Third
"Excuse me."
Miyuki turned her head at the door to face the expected visitor.
"I am glad you came, Tamao-san," Miyuki offered a seat to the blue-haired fourth year. Tamao sat down with a hesitant look on her face. To her surprise, a cup of tea was put at the table, just in front of her.
"The weather sure is lovely, isn't it?" Miyuki started the conversation and took a sip from her teacup.
"I am pretty sure that this is not something to do with the weather, Rokujou-sama," Tamao said with a bit of annoyance in her voice.
"All right," Miyuki puts down her cup and stares at the younger girl in the eye.
"I know the events of the past days have taken a toll on you," Miyuki continued. "I know I imposed on you once to run for the Etoile election with Nagisa-san. I honestly believe that you two could've won…had circumstances not changed so suddenly. But this doesn't mean that there's no opportunity for your talents and skills. Therefore…"
"Therefore…?" Tamao was focused on the words being spoken.
"Therefore, Tamao-san, I am asking you to run for the position of Miator Student Council president."
Tamao is startled by the request. The training for the Etoile position has occupied her the past few weeks. She has forgotten that other roles do exist, and the women currently in those positions are graduating soon. Miyuki sensed the hesitation in the younger woman, and continued with her proposal.
"The fact that you qualified to run for Etoile means that you're more than qualified for the Student Council president position, Tamao-san. I've seen your potential even before the Etoile election took place. You're intelligent, reliable and well-loved by your peers and elders. Miator will surely gain a lot from you should you get elected, and I am pretty sure you will gain a lot of things as well. You have a potential to be a great leader, Tamao-san, and I am sure this will be a good way for you to develop that. I would consider it a great privilege to teach you what I've learned."
The surprise on the younger girl's face is now evident. She feels her cheeks blush and bows down towards the older woman.
"You are too kind, Rokujou-sama, I am honored that you're considering me for the position. I am just thinking that I would be a burden to teach."
Miyuki smiles at the younger blue-haired girl.
"You will never be a burden to me and to anyone, Tamao-san. I do hope you consider my request. If it's not too much for you, I'd like to have your answer in two days."
Tamao stands up and takes her leave. As she walks down the school hallways, Tamao contemplates whether she should accept Miyuki's proposal or not. "Well, after all, this could be just a last resort thing," she thinks silently. She almost bumps into Tougi Hitomi, who is on her way to the student council room. She bows down and greets the student council assistant.
"Good afternoon, Tougi-sama."
"Good afternoon, Suzumi-san." Hitomi greets her back as she opens the door.
"You've spoken to Suzumi-san, I suppose?" Hitomi asks the blue-haired student council president.
"Yes," Miyuki answers solemnly. "Like what I expected, she's hesitant."
"I hope you've given her enough time to decide, Rokujou-san," Hitomi said with concern. "After all, it's quite obvious that she's still trying to cope from the events of the past few weeks…"
"…and here I am again, pressuring the young woman to do something that's probably not within her will," Miyuki completed the sentence in her mind.
"Rokujou-san?" Hitomi notices that Miyuki wasn't saying anything.
"Oh? I have given her time to decide, Hitomi-san." Miyuki stares again at the window.
The tea party that night was a happy one. Everyone was in attendance: Yaya, Tsubomi and Hikari from Spica were there, as well Chiyo, Nagisa, Tamao and even Shizuma. The Lulim girls were also present—the ever cheerful Kizuna, her sidekick Remon, Kagome and her bear Percival. It was such a happy atmosphere. Everyone congratulated Hikari for winning the Etoile election the day before. And of course, the center of the party was with that of Nagisa and Shizuma, being an official couple. Kizuna would squirm and blush when she sees the two being sweet to each other. Tamao, on the other hand tries to divert her focus on something else. With Miyuki's earlier proposal playing in her mind and her current preoccupied state, she was silent during the entire party. This doesn't escape Kagome's watchful eyes. At one point, the younger Lulim student pulled Nagisa to one side and whispered something to the redhead.
"Tamao onee-sama has been crying…"
"Kagome-chan?" Nagisa felt awestruck. She remembers that encounter in the music room. No matter how much pretenses or facade you build, Kagome could see through a person's heart and know exactly what's going on. "It's a gift, I suppose," Nagisa mused silently.
A few moments passed and the guests left the room. The last ones to leave were the three girls from Lulim. Before stepping out, Kagome gazed at the blue-haired Miator student. In return, Tamao smiled weakly back at the young girl and gave her a sweet sisterly good night kiss. The only ones left in the room were the three Miatorians. Shizuma stared at Tamao, with a pang of pain in her heart. Moments pass and Shizuma grabs something from her pocket. It was a small piece of paper folded in three.
"Please, do read it once we've left the room," Shizuma pleaded silently and handed it over to Tamao.
"And thank you for letting Nagisa stay with me for the night."
She took Nagisa by the hand and they both left the room. As the door closed, Tamao slowly begins to unfold the piece of paper in her hands.
She recognizes the handwriting to be that of Shizuma's. The grace instilled by being an Etoile is visible, even in her handwriting. As she begins to read, she feels tears welling from the edges of her gray eyes.
Tamao-san,
I hope one day this letter reaches you. It pains me with all honesty to see you suffering, and I know I am the cause of all this. I just want you to know that Nagisa is worried about you, and feels guilty of the same. I know how much you love her, and I admire your courage to set her free to follow what her heart truly desires. Even though you knew that it wasn't you. I am really sorry. I really never intended to hurt you. It wasn't my intention, not at all. But since that day you both decided to enter the election together, my heart sank totally in despair… I finally realized that no matter hard I try, I still can't deny the love I am feeling for Nagisa.
I know what it feels like to lose someone and the pain of it. Mine might have been for a different reason and a different way, but it still caused me pain. It's the very same with you, I know. But this doesn't mean that you can't find someone that would truly deserve your love. You have a big heart, Tamao-san. I know there's someone out there that you can make room for in that heart of yours. Everybody deserves a second chance at something, and I realized that the moment I fell in love again. Even though I know for myself I didn't deserve it, with much of the horrible things I have done. I don't think you're that less deserving, considering the kindness you have in your heart.
I know you're stronger than this, Tamao-san. It's not yet too late. I am hoping that you don't give up just yet. You're Nagisa's best friend, and even though we may have been rivals before vying for her affection, I consider you my best friend, too.
Please, don't hesitate to come to me if you're feeling down. Nagisa and I will be there to support you. Always remember that.
With gratitude and respect,
Shizuma
Tamao folds the paper again. She tries to hold back her tears but she couldn't stop them from falling. She didn't expect something like this from the former Etoile and rival. "You're too kind, Hanazono-senpai…" Her thoughts were solemn.
