Utena and Anthy walked together to their morning classes. The sun was shining down on another beautiful day at Ohtori. "Utena-sama," Anthy started, smiling shyly at her, "I just wanted to say how much I..." "Good morning, Utena-sama," the crowd of giggling girls said as they looked Utena over admiringly. "Hello," Utena waved back cheerfully, ignoring the girl's hungry gazes. She turned to Anthy, "I'm sorry, what was that?" Anthy just sighed. "Never mind, Utena-sama. It wasn't anything important." Before Anthy could try to say anything else, Juri and Nanami joined them. Nanami was smirking slightly, as Juri stepped up beside Utena. "Good morning, Utena-sama. You look terrific as usual." Juri said charmingly. Utena sweatdropped. "Thank you," she said quietly. Nanami smiled as she noticed Anthy staring daggers at Juri. Juri checked her watch, apologized, and headed for her classes. Nanami just shook her head as Utena and Anthy walked off. 'How can Utena be so blind?' Nanami asked herself. 'Anthy certainly has it bad for her.' ------------------------------------------------------------ Nanami walked in the gardens later that day, enjoying the sun and the warm breeze. She smiled a bit, as she recognized a friend of hers. "Hi, Shiori," she said. The pretty young woman was sitting on a bench, looking down. "Hey, Nanami." Shiori sighed sadly. "Grab a seat." "What's wrong?" Nanami asked, sitting down by Shiori. "I just can't get her to notice me!" Shiori ranted, echoing what Juri had said earlier. Nanami sweatdropped. "Not Tenjou Utena, I hope?" she said dubiously. Shiori looked at her quizzically. "No, Juri," she said. "It's driving me nuts!" she complained. Nanami smiled, a small, devious smile that struck fear in the hearts of teachers and authority figures everywhere. "I have an idea," she said, and leaned over to whisper in Shiori's ear. Shiori's eyes got wider and wider as she listened. "No way," Shiori said frowning. "I'm not sure how that would help, she'd still be hung up on..." "Then you..." and Nanami continued whispering. Shiori got a thoughtful look on her face. "You know, it just might work," Shiori said. With a broad smile, she gave Nanami a hug. ------------------------------------------------------------ Behind a nearby tree, Juri watched the two of them talk. She was too far away to hear what was said; she didn't even know why she had concealed herself. She saw them sitting close together, then Nanami leaned beside Shiori and began whispering in her ear. Juri may not have been able to hear them, but she could imagine what Nanami might be saying. Juri frowned as she felt a pang of jealousy. 'Why shouldn't Shiori have someone?' she wondered. 'Why does it bother me, seeing Shiori with Nanami?' Distracted, it took Juri a moment to realize they had gotten up and were quickly walking towards her. 'What do I do?!' she thought frantically. Desperate, Juri grabbed a low branch and as quietly as possible climbed up the tree and out of sight. They passed beneath her still talking. Juri finally relaxed a bit once they were out of sight. "Whew, that was close," Juri said softly. She suddenly lost her grip on the branch and clattered to the ground, "Owe!" ------------------------------------------------------------ Anthy looked over at Utena across the dining room table. They were alone there, the only residents of the newly reopened hall, and Anthy knew now was the time to tell her. She got up and poured more tea for Utena, and smiled at her warmly. "Is everything all right, Utena-sama?" Anthy asked. They sat across from each other, candles lit and a fine meal laid before them. "It's wonderful, Anthy." Utena said, smiling broadly. "I don't think I've ever ate as well as I have in the last few weeks." "Thank you," Anthy said with a smile. She chuckled a bit, adding "Even the first week when I burned everything?" Utena laughed, smiling. "Compared to my cooking, it was great!" Anthy joined her in laughter, looking across the table at the oh so beautiful girl there. 'Now is the time,' she thought. "Utena, I want to tell you something. Over the last month, you have shown me such kindness and caring." Utena blushed brightly at that, but Anthy carried on, "I have never known such care, and I wanted to tell you that I think I lo..." The overhead lights came on and Miki bounded into the room. "Hey, dinner! Mind if I join you?" he asked cheerfully. Anthy shot him a glare that would have killed a more sensitive man. "What?" he asked. Anthy just sighed.
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