Hello! Thank you for all your reviews! Nagisa meets the parents this time :D But again, my story is completely angst free, so don't expect much conflict xD.
This will probably be the last chapter I publish before Christmas. So Merry Christmas everyone!
Disclaimer: Nuh uh. Don't own Strawberry Panic.
En Avant a Paris – The Meeting
" Open the gate please Hiramatsu. Thanks."
Shizuma stepped lightly on the brake, jerking to a stop in front of the Hanazono house. The angel beside her was still fast asleep, evidently tired from the day's activities. A smile formed on her face as she observed the girl's serene expression, coming to an undeniable conclusion.
" Her sleeping face is, very very cute."
Getting out of the car and careful not to awake Nagisa, the older girl slipped her arms under the sleeping figure and lifted her gently out of the car. The butler noticed Shizuma's actions and rushed to offer his help, but she declined politely.
Nagisa came to slowly as Shizuma walked up the stairs. She smiled at the redhead, her eyes connecting with the young miatorian.
" Good morning love. "
Realising where she was, she quickly clung onto Shizuma's coat, burying her head in her chest. Of course she felt safe in her love's arms, but you could never be too careful. Shizuma continued moving up the stairs and moved into a room. She gently laid the redhead down onto the bed, then laid herself down afterwards. The younger girl intuitively moved back into her lover's arms, placing a light kiss on her lips as gratitude. After laying there for a short period of time, Shizuma let go of Nagisa's waist. Before she could protest, the older girl sat up.
" I would love to cuddle all day long sweetie, but you haven't seen the house yet and I want you to meet a few people at dinner. I hope you like foie gras."
Nagisa's face fell. She knew what foie gras was and she did not like the sound of it. Shizuma expected the reaction and chuckled.
" I was kidding. We're having quail, if I'm not wrong."
She leaned over and kissed her, with the intention of it being a quick goodbye kiss, but Nagisa's unwillingness to stop escalated it into one of passion. They broke off after a while, their breaths shallow and skin flushed red. Nagisa writhed in silent frustration, her eyes burning with need and want. Shizuma realised this and sighed.
" Nagisa, you know I'd love to, but there are people waiting my love. After dinner, I promise. Now go get clean and I'll come get you in a few minutes. Dress nicely my dear, because my parents are waiting downstairs to meet you. "
With those last few words, the older girl kissed Nagisa's hand and left the room. The redhead's expression immediately turned into one of worry. She had expected to see them sometime during the trip, but she didn't expect it to be so soon as Shizuma had told her that her parents weren't usually in the country. She quickly got off the bed and stepped into the shower, grabbing the best dresses she could find in her suitcase.
The water erased some of the frustration from her body, leaving Nagisa remotely calm and relaxed, but nerves settled in as she thought of Shizuma's parents, whose personality and looks probably matches her girlfriend's.
" I wonder how they are like. Are they as strict as her? They have to be as smart as her… since they're so wealthy and I'm sure they're just as beautiful as Shizuma Onee-sama. Ooh I knew I should've brought that formal dress! "
With that last thought, she pushed all thoughts of Shizuma out of her mind and concentrated on her appearance for dinner.
" Nagisa? Are you done? "
Shizuma asked, knocking on the door. Dressed in a modest black turtleneck and long white pants topped off with a white blazer, she was epitome of sophistication. She sat on the bed, patiently waiting for her love to finish.
" Give me a minute! "
Nagisa said, still contemplating on which of the two dresses she should wear. She certainly did not want Shizuma's elite and insanely wealthy parents to have a bad impression. Settling for a the more formal red number with a silver butterfly brooch, she finished off her look with her hair tied up in a neat ponytail. Swaying her hips, she looked at the mirror for one last time, gave herself a reassuring nod and walked out of the bathroom.
" Took a while my dar--- Wow…"
Shizuma was rendered momentarily speechless. Smiling, she stood up, wrapped her arms around her love and kissed her neck gently, eliciting a soft moan from the redhead. Pulling away after a few kisses, she looked into her ruby red eyes.
" You look absolutely beautiful. "
The silver-haired girl said, kissing the top of her hand. Nagisa blushed furiously as she felt her girlfriend's lips touch her skin. She then felt a warm hand travel up her back and under her shoulder straps. Looking at Shizuma, she noticed her emerald eyes shined of playful mischief.
"That's a lovely dress my dear. Does it come off easily ?"
Nagisa's face turned a shade deeper. Although they've been together for a year, she still hasn't got used to Shizuma's constant flirting, but she wouldn't have her love any other way. Breaking away from her embrace, she slipped her hand into Shizuma's, who smiled and ushered her out the door.
Holding onto Shizuma's hand, she walked into the dining hall, which was unsurprisingly just as beautiful as the rest of the house. A crystal chandelier hung above the white rectangular table, the light illuminating the gold trimmed plates and the many pieces cutlery placed beside. A candle holder with unlit candles stood as the centrepiece of the table, it's silver and white matching the similarly coloured walls. Nagisa could see the faces of three people sitting at the end of the table, two of them having the same shade of hair as her lover's and one with considerably darker hair.
" Don't be so nervous Nagisa. I'm sure you'll warm up to them very quickly. And there's someone familiar sitting there too."
With that, she gently applied pressure onto Nagisa's back, leading her into the room. Nagisa immediately recognized the darker haired person.
" Rokujou-sama! It's a surprise seeing you here!"
" It's a pleasure seeing you again Nagisa. My fiancée coincidentally lives in Paris so I just dropped by to say Hello."
Miyuki Rokujou smiled at the cheerful redhead. Nagisa's nerves settled slightly as she saw her familiar face. After the Etoile elections, The ex-student council president apologized to the couple for her actions, reassuring them that they have her support in their future endeavours. Shizuma guided Nagisa into the seat opposite Miyuki and went over to kiss the hands of her parents. Her father sat at the end of the table, a huge smile on his face as Shizuma kissed his hand. He was dressed in a crisp white suit, his ashen hair slicked back into a neat comb over while his wife contrasted him, her modest yet visually appealing black dress greatly accenting her silver locks. Miyuki stood out from the pair, her silky blue dress shimmering under the light.
" He's so handsome and he has such a nice smile. Shizuma-sama must've gotten her beautiful smile from him. But Shizuma-sama's mother looks exactly like an older version of her, except with shorter hair. They're all dressed so nicely. Oh I feel so under dressed."
Nagisa thought, her head down and suddenly finding the floor in particular very interesting. Shizuma sensed her nerves and took Nagisa's trembling hand in hers under the table, giving her a comforting squeeze.
" You must be Nagisa-chan. My name is Hitomi and this is my husband Keiji. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. "
Nagisa looked up and found Shizuma's mother smiling sweetly at her.
" Yes. Shizuma has written to me about you. She said you were a very adorable girl and I must say, our daughter was right. How'd you get such a good catch hmm Shizuma?"
" Why, by using her esteemed grace and dazzling beauty of course. Meeting under that tree, their eyes searching into one another's souls, electricity flying through one another's veins as they touched… Nagisa was hooked from the very beginning."
Miyuki mocked uncharacteristically. Shizuma's father let out a hearty laugh and patted his daughter hard on the back. The silver-haired miatorian brushed off the comments, although clearly very embarrassed. She glanced sideways at Nagisa, who appeared to have calmed down after the initial introductions and was now smiling happily.
" Le dîner est servi mademoiselle ."
The butler walked into the dining room, carrying five bowls of freshly prepared mussel and scallop soup. Nagisa remembered her etiquette training from Miator, picking up the spoon with the roundest head. Not much of a seafood person, she sipped a bit of her cider once every three spoons, washing the taste of mussel from her mouth and prayed that they didn't notice her questionable behaviour.
" Are you enjoying Paris so far Nagisa?"
Hitomi asked after wiping her mouth with the napkin. The redhead put down her cider glass and nodded.
" Yes Hanazono-san. Notre Dame was very beautiful."
" Please, call me Hitomi. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. There are many other places to see other than the two islands. Where are you taking her next Shizuma?"
Shizuma placed her spoon gently down on the plate and the butler quickly took all of their dishes away and replaced them with their main course, roasted Quail with asparagus and herb butter. Nagisa tucked into the meal jovially, thankful for something that she actually could tolerate eating.
" I was thinking of taking her to the Louvre tomorrow. Then to the Rue De Rivoli for a bit of shopping and sightseeing. We might visit a few cafes as well. "
" Splendid idea Shizuma. How much money would you need? Make sure you get something for your little one. The cash or the card my dear? "
" Oh, no no no sir. I cannot impose."
Nagisa quickly added, declining Keiji's generosity. She was already in Paris, she certainly did not want the family to spend more money on her.
" Haha! It's perfectly fine my dear Nagisa. You're part of our family now. You deserve to be treated well. Please, get yourself something nice. I insist! Shizuma, you make sure of that. "
" Yes sir. "
Shizuma replied. The butler took away the plates again and served the last course, dessert. Nagisa's eyes shined as a plate with a cup of deliciously looking Crème brûlée was placed in front of her. An equally as appealing custard filled choux pastry puff was placed on the other side of the plate, drizzled in a sinful chocolate sauce and topped off with a fine dusting of icing sugar. She spooned a bit of the Crème brûlée and tasted it, savouring its deliciously smooth texture and taste.
" Wow. This is delicious."
"Mmmm. Our pastry chef is most talented at making desserts. What would we do without him? Nagisa, if you'd like any other dessert, don't hesitate to ask. Dominique is always willing to make you one if you flatter him with your compliments."
Hitomi added. Nagisa was enjoying herself. She was most relieved that Shizuma's parents had approved of her and their relationship and was evidently happy that she could get along with them. She clearly did not expect it to be that easy.
After dessert, Shizuma's parents turned in for the night and Miyuki went back to her fiancée's place. Nagisa was exhausted, but Shizuma could see that she was glowing. After taking a short shower, the couple settled into bed.
" Shall we pick up where we left off? "
Shizuma asked, turning towards her love and kissing her lightly on the lips. Nagisa kissed back weakly, sleep threatening to overcome her.
" Too… tired. Maybe… tomorrow."
Wrapping her arms around Nagisa's body, Shizuma nodded and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
" Sleep tight my angel."
Woot! Another chapter complete. Thank you for reading and hit that green button that says Review (: