Miyuki stirred. Through sleepy eyes and the poorly lit haze of the dormitory, she struggled to orientate herself. Was she still asleep? Had she woken? Peering through slanted eyelids, she tried to find something familiar to focus on. The thick haze prevailed, offering nothing in the sub light as a point of reference, the shining crack between the heavy bedroom curtains too sharp, too bright for her tired eyes to process. Giving up, she closed them again. It must still be early she concluded and rolled onto her side, shifting under the bed covers, curling up for warmth. The room was cold, and her feet settled in an uncomfortably crisp part of the bed. The snow would be deep outside today. Silence reigned, broken only by the steady tick of the wall clock. With gradual realisation the previous days events crept slowly back into Miyuki's mind; the election ceremony, Shizuma dramatically eloping with Aoi-san, the embarrassment of facing the other student council members throughout the evening, the sinking feeling of guilt and regret that grew after each conversation and the marked absence of Tamao Suzumi that followed. Miyuki sighed. Abandoning the prospect of continued sleep under the heavy weight of her conscience, she opened her eyes, meaning to sit upright and stretch. "Good morning Miyuki." The words were spoken straight into her ear, the soft purr close enough for her to feel the breath on her skin. The upperclassman started. She had no idea someone had been in the room with her, let alone so close. Recognition sprung from the familiar voice, and Miyuki's heart jumped again. Eyes wide, she tried to turn to the speaker, only to find herself unable as a slender arm encircled her waist, pulling her back against the soft body behind. Perfume filled her nostrils as wisps of hair brushed the back of her neck. "Shizuma?" She felt the arm around her waist tighten as gentle fingers stroked dark hair from her face, tracing the back of her neck, toying with her ear ring. The response came almost as a whisper, leaving Miyuki wondering if she'd heard it at all. "Who else would it be Miyuki?" Warmth radiated from between the two girls, enveloping Miyuki as the sleepy haze had done only moments before. It was soothing, yet the student council president continued to face the wall, too worried to look at her companion. "What are you doing Shizuma?" Nervousness undercut her voice, and Miyuki bit her lip for letting it show. "You sound uneasy." The words came softly, but still telling and intrusive. The breath on her neck followed the steady rise and fall of the chest she was pressed to, the proximity welcoming, enticing. She was acutely aware of the cool fingers gliding over her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. Fear and arousal washed over her, the cocktail unnerving yet delicious. The former-Etoile was obviously playing with her, this was wrong; out of character considering the previous day's events. "This isn't you Shizuma. What about yesterday?" "What about yesterday?" The reply was followed by gentle kisses that travelled the curve of her shoulder, dipping into the arch of her back. The hairs on Miyuki's neck stood on end. Bewildered, she struggled to form a coherent reply, twisting but unable to move, trapped in Shizuma's embrace. Her roommate had rarely been this direct before, this physical. It was intoxicating. Miyuki hung her head, almost scared to speak, frightened that she was still dreaming and yet petrified that she was awake. "You left so suddenly with Aoi-san. I didn't get a chance to talk to you." "Left with?" Soft kisses followed one another, and then after a pause, "Miyuki, Aoi-san is Etoile now. I expect she was with Tamao all evening." Slender fingers pushed the bed cover further down the young woman's arm, exposing warm flesh to the cool air. The soft murmur continued, "And I am here with you dear Miyuki, just as I'm supposed to be." Miyuki's mind struggled to maintain focus, drowning in sensations and confusion, a yawning pit of longing threatened to consume her rationale entirely. "But, that's not what - " A finger brushed against her breast, and an involuntary gasp escaped her lips. "This is what you wanted isn't it?" Shizuma purred. Finger tips circled slowly, then sunk deeper beneath the covers, reaching, probing. "Isn't this what you hoped for?" Sensations overwhelming her, the entrapped sixth grader surrendered, closing her eyes and relaxing into the welcoming darkness behind them. "After all..." Her skin tingled with each touch, the room swayed. "...with Nagisa gone, what choice did I have?" Shizuma's tone had changed, a sharp edge to the words. Miyuki's heart leapt to her throat as finger nails suddenly dug deeply into her arm, the pain searing. Miyuki winced. "Shizuma?" The warmth was gone as Shizuma withdrew, pulling away. Cold air rushed across Miyuki's back and she opened her eyes, twisting to sit upright. In the poor light and her unfocused daze, she couldn't see the former-Etoile clearly. "Shizuma?" A rush of air passed her ear, the loud clap of a hand across flesh filled the room. Miyuki flinched as pain raced across her face. She moved to shield herself as another blow landed from the opposite side. Then another, and another. "Shizuma!" Miyuki screamed at the former-Etoile to stop, the sound ringing in her ears, yet drowned by the pain from the raining blows. The room swayed again, lurching unpleasantly before collapsing in on itself. Miyuki's world disappeared in disorientation. Sitting bolt upright, her heart pounding, Miyuki suddenly snapped into sharp reality. She sat alone in bed, sweating and naked amidst a disarray of soaked bed covers, her chest rising and falling as she gasped for breath. Focusing, she looked around. The silent room stared back at her, cold and uncaring. Unsettled, the young woman's shoulders sank. Gathering the covers up around her, Miyuki pulled her legs into her chest, curling into a ball before resting her head on her knees. Her breathing slowed, her dark hair falling across her face. The pit of her stomach twisted, a horrible feeling of stark loneliness and guilt washing over her. "Shizuma." Long moments passed, marked only by the thoughts training through Miyuki's head. Then, with a start she looked up at the clock. It was past nine. Panic hit her as she leapt from the bed and raced toward the bathroom. The Etoile hand-over tour. She was late... - - - - - Hikari woke to the smell of lavender and the rhythmic sound of water drumming on the dormitory's perspex shower door. Soft singing floated from the bathroom, whose door stood slightly ajar, Yaya Nanto's sublime voice carrying from within. "Yaya-chan?" Hikari sat up in bed as the sound of water came to a sudden stop, replaced by soft padding as Yaya moved around in the bathroom, rubbing herself down with a towel. The singing continued however, clearer than before. "Yaya-chan?" Hikari called. The singing stopped, and a grinning face poked round the door. "So you're awake finally huh?" Yaya grinned, her wet hair a mess of long black strands, water dripping from the ends. "And how is Etoile-sama this morning?" Hikari blushed, unaccustomed to her new title. She pulled her knees up under the covers and sat with her back to the wall. "Yaya-chan wasn't here when I returned last night?" Yaya finished drying herself down and emerged from the bathroom, a blue and green towel wrapped tightly around her lithe form, covering far less of her thighs than it probably should have. She grabbed another towel from the back of her chair and tipped her head forward, patting her cascading hair dry. She regarded her roommate at an angle amongst a flurry of onyx and fabric. "Why the look of concern?" Yaya grinned, "Was Etoile-sama out so late last night that returning to find our room still empty should also be concerning?" Hikari blushed as Yaya teased further, "Perhaps I should be more worried as to what our new Etoile got up to on her first night in office!" Yaya righted herself, and stood for a moment, towel hanging from one hand, the other resting on her hip. There was a healthy glow to her cheeks, and a shine in her eyes that had been missing of late. "I'm so proud of you Hikari." The blonde haired third year looked down at the bed clothes in humility, the praise unwanted. "You're Etoile! Representative of all three schools of Astrea Hill." Hikari's blue eyes peered back from beneath her straw coloured locks, "Amane-senpai won the election, not me. I'm just glad to have been by her side." Yaya scoffed, then continued to dry her hair. "One day you'll learn to be less modest Hikari. Amane-senpai wouldn't have gotten anywhere without your cute face." She paused, and then cocked her head in concern. "Aren't you supposed to be somewhere right now?" - - - - - Chiyo Tsukidate stood in the open doorway, eyes wide, horrified with the scene before her. Clinging for dear life to her trusty broom, she sighed with dismay as she took in the state of Nagisa and Tamao's dormitory; the unkempt beds, Nagisa's discarded red gown lying across one of them, Tamao's blue silk dress hanging over the back of the chair. The low table they used for late night tea parties was cluttered with knocked over tea cups, half eaten cookies and a pot of stone cold tea left unfinished in the middle. Towels lay slung across the floor, and Tamao's limited collection of makeup was strewn across the desk. What the girls had gotten up to the previous night was beyond her. And more importantly, they had all that fun without her! But Chiyo's train of thought stopped dead in its tracks; that couldn't be right. Given events at the Etoile election, she couldn't imagine either of the upperclassmen she room temp'ed for having had any fun at all the previous evening. Perhaps something awful happened; perhaps they had a row and that was why the room was such a mess. Chiyo's heart sunk, and she shook her head, tugging at the hem of her apron. She didn't like seeing Nagisa and Tamao fighting; she couldn't bare the sight of Nagisa's cute face with anything but a smile on it. The thought almost brought her to tears. She sniffed and shuffled her bucket to one side, closing the door behind her. Regardless of what had happened or why, she would have to get on or she'd miss lunch. And Nagisa was always happy at lunch. She'd hate to take that smile away by not having finished the room up for their return. 'That's it!' she thought, and with renewed energy jumped into her work, 'I'll make sure they come home to a beautiful room, and then they'll stop fighting and be happy again!' Beaming with the thought of fixing the world's problems for the two older girls, she hurriedly collected up the tea cups and headed toward the bathroom sink to wash them out. - - - - - "Good morning President Rokujo." Miyuki nodded her head in greeting as she hurried past some underclassmen on her way toward the student council rooms in Miator's imposing school building. Face flushed and hair still somewhat damp from rushing to get ready, Miyuki was not her usually well presented self this morning and the passing girls murmured in low voices as they glanced behind them to take a second look. The rumour mill would be rife this week. Miyuki's footsteps echoed loudly in the corridor, bouncing off the hardwood floor in their haste, her pace only becoming more measured as she approached the office itself. Stopping briefly to adjust her uniform and straighten her hair, Miyuki gathered herself before opening the double doors to the council chamber. As she entered, a cold draught hit her and paperwork jumped into the air, floating across the wide wooden table that dominated the room inside. The circle of red cushioned chairs sat empty, the room's occupants gathered before an open patio door at the other end of the room, watching the younger girls playing in the melting snow outside. Being the day after the Etoile election, classes were cancelled, and besides their various club activities, the girls were free for the day. Responding to the flying paper work, the two figures turned to greet Miyuki. "Good morning President Rokujo," Hitomi offfered. She stepped back from the patio door revealing the dark haired Mizhuo behind her. "You're too late." "Too late?" Miyuki closed the office doors behind her and the bustling patio curtains settled as the icy breeze was blocked. "Where are the Etoile?" Mizuho stooped to resuce the scattered papers from the floor and Hitomi pushed the patio door to, retaking her seat at the far end of the table. "They've already left. Shizuma arrived with Amane-san this morning, and when you failed to appear, she offered to take them around the Miator leg on your behalf." Hitomi settled into the chair, pushing her hair back before returning to a book which rested on the table before her. Without looking up, she added, "It made sense. After all, she had to show them the green house later anyway." Miyuki sighed and leaned on the high backed chair before her. "Shizuma was here?" Hitomi finished the sentence she was reading then glanced up from page, puzzled by Miyuki's tone. "Shouldn't she have been?" Mizuho stood up with the bundle of retrieved paper work, shuffling the sheets into a tidy pile on the table. She continued for her fellow council member, "She is the former-Etoile; she still has some duties to perform." Miyuki sensed the same hostility from the pair that she had the previous day, although much more guarded this morning. "I didn't expect her to come here, that's all." Hitomi looked back at her book. "Perhaps she takes her responsibilities more seriously than Rokujo-san gives her credit for." A wry smirk crossed Hitomi's lips, hidden from Miyuki by her fallen auburn bob. "After all, she was on time." Miyuki flounced as she turned and left, hurrying off to find the new Etoile. - - - - - Despite the snow and the chill wind outside, the midday sun warmed the green house as usual, the pungent scent of the many plants within filling the air. Even on the darkest, coldest of days the garden reminded Shizuma of summer. She sat at the high garden table, serving tea for Amane who sat with her, and Hikari who had disappeared somewhere amongst the collection of flora that filled the vaulted glass chamber. Comfortable in the sun, the pair discussed the morning's tour and the role the new Etoile now found themselves expected to fill. Shizuma gently replaced the china tea pot and handed Amane her refilled cup. Amane accepted it gratefully and gazed around before sipping the hot liquid gingerly. "I'm not sure I'm the type," she smiled wearily. "On top of everything else, it looks like so much work." Shizuma grinned, "I did warn you." The silver-haired sixth grader leaned back in her chair, her fingers idly tracing the white lattice work of the wrought iron table. A feeling of contentment filled her, and the grin became a fond smile. "As much of a chore as it becomes with time, I will miss this place." She tipped her head and swirled the lush red tea in its cup. "So many memories." Amane watched her, offering, "You're more than welcome to help when you wish." Shizuma smiled back, her green eyes sparkling in the light, "I would like that. But please, don't sacrifice your privacy on my part. There are few places the Etoile can go to escape the school's constant attention. This place is a sanctuary at times." Amane sighed. The lime light had never appealed, and the year ahead of her stretched under the strain of new responsibilities and added expectations. But before she could remark as much, Hikari's delightful voice chimed through the green house, "These are beautiful Shizuma-sama!" Amane's heart warmed, and the thought of the yawning term faded quickly. "Don't be so formal Hikari, I've told you before," the older girl called back. Hikari's head popped up from behind a wall of green leaves and multi-coloured flowers. She was holding a brown ceramic pot of particularly lively orange flowers. Her cheeks were glowing a similar colour, a spot of dark earth smeared across one side. "Yes Shizuma-sama." The tiny blonde head disappeared again, carried off by the excitement of exploring the astounding array of colours and scents. Shizuma chuckled. "You'll have to watch her Amane; she'll never attend classes again if you leave her alone in here too long." Amane smiled, one hand subconsciously moving to touch the soft yellow scarf tucked round her uniform collar. "Helloooo?" The two girls turned to face the holler. The call came from the green house door, and a cold breeze rustled the foliage. "Come in and shut the door my love," Shizuma called back, sitting up and straining to see the flash of red hair as it worked towards them between the rows of plants. "Nagisa-chan!" Hikari beamed and raced to greet her, the girls colliding in an embrace of black and white uniforms as Nagisa reached the others at the table. They hugged for a moment, before the younger girl released her friend from the tight squeeze. "Good afternoon Etoile," Nagisa chimed, grinning as she looked Hikari up and down. Nodding politely, she repeated the greeting to Amane. "Nagisa," Shizuma purred in her usual husky tone. Nagisa regarded her from under her red mop with telling eyes. "Good afternoon." She smiled and looked back at the closed green house door before hurrying round the table to leap into Shizuma's lap, throwing her arms around her girlfriend's neck. Hikari blushed and looked away as the pair kissed tenderly. Moments passed before Nagisa put the older girl down and turned back to face the others. Shizuma smiled. It had been a long, long time since she'd been able to act so freely without a chorus of gasps accompanying it. Hikari, still red in the cheeks, sidled over to the table to sit next to Amane, reaching gingerly to hold the long slender fingers resting on the patio table. Shizuma offered the young Miatorian a sip from her half-drunk cup of tea, which Nagisa accepted thirstily. For a moment, the four sat in silence, enjoying the sun and each other's company, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Nagisa returned the cup to its china plate, then ran her fingers through Shizuma's long silver hair before straightening the mess she'd made of the upperclassman's collar. "Did you talk to Miyuki?" she asked, brushing down the green neck tie. Shizuma responded flatly, "No, I couldn't face her last night and she didn't show up this morning." The former-Etoile glanced across the table in acknowledgement. "Amane-san very kindly let me stay in her room last night, to avoid unwanted confrontations." "Oh." Nagisa replied quietly. Then her expression picked up again as she continued, "I spoke to Tamao." Shizuma looked up at Nagisa. "You did?" "Uh huh," Nagisa replied, "I think she's okay." Hikari's face brightened, "Nagisa-chan and Tamao-chan are still friends?" Nagisa's brow furrowed, "I hope so. She was upset, but... I think she understands." Hikari looked relieved. "I'm so glad Nagisa-chan. I would have missed our tea parties." Nagisa grinned. An idea Shizuma had been toying with earlier sprang back to mind and she stroked Nagisa's auburn locks as she formulated her proposition. "Perhaps if the Etoile can drag themselves away from their new duties, they might join Nagisa and I at my vacation home this weekend..." She continued, "...by way of a break from their busy new lives maybe." She looked at the young girl sat on her lap fondly. "I'm sure the Sister would permit you both a night's grace to wind down." Amane looked across the table, inwardly pleased by the newly found companionship. She looked at Hikari and replied, "That would be our pleasure I'm sure." Hikari nodded eagerly and smiled, but Amane's face became vexed. "But I have Star Bride to attend to. And I can't miss a morning's practice." Shizuma laughed and flashed a grin at the blonde Spican sat opposite her. "Hear that Hikari; you're losing out to a horse." Pleasant laughter rippled throughout the green house, and then Shizuma returned to Amane, "Surely that damn animal can survive for a day without you. Aren't there stable hands that can deal with him, or is your school really that backwards?" Hikari was grinning and shot Amane a false look of rejection, her big blue eyes a deep ocean of theatrical innocence. "Amane-senpai..." She did all but flutter her eyelashes, which made Nagisa giggle to no end. Amane sighed and surrendered. "I guess so yes." Nagisa clapped her hands in delight as Shizuma grinned victoriously. "Good, then I'll speak to the Sister and arrange a driver for saturday morning. It will be nice to escape the preying eyes for a bit." Amane squeezed Hikari's hand and relaxed back into her chair. Despite the morning's bustle, things had gone well, and Shizuma's company had been nice; the understanding subtext and useful guidance appreciated. It seemed she was due to attain more from her new role than Shizuma had originally hinted. - - - - - Miyuki stood deathly still despite the cold wind taunting her, one hand resting on the freezing green house door handle as her black Miator uniform blew about her. Willing her hand to move, she struggled inwardly, unable to step forward whilst fighting the urge to turn and hurry back to the dormitories behind. Both sides of the battle were locked in stalemate. She dared to look up through the glass again. They were still there, the four of them. Happily gathered around the table chatting. She was still there. Miyuki looked back at the floor again, cursing the anxiety that gripped her. When did she become so weak? A moment passed, and then finally her will broke. There was no way she could face Shizuma, let alone with Nagisa there too. Turning, she ran for the shelter of the dormitories ahead of her and their secluding solace. - - - - - Chiyo was just finishing up as a flustered Tamao burst into the dorm. Surprised by the sight of the first year, she paused for a moment in the doorway, a flustered look on her face as she took in the scene. Chiyo had worked hard all morning; the messy beds, discarded clothes and dirty tea set were gone, replaced by the usual pristine cleanliness that she was used to. The little first year stood in the corner, broom in one hand, bucket in the other, her apron covered in damp washing up stains. "You've tidied up?" Tamao observed flatly. "Yes Tamao-sama," Chiyo replied in a tiny voice, unsure if the distressed fourth year was going to give her praise or shout at her. She looked up at Tamao and weakly offered, "Is Tamao-chan okay?" In an explosion of waving arms and fuming gestures, Tamao stomped back and forth across the room, ranting loudly as she did, "I wish everyone would stop asking me that! All day it's been, 'Are you okay Tamao-chan?' 'Can I help Tamao-chan?' 'I feel so sorry for you Tamao-chan.' Wasn't it so rude of Shizuma to run off with Nagisa the way she did, ruining the Etoile election for you! Like anyone knows anything about it anyway!" She flopped onto her bed, throwing her arms wide. "I wish they'd all just leave me alone." Staring at the ceiling, she lay there in protest having expunged her demons to a satisfying degree. Chiyo didn't know whether to stay silent or risk provoking another volley whilst bidding her leave. She put the bucket down, fiddled with her apron and opted for the former. Tamao sighed. "It's all Miyuki's fault. I never should have accepted her offer, and then none of this could have happened." Chiyo shuffled her feet a little, and Tamao looked up, realizing she'd made the younger girl feel awkward. She propped herself up with her elbows and apologised to Chiyo, "I'm sorry, I'm just stressed Chiyo-chan. You've done really well with the room." Chiyo beamed. "Thank you Tamao-sama." Chiyo came over to the bed and sat beside the fourth year. "Does Tamao think Nagisa-onee-sama will be happy to?" "I would imagine so yes." Tamao replied. "I'm sure she'll thank you too when she sees you." Then dismay washed over her as she remembered a favour she'd agreed to earlier. Sitting up she brushed her messy fringe from her eyes and asked, "Does Chiyo-chan want to go to a tea party tonight? I have some special cakes that were meant for yesterday; they need eating very soon." Chiyo smiled. "I would love to Tamao-sama. Who is going?" Tamao gestured widely, her sincerity not entirely its usual self. "Everyone of course. Yaya-chan is holding it in her room. Tsusbomi, Kagome, Remon, Kizuna, even Hikari will be there if she can get away!" Chiyo noted the exception and bleakly asked, "Is Nagisa-onee-sama not coming too?" Tamao's face sunk and she ran her hand over the bed cover, tracing the embodied pattern. "Perhaps." Chiyo smiled and gratefully accepted the offer, "Chiyo would love to come yes. It will be just like usual!" Tamao sighed and nodded, "Just like usual." - - - - - The atmosphere in the dining room that evening was surreal. For the first time since their successful election, the new Etoile gave grace before the meal. With everyone seated, Amane's commanding elegance silenced the room before Hikari spoke the words of the Lord's Prayer, her beautiful voice enchanting all within. The adoring eyes of the gathered students followed the pair wherever they went, the constant attention almost as stifling as the raised temperature. Murmurs and chatter layered over each other as the girls ate, glances and whispers passing up and down the surrounding tables. Controversially, the Etoile sat at the same table as Nagisa and Shizuma, the other in-vogue couple attracting almost as much attention as the election winners. Jealous eyes looked Nagisa up and down as the four chatted over their meal. Tamao, Chiyo, and the rest of the usual suspects were dispersed elsewhere as the traditional school-by-school seating dictated. The notable exception being Miyuki, whose absence went almost unnoticed by some, marked by others. Chiyo looked disappointed as she munched away beside Tamao, "Why isn't Nagisa-onee-sama eating with us?" Tamao failed to return a reply, instead concentrating on her own food and avoiding looking up from the plate. She was sullen, something obviously playing on her mind. Chikaru approached the head table where the Etoile sat, bidding the four girls a good evening. "Hikari-chan gave the evening prayer in excellent fashion," she offered. Hikari thanked her, trying not to let her embarrassment show having received a long lecture from Shizuma about relaxing in public. Instead she toyed with the ruby Etoile pendant that hung from her neck, trying to look settled and attentive. Chikaru smiled. "You both look radiant as Etoile, although I say that with no ill meaning to Shizuma-sama." Shizuma nodded, indicating none was taken. "I wasn't sure if we should expect you at dinner Shizuma, although it's very nice to see you here." Chikaru was playing detective as usual. Shizuma smiled, and shrugged. "It would be unfair not to offer my support to the new Etoile. After all, few understand their new burdens as well I do." Chikaru nodded. She looked across at Nagisa, the red head trying to avoid the Lulim President's prying gaze. Instead she sat back in her chair, head down, chasing crumbs around her plate with a fork. "And you look like you're practically glowing tonight Nagisa." Nagisa glanced upward, surprisingly off-cuff in her response. "It's amazing what a good night's beauty sleep can do." Chikaru smiled, the reply interestingly uncharacteristic. There was an air of confidence about the auburn haired upperclassman that hadn't been there days before. The difference was entertainingly distracting. "Has anyone seen President Miyuki this evening?" Chikaru asked, noting a change on Shizuma's face as the name was mentioned. Amane replied politely on everyone's behalf, "I don't think any of us have seen her since yesterday Chikaru-san." "Oh, I hope she's not unwell," Chikaru replied, "I would hate to see our first Council meeting cancelled. I look forward to helping the new Etoile plan the end of year celebrations." Tired of the fishing trip, Shizuma cut in, "I'm sure Hitomi or Mizuho can provide an excellent stand-in if necessary. There's no need to cancel anything on Miyuki's behalf." With that she excused herself and Nagisa, wishing everyone a pleasant evening, the usual hoard of eyes watching them leave. - - - - - It was late by the time the tea-party came to a close. With the cakes gone, the tea pot empty and heavy eyelids hinting that it was time the girls went to sleep, Kizuna, Remon and Kagome bid the others fair well, then tip-toed out into the hallway. Kagome waved everyone goodbye with Percival's paw and the three headed back to their appropriate dorms, commenting in dismay that neither Hikari nor Nagisa had managed to attend. As they made their made through the dark corridors, their whispered remarks also noted how off sorts Tamao had been, and how much happier Yaya seemed to be lately. After watching the three Lulim girls disappear into the darkness, Yaya tipped the dormitory door closed quietly and slipped into bed beside Tsubomi, wriggling under the covers until she was warm again. Tsubomi, Chiyo, and Tamao had opted to stay in Yaya's room that night, the four girls splitting between the two beds, Tsubomi loudly nominating herself to share with Yaya. After all, it was far too cold outside to be traipsing around in the freezing hallways like the air-headed Lilum contingent. Mumbled blessings of a good night's sleep did the rounds before Yaya killed the desk lamp and the room plunged into darkness. Curled up behind Chiyo, Tamao lay still, listening to muffled giggles and the odd squeak of bed springs from the other side of the room. After a while, the other two fell silent, and Tamao was left to her thoughts, hugging the first year in front of her for warmth as Chiyo snoozed peacefully. Waiting until she was certain she was the only one awake, she finally let herself relax, tears slowly welling in the corner of her eyes. - - - - - "Where are we going Nagisa?" Shizuma asked as the excitable fourth grader dragged her by the hand through the pitch black dormitory corridors. In the poor light and Nagisa's apparent haste, the former-Etoile had become lost several turns previously. "You'll see, now shush before you wake the entire floor up," Nagisa whispered back. The girls turned another corner and Nagisa slowed as she reached one of the tall wooden doors. "Isn't this is your room?" Shizuma asked as their location dawned on her. Nagisa had led her in almost a complete circle from the lower lounge. "Of course it is," Nagisa replied, as she unlocked the door and pulled Shizuma into the black room beyond, shutting it quietly behind them. Shizuma waited in the darkness as her eyes adjusted. "What about Tamao?" she asked, straining to see where Nagisa had gone. "She's not here," Nagisa replied from somewhere at the back of the room, the sound of the younger girl fumbling about in a draw following. "I told her you weren't yet speaking to Miyuki at lunch and she offered to stay with Yaya tonight after a tea party." More fumbling commenced, followed by, "Aha!" There was the sound of a match being struck, after which a small light in the back of the room fizzled to life. Gingerly, Nagisa lit several candles that had been waiting on her desk, a warm rich glow spreading throughout the room. "And she was okay with that?" Shizuma asked quizzically. "She seemed to be," Nagisa responded as she put the match out, turning to the older girl. "Besides, the idea of another night in that freezing attic really didn't appeal. I figured we could at least manage a bed this time." Shizuma laughed softly, "That I can understand." The pair looked at each other for a moment, neither sure what to say. In the back of her mind, Shizuma was left uncomfortable with Tamao's apparent gesture. Nagisa on the other hand was trying to bolster her newly found confidence. Shizuma noted the look on her face and grinned, the dominance between them returning to its rightful owner. "Not quite there yet are you my love." Nagisa blushed in self-awareness, looking away from Shizuma's burning emerald gaze. "I don't know what you mean," she said, an over the top tone attempting to cover her embarrassment. She shuffled uncomfortably, not knowing how to proceed but desperately wanting to all the same. Shizuma swept toward the younger girl and stroked Nagisa's arm with a gentle touch. She looked down at the fourth grader with increasingly playful eyes. "It'll come in time." She said, slowly circling the red head, a hungry gaze taking in every inch of the young woman before her. Nagisa felt goose bumps rise on her skin as the former-Etoile prowled behind her. Arousal washed over her in waves as her pupils dilated further in the candle light. "Something else for you to teach me I guess." Shizuma purred and slowly encircled the fourth grader's waist, her long fingers smoothing the black fabric of Nagisa's uniform against her skin. Nagisa continued, "As long as it doesn't involve being thrown into another swimming pool, I guess I'm easy." Shizuma grinned, letting her fingers glide over Nagisa's stomach and down towards her hem line. Nagisa tipped her head back, resting it on Shizuma's shoulder, fragrant silver hair enveloping her face. Closing her eyes, she lost herself in the sensation of Shizuma's slender fingers moving across her body. They stood there for a moment, Shizuma manipulating the fourth year like a child's toy. Frustration building, Nagisa tugged at the clasps on the back of her dress, pulling them free one by one. Letting the effort show in her voice, she continued, "Though if sensei doesn't mind, the finer points can wait until another evening. For tonight, this will have to do," and with that she pulled the last clasp free, her dress falling to the ground about her with a soft swish. Shizuma stepped backward, pacing around the flushed form in front of her, taking in the sight of the semi-naked red head. "That would be a great place to start yes." Giggling, and with an effortless shove, she pushed Nagisa backwards onto the bed behind her, a playful squeal audible as the former-Etoile followed. - - - - - Miyuki sat in the darkness, her crumpled uniform gathered about her as she leant against the cold plaster of the dormitory wall. A picture of the desperately lonely Shizuma she had scorned so many times in the past, the student council President sat on her bed in the unlit dormitory, eyes gazing in unfocused dismay, legs curled up underneath her. The blank look on her face betrayed the hollow feeling inside her, and she pondered the true depth of her sorrow, wondering just when her friendship with Shizuma had become something so much painfully more. When and why had she crossed the line that had led to this agony, and how had she missed it coming? She tipped her head back against the wall, the cool surface chilling against her skin, black hair falling across her face. Perhaps she hadn't missed it at all. Perhaps she'd just been living in the constant hope of recognition, waiting for her turn to come around. Waiting to be good enough again. But the reasoning was irrelevant regardless, since the rationale wouldn't take the pain away, and with grim determination she went back to her dutiful task. Staring back at the door, she waited with gut-wrenching longing for sound from the neighbouring Dormitory, and the knowledge that Shizuma had come home.
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