Shizuru Fujino sat at the front of a Fuuka Academy classroom enjoying a warm cup of tea. The only other person of the room was Akane Higurashi, who had arrived to class early that morning. The Student President curiously watched as the ponytailed girl stewed to herself at her desk over some unknown topic, and she couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor girl. She placed her cup on the desk in front of her before quietly approaching Akane's side. She spoke in a nurturing voice when she reached her destination.

"What's wrong, Akane?"

Akane never lifted her hanging head when she replied. Her brown eyes seemed to be obsessing over a small scratch on her school desk.

"I... it's nothing, Shizuru."

The wiser Fuuka student closed her eyes in thought. She hated to pry, but she felt Akane would fall into even worse shape if she continued to bottle up her emotions. In many ways, Shizuru saw Akane as being the exact opposite of herself. Akane was always quiet and shy, while she was school's sociable role model. Akane always seemed to be by herself, while she practically had the entire academy following her. Furthermore, in the secret secondary lives the two girls shared, Akane appeared brash and inexperienced in combat, while she fought with the skill of a reserved and noble warrior. Shizuru found Akane's simplicity to be rather cute, and she felt compelled to give the despairing girl the support she needed. When she opened her eyes again, Shizuru questioned Akane in the same calm voice as before.

"Did something happen with that boy you were interested in?"

This inquiry struck an obvious chord for Akane. Her shoulders began to shiver slightly, and she leaned forward to lower her head further. She soon slammed the bottom of her fist against the desk, and tiny sobs flooded her words when she finally replied.

"I'm such a moron! I... I was just about to tell Kazuya how I felt about him yesterday, but then I saw he's already going out with someone else! I should have had the courage to tell him earlier!"

Shizuru frowned when she understood the source of Akane's troubles. She leaned forward so she could be level with Akane, then carefully placed her hand under the sorrowful brunette's chin to lift her head, bringing her watery eyes to Shizuru's compassionate gaze. Akane halted her sobs and blinked when she saw Shizuru offer her a comforting smile. The older girl then spoke to her again.

"Don't worry, Akane. This will pass, and you'll only become a stronger person. You won't make the same mistake next time."

Akane's light brown eyes peered to the side in doubt. Her sobs returned to her voice, albeit weaker than they were before.

"What 'next time'? Hardly anyone in this school notices me."

Shizuru tilted her head as she chuckled playfully.

"Oh? I think you have at least a few other admirers..."

When Akane's eyes returned to Shizuru, they sparkled with a tiny hint curiosity. Akane now questioned her supporter with hope in her voice.

"Like who?"

With this, Shizuru leaned further so her lips became dangerously close to Akane's. When she saw the younger girl make no resistance, she closed the tiny gap between them and gave Akane a soft kiss. Akane's eyes initially widened with shock, but then slowly closed as she relaxed into the embrace.

Shizuru now lightly tapped her tongue against Akane's mouth, politely asking to be let in. Akane opened the door after a second of hesitation, and Shizuru soon felt her new love's tongue timidly poke against her own. When the two young women broke apart, Akane was blushing deeply and there were small droplets of happiness in the corners of her eyes.

"Shizuru, I... I didn't know you felt that way about me..."

Akane's sorrow had almost faded away entirely. She didn't care the older girl's actions had been somewhat impulsive, as Shizuru had given her just the companion she needed at this point in her life. There was only one problem.

"But... don't you think this is kind of... weird? We're both girls..."

Shizuru quickly closed her eyes and shook her head at Akane's hushed words. She answered with a natural tone of leadership in her voice.

"What difference does that make? Love should be allowed to take any form it wants."

Delight filled Akane's face, and she soon nodded in agreement. Shizuru rested a hand on her shoulder before offering her further support.

"Now, don't go on saying no one cares about you, okay?"

Having returned to her usual cheerful self, Akane replied with youthful energy in her voice.

"Right!"

Shizuru grinned before speaking again.

"Good. Let's support each other from now on. Any time you have another problem, come right to me. I'll even help you..."

Her hand moved from Akane's shoulder to the back of her orange uniform. Shizuru's fingers moved in a slow circular motion, tracing around the hidden birthmark near Akane's left shoulder blade.

"...fight some of those Orphans."

Akane gasped quietly at Shizuru's actions. She quickly looked down to bury her face in shame again.

"Shi... Shizuru, you know about me?"

Shizuru supplied a simple, quiet nod before responding.

"Of course. It's my job to keep an eye on all of the students."

Akane's voice wavered when she questioned the Class President again.

"And you're a HiME too?"

This was followed by a similar nod from Shizuru. Akane lifted her head again before quietly begging.

"Pl-... please don't tell anyone about me. If anyone found out I was..."

Shizuru politely interrupted her words with another warm smile.

"I understand, Akane. It'll be our little secret."

Joy quickly returned to the shy girl's face. The two students then spent the next several minutes chatting about the current events in their lives.