この番組はメディアファクトリーとご覧のスポンサーの提供でお送りいします!
Disclaimer: Sakurako Kimino, the creator of Strawberry Panic and Media Factory, the company that sponsors its anime, own all copyrighted material this fanfiction may include such as characters, events, et cetera.
The rest of it is mine... ALL MINE! BWAHAHAHHA! *thunder crackles in the background* ... So no stealing! =p Well, unless you ask me nicely. ^.^;;;
Author's Note: Thank you for your review, my dear Guest. Haha, I do seem to have a knack for making the cutest of my characters interesting. In my Final Fantasy X fictions, Kirin and Rikku always seem to be fan favourites. I'm also glad to have the ability to thwart your borderline ADHD. ^.^ And don't you worry, Eiko'll be playing a large role in this fiction. =p
Chikaru was sewing last time. It was for a certain someone. Can you guess? Well, there really is only one person that could use an outfit right now. That will be playing out in the next chapter, taking up most of it. This chapter is its prelude and is quite possibly the only time I've written an entire chapter based on only half the day.
The consequence of meeting Eiko will present itself in this chapter, but it won't be anything drastically important. It's too early for any of that. x) Rest assured, though, Eiko will be playing a larger role in upcoming chapters.
Chapter 3 also brings in the Chikaru squad, but just like I'm sure you lot are realising from their scene in the chapter, I'm having trouble with them. I feel it is the reason for their lack of presence in the manga and anime. No drama = no story = no interest = little involvement with the plot. ¬.¬ Seems as though, their only purpose has been to be part of Chikaru's harem. xD
This is the exact opposite of Nagisa. The girl's practically a walking drama zone. Mind you, it could be simply that the girl's notorious now for being Shizuma's plaything, but her personality is a bit like you would believe a plaything to be. ^_^;;; In any event, I suppose that could be why she's still a main character despite no longer having the dramatic presence in her life at the hill.
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
"Destiny is the master of all the greats. She guides us, drives us, and lifts us to heights we never could alone. However, even the most well-renowned of leaders need their aides; like worker ants in a colony, they are the cogs that keep the pieces in place, building evermore, ensuring the future of the whole. I will strive hard, akin to those diligent drones, and my queen will sit atop her throne. That, dear Shizuka, is my destiny." Kaname tells herself, further cementing her adamant resolve. She peers out of the window of the Student Council Office at the prince and her princess in the distance, their forms under a rising morning sun.
Set in Motion
"I think it suits you." Chikaru comments, smiling as her model dresses.
"Sorry." Shizuka replies, earning a confused look from her roommate, "You spent all this time to make this for me and I'm about to dirty it."
To this, Chikaru only giggles, shrugging as she says, "It can't be helped, right? You have a busy life."
"Is this on right?" Shizuka asks, struggling with some of the straps.
"You've got a handle on it." The raven-haired girl tells her, examining the garment carefully, though perhaps giving more attention to its wearer.
"My my, mind your eyes. They're wandering." Shizuka muses, buckling the shorts in place.
"I'm a designer. I have to make sure it's a proper fit." Chikaru suggests with a wink, bringing a grin to the girl's face.
"Well, I think it fits snugly." Shizuka confirms, extending her assets to the designer's approval.
She moves on to the matching top, pulling on the sleeveless cotton pullover before going for the shirt's own straps. Though, Chikaru could have easily helped with all of them, they both knew she liked to watch. Once the final straps were tied behind Shizuka's neck, she presented herself before the girl, smoothing out the outfit. Chikaru looked her over, taking care to make sure each tan band was taught on the top. It was a combination of a form-fitted black spandex shirt, purposely unseamed at the top where it was covered by interwoven tan straps running right and left from the neck down to an upward angle at the torso, lining up with the wearer's bottom ribs. These straps met at the middle of the chest and were pinned there by a small red bow. On the back, they extended just enough to reach each other to be tied into bows, which was why each ended in a red tip. The pants were similar, a tight-fitting spandex base with the straps binding them, leading up to an open waist where the they could be tied into bows at the hips. The footwear is a pair of equally tan ankle boots with gripping rubber heels and comfortable gel soles.
"Looks good to me." Chikaru says, giving her stamp of approval.
"Guess that just leaves…" Shizuka let's the sentence trail.
"… the hair?" Chikaru finishes for her, having already gotten the brush.
Tsubomi studies by herself at the school library near Miator. She is currently on the subject of math, but that's not where her thoughts are. They are floating in a sea of notes and melodies, drifting with them, but fighting to turn the clefs and stops back into equations. Try as she might, though, there is nothing she can do. Studying is simply not going to happen. How unbecoming of a student of Spica. She should be able to block out any distractions in her pursuit of a higher education. She should-
"Tsuuuuuubbooooomiiii-chhhaannn!" The ghastly voice echoes in her ear, causing her to jump with a fright.
Seeing that it was only Yaya, though, and seeing the sly little bugger snickering at her start, Tsubomi balls up a fist and, with a growl, mouths off, "Yaya-senpai! Why are you… Why did you… Ooh, I'm always falling for those tricks!"
"Um, Tsubomi-chan…" Yaya whispers to her, coyly pointing at the other students in the library.
Tsubomi gasps, turning beet red at having just caused a scene, "Forgive my outburst. I'm sorry."
Chikaru finishes the braid and makes some final touches to the lush bundles of ebony. Shizuka has been meditating during this time, as she usually has. This time, however, it doesn't take. She can't get Kaname out of her mind. Since the challenge at the lake, Shizuka's thoughts have been distorted by the manipulator and she curses her weakness.
"The girl sure has spunk." She spits, letting off a heavy sigh.
"To have gotten you this unnerved, she must also have a certain level of skill." Chikaru giggles.
"Skillful or crafty, she's actually managed to slither her way into my brain." Shizuka grumbles.
"Maybe you wanted her slithering." Chikaru muses.
"I suppose it's the only way she'll learn." Shizuka admits.
Chikaru considers this, pausing long enough for her roommate to suspect something amiss and says, "I do believe she's gotten in too deep."
"The girls at Spica do seem to share a gift for doing that." Chikaru suggests.
Shizuka stands and twirls about, "Yes, it's called being a girl at Spica."
"Now now, play nice, Shizuka." Chikaru replies, smiling.
Shizuka winks back, going to the door to take her tennis racket and wrist bands before heading out.
"Why does Yaya-senpai always pick on me?" Tsubomi whines.
It has been a few minutes since her outburst and, though none of the other students are concerned with it anymore, Tsubomi is still upset at having made one. Yaya, on the other hand, is quite satisfied with herself and happy to have the flustered youngster to keep her mind off other things.
"That's because Tsubomi-chan is so small. It would be a waste not to pick on you." She explains, a sly grin stretching across her face.
"I'm not that small anymore. I'm in my second year now. There is a new class of first years for Yaya to be a pain." Tsubomi grumbles, pouting.
"Tsubomi is still young enough to suffice." Yaya reasons, patting the girl on the head.
To this, Tsubomi develops her own grin, making mention that, "Well, I might not be as sufficiently young as you think."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Yaya asks.
"I mean to say, I'm a senpai, too." She answers her, wagging a finger.
"Oh, I see." The response is oddly mild, but Tsubomi continues on, blissfully unaware.
"Her name is Inoue Eiko. She's a first year, but no teasing her." She says.
"That's wonderful, Tsubomi-chan." Yaya congratulates, though her tone seems less than jubilant.
Tsubomi takes notice this time, but doesn't know how to react, looking at Yaya in confusion as the older girl looks away, sinking back into a detached state.
Chikaru walks the halls of the Strawberry Dorms, papers in both hands as she contemplates a few things. Shizuka has already gone to meet with her challenger and that leaves Chikaru with nothing to do. At least, that is her feeling. She finds herself sighing, rather unusual for her considering no problems were afoot. Although, perhaps one might reveal itself soon.
"Chikaru-sama!" A high-pitched voice says, her tone showing her surprise.
"Oh, Nagisa-chan!" She replies, as she takes her attention from the papers to the redhead opposite.
After the initial shock, the fifth year student sinks back down, her expression hinting at melancholy. Having a certain sense about these things, the raven-haired President of Lulim takes notice, but even knowing, she understands that it is Nagisa who must decide whether or not to consult someone about it. In any event, she'd already been holding onto it for some time.
"What is Chikaru-sama looking at?" The girl asks, masking her actual emotions with zest.
"Just a few designs I have for the Henshin Club. Here." Chikaru answers, showing her the sketches.
"Wow, they look so cute!" Nagisa explains as she usually did, adding, "They don't look like Chikaru-sama's other drawings."
"Nagisa-chan has a good eye. These were made by someone else who is very talented." Chikaru admits, gazing at the sketches warmly.
"Does that mean there's a fashion designing type of club at Lulim?" Nagisa beams, showing genuine excitement, though Chikaru begins to understand why.
She covers her mouth with her right hand and giggles at the poor girl, "Sorry, Nagisa-chan, these weren't created in a club."
Hearing this causes the redhead to sink back down again, a disappointed voice mumbling that, "There aren't any new clubs this year."
"Is Nagisa-chan interested in joining a club?" Chikaru asks.
"No… Maybe? I'm not sure…" She says, finally stumbling in her struggle to maintain the façade.
"Nagisa-chan?"
"I miss Shizuma-sama." The girl blurts, hugging her arms for comfort.
"Nagisa-chan…" Chikaru cooes, brushing some of the girl's hair.
"I try to keep myself busy, but nothing helps." Nagisa continues, looking down, "That's why I started looking for clubs, but they're all the same ones from last year."
Chikaru doesn't say anything. It isn't the time. She hasn't let all of it out just yet. Still, it may become too much for her to get it all off her chest. If that happens, what could Chikaru do about it? She thinks on this as she continues to console the girl. Honestly, she could use a distraction, too. Though she couldn't place it exactly, something feels missing. As she gazes down at Nagisa, she starts to have an idea.
"I think I feel lonely. I know I shouldn't. It doesn't make sense, but that's what I feel. I haven't told Tamao-chan or anyone else. I don't want to worry them. I think I've been better about hiding it this time and it isn't as bad as it was then, anyway." Nagisa rambles, tears welling in her eyes despite what she just said, "Last time, I was so confused. Shizuma-sama was suffering; even I could tell. But that was because of Kaori-san and she couldn't help it. Neither of us could. This time it's different, right? We're together already. So why do I still feel like this? Is something wrong with me? Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much. Now, I'm embarrassed that I'm talking so much. This isn't like me. Am I going crazy? I jus-"
"This way, Nagisa-chan!" Chikaru suddenly says, taking her hand and pulling her along the hallway.
"What is it, Chika-" Nagisa asks, but is quickly silenced.
Chikaru shushes the girl, hiding with her behind a corner as she peeks out. Nagisa can't see anything from where she is, but she is curious. A few moments later, Chikaru turns to her, promptly enlisting her services in the Secrets Club. Nagisa blinks in confusion, but that doesn't stop Chikaru from pulling her along, hiding at the balcony overlooking the ground floor of the dorms where Nagisa finally notices Tamao with her measuring tape. She understands what must have been Chikaru's intention and is also interested to know what her roommate is up to, nodding her confirmation and new affiliation with the Secrets Club.
Tamao stands before a short girl with curled blonde hair. She is wearing a light yellow sweater over her extensively pink outfit. It seems rather obvious the girl is from Lulim, but she can't be identified as she's standing with her back turned… or so Chikaru notes. The raven-haired girl stands at a window on the Lulim wing of the dorms, binoculars pointed at the courtyard below. As she spies on the two, she reports all the details she gleams to Nagisa, who is sat beside her with a notepad. When the older girl unveiled that she was in possession of the mini-binoculars before even knowing about Tamao's activities, Nagisa was a bit suspicious, but she was truly lonesome and Chikaru had been very good with that in the past.
"She's measuring her bust now. I think she's asking the girl to turn." Chikaru reports.
"What do you think it means, Chikaru-sama?" Nagisa asks, jotting down everything she hears.
"Oh! She's just turned around. It's Kagome-chan!" The super sleuth reveals.
"Kagome-chan?" Nagisa gasps, standing up to see for herself, "What is Tamao-chan doing taking Kagome-chan's measurements?"
"That's a good question. A very good question." Chikaru states, mimicking the main characters of old noir films.
"Last year," Nagisa recounts, "Tamao-chan did the same thing to me. When we first met, she suddenly decided to take all my measurements."
"Interesting, yes, very interesting. Do you believe it could be related?" Chikaru ponders, tapping her chin just as in the films.
"Maybe. Tamao told me later that she was collecting as much information as she could about me." Nagisa explains, "But I didn't know why she did that yet."
"Think back, Nagisa-chan. Is there anything else you can remember?" Chikaru enquires, seeming to be analysing the data gathered.
"That's all I can think of." The redhead says, "Sorry, Chikaru-sama."
"No, that's alright." She replies, going back to the two with her binoculars, "I think we've learned all we're going to in the field."
This puzzles Nagisa, who hadn't been part of the Secrets Club's previous investigations, "Eh? Chikaru-sama?"
"Looks like Tamao is saying something now." Detective Minamoto resumes reporting.
"What is she saying?"
"I can't quite make it out. Since Kagome-chan is shorter than Tamao-chan and since Tamao-chan has such long hair, her speech is being masked. It's as if they know we're watching." Chikaru tells her.
"Really?" Nagisa reacts in surprise.
Chikaru giggles at this, assuring her that, "I'm only kidding. They're just too far away."
The speed at which Nagisa's excitement deflates is astounding, but her curiosity only grows. She has become very invested in the case, which Chikaru had dubbed the Measurements of the Mysterious Tamao. The two return to the scene to watch it play out. After Tamao finishes speaking to the young girl, she smiles and pats her on the head, leaving with information in hand, written down in a similar booklet to the one she had last year with details on Nagisa. When she's out of view, Kagome lifts up her bear and appears to speak to it, her expression remaining unchanged since the start of the event.
"Tamao-chan has left the scene. I move that we take the data we have and proceed with detailed analysis to see if we can piece it together." Chikaru announces, turning to Nagisa who only looks at her in confusion.
At the Secrets Club Headquarters… also the headquarters of the Henshin Club and Puppetry Club, Chikaru and Nagisa go over what they know. A bulletin board has been assembled at the front of the room with pictures and notes on the scene. How Chikaru obtained pictures of it when she had only been shown with binoculars is left unexplained. Chikaru only says they come from her "sources", whatever that means.
"Our suspect was last seen fleeing the scene with documents in hand. She was holding a roll of measuring tape in her right hand as seen in the first photograph." Chikaru states for the record, adding a headshot of Tamao to the board.
"Fleeing?" Nagisa asks, scratching her cheek, a bead of sweat sliding down her face.
Continuing on, the detective clips a headshot of Kagome and adds it to the board as well, "She was seen speaking with a second year student attending St. Lulim Girl's School by the name Byakudan Kagome. Kagome-chan was holding what appears to be a bear that she calls Percival."
"Doesn't Kagome-chan always follow Remon-chan and Kizuna-chan around?" Nagisa enquires.
"Brilliant deduction, Nagisa-chan!" She congratulates, going back to the board, "So, if Kagome-chan is usually with Remon-chan and Kizuna-chan, where are they in this photo? Why aren't they with her?"
"Oh, because maybe Tamao-chan wanted to meet with Kagome-chan alone!" Nagisa exclaims, starting to be drawn in.
"Yes, now the question is why." Chikaru clamours, "What could cause these two individuals, who don't act in this way under normal circumstances, to suddenly act so out of character?"
"Do you think Tamao-chan has feelings for Kagome-chan?" Nagisa wonders.
"Hm, interesting analysis. How did you come to this conclusion, Nagisa-chan?" Detective Minamoto enquires of the girl.
"Well, the measuring tape seems to be a big clue." Nagisa explains, "I remember now that Tamao-chan told me why she had measured me so carefully now. She told me that she didn't have a roommate until I transferred to Astraea Hill last year. Since I was the first person to room with her, she grew attached and ended up obsessing over me."
"So you believe the tape as used this time could be a sign that Tamao-chan's obsessive behaviour is now being directed at Kagome-chan?" Chikaru questions, her eyes unmoved from the headshot of Tamao.
"Does that not make sense?" Nagisa asks, scratching her cheek again.
"Well… yes and no. On the one hand, Tamao-chan's use of the measuring tape could be a sign that she's attached herself to Kagome-chan. However, since they don't typically run in the same circles, we can't be certain of it without more information. Furthermore, there's the issue of Kagome-chan. If it was only that Tamao-chan was interested in her, why would she be alone when she's normally with Remon-chan and Kizuna-chan?" Chikaru ponders, telling Nagisa of the potential problems with their story, "We're missing something."
"So, you don't think Tamao-chan is interested in Kagome-chan?" Nagisa chances a guess, having not understood a thing.
"Hm… Nagisa, isn't one of Tamao-chan's assistants a second year named Tsukidate Chiyo? Chikaru enquires.
"Huh? Yes, Chiyo-chan has been helping Tamao along with Chihaya-chan and Mizushima-san." Nagisa replies.
"I see." Chikaru utters, considering this information, "Perhaps, the measurements were meant as a baseline measurement for outfits of some sort."
"I don't think Tamao-chan is as 'considerate' as Chikaru is on these things." Nagisa mumbles, implications floating about in her words about the Lulim President's… abundance of… club members.
Chikaru turns to her with a blush, "Oh, well, I suppose not. However, it doesn't take much 'consideration' to become a senpai, Nagisa-chan."
"Oh…" The redhead thinks aloud, "Tamao-chan is like a senpai to the girls of Miator now."
"Let's retire for today." Chikaru told her, ending the club's session.
Nagisa makes the trip back to her room. When she enters, she spots Tamao busying herself with more papers, though it is clear from where Nagisa stands that the booklet of measurements is also on her desk. She eyes it as she goes to her bed. Tamao has been so immersed in whatever she's doing that she only takes notice of her roommate's return once she sits down on her mattress.
"Oh, Nagisa-chan. Welcome back." She greets, noticeably covering the booklet with other papers.
"It's good to be back…" Nagisa says sheepishly, rubies flashing to the covered booklet a few times.
"Where has Nagisa-chan been?" Tamao asks her, noticing her odd behaviour.
"Yes, I saw some things that grabbed my attention. Lots of things, in fact." Her roommate answers her, peeking at the Student Council President from the corner of her eye.
Tamao is wary of her actions, but only asks, "What was it?"
"Oh, it wouldn't be something Tamao-chan cares about." Nagisa replies coyly, going over to her desk to study.
"Nagisa-chan…" Tamao mutters, left to guess what has her roommate acting unusually shaded.
"Alright, Kaname, I'm here." Shizuka calls out, having arrived on the tennis courts of Spica, "Let's get this over with."
The Spica Student Council President, adorned in the same black attire from her match against the Etoile, approaches the courts, greeting her opponent, "Yes, let us begin. Let me start you on your path."
Author's Note: Poor Tsubomi. Hopefully Eiko will protect her from Yaya's teasing. Without Hikari to distract her, Yaya's full wrath can be deadly for an inexperienced second year student. =p If I was Tsubomi, I'd definitely use my Eiko shields, but we'll see what she chooses.
That outfit I gave Shizuka was done on two counts: The first was to give more detail to Chikaru's actual activities. The manga and anime seem to just have her floating about, solving problems as they appear and/or starting her own trouble. This gives her life more… life. xD We can't be having the ever-helpful Chikaru read like a stalker. =p The second reason was to show off my outfit describing skills… Yes, I know they are just awful. xD Believe me, though, if you saw the outfit, you'd want to describe it, too. It's deliciously complicated.
Oh, and how can I skip over mentioning the glorious return of the Himitsubu. One of my favourite episodes of the anime was Hydrangeas with the rain and umbrellas. When Chikaru shouted the phrase about scanning the scene of the crime carefully and snapped the chalk across the board, I couldn't stop myself laughing. It was actually the single scene that made me a fan of her character. As such, I simply had to bring a rendition of it to my fiction and what better way than to immerse it into two points of story I wanted to get out, that Nagisa was lonely without Shizuma and that Tamao might be starting her own harem! Kidding for that last bit, but I will be having Tamao move on from her obsession with Nagisa. Actually, the way it is now, it may just solve my problem with not having anything to write for the Lulim girls. Still, the idea of a Tamao harem would be fun to explore. She's obsessive enough for it even if she isn't, as Nagisa put it, "considerate" enough. ^_~ Her harem probably wouldn't involve much dressing of the girls. That part only makes me love Chikaru more. xD Still, with the way she measured Nagisa at the start of the anime and her disturbing "Nagisa Treasures", I'm sure Tamao could give the girl a run for her money. =p
Find out if she does next time! 8D *poof gone*
次回予告
Tamao: What do you mean I could give her a run for her money?!
Nagisa: Aha! Another clue!
Tamao: I'm INNOCENT!
Nagisa: Chikaru-sama will get to the bottom of it!
Next time on Strawberry Panic, Duel!
Tamao: Yes, focus on Kenjou-san and Mori-sama!
この番組はメディアファクトリーとご覧のスポンサーの提供でお送りいしました!
次回をお楽しみに