Present Day, Garderobe Mansion and Headquarters

"Daisuke, you're being such a mess," Shizuru kneeled down and wiped the boy's mouth with a napkin. Red sauce was all over his face and his smile dropped at his mother's light scolding.

"Sorry," he smiled again when she pressed a kiss to his cheek to let him now she wasn't angry.

"It's alright. Please eat your food slowly."

"He's adorable" Maya sipped her wine glass after she said it, a look in her eyes telling everyone present how badly she yearned for own children lately. She was planning on retiring within three years to start her own family.

The Garderobe staff, or more politically correct the Garderobe nobles, were having a staff dinner to discuss any problems a direct Garderobe employee may have. It was a bi-monthly meeting they held for problems that did not pertain to tactical or political issues. It was to make sure they were all aware of each other's lives and could work productively together.

"He is," Shizuru agreed, raising her own glass. She had never thought Daisuke would become so important in her life, there was a time where she thought he was ruining her marriage.

"I can't tonight Shizuru, Daisuke is having nightmares. I'm sorry."

"That's a great idea, Daisuke can come with us."

"I'm sorry baby, I forgot to get it – it's just that, Daisuke wasn't feeling well and-"

She shook her head of it. Daisuke was an angel. He saved her when Shizuru felt nothing. He was hers, and she couldn't believe she had ever disliked him.

"You don't usually have your kid listen in on our meetings though, right?" Ahn butted into the pleasant conversation with a condescending tone. That morning Shizuru had told her off and Ahn was still upset about it.

As if on cue, so Shizuru didn't have to dignify the older woman with an answer, Top Pearl Otome Akane Soir entered the dining area of the Garderobe mansion.

"Good evening. I'm here to take Daisuke-kun out for a walk?"

"Akane-onee-sama!" Daisuke left his food where it was and looked to his mother.

"Go on," Shizuru encouraged him. "Wash your hands first please."

"I will!" He ran off to his room upstairs in the mansion.

Akane trailed after him, "we'll be back in a few hours!"

Shizuru turned her eyes back to the Gakuenchou, raising a brow, "you were saying?"

Ahn Lu bit back her anger. She hated Shizuru right now. Shizuru, who had been her underclassman and room attendant, her sweet girlfriend... was now nothing but a bitch. A rude, selfish, sarcastic, shell of the person she knew once upon a time. What happened to you, Shizuru?

"Let's just get on with the meeting, shall we?" Maya said sternly.

Everyone was more or less done with their dinner, so they leaned back in their chairs as a bottle of wine was passed around for refills. Corals would come in later to clean up their mess, one of the perks to being a staff member.

"I would like to start with discussing a particularly troublesome student," Miss Maria cleared her throat. "Has anyone else had an unpleasant encounter with Juliet Zhang? How she became a respectable member of the Trias I shall never know."

"Nao-san?" Sarah Gallagher, the First Column, blinked and then let out a giggle. "She's quite the moody one isn't she?"

"That she is," Miss Maria continued briskly. "She's been lying – I'm sure of it – to where she goes out at night."

"There's no proof?" Youko Helene, though the Chief of the School's Medical and Science facilities and thus in no way an Otome, held considerable power with the technology of her position. She found some of the rules at the Academy to be stupid, but the old Gakuenchou once explained to her that although they may be stupid, they were surprisingly necessary. Natsuki Kruger had even disclosed about how she herself broke all the rules before, only to become the person who enforces them. There was a tradition there that no one spoke about, and she was starting to understand it.

"No," Yukariko Steinberg, the head of Teachers, shifted. "However, Miss Zhang is my brightest academic student."

"Until something about Nao-san actually turns up, I think we should talk about my latest mission, and how my GEM cut off for a minute." Sarah said to change the subject.

"Agreed," Miss Maria added, not bothering to say much more on the issue.

"There was a strange star alignment," Youko told her. "It interfered with Shinso-sama's signal."

Sarah sighed, "that's a relief. I was really worried when it happened."

"I have an issue I'd liked to address," Maya cut in quickly. "All the staff's opinions are welcomed on the subject, but keep in mind that what I'm about to discuss is an internal Columns issue."

That was her way of telling everyone that wasn't a Column that they didn't really have a say but it was protocol that they know.

The First, Second, and Third Columns straightened their backs, giving their undivided attention to the Fifth Column as she continued speaking. "This is about Shizuru-san and Ahn-san."

Shizuru nodded for Maya to continue. She had expected Ahn to be the one who brought up something like 'Shizuru disrespects me' but she hadn't thought their little arguments would cause enough alert to her colleagues that one of them would raise the issue herself.

"You mean how Shizuru doesn't heed to any of my decisions?" Ahn said with barely laced anger. "Yes. We certainly do need to-"

"Please let me speak, Gakuenchou," Maya stood up for emphasis. "We understand more than you think we do."

"Then please, speak your mind," Ahn bit out.

"Very well." Maya turned her eyes to Shizuru. "You are still the deputy Gakuenchou, we can only imagine what it is you're going through the past two years and we all feel strongly for you."

Shizuru didn't say anything, her heart clenching at the memory that Maya was alluding to.

"Two years, Shizuru!" Alyssa had said to her. "We can't live like this anymore. We need some kind of peace."

"We as Columns owe Ahn-san a chance and you've been very hard in giving her that chance, Shizuru-san. Understandably at times, of course, but also not. Whatever past issues you both have with each other, we want to get them discussed and we want to have a working environment that makes us all feel comfortable."

"Of course," Shizuru said softly.

"Thank you," Ahn exaggeratedly clapped.

"That's not all," Maya turned her head to the Gakuenchou. "You must understand that although you are the current Second Column – you were not chosen to be our leader. You should be giving Shizuru-san and the rest of us a proper attitude. You're not a Princess here."

"I'm the Gakuenchou." Ahn said sternly. "That is what my job details I am to you all, the leader."

"Wrong," Sarah joined the conversation. "I respect you as an older Otome with more experience, but unless Fumi-sama appoints us a leader our code dictates we self-elect."

"We haven't had the time to elect since you've been named the Second Column," Shizuru explained gently. "Maya and Sarah both must be here for that."

Ahn pondered for a second. "Is this because I haven't been satisfactory in my duties?"

Shizuru shook her head, "not at all, please understand that. I'm sorry that I was too... wrapped up in myself to have explained this to you, I assumed you already knew. I myself vote Maya in favour of the position."

"Agreed. She's been a Column longer than all of us," Sarah added.

"That is definitely a decision I agree to," Ahn breathed out. "Less work on my plate. I concede that nomination, and thank you all for your professionalism."

Maya shook her head in amusement at their decision, "I accept. I only hope that I can hold a candle to what Natsuki Kruger once was."

Ahn watched as everyone seemed to ponder that sentiment. She wasn't jealous or upset at being in Kruger's shadow, she was furious. But she was certain she could get over it in due time, this talk would surely help. She was used to being the best, the others just needed time to adjust to her ways of doing things.

"I wish to also request that either Sarah-san or Ahn-san consider becoming the deputy Gakuenchou." Shizuru's voice figuratively slapped them all on the face. "With a son and with... everything... I would just like a break from the extra paperwork."

Maya and Sarah gasped, no one had expected that.

()

Five years ago, Kruger summer home.

"Natsuki and I didn't always get along when we started dating," Shizuru said to her current companion, letting the sand and warm wind caress her.

"Really?" Alyssa perked up at that. "I was always under the assumption you two hit it off with the love at first kiss thing..."

"Perhaps it was," Shizuru said. "But we were arguing. She was always questioning my actions and I was always, as she puts it, bossing her around."

Alyssa cackled. "Tell me more about it! Please? Natsuki only ever told me she had a girlfriend - and I was shocked when it was you I thought she was joking - never how she got the girlfriend."

"Well..." Shizuru stretched her arms out in front of her, the sunlight glinting off of her amethyst ring. Amethyst was an incredibly rare mineral on Earl, and Natsuki had found the one she wore on her finger, even made the ring herself. It matched Shizuru's GEM and it was something she found incredibly romantic, wanting to find Natsuki and pounce on her whenever she looked at the ring. "I would start off by saying there was an attraction, definitely. Natsuki has always been incredibly beautiful and ever since I can remember I admired her beauty."

"Yeah she is," Alyssa said proudly, her sister had always been her idol. "When we were little all the boys followed her around and when she told mama that she liked girls then girls were always trying to-"

"Ara, Alyssa, I am prone to jealousy, you know, and I recall such circumstances."

"Oh. Right. Sorry. Please continue."

"Anyways, she became my room attendant at Garderobe-"

"Is that code for sex-slave?"

Shizuru laughed, "contrary to popular myth, no. Pearls have to pick a Coral as part of our curriculum to tutor them, and Corals repay us buy cleaning our rooms."

"Aw, that's no fun."

"But Natsuki did become my sex-salve of course!"

"Shizuru! That's my sister you're talking to," Natsuki's voice caused them both to blush. She had gone running along the sand beach of their summer home, a sports bra and shorts emphasizing a sexy figure that two months of marriage (code word for a lot of sex) made trimmer than ever before. The two lounging hadn't been aware of Natsuki's arrival.

"Ara, don't you look absolutely yummy," Shizuru said in a sultry voice.

Natsuki's ears turned red as she pursed her lips, "I'm going to shower. Alyssa, all you need to know is that Shizuru couldn't resist me."

Shizuru giggled as Natsuki ran off with a goofy smile, their month of non-stop sex was wonderful and Natsuki had been more playful without any work to do, teasing and laughing like she did before the burden of becoming Gakuenchou was thrust upon her shoulders. Shizuru never wanted it to end.

Alyssa laughed at their interaction.

"Natsuki can say that all she wants!" Shizuru called at her wife's retreating back, "but we both know it was you who couldn't resist me!"

"We need to talk," Natsuki grabbed her wrist before she could make an escape.

"About what?" Shizuru glared at her. "I heard her tell you-"

"So what?" Natsuki growled out, reaching with her thumb to wipe away Shizuru's tears. "I turned her down didn't I?"

Shizuru felt her breathing calm down at that news. Natsuki had refused...

"Why did you do that? She's practically in love with you... I'm sure she would have done anything to be with you right now."

"Could there be a reason other than you?" The Coral snapped, cheeks red. "Idiot. I'm here with you because I have these feelings, and—she'll get over it."

Shizuru threw her body forward, sealing their lips together.

"Natsuki," Shizuru whispered when they broke off for air. She had never felt lips so tender and sweet that her heart felt like it would stop. And she was certain Natsuki felt the same, she had to have felt that intense all-consuming fire whenever their lips danced. "I like you so much."

"I know," Natsuki choked. "I... I want you Shizuru, so, so much-"Her confession was stolen by another heated kiss, her back slamming into something solid. She forgot where they were, grasping any part of Shizuru's body she could, hoping to hear more of those breathy moans.

"And we missed the entire dance," Shizuru finished explaining to Alyssa.

"Wow," Alyssa sighed. "So Natsuki broke her classmate's heart and you guys... That's so romantic. Can... can I ask you if Natsuki ever told you about Carol Benham?"

"Ugh," Shizuru's happy smile turned into a frown. "Don't get me started on that, Alyssa. Everywhere we go she makes a move on Natsuki, hoping Natsuki will say yes. At least other people understand rejection, she just does not get it."

"So it's true! God, I can never look at her the same way again! She's mama's best friend too!"

"Does your mother know?" Shizuru inquired. "And what exactly do you think is true?"

"Natsuki slept with her and NO mama doesn't know. I heard from Yuuichi Tate at her bachelorette party. I can't believe Nats didn't tell me!"

"Well it was only once and before Natsuki and I got together," Shizuru frowned. "And you know, that slut had the audacity to tell me how good my Natsuki was at making her scream! I really dislike that woman, but she's harmless enough."

Alyssa cackled, "oh my god I can't believe it that is too funny! Please continue!"

"As I was saying, after that lovely night of necking, exams came around..."

Natsuki let out a small 'oof' when another large book in the library was thrust upon a stack in her arms. It was only a week so far that she had committed herself to being in a loving relationship with Shizuru Viola, but the older woman was quite adept at holding grudges and right now she had one against Natsuki herself.

"You're not actually going to read all of these," Natsuki grumbled, "you're just mad at me. Can we talk about it?"

Shizuru reached for another book, "Natsuki, you'll just have to grovel a bit more. I don't want to talk about it."

"But I don't even know what I did!"

"No?" Shizuru lowered her voice so none of the eavesdropping curious students in the library could hear her. "You flat out rejected my attempt to have sex, Natsuki, that's what."

"You're mad at me because I-"

"Very mad at you."

"T-that-that's just stupid!" Natsuki scowled when Shizuru added another book to her growing stack.

"Are you calling me stupid now as well? Because that is most definitely how I felt last night."

"You have got to be kidding me," Natsuki groaned under her breath. "Hey, Shizuru, listen to me."

Natsuki sent a glare to a few Corals watching them, satisfied when they fled the scene. Shizuru moved in closer so she could hear Natsuki and gain a bit more privacy, her finger tapping rudely in impatience.

Natsuki adjusted the stack of heavy books and said softly, "I don't know about you but I'm going to do this thing with you right. You're special to me."

Shizuru felt her heart thunder in her chest, "I am?"

"Yes, y-you are." Natsuki's cheeks flushed as she continued.

"Then you should be fine with spending the night in my room," Shizuru dared, before turning away and leaving the library without any of the books she had placed in Natsuki's arms.

"Shizuru, wait!" Natsuki dropped the stack of books on the shelf nearest to her and rushed out after her girlfriend, eventually catching up to the brunette outdoors. She stopped Shizuru by the wrist. "Wait."

Shizuru turned around, "that means you will be in my room? For the night?"

"You've got more experience than I do," Natsuki let go of her wrist and crossed her arms, looking down at her feet awkwardly. "I'm sorry about making you wait but I'm just... I'm just nervous okay? I think this means more to me than it does to you."

"Natsuki is wrong." Shizuru stepped closer and tugged on a strand of Natsuki's hair before enveloping the girl in a hug. "I have no experience with love."

"And she did indeed spend the night in my room."

"Wow," Alyssa was enraptured in Shizuru's story of her first time with Natsuki, blushing brightly. Does love really make sex different? My first time sucked. Salbana, one of our maids, seduced me and she had never had sex with a woman before, and she turned out to be a gold digger... plus she had a shrine of my sister in her closet. What the fuck, like I don't already have an inferiority complex trying to live up to that."

Shizuru giggled, having heard the full version of that story from Natsuki who had been livid with the knowledge that maids were seducing her sister and her sister was giving in when Natsuki never gave in to those invitations. Salbana the house maid had been sent to a psychiatric clinic not too long after for her unhealthy obsession with the older of the two Kruger girls.

"It was a dream come true, Alyssa."

The most perfect. Love really does make all the difference.

()

Seven Years ago, Garderobe Mansion and Headquarters

"This is ridiculous!" Miss Maria growled out in an uncharacteristic manner. "Silvia is acting Deputy, if Gakuenchou Right would have wanted anybody it would have been-"

"You don't know what she would have wanted! And Silvia was just replaced months ago by Shizuru!" Houffer grabbed at her green hair in exasperation. "Rules are rules."

"Technically she hasn't been finalized! There's a process and Natsuki Kruger is not ready!" Miss Maria screamed back.

"If I may-" Shizuru tried to pleasantly cut in the conversation, only to earn the First Column's and Miss Maria's eyes of anger cut right at her. She didn't even flinch though like many would have expected. "I think we should try and discuss this in a civilized manner?"

It was strange for her to be adjusting to the role of equality among Columns and rank over teachers who had always been her superiors. But that was nothing compared to the most current mindfuck – the conqueror of all mindfucks:

Natsuki Kruger, her nineteen year old girlfriend, had just been publicly coronated by their higher power Fumi as the next Gakuenchou, 'leader of them all.' Shizuru had been excited to think about the open Fourth Column position that would most likely go to her girlfriend so they could play house and be together as things had been rough since she graduated and they could no longer meet as often as before.

She didn't want Natsuki to be the Gakuenchou, however. She didn't know – hadn't had a chance to absorb this news. It had only been a few hours ago that the announcement was made and their phones were ringing off the hook.

"Shizuru is right," Houffer looked at the room they were standing outside of. The door was closed but it was what was inside that had them all on edge.

Miss Maria huffed, looking down at her feet. Shizuru stared at the door, when the doorknob started to turn she held her breath.

Natsuki came outside of the room with her head held high, still in her Graduation Robes and clutching a wooden box in her hand. Nothing but a fresh graduate.

"Meeting in the Dining Room, all Garderobe Staff will be there. Ten Minutes." Natsuki's voice sounded foreign to Shizuru. There was no emotion, just cold and calculated words.

"Kruger, you cannot just-"

"I said," Natsuki turned her gaze to Miss Maria and glared. Hard. "Meeting in the Dining Room, all Garderobe Staff. Ten Minutes." She left.

Silence echoed in the room, but Shizuru found herself following Natsuki's exit hastily.

"Natsuki?" She caught up to Natsuki, a hand on her shoulder. "Are you... are you alright?"

Natsuki put a hand over hers and turned around. She let out a sigh. "I'm fine Shizuru. Someone has to step up – that someone is me. I promise I am alright."

Shizuru felt relief wash through her and she grabbed Natsuki into a hug, "I'm not alright Natsuki. I'm not."

Natsuki rubbed her back gently. "I need you to hold it together just a while longer. Just let me have this meeting and then you and I can talk, okay?"

Nodding, Shizuru reluctantly let go of their embrace and was glad she hadn't cried. It was hard enough admitting to anyone she was at a loss, even to her girlfriend.

She followed Natsuki to the Dining Room, and within five minutes it was full of all Garderobe Staff. Natsuki patiently stood at the front of the room and talked when everyone had given her their attention.

"I stand here today with the regret that I must be the one to inform you that Gakuenchou Lisa Right passed away this morning."

There was solemn silence among the staff. Everyone knew what had happened, but this was very formal all of a sudden.

"Today at graduation I knew I would become a Column, but I also know that none of us expected for me to be... given the title that I was."

Shizuru almost expected Miss Maria to cut Natsuki off right there, but silence remained.

"I am the new Gakuenchou." Natsuki made sure everyone could see the fire burning in her eyes. "This... is a fact."

Seeing Natsuki so in control hurt Shizuru. It was like Natsuki was becoming something else she couldn't recognize and she felt lost. It was all happening so fast, too fast.

"To do anything but not accept what Fumi-sama had advised of me is a wrong no Otome should commit. I just graduated this afternoon and I will be taking the traditional leave of absence given to a Garderobe graduate. Next Thursday will be the funeral of the late Second Column and Gakuenchou Lisa Right, and we will all meet again when the weekend is over to discuss those arrangements with less tension and confusion. Good night."

Her address was met with acceptance and everyone dismissed themselves, quietly exiting. Shizuru saw Miss Maria and Houffer give Natsuki long looks, not knowing what her true intentions were but seeing the truth in her simple words.

It was just them when everyone had left.

"That was... quite the speech. Natsuki has a natural authority."

Natsuki looked at her, "I'm sorry Shizuru."

"Why?"

Natsuki sighed. "Because now everything will change. Please, please say you'll come with me to my family home?"

Shizuru shook her head, "I can't. This is all too much to understand. You're – you're so different!"

"Well what did you expect when I graduated," Natsuki said icily, ignoring Shizuru's excitement. "That I'd be your room attendant again? That I wouldn't have great responsibilities?"

"Not something so great, Natsuki, no! You're the fucking Gakuenchou!"

"And that's not going to change!" Natsuki slammed her hand down on the table next to her, the wooden box she had been clutching all this time became dust and wood chips from her nano-machine induced strength at full exertion.

Shizuru felt tears prick her eyes, understanding that Natsuki was scared. She walked forward and gently lifted her girlfriend's hand, looking at the blood. Her gaze fell on a tiny GEM, blue as the sky. She picked it up and sighed. "This is amazing."

Natsuki shivered next to her, "I feel sick just thinking about it."

"I'm sorry for being so weak at a time like this."

"No, Shizuru. You're not weak and I'm the one who's-"

"Shh." Shizuru dropped her hand and pressed a finger against her lips. "Let me finish."

She traced her finger along Natsuki's cheek and pressed a soft kiss against that mouth.

"Natsuki... If anyone can do this, I know it's you. Fumi-sama made a GEM. For you. This is something miraculous."

"It's so much pressure," Natsuki closed her eyes, admitting her fears at last. "The way it happened – the way everyone looked at me, looked up to me..."

"It's alright," Shizuru kissed her again, trying to encourage that the kiss be returned. When Natsuki finally kissed her back was when she broke it off, stepping away. "My Natsuki is a Column. May I?"

Natsuki nodded to Shizuru's gesture of the GEM. Shizuru gently tucked dark hair behind an ear, tenderly removing the Pearl GEM that was still there. She pressed the new one against Natsuki's ear, watching it fuse and connect to the flesh.

Natsuki let out a moan, closing her eyes as she felt the new powers moulding to her.

Shizuru remembered how the power felt when she put on her Column GEM. Natsuki practically glowed, however.

"Materialize," Natsuki whispered.

Shizuru gasped when Natsuki's Robe showed itself for the first time. It was like the inside of a freezer, so cold and chilling. Shizuru watched as Natsuki wiggled her hands, looking down at herself.

"What do you think?"

Shizuru cracked her first smile of the afternoon since the whole ordeal began, "I think you're hot, despite how cold it is."

Natsuki rolled her eyes, "you always think I'm hot. I don't feel cold, is it really bad? I think it's icy on my fingers but I can't tell..." Her brows furrowed in worry.

Shizuru shook her head, "no..."

Natsuki bit her bottom lip in anticipation when Shizuru stepped closer, wrapping arms around her neck. Natsuki stayed still, never having been able to trust her own strength when Materialized. She hadn't even tested out fighting in this Robe yet so she didn't want to risk hugging her girlfriend in it.

"How about we call it a night?" Shizuru kissed the corner of her mouth. "Let's go to my room... and then in the morning we'll talk about going to your family home."

Natsuki let her Robe fall away before she embraced Shizuru, accepting the suggestion.

()

Shizuru approached Akane, the young Coral was hired as Natsuki's receptionist for the term and she wasn't a fan so Shizuru felt she could relax around her. Akane had starry eyes for her Natsuki, but it was harmless admiration that didn't bug Shizuru.

"You're done for the day?" Shizuru asked.

"A-ah! Viola-sama," Akane was flustered as she haphazardly arranged a mess of paper. "Yes, I'm done. Gakuenchou closed off her meetings and said no one should disturb her – unless it's you."

Shizuru smiled brightly at the information. Natsuki must be feeling as irritated about their lack of romance as she was, cancelling important meetings like that. She had only expected Natsuki to take tomorrow off since it was Shizuru's birthday, she hadn't expected this sweet surprise.

"Thank you, I'll be going in now. Take care." She twirled around and entered the large office quietly. Natsuki was sitting on her couch, her large television showing off some kind of videogame. Shizuru gently fixed her hair and unbuttoned the top buttons of her dress, making sure there was cleavage before walking toward Natsuki, sultry look mastered for use.

"If you're not Meister Viola, I'm busy." Natsuki's tease floated over as the Gakuenchou smashed her thumbs on a controller in earnest.

Shizuru giggled. "Video games, Natsuki, really? You cancelled your important meetings to play video games?"

"They weren't that important," Natsuki defended, not looking away from the screen on the television. "Sit with me?"

Shizuru gladly collapsed next to her girlfriend on the Windbloom styled leather sofa, resting her head on Natsuki's shoulder. Natsuki pressed an absent kiss to her temple but continued playing her game.

"Actually, I have to meet some litigators from Aries tomorrow to talk about how Garderobe can protect them against a Schwartz shit-trap. Fucking by-laws change every year, I swear!"

"Schwartz? The tech-hippies?" Shizuru blinked in surprise. "They pose that much of a threat?"

"Yep. So it'll be my whole morning."

"Your whole morning? Tomorrow?" Shizuru sat up, un-cuddling from her girlfriend. "Natsuki, do you remember what day it is tomorrow?"

Natsuki leaned towards Shizuru but kept her eyes on her game. "Uh... Saturday?"

"You don't remember anything special about this Saturday?"

Her icy tone made Natsuki finally look away, pausing her game. Natsuki tried really hard to think. "Is it... um..."

"You don't remember?" Shizuru, very offended, stood up and started to walk away. "It's my birthday tomorrow!"

That seemed to click in the Gakuenchou's mind a moment too late.

"Wait! Shizuru!" Natsuki started running after her, but Shizuru was out of the office and down the corridor before she had a chance.

()

Natsuki landed with her Robe at the front of the house, scaring one of the bodyguards shitless with her surprise arrival. She gave him a thin smile and knocked on the door, not bothering to apologize for his almost heart-attack.

"Of course you came! She's very upset, what the hell happened?" Lady Duke Yohi Viola of the West Ares County grabbed Natsuki's arm and lugged her inside. Natsuki was surprised the lady of the house answered the door herself when they were bound to have a servant or two wandering around.

She didn't have a chance to speak as she was led to one of the house's dens, Yohi's husband reading a newspaper and sipping his tea. He looked up and gave her a nod, "Natsuki."

"Mr. Viola."

She sat down, watching Yohi pour them tea.

"It's chilly in here," Yohi said softly. "Do you feel that draft?"

"I do," Chester Viola agreed with his wife.

"Uh, sorry," Natsuki flushed slightly, letting her Battle Robe fall away, instant warmth refilling the room.

"Wow." Chester looked up from his newspaper, few things in life surprised him and that was one. "I had no idea your robes could alter temperature."

"Mine's the first," Natsuki admitted. "We've run tests but can't seem to figure out why. I don't feel it myself, so..."

Her girlfriend's parents nodded and they all took sips of their tea.

"Natsuki, Shizuru was always very unpredictable," Yohi started gently. "I've seen so many girls do the walk of shame out of her bedroom-"

"And a few times in my study," Chester grumbled.

"—that I worried about her."

Natsuki flushed brightly. She didn't need to be hearing about Shizuru's past flings, especially from Shizuru's parents.

"Then she tells us she's dating you of all people – which, sorry to say dear, really shocked the fucking hell out of us."

"E-Excuse me?"

"I mean it in a good way," Yohi quickly corrected herself. "You're a very gorgeous young lady Natsuki, everyone knows that."

"Uh... Thanks."

"But you're so stoic and you've always been so quiet, unlike Shizuru – you know what I mean?"

Natsuki just nodded. She didn't really get it.

"What she's trying to say," Chester decided to help out his wife, he had always been the more sensitive one between them. "Is that Shizuru has always been very serious with you, unlike most things in her life. We couldn't have been happier to know she found someone trustworthy like you."

Natsuki gulped when two pairs of eyes narrowed at her. They were almost disappointed in her, but trusted her enough to hear her side of the story.

"So why is she so angry?" He asked.

Really what they wanted to know was: What did you do that hurt our daughter so much, Natsuki?

"I forgot... her birthday." Natsuki finally confessed, grimacing from the idea. "And she's furious with me for that."

There was silence.

"That's it?" Yohi deadpanned. "She's that upset because you forgot her damn birthday?"

Natsuki was confused when Yohi and Chester burst into a fit of giggles and laughter.

"S-sorry," Chester snickered, "we thought... we thought, well Natsuki, we thought the absolute worst of you for a moment there!"

Natsuki pouted, letting them laugh.

"It's not that funny," she said when they slowed in their animation. "She still hates me right now and I feel like a jerk."

"It's not just my birthday," Shizuru's voice came from the doorway, her eyes glaring at her parents. "And this is no laughing matter mother and father. My relationship is on a noose."

"Don't be so dramatic Shizuru," Chester stood up, putting an arm around his daughter's shoulders. "Your mother forgets our birthdays and her own all the time! You yourself have been telling us how busy things have been at Garderobe."

Natsuki noticed the knowing look Chester gave his daughter and she realised what the real problem was. "This is about my work isn't it?" Shizuru ignored her question, and Natsuki scowled. "Shizuru. Nothing will get solved if we don't discuss it. Can we talk?"

"Shizuru," Yohi gave her a pointed look, "Natsuki didn't come all the way over here for tea."

Shizuru, feeling like a little girl with her parents nearby tried to ignore Natsuki's upset face but the damn thing tugged at her heartstrings.

"Alright."

()

Present Day, Garderobe Gardens

Shizuru toyed with the grass under her hands and noticed for the first time how the pain was less. Resigning as Deputy Gakuenchou was the right thing to do. She couldn't like this anymore, it was time to move forward.

()

Present Day, Unknown Location

The first thing she felt was the searing pain. Everywhere.

Then her eyes managed to open and there was sun and sand, and most of all the burning need for vengeance.