A/N: This story is set in the same AU as Hiromi, but focuses more on the other characters (and new OCs), especially Yumi. As a reminder, this follows the plot line of First Loves: Vol 2.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of MSGM. All such honors belong to Oyuki Konno. I will claim, for better or worse, my own characters and the plot line.
Hiromi set the teacups out on the cloth covered table of the meeting room at the Rose Mansion. Nana Arima, the new Rosa Foetida en Bouton on only her first day of high school, followed behind him with the teaspoons and setting out the sugar and honey while the water was heating for today's tea. He had found a wonderful First Flush Darjeeling at a small shop in Musashino the other day that had a light, fruity flavor and a mild aroma that he was sure the Roses would enjoy. It was the first official meeting of the school year for the Yamayurikai of Lillian Girl's Academy. They had a relatively short agenda today centering primarily on the Maria Ceremony that was to be held in two weeks.
Since the schools clubs were having their own first meetings today the Yamayurikai was expecting the club budget requests to start filtering in tomorrow morning. Tsutako Takeshima, the new president of the Photography Club had already given him hers (it paid to be the girlfriend of an assistant for the school's student council) and he had already passed it on to the Rosa Chinensis, Yumi Fukuzawa, for her review. He had also passed on to her the proposed budget for the Kyudo Club that had actually been worked up before the end of the previous term. He supposed the new president of Lillian's archery club also thought it was a good idea to have an assistant for the school's council in her club.
"Nana-chan, has Yoshino-san said anything about the Kendo Club's budget yet?" Hiromi asked the black haired girl.
"Not yet Hiromi-sama," she said turning her deep hazel eyes towards him, "she said that she wanted to see how many new members we could potentially expect from the rest of the first-year students. She says that she may not be the president of the club, but she feels it is her duty to Rei-sama to watch over things and make sure that her opinions are properly voiced."
Hiromi laughed, "One thing that Yoshino-san has never been reluctant to voice are her opinions, and I believe that more than one person has called her 'opinionated'."
Nana joined in the merriment easily, "I believe the exact words Rei-sama used were 'like a bull in a china shop', but I like that about her. She has never had any problems speaking her mind. Oh, she may let her mouth start moving before her brain kicks in sometimes – her promise to Eriko-sama to introduce her to her new petite soeur last year comes easily to mind – but her heart is always in the right place."
"You do not seem to have any problems in that arena yourself Nana-chan," he chuckled, "You and Yoshino-san suit each other very well. Even though Rei-sama couldn't rein in her feistiness, I believe that you might actually be able to achieve some small success."
"Why ever would I want to do something like that," she asked with a giggle, "it is that very feistiness that is so entertaining at times."
"I am ever so happy that I can entertain my brand new petite soeur," said the object of their discussion from the now open doorway, her long, dark brown braids swinging as she shook her head in feigned exasperation, "you know it is not polite to talk about someone behind their backs."
"Nana-chan," Hiromi asked the smiling young girl, "exactly how long has Yoshino-san been standing in the doorway?"
"Approximately fifty-five seconds, Hiromi-sama," she responded promptly as she poured out a cup of tea for her onee-sama.
"So Yoshino-san, since she was fully aware of your presence and the exact time of your arrival, you can hardly say that Nana-chan was speaking about you behind your back. In fact, I believe that you could say that it was she that was providing the entertainment for your benefit," he laughed.
"Oh, shut up Hiromi-kun," Yoshino grouched as she stomped into the room, her fun ended.
"'Kun', so I was right," Nana quipped with a small, triumphant smile just as Yoshino muttered a quiet Oh, shit.
"Yes, 'kun' Nana-chan. I assume you have no problems with that?" Hiromi asked with a grin. He had already planned on telling her and he was fairly certain that she had already figured it out on her own even in just the few times they had met. It therefore came as no surprise that she didn't react more than she had. She was probably the most 'together' girl he had ever met. Even at her young age she had a self assurance that most adults would envy. She actually reminded him a lot of Eriko-sama in that way.
"None at all," she answered him as she continued to pour out two more cups of tea and they settled in chairs opposite each other. "I would love to hear the story of why a guy is cross-dressing as a Catholic school girl at some point if you would be willing to tell me, but if onee-sama doesn't have any issues with it, then I don't see why I should. I mean, you two are in the same class this year, so it will be onee-sama that will have to change clothes with you for PE, not me," she finished with a fiendish grin behind her teacup as she snuck a glance at her grande soeur.
"What!" Yoshino squawked as it finally occurred to her that Hiromi would be seeing her in her underwear.
"Oh you wicked little girl! I knew I was going to like you," Hiromi laughed as Yoshino continued to stammer and sputter. "Consider it penance for blowing my cover Yoshino-san," he giggled at her, "however, I assure you that I have seen bigger and better than you in my days." That comment got Nana laughing so hard she had to set her tea down for fear of spilling.
"In all seriousness Yoshino-san, ask Yumi-san, Shimako-san, and Tsutako-san. All three were in my class last year and had no issues with it."
"No issues with what?" Yumi asked as she, Shimako, and Noriko entered the room.
"Changing clothes in front of a guy, Rosa Chinensis," Nana answered for him as she got up to pour more tea for the new arrivals.
"Oh, has the cat already been let out of the bag?" Yumi asked in a nonchalant manner as she took her place at the head of the table.
"Onee-sama 'inadvertently' confirmed the suspicions that I already had," Nana responded with a smirk.
"Yoshino, you know you are going to have to do better than that," Shimako chided her fellow rose. "It is only the first day of the new term. If Hiromi-san can remember to use 'watashi' how hard can it be for you to use 'san'?"
"I am very sorry Hiromi-san," Yoshino said dejectedly, "I promise to never do it again. The two of you ganging up on me just got me a bit flustered, but that is no excuse."
"You are forgiven Yoshino-san," he replied with gentle smile. "As I said, I had planned on telling Nana-chan anyway. Actually, it would probably be a good idea to let all of you know the names of everyone that already knows my true gender."
"I agree," Yumi nodded thoughtfully, "Although the list is fairly long now, it is still much shorter than the list of those that do not know. And I would like to impress upon you, Nana-chan, how very important it is that you not allow Hiromi-san's secret to get out." She reached into the neckline of her dark green school uniform and drew out her rosary and laid it out on the table. Shimako, Yoshino, and Noriko followed suit as did, after a brief pause, Hiromi himself.
Yumi pointed to a particular bead on her rosary that was different from all of the others. It was a beautiful rose quartz. Nana noticed that there was a similar single rose quartz bead on each of the other girls' rosaries as well while Hiromi's was entirely of rose quartz except for a full decade of beads of many different styles and colors.
"Near the end of last term, in order to show Hiromi the love and trust that we place upon him, and how much he and everything he did for us last year meant to each and every one of us, we exchanged rosary beads with him. In the best tradition of the Soeur System, with the formal exchange of beads he became both frère and soeur to all of us. From the Rosa Chinensis family that includes myself, Sachiko-oneesama, Youko-sama, and Touko-chan."
"From the Gigantea family," Shimako spoke, "it is myself, Noriko-chan, and Sei-oneesama."
"And from the Foetida family," Yoshino followed, "it is myself, Rei-oneesama, Eriko-sama, and now you. Eriko-sama was not there so she did not exchange a bead with Hiromi-san, but she knows all of what he has done for us since we met him last year and she has provided her full support to him."
"Additionally," Hiromi went on, "Tsutako Takeshima-san, Mami Yamaguchi-san, Sadako Inoue-sensei, the school nurse, and Kaori Tamura-sensei, the Academy Director, who also happens to be my godmother, also know my true gender; although I have exchanged a rosary bead only with Tsutako-san who is also my girlfriend," he finished with a smile.
Nana whistled. "Quite a list. Mami-san is the editor of the Lillian Kawaraban is she not? Why do I think that there might be an interesting story there as well?" she grinned evilly at him, "Every other single person you named has a strong reputation for high ethical and moral standards – well, except maybe for Sei-sama – and I see absolutely no reason to gainsay them. Additionally, in the short time I have known you Hiromi-san you have brought nothing but happiness to me and my onee-sama and based on the stories I have heard from onee-sama about everything that happened last year, I really only have one question."
"Only one?" he asked with a smile.
"Yes," she answered, taking out her own rosary from within her uniform, "would you be willing to exchange beads with me as well, and become my frère and soeur?" she asked in a slightly tremulous voice.
"Nana-chan," he grinned, picking up his rosary, breaking the cord and removing a single rose quartz bead, "I would be greatly honored."
-oo-
As expected, the meeting was relatively short after Touko-chan, Yumi's petite soeur, joined them with the proposed budget for the Drama Club. Hiromi informed the Yamayurikai that the medals for the Maria Ceremony were scheduled to be delivered that Friday so that they could check the quality and have any that were less than perfect replaced before the ceremony the following Friday. After his report, the three submitted budgets were reviewed and quickly approved, culminating in the end of the day's agenda. Yumi, however, cleared her throat meaningfully before anyone could fully rise from their seats. All eyes turned towards the one girl they all acknowledged as the undeclared leader of the Yamayurikai.
"If you have a moment," she began as she looked around the table at the best friends she had in the world, "I would like all of you to please consider a request that was put before me before school began this year. Most of you know that my brother, Yuuki, was the president of the Hanadera Student Council last year. Well, he was re-elected to the post this year as well. He met with the rest of his student council over the break to discuss the upcoming year's various festivities. In addition to the usual request for our assistance at their school festival, Yuuki was asked to approach me regarding a new event that they would like to propose.
"First, although he did not have much in the way of actual power last year, Yuuki took the role of president seriously and more than earned the respect of his fellow students this past year. Therefore, we are under no obligation to actually assist in this endeavor, and he now has the power to force his council to abide by our decision. However, he did promise to raise it to me and I, in turn, agreed to bring it to you for your deliberation. As I am his sister, I told him that I would not take part in either the discussion or the voting, but simply put the matter before you."
She took a deep breath before she continued. Just getting the preliminaries out of the way had been a chore for her, but she had promised her brother. "Hanadera Boy's Academy wishes to hold a formal Christmas Ball in conjunction with the girls of Lillian's high school division. I know that some of the girls here already have boyfriends at Hanadera, but this ball is unprecedented. Although I trust Yuuki, this could just as easily be some scheme of the boys over there to get a bunch of our girls into their clutches, but I sincerely doubt it. I spoke to Alice on the phone yesterday, you might remember him, he was on the council last year and is again this year, and he swears it is an honest and honorable request.
"Therefore, I would like you all to think about, discuss, and provide an answer to me sometime next week if you could. Although the planned for date is almost nine months away we will need the time to work with and obtain all of the necessary approvals from the administrations of both schools. Additionally, there will necessarily need to be meetings between the two school councils to work up all of the necessary details such as tickets, food, music, location, etc. Therefore, a quick decision on our part would be best all around so that we do not end up rushed at the last minute."
Hiromi could actually see Yumi's shoulder's collapse now that it seemed that she had gotten it all out. Silence reigned in the room for a few moments as Yumi's, and Hanadera's, request was absorbed by the other members of Lillian's student council.
"Well," Shimako spoke in her own quiet way, taking charge of the issue since Yumi was staying out of it, "that is a most surprising request. I first think we will need to have preliminary discussions with the administration since it involves the entire school population, but I believe we need to be prepared to present them with our own position on the matter at that time."
"You aren't actually considering this bogus request are you Shimako-san?" Yoshino asked with incredulity.
"As Rosa Gigantea and a representative of the entire student body," she replied, "I believe it is our duty to give the request serious thought and not to simply make a decision based on our own predilections. As Yumi correctly pointed out, there are already a number of Lillian students with boyfriends at Hanadera. I know a few of those girls myself and I think they would thoroughly enjoy such an event. Hiromi-san," she said, turning to him, "would you be able to quietly determine the Academy Director's position before we take it to the administration? Kaori-sensei will probably have the final say and I would prefer not to go too far with this if she is going to simply deny their request."
"That is not a problem, Shimako-san," he responded, "but I can probably already tell you that she will not have an issue with it and would leave the decision entirely in the hands of the Yamayurikai. She is a firm believer in self-governing and allowing us to make our own decisions, but I will ask Aunt Kaori and let you know what she says."
"Thank you Hiromi-san," she said with a nod. She turned to the boutons; Noriko, Touko, and Nana, "I would like to ask you all for your own opinions on the matter and also ask you not to mention anything of this to any of your classmates. I would hate to raise their hopes only to have them dashed at the last minute. I recommend that we table this discussion until next Monday to give everyone a chance to formulate their own thoughts on the matter. Is that agreeable to everyone?"
Everyone nodded in acceptance of her ideas, even Yoshino now that she had been reminded of her position as Rosa Foetida, an elected student body official.
"Yumi-san," Touko-chan asked, "since Yuuki-sama is the student council president, can I assume that he would be attending the ball as well?"
Yumi smiled at her petite soeur, "I think that would be a good assumption. Surprisingly, he asked me the same question, or should I say, he asked if you would be willing to attend if they held the ball," she said with a knowing smile.
Touko-chan has a very pretty blush as well, Hiromi thought. There's just something about the Rosa Chinensis family and blushing. They are just so darn cute!
"As long as it is not the same weekend as one of the kendo tournaments, I have no problems with it," Nana said thoughtfully, "It might be fun. I have never worn a formal ball gown; even dresses are not really the thing at the dojo. Other than my school uniforms, I only own one other dress and I had to get that for a funeral two years ago," she continued, almost talking to herself more than the room at large. Yoshino looked at her petite soeur with concern as she continued to mumble to herself. If Nana-chan wanted to go, Yoshino would see to it that she had the opportunity.
"Well, I could care less," Noriko said, "although if you go onee-sama, I would like to dance with you," she said with a shy smile that was totally incongruous with her normally inscrutable personality.
"If I go," Shimako said with a gentle smile as she placed a hand against the cheek of her petite soeur, the true depth of her love for once showing through, "I would only dance with you, Noriko." Noriko placed her hand over her onee-sama's and leaned in to the soft warmth of her touch.
Hiromi was sure that Shimako had purposely allowed Nana-chan to see her love for Noriko. She was now a member of the Yamayurikai and had earned her own place as their trusted friend.
Touko just snorted.
Hiromi remembered her bold statement last year. "Not all roses are gay, onee-sama," she had proudly declared to Yumi and the rest of the rose families, much to their merriment. Yumi and Sachiko's relationship as both lovers and soeurs was an open secret to those here today. Sachiko had started classes at Lillian University the previous week. She and Yumi had promised to meet at least once each week for lunch or dinner and to spend as many weekends together as possible. As Sachiko's cousin, Touko-chan was totally in favor of their relationship and would go to any lengths to support them. That did not mean, however, that she was looking for the same type of relationship. Today was not the first time she had shown an interest in Yuuki-san. Hiromi wished her the best of luck. He had met Yuuki on a number of occasions and liked him a lot. He thought Touko and Yuuki would make a good match.
"Why don't we end the meeting here today," Yumi suggested, gathering her papers together, "and you all can think about Hanadera's request until next Monday when you can discuss it again."
There was agreement all around and Hiromi and the three boutons began to clean up as the Roses started to put their things away.
Yumi came up to him and put a hand on his arm to get his attention as he was washing the teacups.
"You know that you could leave that to the juniors," she quietly reminded him with a smile.
"Ah, but I am still only an assistant while they are the boutons," he smirked.
"Don't coddle them too much," she advised, "its part of their learning process as well."
"Yes, onee-sama," he chuckled.
He smiled at her and squeezed her hand as she turned to leave before turning back once again, "Give my love to Tsutako-san," she called before waving and walking out the door.
"I will," he replied.
Ah, first chapter of a new story. Please R&R. These first couple of chapters may go a little slowly since it is mostly setup and cleanup from Hiromi, so please be patient with me.
Take care.