfully, I don’t want you to stick to Amane-sama, but since you two are now representing Spica, I don’t want you to ruin the school’s reputation with a dishonorable blunder, and…”
Yaya gnashed her teeth. “That Kusanagi Makoto!! I don’t really care about some long-forgotten star with a permanent seat or whatever…isn’t it really dirty to lure us with gifts?! I really hate people like that! She jumped into the situation without getting the whole picture, saying all kinds of crap and promising to rebuild Spica by being the next Étoile… I wish she’d stop blowing all that hot air. I’m pretty sure she’ll jump into the Faceless Devil as one of the devils, but that’s so obvious. Nobody will fall for that one!!”
Yaya, waving her fists in the air, finally stopped, panting for breath.
“Yaya-chan…” Hikari-chan was taken aback as she looked at Yaya. “Makoto is so pretty…I just assumed she was your type, Yaya-chan…”
Yaya smiled, embarrassed. “Well, I do admit she is pretty…really pretty. But Hikari, don’t forget…”
She placed her hand on Hikari’s neck and brought Hikari’s face close to hers. She stared intently into Hikari’s face.
“I really like you, Hikari. It’s not like the pure, beautiful, sisterly love that Kusanagi Makoto touts, either.”
The image of Hikari glancing down, veiling her eyes with her long eyelashes, burned itself into Yaya’s mind. Yaya’s heart jumped.
“What I’m talking about is a hot, burning desire. I want to…free you.”
Oh gosh, I said it…!
Hikari, who was looking down in embarrassment with slightly reddened cheeks, lifted her face… She wore a puzzled look.
I want to free you…means…
Yaya tried to find a way out. Somehow.
“Well…” Yaya fished for words. “Well, umm, err…”
It was unusual for her to panic. Her inner voice told her to kiss Hikari and get it over with…but something stopped her from doing so.
“I mean…” She let go of Hikari and turned around. “I mean, I don’t want Kusanagi Makoto to take over this place! That pure…equal sisterly love doesn’t exist, at least for me…”
Her voice shook at the end of her statement.
“So… So you and Amane-sama need to win, for me…”
“Yaya-chan…” Hikari was nearly crying.
“Wh-What’s…wrong?” Yaya turned around. Did I say something to make her cry…?
Hikari was full of emotions as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Yaya-chan… Yaya-chan, thank you… I… I…”
Tears rolled down Hikari’s cheeks, and—she jumped into Yaya’s arms.
Hikari buried her face in Yaya’s chest and let tears stream down her face.
“I was actually really scared…at the thought of not seeing Amane-oneesama for two whole weeks. I was terrified to think that…maybe Amane-sama would find someone cuter than me…and leave me…”
She sobbed and tried to hold back her tears. “And I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing Amane-oneesama for more than a day, because I get so scared and worried…and I want to see her so much…two weeks will just drive me crazy. But Kusanagi-sama’s arrived, insulting and denouncing Amane-sama—it’s all my fault—so I decided to stay strong and win the Étoile competition to regain Spica’s and Amana-sama’s honor…”
“Stupid…Hikari…” Yaya stroked Hikari’s hair. Her heart tightened, because Hikari was so endearing.
“But Yaya-chan, I’m glad you’re supporting me… Thank you, Yaya-chan. I’ll do my best for Amane-oneesama. I’m going to do my best to win the second round…yes…”
Hikari was absorbed in her convictions…
While Yaya…had mixed emotions…