"The free sword competition," the announcer's voice loudly
declared, "the free sword competition with begin soon!"
"Juri," Wakaba murmured, the brown haired younger girl safe in
the gentle circle of Juri's comforting arms.
"Thank you," Juri said softly, finally letting her go.
Wakaba looked up at Juri, a bit startled, "For what?"
"I had a moment there," Juri said softly, "when she was winning.
Then I looked over and saw you, and it became easy."
"You're welcome," Wakaba blushed faintly, a smile on her face.
Juri hesitated, a blush appearing on her cheeks as the orange
haired duelist looked down into those eyes. "There's something I want to
tell you," she said softly, "will you meet me after the free sword
competition.."
Wakaba reached up, putting her finger on Juri's lips. She took a
deep breath, then with a smile said, "Juri, I think I love you."
"I was... I mean I was going to.." Juri stammered, then she
grinned, pulling Wakaba close to her once again, "I love you, too."
"Ahem," Miki cleared his throat uncomfortably. Juri gave the
blue haired boy a look and he shrugged, "Sorry, but we've got to get
ready."
"I'll see you later," Juri released her reluctantly.
"You'll win, Juri," Wakaba smiled as she walked back to her
seat, "see you!"
Shiori had the oddest look on her face, watching the two of them
together. Nanami looked at the violet haired girl, "Are you all right?"
A muscle in Shiori's jaw jumped as she clenched it hard. "No,
I'm not," she said to her softly. The look on Juri's face, the joy in
it, it was something she hadn't seen before. 'Wakaba makes her happy,'
Shiori admitted, 'happier than I ever did.'
"I'm sorry," Nanami said simply, her golden hair tied back in a
simple braid. Shiori looked at her in surprise, hearing the gentle
sincerity in her voice. Nanami smiled wryly at the look on Shiori's
face, "I know what it's like to love someone who doesn't love you."
Shiori hesitated, it was clear the girl wanted to say something
biting. Instead she simply said, "Yeah, I guess you do." She looked back
to where Juri and Wakaba were reluctantly parting and asked, "How do you
manage?"
"I'm not a very good example," Nanami admitted, "I lashed out at
anyone he dared care for." She paused thoughtfully, "I suppose I
eventually just had to let it go."
"It can't have been that easy," Shiori said softly.
"No, it wasn't," Nanami quietly acknowledged. "I still have some
feelings for him, but... it's not that obsessive love. I care for him,
but that's it."
"I suppose you don't give lessons?" Shiori asked half seriously.
"We'll see," Nanami gave her a slight smile.
"Wonder what they're talking about?" Miki asked, nodding to
where Shiori and Nanami had their heads close together, talking
intently. The two had slipped away to change out of the fencing gear to
their duelist's uniforms.
"Good question," Juri murmured, swinging her sword cautiously,
limbering up her arm. She looked up to see Touga and Saionji doing
similar preparations, both of the young men entirely focused on their
actions.
"You heard about how we're going to be doing these duels?" Miki
asked curiously, his own rapier humming as it cut through the air.
"Rose duels," Juri quietly agreed, "just like in the arena. I
wonder who made that suggestion, our acting chairman?"
"Wouldn't surprise me," Miki agreed. He frowned, his eyes
narrowing thoughtfully, "I do wonder why, though."
"If Utena does get defeated in the duels," Juri noted, "he needs
to know which of us could seriously challenge him. So, we fight here
among ourselves."
The referee walked over to the scoring board, where the order of
the free sword bouts was being set up. Miki would be fighting against
Juri first, then Saionji, and finally their student council president,
Touga himself.
"You know," Miki said hesitantly, "I am going to be going
against you all out, right?"
"I wouldn't expect anything else," Juri smiled at her friend,
"you know that. And I'm glad that you decided to compete, even with this
whole mess."
"Me, too," Miki gave her a salute with the blade he carried,
even as the referee called out a minute warning before the start of the
duels.
The announcer's voice came over the hall's speakers, "The
contestants will be doing a unusual form of dueling today. Each will
wear a rose in their breast pocket, and the winner will need to cut away
the loser's rose. A test of skill, these will be impressive matches."
Juri was a bit surprised to see Anthy there, holding the roses
dressed in her usual school girl's uniform. An orange rose was put into
Juri's pocket as the girl smiled, "Good luck, champion."
"Thank you," Juri smiled wryly.
Anthy strode over to Miki, placing a blue rose in his own
pocket. Instead of a circle a large square had been cleared, with posts
set up to define the edges of where they could do. It was a generous
territory to fight in, allowing the competitors room to move.
"Fighters, to your positions," the referee called. Juri and Miki
each took their place, gazing at each other intently. "Ready," the
referee paused a moment, "fight!"
The two fighters moved almost at the same time, swords coming
together with a ring of metal on metal. Swords slipped along the length
of the blades as Miki tried to slip under her guard, but Juri quickly
countered that. There were broad smiles on each face, both clearly
enjoying the competition as they fought for minutes.
Later on Juri couldn't really explain what she saw, the opening
that she used to win the match. Maybe it was because of how well she
knew Miki, maybe it was something else. All she knew was that her sword
moved, slipping by the boy's guard to send the petals of a blue rose
blowing away on a gentle breeze.
"Arisugawa wins!" the referee declared excitedly.
Miki stood there, a stunned look on his face, then he grinned.
"Congratulations, sempai," he beamed, offering his hand.
"Thanks, I..." Juri started, only to be hit by a flying glomp.
"Juri!" Wakaba squealed, "That was incredible!"
"Five minute break between matches," the referee called, "Five
minutes."
"That doesn't give you much time to regain your strength," Miki
frowned.
"It doesn't matter," Juri smiled as she looked down at the
beaming Wakaba, "with you cheering me on I can't loose."
Wakaba laughed softly, tightening her arms around Juri's neck.
"I could stay like this forever," she sighed happily.
"Me, too," Juri agreed. "But I've still got two matches to go
before I can rest," she said softly.
"I'll be waiting," Wakaba slipped free, walking back to her seat
by Utena and Anthy.
Miki looked a bit surprised, looking at the group sitting there.
"Is it me," he mused as they walked towards a bench to sit, "or does
Shiori look happy you won?"
Juri looked towards there and nodded slightly. "I guess anything
is possible," she admitted.
"What do you think Saionji will do?' Miki asked as they sat
down.
The green haired duelist was limbering up, performing generous
swings with his katana. "Power and speed," Juri noted, "but I've got
something better."
"What?" Miki blinked.
"I'm going to avenge my girlfriend's honor," Juri smiled
nastily, "I'm going to make Saionji regret ever hurting her feelings."
"He's doomed," Miki agreed.
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