Chapter 7: On the Morning of the Escape, a Promise is Broken, Then Fulfilled

Chapter 7

 

On the Morning of the Escape,

a Promise is Broken, Then Fulfilled

 

Four days later…

Nagisa and Shizuma managed to stay apart for four more days.

Nagisa was dragged off by Tamao to talk to Miyuki, and was told that, in order to avoid embarrassing Shizuma, Nagisa shouldn’t tell anyone what had happened, so the only thing she could do was keep it quiet.

At Spica, the rumors about Amane and Hikari were scandalous…

Couldn’t they wait for just two short weeks, those impatient fools…?

Angry rumors might have come from the hard-core fans whose hopes had been betrayed, but it was disenchanting to know that these fans, who used to cherish their stars, could turn around so easily and spread such insidious rumors…

Miyuki explained to Nagisa the recklessness of her mindless actions, and the only thought that crossed Nagisa’s mind was…I have to protect Shizuma-oneesama’s reputation…

But in keeping this incident under wraps, Nagisa couldn’t overlook her own dishonesty and unfairness…and she wanted to run away from it all.

Spica’s Amane and Hikari stayed in the Repentance Room for only two days, but they were sent to their rooms, under restriction, after that.

Thinking about that couple drove Nagisa insane.

As Nagisa practiced dancing with Tamao…one question stuck in her mind.

What should I do…? When I’m not even worthy of being in the Étoile competition?

 

And then…it was the day of the main event.

 

***

 

Shion came to school very early in the morning and sat in the Student Council room.

She liked this privilege—to come to school first, alone, as the Student Council President.

The empty school building seemed cold and quiet. She rode the elevator up to the eighth floor, where the Student Council room was, and by the time she reached it, the sun was up. Now the glass-walled room would slowly become warm and humid.

As she checked the agenda one last time, Shion went back over the events that had led up to this day.

The day she had entered the Repentance Room to tell Amane she had been disqualified from the Étoile competition…

Amane had been in a cheap, cramped room with only a small, simple white bed and an old Bible on the desk. Amane had sprung up at the sight of Shion…and when Shion had explained the official decision in a serious tone… “I’m so sorry…” Amane had apologized, and had bowed her head to Shion.

Amane had understood Shion’s strong desire for Amane to claim the Étoile crown for Spica that year, no matter what…

Considering Amane’s bashful nature, there were many things Amane had had to compromise and endure to take part in the Étoile competition. But one thing was certain…Amane was a Spica student who truly loved her school.

The thought pained Shion’s heart.

Shion ultimately felt responsible for putting Amane into this position…and she had inadvertently blurted, “Oh no, it’s not your fault, Prince Amane,” which had made both of them burst out in laughter.

It might have been Shion’s mistake—based on Makoto and Miyuki’s requests—to choose the Faceless Devil event. But—two weeks—it had been Amane and Hikari’s fault for not being able to wait for only two weeks.

Shion and Amane had felt a little better after they’d laughed about it. Shion was finally able to give up her long-standing dream, and Amane didn’t care about being locked up. She had worried more about Hikari, who had just transferred, and had gotten mixed up into this whole mess. She was probably scared to death.

Shion had nodded in agreement, and Amane had asked her to please check on Hikari. Shion felt partially responsible for pulling Hikari into this mess too, so she had pounded on her chest and said, “Sure thing!” and then had gone to Hikari’s room.

 

Hikari had been trembling with overbearing guilt.

Shion understood her feelings. That’s why she had tried to explain everything to Hikari in the most logical fashion.

She had said she’d just met with Amane, who didn’t care much about this incident. Sure, a lot of rumors would spread, but those would eventually go away, so she had said not to worry about it. In fact, they were lucky to have Makoto back, because she had eliminated three couples…which meant she could officially enter the Étoile competition, starting with the dance contest…and she would protect Spica’s reputation, so Hikari had nothing to worry about.

Shion had also told her that Amane was really worried about her. Amane had asked Shion to please pass on to Hikari how much she wanted to see her.

According to Shion, it was the first time she had seen Amane agonizing over something so much.

Hikari had said, in a thin voice and with tears streaming down her face, that she wanted to see Amane-sama, too.

Ohh, just thinking about those two really pains me. Unable to take the pain, Shion changed the subject of her thoughts.

Then there had been the tense scene in the Student Council room with Chikaru.

Oh yes, Chikaru… I wondered what that strange proposal was about.

Now that Amane had been eliminated, Chikaru had suggested that Makoto and Kagome—a Spica-Lulim alliance—should pair up and enter the Étoile competition…an idea Shion had never expected.

After the meeting…Shion had grabbed Chikaru and asked her what she was up to.

Chikaru had just smiled.

“Oh, I just…want to gather a lot of cute girls in my little harem at Lulim, that’s all… If Lulim has an Étoile, it’ll attract a lot of students here, and more cute girls will come…”

Lulim’s Public Entertainment Department, Class Z…what a far-fetched idea. But after checking with everyone, they had agreed to the Makoto-Kagome coupling and entry, just as Chikaru had planned. Even Miyuki hadn’t objected.

For some reason the Étoile competition had turned into an effort to avenge Amane’s defeat. Chikaru’s bold plan to create a couple from students of different schools—an unprecedented coupling in Astraea’s Étoile competition history—had riled up a festival-like excitement at Spica and Lulim. The alliance was creating a friendly atmosphere, for sure.

But will this ultimately be a good move for Spica…?

Shion wasn’t sure. Amane and Hikari stuck in her mind.

Hikari’s painful, teary smile tore at her heart.

Tap tap…she tapped the pile of papers on the table.

Today was the main event…

 

***

 

Hikari felt the heaviness of the situation sink in.

When she had first transferred here, she had been impressed with her beautiful dorm room, the chic art décor style.

Hikari was still restricted to her room. Her roommate, Yaya, had left for school already.

Hikari sat on her bed and turned to her thoughts. About the rule she had broken…and the trouble she had caused Spica, and how she had ruined Amane’s reputation…

She tried to hold back her tears, but couldn’t.

I did such a horrible thing…

Knock knock knock… Small knocks at the door.

The door opened.

It was Amane. She wore her nicest smile.

Hikari was so surprised she couldn’t speak or cry…

Amane carried a small bag. She opened her arms and hugged Hikari.

“Hey, let’s go…we don’t belong here anymore…”

 

***

 

The Koubu Hall was filled with excitement…and people.

The students had been jittery during morning classes, anxious about the main event in the afternoon.

They finally gathered after lunch.

The main event received a lot of attention, especially this year because it followed a number of disturbing incidents. As the students tried to guess who would win…the enthusiasm grew.

Miator’s dark green uniforms, Spica’s pure-white uniforms, and Lulim’s pink uniforms…

The Koubu Hall, inside the Miator School grounds, was the location of the Étoile competition’s second-round dance contest.

This was Astraea’s only dance hall, owned by Miator, and was only used for that purpose. Dance class was a required course for all three Astraea schools, so all the students had set foot into this hall at least once during their academic career.

Most of the gathered students were in their uniforms, but a few were dressed as noble ladies and gentlemen. They were the Étoile candidates.

Eight judges presided over this point-based dance contest. Nine Étoile candidate couples would dance at the same time…and be scored. The judges would find the average of all the scores, and those who were below the average would be disqualified.

The highest scoring couple would be the second-round winner, and receive the second Petite couronne.

“Hey…which couple do you think will win?”

“Hmmm…I think the Kusanagi Makoto pair will. Since she just returned from Russia…and her partner is Kagome-chan…”

“D-Do you know anything about her? I heard she’s a first-year student. She just came out of nowhere…but this is her first year here, so can she really dance?”

“Oh…Kagome-chan, following her family’s traditions, was home-schooled. And her house is in England, so she’s rumored to be a super-talented dancer.”

“Woow, really? Lulim is so lucky to get a talented girl like her…”

“Yeah, she’s Lulim’s super heavyweight star!”

“Uh-huh.”

 

***

 

Meanwhile…

In Maiden Park, under the shade of the trees, was a tall girl carrying a small bag…and a small girl, beside her.

In the clear summer morning, they cut across the green Maiden Park.

The tall girl unlocked the small gate, which was right next to the larger gate, with a hidden key…and slowly opened it.

The two girls slipped away, unnoticed.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes…”

B-tam—only the sound of the closing gate was left behind.

 

***

 

Nagisa stood alone in front of the Miator Student Council room.

She couldn’t look the Student Council President in the face.

But she was able to open her mouth. At first, it trembled, but she pulled it off better than she imagined…

“I…wish to withdraw from the Étoile competition.”

Nagisa chose…to leave Shizuma.

Shizuma-oneesama…Shizuma-oneesama will surely be mad at my decision.

That’s all Nagisa knew.

I can’t do this anymore. I want to stay by your side. But I didn’t know how painful it was to be with you…

I…finally realized.

Nagisa turned around and walked away.

The Student Council President, Rokujo Miyuki, was speechless…and just watched her leave.

For one month…the girls’ fates had intertwined…

Countless intersecting feelings at Astraea Hill had turned into infinite raindrops that fell to chill and soak the earth.

What would come at the end of the rainy season…? A violent, black, raging storm? Or perhaps a brilliant mid-summer sky, blue as can be?

At this point, no one knows…