Author's note: Just a note to clear the air about a few things in this Universe:
I ignore the Mai Otome Anime plot, mostly just using characters for names
Although I maintained the royalty and nobles and what not that was shown in the Anime, I decided to make culture similar to modern times but homosexuality is considered absolutely normal
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Otome and am making no profit from this fiction.
Present Day, Garderobe Academy
"Good evening Meister Viola," Akane piped up from the Gakuenchou's reception desk as she saw the Bewitching Amethyst herself, her smile faltering when she noticed the usual friendly woman storm by her with barely a glance. She stared in shock as the Gakuenchou's large office door was slammed loudly and held her breath as she heard the mumbling of voices on the other side. Angry voices.
"Is the Gakuenchou having any meetings?" Miss Maria tapped her finger on the desk, jolting Akane from her poor attempt of eavesdropping.
"Ano not exactly but... Meister Viola just went inside."
Miss Maria rolled her eyes. "Well that's probably not important. This is important. Tell her I'm coming in."
Akane nodded, feeling frightened as the echo of voices grew in volume from the office, kind of like shouting. She buzzed in on the intercom, "Gakuenchou-sama, M-Miss Maria is here to see you."
"Tell her it's important," Miss Maria corrected.
Before she could buzz that added part in, the Gakuenchou buzzed back. "Sorry what was that?" The yelling in the office had clearly subsidised when she interrupted and she didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"Miss Maria to see you? She says it's important."
There was a brief moment of silence, ruined by Miss Maria holding back a cough. Akane was relieved when the Gakuenchou voiced back, "send her in."
Then the disappointment thing happened again.
The doors opened to reveal the Gakuenchou, a woman in a tailored white coat and pants that smiled charmingly, ushering Miss Maria in. Shizuru Viola, the Bewitching Amethyst, stormed back out with thoughts deep and slight frown to her face.
Two years later and Akane herself was still disappointed every time she realised Natsuki Kruger wasn't there. Natsuki had been scary and commanding, but she was a genius. She went out of her way to help Akane become the number one in her class when Akane had been nothing more than a country bumpkin outcaste by her peers. Natsuki was a true Onee-sama, not like the ones Akane called Onee-sama since she had hated that term, but the one who embodied the qualities.
Not many people truly knew her real personality apart from the calculating and war-winning powerful Gakuenchou she was. Most of those who admired her admired her beauty for she had been a stunning looker. Akane was straight as they came but Natsuki had been her girl-crush from the moment she lay eyes on her. She hadn't been upset, only happy, when Kruger got married but a small part of her brain put her in the role of Kruger's bride just as a fantasy until she met her Kazu-kun and fell madly in love.
She was a Pearl now, the number one, the leader of the Trias. And Natsuki wasn't there to show her the ropes anymore, to guide her by the hand. She was putting all of her free time into helping out the new Gakuenchou and she babysat for Shizuru whenever she could. The Bewitching Amethyst had a different set of values from Natsuki, however, and Akane could always hear Natsuki's voice telling her what she should really do.
She wondered, for the millionth time, if Natsuki was alive.
"Isn't that Meister Otome Viola! And her son! So cute."
Shizuru was used to attention she got when she went out in public, but what she was not used to was people pointing out the fact that she was a mother, even years after the fact.
Daisuke Kruger had been adopted by Natsuki just seven months after they wed. Shizuru remembered how easy it was back then. Natsuki would spend time with the young five year old and Shizuru continued life as it were. Natsuki was the one who took the responsibility, not her.
But then she couldn't help but love him and soon she was taking him away from Natsuki's hands so her wife could work, cooking for him since Natsuki was horrible at it and shopping for him because Natsuki didn't understand he needed a different coat for Autumn and Fall.
"Grandma!" Daisuke waves his hand which held an action figure to their waiting company for the night. Shizuru lets go of his other hand and he runs to the arms of the Aries President.
Saeko Kruger was nothing at all like her daughter in Shizuru's opinion. Saeko kept her hair cut to the chin whereas her Natsuki hated even getting a trim. Saeko was straight, and well, Natsuki was definitely not. Saeko was tunnelled in her mind for power and prosperity whereas Natsuki wanted it all. Saeko was intrusive and giggly and a socialite. Her Natsuki just wanted to have her privacy.
And yes, Shizuru knew mothers and daughter had some similar aspects, such as Natsuki's hairline and nose. But their attitudes were so different that she had always found something new to discover. "Hello my young prince," Saeko smiled and bent down to hug him. He scrambled into a chair at the fancy restaurant, explaining away his action figure.
Shizuru sat down as well with her mother-in-law, a little sad to see that Natsuki's younger sister Alyssa hadn't made the dinner.
"So how is work?" Saeko asked Shizuru as their appetizers were brought around. "Have things relaxed yet?"
"Hardly," Shizuru was glad to see Daisuke's table manners were damn near impeccable. He was a nine year old now and she would make sure he was the best nine year old to walk Earl. "It's just that... Today I was furious with Ahn because she never consulted me for a Tribeca meeting."
"Oh?" Saeko perked up. She was nothing if not fantastic in the ways of politics and had been dying to hear about the how the new Gakuenchou was doing.
"She apologised and said she'd consult me next time."
"That's a rule right, that two Column shave to co-sign for all meetings?"
"Not exactly," Shizuru sighed again. "If it's the Gakuenchou she need not have another Column present. But it's a matter of principle. I've done Tribeca for years. Not only would the other party be suspicious if I'm not there but she needs to have respect that even though I was her junior in our school days I am now her superior."
Saeko frowned more at that. "Isn't Gakuenchou the leader of the Columns?"
"I've worked there for almost eight years and she's been there hardly two. Natsuki was..." Shizuru blew out a shaky exhale before continuing, "Natsuki was the only student ever to be requested by our Shinso-sama herself to become out leader. Otherwise the role was always voted, but Ahn doesn't understand that. I have more insight to how she should run things, having not only been deputy Gakuenchou but also married to the Gakuenchou? She's being incredibly sour about it all."
Saeko closed her eyes. She remembered the day her daughter had been selected as Gakuenchou. On her graduation day, Natsuki had known she would become a Column and she had been ready to become the First Column (her finger tapping on her thigh as she tried not to hold back excitement. Natsuki was rarely excited, but how could she not be when she was honoured with such a powerful position?)
Saeko had been bragging that entire week about how her daughter was the second best student by only one point of studies difference so she may as well be the best. The best were announced last, and Natsuki had gone onto the stage of that eerie room, holding back a rare smile from the knowledge that her dream was about to come true.
No one expected the Otome's Shinso-sama, Fumi, to say that Natsuki Kruger was to become Garderobe's Gakeunchou and 'leader of them all.'
At the time, the Gakuenchou Lisa Right had been hospitalized in an attack against the Academy. Fumi had produced a brand new GEM, just for her daughter, and two weeks later her daughter was the youngest Gakuenchou in the history of Earl. Saeko had never seen power so raw as when that GEM known as The Ice Silver Crystal materialized right on her baby's ear, stunning an entire room of powerful maidens to silence.
Newspapers had been all over her daughter and Natsuki hadn't said as much out loud but as her mother she knew that many Otome older than Natsuki were loathe to take orders from someone younger and prettier, ordered by Fumi or not.
But time and time again, Natsuki had proven herself without fail.
Her daughter was out there. She didn't care if the Shinso-sama had Natsuki's GEM as 'offline' these past two years. She was pretty sure she would have known in her gut if Natsuki was dead.
She just couldn't believe Natsuki was dead because she had to live in this world somehow, and any other truth would destroy her.
She knew Shizuru felt the same.
Five years ago, Gakuenchou's office...
Alyssa Kruger sipped her champagne with a happy sigh. The hotel's ballroom they were occupying had one long table that seated fifty. She had met a few of Shizuru's cousins from far away but most of the people she already knew from being family friends of the Viola-clan for generations.
Sometimes she wondered when it all changed. She recalled sitting at a long table like this with Natsuki when they were younger, and Natsuki and Shizuru had barely talked to one another back then and Shizuru, being the oldest of their socialite's generation, was always bossing them around. Then when Natsuki went to Garderobe things changed. Shizuru was still slightly bossy, but she was also remarkably friendly and kind and Alyssa admired her on a whole new level, proud to know her sister was dating someone so cool and beautiful.
Now her older sister was going to get married to Shizuru which was surreal despite how well the two seemed to fit together. This whole rehearsal dinner was like some kind of dream.
Unfortunately for her, Natsuki set up high standards for a spouse which meant Alyssa would have to find someone just as fabulous as Shizuru Viola to compete.
"Alyssa, drink?" a tap on her shoulder shook her from her thoughts. They had finished desert and most people were retiring to bed in the hotel. Alyssa was feeling anything but tired so she followed her sister, wondering when Natsuki had gotten up from her conversation in the first place.
"I'd love one." She gulped the rest of her champagne to which Natsuki snorted. They walked over to the bar and Natsuki ordered some strange Windbloom concoction for the both of them.
"Shizuru's dad pretty much demanded we stay in their family home for a whole month." Natsuki said once they clinked their glasses.
"What did you tell him?" Alyssa moaned at the taste of her drink. It was delicious, she was definitely going to have another.
"Well I couldn't disagree..." Natsuki rubs her eyes. The life of Gakuenchou was clearly exhausting for her. Ever since Natsuki started her career Alyssa noticed the bags under her eyes and the subtle yawns. But her sister was the fricken prodigy Gakuenchou of Garderobe Academy! No one could possibly be as cool. Natsuki was untouchable, the world was in the palm of her hands.
"But Mama wanted you stay with us too – I want you to stay with me! I never get to see you anymore and I'm finally on school holidays!"
"Relax!" Natsuki slung an arm around her shoulders. "I told him that you were on holidays so we agreed one month with you and Mama, then the next with them. And then we'll have to postpone our honeymoon."
With a squeal, Alyssa kissed her sister's cheek. "Buy me another!"
Natsuki signalled the barista for another, glancing behind her to wave goodnight to their mother. Alyssa blew her mom kiss and the woman grinned, chatting amiably with Shizuru's parents. Shizuru kissed a cousin goodnight on the cheek and made her way over to join them.
"Make that three," Natsuki told the barista quickly. He blushed at the rare grin she sent him and fumbled with the glasses before showing off a bottle-spin. Alyssa giggled because Natsuki was as oblivious as ever to how beautiful she was.
"Na-tsu-ki," Shizuru's skipped the last step and latched onto Natsuki's hand, swinging it with a silly grin.
"Whaaaat," Natsuki humoured her, mimicking the tone of Shizuru's voice.
"Nothing," Shizuru kissed her briefly on the lips before winking at Alyssa. "Hello little Kruger."
"Hello Shizuru!"
"Has Natsuki told you what she'd doing for her bachelorette party?"
"Shizuru."Natsuki scolded lightly, sliding over a drink to Alyssa and passing another to Shizuru. They all clinked glasses in cheers.
"Yes she has!" Alyssa slapped her hand against her chest in mock horror. "Video games and drinks. And the people invited include only myself and Lord Tate."
Shizuru kissed Natsuki's temple and patted her shoulder, "No fear my Natsuki, I'll send you some strippers when I'm done with them."
Natsuki growled, downing her drink, "laugh all you want!"
"Damn it!" Natsuki Kruger cursed her large flat screen television and game console, having lost during her tenth try to finally finish her video game.
Her office was large, she spent more time in here than anywhere else and she figured she may as well spend her last night as an unmarried woman in here too. Shizuru was having a grand club party with dancing and strippers and alcohol but that sort of scene just wasn't Natsuki's preference.
Her intercom buzzed, the young Coral Akane Soir who was working as her receptionist was a good kid and she liked the girl. She had great potential and Natsuki appreciated her character.
"Gakuenchou, Lord Tate is here."
She was on her feet and opening the door herself, a smile lit her face in excitement.
"Tate."He grinned at her voice, dressed in casual clothes so that no one would know he was a Lord. Natsuki had also forgone her usual formal clothing for similar clothes. "You're early."
"I haven't seen you in ages and that's all you got to say?" He was holding a duffel bag and lifted it up. "I brought stuff."
Natsuki was energetic despite having had a long sex session with her wife-to-be just an hour ago when the rehearsal dinner had cleared out. "Great. Alyssa is joining us later and, uh, Akane? You got the night off? Want to join?"
The young Coral looked absolutely shocked from the invitation. "J-join?"
"Inside my office," Natsuki told her. "I'm having a bachelorette party."
"But... me?"
"Yes, you," Natsuki waved her over. Akane hesitated but followed her superior's lead. "Just hang out for an hour or two, you won't get in trouble."
Akane nodded at that, she was pretty sure any girl in Garderobe Academy would kill to party with the Gakuenchou.
"Hello, I'm Yuuichi Tate," the Lord who had been appointed as the Gakuenchou's last meeting of the day offered his hand and a friendly smile. Akane felt her heart pound in her chest, he was very handsome.
"H-hello sir, I'm A-Akane Soir. Number one Coral."
"Impressive!" He followed Natsuki into the office and Akane closed the door behind them. She hesitated until following them inside. Natsuki's office was... humungous. She had never really been inside of it.
"Nice digs Kruger," Yuuichi whistled.
"This is only my office," Natsuki walked over to bookshelf on the side and tapped in a code on the keypad. "Being Gakuenchou has its ups and downs."
Akane giggled at that, awed when Natsuki's bookshelf opened to reveal a door like a secret hidden passage. She always thought Gakuenchou lived in the mansion with the other Columns.
They all went inside, greeted by a vast and open living space. A bed on a platform to the far side, a lounging chair, a dining room, couches and books, a grand piano, a kitchen... so much space.
Akane decided that she wanted a place just like this when she was older.
Natsuki led the way to the kitchen, laughing with Yuuichi who was going on about her automatic lights in excitement. Garderobe had the best technology at its fingertips and the Gakuenchou got dibs.
"Drinks," She took out three bottles of green liquid, the tasty and expensive alcohol known as Cyprus. Akane was aware that girls in Garderobe thought it was cool to drink the stuff, and here she was being offered some by her principal! "Akane, don't worry about the underage thing since you're with me."
"Abusing power," Yuuichi grabbed his drink and sighed after a long gulp. "You're badass."
"I was always badass," Natsuki told him.
When it was about one in the morning Akane had gone back to her dorm room, drunk. Natsuki and Yuuichi escorted her, amused at her rambles of how she couldn't wait to finally have sex with a guy and that was the only thing she hated about being an Otome. They made the walk back to Natsuki's with quiet laughter, reminiscing their old days.
"Hey Yuuichi..." Natsuki said as they got back to her office.
"What?" He knew that by using his first name they were done playing pals and were now being friends.
"This whole night we never mentioned Mai."
"It was her birthday last month," Yuuichi said thickly, feeling tears brim along his eyelashes. He wouldn't let them fall though.
"We did something like this on her birthday," Natsuki sighed in memory. "Sneaked you into our room and-"
"Smoked up?" Yuuichi snickered. The cardboard box he brought earlier contained his clothes for the next couple of days and one nice formal outfit for the wedding, but mostly liquor and marijuana. He got out two marijuana joints he had rolled and shook them in Natsuki's face.
"Is it that great stuff from Artai? I only get to do it when I go home these days and our supply sucks."
"Seriously Nat? I haven't done any since you and Mai graduated!"
Natsuki burst out in laughter, watching Yuuichi pass her a joint before he lit his up, inhaling long and deep. She accepted his lighter and eyed the engraving before using it for herself.
Mai had given it to him back in the day.
"She's got to be alive," Natsuki said after they smoked silently for a minute. "It's like, I just know we'll see her someday."
"Yeah... Someday... You know, my parents have been trying to set me up with girls... but I just... I can't, Nat. I can't. I've been seeing this nice girl, Shiho... but I feel like I'm compromising."
"I haven't made any friends since her," Natsuki said quietly. "There's just you... and that is sad."
"You don't see Viola as a friend?" He was confused since Mai had been his friend before they started dating and even when he fell in love with her she was always a good friend.
Natsuki took a drag and held it in as long as she could before releasing it slowly, her head was feeling mellow and calm. "You and Mai were friends, but me and Shizuru... she's always been a romance if you can get that? There's things I can tell you that I can't tell her. I love her more than anything but I can't be a friend... it's more than that. We get along great, like we're meant to be."
"So you do? Love her, I mean."
"I really, really do." Natsuki closed her eyes, smiling. "Nothing has ever compared."
"Not even when you screwed Carol Benham?"
"As awesome as that was, not even. And don't be mentioning that name to Shizuru she hates me for that one time."
"Mai told me it was multiple one time!" HE cackled at her blush. "Is she coming to the wedding? You think she'd let me-"
"Probably," Natsuki cut him off. "Actually, definitely. I'll introduce you. She still hit son me everytime she sees me, in case I change my mind about monogamy."
"You rock! Best wingman ever... Hell Nat! You're getting married! Fucking ridiculous! Mai told me that you would be the first of us."
"Really?" Natsuki scowled.
"I don't kid. Didn't you say Alyssa was coming over?"
"In an hour or so. She's making sure everything's set up and then we're going to pull an all-nighter. Want to play video games?"
"Hell yes! Got anything to eat?"
"This is stupid," Natsuki wiped her butt, scowling at the black soot all over her. They were in North Windbloom where old trains were ditched. Coal coated most surfaces out here and the path they had taken was so they could sneak in and crash Shizuru's bachelorette party.
"Why the hell is Viola clubbing out here?" Yuuichi was already pulling out a joint and lighting up again, passing it to Natsuki. "So you know the plan, huh?"
"Hell if I know!" Natsuki took a drag and then passed it back to him. "Alyssa?"
"I'm here, I'm here," Alyssa, more sober than the older two, made it over the wired fence without falling into the soot remains. Natsuki and Yuuichi had some on their faces, looking cute instead of gross. "So, Natsuki are you ready?"
"Not really," Natsuki let out a shaky breath. "Fuck this, let's go back!"
"Suck it up Kuga," Yuuichi grabbed her shoulders, stuffing the joint back in her mouth. "Take a long drag for courage and go in there!"
Natsuki nodded furiously, "you're right! Shizuru thinks I'm incapable of setting foot in a club! I'll show her!"
"I also made a bet with her," Alyssa chimed in. "She thinks you'd chicken out."
When Alyssa finally came over and joined the pot-video-game-fest that was her sister's party, a phone call from a very drunk Shizuru was received, the brunette asking – daring – Natsuki to come to the club and join the fun.
Natsuki fixed her jacket collar and pointed to the window they found. "Time to infiltrate!"
They snuck in with loud noises completely unbefitting of sneaking in, but the club music was so loud that Natsuki was certain no one would have heard them. They found themselves in a supply closet and when they snuck out of there they were staring at scantily clad girls and boys running about with trays of drinks.
"What the fuck!" Natsuki hadn't expected such public nudity and flushed brightly. "Why do I let you guys talk me into this shit!"
Alyssa wondered for the tenth time if she was gay like her sister because a redhead female bending over in front of her turned her on. She grabbed Natsuki's hand and dragged her to the stage, Yuuichi following.
"Here's the plan," Alyssa said. "I'm going to pay off that DJ to let us use the microphones and we're going to sing."
"No way!" Natsuki refused.
"Brilliant idea!" Yuuichi dug in his pockets for cash of his own. "We'll sing with you Nat, relax."
"I'm not going to sing!"
"But you have a very nice voice," Alyssa pouted.
"For Mai?" Yuuichi nudged her. "Queen of Karaoke? Let's do it for the love of my life! Your best friend! Her birthday present!"
Natsuki gulped, agreeing. "But I don't see Shizuru-"
"She's on the left," Alyssa wagged a finger. "Okay, we'll be singing Summertime!"
Shizuru Viola let out another bark of laughter, the jokes that Fifth Column Maya Blythe was telling everyone had them in cahoots. And the alcohol helped as well.
Suddenly the music stopped and groans were heard around the dance floor. Shizuru pouted as well and everyone murmured about what was going.
The DJ spoke, "Hey everyone, the party is still hot. Celebrating the last night of unmarried life, Miss Shizuru Viola, stand up!"
Shizuru stood up, all of her friends and acquaintances cheering her on. Even though the part was a private one, Shizuru had enough guests that filled up the nightclub, mostly old Classmates who weren't invited to the wedding itself.
"We've got a surprise for you," the DJ said.
Shizuru gasped when Alyssa grabbed the microphone from him. If Alyssa was here, that meant Natsuki was here and that meant Natsuki had accepted her challenge.
"Hello! My name is Alyssa Kruger, younger sister to everyone's beloved Gakuenchou!" Claps went around and Shizuru felt her cheeks heat up. Alyssa gestured to her left where Natsuki was being unceremoniously shoved onstage by Yuuichi Tate. Shizuru laughed in delight, her love looking flustered and embarrassed and shy. "My dear sister was having her own party tonight when Shizuru phoned us and challenged us to come over here!"
Yuuichi stole the microphone and smiled, "and we snuck in and got chased by rabid dogs!"
Laughter echoed in the club, Shizuru watched as Natsuki held in a smile, still self-conscious of everyone's attention.
"I think she should sing a song!" Yuuichi yelled, everyone whooped and cheered and Shizuru couldn't stop laughing.
"Sing, sing, sing, sing," Alyssa waved her arms and everyone encouraged Natsuki with the chant.
The DJ started an instrumental tune and Natsuki looked absolutely lost with the mic in her hand and the sea of cheers. But she opened her mouth and started to sing, unsteady at first turned into steady, and with her two friends joining in Shizuru decided that she couldn't wait to get married.
"She can really sing... and she's so carefree right now." Maya blinked in shock, not used to seeing her superior in a situation like this.
"Ara, ara," Shizuru frowned suddenly, realising that Natsuki was a bit out of character. "My Natsuki is really high."
Shizuru Viola had never been so nervous in her life. She walked down the aisle, feeling hundreds of eyes on her and her stunning cream dress. Endangered flowers of Nuboi were in her hands, the pink and blue petals complimenting her complexion. She knew she looked stunning, but she couldn't keep her eyes off of the figure standing at the end of the red carpet in the Windbloom Castle hall.
Natsuki's teal dress was vibrant and suited her fabulously. Her green eyes looked bloodshot and she seemed tired but it did nothing to take away from how gorgeous she looked, her long hair falling down her shoulders. Shizuru wondered if the younger woman was still stoned.
The music that had been playing stopped as Shizuru stood shoulder to shoulder with her lover, a high priest of Windbloom started reciting an ancient marriage passage and Shizuru was sure she heard stifled crying that was probably her own mother. It made her hangover hurt more.
"You look very tired," she whispered to Natsuki, her heart still thundering in her chest.
"I couldn't sleep," Natsuki whispered back.
"Me either," she grinned, still keeping her eyes on the priest like they had practiced at rehearsals.
Natsuki and her had great status, especially with Natsuki as a recognized political figurehead with the most dangerous and powerful army behind her name, had people dying to be invited to the wedding. Nobles and relatives and every single person connected to being an Otome – even the current students – had been invited and not one single person had declined. This was a considered a wedding to be remembered by all who came from across Earl. It had even been held in the Royal Hall of Windbloom Castle, where only royalty had ever wed before.
"I love you," Shizuru said softly, finding that the words eased her nerves slightly.
"I love you too," Natsuki's whisper washed over her, and suddenly she wasn't nervous at all.
Natsuki finished going through her martial arts for the day. Being on break from school didn't give her the liberty to relax like she was sure her other classmates would do during the four day break. She had come back home during those days, but Alyssa was at school and her mother was in meetings all day so she had nothing except exercise and video games to pass time.
"Is that Natsuki-chan?" A soft voice took her out of her concentration and she suddenly felt silly in her hand stand, jumping out of it quickly to greet the stranger, irked at the interruption.
She held back on being rude, however, when she noticed it was her mother's friend Carol Benham.
"Benham-san," she realised it probably wasn't the best idea to greet her mother's friend all sweaty like this, so she grabbed her towel and dabbed at her face, "Uh – mother isn't going to be back until the evening."
Carol laughed, smoothing down her skirt and shirt. She was Natsuki's mother's close friend of years with strawberry blonde hair that got her married to the Late Bartimus Benham, a nice man Natsuki remembered who always smoked cigars and died from an assassination before his lungs would have killed him. She had seen his head blow up with her own eyes, heard Carol scream in agony.
"I know that, Saeko told me she'd be at work till at least eight. She invited me over dinner."
Natsuki dabbed her face and walked forward, slinging the towel over the back of her neck. "It's only two..."
"I know, I know," Carol gave her a smile that Natsuki found a little strange. "I came to see you, Saeko's been raving about how you're an amazing student at Garderobe. What's it like?"
"I-it's nice," Natsuki reached behind her head to pull at her ponytail, feeling nervous around Carol's bright and gorgeous smile. "I was just practicing – sorry for my appearance." Her eyes darted down to Carol's legs that were gleaming in the sunlight.
"Oh don't be sorry, Natsuki." She took a few steps over to Natsuki and reached out to touch the towel, her heels had given her a tiny inch in height advantage. "My, last time I saw you... you were up to my chin."
Natsuki knew she had to be looking too much into the situation. Carol just wanted to see what their height difference was, she wasn't suggesting... 'but her eyes are – and she's totally – '
"Y-yeah," Natsuki swallowed dryly. "I mean, I've grown-"
"I can see that," Carol lowered her voice, cutting Natsuki off. "You're seventeen now, hmm?"
Natsuki nodded, her cheeks were hot and she was pretty sure her mother's friend was making a pass at her. "B-Benham-"
"Carol. Call me Carol." Her fingers that had been lingering on the towel moved to Natsuki's arm, her sleeveless exercise attire left her arms bare.
Natsuki shivered, "I'm all sweaty maybe I should change-"
"Don't. I like you like this."
Natsuki grabbed the hand on her arm, "wait. Just so I get it, you're trying to-"
"Encourage you to have some fun? Yes, Natsuki-chan, I am." Carol let out a soft giggle. "I hear you're quite the girl-magnet at Garderobe?"
In Garderobe they trained Otome to read body language. Natsuki had seen the dilated pupils and heightened breathing that Carol gave her as soon as she grabbed the woman's hand. Carol was turned on, aroused by her.
"I wouldn't know about that," she was starting to understand. Carol had come here with the sole intention of seducing her. She was kind of flattered. And very, very nervous. "I've never..."
"Oh really?" Carol seemed to brighten up at the fact. "Then I get the pleasure of breaking you in."
"Ah – are you sure this is a good idea, I mean, you're like my mom's age!"
"Do I look like your mom's age?" Carol looked slightly insulted.
"No! I just mean, you're her friend and – and-"She was silenced by a pair of soft lips, arms wrapping around her neck. Carol moaned, pressing closer.
"It can be our secret, hmm? I just really, really, really, need someone to fuck me. You think you can handle that? Because I want to scream and I want you to take me there."
"Iyaa!" Mai squealed. "She told you that? She—she actually said those things?!"
Natsuki blushed, her embarrassment betrayed by a smug smile. "Yeah."
"Carol Benham?" Haruka Armitage looked absolutely flabbergasted. "Seriously? She's supposed to be a refined lady!"
Shizuru couldn't believe that Natsuki had lost her virginity over their long weekend break. The younger girl seemed to have a crush on her, and she was a little peeved that someone beat her to the punch.
Understatement of the year. She was furious.
"Was she any good?" Shizuru asked her room attendant.
Natsuki flushed, "um, what do you mean?" She did not want to have this conversation with Shizuru of all people.
"In bed, Natsuki, in bed," Shizuru hugged a pillow close to her chest. Haruka was already pouring them all new shots, they were kind of drunk and had been practice fighting for an hour before Mai suggested they play a game and Haruka revealed she had turned nineteen, inviting them all to celebrate her birthday in her room. "Was she any good in bed?"
"Tell Natsuki tell!" Mai bounced on her knees in excitement. "Yuuichi is the best kisser-"
Natsuki was surprised at how much fun Haruka could be, accepting the drink that was handed over by the blonde. "Mai! I don't need to hear that about Tate, thank you very much."
Mai blushed. "I'll make you that Ramen stuff you like for a whole week if you spill the details."
Natsuki sighed, they were her friends, she really had nothing to be embarrassed about and Ramen for a week was totally worth the details. "Alright, alright. First of all she's superhot, and she definitely knew what she was doing."
"More than that!"Haruka snapped at Natsuki. "I need advice for how to do things with Yukino when we get that far. Bubuzuke over here just goes and fucks whoever asks."
"I do not," Shizuru defended. "Only most of them."
Natsuki rolled her eyes. "She didn't do much, kind of just told me what to do."
"That's it?" Haruka deflated.
"You mean you didn't, you know, orgasm?" Mai asked.
Natsuki flushed, "I can't believe we're having this conversation! I did, okay, a few times."
"A few times!" Mai gasped in awe.
"Yeah, I mean, she screamed like eight times, and... I don't know if it was just her but she liked it from..." Natsuki swallowed the words, too embarrassed to say them.
"From?" Mai shook her friend's shoulders.
"From behind!" Natsuki blurted out, covering her face. "Can we talk about something else now?"
"B-behind!" Haruka flushed just as brightly. "A-and she liked it?"
"She's one of those Cougars," Mai informed them. "An older woman who seeks a young lover. You're not dating her are you?"
"What? No. She's like my mom's friend and I'm seventeen, not exactly legal you know? Plus I think it was just sex."
"Ara, so she just used Natsuki. It wasn't anything real." Shizuru turned her chin up, cutting into the conversation.
Natsuki sat up from her reclined position. "Shizuru, it's not like we're together so don't be jealous."
"I am not jealous!" Shizuru wondered why she agreed to come to this party in the first place. "Natsuki can go and fuck who ever she wants to. I don't care."
Haruka reached over to her bottle of Tequila, pouring them all another shot. Just the fact that Shizuru used the word 'fuck' in a sentence proved she was jealous, but they all knew that.
"In that case you can go to the damn dance with me!" Natsuki said to Shizuru, irked that the girl just couldn't admit how she felt.
"Fine, I will!" Shizuru stood up. "You can pick me up at eight tomorrow and you can wear something that doesn't make you look like a country bumpkin you screws her mother's friends!"
After the door slam Natsuki's scowl turned to panic. "Do I dress like a country bumpkin who screws her mother's friends?"
It was the start to a beautiful romance.
To be continued...
