Chapter 5: A Black Wedge is Driven into the Towering Pile of Stones
Chapter 5
A Black Wedge is Driven into the
Towering Pile of Stones
It was the Month of St. John the Baptist, and the Day of St. Meriadoc…or June 7.
It was also the start of the rainy season.
It had been ten days since the students had switched over to their summer uniforms—it was the first time Nagisa had worn this version. The short-sleeved white blouse had intricate lace patterns in several places, and the jumper skirt was bright green. The summer uniform was boldly different in design from the winter uniform, but was nonetheless very classy and cute, like Miator, and was as popular as the winter uniform.
Nagisa came to school in the depressing rain and absent-mindedly stared out the window, watching the rainwater stream down the panes. She didn’t have the luxury to enjoy her new uniform.
“Hey, are you daydreaming? You don’t have time to do that, Nagisa-chan! Let’s get ready to go!!” Tamao snapped.
Nagisa sluggishly turned around. “Awwww, are we doing it again todaaaay…?” she asked groggily.
“Of course! We were authorized time to practice on our own, so we can’t waste even a minute!” Tamao placed her hands on her hips. She was in a rare lecture mode.
“We’re gonna practice again after school, so can’t we take a break this morning?” Nagisa pleaded.
“No, no, no! Are you kidding! We only have ten days until the main event! You don’t have time to lose, Nagisa-chan!”
“Aww, but my whole body is so sore…”
“That’s because you don’t exercise regularly! You seemed pretty athletic, Nagisa-chan, but I never expected you to suck this badly at dancing!!”
“I-I’m soooorry…”
Nagisa sounded really pathetic, but Tamao dragged her out of the room.
Their classmates chuckled at the sight; Nagisa’s efforts were finally being accepted at Miator.
“One, two, three…one, two, three…”
Tamao clapped her hands in rhythm. Clap clap clap… The sound echoed through the vast Koubu Hall. It was the only ballroom or dance hall in Astraea, and was part of Miator’s school complex. The ceiling above the wooden floor was at least five meters high and was made of stained glass. It depicted birds and flowers, drawn in a beautiful Japanese style. It had the feel of a retro-modern Taisho Era5 building.
The main event of the second round of the Étoile competition—Return from Temptation—would be held in this room. Those couples who had resisted and triumphed over the devils’ temptations would reunite with each other, dance with each other despite not having met for two weeks, and display the strength of their love.
“One, two, three…one, two, three…come on, don’t be so timid! Go more smoothly…yes, like that…aah, you’re out of step!”
Tamao sounded irritated. “I taught you the back step on the first day, right? You keep taking an extra beat when you do that, Nagisa-chan. You’re probably trying to do it in four beats, but the event dance will be a waltz, so it’s a three-beat dance. This is actually the easiest step for a novice, so you need to master it really quickly…”
Tamao realized her words had been too harsh, because Nagisa shrank down in shame.
Tamao tried to make up for her tone. “Well, you know, Nagisa-chan, you’re pretty athletic. I know your P.E. test scores. You run 50 meters in 7 seconds, and jump at least 50 centimeters high, and your bust is 79 centimeters, and you can reach down 30 centimeters past your toes…”
“H-h-how do you know that!?” Nagisa gurgled.
“Tsk, because I was interested in you.”
“Even so, good heavens…” Nagisa was open-mouthed.
“Great, you’re back to normal. Besides, you have potential, Nagisa-chan, so you could excel! But why are you so messed up? You’ve been out of step and clumsy…”
“Am I that messed up?” Nagisa asked, full of shame.
“You’re usually so cheerful and give your all in everything you do, but…you don’t seem to be with it, you know?”
“I’m sorry,” Nagisa apologized weakly.
“Don’t apologize…just keep trying. If you don’t get better, who knows what Shizuma-oneesama will do to me…”
The image of Shizuma glaring at them as if she’d just beheaded an ogre crossed both of their minds. “Hmph! You two pretended to practice dancing, but you fooled around instead, huh? Ohh, goodness! I need to inspect Nagisa-chan for any hickeys on her body…come here, Nagisa…”
The two girls looked at each other, sighed…and nodded.
“So…why are you having problems? Do you absolutely despise dancing or something, Nagisa-chan?” Tamao asked seriously.
Nagisa gulped and finally decided to make a major confession.
“Tamao-chan, look…”
With the most pathetic look ever, Nagisa pointed below her waist—at the white organdy petticoat, with several semi-transparent layers. She wore a black, short-sleeved, full-body leotard, but the long petticoat over it almost reached to the ground.
“I…can’t concentrate in this totally embarrassing outfit…” she whined.
Tamao burst out into laughter.
The Return from Temptation was different from Astraea’s normal dance parties, because it was a competition, meaning there were judges and scoring.
It was customary in Astraea to be creative—because that was one of the scoring categories. The creativeness was achieved by dressing up in costumes, of course.
During the cadette events, veils were worn, and for aînée events, costumes. For this dance, exquisite outfits were required. But because the three prestigious all-girl schools discouraged skimpy outfits, the dance outfits were all elegant, wide-skirted gowns, the type worn by noble ladies in the Renaissance.
“But you’ll be wearing a heavy, layered dress, so your steps will be restricted…it’ll be useless if you don’t practice with this on…” Tamao couldn’t believe she had to explain this.
But Nagisa persisted. “But…this outfit is soooo embarrassing… I probably won’t look good in it…and look at my hair… Ohh, Tamao-chan, do I really have to wear it…?” Her voice trailed off.
“Of course you do! You might not know this, Nagisa-chan, but during the actual event, spotlights will be shining on you, and a chandelier will be hung from the ceiling, like in the Crystal Palace…and it will all look really glamorous! And all the spectators look forward to the cadette dressing like a real princess. If you don’t wear that outfit, then you won’t be a match for the other couples!”
“R-Really…?”
“Yes! Absolutely!! Oh jeez…I can’t believe that was the reason you couldn’t concentrate…no more slacking, Nagisa-san, because I am going to whip you in shape.” Tamao laughed. “Otherwise…you will be thrown into the Repentance Room!”
Nagisa’s replying laugh was weak. “Ohhh…please don’t imitate Sister Fujii…”
***
“One, two, three…one, two, three…”
The cold voice echoed in the gymnasium. Another group was practicing dancing.
Konohana Hikari wore a practice dress as she danced in the St. Spica Girls’ Institute gymnasium.
“Hey! There! Your arm is dropping, and you need to stand up straight!! You’ve got to turn more rapidly! As you turn, you need to keep your face like this…turn right here!”
With both hands, Kenjo Kaname grabbed Hikari’s face, covered with sweat from the intense dance practice, and yanked it toward her.
They seemed to be practicing a very difficult dance, levels above what Nagisa and Tamao were doing.
“I can’t believe you were allowed to come to Spica without mastering these simple basics! Okay, again from the top! Concentrate with your whole body…”
Kaname was one of the top five dancers in Spica. Her expertise was the male leading role.
Because she had been asked by the Student Council, she had reluctantly agreed to coach Hikari. At first, Kaname had rejected the idea out of spite, but Momomi had begged and cried, and said it was “for Amane-sama’s honor.” They couldn’t afford to have Amane be a laughing stock at this event…
Kaname got fired up. Perfect… I can torture this girl—whom Amane-sama is infatuated with—all I want.
Kaname threw another scathing comment. “Hey! There! Your hips are off! Don’t think you’re hot stuff just because Amane-sama likes you!”
“Yes!”
Amazingly—Hikari somehow survived Kaname’s torture.
Kaname was surprised. You know…she has…potential… But this is the minimum standard, so she’d better not screw up.
Hikari maintained her composure and continued to dance, not even wiping the sweat from her face. Kaname paused and actually examined her.
You know, she’s actually really cute… She looks like the angel portrayed on the chapel’s stained glass window…
Oh, I can sort of understand why Amane-sama would fall for her…
The jubilant “Kitten Waltz”6 played in the gym.
Whump… Hikari slipped on her own sweat.
Kaname acted instinctively. “Are you all right…?”
She was about to run out to Hikari…but stopped in her tracks, frozen.
She looked at her outstretched hands. She had been about to…embrace Hikari.
Cold sweat covered Kaname’s palms.
***
Meanwhile, Amane was quite worried.
She sat in the classroom and stared at the grain of her wooden desk in agony.
It had been four days since she’d last seen Hikari. During breaks between classes, she had used to wander around the campus, but these days she holed up in the classroom, with nowhere to go, and sat at her desk.
This is boring, Amane thought.
Until then, she hadn’t realized that she always left the classroom during breaks.
But it finally dawned on her. I was…looking for Hikari every chance I had.
She’d used to think she left because she wanted to avoid her persistent fans—because they were so annoying. But that wasn’t it.
Hey, Hikari…Even now, I want to see you so much… I wish I had said that to you before we separated…
As she stared at her desk, Amane recalled their final meeting, four days ago.
“I’m…really scared.” Hikari’s voice cracked; she sounded like she was about to cry.
The evening’s gentle breeze drifted across the patio. It was the night before the second round of the Étoile competition—when they would have to separate for two weeks. Amane had asked Hikari to meet her at midnight.
Right outside the Spica Dorm lounge was a large patio that faced the forest of Maiden Park. Amane usually avoided public places, but that night she boldly chose a romantic rendezvous. She found Hikari, who was wearing a slightly babyish nightgown, and thought she looked awfully cute.
“To tell you the truth…” Hikari admitted shyly. “I think I’m really selfish, and I didn’t want to say this to you, Amane-sama. But…once the Étoile competition begins, people who don’t like me will probably say things to you…and by chance, if something happens…like what happened at the Maiden Horse Race…I wouldn’t know how to handle it alone…so I’m terrified. And if you meet a wonderful person in my absence…and like her more than me…then I don’t know…”
Looking at Hikari, not listening to her nervous ramblings, Amane was captivated by her innocence…and chuckled.
“Tsk… You’re so cute, Hikari.”
Amane caressed her hair. Hikari flinched…and looked at Amane.
Illuminated by the patio light, Hikari’s tears sparkled as they rolled a thin path down her cheeks, which were smooth as porcelain.
“Amane-sama…you’re not afraid…?” Hikari’s voice grew small. To hide her face, she walked toward the fence and gazed out at Maiden Park.
Amane chased after her. “Ah… I’m sorry, Hikari…that’s not what I mean…”
Hikari continued her silent objection, but Amane enveloped Hikari from behind…placed her hand on Hikari’s hand, and gently squeezed.
Amane tried not to peer into Hikari’s face, but looked at the Maiden Park forest with her.
“Hey, Hikari. Two weeks will go by fast. Of course I’ll be really worried about not seeing you, too.”
Hikari’s heart pounded faster as she listened to Amane’s voice.
Thump thump…
Amane went on, “But…if you’re worried…I’m sorry. I must be causing you to worry, Hikari…”
“No…it’s me…and I just…” Hikari felt her face get hot.
“But I want you to believe me… I’m so horrible…and I don’t think I can say this right, but…I just love you very much, Hikari.”
Amane let the word “love” slip smoothly out of her mouth.
“You might find this weird, Hikari…but this is the first time I’ve felt like this…ha ha…so I don’t know how to describe it…” Amane, embarrassed, mumbled her last words.
Hikari’s heart jumped with joy and surprise, almost painfully…then…suddenly she was so embarrassed.
I don’t know why, but somehow I knew Amane-sama’s feelings all along…
Oddly enough, I don’t feel presumptuous for thinking like that.
Maybe Amane-sama’s feelings reached my heart…before her words…
Hikari had been waiting for her special feelings to be given a name.
The name that described the feelings that bloomed in both of them…
Amane’s words—I love you, Hikari…
Hikari’s heart took in those words…naturally… They gave her strength.
“It’s all right. It’s my fault for doubting you, Amane-sama…”
“I want you to know…you don’t need to worry about me. Please believe in me. I promise not to do anything you don’t wish for, Hikari.”
Amane hugged Hikari. Squeeeeze…
Hikari’s heart was squeezed along with her body…
“I’m really worried about you, Hikari. I’m also afraid you might find someone that doesn’t cause you as much trouble as I do…a more dependable person…and you might be happier without me…”
“No! I can’t think of doing this with anyone else but Amane-sama, even if I go to Heaven, I swear…”
Amane laughed at Hikari’s forceful, exaggerated response.
“Even if you go to Heaven…are you sure? But…I’d be sad if you died so soon, Hikari…”
Locked in each other’s arms, Amane’s laughter vibrated through Hikari, causing her to giggle too.
“I’ve attended Spica for eleven years, since elementary school. In all those years, I’ve never fallen in love with anyone. I have lots of friends, sure. And I respect a lot of people, too. Back then, I thought it was strange for a girl to fall in love with another girl—I just assumed it was nothing but a very close friendship…and probably just another way the students broke the monotony here…by over-exaggerating the little things… That’s why I tried to understand the reason they were raving about me, but at the same time I wanted them to leave me alone. Besides, I’m not the type that should be regarded as one of the Five Great Stars.”
Hikari sympathized with Amane—but you’re definitely the brightest star on campus, so it’s no wonder all the girls love you. That was the thought in her heart…but she only nodded in silence.
Amane looked off into the distance as she continued.
“I wish I could tell you exactly how I feel, Hikari. But…even I don’t understand my feelings. It’s not a friendship. And it’s not a simple adoration of a cute underclassman… But…love and having a relationship…well, since we’re not man and woman…you know…”
Since we’re not man and woman… Amane painfully repeated that phrase in her mind…and looked down.
Amane and Hikari were not man and woman… So if she said she loved Hikari as a woman…she was afraid of what would happen to them next…
Amane’s bashful nature still prevented her feelings from pouring out.
“…It’s okay.” Hikari pulled away from Amane and softly placed her hand on Amane’s cheek.
“…I’m sorry, Amane-sama. I…I just… Just being with you, like this, is enough for me to be happy.”
She faced Amane…and looked into her eyes, her own eyes misty.
After a long pause, Amane gave a short reply. “…Yes, me too.”
She gently…really gently…embraced Hikari, tenderly, as if she was the most fragile object in the world.
Their feelings for each other were all that was between them. But they didn’t know where to go from there…
What direction to take…
They just didn’t know. The naïve couple didn’t know how to express their overflowing affections toward one another…
They stayed together for a while longer, just listening to the angels sing from the heavens.
They were like two little birds, standing at the edge of a cliff, afraid to fly.
Amane lifted Hikari’s face.
Seeing the taller Amane smiling so tenderly, Hikari lifted herself up on her toes…
Amane widened her eyes, startled.
The tiny bird pecked a kiss.
The little kiss lasted merely five seconds.
Hikari’s heels eventually landed on the floor.
Neither of them really knew…how to feel. As they eventually broke their embrace, they smiled at each other.
“I’ll take you back to your room,” Amane said, and they left the patio.
On the way back, Amane thought about their happy future.
“I don’t care about the Étoile competition any more. If Kusanagi Makoto wants to take my place and defend Spica’s honor…” She smiled. “I’m ready to throw it all away…”
***
The rainy skies cleared. Strong sunshine poured between the trees.
In the inner garden of the Strawberry Dorms, on the first Friday afternoon after the second round had begun…
“Umm…is it okay to keep my glasses on…?” Remon asked with a shy duck of her head.
“Tsk…well, it’s a bit strange, but since you look so cute with them, you can keep them on, Remon-chan!” Chikaru responded in a satisfied way, and she slipped a pair of bunny ears onto Remon’s head.
“Okay, that leaves us with…” Two more girls.
“Wow, the bunny tail is so fluffy!”
“Why are there stockings attached to a swimsuit?”
Kizuna and Kagome hadn’t changed into their outfits yet.
My, my… I have to pamper them, don’t I…? Chikaru’s heart fluttered.
The inner garden of the Strawberry Dorms was usually carpeted with grass, with a small fountain off to the side. But a large pool, fifteen meters in diameter, had appeared out of nowhere.
From the second week of June to the end of summer vacation, the triangular inner garden became host to a one-meter-deep, octagonal, temporary pool.
To liven up the Strawberry Dorms, every year at this season the pool was set up. Wooden decks were laid around it, with resort deck chairs and a drink bar that served free drinks on non-school days—a gorgeous setup that matched the style of the luxurious all-girl schools.
Today was the first day, Pool Opening Day.
Chikaru, the party-loving Costume Club President, who never missed a chance to wear costumes, had volunteered her club to serve as pool attendants.
Today’s theme was “Bunny Girl.”
“Here, you need to stick out your butt…because I can’t see.”
Mmmm...! Kizuna, red-faced with embarrassment, scrunched her face and poked her butt out to Chikaru.
Chikaru, kneeling behind Kizuna…stared intently at Kizuna’s butt.
What a cute butt, Chikaru thought as she repressed her urge to spank it…and slid her fingers along the French-cut edges of the suit.
Uhyayaha! Kizuna squirmed.
“Come on, stay still…”
Chikaru grasped Kizuna’s hands to calm her. Kizuna endured the tickling sensations as Chikaru slowly and deliberately continued her movements.
She randomly rubbed Kizuna’s butt, fondled it…and some-times pinched her softly…which surprised Kizuna each time.
And finally…treating it like a precious treasure, she gently placed her lips on Kizuna’s butt…and kissed it.
“All right, that should do it. Don’t worry…it’ll stay in place, no matter what.”
Chikaru had been making sure that the French cut of Kizuna’s swimsuit wouldn’t shift.
“Okay, that should be everyone,” she called to Remon and Kagome, who were already changed into their outfits and setting up a deck chair.
Looking at Kagome, still clutching her teddy bear, and Remon, still wearing her glasses, Chikaru pondered… Oh well. They look so cute anyway.
Chikaru decided to let them be, satisfied with their outfits. She laughed to herself. I hope more students will join my club when they see these girls…
“Well, Costume Club members…let’s have fun and do our best! We’re here to serve as bunny-girl pool attendants. Don’t let anyone touch you or get mixed up in any funny business. Be cheerful and cute! Let the party begin!”
“Yeaaah!”
As she saw the three girls yell out together, Chikaru shuddered with excitement.
“I wonder if Shizuma-oneesama is coming to the pool?”
“She probably excused herself today.”
“Excused herself…?”
Tamao and Nagisa, wearing their dark blue Miator school swimsuits, arrived.
Nagisa loved baths, so she naturally enjoyed pools too, but—she seemed bashful. She probably wasn’t used to her new swimsuit.
“You know the Faceless Devil has already begun, right? Even if it is Pool Opening Day, it would be horrible if you accidentally met each other here…and Shizuma-sama probably predicted you would want to come to the pool, since you’re new here…so she excused herself today. See…you don’t see any other stars here, do you?” Tamao asked.
Nagisa looked around and understood her point.
That’s true…Amane-sama and Hikari and the other Étoile candidates aren’t here.
“They’re probably in their rooms right now. They need to avoid all kinds of dangers, you know.”
“I see…”
Nagisa was pretty sure Shizuma-oneesama would have wanted to see her wearing the new swimsuit, so she was a bit let down.
“Oh…that’s too bad, Nagisa-chan.”
The voice came from in front of them. Nagisa raised her head and saw…Chikaru at the poolside bar, smiling. She offered Nagisa a sweating glass, filled with an icy-cold drink.
“It’s too bad you can’t show your wonderful swimsuit to Shizuma-sama…” Chikaru said as she approached Nagisa. She looked at Nagisa from all sides and tilted her head.
Nagisa was shocked at Chikaru’s bunny-girl outfit. “Wow, your Costume Club wears these daring outfits too…?”
She couldn’t hold back her curiosity. She reached out and… pat…Chikaru’s breast was softer than she had imagined and bounced back delightfully. The material was…slippery.
“Oooh…” Chikaru, touched by Nagisa, exaggerated her swoon.
Nagisa hastily pulled back her hand. “I’m sorry, I…I…just wondered what the suit felt like. But…wow, it’s so slick… ”
Nagisa smiled bashfully at Tamao.
Both Tamao and Chikaru’s eyes twinkled.
“Oh, Nagisa-chan…are you curious about this bunny-girl outfit?”
Their voices came out simultaneously. Tamao and Chikaru stared at each other in amazement. The next moment, they nodded as if they had made a silent agreement.
What? What are they doing? Nagisa didn’t have time to think about it, though.
“If you like it so much…you can change into a bunny girl! We’ll help you put it on.”
The two girls dragged Nagisa out of the pool area.
“Umm…does this look all right? Isn’t it…weird…?” Nagisa hesitated, but Chikaru reassured her.
“Oh no, it’s fine. You look good in it, but…”
But…? Nagisa was suddenly scared.
In the locker room next to the inner garden, several wooden lockers were lined up. There was a sense of mysteriousness about it. Nagisa stood in an unfrequented area of the locker room as her heart thumped at the bold outfit she had on.
“But…we should fix it a bit…” Tamao commented.
“Oh, you think so too?” Chikaru added.
Fix what…? Nagisa was still confused.
“Excuse me…” Tamao’s hand slipped into Nagisa’s breast.
She pushed her hand into the tight space between the suit and Nagisa’s breast.
Tamao and Nagisa felt a squishy sensation.
Squish squish… Squiggle squiggle…
Ohhh, nooo… Heedless of how uncomfortable Nagisa felt, Tamao slid her hand to Nagisa’s underarm area and pushed Nagisa’s maturing breasts into the bunny-girl outfit’s bra cup.
Only Nagisa’s right breast filled the bra cup, and pointed up.
“Now that’s sexy,” Tamao grinned. “You’re…so big, Nagisa-chan.”
Nagisa’s face blazed at Tamao’s comment.
“Let’s do the other side…”
“N-No, I’ll do it myself…”
Nagisa tried to decline, but Chikaru cut in.
“Are you kidding, Nagisa-chan? If you fix it yourself, it won’t settle in properly. Oh my, please don’t tell me you’ve been doing it yourself all this time? Poor soul… Don’t worry, you’re in Astraea now! Tamao-chan and I will do it today…but I’m sure Shizuma-sama will do it for you from now on.”
Shizuma-sama touching Nagisa’s breast… Nagisa almost fainted at the thought.
Nagisa waved her arms. “Th-That will not happen…!”
Tamao hugged her. “Oh, of course, I know. It would be too insulting to have Shizuma-sama bow down just to fix your breasts, huh? But you’re fine with me doing it, right? Tsk… I’ll do anything for Nagisa-chan! You’re better off with me, Nagisa-chan, since you aren’t nervous around me. Ohh…let’s fix your other side, too.”
Tamao winked, turned Nagisa around, and dug her hands into her breasts.
This time…she slithered around deliberately.
Ahh…aaaaahhh… Nagisa writhed as little explosions went off in her head…and silently she screamed for help.
Shizuma-oneesama…am I supposed to be doing this…?
***
“Kyaaaah, so Makoto-sama, you lived in Russia since junior high?”
“Yes. I went there in order to become a professional violinist by sixteen…”
“By yourself?! Without a maid?”
“Yes. Of course, my parents wanted to send one, but I thought I might end up spending time making friends with the maid instead of studying, so…”
Makoto’s smile caused the girls sitting around her to blush.
“Oh wow…if that’s the case, you should have taken me, Makoto-sama! It must be pretty lonely, living in a foreign country, so if I’d been there I could have comforted you…”
The girl said it on purpose, so she could bring her chair right next to Makoto…and lean against her.
Makoto and her fans sat in Spica’s pool dome. It had been a week since the Faceless Devil event had begun. Makoto hadn’t done anything yet, but two couples were disqualified already.
Out of the three schools, Spica was known for its sports programs, so it had many specialized facilities, such as the horseback riding grounds, tennis courts, giant gymnasiums, and this pool dome.
This impressive pool facility had a 50-meter pool with depths ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 meters, a diving pool with a platform as high as 5 meters, and a glass-paned scuba tank.
Next to the pool, on a raised platform, was a small café for the students. The café had ivory-colored parasols over each table, and Makoto, the center of attention, was surrounded by a slew of fans. She sat and relaxed.
The swim classes seemed to have ended. Makoto’s black and silver swimsuit—she hadn’t had time to order Spica’s white one-piece school swimsuit—and matching shorts of the same pattern hung off her slender hips. She stood out in the crowd of white.
Students sitting at other tables began to notice her…
One of her fans spoke in a high-pitched voice.
“I’m looking forward to your mini-concert! It’s so great for you to do a special performance for the Strawberry Dorms residents and show off your violin skills, fresh from Russia… I’m thrilled. You’ve defeated two couples already, so I wonder how many more fans you’ll make… I just can’t imagine. By the time the third round comes around in July, you’ll surely be the world’s best Étoile!”
“Ahahaha…” Makoto laughed out loud. “I hope so. I look forward to it, too. A star is supposed to garner attention, be praised by everyone, and shine. I believe Spica’s white star should shine not only on Spica students, but on everyone in Astraea. I refuse to accept a star who doesn’t like the attention. I think she must say that because she isn’t confident of herself…she needs to have an escape route in case things don’t work out.”
Makoto’s words became harsh. “Besides, a star shouldn’t ever be monopolized by one person! A star is revered by everyone…so she should never…ever be monopolized by one person!”
Makoto’s lips quivered, and the student next to her flinched. Makoto, noticing it, waved her forefinger in front of her face—Tch tch tch tch!
The girls focused on Makoto’s expression.
“She…fell in love with a humble transfer student…and ruined Spica’s chances of winning the Étoile competition…what a cheap story. That’s why I came, to save Spica from the fake star and pull it out of the ruins. I want to shine Spica’s white star on all of you,” said the Emperor.
With that, Makoto stood up. “Otori Amane…is not the true star of Spica!”
The conversations around the café disappeared, and the students focused their attention on Makoto.
***
Meanwhile, Amane wanted to take a quick swim to gather her thoughts. The athletic prince wanted to work off her loneliness and worries about missing Hikari—with exercise.
She finished changing, grabbed a towel…and pushed the glass door to enter the pool dome.
She noticed the strange atmosphere as soon as she stepped inside. She didn’t know the reason at first. She walked down the side of the pool and stood at the end of the lane.
Then…she realized.
She had no audience.
Every time Amane came to the pool, rumors would spread as soon as she entered the locker room, and by the time she reached the pool, a small gathering of fans would be watching from afar.
But today, when she looked around…no one.
There was a large crowd at the café.
Wondering if there was an event there, she glanced at it briefly, then looked down and tried to pass through…but…
“Hey, wait!”
A sharp voice, coming from the far side of the café, interjected.
Amane stopped. Is she talking to me?
When Amane looked up, not only was she surprised, but the crowd looking back at her was too. In the middle of the crowd, as if she was basking under a spotlight…stood Kusanagi Makoto.
Makoto…
Amane finally had the opportunity to look at Makoto up close. Amane was in the same class as Makoto, but by the time the students entered their fifth year, they had more elective classes. Amane took more science classes, while Makoto took more arts classes, so they only saw each other during brief homeroom periods in the morning and afternoon.
And ever since Makoto’s arrival at the Strawberry Dorms, their fans—well, Amane considered them her “friends”—stuck closely to them and ensured that they didn’t bump into each other.
And Amane…honestly…didn’t have any negative thoughts about Makoto. In fact, she completely agreed with Makoto’s opinion that girls loving each other romantically was totally wrong, and she would be relieved if Makoto would replace her as the star.
Amane seriously thought the Étoile should be a star who wasn’t bashful.
That’s what Amane wanted to say to Makoto—who hated Amane’s guts. She wanted to say, If you want to do so, I have absolutely no objections, so please do your best and claim the Étoile crown for Spica in my place. I quit.
But…Makoto, standing on the other side of the pool, was surrounded by fans…so Amane couldn’t even have a heart-to-heart conversation with her.
Amane forgot that she had been stopped…she shrugged her shoulders and tried to leave the pool.
“I told you to stop!”
Makoto, with her thin wispy bangs fluttering, walked toward Amane slowly and triumphantly.
Amane stopped once again and turned around to see Makoto, poised for action…
“Prince Amane, great timing! I challenge you to a duel!”
Makoto pointed her forefinger at Amane’s nose.
The air tensed.
Pointing at someone’s nose was Astraea’s sign of challenge. This was the second time.
Even the gentle Amane felt something rustling inside of her, but she just swallowed hard and acted dumb. “Duel?”
“Yes, a duel to determine who will represent Spica in the Étoile competition. Let’s settle this once and for all.”
Makoto seemed a bit more excited than usual…probably because she’d just let off some steam.
“We can settle this in the actual Étoile competition. Why here? You’ll just disturb the people here,” Amane said.
Makoto’s fans had followed her, and soon enough a large audience surrounded the pair.
“Oh, running away, eh? Are you afraid? Since we’re here and both have swimsuits on, let’s have a swim race. Oh, don’t tell me you can’t swim…?”
The gallery murmured.
“Amane-sama is good at swimming. In fact she’s good at…horseback riding, kendo, cross-country, dance, and so on…everyone at Spica knows she’s a gifted athlete.”
“Why did Makoto challenge her to a swim match?”
“Either she really doesn’t know Amane-sama, or maybe she’s confident of her skills…”
Amane was not interested in competing. “I don’t want to cause trouble with other students using the pool during lunch break.”
Makoto egged her on, undeterred. “Ahah…what a pathetic excuse. That just won’t do. Look…”
The pool was empty. The students who, moments ago, had been swimming, had seen the confrontation and gotten out of the pool to witness the event.
Amane remained silent as Makoto continued, on a roll.
“Well, if you’re not confident, you can run away from this challenge. But if you do, I’d feel sorry for the Spica students who thought you should be the leader of the Five Great Stars…” Makoto’s voice grew louder.
The crowd became unsettled.
“Is Amane-sama going to run away…?” The concerned voices were angry at Makoto’s insulting comments… “Amane-sama didn’t do anything, and surely doesn’t deserve those comments…”
Suddenly Amane turned her back on Makoto.
I have no time for this… Without a word, Amane tried to walk away.
Makoto immediately grabbed Amane’s arm to stop her.
The tension sparked in the air, then dissipated.
Facing away, Amane stood still. In the next instant, she turned around and glared at Makoto.
Their eyes locked. There was at least a twenty-centimeter difference in height. Makoto looking up…and Amane looking down.
Makoto gulped, suddenly feeling oppressed.
Amane had a determined look. Had the sleeping lion finally awakened?
She looked straight into Makoto’s eyes. “I have no reason to fight you.”
Amane’s stare was neither coy, adverse, nor disrespectful…she just stared right into Makoto’s eyes. She almost felt sorry for Makoto, trying to find a reason to fight her…
And Makoto thought Amane’s eyes looked almost like her dearly beloved’s…
Makoto snapped out of it. There’s no way she resembles my dearly beloved… She doesn’t look like her but… You shouldn’t be worried about what others think of you—just do what you really want to do…
For a moment…Makoto thought she heard her dearly beloved’s voice.
It’s true, Prince Amane… There is absolutely no reason for you to fight me.
Instantly, her fighting spirit rekindled.
But…I have a reason…yes, a big reason. If you are the Lion King, then I am the Black Dragon. I will breathe scorching fire, hot enough to melt metal, in order to get rid of you—and erase the record of a Spica star that fell to Earth.
For my dearly beloved…I vow to protect St. Spica Girls’ Institute and its maiden holy grounds…and make Spica the number-one school in Astraea…for her…
But Amane freed her arm from Makoto’s grasp…and left.
“Wait up!” Makoto called.
“I was given a difficult challenge…but it isn’t to fight you…” Amane muttered to herself as she stared at the undulating surface of the water.
***
Noon…at the St. Lulim Girls’ School…in the nurse’s office.
Chikaru was organizing her outfits.
This cute pink nurse’s uniform…is for my adorable Kizuna-chan. And this unusual light blue nurse’s outfit will be for Kizuna-chan’s classmate and best friend, Remon-chan…because her glasses will probably match it nicely…tsk…
And this amazing white jacket…is for the unsuspecting Kagome-chan. She’ll make a really tiny but adorable doctor…hmm, she’s actually really smart, so she might really become a doctor one day…
As Chikaru let her thoughts wander, she laid out the outfits, fully enjoying her fantasies.
Where was the school nurse? Chikaru had tricked her into vacating the office for a while, so she could use it freely.
Chikaru neatly folded the outfits and checked all the accessories that came with them. A small folder was on the table next to her. On the cover was “Today’s Costume Club Plan”… and Chikaru’s sketch of a nurse…
Knock knock knock… Someone knocked on the door.
A handsome voice spoke. “Excuse me…”
“Come in…my, you’ve come quite early. I thought you’d come a little later. I’m sorry for the mess…” Chikaru apologized loudly.
“Eh? I thought I came on time…” Kusanagi Makoto looked at the wall clock. The next moment, the one o’clock chime went off.
The St. Lulim Girls’ School buildings consisted of beautiful, colonial-style wooden architecture. The annex-like building in the far corner, closest to Maiden Park—like a summer home—was the nurse’s office.
A slowly turning fan with an attached chandelier hung from the high ceiling. Four large beds were placed in the middle. Chikaru arranged outfits on two of the beds as she enjoyed herself.
The wall clock played a beautiful music…
“Handel’s oratorio…the Messiah,” Makoto noted.
Chikaru smiled. “Mako-chan, you’re probably the only one in Astraea who would comment like that about a simple Westminster chime.”
“Well…” Makoto didn’t have her usual sarcasm and seemed to be at ease when she was alone with Chikaru.
“But it’s so ironic. The Messiah…a perfect song for me.” Makoto grinned.
“So you really believe you’re Spica’s messiah…?” Chikaru asked with a smile.
Makoto hesitated a bit. “Yes…I refuse to accept Otori Amane as Spica’s number-one star! Honestly, I probably can’t fill those shoes either. But I’m way, way, way better than her! You understand it, right, Chika? The real star of Spica should be like my dearly beloved…”
Makoto looked up at the twirling ceiling fan, which rattled occasionally. She calmed herself.
“You’ll root for me, won’t you, Chika?” She approached Chikaru.
With a devilish grin Makoto continued, “Oh, you’re finally speaking to me, my gentle Chika? You sent me that letter, but when I came back you totally ignored me, Chika-chan. I was shocked, you know? In the Spica Student Council room…”
Makoto recalled the incident as she hopped onto the other side of the bed, opposite to Chikaru.
“But…I knew you had your reasons…so I acted like I didn’t know you. Hey, Chika…you know my feelings, right?”
She reached over and grabbed Chikaru’s shoulders.
Unfazed, Chikaru smiled tenderly at Makoto. “Oh…what feelings?”
“Well, my feelings for my dearly beloved…and about wanting to become Spica’s star and eventually the Étoile for her…and…” Makoto placed her hand on Chikaru’s chin…
“And that I love Chika…just like my onee-san…”
Makoto used her thumb to rub Chikaru’s lip. Without a word, she brought her face closer…and closed her eyes… As if she were a puppy, waiting for its master to pet its head…
Chikaru giggled, and gently caressed Makoto’s small, soft head, over and over…ever so gently…ever so peacefully…
She might have a bigger scar than I expected…
The motherly instincts of St. Lulim’s Madonna poured out…
After some time, Makoto opened her eyes and licked her lips with her red tongue. “Please root for me, okay? You can pretend you don’t know me, but…you’re my oneesan…”
She stopped. “Chika…do you already know…the secret behind me and my dearly beloved…?”
As if to cut off Makoto’s question, Chikaru stood up and gave Makoto a serious look.
She smiled. “I’m so glad you regard me as an oneesan… Hey, Mako-chan, will you do me a little favor?”
***
Rustle rustle rustle… A gentle wind rolled through, bringing the light, sweet scent of flowers. The soft sunshine and the pleasant early summer air…
A small leaf hit Shizuma’s face, but she blew it off.
In the center of Maiden Park, near the lake in front of the large chapel, Shizuma was alone, lying in the grass, trying to take a nap. She wondered if the afternoon classes had begun already. She didn’t feel like going back to class…
With a sigh, she sank back down. She raised her hand to block the bright sunshine and slowly closed her eyes.
It felt good as she drifted off to sleep… Her eyelids seemed white…and she sweetly dreamed…
The early-blooming lavender that covered the area waved in the wind. It had also been blooming when a group of St. Miator Girls’ Academy Strawberry Dorms residents went to summer school at one of the many second homes owned by the Hanazono family—at the edge of their Hokkaido ranch.
Shizuma, then a fourth-year student, split off from the group and went for a long horseback ride. As she sat amidst the blooming lavender at the top of the hill, her favorite black horse by her side…she looked at the full expanse of the Hanazono estate.
Under the warm, almost blinding early summer light, small beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
Someone called her. She turned around to see the short-haired Togi Hitomi. She had been Shizuma’s classmate since elementary school, and the students considered her to be Shizuma’s right-hand girl—and for a Miator student, she was unusually energetic and strong-natured.
Beside Hitomi was a girl with light pink cheeks, dragging her feet, looking down…
It was…Shizuma and Sakuragi Kaori’s first fateful encounter.
Hitomi grinned. “So, what do you think, Shizuma-sama…this is the girl.”
“Why?”
“Well, she’s a big fan of yours, and has been dying to meet you… I told you about her yesterday, didn’t I?”
“Yeah…so?”
“So…umm…well, that’s why I brought her here! She was so excited to meet you, like she was going to Heaven or something…”
“Is she really that excited…because she’s awfully quiet.”
“Oh, she’s probably really nervous to finally meet her favorite Shizuma-oneesama! But look! She’s absolutely adorable. She’s probably the cutest out of the whole Third Year class. I always thought she’d be a perfect match for you…” Hitomi smiled proudly, taking credit for her accomplishment. “I explained to you earlier, you should look for a partner for the upcoming Étoile competition. I think she’ll shine just as much as you, Shizuma-sama…right, Kaori-chan?”
Hitomi peered into Kaori’s face as she asked, but Kaori was even more embarrassed and silently tucked her face down.
“Ahahaha…gee, don’t freeze up like that, Kaori-chan. Shizuma-sama is the big star on campus, but she’s quite an approachable person, you know!”
As Hitomi rambled on, Shizuma decided that she didn’t really like the girl, who just stood there, looking down. For some reason, she seemed to let Hitomi do all the talking, but wasn’t willing to dirty her own hands…a cruel, unfair girl…Shizuma thought.
“Is she really that cute? If she’s not willing to talk to me, I have no time for her!”
Shizuma turned around on purpose, acting as though she was ignoring the quiet girl. “Come, Hitomi! Let’s have some tea in the clubhouse. Mother is here too, so…”
“Eh, ah, but…what about…her…?” Hitomi said, flabbergasted.
Suddenly… Hug. Something grabbed Shizuma’s leg.
“P-Please don’t go… Shizuma…oneesama…”
The quiet girl, Sakuragi Kaori, threw herself at Shizuma, hugged her leg, and stopped Shizuma’s movement.
“You…” Shizuma stopped, and something electrical ran from her legs through her whole body.
The girl, still looking at the ground, gathered all her courage, and said in a small voice, “I’ve…looked up to you since elementary school… I’m so honored to meet you, oneesama…”
It was a phrase she had practiced over and over in her heart.
Goodness… What a naïve and awkward girl…
She’s begging me not to hate her… I can hear her inner voice, loud and clear.
Shizuma was moved by Kaori’s clumsy, honest feelings. Shizuma’s voice became gentle and sweet. “Please stand…”
The early summer breeze rolled past, carrying the sweet scent of flowers.
The dream skipped ahead…
A large cumulus cloud floated in the big blue sky.
It was summer vacation at the Strawberry Dorms. Students enjoyed the mid-afternoon summer beside the garden pool in the inner garden.
Shizuma had a pareo wrapped around her red and gold patterned bikini as she relaxed at the poolside with Hitomi and Mizuho. Kaori sat quietly at the edge of their table.
Kaori had eventually become part of Shizuma’s group, becoming less nervous around Shizuma, and she relished her happiness.
“Kaori, don’t sit so far away…come here,” Shizuma said.
Kaori shyly changed chairs. Shizuma held up a large glass, which held a light raspberry frozen drink. “This is too much for me. Will you help me out?”
Kaori nodded bashfully.
“Say ‘ahhh…’”
Shizuma fed a spoonful to Kaori, like a baby. The crowd cheered, and the cicadas cried out noisily.
The dream changed again…the day had come.
The fateful news.
In the Maiden Park forest, trees full of leaves in shades of burning red…
It was that rare occasion on which Kaori had sent an invitation to Shizuma. Thinking that this was probably the first time she’d been called out by Kaori, Shizuma headed toward a particular section of Maiden Park.
Kaori was waiting for her.
“Shizuma-oneesama! I…I…” Her tears prevented further words.
As Shizuma comforted the sobbing Kaori, she asked what was wrong. Kaori told her.
“Is that true?” Shizuma asked.
Kaori could only sob.
“An incurable disease…dear God…no…”
It seemed as if the peaceful happiness she was embracing slowly crumbled. The whole world shook and felt like an ominous nightmare…
It was Shizuma’s first shock.
“That’s why I…can’t stay by Shizuma-oneesama’s side anymore…” Kaori madly sobbed.
Shizuma wrapped her arms around Kaori’s trembling back…
I must protect my darling girl like a younger sister… she thought.
“I won’t allow that to happen to you…” She hugged Kaori strongly. “I can’t let you leave me like this…”
The pure white dream tormented Shizuma.
The first snows of winter fell outside one of the Strawberry Dorms rooms.
Inside, the stricken Kaori was lying in bed, with Shizuma sitting by her side. The room was silent.
The final hours approached quietly.
The white dream morphed into a horrible, black darkness…
Shizuma wandered in the darkness. She couldn’t see a thing…a suffocating darkness.
How long had she been there…?
She finally saw a thin beam of light shining down.
A peach-colored flower petal…one, two, fell from the sky.
She reached out to catch it. It landed on her palm…softly, tenderly, seemingly almost familiar…
She was on a white cloud now.
“I…finally understand Shizuma-oneesama’s true feelings…”
She hadn’t realized an angel was sitting next to her. It was…Kaori.
Was this…Heaven?
“But I pretended that I didn’t know. You made me so happy, Shizuma-oneesama, so I didn’t want to lose it all.”
Kaori’s smile was so gentle and seemed to enfold her.
“Kaori…”
“Shizuma-oneesama, you were nice to me until the end. And I…am so happy to have met you. So please, Shizuma-oneesama…please find your real happiness…”
Shizuma thought… Great. Kaori is finally free from the painful illness, free to feel so happy.
Shizuma felt a wave of relief. Her body relaxed…and her face naturally formed a smile.
But the moment Shizuma tried to peer into Kaori’s smiling face, Kaori’s smile split in half.
The whole scene froze over…and a high-pitched voice pierced through it.
Shizuma was ripped back to reality.
Over and over… Every day, since that one lovely star—among a countless number of stars—had lost its luster, never to shine again, for eternity…
At the Astraea Chapel.
The entrance displayed a large white flower wreath.
Next to it was a small sign. It said…Funeral Mass.
The double doors were fully opened, and Miator students, veiled in black, came in and out of the chapel, lined up to offer flowers.
Unable to enter, Shizuma stood on the steps of the entrance and looked at the altar, deep inside.
Surrounded by white chrysanthemums was a picture of Kaori, smiling in June, surrounded by the scent of lavender. It was her most favorite picture.
As the solemn music of Mozart’s Requiem played…Shizuma’s mouth slightly opened under her black veil.
Suffering in this world
The dark night shall come
The hurt and fallen souls return to Heaven…
Shizuma awakened.
In front of her wasn’t Heaven…but early summer on Astraea Hill.
The afternoon sun was still high in the air.
It was a dream…
She was in a cold sweat… It’s been a while since I dreamed of her…not for two months, since I met Nagisa.
Today was the first time I saw her as an angel and spoke to her in the dream…
She was smiling…and told me she knew my true feelings.
She seemed so blissful…even if it was a dream.
I was so happy, but…Shizuma placed a hand on her heart and recalled the white funeral procession.
That day, deeply buried in tears and painful grief…
The sadness of losing her…I was probably in more sorrow than I imagined.
***
A gentle wind floated across and slowly rippled the pool’s surface…
The light of the stars reflected on the water.
The cool breeze swept toward two girls.
In the inner garden, at nearly midnight…sat Hikari and Yaya.
Yaya had invited Hikari to come outside. I can’t sleep… she had said.
Compared to the clamor of the day, the poolside at night seemed small, quiet, and somewhat lonely…
Only the night lamps softly illuminated the inner garden…and barely shone upon the two girls, sitting at the edge of the pool.
Squiggle squiggle…
It barely shone on the backs of their heels…wavering…as Yaya struggled to find words.
“Hikari…are you sad?”
Hikari weakly smiled at Yaya’s question. “Eh…well…”
Yaya grimaced. She’s doing that smile…again. I know Hikari is sleepless. I know because, on the other side of the room, while I hold my breath…I can hear Hikari tossing around in her bed…
Yaya was depressed. Am I no longer able to suppress my feelings…?
“You haven’t seemed too happy these days, Hikari… On the surface, I know you’ve been giving it your all at dance practice…but…you don’t seem to be here…as if your mind has left your body…leaving an empty shell behind or something…”
I can’t bear to see you like this…
Yaya couldn’t find the right words… Because she knew why Hikari was sad.
Because she hadn’t seen Amane-sama.
Even during classes at school, and the dance lessons during breaks…and at the lounge during free time in the Strawberry Dorms, and the meal prayers at the large dining hall…Hikari was always looking for someone.
Subconsciously.
With her eyes.
All the time…
Looking for her white prince…
It had been a week since Hikari had last seen Amane. She had been trying so hard to keep her spirits up. She kept telling herself she needed to be a strong, cheerful girl, for Amane-sama.
Hikari-chan, you’re so diligent, and much stronger… her classmates said. Some made insensitive jokes, that Amane might really turn into one of the Five Great Stars…
But to Yaya…it only caused her pain.
Ever since she’s been separated from Amane…Hikari has been forcing her smiles. Somewhere in her body, she must have a small scar, so she forced a smile to hold down that pain…
It shows on her face. I don’t want to see that kind of smile.
Something beyond frustration—a pressurized form of anger—welled up inside of Yaya.
In a small voice, her true thoughts spilled out.
“Come on, ’fess up…don’t hold it in…”
In the dead silence of the night, even Yaya’s soft whispers reached Hikari’s ears. “Confess…?” Hikari, sitting next to Yaya, only turned her face. “I…don’t have any confessions…”
Even as she denied it, tears welled in her eyes. Large drops rolled down her cheeks.
“I…don’t have any confessions…nothing. I’m not sad. I know…you think I’m acting strange, Yaya-chan. But I’m not holding anything back…so don’t be mad, Yaya-chan. There are times when I want to see Amane-sama…but…that’s…” Hikari choked on her tears. And made that smile again. She scrunched her crying face to force the painful smile.
“Please…Yaya-chan…don’t be so mean… If you left me, Yaya-chan…I’d be so sad…and wouldn’t know what to do…”
Hikari’s words sparked Yaya’s jealousy.
Stupid, stupid, stupid…stupid Hikari… Why are you holding back so much…? Why do you force a smile…even though you’re so sad and crying…?
Is it all for Amane-oneesama…? Why do you have to endure all this for Amane-oneesama, when she’s the one making you this sad…?
Yaya couldn’t help it anymore. She hugged Hikari violently.
Hikari’s hot, wet tears soaked Yaya’s neck.
I…can’t stand it. I want Hikari to be…really happy. My cute Hikari, who loves all things pretty and beautiful…You look a lot better with peach-colored tears of joy…not blue tears of sadness… You should have chosen someone who could make you happier…
Yaya heard a devil whisper in her heart.
Oh…here goes nothing…!
She pushed Hikari down onto the poolside deck.
“Ah… Ya-Yaya-chan, what are you…?”
Yaya hovered over Hikari, her searing eyes looking right into Hikari’s.
Hikari couldn’t say a word.
Tumble…
The two bodies fell into the pool.
Splash… The large splash echoed through the empty inner garden. Water sprayed in all directions.
Regardless of whether it was because Yaya moved, or Hikari moved, the pair, still in their pajamas, fell into the pool.
Hikari didn’t understand what just had happened to her, and she struggled.
It’s cold…
I can’t breathe…
The wet clothes are restricting me…
I’m scared…
She panicked.
Yaya hugged the squirming Hikari.
Hikari almost heard Yaya’s soft whispers in her ear…
“Don’t worry. I’ll always protect you.”
Hikari realized she was standing in the center of the octagonal pool. The shallow part of the pool.
As if Yaya were a prince, holding the Mermaid Princess…she smiled gently. The pool water must have washed away her anxieties.
Hikari’s dewy eyes sparkled as they reflected the dazzling surface of the water.
Yaya released Hikari from her embrace, had her stand there…and without a word began to undress her.
“Yaya-chan, why…?”
Yaya placed a finger on Hikari’s lips and silenced her.
Hikari felt overpowered by Yaya’s intensity…and lost her will to resist.
Yaya’s gentle hands peeled Hikari’s wet clothes off…and the night wind…stole Hikari’s body heat.
It feels…so good…
The clouds eventually cleared…and the moon and a small star appeared.
Hikari’s mind went blank as Yaya fondled her body.
Yaya felt Hikari’s exposed body. Her white, wet skin was illuminated by the moonlight…and sparkled.
She was so alluring. Yaya wanted to have Hikari’s whole body…
Yaya continued her caresses. “You’re so beautiful, Hikari…” she whispered…
Hikari felt her soul jump to the skies as her mind went white…and only felt Yaya’s kindness…