DISCLAIMER: I do not own Strawberry Panic! (I wish I did, though) xD
(One Week Later)
Shizuma was diligently going over some some monthly employee reports when a sharp knock at her door broke her stoney concentration. Her secretary, Miss Ayame, opened the door for Shion to come in and closed the door quietly as Shizuma's blond business partner took a seat across from her.
"How may I help you, Shion?" Shizuma asked as she took the papers in her hand and placed them in a manila folder.
"I need your help...again." Shion mumbled in defeat.
Shizuma raised an eyebrow. "Girlfriend help again?"
Shion nodded her head slowly as she fumbled with the right words to say. "Our third year anniversary is coming up and I have no idea what to do for her."
"Take her out on your new yacht." Shizuma suggested easily.
Shion's eyes brightened. "Oh, why didn't I think of that!" She rubbed her forehead with her hand and then sighed. "Well, onto more important matters; I hear Miyuki is in town and I think it would be a great opportunity for you to give her a tour of our facilities."
"I have a lot of paperwork to finish today; can't you do it?"
"I could but you're the one who is to seduce her so giving her a tour would just help you two get closer. Every step counts, Etoile."
Shizuma could never understand why Shion constantly referred to her as Etoile even though it had been years and years since their feuding days as Etoile and President. She thought maybe she really must have left quite a mark on Shion for the blond to still be in the mode to refer to her by that given high school title.
"Fine but I just want you to know that I am sure I can find out if Miyuki will be loyal to us without resorting to seduction." Shizuma said flatly.
Before Shion could respond, Shizuma's secretary knocked on the door and opened it.
"You have a visitor, Miss Hanazono." Miss Ayame said as she held the door open.
Shion and Shizuma turned to face the doorway and then their breaths hitched abruptly at the sight in front of them. There stood Rokujo Miyuki, far more beautiful than any of the two had ever remembered. The short hair she used to sport in high school was now lush, sapphire locks that reached the small of her back. They looked so silky and the way they cascaded down her body resembled the falling water from a waterfall. Her bright, deep brown eyes shone like moist, brown topaz gems, soaking up the brilliance of the sun. She wore a simple white blouse and black skirt but the simplicity only augmented her beauty more. Shion and Shizuma both stared in awe at the sapphire-haired queen in front of them and neither made a move until Miyuki cleared her throat.
Shizuma slowly stood up from her seat but it was Shion who bolted her way to Miyuki; almost tripping overherself. "W-welcome to our humble business, Miyuki." Shion said with a toothy smile and a flush to her cheeks.
Miyuki's eyes softened and she smiled back at Shion. "It is a pleasure to be here and meet you both."
Shizuma rubbed her sweaty palms down her red vest and walked towards Miyuki. "You look wonderful, Miyuki." She gently grabbed Miyuki's hand and gave her a hug. The flowery fragrance that emanated from Miyuki threatened to tantalize Shizuma so she quickly pulled away to save herself.
"How about I give you a tour of our facilities?" Shion chirped.
Shizuma shot her business partner an icy glare.
"Oh well-" Miyuki was cut off as Shion's cellphone began to ring.
Shion fished out her cellphone from her pocket, looked at the caller I.D., and then cruelly shoved it back into her pants. Shizuma raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms at Shion's unusual behavior.
"Ah, it would seem Shion's girlfriend needs her; I can show you around, Miyuki." Shizuma flashed her old friend a dazzling smile and Miyuki hid her own smile behind a delicate, porcelain-skinned hand..
Shion's face was completely red and she glared at Shizuma with all her might.
"Well, I would actually prefer to catch up with you, Shizuma. If that is alright?" Miyuki asked tentatively.
Shizuma smiled. "Of course, are you hungry by any chance?"
Miyuki nodded her head and Shizuma lead her beautiful friend out of her office; leaving a red-faced Shion behind.
Shizuma and Miyuki sat silently in Shizuma's limousine as her driver carefully navigated the streets to take them to an upscale steakhouse. The two old friends sat in awkward silence until Miyuki shattered the quiet.
"How have you been, Shizuma?"
"Good so far; and you?"
Miyuki sighed and a weak smile spread across her pink lips. "Aren't you going to ask me about my divorce? I know you're curious about it."
Shizuma swallowed down her nervousness. "I didn't want to pry into your business, Miyuki."
"You're an old friend of mine so you deserve to know."
"Well then; what happened?"
(Flashback of 5 years ago)
After Miyuki had graduated from college, her parents decided that they had stalled long enough and that it was time for her to get married to her betrothed. Her parents were good friends with an Italian-American couple in America, and decided that their son and Miyuki's marriage would help fortify, and secure, a joint-family empire. So, she was quickly shipped off to New York and within a week of her being in America; was just as quickly married to a man named Jaime Pisano.
Jaime Pisano was dashing, had perfect teeth, a head that was decorated by thick-dark curls, and icy blue eyes. The two weren't given enough time to even learn each other's names but were married in front of the press and the upper echelons of society for the sake of showing the world of a new, international super-power that was to emerge from their marriage. Their parents sent them off to a honeymoon in Italy, where the two awkwardly kept each other company but could never seem to do so in bed.
On the third night of their honeymoon, Miyuki decided that she needed to get to know who her new husband exactly was if they were to spend the rest of their life together. So, during a casual dinner at a nearby cafe, Miyuki began her interrogation.
"Jaime, I'm sorry to pry but I think as your wife I deserve to know you better. The time we have spent together just feels...awkward and wrong." Miyuki said as she sipped her water.
Jaime smiled kindly. "I know and you deserve to know whatever you want. So please; ask away."
"Well for starters; how do you feel about our marriage?"
Jaime's eyes lost their twinkle as he stared down at his food. "Well, I was hoping that I would be able to choose who I married. I was getting really hopeful when I was told that your family had decided to wait until you finished college. In my mind, this gave me enough time to somehow get my way." His voice trailed off and he rubbed his nose in frustration.
Miyuki's eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out what was frustrating him until it donned on her. "You already love someone else, don't you?"
He looked up at her and his eyes were mixed with fear and agreement. "I'm sorry, Miyuki; that is why I just couldn't bring myself to consummate our marriage with you or it would mean betraying Felicia."
Miyuki's heart went out to her husband. "I love someone as well, Jaime, and I totally understand where you are coming from. I am actually glad that you have not forced yourself upon me so I thank you."
His eyes regained their brightness and he smiled warmly at her. "Are you and your lover still keeping in contact?"
Miyuki's eyes dimmed. "Well, she doesn't know that I love her but last I heard; she was fairing well with her girlfriend."
Jaime nodded his head. "I'm sorry that you love someone from afar."
"I am sorry to myself as well." Miyuki said as she sipped her water.
The limousine lurched as it hit a pothole and Miyuki and Shizuma jolted slightly in their seats.
"We decided that we were going to remain friends throughout our marriage but then, just at the end of last year, we found out that he had impregnated Felicia. I didn't feel right staying in the false marriage anymore and so I told him that it was time to stop living a lie and filed for divorce. My parents refuse to speak to me and have cut me off from their financial support but during my time in America, I had made enough money to support myself for many years to come." Miyuki's voice softened and faded away.
Shizuma placed a hand on top of Miyuki's and smiled at her friend. "I am glad that you have returned, Miyuki."
Miyuki smiled back. "So, how are you and Nagisa?"
"We broke up some time ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Shizuma could have sworn she saw a smile flicker across Miyuki's lips but it was gone just as fast as it had come. "It is okay; I'm fine now."
The limousine stopped in front of the restaurant and Shizuma's driver held the door open for the two friends to get out. They made their way into the restaurant and were seated within minutes. After some time of browsing through the menu, they ordered their foods and then found themselves in silence again.
"Who was that lover of yours, Miyuki?" Shizuma asked with an eyebrow raised.
Miyuki blushed as she stared at her hands on her lap.
"You know her, Shizuma." Miyuki said quietly.
Shizuma bit her lower lip in thought. Then, her olive-green eyes brightened and Miyuki gasped; fearing that Shizuma had found out. "Oh my god, don't tell me you love Shion!"
Miyuki let out a sigh of relief and shook her head. Shizuma frowned and scrunched up her forehead in thought. "Shizuma, just let it go; when the time comes, I promise to tell you." Miyuki couldn't help but smile.
Their food arrived and the two ate as they reminisced about their younger years in school and Miyuki couldn't help but comment on the peculiarity of Shion and Tsubomi as girlfriends. All Shizuma could say on that matter was that it only took a christmas party at her house, a mistletoe, a half a bottle of wine, and her poor couch for that "peculiarity" to come into fruition. Miyuki couldn't help but laugh at that and Shizuma couldn't help but feel her heart warm and her cheeks burn at the sound of the midnight-blue haired maiden's crisp laughter.
After their dinner concluded, the day had waned and it was close to 8:00 pm so Shizuma offered to drop Miyuki off at her new home. The striking midnight-blue haired maiden agreed and they got back into Shizuma's white limousine and were off towards the direction of Miyuki's house. When the limousine stopped in front of a small but elegant little house, Shizuma got out first and extended her hand to Miyuki. Miyuki smiled and gladly took Shizuma's hand and got out of the vehicle.
Were her hands always this soft? Shizuma thought to herself as Miyuki stood up to her full height and looked into Shizuma's eyes. Just...beautiful...
Miyuki cleared her throat and Shizuma blushed and gently dropped her hand from grasping Miyuki's.
"I had a wonderful day, Shizuma; will I be seeing you tomorrow to get a tour of your establishment?" Miyuki asked as she gently pushed a strand of silky hair from her radiant face.
Shizuma nodded her head. "Yes, what time will be suitable for you?"
"Pick me up on your way to work in the morning."
"Then I shall see you at 7:00. Sleep well, Miyuki." Shizuma and Miyuki exchanged a smile before Shizuma reluctantly got back into her limousine and the white vehicle pulled away from the curb and left.
Miyuki sighed and fished through her purse for her house keys as she slowly made her way to her front door. It seems as if time hasn't even affected Shizuma's beauty at all; only enhanced it. She found her keys and opened her front door and went inside. Miyuki placed her purse and keys on a nearby stand and made her way to her kitchen to get a glass of wine to help her unwind before she took her nightly shower. She poured herself a glass of red wine and plopped her delicate frame down on a couch in the living room.
Her mind raced back to when she first saw Shizuma for the first time that morning. Her thick, long silver hair and her enchanting green eyes...her perfect, pink lips...nothing changed for the worse...she has only gotten prettier and prettier... Miyuki took a sip of her wine as her mind trailed off and she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Why can't I shake this feeling for her still...it has been years...what is it about her that makes me feel this way. When her eyes had fallen onto Shizuma for the first time in five years, Miyuki was so sure she was going to do something stupid. She was so afraid that her face showed Shion and Shizuma all the pent up love she had for the silver-haired goddess. She was so afraid that her voice would crack when she spoke to Shizuma. She was so afraid that Shizuma could see how nervous she had become. She was so afraid that she was going to burst into uncontrollable tears and throw herself at Shizuma. She was so afraid that her heart was going to burst through her rib cage and squirm on the ground before the olive-green eyes of the woman she never stopped loving. But most of all; she was so afraid that Shizuma had seen the panic and the love she had for her. Shizuma would never love me like she did with Kaori or Nagisa...I'll always be in the background...always the one to pick up the pieces...always the one to be there...but she'll never see me..
All day Miyuki tried to analyze Shizuma's features, just to see if there was an ounce of anything that would show Miyuki that Shizuma cared for her in the same way she did for the silver-haired perfection. But, like always, Shizuma was a difficult one to read and seldom wore her emotions on her sleeve like many others did. This made Shizuma dangerous in almost every aspect but this made Miyuki only love her more. She loved how Shizuma could be so mysterious to her and make her feel like she was under her control. Something about being the submissive one toward Shizuma made Miyuki's blood rush faster throughout her body and her face feel hot.
Miyuki giggled at herself at all the discombobulated thoughts that collided with each other in her head and within her heart. She took a few more sips of her wine and finished off the contents of her glass and then decided it was time for her to cleanse herself of the day and made her way to her bathroom for a much needed shower.
~END: Hmm well that is the end of that...thank you so much for reading (^_^) You know I love you all. I shall try and post again, but sooner than I had for this one. Until next time...Meow 3