Chapter 4: How the King of Truth Became Known

Chapter 4

 

How the King of Truth Became Known

 

It was way past bedtime, a quiet midnight in the Strawberry Dorms. In her Spica dorm room, Yaya fell asleep, alone again.

Gracious, how many days has it been…one, two…she counted in her head. How many days since Hikari went missing? About six days already. Almost a whole week. I never expected this to happen.

She glanced across the room at Hikari’s empty bed. The wrinkle-free, light peach satin cover seemed dull and solemn.

Until now, I never felt so lonely being in a room by myself.

Yaya pulled her futon cover over her head. I should stop thinking about anything, or I’ll never get to sleep. I’m so tired.

The little emergency light was turned off, making the room completely dark. The only sound was Yaya’s breathing. She tried to fight back the tears that welled inside her. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

Yaya dreamed of Hikari. She wore a short, white, robe like an angel, smiling shyly at Yaya. She stretched her hand out to Yaya, inviting Yaya to take Hikari in her arms. Tempted, Yaya took her hand, and brought Hikari close.

Hikari gasped as she sank against Yaya’s chest. Yaya stamped out all her fears and hugged Hikari as tightly as she could, nearly crushing her bones.

“Hikari,” she whispered.

Hikari, wearing a glowing smile, buried her face into Yaya’s bosom. Yaya couldn’t hold herself back anymore. She ran her hands all over Hikari’s body, reaching for every part of her, over and over, as if she wanted to confirm that Hikari was really in her arms. She kissed Hikari’s lips relentlessly, as if trying to make up for all the time she couldn’t kiss her. Yaya kissed her so hard she ran out of breath. After a brief release she kissed her again.

The moment their lips parted, Yaya felt insecure, as if Hikari would disappear, and so she began her kissing again. She kissed Hikari’s lips, cheeks, neck. Her breasts. Then explored every part of Hikari’s body with kisses.

Hikari, lost in ecstasy, let Yaya take control.

Yaya peeled off Hikari’s clothing. Hikari shivered in anticipation.

“Hikari, you’re so beautiful.” Yaya was captivated by Hikari’s white, alluring skin. It drew Yaya to her lover, like a spell.

Yaya made love to Hikari.

Hikari, lost in ecstasy, whispered into Yaya’s ear. Ohh…Yaya-chan…Yaya-chan… She writhed in Yaya’s arms, burning with passion so hot she nearly melted Yaya in the process.

“Oh, Hikari. My Hikari. Please tell me that you only love me.”

Yaya rubbed her body against Hikari, breathing heavily and asking the question again and again. Hikari arched her back and moaned with pleasure. Ahh, Yaya-chan…

But she never answered Yaya’s question.

Hikari reached her climax. She clutched Yaya’s body, and her moan was like honey to Yaya’s ears.

Yes, that’s it, come with me, Hikari…

Yaya poured all her love into Hikari, and the two girls reached the end of the earth together. Yaya was intoxicated on the feeling that she and Hikari were the only people on earth.

Hikari relaxed and closed her eyes, her body glowing with the pleasure of what Yaya had given her.

Suddenly, a halo rolled down from the top of Hikari’s head.

Yaya hadn’t noticed the golden circlet above Hikari before. It was the halo of an angel who had appeared on Earth. The halo glowed white for an instant, then melted into nothing.

 

Ahhhh, no, Hikari! Yaya cried. She had been filled with happiness just moments before, but she was now completely empty. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

With a gasp, Yaya opened her eyes and saw the darkness. She wiped her cheeks, surprised by the tears she found there. She looked down at her hands. The sensation of Hikari’s body lingered in her trembling hands, but Yaya sighed with relief. I’m glad it was just a dream. Thank goodness I didn’t go all the way with Hikari like that. I really don’t want to do that to her. I mean, I’d probably be happy if I did make love to her, but…

A smiled slowly crept onto Yaya’s face. With tear-soaked cheeks, she felt indescribable happiness. She laughed, carefree.

Yes, what I want the most is not to make love to her.

I want to be Hikari’s best friend.

 

***

 

Again the sun rose on Astraea Hill.

One week had passed since the second round of the Étoile competition, and each school was different than it had been just seven days before.

At the St. Miator Girls’ Academy, the rumor that Shizuma had dumped Nagisa faded into the background. Nagisa’s life had settled into an almost comfortable lull. She no longer felt like she wanted to leave school.

Shizuma withdrew from the Étoile competition, and like many other Sixth Year students, didn’t appear in public too often anymore.

Nagisa just went with the flow of everyday life. What Shizuma did to Tamao on that last day was a little shocking, but what she had said to Tamao was even more shocking. Shizuma’s final word to Nagisa was the biggest shock of all.

Goodbye…

Nagisa refused to think about it. Whenever she tried to think of the reason for it, her heart tightened and her mind went blank.

I should just forget everything. I won’t think about Shizuma-sama ever again.

Tamao didn’t bring up the subject either, so between the two of them, it was like that final meeting had never happened. Since then, Nagisa spent her unbelievably pleasant days with Tamao always by her side.

 

At St. Spica Girls’ Institute, Makoto was still the flamboyant Emperor. She had won the second round of the Étoile competition. Things were slowly approaching their conclusion. Amane and Hikari had not been seen since their disappearance, but the teachers and Sisters acted like nothing had happened. Students, possibly feeling guilty that they had excessively pressured the two girls, found it hard to bring up the subject.

Originally, Amane’s hard-core fans, the Amane-wannabees, had caused a ruckus—thinking that Amane and Hikari would eventually be expelled from school—but once they realized that their commotion might prevent their prince’s return, they changed their minds and waited patiently in silence. Everyone believed the two girls would eventually come back.

 

Finally, at the St. Lulim Girls’ School, Student Council President Minamoto Chikaru smiled like the Madonna and enjoyed the day at her Costume Club. Chikaru’s smile was for Kagome, who wore an overly frilly nurse’s outfit.

“Hey, do you really refuse to enter the third round with Makoto-chan?”

“Yes,”Kagome replied immediately, smiling, while she snuggled her teddy bear.

Chikaru sighed.

In this brief time of peace, only the Spica Student Council worried about the final round of the Étoile competition.

Lunch break. On the Spica campus, in the Spica Student Council Room, at the highest floor of the tower far beyond the throngs of girls clamoring in the cafeteria, the Student Council members waited nervously for something to arrive. President Shion, still completely depressed, sat with Kaname and Momomi, who were both nervous. All three waited patiently. The rest of the council members became nervous as well, and there was not a sound to be heard. If someone looked up from the green expanse of the Maiden Park, the only things they would see through the large glass windows were the back sides of white uniforms quietly sitting at the table.

Knock, knock, knock…

Shion clenched her fist. Here we go. It’s time for me to take responsibility and get impeached.

“Excuse me…”

The St. Lulim Student Council President, Minamoto Chikaru, and the St. Miator Student Council President, Rokujo Miyuki, entered the room. Their three key staff members followed behind. The two presidents wore business-like smiles, which was not unexpected. Today was a day for business. Today was the periodic Tri-School Joint Student Council meeting.

“Welcome, and thank you for coming.” Shion stood, spreading her arms to welcome the guests inside, but her trembling hands were clamped shut. Hang in there…

The agenda for today’s joint council meeting was to cover the results of the second round of the Étoile competition, and to discuss what event to conduct in the third round.

“Regarding the second round,” Shion began once everyone was seated. “Spica’s first round winners, the Amane pair, were disqualified. They broke cardinal school rules, and left school without authorization.”

It was a major embarrassment for Shion to announce such shameful results. But, since she was in the highest position of power, she had to endure this shame. Once it was over, she needed to figure out the best way to decide on the third round.

Somehow I must bear this trial and restore Spica’s glory.

The overwhelming pressure made her dizzy. Shion couldn’t bear to look Chikaru and Miyuki in the eyes.

“Well, so, let’s begin. First, I would like to report on the execution and results of the second round of the Étoile competition. Please review the handout.” Shion tried to control her shaking voice as the handouts were passed around the room, and the Tri-School Joint Student Council meeting began.

Shion reported the Petite couronne winners of the second round: St. Spica Girls’ Institute, Fifth Year, Class Trois, Kusanagi Makoto, and St. Lulim Girls’ School, First Year, Class C, Byakudan Kagome.

“We’ve tentatively scheduled a coronation ceremony for after the commotion at the schools has simmered down. Unfortunately, the second round had resulted in several disqualifications and withdrawals, but it did end smoothly so regarding the third and final round…”

Shion flew through the report rather quickly, thankful the job was nearly over.

“I object.” Miyuki interjected and raised her hand.

“Huh?” Shion stopped. Well…here it comes. “Yes, what is it, St. Miator Girls’ Academy President Rokujo?”

Miyuki kept her gaze on the table top as she stood, then snapped her face up to stare at Shion. “President Tomori, you state it all so simply, but how are we going to deal with the disappearance of the winners of the first round, St. Spica Girls’ Institute’s Otori Amane – Konohana Hikari pair?”

Urk… Shion nearly choked, but tried to regain her composure. It’s okay…calm down. This line of questioning was expected, Shion reminded herself.

“Regarding that case, I express my deepest apologies. Our school is to blame. I acknowledge that this act was incredibly dishonorable and unprecedented, but since the couple has already received due punishment for being disqualified from the first half of the second round, “The Faceless Devil,” I do not believe further corrective actions are required.” Shion said it all with her eyes closed.

Yes, there’s no other way to explain this situation. How much more should Spica suffer from this tragedy? There is no other penalty that could hurt Spica more than losing Amane.

Miyuki countered, “That is not what I meant. I understand that the two students were duly punished. It would have been understandable if they had only broken the rules with the framework of “The Faceless Devil,” but they also went missing from school, causing a major uproar, on the day they were supposed to participate in the latter event of the second round. Do you not think their actions were both unforgivable and dishonorable for Astraea?”

Urk… This time Shion was really stuck for a reply. Miyuki continued to pile it on.

“In fact, the couple in question won the first round, and was in the running for the final crown. They had the potential to be Astraea’s best and hold a very honorable position.”

Yes, that’s true… Shion thought. Why did Amane make such a foolish decision to leave school?

“So why did the two students make such a selfish decision to leave school?” Miyuki’s continued as if she could read Shion’s mind. “Shouldn’t the Spica Student Council have made sure that a strong couple, who dominated the first round in such an impressive manner, be monitored to prevent such an incident in the first place?”

Oh…so that’s where she’s going…

Shion spoke carefully, hiding her anger. “Are you suggesting, President Rokujo, that punitive measures be taken against the Spica Student Council itself?”

What in the world will that accomplish? Is she suggesting that I resign from my presidency?

When Miyuki did not answer, Shion snickered. “If my resignation would undo this mess, I would have done so instantly. But even if I stepped down, there’s no guarantee that the two girls would return, so I believe I should stay on until this whole situation is resolved.”

She thought about Shizuma. If that’s your argument, St. Miator Girls’ Academy had a couple drop out as well. “And how about the situation at the St. Miator Girls’ Academy? The previous Étoile jumped into the competition at the last minute, only to drop out prematurely. Isn’t your school just as guilty of stirring up the Étoile competition?”

Miyuki continued her argument without changing her expression. “Yes, of course. I am ready to take responsibility for the trouble my fellow students have caused. That is why I am proposing a course of action.”

Shion narrowed her eyes. Eh…what do you mean…?

Miyuki spread her arms and shrugged her shoulders. “In other words, I just wanted to say there’s no point in continuing the Étoile competition.” She gave Shion an evil grin.

“Look, I will somehow convince the previous Étoile to re-enter the competition. So it would be great if everyone at Spica can find Amane-sama and Konohana-san to have them re-enter the competition, also. With the first and second place winners of the first round dropping out the way they did, all of the students who had high hopes for those two couples were utterly disappointed. They turned the competition into a big joke. Besides, there aren’t any couples who have charisma like those two couples, so I’m suggesting we redo the second round once they all return.” Miyuki spoke rather frankly.

Shion sat back in her chair, astonished. “B-But even if we both agree to that, President Miyuki, what about Lulim?” She looked at Chikaru.

Chikaru was laughing in amusement.

“Yes, Lulim probably won’t agree to redo the second round, especially since one of their students won the Petite couronne.”

But despite the way the conversation had gone, Miyuki pulled out the final ace up her sleeve.

“Yes, regarding that…unfortunately, I came across a ‘rumor’ that I feel I must report here.” Miyuki gave a sidelong glance to Chikaru, who was still chuckling.

“The subject in question is Kusanagi Makoto, who entered from the second round and came out as winner. It is a fact that she is the younger sister of Kusanagi Masaki, the legendary Étoile from nine years ago, correct?”

Everyone in the room was shocked into silence. Shion looked like she had tasted something bitter. Chikaru maintained her smile, which only convinced Miyuki that she was getting close to the heart of the matter.

“When I researched Kusanagi Masaki I came across an interesting fact.” Miyuki waved the file in question. “What I have here is a report about Kusanagi Masaki, compiled by the former Miator Student Council. According to this report, there are no graduation records for the legendary Étoile, Kusanagi Masaki. And in addition, there are hints of her dropping out of school.”

Commotion spread throughout the room.

Dropping out of school? An Astraea student, dropping out?

Miyuki sensed the confusion in the room and lifted the report a little higher. “The main reason for her dropping out was probably due to her sudden disappearance.”

Shion jolted in her seat. This is unexpected.

Miyuki continued, “The reason for her disappearance appears to be related to the secret behind the birth of her sister, Kusanagi Makoto—”

Chikaru stood suddenly, causing a lot of noise. She spoke loud enough to drown out Miyuki’s last words.

“Umm… President Miyuki? I truly apologize for interrupting you during your explanation, but…”

What now? Miyuki looked upset.

Chikaru didn’t seem to notice and rattled on. “It seems like the Spica and Miator councils are really concerned about their students dropping out or withdrawing, so I’m quite hesitant to say this, but…”

She put on a coquettish smile. “Actually, I have an important announcement to make to everyone here.”

Chikaru blushed playing her part to the fullest extent. “Err… the student paired with Makoto-chan, Lulim’s First Year student, Byakudan Kagome…well, Kagome-chan…doesn’t seem to get along with Makoto-chan, and has insisted on withdrawing from the Étoile competition.”

The room was now in utter chaos.

 

***

 

At the time Chikaru was making her announcement, in the St. Miator Faculty Tower, the campus queen, Hanazono Shizuma, stood before a large, heavy oak door. There was a white envelope in her hand.

She was deciding whether or not to go inside.

If I just say the words…it’ll be all over.

Shizuma straightened her posture and grabbed the doorknob.

“St. Miator Girls’ Academy, Sixth Year, Snow Class, Hanazono Shizuma, entering!”

Her voice was gallant, yet lustrous.

“Come in,” a calm, female voice acknowledged Shizuma.

Shizuma’s feet sank into the dark green carpet. She placed the white envelope onto the large desk. The lady who occupied the office remained in her chair as she spoke.

“Are you sure?” the woman asked, her eyes narrowing. The faint scent of her Wild Orchid perfume lingered in the air.

“Yes, Chancellor.”

Shizuma closed her eyes and searched deep into her soul. She used to have some thoughts of wanting to stay back. But she thought it was best for her to do this, and she had convinced herself. Now she was fully determined to see it through.

“I had assumed you’d stay at this school until graduation.” The young, beautiful chancellor smiled as she opened one of the shiny drawers of the mahogany desk. She put Shizuma’s white envelope away. The outside of the envelope bore the words “Request for Withdrawal” inked in black calligraphy. It was Shizuma’s request to drop out of school.

“I really enjoyed attending the St. Miator Girls’ Academy, and hoped to graduate from here, but…” Shizuma wryly grinned. “I suppose I need to end my naïve life at this paradise.”

“Oh, you’re silly. You need not hasten becoming an adult. It’s quite boring, you know.”

The Chancellor tapped her forefinger on Shizuma’s nose. “But I suppose it can’t be helped, especially when it’s due to family reasons.”

She tried to hug Shizuma’s shoulder, but the phone on her desk rang like a little bird.

“Oh, my line is ringing.” She grabbed the phone and waved Shizuma away, silently motioning…that’s all, you’re dismissed.

Shizuma took a deep bow and headed out. Just as she touched the door, she overheard the chancellor say, “Yes…Now?!”

Shizuma turned to see what had made the chancellor so surprised. Instead, she saw a strange object outside the window behind the chancellor’s desk.

What is that thing?

The Chancellor hung up the phone, and motioned to the object that hovered in the distance. It came closer, and when Shizuma saw the green star on its side, she knew what it was.

It’s the Miator helicopter.

 

***

 

Shion was so angry she was sure steam was rising from her head. She had taken blow after blow in her weakened, depressed state.

Miyuki’s accusations, Makoto’s hidden secret of some sort, and now Chikaru’s explosive revelation. Just what in the world is Chikaru up to? Wasn’t it she who wanted Kagome to enter the Étoile competition in the first place? And wasn’t it her idea to bring Makoto back to Spica? Now her girl wants to drop out and totally kill any chance of Spica’s getting the Étoile crown?

Shion had the strange feeling that all of this was part of Chikaru’s plan.

“Are you out of your mind?” Kaname pounded the table and stood up.

Shion lost her train of thought.

“What the heck? How come Spica takes the blame for everything! Such audacity! You all have no right to pin this on us!” Kaname fiercely growled.

“No, Kaname-chan…don’t talk to President Miyuki like that…” Momomi, sitting beside Kaname, tried to softly warn her.

“Hell no… You want me to sit here and allow everyone to blame Spica? We had already decided on the second round event, but it was you who insisted on changing it to the “Faceless Devil,” President Miyuki!”

Kaname forgot to speak politely. She pointed her finger at Miyuki.

Ah… Excitement ran through the room. Pointing was Astraea’s sign of a challenge. Now that Kaname had started, she could not stop.

“And you, President Chikaru!”

Kaname pointed her finger at Chikaru’s nose as well. “Because of you, we had to bring that shorty, Kusanagi Makoto, into the competition! Because of her, Spica was thrown into dire confusion, and caused Amane-sama to…”

Kaname realized that she just referred to her own upperclassman as “shorty”. She stopped and hung her shoulders in shame.

“Amane-sama and Hikari lost their places in Spica.” Kaname’s voice trembled.

“Kaname.” Momomi looked at the saddened Kaname and sniffed. “We shouldn’t think about those two anymore, because it’s beyond our control. They are probably living happily together. It was fairly obvious how attracted they were to each other.”

Momomi thought back to the first round of the Étoile competition, “The Mouth of Truth.” How Amane had carried Hikari in her arms and vowed to love her, and Amane’s intense emotion as she chased after Hikari during the pajama party. She knew how hard Hikari trained to improve her mediocre dancing skills, all with a smile. And how Kaname’s feelings for Hikari eventually softened.

“Every student who attends Spica probably shares the same feelings. We all wish for Amane-sama’s happiness with her first love, even though it’s a little frustrating to see a girl monopolize the prince…so some students may become jealous…but…”

Momomi rubbed Kaname’s back, speaking softly.

“I think everyone knows our devotion to Amane-sama. This may sound rude, but I don’t think Makoto could be considered Amane-sama’s rival. Amane-sama has been Spica’s number one prince, overwhelmingly popular, which is why you don’t hear anyone at Spica lay blame on Amane-sama and Hikari-chan, right? We were much too demanding and pushed them over the edge. But in the end, though they may not say it out loud, I think everyone wishes for their happiness—regardless of whether they stayed at Spica or not.”

Shion choked up watching Kaname and Momomi’s inner struggle. Miyuki’s words echoed in her heart. They resonated differently now, though.

—“There’s no point in continuing the Étoile competition.”

—“Find Amane-sama and Konohana-san to have them re-enter the competition…”

—“With the first and second place winners of the first round dropping out the way they did, all of the students who had high hopes for those two couples were utterly disappointed. They turned the competition turn into a big joke.”

One way or another, we’re being asked to locate Amane-sama, aren’t we?

Shion’s thoughts over the past week, which were hazy at first, finally began to take form.

I should go back to square one. First, I strived to win the Étoile crown once Amane-sama, our biggest, unchallenged star, agreed to enter the contest. I wanted nothing but to have her win the crown that she truly deserved. That was my original intent. As the student council president, I wanted our rarely-found Spica star to become the Étoile.

I knew she didn’t need any help from me to win it, but Amane-sama was really very shy and didn’t enjoy exposing herself to the public. So I wanted to assist her in any way I could, that’s all.

Amane-sama, ohh, where in the world have you gone?

Shion looked out of the thick glass window pane staring into the distance. Outside the window lay Maiden Park forest, quiet as usual, under the big blue sky.

Those two girls are somewhere on the other end of this sky. Ohh, but I have no idea where exactly they are.

A small flash in the distance, like the sun reflecting off of something shiny, shook Shion from her thoughts.

“Huh, what is that?” Tsubomi, looking in the same direction as Shion, cried out.

In the sky there was a small, black dot. It grew bigger as it came closer and soon the machine’s roar shook the room.

Everyone in the room stood up in amazement. The deafening roar got even louder, turning into an unbearable, ear-splitting noise. The black, shiny object grew larger and gradually, the imprinted small, green star became visible. The helicopter rose straight up until…

It’s right above us…Kaname bolted out of the room first.

The other council members were right behind her.

 

***

 

Kaname ran up the emergency staircase, stomping on the bare metal steps. Shion, who had lost her patience with the slow-moving elevator, followed on Kaname’s heels.

When the student council members arrived on the roof, they found several other students had already gathered.

The St. Spica Girls’ Institute Tower Building was the tallest structure on Astraea Hill. On its roof a large, vicious black bird equipped with giant rotary blades had landed—the Miator school helicopter.

Strong gusts of wind blew across the high roof. Shion struggled to keep her hair out of her face, as she squinted to get a better look.

The twirling rotor blades slowly came to a halt. The center helicopter hatch opened, and two girls sat in the black leather seats. They hopped out of the helicopter, and everyone gasped at once.

It was Spica’s Prince and Princess.

Ahh…Tears flowed out of Shion’s eyes before she could stop them. She covered her mouth to hold back her cries of joy.

Is this a dream? If this is a dream, then it’s a wonderful dream!

The astonished crowd began to whisper among themselves.

One student after another began to cry. Amane shaded her eyes with her hand and scanned the faces until she found who she was looking for. Amane corrected her posture and made a deep bow to Shion. She stood back up, with her shoulders square.

I’m sorry…Amane did not have to say the words for Shion to know how she felt.

Something was different about Amane.

What’s different? I don’t know exactly, but she just seems different. Spica’s ivory Prince looks so clean, so white, and cleansed of impurities. She looks so peaceful.

Amane was illuminated by the early summer sun on the roof, surrounded by a golden halo of light. To Shion, Amane seemed magnificent.

Amane was taken aback by the large crowd that welcomed them. She guarded Hikari while she searched for a place to retreat, but almost immediately, an army of nuns, their faces flushed in surprise, began to pour out from the elevator room on the roof.

Shion thought, As expected, the chaperons have arrived. I’m not sure why Amane arrived in a Miator helicopter, and at least it brought them safely to Spica. But there is no way Amane and her partner would go unpunished.

What if they get expelled?

A shiver ran down Shion’s spine. It had been a while since she felt such excitement.

She felt a surge of energy from within, and couldn’t help but smile.

As the Student Council President of Spica, I cannot allow that to happen. Now that Amane-sama has returned, I can surely bring the school back together.

The students of Spica were filled with sorrow without our Prince Amane. No one wishes for her expulsion. I will submit petitions, conduct boycotts, and do anything and everything to convince the faculty to keep her in school. One way or another, I must prove the innocence of Amane-sama and Konohana-san, and even if it doesn’t work out this year, I will somehow find a way to enter them into the Étoile competition next year.

Shion burned with her motivation. She hadn’t felt like this in a long time—not since she became the Student Council President and won the executive power to conduct the Étoile competition at the beginning of the year, all for Amane.

I will protect them, no matter what, Shion vowed with a clenched fist. The sisters, who were leading Amane and her partner to the elevator, suddenly stopped in their tracks.

Ding.

The elevator chime rang and the doors opened. Standing inside was an attractive woman in her forties. She wore a pin-striped charcoal gray suit, with a tight knee-length skirt, and a hunter green silk blouse. A power suit. Her soft, wavy black hair flowed down the side of her face, accentuating her prominent eyes and nose. Her smile was noble and gentle, and her stiletto heels, three inches high, clacked as she exited the elevator.

The sisters looked absolutely stunned, and instinctively stepped back to let her through. The woman ignored the sisters and instead walked straight towards Amane. The smell of her perfume—wild orchids—wafted on the air as she passed.

Amane stood her ground, wearing a determined but slightly unsure look. But she was not intimidated by the woman who stood in her way. Hikari hid partially behind Amane, worried.

A different female voice came from behind the woman.

“Goodness, where are we going, Chancellor?”

Shizuma appeared behind the woman. She wore a puzzled look, and was unusually out of breath.

Chancellor? Is she the Chancellor of Miator?

Shion was flabbergasted. If I understand correctly, the most powerful person in Astraea is the Chancellor of Miator. Astraea is owned and operated by one family, and the Chancellor of Miator is always a female heir of that family. Daughters of the family must attend Miator by tradition, but it’s never publicly disclosed who they are, in order to keep their identities a secret. I never expected the Chancellor to be so young and beautiful, though. Why is she involved in Spica’s problems?

Shion couldn’t figure it out just yet.

 

***

 

“Welcome back! The Prince of Spica is really handsome, isn’t she?” The Chancellor gleefully said. “It’s the first time I’ve seen her!” She turned her head to get a response from Shizuma, who was behind her.

“Yes, I suppose,” replied Shizuma. She pressed her hand to her temple, trying in vain to contain her irritation and discomfort.

The Chancellor, though she’d asked the question, ignored Shizuma’s response, and like a sniper taking aim at a target, pointed a finger at Amane’s nose.

Gulp…the crowd fell silent. Finger-pointing meant a challenge to a duel.

But the Chancellor humphed; she obviously didn’t mean or care about the implications of her actions. The elegance she had displayed when she got off the elevator all but disappeared, to be replaced with a mature, lustful smile.

“I want her.” The Chancellor, almost licking her lips, looked at Amane as if she were some kind of prey. She drew closer to Amane. Standing close to Amane, she caressed Amane’s cheek with her hand. Her hand moved slowly and deliberately.

Hikari, who was hiding behind Amane, trembled. Amane-sama doesn’t like this at all.

Shion, observing the situation, desperately hoped that Amane wouldn’t lose her temper and swat the Chancellor’s hand away. The Amane I know wouldn’t tolerate this. She would have gotten angry or red-faced and pushed that hand away already.

But Amane didn’t budge, only gazed at the Chancellor, seeming neither angry nor embarrassed. She simply stood there, hiding nothing, showing her true self. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, confident. From her straightforward stance, she asked a straightforward question.

“And who in the world are you?”

The Chancellor and Amane looked each other in the eye. Amane, finally returned to Spica, stood tall in the face of her biggest challenge yet. She projected a majestic aura, her presence sparkling in the eyes of the observers that surrounded her.

Amane-sama has changed…Shion swallowed.

The Chancellor stared at the unmoving Amane and let out a breath.

“Excuse me.”

She lowered her hand from Amane’s cheek. Though she retained a sense of elegance and glamour, her expression turned soft and caring, into the face of a gentle educator.

You are quite lovely. A pure white star shimmering in gold.

“Your predicament is rather…unfortunate. I’m aware of your situation, Ms. Otori Amane, Spica, Fifth Year, Trois Class. You lost your patience, dropped out of the Étoile competition, and out of desperation fled from school, right? I never expected a student who ran away from school to have this much courage. A person like you, with the strength of a king, is best fit for our St. Miator Girls’ Academy, don’t you think?”

The Chancellor turned and winked at Shizuma. Shizuma didn’t think Miator was the best school for Amane, but knew it was impolite to contradict the Chancellor.

“I suppose…”

The Chancellor went on. “You know after causing all this trouble, she’ll eventually get expelled from Spica, right? Once that happens, there shouldn’t be any problems transferring her to Miator. Spica’s reputation will be maintained, Prince Amane’s records will be wiped clean, and Miator will gain yet another outstanding student. A brilliant plan, right? Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself, have I? I am the Chancellor of St. Miator Girls’ Academy.”

As the Chancellor introduced herself, she fished for a business card in the breast pocket of her suit.

“Stop it!!”

Shion’s voice pierced the air.

“Please stop!! Amane-sama is Spica’s one and only bright star. We cannot stand idly by and watch our most revered star be swept away to Miator.”

Shion’s pleas hung over the crowd. The helicopter’s sudden appearance had attracted the attention of many Spica students, and in fact a significant portion of them had gathered on the rooftop. The several dozen students, naturally grouped by class, formed a large ring around the helicopter.

Shion shook in anger as she approached the center of the ring and cut in between Amane and the Chancellor.

The Chancellor lifted an eyebrow, surprised at this sudden outburst. “Oh, you say that, but didn’t the students of Spica persecute Prince Amane for breaking the rules? I heard about the arrival of Kusanagi Makoto—the younger sister of the legendary Étoile—who split the Spica supporters in half. It seems a waste to keep a magnificent student like her in a school full of disloyal students.”

Shion spread her arms out, protecting Amane. “Despite the differing opinions, the fact of the matter is that Amane-sama is the person who best represents Spica! The small fraction of Spica students who prematurely ceased their support for Amane-sama lost their focus a bit. A temporary delusion, that’s all. Every Spica student knows the truth deep down. Amane-sama is our only hope.

“No matter how dark the skies are, and no matter how much rain pours down, the strongest star of Spica is Amane-sama. When she disappeared from school, none of the students made a fuss about her whereabouts. On the surface, it may have seemed like nobody cared, or that nobody loved her, but we were only keeping silent in order to prevent further troubles. We didn’t want anything to block Amane-sama’s return, because the students of Spica believed that Amana-sama would come back to us someday.

“That is why none of the students took action. They just couldn’t. We will not allow Amane-sama to be taken from us ever! I will never allow that to happen!”

Shion bellowed her last words as tears welled in her eyes.

Amane was struck by Shion’s words. She closed her eyes.

Shion’s words… The students of Spica need me… I can’t just leave the Spica students behind…

Amane’s shoulders relaxed. She even smiled.

So, that’s it…

She looked at Hikari, anxiously standing by her side.

It actually feels good to be needed by someone.

Amane gently patted Hikari’s head and stepped in front of Shion.

“Chancellor, I appreciate your generosity of transporting us back here. But I don’t have the strength of a king. I just hope that I have enough strength to protect the ones I love. The little bit of strength I have now didn’t come from me, though.”

Amane took a deep breath and looked up to the sky.

“I received this strength from the skies of Spica.”

She looked at Hikari and everyone around her. She looked into each student’s face. Every one of them watched Amane, supporting her with their hearts.

Amane smiled triumphantly, her white teeth gleaming.

“And from all the Spica students who love and support me.”

Oh, Amane-sama, the students whispered between tears of joy.

“I am humbled by your offer, but I will not transfer to Miator. I love Spica. When I realized I might not be able to return to Spica, it made me realize how much I loved this school. Hikari probably feels the same way, too.”

Amane firmly gripped Hikari’s hand.

“I want to make Hikari happy at Spica. No, I want to be happy with Hikari. I now know that we couldn’t be truly happy if we kept on running. And it made me discover that I wanted to enrich the happiness of everyone who supports me. I am happy when Hikari is happy. I want Hikari to be the happiest person alive. I shouldn’t be fearful of all this happiness. I wish for all the students of Spica to be happy as they can be.”

Amane raised Hikari’s hand high in the air for everyone to see, then she lowered Hikari’s hand and kissed it. Then she kneeled on the ground, as if she was praying or repenting.

“As punishment for my ignorance, I will accept expulsion from Spica.”

Amane closed her eyes. The crowd fell silent. The girls around her could not speak.

Clap, clap, clap clap…

Someone clapped their hands, slowly and deliberately. The sound traveled through the crowd until everyone applauded Amane.

“Well, it looks like your total defeat, Chancellor. Or should I address you as ‘Mother’?”

The speaker broke through the center of the crowd, and approached Shion from behind.

“Currently at Miator, you have the Four Saints, with Shizuma-sama, Miyuki-sama, and Marikoya-sama leading the pack. There is a potential star candidate in the Fourth Year, Suzumi-san, plus a new type of heroine, Aoi-san, as well. How many more stars do you want, Mother?”

The person repeatedly addressed the Chancellor as “Mother.”

The Chancellor seemed distraught. “Chikaru…” But the next moment she straightened her posture and smirked.

“Oh, but it was you who requested their readmission, wasn’t it? That’s why I went to all the trouble of bringing them back.”

“No, what I asked was to re-admit them to Spica. How could you overlook such an obvious detail? But then again, I suppose you always end up manipulating things to your advantage.” Chikaru shrugged.

“Of course I do. You know me too well, my daughter.”

The growing crowd was taken aback by the insidious conversation.

Is Chikaru-sama…perhaps…?

The Chancellor walked towards Chikaru.

“You know the reason I continue to search for new stars is because you left me. Remember? Fine, since you finally came and addressed me as your mother in public, why don’t you just leave Lulim and come back to me and Miator? Yes, that’s a great idea.” The Chancellor’s eyes twinkled mischeviously. “Chikaru-chan, if you transfer to Miator, I promise to have these two safely readmitted to Spica.”

Amane held up her hand to stop the conversation. “Hold it! I’m not asking for a deal! The reason I called President Chikaru is because I just wanted to come back to Astraea Hill. I never expected to be re-admitted.”

Chikaru let out a loud sigh, as if to blow off the Chancellor’s offer.

“This is exactly why I chose to enter Lulim, Mother!” she snapped, glaring at the Chancellor.

“You know that the only time I call you ‘Mother’ is…?”

“When you’re mad at me, right?” the Chancellor snickered.

“Correct. Ever since I was a child, you have openly followed your own desires, and failed to consider the feelings of others. So I made sure my actions and feelings were understood clearly by you.”

By this time Remon and Kizuna had joined the growing crowd. The two girls were shocked at Chikaru’s conversation.

We never imagined Chikaru-oneesama to have such a thorny upbringing.

The appearance of the Miator Chancellor, Minamoto Chihiro, had taken everyone by surprise. The news had spread like wildfire that the Miator helicopter had brought back the Prince. The crowd was twice the size it had been when the Chancellor had arrived.

“You’re so blunt, Chikaru-chan. You should be more lenient with your own daughter,” the Chancellor joked.

“Gee, I’m the daughter, not you. I never wanted to attend Miator anyway. I didn’t want to glide down the Miator path automatically. The same path that my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother followed. Especially since my mother is the Chancellor and has such a self-centered attitude”

Chikaru skirted away from her mother until she stood behind Amane. She lightly pushed Amane’s shoulders.

“Like your selfish plan for her transfer,” Chikaru said. “It’s quite obvious that my school life would have been negatively affected by your antics. That’s why I wanted to create my own path. I chose Lulim. Yes, I know you think it’s the bridal preparation school for commoners, the newest and most relaxed school of Astraea. But the freedom, warmth, and beauty of Lulim best fits me.”

What a foolish child. The Chancellor threw her hands into the air, disappointed. “Indeed. You made such a rash decision because you’re too inexperienced. Watch, you’ll regret not choosing Miator when you become an adult and want to advance your career.”

Chikaru’s tone was serious. “I will not regret it at all. I love Lulim. Lulim gave me freedom, youth, love.” She scanned the crowd, and eventually found Kizuna and Remon, far in the back. The little girls were jumping up and down, trying to catch a glimpse of Chikaru above the tall crowd.

When Chikaru saw the girls she was overjoyed.

Their faces are so red. They’re worrying about me, I’m sure. Oh, my cute little angels. Those girls are my true family.

Chikaru, moved, closed her eyes.

“I found my true family at Lulim. I believe Otori-san feels the same way about her school.”

She patted Amane’s shoulders, lending her support to Amane and Hikari.

“I completely understand her desire to start over at Spica, the school where she found her love. Due to her God-given talents, she had to bear mounting pressure. Over the years I am certain that there were moments when she wanted to escape from it all, but she returned to become Spica’s star again of her own volition. It would be pointless for her to be admitted to a school other than Spica.”

Chikaru focused back on Chancellor Chihiro.

“As an educator, can you please give consideration to her plight?”

There was a brief pause. Everyone gathered held their breath as they waited for the Chancellor’s decision.

Amane broke the silence, speaking clearly in a low, sultry voice.

“I would like another chance to become Spica’s star.”

She put on a big, bashful grin for the crowd. “If everyone can forgive me, that is.”

Half a heartbeat went by before the cheers broke out, like a wave of sound. The girls in white uniforms, which made up the majority of the crowd, were elated. Some clapped, and some cried, but all cheered.

“Amane-sama…”

“Our White Prince…”

“We will gladly welcome you back…”

 

Amane tried to hold back her tears as she scanned the group.

I will never forget this day for the rest of my life…

Chikaru patted Amane’s shoulder again, as tears welled up in Hikari’s eyes.

“Amane-sama, I’m so glad,” said Hikari.

Hikari’s frail voice was so irresistible that Amane hugged her. The cheers grew louder.

“Amane-sama…”

“We support you, and wish you happiness…”

“We’re envious of Hikari-chan…”

“Thank you, everyone. I vow to all who support me that I will make Hikari happy, and for all the students of Spica, I will win the Étoile crown!”

She spread her arms out as the crowd roared.

Amane hugged Hikari’s shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.

“I promise to make you happy,” Amane whispered into Hikari’s ear, making her blush.

Thunderous applause, and tears of joy.

Cutting through the storm of applause, another student came running onto the roof.

“So, Amane, you’ve come back!”

Kusanagi Makoto emerged from the elevator and waded through the tightly packed throng. She had been on her way to Lulim to check on Kagome, but changed her course when she saw the Miator helicopter land on the roof.

The air grew tense. Up until this moment, Amane and Hikari had won over the crowd. But their biggest opponent had just arrived. Kusanagi Makoto, the little Emperor, who had protested Amane’s competing in the Étoile, and had acted openly hostile towards Amane, berating her.

The group wondered what Makoto was going to say to Amane…

Will she say…how irresponsible…selfish…unfair…and pathetic to come back?

The tension was almost unbearable, and the crowd froze. The only person moving was pale-faced Makoto, silent as she brazenly pushed her way through the crowd, heading straight for Amane.

By the time she stood in front of Amane, she was out of breath.

“Why are you the only ones returning?”

No one else could hear her whisper.

The next moment, Makoto straightened her back and fixed her eyes on Amane. She raised a fist.

She’s going to punch me…, thought Amane as she clenched her teeth.

But Makoto’s cold, nervous fingers only touched Amane’s cheek. Gently, she stroked Amane’s face. Her expression relaxed, and a thin stream of tears glided down her cheeks.

Makoto saw Amane through her tears, a blurry image that resembled the person she loved most.

She’s back. The person I love most. She didn’t abandon me.

“Oh, I’m so glad that you’re back, Oneesan.”

Makoto, unaware of her mistake, gently hugged Amane.

“Mako-chan,” Chikaru said, surprised. “That’s not your oneesan. I’m sorry.”

Makoto looked up at Amane, her eyes clear, and then dropped to her knees.

Kagome, who had followed Makoto to the roof and stood next to Chikaru with her teddy bear, went to Makoto and patted her head.