Chapter 4 - Promises Kept

With one thing and another, Tsubomi never got her reply from Yaya, and it made her heart hurt just thinking that Yaya may have had someone else she loved. Tsubomi had noticed the way Yaya looked at Hikari, however she was bound and determined not to allow Hikari take Yaya away from her.

Tsubomi pressed the issue with Yaya as Chiyo entered the room. "Do you think you could ever love me," she asked as Chiyo opened the door. "I know you love Hikari-sempai, but she is with Amane-san," she said gently to Yaya as she realized how much Yaya was hurting because of that single fact.

"I don't know if I could ever get over Hikari, Tsubomi-chan," Yaya replied. "I've been in love with her ever since I first saw her. She was like an angel meant for only me at the time. Now, that angel seems to have abandoned me for someone else. I keep feeling so sorry for myself at what I've done to her. I forcefully kissed her after she had her first date with Amane, and then I watched her suffer after Amane had her accident. Why would you want someone as broken as I am?

"I know what my heart wants, Yaya-sempai," Tsubomi yelled. She hadn't realized that Chiyo had come in to the room, and then froze as she heard Chiyo yelp.

"Can we help you," Yaya asked Chiyo.

"Do you know what the last thing that Nagisa-san said to me before I left the chapel," Miyuki asked Shizuma.

"I have no idea," Shizuma replied.

"She wants me to take care of you," Miyuki replied. "Her last gift to you is that you can become free, and have someone that you can truly love as much as they love you. She wants you to be free, Shizuma.

Tamao and Nagisa, the new Etoile headed back to their room. Chiyo-chan had mentioned that she would have a tea party ready for them when they returned, before she had run off, to search for someone. As they entered the room, they noticed that the tea party was set up, however Chiyo was no where to be seen.

"Do you think she's okay," Tamao asked.

"I think she probably got a little sidetracked," Nagisa said. "Remember, she said she was looking for someone to join the party," she reminded Tamao.

"Ah, yes," Tamao said. "Did you think this would happen Nagisa-chan?

"What do you mean Tamao-chan?

"Shizuma-sama announcing her love for you like that, or us becoming Etoile?

"I honestly had no idea either would happen, but I can honestly say, I did not expect either to happen. How dare she try that during the Etoile ceremony, and how dare she slap my Tamao-chan.

"Is this- I mean us- only a way to get over her, Nagisa-chan," Tamao asked, tears in her eyes, as if she already knew the answer.

"Tamao-chan," Nagisa said sadly, "what you and I have is special. When I was hurting from everything Shizuma-sama did to me, you were there to help me. You've always been by my side, no matter how much pain it caused you, or even me. I thank God that I fell in love with you, I really do. I can't imagine anyone else I would rather be with.

"So, you really do love me," Tamao sighed. "I am so happy to hear that, Nagisa-chan. Thank you," she said, and gave Nagisa a heart melting kiss.

There was a knock at the door, and Chiyo-chan entered with Hikari, Amane, Tsubomi, Yaya, and Kagure.

"Welcome all," Tamao said. "We wanted to have this tea party to unwind from the events of earlier today," she explained. "It was a very stressful day.

"You aren't kidding," Amane said. "With the way Shizuma-sama came into the chapel like that, and then the Etoile on top of that.

"Hold on," Yaya said. "What do you mean about Shizuma-sama," she asked. "Tsubomi and I never attended.

"Why weren't you there Yaya-chan, Tsubomi-chan," Hikari asked.

"That's not important Hikari-sempai," Tsubomi replied, anxious to hear what kind of stunt Shizuma pulled this time.

"She ran into the chapel as they were announcing the new Etoile," Tamao started saying, "and burst out that she was in love with Nagisa-chan. Afther she was rejected by Nagisa-chan, she ran at us and attacked us both. If it weren't for Amane-san, we never would have known what had happened.

"She attacked you," Tsubomi was shocked. "But why?

"I told her I had fallen for someone else," Nagisa replied cheerfully. "You all saw me after that one day I spent with her at her cabin. You know how hard I worked at trying to be cheerful. If it wasn't for Kagome, I don't think anyone would have noticed how much pain I was in. She was the one who found me crying at the piano that night.

"She was crying so much," Kagome told everyone. "It looked like she was trying to hold in all her pain," Kagome stated, "but it was too much for her. I noticed her at dinner when she hadn't eaten that much, and I thought something was wrong. Then as I watched her throughout the night, she seemed to get even worse.

"Thank you, Kagome-chan, for helping me that night," Nagisa told her. "You helped me so much, just like the rest of you, and I am truly greatful for all that help.

"I am happy to have helped you Nagisa-oneesama," Kagome beamed.

"So who did you find to be yours," Yaya asked, curiously.

Chikaru sat in her room, wondering at the events of the day. She was happy that the new Etoile had been announced, and that they were capable of the challenge, but something still felt a bit wrong to her. She was usually very conscious of other peoples emotions, but seeing Shizuma's reaction earlier had really set her back. That was not the way to treat somebody you loved, attacking them out of nowhere.

It turns out that Chikaru had forgotten something important at the chapel, and as she walked back, she saw two people in front of the chapel still. As she approached, she saw it was the former Etoile, and Miyuki Rukujo that were still in front of the chapel. Not wanting to create a scene, or get involved in one, she kept her distance as she heard soft words being said.

"Miyuki, you know how much I care about you," Shizuma was saying, "but right now, I want Nagisa," she said. "I know she rejected me, but it won't take long for her to get over Suzumi Tamao, and you know that as well as I do.

"Haven't you heard a word I've been saying to you Shizuma," Miyuki yelled. "She's already over you. You need someone like me to be with you. I don't care about what is to come in the future. You have to live for the present," Miyuki yelled.

"You've met her, Yaya-chan," Nagisa said brightly, as Tsubomi elbowed Yaya.

"What's that for munchkin?" Yaya asked, rubbing her ribs.

"Is your head just for deceration Yaya-sempai," Tsubomi aked.

"That coming from the girl who says she loves me," Yaya said lightly, and laughed.

"But you never answered my question," Tsubomi raged.

"What are you two talking about," Amane asked.

"When I went to invite them to the tea party," Chiyo said," I walked in on Tsubomi-chan asking Yaya-san that very same question.

"I told you Munchkin, that I had fallen for an Angel, but she was with another woman.

"So is there no hope for her then," Hikari asked.

"I get it now," Amane said. "Hikari is your angel, Yaya-chan," she replied.

"Yes," Yaya said sadly.

"Yaya-chan," Hikare said. "I love you, I really do, but I love Amane-sempai," Hikari announced. "Don't leave Tsubomi-kun hanging Yaya-kun," Amane said.

"Tell her," Nagisa prodded.

"Yes, I do love you Tsubomi-chan," Yaya cried out.

"There, was that so hard," Kagome asked, causing everyone to start giggling.

"So who is it that you like, Nagisa-san," Yaya asked.

"She's right here," Nagisa said, and kissed Tamao. "Actually there was something I was going to do earlier, but I think this is the right time. Tamao-chan, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?