c2: I do not own Strawberry Panic. Enjoy!

A Winter Story

Chapter 1

Missing You

It was early afternoon. Nagisa was on her way out of her homeroom class with Tamao after taking their last exam for the term. She was glad to get it over with after burning the midnight oil for 2 straight weeks. The girl has no problem getting a passing score on any subjects but she needs to ace all of her test if she wants to attend a good school in Tokyo to be with her girlfriend. She envies her best friend during this time because unlike her, Tamao doesn't need to study to maintain good grades and remain on top of their class. Even so, ever since they were young the blunette would always spend a few nights at the redhead's house during the final exam week to help her study. And thanks to her, Nagisa might just be able to get into a good school next year. It will be Christmas in a few days and her best friend was happily thinking of their plans for the winter holidays.

"Hey Tamao-chan, thanks for studying with me this past week." the red head said shyly. "I wouldn't be able to do it without you."

"It's no problem. I always look forward for the exam week since that is the only time where I can spend a few nights and cuddle with you during bedtime." Tamao winked and clung to her best friend's arms making the latter blush.

"Hey people might get the wrong idea you know." the redhead whispered in protest before looking around to see if someone had heard the blunette.

"Oh let them. They're just jealous of our relationship." She is so cute when she gets embarrass. I bet Shizuma will kill me if she heard what I just said earlier. Hehe.

"Tamao-chan, are you okay?" the redhead was looking at her friend who was chuckling by herself.

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine." I need to control this obsessions, I'm engaged for god's sake. "Anyway, are you excited to go to Tokyo with me for winter break?"

"Oh, actually I don't think I can go Tamao." the redhead said with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"What! Why!? Didn't we promise to go to Tokyo together to surprise your girlfriend? Wait! Are your parents coming to visit and spend the holidays with you?"

"I do, but Shizuma is going to be busy for the holidays so I don't want to be a bother to her. And no, my parents are not coming to see me at least not until early next year."

"But doesn't your grandmother have a reunion that she has to attend to during the holidays? You're not planning to stay home all by yourself during the break are you?"

"Yup she does! I'm actually planning to stay here and maybe look for a part time job to save money for my future college expenses." the redhead smiled.

"Why are you worrying about that? Your parents obviously have something save up for you. Besides, your best friend here will not leave you on the streets when or if that time comes." Tamao said in a serious tone. She paused for a minute "Hmmm… It's settled then. You are spending the break with me and Miyuki!"

"Wait! What!? Since when did we decide on this? I don't want to be a third wheel Tamao. I will be okay so please, don't worry about me." Nagisa protested as she tried to convince her best friend.

"Since a few seconds ago." the blunette smiled. "You will be spending the holidays with me since I'm betting Miyuki is going to be in the same boat as Shizuma-sama for the entire duration of the holidays. Make sure your clothes are packed and are ready to go tomorrow morning when I pick you up. And don't worry I will get your grandmother's permission by tonight." Tamao said with certainty in her eyes.

"But..." Her best friend can be pushy sometimes but she knows that Tamao is just worried about leaving her all by herself especially during the holidays.

"Anyway now that that has been taken care of, how about we go on a detour and eat at your favorite local sweet shop?" the blunette suggested knowing that her best friend will not be able to protest any longer as long as she bribes her with sweets.

"Now that's a very good idea!" Nagisa squealed before dragging her best friend along with her.

"Hey slow down, it's not going anywhere you know!"

It's been four months since the summer break and a lot has already happened. Shizuma was done with her exams several days ago. She was thinking of going back to Okinawa for the holidays to visit her redhead since this will be their first holiday as a couple. But her father decided to drop the bomb on her when he told her that she needs to stay behind and work during the holidays. As a future successor of the Hanazono Corporation, it is important that she attend several holiday parties which are going to be sponsored by their company and business partners. This is because she is being slowly introduced to their employees and the public to make the transition run smoother.

Besides office work she is also being constantly harassed by Kaori, who until now has not given up on her, much to her dissatisfaction. For some reason the young girl and her family is still insisting the she accept the engagement proposal. It's not like she still hates her ex-girlfriend but after what happened in Okinawa she can't help but think that she is just being used by the Sakuragi's to get fame and money. Her father Ryu who is the current CEO of their company is being pressured by board members and is pleading for her to play along with Kaori for a little longer, much to her objections, for the sake of maintaining the image and the current share value of their own company holdings. Declining the offer in public will make both the Hanazono and the Sakuragi's stock holdings plummet down since everyone is expecting a merger between the two. Even her mother Yuu had made it perfectly clear to her to hide the fact from the public that she is seeing Nagisa to keep the latter safe and out of the Sakuragi's radar.

She was glad that her girlfriend is very understanding when it comes to this matter and is taking everything quite well compared to her. But Shizuma is not in the mood lately because all she thinks about is her strawberry head who she greatly missed. This is the first time that she is involved in a long distance relationship. They have been dating for four months now which is considered a pretty long time for a Casanova like her who is known to date girls left and right. She is starting to get really stressed out with all the things that are piled up on her plate right now. She and her mother were eating breakfast in the dining room when she finally decided to take the opportunity to break her silence.

"Mother, is there a way I could take a break from work and spend the holidays with Nagisa in Okinawa? I really want to spend our first holiday together as a couple."

"Shizuma, you know that you have an obligation to attend those company parties right? You are free to go whenever you like but just not during Christmas holidays."

"They're just parties, besides office work can wait when I get back. Can't someone just go on my behalf to represent me?" Shizuma started reasoning with her mother.

"No! This is very important since it is the busiest time of the year for our company and it is when the presence of the owner is the most important. Your face needs to be seen as the next successor of the Hanazono Corporation. And the end of term reports needs to be signed before the New Year starts."

"Aarrghh! But I need a break from all these things. I wanted to see her so bad! And this is one of the few times where I can spend some quality time with her. Is there no other way?"

"I know you do. Let me see what I can do. But for now don't even try to sneak out on us like what you did during summer vacation!" Yuu looked at her daughter in suspicion.

"Goodness! Mother I know that you and Father have requested someone to keep an eye on me. How could I sneak out if I'm being followed by your people?"

"It's not that we don't trust you but time has changed and it is very important that you don't do anything out of spontaneity or you will jeopardize both you and your girlfriend's future if we have a repeat of what happened last time."

"Why do I feel like I'm being punished for being a Hanazono!?" the silver-haired girl threw her hands in defeat.

"Stop complaining! Now hurry up and finish your breakfast. You still have a business meeting to attend to. I need to go check on the caterers for the party so I will see you later, Okay?" Yuu left and went straight to her car. As soon as her driver started driving she took her phone and started fiddling with it until she saw Rokujo Miyuki's phone number.

Shizuma had just finished attending her last meeting for the day and was at her office reviewing the documents that need to be signed. She had been working on them for two hours but she is still not able to finish it. Arrgh! There is no end to this, is there? I think it's best to take a break. I wonder what Nagisa is doing right now? The silver head smiled as she think about her lover. I really miss her. She took her cellphone from her bag and started staring at the picture on the screen. It was one of the pictures that she took on her phone when she stole a kiss from the redhead. At that time the girl was busy fixing a broken motor when Shizuma decided to snuck up on her. The startled looking Nagisa had her crimson eyes wide open with a smudge of grease on her forehead while Shizuma was grinning mischievously beside her. She looks so cute. I wonder what I would do to her if I have her in my arms right now. The beautiful girl was busy imagining romantic thoughts about her girlfriend when she suddenly heard her office intercom beep bringing her out from her reminiscing state.

"Yes, Leah?" She answered after pressing a button.

"Hanazono-san, Sakuragi-san is on the phone for you. Would you like me to transfer the call to your office?

What the hell does she want now? "Tell her I'm busy and that I will call her back later." Shizuma was trying to mask her irritation.

"Yes Ma'am. Oh, please don't forget your lunch meeting with Rokujo-san." her secretary reminded.

"Okay, thanks Leah." Shit! I need to get going or Miyuki will definitely nag on me if I am late.

Shizuma grab her coat and her bag and quickly stepped out of her office. Every time she walks outside everyone in the office would stare at her and would follow her with their eyes. Who wouldn't with her business suit that completely wraps her tall perfect figure and alluring aristocratic aura? Her long silver hair locks greatly complements her smoky tantalizing olive green eyes, and the fact that she is a Hanazono is always a bonus. Sometimes she would go out of her way just to flirt and go on occasional lunch dates with the girls that come her way. After all, old habits die hard and beautiful girls are indeed her weakness. But nobody would believe her if she says that she had never slept with any of them. It never bothers her before when she used to sleep around with different girls all at the same time but now that she has Nagisa she just can't bring herself down into breaking the young girl's heart. The redhead just like Kaori was different from all the other girls that she has been with. Those are the only two girls that she ever took seriously and never cheated on. That is her guarded secret that only her best friend Miyuki knows about.

Miyuki was already in the restaurant sitting in a booth reserved for both of them and was looking at the menu when Shizuma who was guided by a young cute hostess arrived.

"Hey there beautiful are you waiting for your boyfriend?" the silver-haired goddess teased.

"No I'm actually waiting for my gorgeous girlfriend." Miyuki quickly retorted before winking at her best friend.

The hostess waited for Shizuma to sit down and gently handed her the menu. "Ma'am your server will be right with you." the girl said shyly. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Leaving so soon cutie? We are just starting to get warmed up here." Shizuma said seductively while smiling at the hostess who was blushing due to her advances.

Miyuki noticed that the hostess is starting to fall from her best friend's antiques so she decided to take control of the situation. She took one of her best friend's hands to get her attention. "Shizuma, you're not planning to cheat on me now are you?" giving the young girl the opportunity to leave.

"You're in a good mood today Miyuki."

"And your being your usual teasing self today." Miyuki joked making her best friend chuckled.

"Have you been waiting long? I have too much paperwork sitting on my desk so I kind of lose track of time."

"No, I just got here myself from a boring meeting." The two ordered their drinks and meals and decided to continue their conversation.

"Doesn't working remind you of Miator?"

"Yeah it does. Except for the part where I need to lecture a certain Etoile." the blunette said in a matter of fact tone.

"Hey I was busy tending on other things you know! Anyway, how are things in your end? Any plans for the holidays?"

"I wish! I need to stay here for the holidays to represent the Rokujo's. Although Tamao is coming over and will actually be arriving this afternoon." the blunette said excitedly.

"That's why you are in a good mood today! I really wish that I can spend more time with Nagisa. If I bring her here my parents will definitely freak out since the Sakuragi's are still pushing the engagement proposal. If I could just officially decline their proposal in public, imagine how easier that would be."

"You can't Shizuma; it's not as easy as before where you could just throw away everything just to be with the person that you love just like when you were fighting for Kaori. This time you have the whole future of the Hanazono holdings and its employees to think about. Imagine how many people will lose their jobs if the company plummets down."

"Don't you think I don't know that? Why do you think I'm here in Tokyo letting the Sakuragi's and my parents control my life?" Shizuma said in annoyance.

Miyuki chuckled "You have really matured Shizuma, do you know that? I just can't believe that the Sakuragi's are using you for their benefit. Do you think Kaori was lying when she said that she still has feelings for you?"

"After the stunt that she pulled in Okinawa, I don't know what to believe in. Besides it doesn't matter since I don't love her anymore."

Miyuki knew that her friend is starting to get really annoyed so she decided to change the topic.

"By the way, I heard from Tamao that Nagisa is planning to work part-time for the holidays."

"Yeah. Since I told her that I might not be able to see her due to work. Anyway, I need to find a way to see her soon cause I'm about to go crazy with all this stress."

It doesn't look like she knows that Tamao will be bringing her best friend here in Tokyo. I'm pretty sure Shizuma will freak out if she hears that piece of information."Oh no, that's not good Shizuma." the blunette gasped. "I remembered you taking advantage of me for several nights the last time you were sexually deprived."

"Shut up Miyuki! Stop exaggerating things. Besides it's not as if I was the only one who enjoyed those nights either." the platinum haired girl smirked.