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Disclaimer: Sakurako Kimino, the creator of Strawberry Panic and Media Factory, the company that sponsors its anime, own all copyrighted material this fanfiction may include such as characters, events, et cetera.
The rest of it is mine... ALL MINE! BWAHAHAHHA! *thunder crackles in the background* ... So no stealing! =p Well, unless you ask me nicely. ^.^;;;
Author's Note: Here it is at long last, my Strawberry Panic fanfiction! I hope everyone enjoys it! This story takes place after the anime, beginning a new school year. Several changes greatly impacted the characters of Astraea Hill, but many consequences have yet to be explored. As with every year, Astraea welcomes another class of first years and will send them on their own journeys. Will there be incidents? I'm also introducing two changes to Spica as per the manga, including Kaname's drastic difference in appearance. There are two higher grade students that will be introduced in the following chapter, both slated as having returned from overseas study.
This is the first time I'm attempting a light fiction so it should be an interesting experience for me, as well. I hope I live up to expectations! Unlike my other stories, I've decided to write this one in the third person present, which is also new to me. Fans of mine should know I've preferred past tense in all my previous works, not just on this site, but in most of my writing. I'm also going to try starting each chapter the way the anime typically starts, with a brief prelude into the episode, followed by title card, then events as normal. As these preludes are usually monologues by a single character in thought, I'll be keeping them in italics. I hope it won't cause any confusion. xD
Now, without further ado, I present The Second Year!
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
"This is the beginning of my journey. Here I come, Astraea. Are you ready?" The thoughts of a first year, Tsuya Misato, echo in the winds.
A new year is upon the students of Astraea Hill, brand new adventures and important experiences that will shape these bright young futures. Misato hurries down the street, eager to embrace them.
Rekindle
"Uh…" She mutters to herself, gazing left and right to the trees before her, "I think I'm lost."
The youth reaches into her bag, fumbling around all the items she'd placed inside. Despite all her planning and preparation for this day, she realises she's never actually been to the area and can't find her way. After making an utter mess of her carefully packed bag, she finally retrieves the directions she'd written down for herself. However, reading them now, she discovers that they are much too vague to be of use. She'd acquired them from simple notes jotted down during chats with her elder cousin, after all. Succumbing to the reality of it, she slumps to the ground, releasing a sigh of defeat. Suddenly, the church bells toll in the distance, signaling that the school is now open and students may begin registration. Of course, this also means that the gates would be closing in about fifteen minutes.
Though still at a loss for any sort of solution to her problem, Misato wasn't one to give up. Standing up, she decides to go with a simple, but hopefully effective, plan. Scouring out two distinct paths, she chooses one at random and rushes off, leaving the paper with the useless directions in the dirt.
About ten minutes into the chosen route, Misato once again stops, taking this time to catch her breath. Unfortunately for her, her athletic talent was a far cry away from her adamant and strong-willed nature. With only five minutes left and seemingly no closer to the school, she finds herself without much hope. She turns to face the sky, clasping her hands before her.
"Please, let there be some way for me. I don't want to miss my first day!" She prays to the heavens, hoping for a miracle.
Just then, an older girl, clad in pink plaid with a vibrant ebony mane streaked with brunette strands flowing behind her fair-skinned form, walks past. As she does, she takes her demure hazel eyes off the path for a single moment to glance at Misato, before continuing on her way. No reason could justify it, but Misato believes this girl is the answer to her prayers. She immediately follows her and hopes her faith hasn't been misplaced. They travel a few steps, then a few more, and finally, the girl turns to her left, disappearing behind a… building?
Misato looks up and sees she's walking on the school grounds not three metres from the registration building of St. Miator Girl's Academy. In shock, she takes herself back along the path she'd been traveling only to discover she had already gotten herself a turn away from the school's entrance when she'd given up. She hangs her head in defeat, but corrects herself a moment after. Whoever the girl was, she was still the one she had prayed for. If she hadn't led Misato those few steps, who knew what could have occurred. Misato bows to direction the girl had left in thanks.
"I pray all my senpai are as wonderful as you." She whispers.
The church bells toll once more and the gates begin to close. Misato takes in a breath to sigh in her successful arrival… and realises she's still standing on the opposite side, remembering then that she'd gone back out of the school to investigate. As the gap between the gates narrow ahead of her, she quickly rushes past them, collapsing in exhaustion as they close.
The orientation meeting hall is filled with the new class of first years. They are anticipating the arrival of the Student Council and the fabled Etoile couple. Representatives from each of the schools are present to help answer questions the new students might have while also taking the opportunity to promote their respective school. Of the various voices heard within the hall, those of St. Spica's are loudest, a notorious trait of the progressive school. They are competitive and proud, telling their new arrivals of all the accomplishments the school has had and that they expect more to come. Meanwhile, the traditionalists of St. Miator only remind the new class to be respectful and diligent in their studies. They assure them that the older students of the school will be glad to help them should they need it. However, while Spica is bold and Miator quaint, the brightest spirits belong to those of St. Lulim. Unlike their rivals, the girls of St. Lulim are more about the fun and excitement of being a part of a new environment. Instead of promoting the school, they recount tales of their previous years, all the anecdotes and activities that went on. They happily chat with the new students and speak as if old friends.
It is a shining demonstration of her school's atmosphere, the one in which she'd cultivated each year as its Student Council President. Brushing back a few wayward strands of her long raven hair, Minamoto Chikaru enters the hall. She is not alone. Behind her is Miator's President, the fifth year Suzumi Tamao and, behind her, one of Spica's most prominent stars, President Kenjou Kaname. Tamao's long azure strands compliment the black gown that comprises Miator's uniform, violet eyes scanning all the new faces. Her talent for compiling data on every student that graced the halls of Astraea was what brought her to power after a failed run to become Etoile. As she collects her details, Kaname analyses the scene beside her. Gone is the head of short navy that used to represent her rivalry. Instead, in the aftermath, she was left free to be her own person and so she took the time to reflect. Now, she stands with tanned skin and platinum blonde locks tied neatly in a medium-length ponytail draped over her left shoulder offering a perfect accent to her white suit. Chikaru gazes at the two of them, their stern faces and focused expressions causing her to giggle. For Lulim's President, this is nothing out of the ordinary. Like Rokujou and Toumori before them, her counterparts in Miator and Spica always had some plan set for the new year.
"I wonder what awaits us in the coming months." She mutters to herself, placing her hand over her mouth to stifle another giggle.
Unlike the previous year, the newly elected Etoile are less of a flight risk. The procession is told to rise and the rear doors open to reveal the pair, the commanding Ootori Amane and dainty Konohana Hikari. Amane's stature is a powerful force to behold for the young girls; they are mesmerised by her piercing eyes of crimson. Hikari's smaller frame and delicate blonde curls allow her to remain more comforting to them than intimidating, but there is an uncharacteristic spark in her pale green orbs, an unbeforeseen confidence in her strides, the mark of an Etoile.
In a change to the established itinerary, the new Etoiles want to be more immersed in the student body. As such, they proceed through the first years, greeting them as they pass. The Student Council Presidents now meet them at the front of the hall, where they then aid the Etoiles in handing out the rulebooks and initiation charms.
"Kaname." Amane states blandly as she gives the President her hand.
Sharply contrasting her personality, Kaname merely takes it and bows without a word, barely even making eye contact with the stern Etoile. Hikari, in the meantime, smiles warmly as she offers Tamao her hand. Beside them, Chikaru also smiles, though her thoughts are elsewhere.
After each girl has her materials, Amane leads Hikari to the heart of the room and announces, "On behalf of the three honourable schools of Astraea Hill, Miator, Spica, and Lulim, we welcome all of you. May your time here bring you along the journey to your heart's true desire."
Her words are met with thunderous applause and gratitude. She would proceed to acquaint the girls with life on the hill and what is expected of them as members of the student body. Hikari adds her own account, the story of a transfer student who meets a most important friend, finds love, and through them and the experiences had, discover her own courage to brave the tides of change. The girls are amazed, captivated by Astraea's allure.
Later that day, as the sun sets behind them, the Student Council members of St. Spica discuss all prospects in anticipation of the new year. As if déjà vu from the year before, Kaname and her lady, Momomi, trade sly looks and take their attention to the door.
"This should prove to be a perfect year." The President gleams, though her words are meant for the newcomer smirking as she leans against the frame.
"As if anything would stop us from making it so." She answers, garnering the blonde's approval.
"Did you enjoy your time in Russia, Makoto-chan?" Momomi asks the girl, her hand running through some of her auburn hair.
Kusanagi Makoto, a peer to both Kaname and Momomi, had been enlisted by former President Toumori Shion to study in Moscow with a small group of other Spica girls, serving as a civilian ambassador for Japan in hopes of strengthening links between the two nations. While her mission had been successful, Makoto longed to return home and reclaim the year lost to the foreign land. She had missed Spica so much that she often contacted Shion, offering suggestions in support of the former President's campaign to ensure a Spica candidate replaced the then Etoile, Hanazono Shizuma. However, despite this support, Makoto's true goals had never been on Amane and, after hearing that she had entered the Etoile-sen with a third year, Konohana Hikari, she desperately wanted to end her tenure overseas.
"Yes, the view was magnificent." She says to the girl, but continues, "So Amane has found her princess, eh?"
"Magnificent? Does that not mean, my dear Makoto, that you found your own princess? Or perhaps, prima ballerina would be more appropriate of a title." Kaname teases, knowing her own womanising is matched by the girl.
"I had a few moments, if that's what you're implying, Madam President, but nothing worthy of note." She responds, brushing a few stray strands away from her face.
"The two of you are the worst, but I suppose one can't change one's spots." Momomi sighs playfully, actually being quite fond of her girl's lecherous ways.
Kaname seizes the opportunity, moving from her desk to caress Momomi's nape as she purrs, "Now why would one want to change such delicious spots?"
"If you two are that bored, perhaps I should take my business elsewhere." Makoto interrupts, taking Kaname's seat and plopping her boots on her desk.
"Apologies," Kaname says to her, going over to knock the girl's feet off of her desk, "Let's get back on topic."
"Makoto-chan's not the only returning student this year." Momomi announces, though from the expressions shared, this is not news.
"This is a most opportune moment. She picked a good time to come back." Kaname says, moving to look out at the window.
"You mean she picked a good time to leave for France last year. Otherwise, how would you decide between her and Amane?" Momomi muses, sharing a smirk with Makoto.
It was in Kaname's nature to be competitive. Previously, she'd changed her entire appearance in order to both physically and mentally rival Ootori Amane. Her ultimate goal had been to herd the celebrated athlete into becoming Etoile, but throughout her scheming, she'd sought any chance to challenge the girl, pushing her harder and farther than the girl would have normally gone. However, Momomi was correct in assuming Kaname's conundrum had more rivals present. The President had quite a history with both Amane and the returning student and she had had plans for both. Prior to the last year, these plans had always fallen through as she would be at a loss for how to structure her strategies between the two. Once she focused on one, the other would divert from the path Kaname guided her towards. With the successful ploy of bringing Amane to become Etoile, she now only had one rival to shepherd.
"I wonder how Shizuka has grown in the last year." She purrs, "Her grace was unparalleled in the whole of Astraea Hill."
"Somehow I get the double image in my mind that you mean that in a physical as well as psychological way." Makoto says, crinkling her nose as she does so, "If you keep talking like that, you'll upset your girlfriend."
However, Momomi swoons over Kaname's thoughts, inciting Makoto to correct herself, "That or turn her on. You two sure have a unique relationship."
"Don't knock it till you've tried it." The President retorts, nibbling on her girl's ear.
"I'd much rather engage in other activities. I still have an incomplete assignment." She tells them, making her way to the door.
"Sorry for taking your designated princess away." Kaname says.
"Not to worry. From my sources, I do believe there just might be a successor." And with that, Kusanagi Makoto takes her leave.
Their room remains unchanged since last year despite the significant change in their relationship. The President of Miator sits at her desk, looking over the information she'd already acquired about the new students. Currently, she is reading the file on one Tsuya Misato, whose first steps into school life are reminiscent of her roommate's, even down to the mention of an encounter with an older girl. Her rose red headed roommate, Aoi Nagisa sits on her bed swinging her feet as her ruby eyes watch her roommate work, carelessly making mentions of all the possibilities in the coming semesters.
"Maybe Tsuya-chan will fall for that girl just like I did with Shizuma-sama. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Oh, she'll have the best year!" She chirps, daydreaming all the experiences the two could share.
Tamao is noticeably distant from her, not paying her any mind even as she presses for the girl's reply. This had remained unchanged since the Etoile-sen. It was as if a part of Tamao had disappeared when she untied her ribbon from Nagisa's braid. The way that episode ended had affected her deeply and even though she was appointed President Rokujou Miyuki's successor in the coming months, Tamao never seemed to recover from that event.
Still, Nagisa is not one to surrender to the status quo, moving closer to her roommate to continue saying, "Don't you think so, Tamao-chan? Tsuya-chan is in for a lot of excitement!"
"I don't think so, Nagisa-chan." She finally replies, still concentrating on the notes, "Not this girl."
"Hm? Why not?" Nagisa asks, putting a finger to her chin.
"I'm reading this description she gave of the girl and I think I might know who she is." Is Tamao's answer.
Obviously, this would elicit only one response from the curious Aoi Nagisa, "Who do you think she is?"
Tamao turned about to face the girl, handing her a notice of returning students for the year before explaining, "This year, two students are coming back from studying abroad. One is from Spica and the other one, she is from Lulim."
"Wow, are they friends of Tamao-chan?" Nagisa asks with enthusiasm.
"No, but they are both well known by all three schools." Tamao tells her, "Kusanagi-san from Spica is the protégé of former President, Toumori-san. She's now a fifth year student like we are. I've heard that she is a studious person, but likes to manipulate people to her ends. She went to Russia last year to help bridge relations between Spica and a very competitive girl's school in Moscow. The other girl, and the one who I think Tsuya-san saw, is Lulim's Mori Shizuka-sama. Mori-sama is like Amane-sama; she is incredibly talented and loved by all the girls of each of the three schools. More impressive, she is well-respected by the girls of Spica, something very rare since Lulim is known for being carefree, sharply contrasting Spica's competitive nature. Oh, I wonder if Chikaru-sama has met with her yet."
"Chikaru-sama?" Nagisa asks.
"Yes, Mori-sama is Chikaru-sama's roommate." Tamao explains.
Nagisa gasps at this revelation alone. She hadn't given it much thought as Chikaru was always surrounded by the girls of Lulim, especially Kizuna and Remon, but it did make sense she would have a roommate. The way the dormitories worked, every single girl residing in the Strawberry Dorms has a roommate. The only two cases Nagisa had ever heard of someone residing by herself were Kaori and Tamao herself. Even so, the thought of just who could room with Chikaru intrigues Nagisa. Chikaru was always out of her room, either at one of her many clubrooms or engaged in some club activity somewhere on the school grounds. Ideas pop up in Nagisa's mind of a very lonely Shizuka or someone who is equally as active as Chikaru.
To her various hypotheses of Shizuka's disposition, Tamao can only stifle a giggle. She goes on to explain that Shizuka is a very special person in Chikaru's life and they have been close since Tamao entered the school. Nagisa wonders then if that means she will be taking part in all of Chikaru's mad adventures, joining in with Kizuna, Remon, and Kagome.
"I have my doubts that she will. Mori-sama is very artistic, but she's a quiet person. I've heard that, in spite of her brilliance, she's actually very shy and has never joined a club." Tamao says.
"But Chikaru-sama is always so outgoing. I wonder how they match up to be so close to each other." Nagisa ponders, staring into space as she does so.
She sighs as she faces the door leading into her room. The familiar scents fill her senses as she attunes to the sounds emanating from the hall. New students are still moving in and, as she recalls the one she had encountered earlier in the day, Mori Shizuka smiles to herself and enters. The room is exactly as she remembers it, though there are new papers strewn on her roommate's desk. Apparently, there was now a "being the first in line" club, which was suffering a lack of activities. Shizuka shakes her head slightly and moves to her bed to place her bag upon it. She unzips its main pocket and begins removing a few items, but stops herself to take in her old surroundings, the comforts she once knew. She stretches and thinks for a moment, deciding not to unpack just yet, instead going to sit on her mattress.
Just as she places her hazel eyes on the door, it opens. She rises from her seat as Minamoto Chikaru enters, turns on the light, and goes immediately to her desk, passing her by. She begins shuffling through the papers, finding a few sketches of samples she'd been working on. Placing a finger to her lips, she chooses several of these samples to look over before settling on them. She begins to take a step away, but stops herself, thinking for a moment as her caramel eyes scan the ones left behind. Brushing away a few stray strands of raven and making sure the move did not disturb the large red bow clipped to them, she decides to take one more sample and turns to make her way back toward the door. She smiles and turns quickly to place a tender kiss on her roommate's cheek and gives her a cute "welcome back" wink before taking her leave. Shizuka closes her eyes with a grin on her face before going back to unpacking.
"It's good to be back." She says smoothly.
On the other end of the dorms, two girls sit in a room. The older has taken a seat on her window sill, gazing out at the moonlight shining down on them. She wears the same sleep attire she had since the year before, her long streams of bistre shading her visage from view. Her younger friend sits on her bed, unsure of what to say. She pulls her legs toward her, hugging them close as her pink hair drapes over her, her yellow eyes fixated on her fingers tugging against the loose pant legs of her pajama pants. The events of the past year had been hard on them both and, just like their friends Tamao and Nagisa, they had yet to heal from them.
"The new year's started." Okuwaka Tsubomi mutters to finally end the silence.
Her company, Nanto Yaya, is still absent, responding only with, "Yes, it has."
Author's Note: Wasn't that fun? ^_^;;;
The two returning characters are Kusanagi Makoto and Mori Shizuka. Makoto is actually from the manga, introduced in the thirteenth chapter by Chikaru after she influences her to come back from her studies abroad in Russia. Contrasting her benevolent persona in the anime, Chikaru's very manipulative in the manga and had brought Makoto back to cause trouble for Amane in their version of the Etoile-sen, which lasts much longer than it does in the anime. Part of me took that inclusion of Chikaru to have her included with another new character, but Mori-sama is completely original. So no stealing! ^_~ j/k Just ask me if you end up interested in her for your own fictions. I have other reasons for creating the character of Shizuka, but more on that later.
I'm sure some of you will wonder why it is that I entitle the three, Chikaru, Kaname, and Tamao as Student Council Presidents instead of Seito Kaichou when I still add the Japanese honourifics to the ends of certain names such as Mori-sama. Well, suffice it to say, a Student Council President does exist in English-speaking schools whereas honourifics do not. I abhor the translations where –sama gets translated as Lady or Lord and –chan gets translated as Miss. I have never in my life heard anyone use those titles on anyone unless the person is royalty or the one saying them is joking. Also, though I'm aware that there are elections here, the Etoile-sen isn't quite like any election or campaign I've seen. When taking into consideration the version in the manga, it deviates even further from one. Who in their right mind would attend a school like the one in the manga anyway? x) It would be incredibly hazardous to one's health. xD Anyway, these cultural differences will be the motivation I'll use in deciding what I will translate into their English counterparts and what I will only transliterate.
Oh, and probably more important, why those two for President? =p I always felt Tamao would be obvious for Miator. She has shown throughout the anime that she has careful attention to detail and is absolutely meticulous when it comes to her projects. Her grades are impressive and she has other talents, which include presentation and commitment, both qualities expected of a President. Additionally, it seemed fun and fitting to have a blue-haired girl, scorned by her roommate love, to rise to power in her own way, away from the Etoile-sen. By that, of course, I mean Tamao seems to be following in the footsteps of Rokujou Miyuki, having fallen in love with Hanazono Shizuma only to lose her to someone else while the girl barely considers her feelings. Nagisa was a bit better about it than Shizuma had been to Miyuki, but in the end, many of her decisions were harmful to Tamao. Hm, got quite into that one, I did. On to Kaname! When I thought about Shion graduating, I found myself hesitant to promote Kaname. She had, after all, been the primary antagonist of the Spica half of the anime. Still, by the end of the anime, she admitted that her antagonising Amane was actually a ploy, done out of adoration for the athlete and a means of forcing her to enter the Etoile-sen. Though much more forceful and calamitous than any of Shion's schemes, Kaname showed the lengths she would go for the sake of Spica and that seems to be a common theme within that school. ^_^;;;
That should do it for me. I hope you enjoyed this first chapter and will continue with me on this journey into Astraea, which will be filled with intrigue, suspense, and most definitely a hearty helping of lust. ~3 Well, fluffy lust. Well, maybe a bit of the actual thing. We'll see. ^_~
次回予告
Nagisa: Wow Tamao-chan, do you have to look over every page?
Tamao: *sigh* Yes. That's the price I pay for accepting Rokujou-san's appointment.
Nagisa: But… it's so boring…
Tamao: -_-;;; Yes… yes, it is.
Nagisa: Booooooring! Oh hey! Is that?
Next time on Strawberry Panic, A Challenger Approaches!
Tamao: Wait, Nagisa! I'm not sure that's a good idea! Come back here!
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