Chapter 2: The Shining Star of the Campus Makes a Decision in the Flaming Greenery
Chapter 2
The Shining Star of the Campus Makes a
Decision in the Flaming Greenery
As the end of the day’s classes drew near, a gloriously uninhibited atmosphere floated over the entire campus. In the Fourth Year Moon Class’ homeroom, in the new school building, the final class was being held.
The nun, wearing a dark gray habit and a warm smile, looked over the classroom from the podium. “That is all. I pray for the safety of every one of you as you return home. Class is over. Take care, everyone. The organ, if you please.”
A small organ sat close to the door of the classroom. Two students wearing St. Miator uniforms were seated in front of the instrument. According to the daily routine of St. Miator Girls’ Academy, it was time for hymns. In both morning and afternoon homeroom the students sang hymns in thanks and praise to God.
In response to the nun’s smile, the two students gave a small nod. They looked at each other, exchanged gentle smiles, and raised their hands above the keyboard. At that signal, the entire class rose quietly from their seats and the sound of a prelude began. The girls’ beautiful, pure singing filled the room.
In Heaven up above
The stars of the sky
Give off
Their brilliant light.
Wow! Singing hymns is cool after all!
Nagisa loudly flipped though the pages of her hymnal. But I don’t know this song. I wonder what page it’s on? There are so many hymns I just don’t know what to do!
Rustle rustle rustle. Nagisa frantically searched the pages of the book. Since she hadn’t been at the school very long, she didn’t know where to find this particular song they were singing in the thick hymn book.
Found it! Found it! This is it. I see, it’s a song for the Virgin Mary.
Nagisa finally joined the others. She came in late and she didn’t know the song, but she sang proudly, without holding anything back.
Oh no! The girl in the next seat cast a long glance at Nagisa. Oh dear. What am I going to do with you, Nagisa-chan. You let yourself get all frantic again. You look so serious. How cute!
Suzumi Tamao, fifteen years old. This was her first spring in high school, but her fourth year at Miator. She was tall for her age, and Miator’s classic uniform suited her well. Her head looked small, perhaps because she wore her long hair tied up, but it did expose the beautiful, gentle slope of her neck. Fascinating, elegant wisps of hair that escaped the tie caught the sunlight that came through the windows and shone, black with just a tinge of blue. She was a very beautiful girl, who looked much more composed and much more mature than her actual age.
Whenever Tamao saw Nagisa, she almost felt compelled to tease her. It was a sickness that had begun the day Nagisa had transferred to the school.
It’s like they’ve let a sinful child in here. I finally begin to enjoy a peaceful school life, but now it’s just like I’m… Well, like I’m a pervert!
A pervert—
As soon as that word popped into her head, Tamao froze for a moment, startled. N-no, that’s not it at all. That couldn’t possibly be. What am I thinking?
She shook her head a little. Phew… Mentally, she took a deep sigh. She had to think of something to lift her spirits… She put on a vague smile and shook her head in total resignation.
Tap tap tap. She gently tapped Nagisa’s shoulder and whispered, “Hey, Nagisa-chan, listen to this! It looks like Shizuma-oneesama is outside.”
“Whaaaat?” Nagisa turned frantically and looked out the classroom window, almost toppling her chair in the process.
Several nearby students looked at her, still singing.
Flustered, Nagisa ducked her head and cast a questioning glance toward the nun at the podium before looking back toward the window. The only thing she could see outside was the top of a large double-flowered cherry tree in full bloom.
A single, heavy-looking flower fell with a plop. Now that Nagisa thought about it, they were on the second floor.
“Jeez! Don’t do that to me, Tamao-chan!!” With her face bright red, Nagisa posed as if she were going to punch Tamao and playfully tapped her chest.
In her heart, Tamao was tickled she could be so close to Nagisa, but on her face was an exaggerated frown. Aah, Nagisa-chan really IS cute!
“Excuse me.”
The classroom door quietly opened. A calm, penetrating voice caused the atmosphere in the classroom to suddenly change. Nagisa’s classmates, who would barely move even if someone made a huge sound, all turned at once.
Standing in the doorway was a tremendously beautiful woman—so stunning, it was as if she reflected the beauty of the flowers that fluttered outside.
“Shi-Shizuma-senpai—” Nagisa called out.
Remembering then what Shizuma had told her, she corrected herself. “Shizuma-oneesama!”
***
It had happened one week ago, on Nagisa’s memorable first day at school.
When Nagisa saw Shizuma’s delicate white hand stretched out toward her in the midst of a shower of cherry blossoms, she didn’t know what to do with it. Dumbfounded, she froze stiff.
Huh? Why does she have her hand out like that? C-could it be she wants to hold hands?! Uh, sh-she said “come with me,” so she’s probably going to show me the way, but why hold hands? I could understand if I was in elementary school or something, but, umm, I’m in my first year of high school, so… I know people tell me I look young, but I don’t look like an elementary school kid, do I?! I can’t just stand here like this forever, umm, umm…
When the panicked Nagisa stole a timid glance at Shizuma, she saw the other still standing there, not moving. She looked like she was kind and gentle, yet strong, with a noble smile that made Nagisa want to get closer to her.
As if she couldn’t care less about Nagisa being shocked speechless, Shizuma simply stood there beautifully in the blowing wind, her outstretched arm not moving.
She just kindly kept it stretched toward Nagisa, her long hair swirling beautifully around her.
Nagisa looked at Shizuma’s hand, patiently waiting for her, and…
Clench. Nagisa took it with both hands and squeezed with all her might.
Abruptly.
Suddenly.
Rudely.
Squeeeeeze. Nagisa’s cheeks were bright red with nervousness. Even through the tight grip, the softness of Nagisa’s palm was instantly apparent to Shizuma.
Shizuma was shocked at both her rudeness and the strong warmth of her hands.
I’ve never had anyone squeeze my hand with such genuine strength. My cute little flowers always take my hand so softly and timidly, like they’re touching something that might break.
On the other hand, feeling the slenderness and coolness of Shizuma’s hand, Nagisa was hit with a sudden panic. Oh NO, I can’t believe it. What did I do that for? Why did I just squeeze her hand like that? I thought how weird it was to hold someone’s hand, then I thought how stupid I looked just standing there, THEN I thought how pretty she was, THEN I thought, “She doesn’t want to hold my hand, does she?” and then I thought, “I wonder why she’s still standing absolutely still?” and then, and then, I just couldn’t take it any more—
—Aah, what’ll I do? I must have scared her!
—Aah, I wonder what happened? I feel like my body’s gotten so warm.
The two of them lifted their gazes from their clenched hands to each other’s faces.
Ahh…
A sort of electricity ran through their bodies.
***
“It’s Shizuma-oneesama!”
“It’s Shizuma-oneesama…”
“I wonder what in the world would bring her to a fourth-year classroom?”
In the midst of the whispering of golden voices, Shizuma slowly bowed to the nun and gave her a gorgeous smile as she spoke.
“I apologize for interrupting your homeroom, Sister. I have come to get the student who is in charge of the holy water today.”
Sighs of admiration rose from the class. The girls looked like they were about to faint.
“Aaah… What a perfect, beautiful bow she made.”
“I could watch her all day.”
“I actually got to see Shizuma-oneesama. This is the luckiest day of my life!”
“Oh, why thank you,” the nun said politely. “You are Hanazono-san, correct? Your duties must be hard today.” With a cheerful grin, she turned the pages of the attendance book. “The student in charge of the holy water today is—oh my, it’s our transfer student, Aoi-san!”
Nagisa and Tamao stopped their playful punches in mid-air.
Whaaaa…? M-ME?! Nagisa was so shocked she almost stopped breathing.
All eyes in the classroom were on Nagisa.
Oh, great. I feel like they’re staring daggers at me…
“Well then, please come here, Aoi-san.” With an air of calm, Shizuma walked slowly toward Nagisa. She stopped and reached out her hand to Nagisa and gave her a powerful look that said plainly, “Please take my hand.”
“Go on, hurry.”
When Nagisa timidly brushed her fingertips, Shizuma immediately clenched her hand and pulled the girl toward her.
Nagisa lost her balance and fell right into Shizuma’s chest. A tiny scream rose from the back of the classroom. Wrapped in Shizuma’s arms, Nagisa remembered. That day. Shizuma’s large, strong-willed, almond-shaped eyes. Nagisa’s round, childlike, innocent ones reflected in Shizuma’s.
***
It was the same a week ago. Enveloped in a cherry-colored mist, the eyes of the two girls met. Neither of them saw their surroundings. Their eyes were wide open, but they gazed only at each other, as if they were trying to take in every last bit of each other’s faces. They gazed at each other soundlessly, as if everything were suddenly in slow motion—and they simply gazed at each other.
The words Shizuma said next echoed in Nagisa’s ears.
“From this day forward, you are my younger sister. Call me Shizuma-oneesama. If you break your promise…” Sting! Shizuma nipped Nagisa’s finger.
“I’ll punish you.”
Shizuma released Nagisa’s finger from her mouth. It glistened with dampness.
The spring breeze brushed coolly across it.
***
Nagisa felt like she could still feel that coolness on her finger, even now. Just as Nagisa was about to get lost in the memory…
“I will lead you.” Shizuma’s cool voice echoed through the classroom. For just a moment, she gave Nagisa a strong embrace. With a satisfied smile on her face, she led the blushing Nagisa out of the classroom with an arm around her shoulder.
Clatter. The closing of the heavy door echoed through the room. A second later, the classroom was thrown into commotion.
Oh, Shizuma-oneesama… Sting. Seeing Nagisa taken away right in front of her, Tamao was so frustrated she ground her teeth.
***
Around the same time…
“I wonder what Nagisa-oneesama is doing right about now.” The words were only a faint mutter on the girl’s lips. The girl was Tsukidate Chiyo, twelve years old. She was in the First Year Flower Class’ homeroom at St. Miator. Her pitch-black hair was cut in a shoulder-length bob. The innocent, impressionable girl was also genuinely upper-class. She had gone to the same kindergarten as Shizuma, and was now attending Miator.
With homeroom over, the class had begun cleaning up. Chiyo paused in her sweeping and looked outside the window at the double-flowered cherry tree, remembering. Remembering the day she’d met Nagisa. The day she had decided Nagisa was her oneesama…
It had been about a week ago—the day the Strawberry Dorms had opened for the year. Even now, she could see it clearly. The cherry blossoms had been fluttering that day, too. But it hadn’t been a double-flowered cherry tree, which she found beautiful but somehow cheap-looking. No, it had been a Yoshino cherry tree, light pink and as delicate as a thin, ephemeral cloud.
Shizuma-oneesama had been there, beautiful and gentle, like a cherry-blossom spirit. Chiyo was captivated by the memory. Before she even noticed, she started shuffling her feet. She was fidgety for some reason.
Tomorrow is Easter… I don’t really know why, but I get the feeling something wonderful is going to happen.
A voice coming from the hallway interrupted Chiyo’s thoughts. “Chiyo-maru! It’s time for the library committee meeting!”
“Okay! I’ll be right there!”
***
“Wow! Look, it’s Shizuma-oneesama!”
“How do you do, Shizuma-sama?”
“Shizuma-oneesama, you look as beautiful as ever.”
The comments came from all around her. Cheers echoed around the red-carpeted hallway. A ring of blushing girls, their heads bowed reverently, opened up in front of her like a ripple.
“It’s all right, it’s all right, please don’t go to so much trouble, my cute little daisies.”
Shizuma was entirely unmoved by the girls’ cheers and reverence. She simply kept walking and waving her hand with a grin on her face, looking like a queen, giving her subjects a royal smile. The cheering grew, like a bubble ready to burst on the water’s surface.
Watching Shizuma act so much like a queen, Nagisa couldn’t help blushing. Shizuma-oneesama might be even more amazing than I thought.
Shizuma strode majestically down the hallway with a huge smile, as she always did. But she noticed that Nagisa, walking next to her, hung her head. She dipped her own head and peeked into Nagisa’s face.
“Oh dear. Whatever is the matter, Nagisa-chan?” Shizuma’s long hair billowed and waved and the fragrance of flowers blossomed around her.
“It’s nothing.”
The smile Shizuma gave Nagisa was so beautiful it almost made her catch her breath. She looked even more like a majestic goddess than before. Flustered, Nagisa shook her head. Nagisa started to get the feeling someone like her shouldn’t be next to someone like Shizuma. She was completely unsure of herself.
Shizuma enjoyed the expression on Nagisa’s face. She tried hard to suppress her naturally flirtatious expression. “Oh Nagisa-chan, don’t sulk!” She placed a hand under Nagisa’s chin and forced her head up so she could gaze into her eyes.
There was more than ten centimeters’ difference in their heights. Shizuma had to bend down to peek into Nagisa’s face. As Shizuma watched, Nagisa’s big round eyes started clouding with tears.
What beautiful, adorable eyes.
Quiver quiver.
Devoted, adorable, just like a little puppy.
Quiver quiver.
Aah, I can’t take it any more.
Shizuma’s face moved closer to Nagisa’s, as if pulled in by some force.
Smooch. Shizuma planted a kiss on Nagisa’s forehead.
Screams rose from the crowd of girls that surrounded them.
“Aauggghh!!”
“Shizuma-sama! Shizuma-oneesama! She…!!”
Shoot, now I’ve done it! Shizuma mentally scolded herself. I forgot we were out in public, right in the hallway of Miator. She pulled Nagisa’s wrist—“Let’s go, Nagisa!”—and took off as fast as she could.
“Y-you’re going too fast!”
The screams and angry roars of the girls faded away almost instantly.
Huff huff huff…
Shizuma stopped just as they reached the exit. Beyond the open door was a broad, lush green lawn leading to the back gate.
Nagisa finally caught her breath. Wow, Shizuma-oneesama must be very good at sports, although I’m not so slow myself… I can’t believe she can run so fast in such a long skirt, and she’s not even breathing hard at all, Nagisa thought.
“Good, I think we fooled them about the kiss,” Shizuma murmured in a low voice as she checked to see if there were any people by the back gate.
“Huh? What did we fool them about?”
“Uh, um, uh, it’s okay, it’s okay. I mean, look, we managed to baffle my adorable little flowers, right?” Shizuma waved her hand frantically right in front of Nagisa’s eyes.
“Oh, yes, I guess you’re right. That’s good! But what a shock! I never knew you were so fast!”
Shizuma looked at Nagisa’s beaming smile and chuckled to herself. Heh heh heh… My, my, you really are innocent and sweet after all, aren’t you, Nagisa-chan? You’re the one who was fooled, my adorable little puppy.
Shizuma slowly put her hand to her hip and spoke more seriously. “By the way, Nagisa-chan, did you know tomorrow is Easter? It’s the most important day of the year for Catholics. So we’re going to the church to bring some holy water to the classrooms.”
“Oh, so that’s what they meant about being in charge of the holy water! Do you mean the church in Maiden Park?”
“Right. So we’re going to have a little date in the garden. Doesn’t that sound nice?” Shizuma took Nagisa’s arm and leisurely led her out the door.
***
St. Miator Girls’ Academy: it was a girls’ school with a long and distinguished history, built at the end of the Meiji era.
The old convent, sitting at the peak of the wide, hilly area that was originally called Astraea Hill, was the school’s mother institution. When the school was first founded, only girls from families that were financially blessed could receive a higher education. Even among those, Miator gathered only young ladies from the most elite families.
That single school gave the girls a consistent education from kindergarten all the way through high school. The progressive education and rigorous discipline, imparted by Catholic nuns on the convent’s vast grounds—in an environment completely forbidden to boys—made the school incredibly popular among nobles and certain rich families, who saw the need for higher education for their girls but faced limited choices.
This popularity, of course, raised the school’s status, which grew even faster as the number of newly rich families grew. Sending a daughter to St. Miator Girls’ Academy was seen as proof of success. The striking popularity brought in far more applicants than the school could handle with the space and number of staff they had. So St. Spica Girls’ Institute and St. Lulim Girls’ School were built as sister schools in order to take in the overflow.
Miator continued to focus on rigorous discipline and strict rules and an ideal, conservative, high-class education, and also boasted of the fact that over fifty percent of its girls became engaged while in school. In comparison, Spica was liberal and promoted the image of independent girls advancing in society. Lulim’s goal was the happiness of its girls, and it sought to nurture modern wives and wise mothers. Each school had its own unique atmosphere, and the varied curricula attracted a variety of applicants. The three schools of Astraea Hill remained the most popular schools in the area.
Entering the campus from the base of the hill, Miator was in the center, Spica was to the left, and Lulim was to the right. Each had its own campus, gymnasium and courtyard, and each had its own entrance as well, so although they were sister schools, they were fundamentally separate and functioned independently.
The schools did share the use of several buildings and facilities, however. One building included a large auditorium where joint events were held, a large theater and other facilities that all three schools used. There was also the convent, the mother institution of the schools, and the church associated with the convent. The schools also shared a vast garden, called Maiden Park, which stretched behind the school buildings. In the middle of the garden was a small lake, and nearby, at the apex of the hill, was the large landmark church.
There was one other facility that the schools shared. It was a triangle-shaped building quietly tucked away in the farthest corner of the campus. Its nickname was the Strawberry Dorms.
The Strawberry Dorms were the dormitories for students attending Astraea’s three schools. Some of the large numbers of students who attended these famous schools came from far away. The dormitory had been built for those students for whom it would be too far to commute daily.
It also served another purpose, pursued by only a small number of schools these days, even among schools with a long legacy such as Miator: the isolation and discipline of the students.
Even though many young ladies from strict families—many from the oldest, most noble families—could potentially have commuted to their schools for the purpose of getting an education, they were still boarded in the Strawberry Dorms. There, they learned the ability to take control of their everyday lives. At the same time, these rare beauties were protected from the outside world.
It was a reminder of a time long past, when attending a girls’ school was part of training in the domestic arts in preparation for becoming a wife. The young ladies who boarded in the Strawberry Dorms went to school by walking a path through Maiden Park, and when classes were over, they walked back through the park again, back to the Strawberry Dorms. There was absolutely no chance for them to have contact with the outside world.
The girls lived entirely within the school, a pure world within the walls that was reserved only for young ladies. A world of classes, sports, friendship and love, as well as mental and emotional bonds and passionate physical aches.
All of it existing only between girls.
***
“Wow, it sure is a long walk just to the church, isn’t it?” Nagisa swung her arms cheerfully as she walked on the shimmering lawn.
Shizuma’s face softened as she looked at her. “That’s right. The Miator campus is big, but Maiden Park is huge. Wait, is this your first time going to the church, Nagisa? I thought there was a Mass there during opening ceremonies.”
“Oh, that day I had some transfer paperwork to fill out at the convent, and then a nun took me from the convent right to the church, so it’s my first time going to the church from the school.”
Nagisa turned to look at Shizuma, her face shining like a plump, fresh, white peach, ripened in the brilliant spring sunshine. She looked so soft and gentle… It was all Shizuma could do to keep herself from reaching out and touching her.
“Oh, I see. So then the first time you came here, Nagisa, you went through the real main gate, right?”
“Huh? The real main gate?” Afraid that maybe she’d messed something up again without even realizing it, Nagisa jerked to a stop.
When Shizuma saw the frightened expression on Nagisa’s face, something welled up in her heart. Shizuma reached out to her. “You must not know, then. It was before Miator was built. Back then, the only thing on the hill was the convent and the church. If you look from the St. Miator’s gate, you can see all of Astraea Hill. Look, can you see the large gate that leads to Maiden Park?”
“Oh!”
Shizuma’s hand moved suddenly and brushed Nagisa’s uniform at her chest. Her dark green tie swayed gently.
“That’s the true main gate for the campus and all the buildings on the hill. A proper and holy gate, reigning over these grounds where only pure maidens live.”
Nagisa was tense for a moment, but Shizuma’s hand swept far and high, gesturing toward the part of the hill farthest away from where they stood, just visible under the clear blue sky.
With a slight blush, Nagisa looked where Shizuma pointed. She couldn’t see much, but if she strained her eyes, in the shadow of a huge tree, very far away, she saw something that looked like the corner of a giant bronze-colored gate. She looked at it and imagined what the giant main gate to this hill, where her time-honored school stood, must be like. A chill ran down her spine.
She couldn’t help but think how beautiful Shizuma looked, pointing across the sky, and was a little moved.
Shizuma took the opportunity to swing around behind Nagisa.
“That’s why the path from the gate to the church is called the old approach,” Shizuma explained as she eyed Nagisa, who was fascinated by the gate.
“No one uses the old approach now—except during the coronation of the Étoile, when it’s covered by countless beautiful flowers. It’s magical. Astraea has quite a lot of events…”
Carefully, so she wouldn’t brush against Nagisa, Shizuma spread her arms wide. “Hey, Nagisa. Do you know about the biggest and the best—the grandest event in Astraea? It’s the Étoile Competition, where the students select the couple who will represent the three schools. That is the holy place, where only the Étoile and her cadette are allowed to go.”
Nagisa’s mind was still on the gate at the bottom of the hill. Shizuma examined her innocent profile, her cheeks blushing slightly as if she weren’t even aware of Shizuma’s wicked movements.
“So you could say,” Nagisa said slowly, “that Maiden Park is the heart of Astraea, and Miator, Spica, and Lulim are its back yard.”
Shizuma had the sudden urge to eat Nagisa up. She closed the circle of her arms around her. “Do you have any interest in the Étoile, Nagisa? If you make it through all the trials, you will become part of the greatest couple in all three schools, blessed in the presence of God himself. There are a lot of girls who would love to come here and try to become the Étoile.”
Squeeze. I’ve got you!
Shizuma was just about to say it when…
“Oooooh!” Nagisa screamed and ran two or three steps, as if she didn’t even notice Shizuma’s arms circling her. She flailed her arms frantically. “Ooh! Oh! Oh! Ooh! There’s a CASTLE!”
When she looked back at Shizuma, Nagisa’s mouth was wide open. It looks perfect for stuffing a big onigiri in, Shizuma thought.
Shizuma was dumbfounded for a second, but when she looked at the building Nagisa pointed to, she smiled meaningfully. “Ahh… Heh heh. The Secret Garden.”
***
Scraaape.
The low sound of a chair scraping the floor disturbed the pleasant silence of the large open space of the main hall of the library. A student wearing a white uniform pushed her chair back and got up from the large reading table. Her short, double-breasted jacket had a wide collar and a high waist. Her matching skirt was a tight mini. It was the uniform of St. Spica Girls’ Institute, with its “sailor” look.
In the silence, which was as taut as the head of a drum, the tall student was acutely aware of the attention of the other students sitting around her, focused on her every move. Eyes peered at her from behind books propped up unnaturally on the table. When she stared back, those eyes slipped behind the books again to hide. One set of hands grasping a thick cover shook, and a book clattered against the desk.
Even here too, huh? The girl let out a small mental sigh, grabbed the book she had been reading, and left her seat, heading toward the checkout desk. At the counter was a small Miator student with bobbed hair.
“Thank you. Could you put this back for me?” the St. Spica’s girl asked.
“Sure. I’m sorry it’s reference only and you couldn’t take it out.” The girl at the counter with a library committee armband on her arm, who appeared to be a first-year, looked like she was about to cry.
The tall student, Otori Amane, couldn’t help but think, I wish you wouldn’t get so nervous over me.
“It’s all right. Just looking at it here was enough to see what I wanted.”
“Really? That’s wonderful.” The girl shrugged her shoulders apologetically. “All of the Astraea directories are so thick and heavy, especially this Miator directory because it has so many student pictures. That’s why it can’t be taken out.”
“I see. I was surprised, because I didn’t think very many people would even need to use this kind of book. I wondered if the restriction is meant to protect privacy.”
“There is that, too, but…here, take a look at this.” The library committee girl opened the large book to a picture that filled the entire page.
It was of a tall, beautiful, mature-looking girl, standing nobly with a crown on her head and a scepter in her hand, just like a queen. Nestled close beside her was a fragile-looking girl with very light brown hair, a small tiara on her head and a kind smile on her face. They were both wearing the uniform of St. Miator Girls’ Academy.
The page looked very well-worn. The library committee girl didn’t even have to flip through the book to find it; it had been so often looked at that it naturally opened up right to that picture.
Amane flinched. That’s the part I was just looking at.
“It’s a picture from last year’s Étoile competition. The entire school was excited because they saw it as the birth of the greatest Miator couple in a long time. I heard that everyone in the school tried to copy this picture, and the crowd caused a huge mess.”
The girl lowered her voice. “There were even some who tried to tear it out and steal it.” Flustered by Amane’s silence, the girl hastily put on a smile. Oh no, now that I’ve said that, what if she thinks Miator is a school with loose morals?! She quickly tried to change the subject. “Um, it has a lot of pictures of many other wonderful oneesama, too. So I’m sure the restriction was also made to keep the book from going missing.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Noticing that Amane was at a loss for words, the library committee girl’s expression turned to one of worry. “Umm, are you really sure it’s all right?”
“Oh…yeah, I’m sure it’s all right. There was a picture I wanted to see, just like you said. I wanted to look at it somewhere peaceful and quiet—which the St. Spica’s library is not,” Amane added with a somewhat bitter smile. Her words were packed with feelings of self-derision as she remembered the noise in her own school’s library.
“Oh, really?! A lot of students from Spica and Lulim have been using our library lately. I’m so glad to hear people from the other schools like it here… Umm, if you like, please don’t hesitate to come again. I think this is a wonderful, calm place for reading books, too! Next time I’ll show you the best place in the whole library!”
She beamed, a truly genial, radiant and utterly innocent smile. Amane was just a little stunned by it, and couldn’t help smiling back. If students from Spica and Lulim are coming here often, I think it just means that the fame of the Secret Garden is spreading, that’s all. Well, no matter.
Amane put on her own smile. “Ah ha ha. Thank you. You really love this library, don’t you?”
“Yes. It’s like, whenever I come here, I can feel myself relaxing. I start to feel more positive, like as long as I try my best even with the little things, I’ll be happy.”
Amane leaned over the counter toward the girl. Her face drew close to the girl’s, as if she were going to peer into it. “What’s your name?”
“Umm, my name is Tsukidate Chiyo. I really hope everyone is comfortable using this library.”
Her smile gave away her shyness, but at the same time said she took pride in her duty, protecting this dignified library.
“Oh, that’s a cute name. I’m Otori—”
As Amane started to give her name, the corners of Chiyo’s mouth curved into a smile.
“I know.”
“Huh?”
“You are Otori Amane-sama, from the Fifth Year Class Trois at St. Spica Girls’ Institute…correct? You’re famous, so I recognize you. I am honored to meet you,” Chiyo said to Amane, her voice entirely unpretentious.
So she knows me? But when Amane looked at Chiyo, she felt a little relieved there were girls like her. So, this kind of thing does happen even when I go to other schools—and it’s probably only going to get worse.
She figured she could bear it for just this one year. “I’ll come back again. I hope next time we’ll be able to doze off together, reading an even better book. Goodbye. Good luck with your library committee job.”
She turned around and left the counter, waving a hand behind her.
Clatter clatter clatter.
Chairs clattered as several students, who must have been eavesdropping on the girls’ conversation, raced toward the counter.
***
It wasn’t a castle, it was a library.
Since Nagisa had never been inside, Shizuma said with a meaningful smile, she would take a little detour and show her the way. Amid the profusion of small white flowers stood a white stone wall and a building that looked from the outside like an old castle.
Wooden doors three stories high were visible in the front façade. Nagisa had only ever seen such elaborate doors once before, on a school trip to an art museum.
These doors were so heavy and massive the two girls could only open one side. Beyond the doors was a cavernous entrance hall, almost as big as a classroom, with a high ceiling supported by several giant pillars.
Click. When Nagisa stepped inside, her footsteps echoed off the stone floor, which had a large black and white checkerboard pattern. The cool air brushed her skin, and it was so quiet she wondered whether there was anybody there. Coming in here from bright Maiden Park was like stepping into a completely different world. Nagisa instinctively looked up at the tall, dome-shaped ceiling. When she saw its stained-glass windows, with their beautiful geometric patterns and lily motif, she couldn’t help but gasp.
Nagisa’s jaw dropped. Ever since she had entered Miator, she had constantly been struck by the feeling she was on some sort of trip.
Shizuma watched with amusement. It looks like Nagisa’s ended up someplace she never imagined.
“What’s the matter? Oh, Nagisa, your mouth is hanging open like a slob!” Shizuma said, smiling as she drew up beside the flabbergasted Nagisa.
“Ah! Oh no, I-I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Shizuma reached a hand to Nagisa’s lips. “Goodness, Nagisa! You’re drooling!”
Nagisa was flustered, but Shizuma invited her deeper inside the library with a big smile.
Click. Click. Click. Click. The floor faithfully made a spectacular sound with every single one of Nagisa’s panicked steps.
“Please wait for me!”
Chasing after Shizuma, Nagisa entered the sacred ground beyond—the main hall. Unlike the entrance, the high-walled interior of the building had a floor with a delicate mosaic of dark, polished wood and stone. It was dimly lit and wrapped in silence.
A few lamp-like lights were situated high along the wall, which made Nagisa wonder how they changed the light bulbs. She was stunned by this seemingly empty space, but when she took a more careful look, deeper inside, she saw what seemed to be a checkout counter, all the way in the back, and the shapes of people here and there, lit by orange, flower-shaped lights.
Even though she couldn’t see anyone clearly, she could hear a very faint rustling coming from a variety of places around her.
It’s so quiet I thought maybe there wasn’t anyone here. But still…even though it’s so cool and quiet…I feel like there’s an air of excitement. Like a candle flame burning without a sound.
Shizuma came up and whispered to her, “This is called the Secret Garden. It’s quiet and dark, yet full of excitement—doesn’t it have an atmosphere of secrecy? There’s even a rumor THEY come out here.”
“What ‘comes out?’”
“Well…something you probably hate, Nagisa-chan.”
“Something that I hate? What could that be?”
“Well…something that starts with ‘g’ and rhymes with ‘toast.’”
“Toast… Oh, ghosts!!” Nagisa shouted without thinking.
“Shh! Don’t shout like that! This is a library, you know.” Shizuma hurriedly put a hand over Nagisa’s mouth to quiet her, but looked like she was having a lot of fun doing it.
I can’t believe there are ghosts in such a wonderful library. Nagisa was a little depressed. She really did hate ghosts.
“Hey, look,” Shizuma whispered into her ear. “There are some wonderful, adorable little ghosts!”
At Shizuma’s urging, Nagisa looked. Not far from where they stood were movable book racks over two meters tall. Just beyond them, through the cracks, she caught a glimpse of people moving.
“It’s all right. They won’t see us from here,” Shizuma said in a low voice. Nagisa peered between the book cases and listened to the conversation.
“But…”
“You said you were going to do this, didn’t you?”
“Yeah…but…”
“Leave it to me. You don’t have to think about anything.”
“…I think I…”
“Shh. Don’t say it. I know what you want even without you saying it.”
From between the book racks the arm of someone dressed in a white uniform reached for something, then tried to hug it close. Long, perfectly straight hair rustled against the uniform. A sweet, spicy musk emanated from the hair and wafted between the book racks toward Nagisa.
“My beloved Hikari-chan,” the girl with the long hair said. “It’s all right.” She pulled the other girl close and gently embraced her.
“I want you to understand my feelings…just a little…”
“Ah! Ya-Yaya-chan?!”
“Shh! Be quiet.”
“Ah! Aaaaugh.”
The first girl squeezed the second girl tighter and tighter, twisting her body and making her skirt slide up. The short, tight skirt was part of the Spica uniform. The girl’s skirt slid up so high it revealed her underpants, and her butt cheeks, pure and white, peeked from underneath the hem. The other girl slid her hands along them.
“Ah—” the young girl’s voice trembled.
The hand that had been stroking her butt cheeks disappeared even further up her skirt, causing a loud cry from the girl. “Aaah…”
At that most important point, Shizuma forced Nagisa’s face toward herself. “Any more will be too much for you, Nagisa-chan…right?”
Nagisa almost wanted to see more, but had the feeling it was a good thing she hadn’t. What the heck is this? What the heck is this? What the heck is this?!
In answer to Nagisa’s unspoken question, Shizuma whispered an explanation. She explained the rumors about this place and how to use it. Although there didn’t seem to be any people, all around, in the shadows of the bookshelves, couples enjoyed secret rendezvous.
“They are sacred, modest rendezvous between maidens,” she said. “Being a library, it’s quiet and only certain people come here, so there aren’t many interruptions. They say that ever since before anyone can remember, it’s been a popular rendezvous spot for girls who long to see each other. People started calling it ‘The Secret Garden.’ Although the meetings are called ‘rendezvous,’ that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything particularly ‘big’ happens.”
That’s what Shizuma said, but Nagisa wasn’t sure she believed her.
It seemed one way girls had of confirming each other’s love was to hide in the shadows of the bookshelves together, open books in front of them, and pretend to look into each other’s book so they could secretly touch cheek to cheek. After all, that’s just about all young girls are capable of doing. But they couldn’t try even such a modest thing without being nudged on by the dignified, secretive, beautiful atmosphere of the library.
“At least for normal girls,” Shizuma said. “That’s why when you come to the library, it’s definitely worth seeing the innocent, excited faces of underclassmen who are invited here by upperclassmen. Once in a while, there are girls who get wonderfully intense, like the ones you just saw. Heh heh heh. At times like that, I feel almost like I’ve won something. When two people love each other…it’s only natural to want to touch each other more and more, Nagisa-chan.”
This is bad, Nagisa thought. I-is that what a rendezvous is?! That’s just… That’s just… After that, did they…?
Nagisa’s heart began to pound. In response to her thoughts, her body began to heat up.
Shizuma didn’t seem to notice Nagisa’s discomfort. “Heh heh. It looks like Spica girls have started to use it lately, too. But if they’re doing it there, they must still be beginners. There’s a better spot…”
THEY were just beginners? Nagisa was so shocked her jaw dropped again. And then…
Huh?!
Without realizing it at first, Nagisa found herself being hugged by Shizuma.
Nagisa’s heart pounded. A cold sweat ran down her back. She remembered the couple they had just seen. The pure white uniform crumpled by the tight embrace.
The skirt that had slid up.
The hand that had gone up with it.
It’s just coincidence. It’s just coincidence that we ended up like this, I’m sure of it—it’s because I yelled before. She tried to stop me, and… Nagisa desperately tried to convince herself.
But when she thought about where she was and what she had seen—Could there really be girls who do things like that here?—she felt like running away.
“Shizuma-oneesama…umm, if that’s how it is, we must be bothering them, so maybe it’s time for us to leave…” She tried to squirm out of Shizuma’s arms, but Shizuma seemed to have anticipated Nagisa’s actions.
“Tsk tsk tsk…” Shizuma gently stroked the nape of Nagisa’s neck and softly whispered into her ear. “Aww, don’t do that, Nagisa. You’re the one who said you wanted to come here, and you invited me, you know?”
Shizuma’s breath brushed against her cheek.
Shudder shudder.
Shizuma’s voice was very sexy. Her breath had the fragrance of roses.
Nagisa’s entire mind was suddenly a blur of pink.
“This is why we came here—isn’t it? I’m so happy, Nagisa… It’s all right, leave it to me. I’ll be VERY gentle with you…” Shizuma’s hand slowly crept its way from Nagisa’s neck toward her chest.
Whaat?! Is this, is this, could this be… No, it couldn’t possibly be… I mean, we’re both girls!
The ribbon tie at Nagisa’s chest swayed.
Ah, aaaah, it really IS!
When Nagisa thought she sensed Shizuma’s fingers on her chest, she couldn’t take it any more. “I-I-I-I think I’m going to leave after all! I-I have to go to the toilet.” She closed her eyes, thrust herself away from Shizuma, and ran from the hall.
Shizuma was dumbfounded. “What? That is the first time something like that ever happened to me. Why—”
Moments before, Shizuma had been able to tell that a pink-colored mist had shrouded Nagisa’s mind while she was in Shizuma’s arms.
This is going to work, Shizuma had thought. Normally, once Shizuma brought a girl that far, she would fall right into Shizuma’s hands.
“I’ve never brought a girl that far and had her slip out of my arms before.”
“I have to go to the toilet?” Hmph. She has no sense for mood.
“But no matter. I’ve taken even more interest in you now, Nagisa.”
You, who are actually capable of rejecting me…
Shizuma smiled with obvious delight and quietly walked after Nagisa.
***
“Jeez, Shizuma-oneesama, Shizuma-oneesama, Shizuma-oneesama!!”
Nagisa walked quickly toward the entrance, her head down and eyes glued to the floor.
I’m so embarrassed! I don’t know how to face Shizuma-oneesama. Even if it was due to circumstances, I still pushed her away. Aahh, I probably made Oneesama angry with me. Even though she was nice enough to offer to teach me how to handle the holy water… That’s right, what if she didn’t mean it that way at all, and I just completely misunderstood? When I felt her fingertips brush against my bare skin between the buttons of my uniform, I might have been imagining things. Yeah, that’s right. This uniform is really tight, so it wouldn’t open up that easily, I’m sure of it.
And yet she still kept walking quickly ahead, not even looking in front of her.
Bwam.
She bumped into someone. She quickly looked up. “Oh! I-I’m sorry!” Standing there was the first-year library committee member, Tsukidate Chiyo.
“Nagisa-oneesama!”
“Chiyo-chan!”
Thwump thwump. Chiyo’s arms turned to jelly, letting the books she held fall onto the floor. She was only a lowly committee member, and she had only become a library committee member because she didn’t have any other talents.
I like doing an honest job in this beautiful library, and I’m happy working here, but up until now, I never really got anything special out of being a library committee member. But ahh, this time I’m thrilled! I was able to see Nagisa-oneesama in the library!
Chiyo’s heart felt like it would burst with joy. I just met the shining white Prince of Spica, Otori Amane-sama, and now I get to see Nagisa-oneesama, too!
Chiyo hurriedly tried to figure out what she had done to suddenly deserve this. “Nagisa-oneesama! Did you come looking for a book? I’m a library committee member! I’m so glad to see you! By all means, please allow me to help y—”
Her joy only lasted a moment.
Click click click click.
From behind Nagisa came the sound of someone running—certainly an unexpected noise in a library. Chiyo gasped, in unison with Nagisa, who turned to look behind her. A girl ran toward them, her long hair flowing behind her. It was none other than….
“Shi-Shizuma-oneesama?!” Chiyo doubted her own eyes.
Shizuma didn’t even give Chiyo a second glance. “Nagisa-chan! So here you are!” She suddenly embraced Nagisa. “I’ve caught you! And this time I won’t let you go!”
Nagisa simply stiffened helplessly.
Seeing the two of them like that gave Chiyo a huge shock. Instantly, hot tears started to well up in Chiyo’s large, round, doll-like eyes.
Drip…drip drip drip.
As she watched the two of them, tears that shone like jewels fell one after the other.
What’s wrong with me? Why am I crying again? If I let her see me like this, it’ll scare Nagisa-oneesama. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Come on, Chiyo, you shouldn’t cry! But, but, but, but… Waaaah! Nagisa-oneesama is—she’s already taken by Shizuma-oneesama!
Chiyo ran off without a word, crying.
Nagisa was so dumbfounded she couldn’t move. What in the world just happened?
When Shizuma looked at Chiyo, getting farther and farther away, and at the state Nagisa was in, she felt just a little bit guilty. With an unusually awkward look on her face, Shizuma said, “Now that you’ve seen the library, why don’t we go to the Lourdes Spring next? It’s along the path to the church. It’s a mysterious spring that can make miracles happen. Something might even happen between you and me.”
***
Chiyo ran and ran, until she found herself standing in the hallway in front of Nagisa’s classroom. Recently this had become Chiyo’s regular spot for secretly peeking at Nagisa.
It was sacred ground…that brought back the memory of when she had first met Nagisa.
At the time, Chiyo had been crying, as usual. Nagisa-oneesama probably thinks I’m a big crybaby, she thought, her tear-soaked face shining.
Chiyo had been having problems back then, too…
***
A small white butterfly had fallen right in the middle of the hallway. For a moment, Chiyo had thought, Oh, there’s a beautiful white butterfly, but then she realized the butterfly wasn’t moving at all and froze. Her legs stiffened and she couldn’t move.
But I have to go to the faculty room, so I need to pass it no matter what…
Chiyo loved flowers, so she was a part of the gardening club, and one of her strong points was her knowledge of insects. She could touch beautiful butterflies and adorable tent caterpillars.
But even Chiyo was too scared to get close to a dead bug. Just a few moments ago, it had been happily fluttering around in the sky, but now it was dead and nothing but a cast-off skin. When Chiyo thought about that, she got really depressed, and felt like she was being dragged down by something scary—it was frightening.
“Poor thing. And what a place for it to happen.”
The voice belonged to someone Chiyo had never seen at the school before. When the girl saw the butterfly, she walked up to it, gently picked it up, and placed it in her palm. She did it so lovingly, with the smile of a gentle goddess.
The girl gently blew a breath across her palm, and the butterfly’s wings trembled along with the breath. To Chiyo, it looked like she gave the butterfly its last rites—one last moment of warmth.
She’s saying goodbye to it. How kind.
This girl gave love to something Chiyo was too afraid of to even get close to. The girl released the butterfly out the hallway window, saying, “Be a good girl—go on home, now!” Even though it was already dead. Though Chiyo thought the upperclassman seemed to be under the impression the butterfly was still alive.
But it might be better for it to return to the ground, instead of staying in the cold hallway, she thought as she watched the older girl.
And then…
There was a miracle.
Chiyo had thought the dead butterfly would naturally fall to the ground. But just when she thought it was going to hit the ground, it stopped in mid-air. The next moment, it started moving again, flapping its wings.
It’s magic, Chiyo thought. Chiyo’s goddess, who was kind even to an insect that was almost dead, said her name was Aoi Nagisa.
***
My dream was to share lunch in the garden with Nagisa-oneesama some day. I thought I would be happy just watching Oneesama from afar. But then I thought Nagisa-oneesama might see me when she leaves the classroom, so I’ve been hiding behind this pillar whenever I have the chance… But that dream’s not going to come true now. If Shizuma-oneesama has taken a liking to Nagisa-oneesama—there’s absolutely no chance for me.
Tears streamed from Chiyo’s eyes again as she thought about it.
This must be punishment for thinking such a brazen thing. Because I wanted Oneesama to find me.
“Huh?” someone said as she passed. It was Tamao. She looked like she was about to go back to the dorms. “Chiyo-chan? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“Ta-Tamao-oneesama,” Chiyo sobbed, and told Tamao everything.
When Tamao heard about the situation, she burned with jealousy. “Shizuma-oneesama hugged Nagisa-chan?! I absolutely, definitely cannot allow it!”
The image of Shizuma doing things to Nagisa in the library, and the image of Nagisa having things done to her by Shizuma in the library, ran through Tamao’s mind. She had a vivid imagination.
No, I cannot allow such a thing! Having fun with Nagisa-chan is MY job!
The dismissal bell rang.
Diiing dooong…
***
Diiing dooong…
The girl heard the bell and turned around. “Huh? Oh no, it’s time to go home already.”
The sunlight coming in the fifth-floor window shone sharply through the glass. The light wrapped the floor in a red glow and shone all the way to the back of the long room.
“Well, then, is that all for everyone for today?”
St. Spica Girls’ Institute, the second school, was built to the east of St. Miator Girls’ Academy. It was the tallest building in the area. On the top floor was the Spica Student Council meeting room.
The room had a white steel frame, four glass walls and a frosted glass partition, making it look like the inside of a modern office building.
“Then it’s decided. For this year’s Étoile competition, we’ll be going with Trois Lumières. The first competition, L’Ouverture brillante, will be held at the end of April. We will inform the candidates.”
The girl, wearing the white Spica uniform and looking majestic, stood alone in front of one of the glass walls, which was colored a bright orange by the sun. Passing her eyes over the documents in front of her, she continued.
“We have a number of couples who have already handed in their applications—four from St. Miator Girls’ Academy, five from St. Spica Girls’ Institute and three from St. Lulim Girls’ School. Taking into account any last-minute applications, I think the total number is most likely going to be around fifteen couples. We will eliminate approximately half in the initial competition, and we will eliminate half of the remaining couples in the second competition, L’Épreuve d’amour. As is customary, the final competition, Le Dernier Miracle, will be held by the school attended by the couple who takes first place in the second competition. The coronation of the Étoile is planned immediately after the third competition. However, we need time to prepare, and I think it might cause problems for the school whose couple took first place in L’Épreuve d’amour, so…” Phew… She had said all of that in one breath.
Tomori Shion, President of Spica’s Student Council, was a delicate girl, slim, who looked good in the white uniform. She let out a soundless sigh. Her long chestnut hair was left loose, with only the top part tied up. Her gracefully exposed forehead gave her an air of intelligence. Her small, tipped-up nose and sharp chin gave her an ever-so-slight aura of sternness. She gave such a serious impression that the only thing missing was a set of silver-rimmed glasses.
She was a tough beauty with a sharp mind.
I can relax a little now we’ve gotten this far. The only thing left to do now is leave things up to the flow of the river and take my time preparing. I’ve done everything I can for now.
Shion gathered the papers together and tapped them against the desk to stack them neatly.
“As all of you are aware…” She looked at everyone around her, checking every single person’s expression. Sitting around the large meeting table in Spica’s Student Council room were three representatives from each school—the Student Council President, the Vice President, and the Secretary—as well as other Student Council staff.
Shion gathered her strength once more, straightened up, and continued. “We at St. Spica Girls’ Institute will be making preparations beforehand…”
“Wait just a moment, please, if you would?”
A girl, sitting across and to the left at the large triangular table, raised her hand.
“Is there some sort of problem, Lulim Student Council President?” Shion asked, knitting her eyebrows ever so slightly. I wonder what it is? We’re almost finished.
“What do you mean, Spica will be handling the preparations this year?” she asked in a rather gentle manner, completely different from the sharp voice she’d used a moment earlier. She tilted her head sweetly to the side. She wore the St. Lulim Girls’ School uniform, with its warm pink checkerboard pattern.
She was the Lulim Student Council President, Minamoto Chikaru, from Fifth Year Class A. Her long, luxurious hair flowed behind her and, in ladylike fashion, she wore a fine braid and ribbon beside each ear. Even though she seemed tall, she gave off a delicate impression. Underneath her black bangs, her large, kind eyes gave her a wise expression. When she tilted her head, her hair swayed airily, as if joining her in asking, “Why would you say that?”
Shion was stunned. “What is this about? Why are you bringing this up now…?” She suddenly shut her mouth. In the face of such a direct question, she couldn’t say a thing, because bringing something like this up in the joint Student Council was not Shion’s usual way of doing things.
The fact that Spica will win this year’s Étoile competition is set in stone!
Or at least that’s what she thought. Even if it was obvious that everyone in the room thought so too…she absolutely could not say something in such bad taste.
Shion’s previous utterance had apparently not been phrased diplomatically enough. She heard a smothered laugh coming from somewhere beside her.
“Heh heh heh heh…”
Another girl jumped to Shion’s defense. “Oh, come now, President Chikaru. Everyone already knows why, even without saying. But of course! It is because our Prince of Spica is this year’s Étoile! You know that, and yet you go and ask that question? President Chikaru, you really are a meanie, aren’t you? Shion is working so hard, and you’re teasing her. Do you think Shion is that cute? I’m a little jealous.”
Shion panicked. “Hey, Mo-Momomi! I mean, Kiyashiki-san, what are you saying?! If you say something like that…”
The girl sitting next to Shion, Kiyashiki Momomi from Fifth Year Class Un and Vice President of St. Spica Girls’ Institute’s Student Council, saw the state Shion was in. She hid her mouth behind her fan and continued, “Oh, come on, Shion, don’t be so surprised. You want to say, ‘If you say that, it will all be over,’ right? Heh heh heh. It’s all right, everyone here already knows it. And everyone knows President Chikaru is so kind, even if she does love teasing you. Come on, cheer up!”
The girl’s face was framed by loose curls of hair, and she had large, doll-like eyes, showy eyelashes, a long, slender, high nose, and a large mouth. She gave a smile so flowery it seemed to envelop the entire area in the aroma of perfume.
It appeared Momomi was friends with the Lulim Student Council President. In spite of Shion’s shocked state, the conversation continued.
“Oh, I love you just as much as Shion-chan, you know, Momomi-chan?” Chikaru said. “You’re the only girl in all of Spica who looks good in those curls.”
“Wooow! President Chikaru, that makes me so happy! Then next time let me be in charge of doing the rosary, okay?”
Momomi turned to Shion and said, “If you let something like this get you so flustered, you’ll be a disgrace to your nickname, Snow Queen. You’re supposed to be the greatest prodigy since Spica was founded.”
She waved her fan, trying to get Shion to look forward.
Shion’s mouth had been hanging open. When she heard the name “Snow Queen,” she came back to herself. “Hmph. I couldn’t care less about that nickname!”
Well, whatever. There’s no use in trying to hide it NOW. Seriously. Everyone already knows it, right? This year, SHE is finally going to enter the Étoile competition. I mean, ever since she entered Spica, her first year of middle school, it’s been said that if the Prince of Spica ever entered the competition, she would definitely win. She’s tremendously popular but very shy, so up until now she’s always declined to participate. But now that she’s in her fifth year, it’s her last chance. “Before I become a sixth-year student and am too busy with entrance exams to enter the competition, I just can’t refuse any more.” I’m sure that’s what she’s thinking. Fortunately, there aren’t many significant rivals right now. She will become the greatest Étoile these schools have ever seen. And I will become the most famous Student Council President of all time, and make it a total “Spica Year” to enjoy to my heart’s content!
Shion renewed the determination in her heart and composed herself. “I am terribly sorry, Lulim Student Council President. It seems I spoke too soon. I heard that Otori-san was planning to enter this year, and I just… I have a slight habit of worrying about things that are still too far in the future.”
“Yes, we already know that, of course, Spica Student Council President,” her enemy muttered meaningfully with a sugary smile. Her voice was so soft Shion could barely hear her. “But I think it might be better if you did not let your guard down.”
“Let my guard down?”
It was a remark no one could ignore.
Light from the setting sun shone through the window. For a moment, Shion entered battle mode. “Do you have some new information?” She took a step forward and shot Chikaru a sharp look. “Does Lulim have a strong candidate? Is that what you are suggesting, President Chikaru?”
Tension overwhelmed the entire room.
“Oooh, scary!” Momomi muttered. She opened her fan and seemed to be talking to the panda on it when she said, “She really IS the Snow Queen, isn’t she?”
Chikaru didn’t budge an inch. She gave Shion a wink. “Oh, come now, I’m hurt, Spica Student Council President. We’ve known each other since we were children, Shion-chan, so I wouldn’t do something like that to you, now would I? I’m not THAT much of a bully. But, then again…do we really know each other that well? However…I’ve heard St. Miator has a new transfer student in the Fourth Year.”
Across from Chikaru, sitting to Shion’s right, a Miator student council member twitched.
Shion was not to be intimidated. “I haven’t heard anything about an upperclassman transfer student at Miator.”
Tension rushed through the three representatives from Spica.
And worry flitted across the faces of those from Miator.
Chikaru slowly continued, “Just a little while ago, I heard a rumor… They say the previous Étoile has a strong interest in that transfer student.”
Tomori Shion knocked her chair over with a loud noise. She glared at another girl seated at the table. “The previous Étoile?”
The object of Shion’s stare, Miator’s Student Council President, Rokujo Miyuki from Fifth Year Flower Class, let out a huge breath.
***
They’re not here. They’re not here. They’re STILL not here. For goodness sake!
Tamao was about to unconsciously snap the tip of the tree branch in front of her when she came back to herself with a start. The shadows of the trees, which spread out as if to hide Tamao, were becoming thicker.
Before Tamao even noticed it, little Chiyo stood next to her, frightened and looking at her questioningly.
“Oh! Oh, I’m sorry,” Tamao said. “I didn’t mean to… Did I scare you?”
Chiyo shook her head, trying to say “No, not at all” without actually saying a single word.
Seeing Chiyo’s cute face calmed Tamao a little bit. “Shizuma-oneesama and Nagisa-chan sure are late, aren’t they?”
“Yes. At this rate, they might miss the dorm curfew.” Chiyo looked at the large watch she wore, which didn’t look quite right on her small arm.
Tamao continued looking through the trees. “Shizuma-oneesama did say they were going to Lourdes, right?”
“Yes. But I was kind of far away by then, so maybe I just THOUGHT I heard her say that…” Chiyo said, her voice trailing off.
“Knowing Shizuma-oneesama, it certainly seems possible. First the Secret Garden, then the miraculous spring—I’m sure she’s plotting something bad again.”
Chiyo was so scared she let out a soundless scream and stepped back.
Rustle. The sound of the evening breeze passed through the grass.
***
“News reaches you quickly, as always, President Chikaru,” Miyuki said in a surly voice. Wearing Miator’s classic charcoal uniform, she sat calmly with her eyes closed. Her luxurious black hair was bobbed, cut absolutely straight just below her chin, and glistened like it was wet. The sharp edge of it covered almost a third of her small face. Almost an expression of her personality, the blade-like edge swayed over her fine features.
“So you say you’re only a semi-retired Student Council President, still doing it because there were no other candidates. How modest. You, Chikaru, have served as Student Council President for an unprecedented two consecutive terms, starting in your fourth year. It seems I can’t call you ‘The Holy Mother of Lulim, who has nothing to do with ambition,’ after all. I’m impressed you heard the news long before Spica, when they are so desperate to take the title of Étoile. I suppose I should have expected—”
“Hold it, was that a sarcastic remark toward Spica?!” Shion’s cheeks burned.
Miyuki, however, stayed in her seat and didn’t meet anyone’s gaze. She continued to speak, perfectly calm.
“—I suppose I should have expected nothing less from the person they call ‘The Shadow Empress of Astraea.’”
Her eyes gleamed with a strong will as her clear leadership ability began to express itself.
Chikaru answered in a cold voice. “Thank you for the compliment. But I wonder if the nickname Shadow Empress isn’t more appropriate for YOU? Aren’t you the ‘Princess of Rokujo-in,’ a schemer with a reputation of being able to control vengeful demons? I know perfectly well that just because Shizuma-sama is a sixth-year student now, and just because Spica has Otori Amane, Miator isn’t necessarily going to give up on taking the title of Étoile so easily.”
Momomi started talking to the panda again. “Whoa, scary. I didn’t know President Chikaru could be so shrewd. Scary…”
Meanwhile, Shion finally regained her composure. “So, is that how it is?”
Chikaru smiled gently at Shion. “Yes, so you finally understand, Shion-chan? I’m so glad. Amane-chan is truly wonderful, and I also think she would fit the role of Étoile perfectly. It’s no wonder you are so fired up about the possibility of Spica winning the Étoile title this year. But—”
“I-I am not fired up!”
“But you were, weren’t you?” Momomi said to the panda, in order to avoid the glare from beside her. “Didn’t you look outside the dormitory window and shout to the night sky, ‘To be Student Council President the same year the star, Prince Amane, is here! This must be my destiny. I was guided by the star of Spica!’”
Chikaru continued, ignoring Momomi, “Miator will never allow that, you know.”
Gulp. When Chikaru said that, Shion caught her breath.
“It isn’t personal, you know. That’s just how Miator is. No matter how calm it may seem on the surface, if it’s not always top on the list, if it’s not always number one, it won’t stop until it is. The fact that over two-thirds of all the Étoiles have come from Miator isn’t simply coincidence, or simply because of Miator’s long history. Like what is happening now. Even if there is a girl that everyone agrees should become the Étoile, if she’s not a student at Miator, Miator is too proud to accept it, and anyone who makes light of Miator might find a painful trap waiting for them—”
“Ahahaha!” Miyuki suddenly burst out in throaty laughter. “Oh, come now, President Chikaru, no need to say such things. I just have a bad temper, that’s all. Please do not talk about Miator’s dark side. It’s just that I…I just don’t want to worship an Étoile from another school while I am Student Council President. I think many of the other Miator students feel the same way.”
With that, everyone picked up the documents and scissors strewn on the table and slowly prepared to go home, completely ignoring the dumbfounded Shion.
Miyuki began to speak candidly. “It is exactly as you said—we had half given up on this year’s Étoile competition. After all, Prince Amane is a fifth-year student this year. Just for this year. If we could somehow fight the fact that Chikaru’s been President for two consecutive years, we might have a fighting chance, but…”
“But?” Shion shot her a harsh look.
“But you know…” Chuckling to herself, Miyuki took a long hard look at Shion’s face.
Making use of her famous family name, Miyuki’s nickname was The Princess of Rokujo Institute. Her appearance was perfectly Japanese. Her glossy, straight black hair was fastidiously cut, and made her pale skin seem even paler. Combined with the delicate bridge of her nose, her kind eyes and her small, rosebud lips, she had the elegance and dignity of a princess.
“It’s exactly as President Chikaru said.” She cast her eyes down in embarrassment.
“Like Chikaru said?”
Shion remembered. Chikaru said an upperclassman transferred into Miator this spring, which is unusual. And for some reason the previous Étoile has taken an interest in her—but so? Why bring up the previous Étoile now?
“It looks like you remember. That’s right…it seems that Hanazono Shizuma-sama, the previous Étoile, the oneesama that every student in Miator admires and adores—has shown a significant interest in a new fourth-year student who just transferred into the school. I only just heard it recently myself, but…I heard that when they embraced, the scene was so bright the people around them had to cover their eyes. So I predict there is a greater than ninety percent chance that Shizuma-sama will say…” Miyuki put on a fake smile, like one might see on a receptionist. “‘I want to try becoming the Étoile with her.’”
“But Shizuma-sama’s a sixth-year, getting ready for entrance exams. Not only that, but she’s been the Étoile once already.”
“That doesn’t matter to her. To her, being the Étoile was just one more required school experience. Even if she didn’t particularly want to become Étoile, it would’ve been even stranger for her NOT to, that’s all. She might not seem like she has any particular attachment to the title, but if she can turn it into an excuse for love, it’s a completely different story. According to my information, it’s unusual for Miator to accept a transfer student who spent her middle-school years in a different school…” Miyuki’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah…I suppose you could say she’s the excessively cheerful, needy type? I’m a little surprised Shizuma-sama would set her heart on her, but it’s obvious that she doesn’t understand the logic of Miator, and she’s giving Shizuma-sama trouble.”
Before she even realized it, Momomi was pulled into Miyuki’s story. She had an excited smile on her face as she listened. “She’s giving Shizuma-sama trouble? Wow, she must be something else, then.” Shion thought she picked a strange point to be impressed about.
Miyuki went on, “Of course, it’s only a matter of time before she comes in front of our Student Council. It’s just, the only problem is…”
Momomi looked entranced. “The problem is…?”
“That girl is a brand-new fourth-year student who doesn’t know Miator’s customs, who can’t comprehend beautiful sisterly love. And yet Shizuma-sama seems TERRIBLY excited about having her as her partner.”
“Wow…terribly…” Shion muttered, dodging the topic. “Won’t they just end up breaking up? When she’s chasing after slippery prey, Shizuma-sama—well, she uses up an incredible amount of energy. There’s nothing she cannot achieve, but it takes a lot of energy.”
Miyuki stood. She had an unexpectedly short, slender build. “When Shizuma-sama decides she wants to do something, no battle is too tough for her, not even the Étoile competition. Yes, I am already well aware of what the Spica Student Council intends to do this year. But we will not let an opportunity such as this slip by. Please understand, we look forward to competing against you.”
She made a slow, courteous bow. It was unusual, for although she lowered her head, it looked almost like she tossed it back in retort.
Shion noticed Miyuki’s behavior. “Rokujo-san, is that…is that a declaration of war?!”
Bwsh. Without thinking, she whipped her arm around and pointed, almost hitting Miyuki’s eyes and nose. So close, and so strong…
Ah…shoot.
But it was too late. Tension rushed through everyone in the room.
Miyuki slowly smiled. “My, my.” She gently grabbed Shion’s arm to move it away.
“I could ask you the same thing, Tomori-san. What you just did is forbidden in Astraea. It is the sign of a challenge.”
“Oh, I, I didn’t mean to…” In a panic, Shion tried to pull her arm back, but Miyuki already had a tight grip on it, so she couldn’t move.
Pointing at someone with the index finger was taboo for young ladies. Especially if it stopped right in front of that person’s nose. In Astraea, it was said to be a signal of challenging someone to battle.
Miyuki slowly drew closer, threatening. “Up until now, I hadn’t thought there was any particular need to challenge you… However, thanks to President Chikaru’s untimely interference, there’s no longer any need to hide it.” Miyuki slowly brought Shion’s hand to her lips and kissed it.
“An oncoming enemy should be fought with love. The Miator Student Council accepts your challenge with all of its power. Please go gently on us. Now then, it is past time to leave school, so if you will excuse me.”
She turned around and walked quickly out of the room without looking back.
The two Miator students who remained, the Vice President and the Secretary, rushed after her. Shion could only stand there, speechless, and watch them leave.
***
Miator’s first dismissal time was at 4:30 P.M. The second dismissal time was after club activities were over, at 5:30. There was also a special dismissal time of 6:00 P.M., which was used only for events like the Culture Festival. The second and third times could change by fifteen minutes either way, depending on the amount of daylight, but the first dismissal time was the same for the entire year.
The regular students had to leave when they heard the dismissal bell, because those precious students, entrusted to the school by their families, had to return home before it got dark.
Once they left the school, there were two places the students went. Some went directly down the hill to the path that led to the closest station. Others went alongside the school buildings, passed in front of St. Lulim Girls’ School, walked around the outer edge of Maiden Park and headed toward the back. To the Strawberry Dorms.
The building, which was close to the deepest part of Maiden Park, was plain-looking but solidly built from brick and tile. With the lush green Maiden Park as its landscape, it had an indescribable atmosphere, like a secret hideout.
The Strawberry Dorms, which only successful applicants could enter, were used jointly by all three schools. The building itself was an unusual triangular shape, and each of the schools had their dorm in a different section. In the center was a courtyard. The Miator dorm had a small place of worship attached to it, which looked like a strawberry stem, so the students affectionately called the whole dormitory the Strawberry Dorms. Its proper name was Astraea Hall.
Movement from one school’s dorm to another school’s dorm was fundamentally forbidden, and the tips of the triangle were not connected. There were skywalks on the second-floor level that linked the three buildings together. Only those who had permission from the dorm manager or the nun who acted as dorm mother could pass through.
***
Miator’s second dismissal time was about to pass. Walking back to the Strawberry Dorms took a little less than twenty minutes, so Shizuma and Nagisa had to come back along this path. Chiyo and Tamao had decided to leave school and wait along the path that went to the Strawberry Dorms.
It had been mostly Tamao’s idea.
Chiyo was so excited she thought she would die. I can’t believe I’m waiting for my longed-for oneesama! I want to see Nagisa-oneesama, too, but Shizuma-oneesama is—how should I greet her? She probably thinks this is all a huge bother, because Shizuma-oneesama seems to really like Nagisa-oneesama. And when Nagisa-oneesama is with a wonderful person like Shizuma-oneesama, someone like me doesn’t even compare! I just know it! I just know it! I’ll only be a nuisance…
Just as large tears were about to fall from Chiyo’s eyes again, she heard the sound of talking from the other side of the wall of trees, which was so overgrown it looked like a hedge.
It was a nun, and it sounded like she was scolding someone.
“This isn’t like you at all, Hanazono-san. Be more careful from now on. It’s already time for you to be back at the dorm, so please go home now.”
Tamao opened a space between the tree branches and peeked through. Shizuma and Nagisa were there, next to the side door of the church, which was closed. They stood in front of the nun with their heads bowed meekly.
The church was closed because students used to just stop there along the way to somewhere else. It looked like even though Shizuma and Nagisa were in charge of the holy water, they hadn’t gotten it quickly enough, so the nun had to make special arrangements for them to get in.
The nun left and Shizuma started complaining. “Honestly, Sister Sakaue is so annoying, broody and strict. She’s a bully. They call it holy water, but in the end it’s just water, isn’t it?” She swung the heavy crystal bottle used to hold the holy water.
Tamao couldn’t help but laugh. “My, are you sure you should be saying something like that, Shizuma-oneesama?”
“Who’s there?!”
Tamao poked her head through the hole she had made in the branches.
“Tamao-chan?!” Shizuma and Nagisa were stunned.
When Nagisa saw Tamao, she looked incredibly happy. Shizuma seemed just a little uncomfortable. Tamao was convinced. There’s nothing between those two yet. In a voice soft enough they wouldn’t hear, she whispered to Chiyo, “It looks like I still have a prayer!”
Chiyo raised her head with a jolt.
“You were on your way home, correct, Shizuma-oneesama?” Tamao said as she slowly made her way forward.
“Yes.” Shizuma had been looking off to the side, staring into the distance. But now she turned her head and gazed at Tamao’s face. For a moment, Shizuma regained the aura of the poised, quiet, strong queen.
Tamao felt overwhelmed, but she managed to say in a clipped voice, “The dismissal bell rang a long time ago. It’s not like you to stay behind until this late.”
Shizuma responded indifferently, “Yeah, well, we were in charge of the holy water today. We got a little side-tracked, and we’re late.” She was nonchalant, like she was flicking away a little cocklebur pod that had gotten on her uniform.
Just a little sidetracked?! Nagisa shuddered. It felt like she was leading me on an all-out tour of Maiden Park. And we even got yelled at by the nun…
Nagisa threw a questioning look at Shizuma, who ignored it and turned her eyes to the trees, which were almost glowing red in the sunset. “The sun’s already set.”
Until a moment ago, Shizuma had been having fun and enjoying herself, and seemed like a perfectly normal high-school girl, just like the other ones Nagisa knew. But the quick change in her attitude worried Nagisa. Oh, Shizuma-oneesama…up until a moment ago…up until a moment ago you were having so much fun.
Overwhelmed by Shizuma’s transformation, Nagisa wondered if this was who Shizuma really was, and was amazed.
When I look at her like this, Shizuma-oneesama really is beautiful and wonderful, and I guess mature. Using the word feels a little strange, but she seems stately, I guess. I was a little shocked by how Shizuma-oneesama acted in the library, but…I’m sure it was because of the special atmosphere the library has. I’m sure I was mistaken.
Thoughts ran through Nagisa’s mind as she looked at Shizuma in profile, gazing at the trees.
I got caught up in the strange atmosphere, and it made me feel like Shizuma-oneesama was se-seducing me.
All of a sudden, she was embarrassed. I wonder what Shizuma-oneesama thought… Maybe everyone could tell exactly what I was thinking and they think I’m stupid. Yeah, I’m such an idiot. That I thought even for a moment someone like Shizuma-oneesama might be in love with me…
The wind blew.
Nagisa shivered. It’s cold!
Shizuma’s hair blew in the cold early spring evening breeze.
Shizuma-oneesama… Stealing furtive glances at Shizuma’s beautiful profile started to make Nagisa a little sad, but she still kept looking.
Tamao caught sight of Nagisa out of the corner of her eye and could tell what was going on. She still wasn’t crushed.
“Oh, is that what it was? Tsukidate-san just told me she saw you and Nagisa-chan in the library—oh, please let me introduce you. Nagisa is a new student, just transferred into the same class as me. By coincidence, she’s also in the seat next to mine, and we are sharing a room at the dorm! We have a wonderful connection—”
“Right, by coincidence.” Shizuma’s voice was so low when she spoke, only Nagisa could hear her.
Tamao continued, “Chiyo-chan told me what happened, and…well, considering the place, I asked her for some details…”
Chiyo’s face went beet-red.
“I was worried that maybe my Nagisa-chan made some sort of careless mistake with you…”
“…MY Nagisa-chan?” Shizuma said in an unexpectedly sharp voice.
“Yes, MY Nagisa-chan.” Tamao smiled so broadly her eyes closed. It was as if the humble attitude she’d had up until now were a lie.
“Is that so? Your Nagisa-chan made a careless mistake with me?”
“Yes, that’s right. My precious friend Nagisa-chan isn’t used to it here yet, so when I heard she was caught by a star like you, Shizuma-oneesama, I was worried perhaps she was totally embarra—I mean, she did something rude.”
The longer Shizuma forced herself to keep her mouth closed, the more Tamao piled on the taunts.
“Just like I thought, she really did do something rude, didn’t she? Shizuma-oneesama, please forgive her. She isn’t used to life here at Miator yet. If she did do something rude, it is the fault of the entire Fourth Year Moon Class. No, it is my fault, because I haven’t properly taught her the customs at Miator yet, even though we share the same room. Please punish me. Punish me for all of the calamities Nagisa-chan caused…”
Tamao suddenly became overdramatic. With a flourish, she got down on her knees and bowed her head, then clasped both of her hands as if she were praying.
Shizuma looked down on Tamao silently.
Chiyo froze.
Snap snap snap snap.
When Nagisa heard the noise, she felt like a fat, cold, giant icicle had descended between the two girls. Frantic, she stepped between them.
“O-oh, come now, Tamao-chan, not another one of those jokes! Please don’t kneel like that.” Honestly. Why do the girls from Miator make such a big deal out of everything? “Jeez, Tamao-chan, you’re always joking around like that!”
With a wry smile, Nagisa reached her hand out to Tamao. “You don’t have to say stuff like that! You’re pretty and smart and fun, and you’re SO nice to a transfer student like me. I’m so thankful for everything you’ve done,” Nagisa mumbled, helping Tamao stand up.
Tamao very happily took a gentle hold of Nagisa’s extended hand and stood up firmly. Tamao’s hand was cold.
I wonder if Tamao-chan was waiting here a long time? Nagisa thought. “Listen, I might not be strong enough to be your best friend, Tamao-chan, but of course you’re already my best friend in Miator!”
“Na-Nagisa-chan…” Tamao drew away from the words that had slipped out of Nagisa’s mouth. Incredible. How honest and up-front she is.
Tamao felt like she had been shot through the heart by the straightforward words she couldn’t possibly have said. Living in the feminine environment of Miator, Tamao had seen more “best friends” and “lovers” than she could count, but the words always seemed so empty when said out loud.
It felt like as soon as she said them, something was lost. Like desperately trying to stop a lie once spoken.
We’re number one best friends, right? Every time Tamao had heard those words, every time she had responded to them, she had felt a part of herself fade.
But Nagisa’s words were different. She’d felt that way ever since they’d first met, and she had a feeling she was beginning to understand why she was so attracted to Nagisa.
Tamao had a habit of trying to manipulate a situation by tossing around superficial words. But the words that fell from Nagisa’s mouth were always just words, nothing more, nothing less. They had substance.
Nagisa simply grasped things as they were.
You’re so honest and straightforward, Tamao thought. Almost impossibly so. I wonder if I’m so warped because of the kind of home I was raised in. She looked back on her past and started to feel a little lonely.
Number one best friends… Tamao felt it was a little different from what she’d wanted, but now that Nagisa had said it, Tamao thought maybe she wanted really to be “number one best friends” after all.
Before Chiyo realized, she muttered aloud, her eyes gleaming, “Nagisa-oneesama is really a nice person, isn’t she? She’s like a pure angel. I think everyone who meets her will fall in love with her!”
Chiyo could almost see adorable white butterflies fluttering around Nagisa.
Tamao hid her self-consciousness. “Well, that makes me happy, Nagisa-chan. I think I could live on nothing but those words for a whole week. You must be vitamins sent by God just for me! Ooh, I just want to eat you up! I guess this means I’m Nagisa-chan’s number one, right?” She winked suggestively.
“Ah ha! Ah ha ha ha ha! You’re saying weird things again, Tamao-chan! You’re so funny! Isn’t she, Shizuma-oneesama?”
When Nagisa turned to look at Shizuma, the sound of silence echoed back to her.
Huh?
Shizuma radiated an icy aura, as if her whole body were frozen. “You two seem to be enjoying yourselves.”
Chiyo’s body shook, startled. Oh no, I went too far—I think.
Tamao instantly stepped away from Nagisa and stood there stiffly, her mouth open.
Without even looking at Nagisa, Shizuma placed her hand gently on the younger girl’s head and took a small step forward.
“Nagisa-chan, I’m glad you seem to have such a good classmate.”
The wind blew, sending Shizuma’s hair whirling, further hiding her expression. “It looks like you won’t have any trouble finding someone to recommend you.”
The wind rustled through the trees. Suddenly the cold of early spring pervaded the area.
“Someone to recommend me?” Nagisa repeated with a questioning look on her face.
“Yes. Someone to recommend you for entry. L’Ouverture brillante is going to be at the end of the month, you know.” Shizuma’s low voice echoed from within the increasing evening shadows.
Chiyo went pale. “La… L’Ouverture brillante? Do you mean—”
“I-I’ve just now decided.” Shizuma abruptly straightened and spun around to face Nagisa.
“Shizuma-oneesama…”
Chiyo’s and Tamao’s voices overlapped. Chiyo was frozen and Tamao went bright red.
“I am going to enter the Étoile competition this year with Nagisa as my partner,” Shizuma said. She walked back to Nagisa, determined, and looked dolefully into Nagisa’s face. “I would have been happy just to spend some time with you; I really don’t want to get you wrapped up in something like this.”
She stroked Nagisa’s head again and then gently placed her hand against Nagisa’s cheek. “But…” She spread her fingers. “You’re going to have to understand, okay?”
Her thumb and index finger squeezed closed. She pinched Nagisa’s cheek.
“Didn’t I tell you? If you break your promise…” Shizuma slowly leaned close to Nagisa’s ear and whispered, “I’ll punish you.”
Aah, but…weren’t you just talking about calling you “Shizuma-oneesama?”
Overwhelmed by the pain in her cheek—or by Shizuma-oneesama’s intensity—Nagisa couldn’t put her thoughts into words.
“I am Hanazono Shizuma from St. Miator Girls’ Academy, Sixth Year, Snow Class. As someone who has lived on this campus a long time, and has worn the shining Étoile crown once already, I will never play second fiddle to anyone. Ever.”
Shizuma slapped Tamao’s hand off of the edge of Nagisa’s skirt. “I’ve only just met you, and I didn’t even think of this before—it looks like I was soft. There are plenty of traps waiting for good seeds that have just been planted. Even a good seed can be eaten by a bird if it falls on the edge of the path. If it falls among the rocks, it dries up. If it falls among thorns, it gets choked. But…”
She glared at Tamao with icy eyes.
Tamao felt something cold run down her spine. I wonder… I wonder how long it’s been since I’ve seen Shizuma-oneesama act like this.
Shizuma was filled with a dignified elegance and an intensity that seemed like it would overpower Tamao. It was like she was wrapped in a silent flame. A cold, silvery, soundless flame.
“A seed that falls on good ground will produce thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown, growing thickly laden with fruit in the good ground. I must let everyone know that this good seed2 is mine, and…for this good seed, the good ground is me, Hanazono Shizuma.”
Shizuma gazed steadily at Nagisa and gently extended her hand.
Ah! This gentle, noble hand that seems like it belongs to a goddess. Nagisa couldn’t help wondering how happy she would be if she took that hand. It was like the entrance to a dazzling other world, like a gateway to a land of bliss, a world flowing with milk and honey—an inviting hand that no normal person could refuse.
Shizuma gave a gentle smile from the bottom of her heart, one that looked sympathetic. “Nagisa. You didn’t know, so I will forgive you. But I’m going to tell you right now, so be sure to remember. I am a good oneesama to everyone who lives in Miator. But this is what it really means to call me ‘oneesama.’ I will not allow you, my beloved cadette, to fall into another’s hands again. As a sign of our promise, let’s take the title of Étoile together. I, Hanazono Shizuma, promise you the crown of miracles.”
Shizuma’s face lowered—and drew close to Nagisa’s lips.
Nagisa blanked out.
What is this all about? What in the world is going on here?! Staring dumbfounded at Shizuma, whose hair was shrouding Nagisa and blocking Tamao’s view of her, Tamao couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Could Shizuma-oneesama possibly be serious…?
Tamao had come to Miator directly from the elementary school. For good or bad, she’d thought she knew almost everything about this oneesama who was two years her elder. Tamao, an outstanding beauty who was always number one or two in her class, had even set her eyes on Shizuma once, and there had been many times when the two of them had worked together at functions such as Masses.
Shizuma was the prettiest girl in the school, and talented. Not only that, she knew how to make good use of her beauty to enjoy her school life to the fullest. Tamao secretly felt a bond with her.
Compared to what Tamao knew of Shizuma, this didn’t seem like her normal behavior. Chasing and chasing and running down her prey—driving the girl she sought to the very edge of a cliff and then finally getting her to jump into Shizuma’s arms of her own volition. She had heard that was Shizuma’s usual method, and that’s how she had imagined it to be, not this twisting of someone’s arm, forcing her.
Getting someone to do what you want of her own will was the epitome of a white lily’s love.
This, however… It’s because Nagisa-chan is so cute. Because she’s so normal. Because I teased her a little—right in front of Shizuma’s own eyes. I wonder if she’s serious? She actually wants to become the Étoile together?
It didn’t matter that Shizuma-oneesama was so popular she had easily won the title of Étoile last year. Her partner was a transfer student who had only come here this month. There was no way such a ridiculous idea would succeed. There were only three weeks left until the first competition of the Étoile series, L’Ouverture brillante.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.
The sound of dignified applause echoed from nearby.
“Wonderful—this is exactly what we expected from our Shizuma-oneesama!” With a rustle, someone appeared out of the shadows.
“Who’s there?!” Shizuma asked.
While Tamao and Chiyo stared in astonishment, St. Miator’s Student Council President, Rokujo Miyuki, appeared, looking her usual calm self.
“Miyuki-oneesama! What are you doing here?” Tamao yelled.
“Oh my, what a coincidence, isn’t it? The joint Student Council meeting ran late today, so I was taking a shortcut…” Miyuki put a leisurely smile on her face. Tamao was going to say something else, but Miyuki didn’t even look at her. She stared straight ahead, looking only at Shizuma.
“And I see I came at the perfect time, Shizuma-oneesama. If I am not mistaken about what I just heard, you are going to enter this year’s Étoile competition with this transfer student, Aoi Nagisa from Fourth Year Moon Class—am I correct?”
Chiyo’s mouth fell open. “Whaaat? Miyuki-oneesama, were you listening the whole time?!”
Miyuki didn’t even look at the shocked Chiyo; she merely silenced her with a gesture of the hand. “Splendid! Truly splendid determination!”
She clapped her hands again. “As president of Miator’s Student Council, nothing could make me happier. Actually, there was a bit of an incident at the joint Student Council meeting just held at Spica. You simply must hear about it, Shizuma-oneesama.”
Miyuki told them what had happened at the meeting. How Spica was so confident in one of their candidates, Otori Amane. How they seemed to think they had already won the Étoile crown. How Miyuki and the other Miator students present at the meeting had been frustrated when they heard it.
And about how Spica’s Tomori Shion had provoked them and given them the sign of challenge, as if she were saying “If you think you can win, then go ahead and try!”
“Lulim’s Council President, Minamoto, seemed to be supporting Spica, too. Shizuma-sama, you must understand how we in Miator’s Student Council felt when we heard that.” Miyuki’s voice became tearful.
“I know what you’re trying to say,” Shizuma said in a low voice, still holding Nagisa in her arms. For some reason, Nagisa hadn’t uttered a word since Miyuki had showed up.
“Thank you very much,” was all Miyuki said.
Shizuma let out a huge sigh, mixed with considerable sorrow. She lovingly looked at Nagisa in her arms.
Tamao was shocked at the look in her eyes. The usually confident and cheerful Shizuma couldn’t say a thing—she seemed to be feeling both heart-wrenching sadness and kindness at the same time.
“Tamao, please take care of Nagisa-chan and Chiyo-chan,” Shizuma said without shifting her gaze. With a thwump, she gave Nagisa’s immobile body over to Tamao.
For the first time, Tamao realized the state Nagisa was in. Oh no! What happened to you, Nagisa?!
Shizuma gave Miyuki a look. “Let’s go.”
Miyuki bowed deeply and said in a small voice, “Well then, let’s go through the formalities as quickly as possible. The entry sheets are in the Student Council office.”
The two of them left, walking quickly.
Shizuma, her silvery hair fluttering behind her, disappeared into the dark shadows of the trees.
“Tamao-oneesama, I wonder what’s going on with Shizuma-oneesama,” Chiyo said nervously after a long silence.
“I’m sure Shizuma-oneesama is—” Tamao started to say, but stopped. “I don’t know, either. But right now, I have our Nagisa-chan on my hands.”
She looked at Nagisa’s face. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing regularly.
Goodness, I wonder when she fell asleep! I’ve never seen a girl so stunned by Shizuma-oneesama’s kiss!
A totally peaceful feeling came over Tamao. “It’s impossible for us to understand what the upperclass oneesama are thinking. But that’s okay, Chiyo-chan, because we’re with Nagisa-chan. Let’s go back to the Strawberry Dorms, all three of us. We’re already late, so let’s take our time and pick flowers along the way. It’s all right, I’ll think of an excuse to give the nuns. I’m sure there won’t be any problem if we mention the Student Council President, Miyuki-oneesama. Besides, we actually were with her. Knowing her, I’m sure she’ll match her story with ours.”
“Right!” Chiyo looked at Tamao trustingly, then peeked at Nagisa’s face. “Ah! Oh, Nagisa-oneesama… It looks like she’s fallen completely asleep! And she looks happy!”
“You’re right. She looks so innocent when she’s sleeping, just like a little child,” Tamao said with a laugh. She shook Nagisa awake. “Come on, wake up. Wake up, Nagisa-chan! It’s time to go home! I’m sure there’s delicious cake and tea waiting at the Strawberry Dorms! Wake up, my cute little Nagisa-chan! If you don’t wake up, I’ll tickle your stomach!”
The wind blew, swaying Nagisa’s hair. Her eyelids twitched. From somewhere, a sweet flowery scent, like that of a tropical island, drifted over them.
***
Chatter chatter chatter chatter…
The halls of the Strawberry Dorms rippled with the noise of the pre-dinner bustle. Groups of girls laughed happily, telling each other about what had happened that day and talking about their plans for that night before each went her own way.
In a hall deep in the Miator section of the Strawberry Dorms was a public corner with shared facilities, like the dining hall and salon. It was the farthest corner of the hall and had a stone floor with a gray mosaic pattern. There was also a large wooden door made of oak.
A girl, passing by, looked at it, puzzled. “Huh? The common bath is closed? It looks like there’s light coming from inside. Did someone mention we couldn’t get in the bath before dinner tonight?”
***
Swsssh.
A watery sound, like a wave, echoed from the other side of the thick white steam. Miator’s large common bath was designed in the Roman style, with large, bright terra cotta tiles. Three large goddess statues, each holding a vase, stood around the bathtub, which was big enough for thirty people. Streams of water flowed from the vases. Water that spilled out of the tub calmly flowed over the floor.
“Phew, what a nice bath,” whispered one girl, her long hair pulled up as she soaked in the tub.
“It sure is,” replied another girl with short black hair and a slightly nervous look on her face. “Two people hardly ever get a chance to use this huge tub by themselves.”
The serious voice belonged to Rokujo Miyuki.
The other girl laughed and turned around. “Oh my.” She chuckled inwardly. “You don’t have to be so sarcastic. What’s wrong with doing a little mischief once in a while?”
That was Hanazono Shizuma—even through the steam, it was clear her face was as beautiful as the goddess sculptures around the tub.
Miyuki puffed out her cheeks and blew out a slow breath. “Thanks to a certain someone it seems I have quite a few more things to do now.”
Plunk.
Shizuma drew closer to Miyuki. “I wanted to take it easy. Didn’t we used to talk secretly like this a lot before?”
Zwsssh… Water overflowed.
“Yes—until a year ago.”
“A year? Has it been that long? No, I mean, is that all that has passed? It feels like much, much longer. And at the same time feels like just the other day.”
“Yes,” was Miyuki’s short reply. Shizuma sat in front of her, facing her.
“Oh, you think so too, Miyuki? Heh heh. You know, you are the only one I can talk with about back then, Miyuki.”
“This is the first time you’ve talked about it, Shizuma-sama,” Miyuki replied with a serious face.
And the first time you’ve smiled so brightly, she thought.
“Oh, it is?” Shizuma chuckled as if she didn’t know what Miyuki was talking about.
Now that I think about it, I guess it has been a very long time since I’ve felt so carefree, so cheerful. I feel like something good is waiting for me. It makes me want to do something really showy. It’s a feeling of excitement I have about the future—something I’d forgotten.
“Since it was you, Miyuki, I was positive—I knew you would sense my mood and catch on. And the way you pretended to cry—even Tamao was fooled, don’t you think? I’m impressed. But I knew from the beginning there was no way you were going to give up on the Étoile competition. Of course, I had absolutely no desire to enter, but…” Shizuma moved right next to Miyuki. She brought her face so close to Miyuki’s their cheeks almost touched. “It’s all right. I’ll go along with it. Just this once.”
“Shizuma-sama! I didn’t mean to—”
The moment she started to speak, Shizuma’s supple fingers dug into the bulge of Miyuki’s soft breast.
“It’s all right. Our interests happen to be the same this time.” Shizuma smirked, lowered her voice even more and said, “You look lovely naked, Miyuki-chan.”
Shizuma passed Miyuki, walked to the edge of the tub and stood with a loud rush of water.
The steam lifted and Miyuki unconsciously averted her eyes. The sight of Shizuma standing there openly, stark naked, was too—
—sublime.
Miyuki tried to play it cool. “If you’d like, shall I rinse you off?”
Shizuma turned only her head turned to look back. “No, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
Miyuki blushed, even though her eyes were still averted.
“Oh, are you getting hot flashes from staying in the bath too long? Your cheeks are bright red, Miyuki-chan,” Shizuma said, almost as if she was talking to herself. She chuckled and left to rinse herself off.
Shizuma disappeared beyond the steam.
Aaah… That was scary. Shizuma-sama sure is intense when it’s one-on-one. Having managed to somehow withstand Shizuma’s pursuit, Miyuki stroked her breast. She suddenly sympathized, just a little, with the transfer student Shizuma had her eye on.
***
“Hey, hey! Tamao-chan!” Nagisa was a little excited. Today was—how do I put this—a dazzling day.
“Hey! Hey! Hey! Come on!” she called. It had been a week since Nagisa had started sharing a room with Tamao. Usually Tamao would answer right away, and she’d always be concerned about whatever it was Nagisa wanted to talk about—but now there was no answer.
“Hey! Hey! Is this how you use a facial mask?” Nagisa turned from the mirror.
“Ha! Heh heh heh heh heh heh.”
Tamao, who had been sitting by her bed absent-mindedly combing her hair, burst into laughter. “Oh, what am I going to do with you, Nagisa-chan… Ha, heh heh heh heh.”
“Huh? It’s not right, is it? When I put it on, my eyes get plugged up and I can’t see.”
Nagisa sensed Tamao was coming closer.
“Silly, it’s absurd to wear it like that. The parts for your eyes need to be open. There are eye holes sewn into it, you know? Look.”
Tamao’s cool hands flitted about over Nagisa’s head, and…
Nagisa’s vision became clear. “Oh, I can see. There are spots for the eyes…but even the eye parts were covered in beauty cream, so I thought this was how I was supposed to use it…”
The facial mask with beauty cream on it that Tamao had given her was cool and felt good.
“If you wear it like that, the cream will get in your eyes. Are you okay? Do they hurt?” Tamao took Nagisa’s face in her hand and took a long look into her eyes. Nagisa’s desk light reflected and sparkled in Tamao’s large eyes.
“Yeah, I’m all right. Tamao-chan, your eyes are twinkling.”
“Wh-what are you talking about?” Tamao looked off to the side embarrassedly, which was not like her at all.
“Oh, I’m sorry…” I have a habit of saying exactly what I think, don’t I.
Nagisa felt a little guilty about it, but at the same time she was surprised by the silent, embarrassed Tamao.
For the past week, after eating dinner, they had been going to the salon together. Even when they were in their room, they would do something fun—play a little game, do crafts, eat delicious snacks. Tamao had arranged all of it to cheer Nagisa up. This was the first time Nagisa had seen her quiet like she was tonight.
“What’s wrong? You seem kind of down, Tamao-chan.”
“I seem down? Not at all! I’m cheerful as ever,” Tamao replied with a big smile. She fussed with the hem of her white negligée and went back to her own bed.
Nagisa didn’t believe it. She really is acting strange. Normally, Tamao would shout something like “I’m so happy you’re worried about me, Nagisa-chan!” and give Nagisa an enthusiastic hug.
Oh no. What am I thinking? Since when did I start thinking about things like that? It-it’s not like I’m E-EXPECTING it!! Swiping the naughty idea away with her hand, Nagisa stood up.
Tamao sighed.
“Come on, what’s wrong?! You’re acting strange today. If you want, you can talk to me about it.”
“It’s all right. If I told you, it wouldn’t help anyway.”
“Oh, not at all? Well, I’ve only just transferred here, but I think I’ve started to get used to Miator.”
“Then…Shizuma must have taught you a lot in one day!”
“It-it’s not like that…” Nagisa said with a blush. “It’s thanks to you of course, Tamao-chan, because you’ve been so nice to me since my first day here. Oh, now that I think about it, Shizuma-sama—no, I mean Shizuma-oneesama—suddenly disappeared this evening. I wonder what happened. Do you know, Tamao-chan?”
“Oh, come on, Nagisa-chan—you don’t remember?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“But…” Tamao’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly for a while and then stopped. She was even kissed, for goodness sake.
“Well, whatever. I suppose it’s more convenient that you forget.”
“Huh? Why do you say that?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s none of your concern. Shizuma-oneesama left because she had sudden business with the Student Council President.”
“With the Student Council President?! Wow, Shizuma-oneesama really is an important person after all. She even goes to the Student Council… Wait—but, if she’s the oneesama that all the schools admire the most, why isn’t Shizuma-oneesama the Student Council President?”
“Oh, because Miator’s Student Council President is usually a fifth-year student, who wouldn’t be studying for entrance exams yet. And last year when Shizuma-oneesama was a fifth-year student, she was the Étoile.”
“Étoile? Now that you mention it, I think Shizuma-oneesama said something about that once. Exactly what is an Étoile anyway? Is it some sort of job within the Student Council?”
“You don’t know what the Étoile is? Well…it’s a little difficult to explain.”
Tamao’s face clouded as she tried to think of the best way to explain it to Nagisa. “You could say the Étoile is the symbol of this school—no, not just this school. The symbol for all of Astraea. One is picked each year, from all of the students. She is the kind of person who is the object of everyone’s admiration, the target of their love and affection and a model to the other students. It’s different from the usual beauty contest, because it doesn’t focus as much on looks as it does on being loved by all the students in all three schools. It’s not just one person who is picked; it’s always a couple. The couples are formed voluntarily, but usually it’s an oneesama type, like Shizuma, paired with a smart little sister type. They are a symbol—a model of how to care for each other and love each other as sisters. In reality, there are some couples who really do love each other, and some who are couples in name only, formed just because they look like model students together.”
Tamao got a distant look in her eyes. “The Étoile is decided by three competitions, one each month for three months, beginning in April when the new school year begins. There is a coronation before first-term Ending Ceremonies. After summer vacation, there are many things she must take part in, like giving the opening speech at important events like the Culture Festival. So if the process of choosing the Étoile has begun, you will probably see her too, Nagisa-chan. She does not have the authority to decide anything substantial, so you could say it is an honorary position, but…it is a meaningful, almost royal position.”
“Hmm, I see. I think I understand now. It’s such an incredible position that you even speak more solemnly when you talk about it.”
“Oh no, I always speak like that when I discuss the upperclass oneesama. But…you might be right, in a way. The person wearing the sacred crown of the Étoile is…how do I put this? It’s like she’s endowed with an indescribable, noble light that seems to have a magic spell cast on it. No one who lives on this hill can help but love and respect her. Shizuma-oneesama is beautiful and full of confidence, and she is a wonderful person. However, when she was the Étoile, she truly shone. No one could help but be fascinated by her. Everyone wanted to get close to her. She was like a goddess.”
Wow—in my eyes, she seems like a goddess right now. Nagisa tried with all her might to imagine Shizuma when she had been the Étoile. Next she tried adding Shizuma’s partner standing beside her. But it was beyond the limits of her imagination.
When she glanced to the side, she noticed Tamao’s eyes shone with ecstasy. For some reason, Nagisa felt like she understood Tamao’s feelings.
“Hey Tamao-chan, don’t you want to try to become the Étoile? I think you would win for sure. Yeah, I’d definitely cheer for you!”
Tamao sprang up in a panic. “N-no, not at all! Someone like me would only disgrace the title of Étoile. Besides, I’m still in my fourth year. And this year, there is a great prince who attends Spica. Everyone thinks there’s no doubt this year’s Étoile is going to be Prince Amane.”
“A great prince?!”
“Yes. A prince so great even the girls at Miator think we might not have a chance this year.”
“You say prince, but…it’s a girl, right?” Nagisa asked.
“Heh… Oh, Nagisa-chan. You are still so innocent! Yes, of course she is a female. But I think even you would understand the instant you saw her. No matter how you look at her, there is no doubt she is a prince.”
“Hmmm… Oh, I see… I want to see her right now!”
“Oh, Nagisa-chan, you cheater! I’ll tell Shizuma-oneesama on you!” Tamao raised her hand in jest. “Oh, that might become another big problem…”
Nagisa imagined it and was a little disheartened, but for some reason it also made her very excited.
“I think you’d better go to sleep,” Tamao said.
Reluctantly Nagisa turned toward her bed. “W-wait, I still have the facial mask on.”
“It’s all right. I’ll watch over you until you fall asleep, and when the time comes I’ll take it off for you.”
“But I should do it!”
“No, no, if I left it up to you, Nagisa-chan, you would do something weird again and wake me up!”
“I don’t care what you say, I’ll be fine! All that’s left is to take it off.”
“Quiet! If you complain, I’ll get into the bed with you!”
“Urgh…okay,” she said. Wondering why Tamao was being so threatening over something so small, Nagisa got into bed. Well, whatever. Too much had happened today, and Nagisa was a little panicked.
If tomorrow is like this too, oh, it makes my head hurt, but…I still feel kind of happy. God, does that make me strange?
Five minutes later…
“Hey, Nagisa-chan, it’s so boring, watching you like this, so…can I sleep next to you after all?”
Tamao suddenly invaded Nagisa’s bed.
“Whoa! Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! Tamao-chan, you’re too close!”
The silk of Tamao’s negligée rustled against Nagisa’s cheek and she smelled the gentle scent of soap.
Yargh! Whatever! Anyway, may tomorrow be a good day as well!
Even though Tamao had forced her way into Nagisa’s bed, when Nagisa looked at her, for some reason she felt kind toward her.
“Well then, fine. Let’s sleep together tonight! It’s warmer that way!”
“…Nagisa-chan.”
The early spring day at Miator finally came to an end. To Nagisa, the Étoile was really nothing more than a star in space, shining in the distance.