Chapter 2 - Shizuma's Breakdown

In a matter of moments, her world has crashed around her. She had not only lost her last remaining link to Nagisa, but that very same girl had been awarded the position she once held herself, that of Etoile.

"How could this be happening," she asked herself in a small voice as Miyuki walked up behind her.

"Get her out of here," she snapped to the two other members of the Miator student council. "She doesn't need to see this.

As the two tried to help her to her feet, Shizuma, in a rage threw them off and rushed at Nagisa and Tamao, and struck them both from behind. They had been hugging Amane and her partner Hikari, who both looked relieved that they would not be becoming Etoile, and would be able to stay out of the spotlight that Nagisa and Tamao would now be subjected to.

"Watch out," Amane said as she watched Nagisa and Tamao both be whirled around by Shizuma and slapped hard.

"That is enough Shizuma," Miyuki yelled. "Get her out of here, right now.

Shizuma still struggled as she was carried out of the chapel. Every one of the students was fixated at the scene that had just played out before them. The chapel was awash in silence as Shizuma, the former Etoile was carried from the chapel, tears streaming down her face.

"I am so sorry about that Suzumi-san, Aoi-san," Myuki said to them queitly. "I did not think Shizuma would go off the deep end like that, and during the ceremony to boot.

"Thank you," Tamao said. "Will you be okay around her Nagisa-chan," she asked quietly.

"I know we both have to go with her to the greenhouse some day," Nagisa said, "however I would feel better if there were other people there, in case she tries something again," she remarked.

"I will go along with you, if that would make you feel more comfortable," Myuki told them.

"Nagisa-kun," Amane asked, "are you really over her?

"It will take a bit of time, Amane-san," Nagisa told her friend, "but, I was hurt so much by her in the past. First there was Kaori, and then when she told me to become the Etoile, she pushed me away even more. Hikari-chan, you may not know this, but when I was with her, it felt wonderful. I know it was hurting you Tamao-chan, and I am so sorry for that, but I want to make it up to you.

"Just you being with me makes me happy, Nagisa-chan," Tamao told her.