Yes, I know... I do NOT own any stories. -cries while running away-
This is a translation attempt of a Chinese ShizNat fanfic. For details of the original work and author, please refer to the bottom of this chapter. Thanks.
Summary:
As the title suggested. A day in the life of our favorite Gakuenchou. A 3 piece fanfic written by 3 different authors. Morning, Afternoon and Night. Finally did the Night part... sorry for the delay guys. -bows-
A Day In The Life Of Gakuenchou - Night
Chapter 4
Authored by lingxue (yuki)
Translated by glowie
Holding Shizuru's hand, she led her back into the building. Natsuki did not return to her office, which was where she would normally go. Instead, she brought Shizuru with her into her living quarters.
"Natsuki?" a confused Shizuru asked.
"The documents can wait till tomorrow." Natsuki plainly answered. "And with the slaves incident in the academy today... I am tired."
Truth be told, Natsuki was not the one being tired but rather Shizuru. The earlier confrontation with the slaves had taken a lot out of Shizuru and knowing her, as long as she is still working, Shizuru would continue to keep her company. Only when she stops working will the older woman allow herself some rest.
"Hrm... in that case, you'd better get some rest." Upon hearing the younger woman's admission Shizuru immediately offered, "I'll get the hot water ready."
Natsuki stopped her. "Let the servants take care of that. I'll let you take your bath first, I need to go out for awhile."
"Huh?" Shizuru knows the younger girl always favoured a relaxing bath before dinner, an important part of her daily ritual to unwind from a hard day's work. Not wanting the younger girl to wait, Shizuru would always ensure the hot water is ready whenever Natsuki needed it. Didn't Natsuki said she was tired? Why didn't she bathe first?
"You go first." Natsuki urge as she turned her face to the side. "else... else I will get angry."
Crimson orbs gaze intently towards the raven-haired beauty. Is Natsuki keeping something from me? However, seeing that Natsuki is so adamant, she decided to best yield for now. "In that case... I'll bathe first then."
Watching Shizuru making her way to the bathroom, Natsuki silently snuck out of her living quarter and proceed to the kitchen.
Come to think of it, ever since she met Shizuru in the academy, Shizuru had always taken the trouble to prepare food and desserts for her. Never once did she returned the favour.
Since Shizuru has had a tough day today, it would be too inconsiderate to expect her to prepare dinner as well no?
Ever since the raven-haired woman has graduated, kitchen is one of the places she rarely visits. In her early years of serving as a column, she had to travel a lot and most of her ... needs are settled in the outdoor, BBQ style. Things didn't improve much after she took over the role of Gakuenchou, between her demanding workload and the many meetings and formal parties that required her attendance, she gladly allow Shizuru or the maids to take care of this aspect of her life.
Hopefully... she hadn't lose whatever little cooking skills she had gained during her schooling years.
Nervously, she equipped herself with knives, frying pan and various cooking ingredients. Sigh... it has been a long time... hopefully she still remembers how to use them properly.
As she was about to place the frying pan onto the table, sticking out like an eyesore on top of the table, a bunch of exquisitely packed bags of cookies. Furrowing her brows, she proceeded to unceremoniously dumped the gifts the students had given to Shizuru into the bin.
Focusing back to the task at hand...
'Don't be afraid, do not be afraid'. She kept reassuring herself.
'Although your cooking grade has always been hovering on the thin line of pass vs fail... although you have absolutely no idea how to use the multitude of kitchen utensils and equipment... your grade are the best when it comes down to knowledge and fighting skills. Just take this as if you're managing the academy or better yet! engaged in a fight to the death.'
Regardless... she really wanted, for once, to cook for Shizuru.
Tired. Allowing her body to relax in the spacious bathtub, Shizuru decided to pamper herself for once, to just sit back and enjoy a good hot bath.
The Gakuenchou, without approval from the board of committee is not allowed to materialize with the sole exception of her being in harm's way... Because of this, she had requested to be transferred back to the academy from her assignment out in the field. She wanted to assist Natsuki in the daily administrative tasks but most importantly, to stay close and ensure her safety personally.
In fact... this is her greatest desire? No? To be able to watch over Natsuki, to protect her... Shizuru, being brought up in the luxury of nobility, one whose life has been carefully planned and laid out... This is the first time she had something she personally wanted to do.
Enduring the daunting training, working hard to earn the title of No. 1 so that she could freely choose her path. Forsaking the luxurious lifestyle that her namesake brings, she willingly offered herself as one of the 5 Columns, a position that only promises dangerous missions, huge responsibility and a heavy workload. All of this is but for one single important person in her life.
The only thing is... will this important person ever understand this feeling of hers?
"Clang!" a muffled sound from afar managed to made its way into the bathroom but in its weakened state, it failed to attract the brown-haired beauty's attention.
'Hrmm... I haven't prepare dinner... no matter... I'll just have the maids take care of that for today...'
The excellent heating water system did its job well... it wasn't until another good half and hour before Shizuru lazily pulled herself out of the bathtub.
"Natsuki?" Shizuru uncharacteristically knitted her brow when she couldn't find her raven-haired beauty in the living hall nor her bedroom.
Just as she was thinking of making a trip to the Gakuenchou's office, she saw Natsuki sticking out her head from the dining room. With slightly redden cheeks, she said. "Dinner is ready. Let's eat."
"Huh?" A surprised Shizuru lifted her brows and proceed to make her way to the dinning table.
Taking into account Shizuru Viola's standard, the food currently spread out on the table can no way be considered as 'inviting'.
Faint fragrace of banana barely managed to mask the charred odor snaking in from the kitchen. Simple white-colored bowls and plates were used to house various dishes.
A brownish soup, emitting a slightly off aroma of what should have been vanilla coupled with what should have been thin slices of ham and cheese but looked more like mashed instead, served as the main course.
Mixed admist the slightly overdone vegetable dish are seemingly charred chunks of beef and as for dessert? Unbaked egg pudding with a layer of charred sugary water floating on top.
"I spent over an hour for this!" standing beside the table, Natsuki, head looking to the side, most probably hiding her beet red cheeks. "Even if they are not nice there is nothing I can do about it. There isn't any other things you can eat."
Shizuru smiled. Walked towards Natsuki and gave her a form-fitting hug. "I am so happy! This is the first time Natsuki has cooked for me!"
"Shiz... Shizuru! That's enough!" A sizzling red Natsuki hollared but did no attempt to free herself from her predicament.
'Sigh... forget it... it's been a hard day for her, I'll cut her some slack.' Natsuki convinced herself that's the reason she didn't push her away.
Smiling happily, the bewitching beauty decided to let Natsuki off the hook while she averted her attention onto the food.
Nudging Natsuki to sit down beside her, she proceeded to try out the soup. Surprisingly, it taste really good. "Delicious!" she praised.
Unconvinced, the raven-haired beauty smiled wryly while poking around at her other dishes, not making any move to try any out, "You don't need to comfort me you know... I know how my skills are where cooking is concerned."
That meal was prepared by recalling what little she has learnt from her student days, needless to day, even Natsuki herself dread to try them out herself.
They must have been awful. She really didn't know where she got the courage to even present the mess on the table, in front of Shizuru.
Shaking her head, "No... honestly, they really taste good!". Scooping some soup, she moved the spoon to Natsuki's mouth and urge her to try. "Try it!"
"Mou, Shizuru! I can feed myself..." Snatching the spoon, she closed her eyes and braced herself as she glup down the brownish liquid in one go. "Hmm... not bad!"
"Ara, I told you so!" Shizuru proceed to cut a slice of beef. Altough it is a little burnt on the outside, the inside are still juicy and tender.
By just looking at its outward appearance, one would never have known the delicacy of the dishes.
Just like the one who prepared them. Just like her Natsuki. Everyone assumed she's cold and unapproachable but they were all duped by her outward appearance. She's actually really sweet and gentle in the inside.
Enjoying the red wine, inexpensive but the perfect companion for the beef, Shizuru hid her sly smile behind the glass. 'I guess this is for the best after all; if too many get to know this side of Natsuki... she's sure to get a lot of admirers.'
The goodness of Natsuki? Need only be known by her alone.
"What are you smiling at?" A curious Natsuki asked.
"Nothing..."
Clouds of curiousity still lingered upon jade green orbs as they glanced across to their crimson counterpart, eventually giving up, she continued to eat.
"Natsuki."
"Yes?"
Holding Natsuki's slender but rough hands; hands which fingers are now covered with plasters. "Thank you."
Thanks, for all that you have done for me.
After dinner, Natsuki ran into the bathroom. Alone, under the shower, she unconciously touch her lips with her fingers.
Tonight's dinner was sweet to the core! In less than one hour, Shizuru has successfully stolen quite a number of kisses.
Really! Shizuru! After all these years, still as flirtious as ever. If only she'll behave and not be such a handful, she'll be the epitome of perfect.
Closing her eyes, reminiscing the purple clad figure, the mesmerizing smile, bewitching orbs and those soft succulent lips...
The raven-haired beauty, deep down in her heart, knew she was grateful for Shizuru's initiative-ness. Without, her Otome life would only be filled with the desire to fight and she would never have experience this wonder.
Back in the living room, the lights have been dimmed. Under the soft glow, Shizuru, half sat on the couch, was reading a book.
"The Otome Book of Conduct". Such a serious topic. Natsuki moved forward, took the book, catching a surprised Shizuru off-guard and kissed her full on the lips.
"Hmm..."
Eventually, lips unwillingly part allowing their owners to replenish much needed air.
"Sleep in my room tonight." Natsuki said.
"Huh?"
"Saving you the trouble to come over and disturb me tomorrow morning. No?" Natsuki teased as she pinched her nose.
Shizuru pouted and then laughed along. It is this, Natsuki's accomodation, that she dared to repeat her various teasing attempts on her.
This is their way of enjoying each other's company. No?
"Shall we?"
"Yes." Natsuki nodded. Holding Shizuru's hands, she lead Shizuru into her bedroom. Shizuru closed the door as they entered.
"Shizuru, I love you."
"Huh?"
"What? You didn't hear that? I won't repeat myself!"
"Ara, ara! Don't be stingy. Please say it again!"
"No way... Eh! Shizuru, watch where you place you hands! What are you doing? Hey! Uhh..."
FIN
Notes:
I am SOOOOO SORRY for the delay! I err.. hehehe... got caught up on online games after a one year absence.. hehee... sigh.. there goes my life... AGAIN... -sob-
Seeing that there's quite a lot of sweet stuff floating around... I guess its safe for me to continue translating 'Entangled Love'. Due to err... -cough-onlinegames-cough- I won't be able to update as frequent as I used to... sorry about that.
Ahh... I also want to apologize for any mistakes... I don't have a spelling checker on this machine (my game machine! Muhahahaha). But if you're feeling generous, as usual, I absolutely welcome any corrections. Thanks:)
Thanks to ALEXISSA2 for the correction. Yes it should be "make her way" not "away" -blush- Thanks.
Remarks:
Author's name nick is lingxue or yuki
The link to the article is http // www . yamibo . com / viewthread.php?tid15636&extra&page1
The link to the author's blog is http // www . wretch . cc / blog / yukil84
(she has a LOT of heart warming pieces of ShizNat... I'll be working on some of those in the future)