I can tell you everything. Everything that I know. It's going to be a long story.

Shizuma and I...were in the same room in this Strawberry hall since our first year. Three years ago, when the two of us became third year students, I was summoned by the student council. It was regarding some new transfer student.

What am I trying to do? Am I trying to add another character to that story? That story where none of the characters became happy...

Kaori

This was the place. Astraea Hill. I only heard about this place a few times, and could never picture it for myself, or comprehend it's true beauty. As I stared outside of the windows of the car I was riding in, I took in the beautiful scenery that I have never been able to experience, the outstretched trees that shaded the rolling grass, the beautiful flowers and elaborate masonry that followed. It was very rare where I was allowed such an opportunity to be so far away from my home, my bedroom. Away from the hospital, and my bed, away from the check-ups, and the testing.

My father told me I was coming here to meet new people, to see if interaction with others my age may help my condition improve. My condition, my barrier to living a normal life, how I've lived with it for so long that I don't even understand what a normal life is anymore. I was never really sure what my "condition" was, and I just don't care what it is anymore, I don't want to know. I don't want to know the name of this thing that makes my life such a monotonous misery. I just want it to go away...

I have this feeling in my heart though...I just can't help but feel that this might not change anything, that I will just be bound to a different bedroom in a location I'm unfamiliar with. Staring up at the ceiling and just simply surviving. Who knows though...what if being here helps me get stronger? Either way, I am going to a different place, with new people there, away from the melancholy of my own room.

I should give this a chance at least...

I was guided to my room by the student council, and they brought my bags over for me, and led me to my room. It had a very comforting but lonely feeling, as they informed me that I was going to be in a room by myself...I hope it's not for very long. I didn't think I would come to such a populated campus to be all by myself in this place.

It would feel too much like home if this was the case...

I got dressed into my new uniform, a very soft set of clothing that had a more relieving feeling than my old clothing. I put my old clothes away, and used this uniform change as my first step into accepting this place as my new home. I spent a few minutes sitting on my bed, without an idea on who would be coming into my room. Unsure what to do next. My body was at peace right now, I didn't feel as heavy and uneasy as I did before I came.

Then I heard a gentle knock at my door, as a girl with hair that was a dark shade of midnight blue, with gentle amber eyes walked into the room. "Hello there, Kaori Sakuragi. I am Miyuki Rokujyo." She looked to me with a welcoming demeanor, as she waited for a response that I couldn't deliver. I didn't know what to say to her yet, and I froze up trying to illicit a response for her.

She walked over to the window, and opened the shades, letting more light into the room for me."Look. You can see the chapel from here." I hesitated for a few seconds, caught in thought about the Chapel, hoping that I could possibly go to it today. "Sakuragi Kaori-san. I know you might be lonely all by yourself in a single room, since you're not used to life in the dorm...but if you have any problems, feel free to let me know."

"Yes" I said, trying to fiddle with words in my head, trying to come up with something interesting to talk about or ask her. "Me and my room mate have been put in charge of your well being here, so you won't be alone 24/7. Do you have any friends back home that you wish to keep in contact with?"

"No." I didn't have any friends back home, I never had the opportunity to meet any. This is one of the first experiences, first opportunities I had to meet anyone. "Well I am sure you will make many friends here, everyone here is very friendly, and they love meeting new transfer students." I smiled in approval, and looked up to her, and she returned the smile to me. "I will be right back Kaori-san, I want to introduce you to my room mate." She let herself out of the room and closed the door behind her, and I made my way over to the chair and took a look outside while I waited for them to come back.

This place is so beautiful. Even if the loneliness settles in, I have Miyuki here. Miyuki. One of the first people that were my age group that I met. Would it be too early to consider her my friend? I can already feel trust towards her building up in me. I know she can be someone that I can rely on when I get sick again. Hopefully I don't get sick today. I don't want to spend my first day on Astraea Hill in my bed, limp and in pain...I want to go outside and feel the fresh air, clean and without any impurities, or synthetic additives. No pipes and tubes anywhere, or cameras and intercoms.

Just nature, something I have desired to experience for so long, that was only a window away, but always was unreachable.

Miyuki

"Roomkeeper? We're the only ones who got it?" Shizuma was sprawled out across her bed, books scattered across the room while she pulled her attention away from the one that was in front of her to listen to what I had to say. "That's right." I said, while I cleaned up her mess that she left inconveniently on the ground. "Kaori Sakuragi-san. A new first year student."

Shizuma began to peel herself from the bed and sit up a bit. "Who decided this? What about the lottery?" "People from the student council decided. Kaori-san has been weak ever since she was a child, so...she can't be a normal room-keeper and we decided to be in charge of her." After letting out a sigh, Shizuma crossed her arms and conveyed her disappointment. "We finally got to be third year students, and I was really looking forward to the room-keeper. I was planning on making her work really hard." She flopped lazily back on her bed as an act of disinterest.

I decided to sit next to her on the bed and try to get her to quit being Shizuma for just a couple seconds. "Shizuma, why can't you be more reasonable? They trusted us with this girl. Kaori-san was a sickly child, and she stayed home most of the time during elementary school. In order to make her feel comfortable here at school, they chose us upper-classmen to look after her since they felt we were suited for the job."

I slowly felt her presence rise from slumped on the bed, to slightly hovering behind me. "Miyuki...how come you're being so reasonable?" I recognized the tender tone in her voice and her piercing amorous gaze as she inched up closely to me, awaiting my answer and bodily response to her advances.

"Do you really want to be part of the student council that much?" "In order to be an amazing Etoile, you need strong support from the student council...you understand, right?" She began to creep closer into my territory. "I see...so you think I'm going to be the next Etoile?" "Of course." I turned away in an attempt to divert the advances, which never work when she's in one of her touching moods. "Shizuma..." I muttered out, as she began to rub my face and whisper into my ear. "If you're crying and feeling sad...I have to go to the student council room from now on?"

She makes me feel so weird when she does that, not also counting her embarrassing references to my crying. Pushing her away, I attempt to throw the books at her as she mischievously retreats from the room, successfully evading punishment for another one of her devilish advances upon me. She begins to laugh as I pelt the books at the door in vain, which also makes the feeling of embarrassment vanish almost instantly.

"Baka." There's just something about you that makes you so easy to forgive. I wouldn't have it any other way, Shizuma. You are one of my best friends, and I couldn't imagine my stay here without you.

I joined her in the hallway and guided her towards Kaori-san's room, to introduce her to the girl that is now in our care. I'm not sure how long I was away, I hope she doesn't think I forgot about her.

"Hey Miyuki...why don't you do this by yourself?" "No! They asked both of us to do this. Plus, she's a beautiful girl that you'll definitely like." Knowing Shizuma, there is no way she could say no to meeting a beautiful girl like Kaori. "That's the only thing good about this." she told me, lining up next to me as we neared Kaori's room.

Kaori

A knock at my door broke me from my procrastinating stare locked onto the Chapel. It was probably Miyuki and her room mate. "Come in." I spoke, still dreamily enjoying the sounds of nature and life that was pulsing outside of these windows. They both came in, and I turned to see Miyuki's room mate, and upon looking at her, I suddenly found myself entranced just by viewing her.

I couldn't help myself, or look away. She was taller than me and Miyuki, and had the most beautiful silver locks of hair I had ever seen, running in many different directions down her clothes and face, with brilliant spring green eyes that were locked onto mine. There was just something so beautiful about her, I couldn't look away even if I should have at that moment. She outstretched a hand to me and introduced herself to me. Her skin was so gorgeous looking, lush and soft.

She introduced herself first. "Shizuma Hanazono." That name began to ring in my ears and echo everywhere, nesting itself inside. "Kaori Sakuragi." Even after I introduced myself, that dreamy look in her eyes never once moved from mine, locked in a moment where I could not think or comprehend anything beyond this beauty. "Shizuma?""You were right, Miyuki."

"What?" I muttered, breaking from my stare. "You're really beautiful." suddenly I felt something inside of me, something uplifting, revitalizing. It was a strange sensation, that filled me with happiness. I stood up from my chair, holding onto her hand with both of mine. "Thank you very much, Hanazono-sama."

"It's Shizuma...you can call me Shizuma." This feeling never stopped pulsing through my veins, running down my spine, into my feet, and coiling around my heart. It made me so happy. Miyuki Rokujyo. Shizuma Hanazono. These are my new friends. Shizuma though...there was something about her existence that made life feel so much more pure, so much more enjoyable...mysterious. I wanted to get to know them better...to get to know her better.

"So, Kaori-san, what do you want to do today?" Miyuki asked me, something I already had planned out. "I want to go outside. Anywhere outside. Maybe even the Chapel." Shizuma and Miyuki smiled at each other and decided to bring me out, as Shizuma led me outside by my hand. We opened through the dormitory doors, and sunlight from outside poured upon me, an extremely warm sensation that I had missed the moment I stepped out of the car.

"How long have you both been here?" I asked Miyuki and Shizuma, as they walked to the left of me down the pavement ahead of us. "We have been here for 3 years, and we have been room mates since we have met. What about you? How long have you been here?" Miyuki smiled as she asked that question, and we all shared a laugh.

"Do you like it here so far, Miyuki?" spoke Shizuma, and I nodded in approval. "I am glad I came here. To be honest...I thought I was going to be bound to my room without the option to leave...but having you both here makes me feel better...it makes the sick feelings vanish." "Sick feelings?" Shizuma stopped momentarily to look at me. "What kind of sick feelings?"

"It's like I can't breathe, like my body is being crushed. Sometimes I can't stand because of it, can't breathe. It's been a problem my entire life...a burden...sometimes when I lay down, I think I won't wake back up..." Shizuma looked at the ground with a discerned look on her face, but Miyuki put her hand on her shoulder and looked to me. "If you do feel sick at any time Kaori-san, be sure to let us know so we can take care of it." I nodded to them and we continued walking about. I know I can trust these people for sure.

After walking around all day, sight-seeing the different areas around Astraea Hill, it began to get dark, and we returned to the dormitory. I was greeted by a lot of different people, and on the way they asked me a lot of questions that I couldn't answer all at once. Miyuki and Shizuma had to pull me away from crowds filled other students a lot, much to my benefit.

They brought me to their room so they could serve Tea for my first night here. It was against the rules, but they insisted they can normally get away with things like this as long as we were quiet. Unfolding a table and putting a small lamp atop of it, Shizuma sat next to me at the table as we watched Miyuki tend to the tea. "This one is a night-time blend I got from my home...it's a little different than Shizuma's."

Shizuma took a sip of Miyuki's tea. "I've always had my doubts about the Rokujyo family's sense of taste." Miyuki laughed softly at Shizuma's non-serious comment. "You talk big for a Hanazono, following the footsteps of Momoyama." "Our families have the same social standing, Miss."

"But it smells good." I told them, pulling the cup of tea Shizuma was holding closer to myself so I can experience it on my own. I put it to my lips, and took a nice drink, "Delicious" I have never tasted tea before, or have been to a tea party. The acquired taste Shizuma spoke of didn't affect me, for once, I was able to taste something beyond modified and processed juices that were served to me. It was a serene feel on my tongue, that relaxed it and went down cleanly. "You should be happy Miyuki. Looks like Kaori is on your side."

Miyuki shied away slightly, embracing the fact that I enjoyed her tea. "Right...two people agree. Thank you, Kaori-san." "You're welcome." I mentioned, pulling the cup to my mouth and finishing the serving slowly. It was heavenly. "Kaori-san, I think it's time we bring you back to your room. It's getting late." Miyuki said, stacking the cups up and setting them aside, as Shizuma looked up defiantly in my defense, "Oh come on Miyuki, can't she stay just a little longer? We haven't even finished your tea yet." She chuckled, looking onto me. I nodded in approval.

"I thought you didn't like it Shizuma, did the doubts suddenly wash away now that Kaori likes it?" The pair grinned a bit at the comment, and we all giggled a bit. Then I began to feel my energy draining slowly. I never paid any mind to it today, and now I noticed my sudden surge of energy was now depleted that I gained earlier that day, and by body was beginning the slow and agonizing process of becoming it's "normal" self. After I finished my last cup, I tiredly stood up from the table.

"I think I should get some sleep though...today was very nice...but I am tired." I felt light-headed as I stood up, feeling dizzy. Much to my benefit, Shizuma was there holding onto my hand, helping me get completely up on my feet, without me even noticing that she moved from her seat. "Miyuki, I am going to bring Kaori back to her room. I will be back."

"Who said I was just going to stay here? I'm going with you too." Miyuki stated, walking over to the door and slowly and silently creeping it open. "Let's go, there's nobody out here."

I was led on both sides by the two upper-class-men. On my left side, there walked the helpful, caring girl with the midnight blue hair, Miyuki Rokujyo, who never failed to answer any questions I had, and tended to me gently, but didn't look down on me in any way. She was very civil, but nowhere close to uptight, willing to by-pass standards and practices to see me smile.

Walking to my left, with silver phantasmal hair trailing behind was Shizuma Hanazono. She was more laid back, playful and less serious than Miyuki, but had this quality and look about her that made my heart beat stronger and faster than I am accustomed to. I couldn't explain or understand any of the feelings or emotions that floated about when I was near her. Her stare hypnotized me, her touch paralyzed me. And I was perfectly fine with that.

We opened my door and I walked into my room, and sat on my bed "...Thank you for everything today." The feeling of warmth that was resonating in my body was quickly beginning to fade without my permission, as I felt a light layer of sweat begin to form across my body as the muscles in my body slowly tighten up again. "Kaori are you okay?" I heard from in front of me, the two girls staring at me.

"I'm fine, I just need to lay down." Miyuki pulled the covers over me as I lay down in my bed, fluffing up my pillow as I slowly deteriorate from the world and slip into sleep against my will, my eyes struggling to stay open, failing to see past my eyelashes. I felt a hand rest upon my stomach for a few seconds as I looked up, and saw Shizuma again. Almost like she was watching over me until I slipped into sleep.

"Shizuma..." I spoke, my heart beating a bit stronger as I looked up to her. "Sweet dreams...Kaori..." she spoke, as those spring green gems slowly mixed and blended with the darkness of my eyelashes, and my eyes closed.

Shizuma.

Miyuki

"Kaori is so cute." Shizuma muttered to me as we returned back to our room, closing the door. "Now are you happy that you decided to take care of her with me? I think I am lucky she is too, otherwise you probably wouldn't have helped me at all, and continued to sit in the room all day, laying on your bed and trying to do your...thing to me." I sputtered, pushing the tables and chairs back to their original settings as Shizuma sat on the bed watching. "The...thing?" she said, a succubus-like grin appearing on her face. "Since when did you lose your ability to describe the things I've done to make you uncomfortable?" I scoffed and turned away, retreating to my side of the room to sit on my bed, "Describing it properly only encourages you to do it more." Shizuma took this as an invitation, and slipped away from her spot on her bed, and then proceeded to invade mine.

"Shizuma, go back to your own bed. I'm too tired to put up with you." Slowly but surely, she began to curl closer and closer to me, with that adamant look on her eyes that reminded me of the one thing I know best about this girl, she doesn't let anything get in the way of what she wants. "Shizuma...I said..." before I could finish my sentence, a soft finger ran across my face and her hand rested on my side. "Miyuki...I'm not in a Leaving-You-Alone mood right now..." she whispered, trailing my ear with her lips as I heard her softly chuckle, continuing to climb over atop of me to keep me in a state of submission.

I wanted her to stop, but I could no longer muster the energy to get her off. To think after putting up with this on so many occasions I have never built up an immunity to her advances. It's partially my fault for not being stern enough towards her, and sometimes even not putting up a fight or a resistance. Slowly enough, I loosened up and laid there, unsure of what to do next. "Miyuki..."

"Shizuma..." I murmured back, watching as her face descended closer to mine, and her hands began to freely explore my body. Her victory was at hand again, but I didn't have any unwanted feelings towards it anymore. Tonight, there was a small spark in my heart that jammed all of my resistance, and I had a small whisper from inside of me...begging her, please come closer, a voice I never heard before...As Shizuma finally locked me into place and readied her lips to touch mine, I waited for the sensation as I closed my eyes...

After a few seconds, when the sensation never came, I opened my eyes and looked up, and I saw that distracted look on her face. "...Shizuma..." I weakly called out, wondering what she was trapped in thought about. Shizuma released her hold upon me and got up, allowing me to regain my freedom.. "I shouldn't keep you up like this...I forgot I need you to get your full night's sleep so we can spend more time with Kaori tomorrow." Shizuma patted my head and got up, returning to her bed and throwing the covers over her as she faced away from me on her own bed.

I wanted to ask her why she stopped, waited for her to ask me why I didn't try to resist her, but the silence of the room never ceased. I decided to turn the lamp off and go to bed myself. I looked at Shizuma from my bed, wondering if she was going to comment on what just happened. Is she confused at all by my change of character? Is she preoccupied with Kaori perhaps? I am not sure. Kaori saved me in a way, tonight. I'm not sure where this would have led, but if it was any normal night I might not have been my normal self.

I shall see what happens tomorrow.