Swarms of cherry blossoms blew through the air in Fuuka Academy's sunny garden. Near the courtyard's gazebo, Shizuru and Natsuki stood face-to-face in their respective Fuuka uniforms holding a private conversation.

"Shizuru..."

Shizuru softly responded to Natsuki in a joyful tone.

"Yes, Natsuki?"

Natsuki turned her head away slightly when she spoke again.

"The way you feel about me... It's not going to work out."

Shizuru's expression quickly turned to one of despair. When she spoke again, there was an eerie coldness growing in her voice.

"If that's how you feel, Natsuki, I'll just have to make you mi-..."

Natsuki turned to face the brown-haired girl again. She raised her fingertips to Shizuru's lips to interrupt her words before speaking.

"And if, for whatever reason, you feel compelled go on a killing spree over this, don't. I'll hold nothing but hatred for you for the rest of my life if you randomly go off and start murdering in my name."

When Natsuki lowered her hand, Shizuru questioned her in sad concern.

"But Natsuki, how will I be able to show you how much I love you?"

Natsuki sighed and peered downward to think to herself for a moment. When her eyes returned to Shizuru, she began speaking again.

"Do you remember that story you told me about how peoples' lives are represented by flowers?"

Shizuru's lips curled into a smile at this question, and cheerfulness returned to her voice.

"Of course, Natsuki! How can I ever forget? Each flower should be appreciated because it spends its short life trying its hardest to bloom."

When Shizuru finished reciting this moral, Natsuki continued to question her.

"Now think about your own words for a minute. Each time you kill someone, you'll be stomping all over the hopes and dreams of one of your precious flowers. Pretty hypocritical, isn't it?"

Shizuru briefly turned her head away in shame. There was now an obvious air of doubt in her speech.

"I... never really thought about it that way, Natsuki..."

She glanced back toward the blue-haired object of her affection before speaking again in worry.

"But what if Nagi were to tell me I must do it, to protect you?"

Natsuki's right eyebrow raised slightly at this inquiry.

"Nagi? Really, Shizuru? Why would you ever listen to anything that psychotic slimeball tells you to do?"

Shizuru raised a hand to her chin in thought.

"I... suppose that's a valid point."

As Shizuru continued to contemplate her feelings for the girl standing in front of her, Natsuki spoke again.

"One last thing. If you ever feel the need to take advantage of me in my sleep, please keep your libido in check. If you honestly think that's how love works, and you think it will make me love you in return, you'd only be acting like a spoiled, immature brat."

Shizuru lowered her head to hide the vibrant blush she now sported.

"Oh..."

Natsuki frowned slightly when she realized the emotional harm all of her words must have been bringing Shizuru. She expressed her concern after warmly placing one of her hands on the Class President's shoulder.

"Shizuru, I don't want to break your heart, but this will just never work. Will you be okay?"

After a short pause, Shizuru raised her head again to make eye contact with Natsuki. There was a gentle sadness in her response.

"Well, I'm a little disappointed..."

Her lips then curled into a serene smile, and cheerfulness was restored in her voice.

"But as long as you're happy, Natsuki, I think I'll manage. We're still friends, right?"

Natsuki tilted her head slightly and smiled in return before responding.

"Of course, Shizuru."

When the two enlightened young women peacefully parted ways that day, a great disaster was averted. Oh, and Akane and Kazuya were noisily making out on a bench a few feet away the entire time.